Chapter Text
“Isn’t it too early? For you to die?” Megumi can hear a female voice. What is happening? He wonders.
Ah.. Right, he is dying. He wants to laugh. If there was a God he would really like to punch them. He is slowly loosing his consciousness but in his mind he responded to the question. After a two year of consecutively exorcising curses, fighting Kenjaku and watching his people die. Megumi was finally going to meet them. But what is he going to tell them? That he failed miserably even after all those scarifies? That he was not even able to do a fraction of what he was supposed to do? Overall how was he supposed to face him?
“Gojo sensei.” He whispered with his last breathe.
*splash* Megumi is suddenly wide awake with the ice cold water drenching his clothes. The first thing he sees is a rather nostalgic food in front of him that is all wasted. He turns his head to the culprit responsible but when he saw the person in front of him he was left speechless with wide open eyes.
“Tsumiki?”
“Megumi! Are you fine? I am so sorry. I tripped somehow.” Tsumiki kept on wiping his hair and face with a pastel pink handkerchief, while looking on the ground to find on what she tripped on. One more thing caught Megumi’s attention, why was Tsumiki so small? Just like when they were still children. Confused he grabbed her arm and stopped her from panicking.
“Are you really Tsumiki?” Megumi asked once again.
“Oh No! Megumi did I hit you somewhere? Are you unable to recognize me?” Now Tsumiki was sweating in panic, not realising how much Megumi wanted to cry after seeing her again. Megumi got up from his seat and gave a squeezing hug to Tsumiki. Her body tensed at the sudden contact but when she felt something wet on her shoulder she returned the hug.
“Well” Tsumiki broke the hug “I don’t know what is happening but ” Tsumiki wiped off the remaining tears on Megumi’s eyes “you don’t have to worry about anything. Everything is going to be fine.” Tsumiki beamed brightly with her gentle smile. The moment broke when saw the room around him. In the corner of the room, from a small mirror Megumi could see himself. He was back to the age of 5. How? He questioned to himself.
After Tsumiki left to get some groceries with their little amount of money, Megumi sat and called out the divine dogs. For a few seconds nothing happened, dejected Megumi felt his eyes pooling with tears. A drop of tear was about to drop to the floor when a very familiar sensation came around him. In a fast speed Megumi looked behind him, there sat the two good boys who he adored the most.
“Shiro! Kuro!” Megumi tackled his two big Shikigami in a tight hug. The two dogs stared at each other in confusion. Loosing his hold Megumi ruffled the soft furs, reminiscing the times when he missed the feeling of their warmth. But now his theories are proving to be true. Somehow he is back in time after that mysterious voice called out to him, which means this time he holds many cards that he can use to change the future. He is not going to repeat the same mistake again. Changes will be there, everything will change, including Megumi himself.
“ I am home!” Chimes in Tsumiki with a bag of instant noodles and eggs.
Well, for now he can start with helping Tsumiki in cooking their unhealthy meal.
Tsumiki was sound asleep while Megumi was noting down all the events in a timeline system. As far as he knows, Gojo and Geto are still in high school. The only problem is that old man of his. Did the incident with Amane began before this or did it occur after this? There was only one way to know. Tiptoeing Megumi rummaged the small drawer with all the clothes they had. Among those was a black shirt, Megumi did a lil cheer inside his mine. The shirt in his hand was Toji's. Leaving the home, Megumi summoned the divine dogs.
“Could you trace this smell?” He was replied with a bark. Shiro sniffed the shirt and ran toward a certain direction. Megumi climbed on Kuro, who started following Shiro. After 10 minutes Megumi was panting hard. His current form is not used to handle curse energy, henceforth he was struggling even without any physical labour. He need to get back on shape again. A bark from Shiro got his attention back. In front of him was a warehouse with no locks. Getting off Kuro and sending them back to his shadow Megumi knocked on the large door of the store house. Knocked once, twice, thrice and still no response. Annoyed Megumi continuously knocked on the door as hard as he could. On hindsight Megumi should have considered the point that it was midnight and most people are asleep during this time. Or there was no one and the workers forgot to lock the door.
