Chapter Text
Sukuna looked at the new world through the eyes of the brat who held him in his body; it would be a crime for him to admit that he felt intimidated, he would never allow anyone to know, not even this brat. But it would only be a matter of reclaiming his remaining power through his fingers, after that nothing would stop him, he would finish what he started so many centuries ago, he just needed the ideal body, this one was resilient, but still not the right one.
He allows himself to recline on his throne made of bones, raises his hand towards the ceiling, and flexes his fingers one by one, remembering how he could take the heads of those young rich kids who once looked at him with disdain or disgust, as if they were better than him, but when he showed what he was capable of, they begged for mercy.
He remembers that they were so small compared to his enormous hand, he clenched his hand tightly, just like in those days, the memory of feeling the hot blood, the gelatinous mass of their brains dripping down his arms made him salivate a little.
"pathetic" at what point had he ended up like this, looking at the buildings made him feel small, compared to when he destroyed mansions, villages, and even palaces.
With a grunt, he turned his body and resumed observing his surroundings. When he noticed a curious scene, two young people who had bumped into each other because the streets were so crowded, she dropped a bag and the boy didn't let her help, it was obvious he was astonished by the beauty of that woman and wanted to make a good impression, while she was all smiles.
In his mind, there was a flash of a smile and sweet words. He straightened up suddenly and his heart raced like crazy.
"woa"
"Are you okay, Itadori?"
"Yes, it's just that my heart started racing like crazy."
"I told you that you wouldn't drink those beverages anymore."
The conversation sounded more distant than it already was in his state, a feeling of discomfort settled in his chest. He had forgotten that feeling of vulnerability, he lay down again but this time he allowed himself to close his eyes, trying to visualize that memory, because he knew it was a memory, he knew who the owner of that seemingly kind and warm smile was.
Then the memory fully materialized...
He was around eight years old, although his weak and hungry body looked older, too tall for the yukata he had and the only one. He knew it was almost winter by the color of the fallen leaves and especially by the icy atmosphere.
He tried to huddle more among the bushes to try to gather warmth, but it was in vain. They had quickly taken him out of the stables; apparently, they didn't want the monster child wandering around, tarnishing the perfect image of the clan. After all, it seemed that someone very important would be visiting today. Honestly, he didn't care; in the end, they would be much richer people who believe they have the right to mistreat others just because they have always had it easy. They would never know what hunger, cold, or the rancid taste of leftovers was like.
"Achu!" The sound quickly alerted him; no important person would come to this side of the mansion. That reassured him, but not enough—he didn't want to earn another beating from a guard.
But then, from the shadows, a girl appeared. She had red eyes and a pout on her face. What caught his attention was her warm clothing with a delicate pattern on her pink kimono. Her hairstyle, despite being a simple bun, had a golden hairpin with small pink stones. The fact that the daughter of a possible noble was here was not good at all, especially for him. He tried to back away silently, which didn't work because his yukata got caught in the dry branches, making noise.
Your eyes widened when they noticed him, both of you stood still, staring at each other in silence. He wanted to flee, but his legs were already frozen from the cold, so he resigned himself to whatever might happen from now on. But what he didn't expect was for you to approach him slowly, until you were just a few steps away and sat down on the ground.
From where he was, he could notice your skin, unblemished and plump, everything about you screamed cleanliness, while he was dirty and covered in scars.
"What's your name?" Your voice is sweet and warm, like the honey they used to sweeten the lady of the house's tea. He remembers once cleaning a drop that was on the floor; it was the best feeling of his life.
"And-I don't..." How do you address someone who has no name? They always referred to him as the monster boy.
"Don't you have any?" you close your eyes while placing your hand on your chin, "I'll call you ****** it suits you quite well."
He watches as you stand up and approach him while extending your hand, carefully and without fully touching, you bring your hand closer to his. It's not until you, a bit desperate, grab him and pull him, with surprising strength for such a small body, that you manage to make him stand. The heat of your hand burns him.
You just smile and start walking back the way you came, I didn't know why, but I felt I could be safe by your side, despite being smaller than him. But there was something else that bothered him, he couldn't perceive anything in you, it was hard to explain, in the clan there were people who emanated something that he could perceive, like when you bring your fingers close to the heat of the oven or in winter when there are snowstorms. You were only warm because of the heat that naturally emanates from your body.
Both walked along the path that led them past the stables. He was surprised by the fact that you remembered the way back. They both approached the crowd gathered in the main garden. There were several people wearing the same color kimono, one that did not belong to the clan, kneeling on the ground imploring mercy, and a man who stood out above all the others. Caso could see it, and suddenly he felt sick, his body began to tremble. He was holding a blood-stained halberd in his hand.
"Daddy!" You let go of his hand and he falls to his knees due to the oppressive force in the atmosphere, but as if you couldn't feel it, you run towards him happily and extend your arms to him.
Suddenly, everything seemed to be absorbed, he started breathing normally and his body no longer felt rigid, the others had also begun to move little by little.
"Where were you, little one?" The man held you in his arms, letting his sword fall, and now he had a warm smile.
"I was around," you say nonchalantly, as if it weren't obvious that what happened was because of you.
"Mmm... and that guy?" Now it's not just his gaze, but the entire clan's, including the chief who didn't have the best expression.
Why had he followed you? Now they will punish him even worse.
"He's my friend, he helped me get back," when he hears you, he looks surprised and watches you, wondering when you had reached him. "It's just that my nanny disappeared, she left me alone and I was so scared of getting lost, but he brought me back."
He couldn't believe how easily you lied, and even more so, how convincing you sounded. They both knew you had brought him there. He stopped looking at you to see how your father picked up his halberd and approached the two of you, quickly straightening up and making a somewhat curt bow.
"So this boy helped you? What's your name, little buddy?"
"His name is り刀りﾌりズりズ, I named him because he didn't have one," you say with a little smile and bend down to help him stand up, but you definitely can't look him directly in the eye, yet you feel that confidence returning to him. "Daddy, can I keep him? Please!" "Please!"
A deathly silence fills the place, you could barely hear the breathing of the others present, even the wind had calmed down, had you referred to him as if he were a dog? Your father simply let out a loud laugh.
"But wouldn't you prefer a girl, sweetheart?"
"No, I want him," you say without letting go of his hand, even more determined.
"Well, what wouldn't we do for our children?" he whispers to himself as he turns to the clan leader, "How much for the boy?"
"My lord wouldn't prefer a healthier one," he feels the disapproving looks of everyone on him and he just wants to disappear.
"My little princess wants him, so no."
Deep down, he felt a slight indignation about how they were talking about him, but clearly, he couldn't express an opinion, nor could he choose. He glanced at you out of the corner of his eye and noticed that you were also looking at him with a lot of concentration, perhaps too much.
He opened his eyes and looked at his hand again, he could almost feel the warmth of your hand. What name did you give him? I didn't remember it anyway. Another reason why he had agreed to put on all this show.