“Who the hell are you doing brat?” A voice whispered in Megumi's ears from behind. Covering his ears Megumi glared at the culprit. There he was, Toji, in his full glory. Standing tall and nonchalant, scratching his stomach while yawning. Megumi felt the urge to simply leave the man to his demise because who the hell forgets their own child?! Breathing back his anger Megumi introduced himself in a chirpy and overly joyous voice
“Hello! My name is Fushiguro Megumi.” Toji gave no reaction to the name. “I am five years old. I was looking for you, Father.” Toji’s whole body went rigid as soon as the word father came out. Megumi observed every small detail given by Toji’s body. His body looked scared and anxious? Megumi was about to speak more when a hand grabbed his whole face, it was Toji’s hand. Megumi sensed bloodlust from the man. In a hurry Megumi tried summoning Nue but he lost consciousness before his hands could meet.
Toji stared at Megumi’s limp body in his arms. With a shaky hand Toji caressed his dear son's face gently and slowly. His blessing sure did grow. Toji took Megumi inside the warehouse and laid him in a corner, using his curse as a pillow. After confirming that Megumi was out cold he returned his attention back to the man tied near the pile of bodies. With a lazy grin he talked to the frightened man.
“You see, I was supposed to deliver you alive but now that you have seen something you shouldn’t have. I have no other choice left but to kill you.” The man viciously shook his head as muffled screams tried coming out. “I mean they could make use with a dead body too, I guess.” The only sound that comes after is a gun shot. When the dead body hits the cold floor Toji takes a quick glance at the spot Megumi was asleep.
It was already morning when Megumi opened his eyes. Something warm was enveloping around him, sleep still lingering he snuggled the source of warmth with a satisfied smile. A low chuckle snapped him out of the trance. Alarmed his eyes shot open with a murderous glare. Surprise and shock was the expression Toji had when Megumi opened his eyes. Damn him and his sense of wariness. No ordinary 5 year old wakes up with murder screaming from their face. In attempt to cover his mistake Megumi slowly closed his eyes again, acting like he did all the action in sleep. In his mind he chanted for Toji to take the bait. It seemed like Toji did take the bait because after a few seconds later Megumi was being embraced by the father he never knew in his last life.
Megumi didn’t know how to react to such display of affection. During his previous life Toji was a myth to Megumi. A man who is his father yet he was never able to meet him. The only meeting he can remember is the time when Toji was brought back with the curse user. That moment was not very sweet and warm, however when Toji came to know that Megumi was still Fushiguro and not a Zenin. Toji ended his own life. During that time Megumi was clueless. Not realising he saw his own father kill himself. The truth came out with Gojo and his last breathe. Megumi cried for a whole day after that. Was it from the pain of loosing Gojo or the father he never knew? Megumi might never know.
Just recalling that memories Megumi felt his eyes burning. He rubbed his face on Toji's chest. When he heard Toji whispering if he was having a nightmare Megumi silently cried without any tears. A skill he got after watching all his loved ones leave him one after another.
Tsumiki was glowing with happiness, Megumi not so much. Embarrassment still fresh in his mind. He just can’t believe he was consoled by the last person he expected, Toji. Tsumiki happily made food with the ingredients Toji brought for them. Megumi helping her with anything his tiny hands could do. Unknown to them Toji was looking them with a distant gaze. He felt like an intruder among the two siblings. The duo not even asking the adult to help them. Is this how children live nowadays? Toji questioned himself. Unaware of the fear of the two child in front of him. Fear of abandonment. Fear of Toji leaving again if they asked for more than they have.
The beginning of breakfast was quite awkward and heavy in atmosphere. Their only saving grace was Tsumiki and her questions to Toji and Megumi. Megumi wanted to laugh so hard when Toji told Tsumiki he was working as a bodyguard. Still all he could do was copy Tsumiki's expression of admiration and awe. From that point onwards everything went pretty smoothly, well that is, until Toji got a call from Shiu Kong and started heading toward the entrance door. Tsumiki didn’t raise any voice to stop him. Megumi panicked. He had to stop him or else the job for the vessel will fall right in Toji's hands. Words and ideas were running in Megumi's mind yet none of them seemed enough to stop Toji.
“Let me help you” a voice whispered to Megumi.
The next thing he knows is his hands gripping on Toji’s hand while tears streamed all over his face, it was not a beautiful sight. Tsumiki rushed to Megumi and hugged him from the side. Toji looked reluctant and confused. Scratching his head Toji squatted to Megumi’s small height.
Ruffling Megumi's hair Toji asked, “why are you cry hmm?” boredom evident in his voice.
Words left from Megumi’s mouth without his control. “Papa don’t leave. I always see a terrible dream of you leaving us and never coming back. Megumi feels a bad thing sticking around Papa. The good ones were the one who led me to you.”
Toji is not a great father. This is the fact Toji had known since he was a teenager. He never imagined himself being capable of caring for another soul, let alone love a child. So when his almost forgotten son started crying in front of him he was very seriously and deeply unsure of what to do or say. Holding back his frustration Toji asked Megumi what was wrong. Only for an answer he never expected. He knew Megumi could feel and use curse energy but this level of accuracy is gold. At such a young age Megumi could use his Shikigami without any training? Well he might have to inform the Zenin clan that his son was no longer available. After all, there are bigger clans, who are always itching to get bigger weapons and prizes in their hands.
Hugging Megumi, Toji promised on staying with them. After all, how could he leave his precious cash cow alone and crying.
Another surprise came to Toji later on evening when Megumi was playing shadow puppet with Tsumiki. After forming a dog sign two Shikigami popped out of his shadow. Toji was sure his eyes were also about to pop off when he saw Megumi about to make the elephant sign after the dog sign. Rushing toward the two Toji stopped Megumi with a tug as soft as his strong body is capable of. The two children gave him a confused look when they saw Toji standing over them without any words.
“Food is about to be ready. So meanwhile, why don’t you take a bath Megumi? Tsumiki can help me in the meantime.” Megumi nods shyly, Tsumiki glees in joy from the idea of having a father and daughter bonding time.
Megumi was very confused and unsure what happened but somehow he was able to stop Toji. The good thing is that now he knows that Toji will stay as long as he acted like a pitiful and confused child with a strong curse technique. Megumi was not very happy with the idea. From the little information he has, Megumi knew Toji was not someone to be bound to someone. The plan seemed unreliable in Megumi’s head. Still, what other choice did he have? Another unknown factor was the mysterious voice. Turning on the water Megumi sat down to meditate for a few minutes. He needs the peace.
Taking his bath Megumi went to the kitchen. There he witnessed a very warm and funny scene. Tsumiki was all giddy and helping Toji, who very awkwardly tried to be a caring father. Megumi knows that Tsumiki knew that Toji is trying (more like acting) the best he could, that’s why Tsumiki was so happy. The father who was always absent for such a long time suddenly paying attention to his children is a weird idea but not an unwelcomed one.
Their house play lasted for a whole month. Toji was the one to break their little imaginary game of happy family. The call came after the three of them celebrated Megumi’s birthday. That night when the whole world was trying to sleep Toji got up and made call to someone. Megumi didn’t know who but when he heard Toji claiming that there would be other clans who will be willing to Buy Megumi, Megumi ignored his aching heart . He should have known that his old man was not going to stay silently like an obedient dog. Guess one thing will never change. Ironically that is being deemed more worthless than money in his father’s eye. Now Megumi has to use Plan B. Involving a certain someone with the capability of buying him.
So when Toji left the home, after waiting a few hours Megumi left the home with Nue carrying him at the dawn of the day. If his heart was aching before then currently his heart was burning with anger.
On reaching the area of the Jujutsu tech Megumi landed on the ground and sent Nue back to his shadow. As expected, Tengen's barrier was not letting Megumi inside. Last time he was easily let inside because of Gojo. Megumi stared at the buildings peeking amongst the trees with a nostalgic smile. In the previous timeline, their whole school campus was destroyed after half of the sorcerers either died or betrayed them. Looking at the place still intact and safe made Megumi glad.
“Are you lost?” A voice came from behind.
Megumi’s whole body was tense after hearing the voice. He’d recognise that voice anywhere. How could he forget that voice? This voice was from someone who was a comfort to Megumi after Gojo was sealed. The one who shared stories of the high school life Gojo lived and incidents of his life as a form of hope and warmth.
Holding his breath Megumi turned around to face none other than Nanami Kento. Megumi and Nanami were acquaintances at best. Then the war happened. Making the two closer than before. A high schooler Nanami Kento looked completely different than the adult one. The only similarity is the tired look. Megumi couldn’t control the small puff of laugh that left his mouth. Guess all the stories of always being tired even in high school was true.
“What’s so funny?” Kento was staring at him with a disinterested face.
“You have a leaf stuck in your hair.” Lied Megumi. Flustered Nanami fixed his hair in an attempt to remove the non existent leaf. “It’s gone now.” Megumi assured with a small smile. Faking a cough Nanami once again asked the question “What are you doing here kid? Where are your parents?” After hearing the word parents Megumi started his performance of a pitiful child. Grabbing his pants with a pout Megumi spoke. “I don’t want to go back to Papa. Papa is a bad man.”
‘Bingo!’ Megumi cheered when he saw the worried look on Nanami.
“Then how did you reach here? A child should not be able to get so far away from home all alone.” Nanami came closer to Megumi, observing the state the child was in. The child looked around the age of 4-5, more bones visible than skin (ramen is not a very healthy diet for everyday consumption), old and thin clothes in such a cold winter (Megumi was the stylist), small cuts all over those tiny hands (cutting veggies with small hands are troublesome).
Wearing a happy face “Shiro and Kuro brought me here!” answered Megumi.
“Shiro and Kuro?” Megumi nods in reply. Pinching his nose bridge Nanami took a deep breaths. “Well, its too late to go back I guess. Let’s head inside and decide what to do. Alright?” Nanami extended his hand for Megumi. Happily taking his hand Megumi hopped inside the school barriers.
On the way Megumi stared at all the place where all his memories were made. The ground where he, Itadori and Kugisaki trained with Gojo and the second years. The window to their classroom. The tree under which he played with the divine dogs. All small details being printed in his mind like this will be the last time to see the campus. In between Nanami asked him his name and age, then introduced himself.
Soon they were in front of Yaga, who was openly expressing his confusion on why Nanami was with a child in front of him. Nanami told Yaga about how he found Megumi in front of the barrier all alone and the details of what happened next. Yaga listened to Nanami while glancing toward Megumi in between. Making sure he was in character, Megumi squeezed Nanami's hand when Yaga turned his attention to him. He must have looked pretty scared because Yaga gave him a bear doll with a gentle smile. Megumi happily yet also shyly took the doll.
“Nanami here says that Megumi doesn’t want to go back. Why?” Yaga asked squatting to Megumi’s eye level. Megumi gently squeezed the doll. “Papa is bad. Papa wants to sell me.”
One simple sentence turned the atmosphere pretty heavy. Nanami was frowning. Following Yaga's posture Nanami gently turned Megumi toward him and asked, “Are you sure that is what you father said?”
Megumi nods meekly, “Yes. Megumi is very good in memorising. I can even sing the song our neighbor plays at night!” Yaga and Nanami smiles at the short attention span of a child. Not knowing that Megumi was dying from inside because of all this acting he has to do. If Kugisaki was here she might even cry with joy and pride. All her lectures on different types of acting and fabricating lies were not wasted.
“That’s very nice.” Nanami pats his head. “But what exactly did your father say?” Megumi squeezed his eyes, showing that he was thinking hard. “Papa was talking on phone. Then he angrily said that there are many clan that would buy me.” Megumi ended his dialogue with a happy smile, like a kid proud of themselves for remembering. Yaga exchanged knowing looks with Nanami.
“Who are Shiro and Kuro then?” Yaga questioned, distracting Megumi, while Nanami went outside to make a call. Well, Megumi already knew what was going on.
“Shiro and Kuro are my dogs! They play with me and protect me from all those weird things.” Yaga was about to ask something but Megumi looked very tired. “Where is Nanamin?” Megumi asked looking around. Yawns escaping from his mouth with seconds of interval. Yaga smiled at the cute child in front of him.
“Kento is outside. You want to go with him and take some rest? We can talk later on?” With heavy eyes Megumi nods. Yaga carried Megumi in his arms. Megumi was chanting apologies inside his mind for using his principle as a ride. With Gojo he was never spoiled like this. It wasn’t Gojo's fault particularly. From the very beginning Megumi had shown his dislike and distaste in pampering actions. Well this time he will use everything he can. Still his small body was pretty beat up with all the activities. Supporting his head on Yaga's shoulder Megumi closed his eyes. When he heard Nanami's voice Megumi slept peacefully because things have just went as he wanted.
When the sun shined brightly Megumi woke up. He was in a bed with smell of detergent and sun. Sound of something scribbling was soothing his sleepy mind. Stretching his body like a cat Megumi snuggled to the bear Yaga gave him last night. He was about to go back to sleep though a strong slam of door scared the life out of him. Out of old habit Megumi called out his Divine dogs, baring fangs to the intruder. When his vision cleared he saw Nanami standing with a surprised face and an unknown person at the door, he had the same look as Nanami.
“It’s okay Megumi. It’s okay. No one is here to harm you. Relax alright?” Nanami slowly approached Megumi, as if he was trying to befriend a wild animal. When Megumi relaxed his laboured breathing and pants Nanami took hold of his palm. Guiding Megumi out of the corner Nanami glared at the intruder, Yu Haibara. Turning back his gaze to Megumi, Nanami rubbed Megumi’s back in a soothing manner. He was sure that the sweet child in front of him must have gone through hell like situations to have such a dangerous feral reaction.
After listening to Megumi last night Nanami contacted the least favorite person in his contacts, which is Gojo Satoru.
Gojo arrived at his room at early morning time with a tired face. One glance was all it took for Gojo to casually announce that the Zenin Treasured curse technique was sleeping in Nanami's bed. Yaga made sure that Gojo was not lying to get out. After 10 minutes of bickering and 5 minutes of Gojo telling Yaga that the child in front of them was indeed the rare trophy of the Zenin clan, everything was settled. Before leaving, Gojo told them little about the horrors a child in Zenin clan has to face. Soon Yaga left too. Hoping to find a solution to the situation they were in.
Nanami couldn’t sleep. Not with all the anger and worries coursing through his mind. Megumi was just a child. A child who has faced things Nanami couldn’t imagine. Not feeling tired Nanami shifted his whole focus to write the report for his mission.
“Nanamin?” Megumi’s cute way of calling his name made Nanami smile. “Who is the guy standing in the doorway?” asked a confused Megumi. He was not acting this time. He actually had no clue on who this person was. The guy in question immediately jumped in front of Megumi. Eagerly introducing himself.
“Hello kiddo! I am Yu Haibara! Your Nanamin's one and only friend!” Realisation hit Megumi hard. This is the Yu Haibara that Nanami told him about? The one who died during their High school period. Megumi turned to Nanami who was giving Haibara a look of disgust. After Nanami confirmed it was true Megumi introduced himself to Haibara with an embarrassed tone. Haibara cooed at Megumi. Haibara was stretching Megumi’s cheek, talking about how Megumi reminded him of his younger sister. One smack from Nanami saved Megumi’s cheek from Haibara.
After the whole Haibara swooning and smooching shenanigan Megumi was finally eating his food. Nanami noticed that Megumi was not eating much. When Nanami asked him why, Megumi told him about how he and Tsumiki had to salvage food so that the two of them had food for other day. Now without Tsumiki he felt bad to eat to his heart content. The reaction to the story was different. Nanami gave him a sad smile, on the other side Haibara hugged Megumi with snots and tears. All Megumi could do was smile and pat Haibara. Because the story was true. Until Gojo came to their life Megumi and Tsumiki struggled with food and anything needed to live a proper life.
“It sure is rowdy here.” All three of them turned to the new addition. Shoko and Geto joined them. Nanami frowned when he saw how tense Megumi got with the new addition. ‘Does he get scared around new people?’ Nanami thought. In truth Megumi was tense because of Geto. He knew that the person in front of him is Geto Suguru and not Kenjaku. Still, it’s never easy to stay still when the enemy appears. Be it an enemy using the mask of a friend. To control his shivering hands Megumi focused on the lines of his palm. Until two hands came and grabbed his shaky hands. Nanami held one of his hand and Haibara took the other one. Both talking to their senior. Megumi felt like crying from such a beautiful support.
“And who is this Chibi? Want to tell us your name?” startled Megumi rose from his seat. With a perfect 90 degree bow Megumi introduced himself. The four adults in the room went dead silent before bursting into laughing mess. Shoko was slamming the table, Geto was laughing, Haibara was bawling and Nanami was chuckling. Turning red from embarrassment Megumi started playing with the food on his plate.
After a lot of teasing and laughing everyone walked to the classroom building. Gojo still missing from the group. Nanami was busy talking with Shoko when Geto approached him. Grabbing his hand with a smile Geto talked to Megumi. At beginning Megumi was nervous and unsure on how to act in front of him. After chatting a while about random topics Geto brought the topic of Megumi’s Shikigami. Acting happy Megumi told Geto about how people around him couldn’t see his dogs even though they were real. Smiling handsomely Geto offered Megumi a hand of friendship on the base of curse pets. The response from Megumi was an enthusiastic handshake.
Yaga welcomed Megumi with a new soft toy and sweets the next time they met. Even Though he was embarrassed with such pamper, Megumi didn’t reject Yaga. He just couldn’t. Not when Yaga looked so happy that Megumi accepted the new toy. Taking the toys and sweets Megumi sat at the corner of the classroom while Yaga was busy teaching Nanami and Haibara. The three of them smiling softly when they found Megumi sound asleep with the toy in his arm at the end of class. The day went quick after that. After all the classes for the day ended Haibara left for a mission. Nanami was given a break for babysitting Megumi.
It was past mid afternoon. Nanami was under the shade of a tree looking after Megumi who was busy playing with the divine dogs at the ground. The scene was so wholesome and healing in Nanami's point of view. Megumi was being chased by the divine dog. He was looking behind and bumped into someone. He wobbled and fell on his butt. Nanami was quick to rush toward the spot. He had a very bad feeling about it.
“Oya? You look quite energetic Zenin Minion.”
Megumi flinched even though he was mentally preparing himself from the very moment he set foot on the campus. The time when he will face his sensei, his friend, his saviour. Gojo Satoru. Hesitantly, Megumi rose his gaze from the ground. Looking up the sun blinded him. That’s until Gojo bent over him, shielding him from the bright rays.
“What? Are you mute or what? I know I am good looking but did you Zenin pigs stop learning that it’s rude to ignore someone’s…..” Satoru was speaking but Megumi couldn’t focus on his words. Especially from the fact that Gojo looked so young and free. He still had that annoying habit of blabbering without caring about the person in front. However, Megumi felt his last wall breaking on seeing Gojo again. So well and alive. Unable to hold it anymore Megumi started bawling his eyes out with loud cries. Nanami arrived next to him the very next moment. Carrying Megumi in his arms Nanami glared at Gojo who was making a ridiculous face.
“Gojo senpai, I always knew that you are not good with holding back your mouth around us but this is a child. Have some shame.” Gojo got out of his trance. Only to point fingers at Megumi.
“Why are you tattling on me? It was the kid who bumped on me!” defended Gojo, earning him the achievement titled 'lowest one among the lows'.
“Have some shame Satoru. You are picking on a child?” Geto walked on their direction with Shoko next to him.
“Zip it Suguru! I didn’t do anything. I was only talking to the kid!”
“Is shouting at a child and calling them mute, dumb and Zenin pig, talking for you?” The disgust on Nanami's face was clearly visible. Megumi still straddled on his arms.
“What are you? His mother?” Exclaimed Gojo in frustration. At the mention of the word mother Megumi started crying more loudly. Not that anyone will know that it was just an excuse for him to cry more freely. Nanami glared at Gojo for the final time before leaving the area. Shoko came next to Gojo.
Patting his back she said, “Congratulations Mr. Gojo! You have discovered a new talent. Making children cry by simply opening your mouth. Haahh.. Boy do you surprise us every day.” Gojo groaned in defeat. Shoko patted his back one last time then went to the direction Nanami took Megumi, Suguru following suit. Before moving any further Suguru turned to Gojo, telling him to ask about Megumi before coming in front of the child next time.
Taking Suguru's word in mind Satoru went to Yaga. Unaware that by now Yaga was quite attached to Megumi. So when Satoru ranted about the events that unfolded at the ground Yaga snapped one of his needles. Angry he shouted at Satoru for a whole hour on the topic of tact and delicacy. Information about Megumi in between was the only reason Satoru listened to the whole speech of Yaga.
“Go and apologize to the child!” Shouted Yaga before kicking Gojo out of his sanctuary.
Instead of apologizing Satoru contacted someone to give him a thorough background check on the said child. He knew Yaga was hiding something from him. Not that he cares but learning something forbidden tempts Gojo. Also the idea of annoying Yaga with the secret.
At the other side of the town Toji was wrecking havoc on all the people he suspected. Why you might ask? Because, his son is missing from the morning. His stepdaughter came running to him after noticing the missing child from their home, a note attached to her. A note was left in their home, stating that the Time Vessel Association will be waiting for Toji. If he wants to see his son again. Toji crumpled the note and immediately went in search for the association. With a little help from Shiu Toji was quickly in the building of Time Vessel Association.
When they kept on shoving a mission to him instead of answering his question. Toji went ballistic. He was killing and slicing people without any remorse. When Shiu tried to talk him on being solving it peacefully Toji coldly refused.
“No one can take my cash cow from me without the price money.” Was all Toji said. Shiu was very sure that was not the actual reason. Toji was not a person to care about cash that much. Because he could kill a single soul and earn enough to gamble it for a whole week. Shiu knew deep down Toji was scared and worried for Megumi. He could see the anxiety and fear in his eyes. Though, he was not going to say that out loud. Scared that he might be the next victim to the weapon in Toji's hand.
Suguru had a great time with Megumi. The child was very excited to introduce his Shikigami to Geto's curse pets. Though few of his curse ended up going inside Kuro and Shiro's stomach. Megumi panicked when that happened. Apologies coming out like a mantra. Chuckling all alone Geto headed to his room. Not before checking on Satoru, who was missing the whole afternoon and evening.
Geto opened the door to Satoru's room. The strongest was so focused on reading something that he was not responding to Geto's presence. Curious Suguru tiptoed behind Satoru. His whole face turned grim when he saw the papers laid on the table.
The information broker was quite quick on gathering all the information Satoru needed. Well he suppose the amount of money also played a big role in it. According to the sources Megumi was not a Zenin but rather a Fushiguro? His mother’s family name. Unfortunately, there was no mother in picture. After giving birth to Megumi his mother died in a short time. Satoru groaned feeling like an asshole. He spelled all the words that could trigger the child, right in front of him. Fushiguro Toji was also an interesting piece. Satoru remembered meeting the man once. Who would have thought that the shame of the Zenin family was going to be the one to produce the treasure. Satoru giggled like a maniac all alone in his room.
After reaching the point of Megumi's sale to the Zenin, Satoru was trying to figure out how much worth was Megumi. That’s when he felt a hand one his shoulder. Flinching from surprise he looked behind. There stood Suguru who was staring at him like he is the worst person in the whole planet.
“Satoru…. You…. Why?” At the beginning Gojo was confused on what Suguru was saying. Then he realized the matter. He panicked real hard.
“NO! SUGURU THIS NOT WHAT YOU ARE THINKING! I WAS ONLY TRYING TO KNOW HOW MUCH MEGUMI IS WORTH!” Suguru paled and lost all colors at the confession. It was too late for Satoru to realise that what he said made the situation far more than it was already. In a amazing speed Suguru walked far from Gojo.
“No.. This is-”
“It’s okay Satoru. I will ask one of my curse to erase all of my memory.”
“Suguru wai-”
“You don’t have to explain Satoru. I don’t even want to know.” Suguru looked like a dead soul while saying the last sentence.
“THIS IS REALLY NOT WHAT YOU ARE THINKIINNGG!!!!“
Time was passing rather fast for Megumi in the Jujutsu Tech. Three months have passed since he left his home, winter was long gone. Everyday he would wake up with Nanami's gentle wake call, followed by Haibara's abuse on his cheeks, breakfast with the two first years, attend class with them and fall asleep, train with one among them after that. His body was physically weak but his curse energy was getting back to the level he had before hopping back in time. At least he was not completely vulnerable in his current state.
Geto and Shoko looking after him whenever Nanami and Yu had to leave for missions. Satoru would quietly sit around them, not saying any word to Megumi. Megumi once tried to reconcile with Satoru by giving him a small flower crown. However his attempt was thrown in a dumpster. A frown and pout by Megumi was all it took for Shoko and Geto to shoo Gojo away. Gojo was definitely different from the last life. Megumi knew it was because of him changing the course of action. That’s why he is not going to sulk. He will make sure that Gojo is their sensei once again. No matter what.
With the goal of befriending his sensei again Megumi made new flower crowns everyday. Even if Satoru immediately rejected them. Too bad for Satoru. If there’s one thing Megumi got from Satoru then it is the unnecessary stubbornness. He was very content when Gojo got used to him being near. One lucky day he was also able to enter Gojo’s room, courtesy of Shoko and Suguru. The owner was not so happy about it.
At the evening of a normal day Megumi was having dinner with the second years, i.e. Geto, Shoko and Gojo, when he sensed a fluctuation in his link with Kuro. Worried for Nanami and Haibara, Megumi kept Kuro in the Yu's shadow. This was definitely bad. Was it the time already? But it was supposed to occur when Nanami and Yu entered second year of High school. This was too soon. Is this the butterfly effect from eliminating the Time Vessel Association too early? In all honesty Megumi was not even sure if Toji found the note or not. Maybe Toji was too lazy to go after Megumi and gave no reaction. No! Now was not the Time, place and occasion to get distracted. He need to act fast. But how?
When Megumi halted his talk Shoko and Geto shared a look of confusion. Gojo was sitting opposite of the three. He could see how Megumi’s curse energy was moving all spiky and erratic. The child was worried? Scared? For what reason? When Megumi showed no signs of sharing his words Shoko signals Geto to say something.
“What’s wrong Megumi?” Geto questions.
“Nanamin and Yu kun are in trouble Su Kun!” Megumi answered. His voice laced in worry and seriousness. Shoko was about to reassure him. Gojo beats her in that.
“How do you know that they are in danger?”
“I-I can’t tell you” answered Megumi.
“If you can’t tell us then we can’t help you. Moreover it isn’t like the two of them are weak to be killed by a grade 2 curse. Well, if they fail then it’s their fault for being so weak.” Megumi was speechless. This is how Gojo was before all the nasty incidents? So he needs a big loss to change his views? Is this how he viewed and valued the people around him? He knows that his answer was like that because of the Gojo clan and it’s teaching. Yet it was unacceptable to Megumi. He refuse to accept that this is the same person who taught him all the values and morals of being a better human.
“You are the worst.” Whispered Megumi, his curse energy moving like raging flames.
Raising his brow Gojo, “Hah? Don’t go muttering on your own. Speak loudly.” Shouted Gojo.
“YOU ARE THE WORST! HOW COULD YOU SAY SO BAD ABOUT YOUR OWN PEOPLE! IF YOU ARE SO STRONG GO AND SAVE PEOPLE INSTEAD OF LOOKING DOWN ON THEM! IDIOT!” By the end Megumi was fuming red. Not giving another glance to Gojo he left the dinning table. Calling out Nue and Shiro Megumi went to the area Nanami and Yu was at. His emotions in a body of child making him very fast to drop fat tears.
When Megumi was out of the canteen Shoko turned to scold Satoru. Only the said person was also missing.
Following Shiro and using Nue, Megumi quickly landed above a tree. He noticed Nanami was fighting the curse. Kuro was behind him, shielding an injured Yu, who had a nasty gash at his abdomen. Megumi was about to join the fight when a hand yanked him behind from his collar, making his breathing stop for a second. His feet dangling in air Megumi thrashed to get away from the intruder.
“Calm down brat! I am here. You can leave it to the strongest.” Gojo grinned at Megumi with the same bright and confident attitude Megumi was used to. After Megumi stopped moving Gojo teleported him in a safe distance. A park nearby. Settling Megumi down Gojo warned him to stay seated and wait for them. Obediently Megumi nodded, Shiro and Kuro by his side. Then Gojo was gone. A few minutes after waiting for Gojo Megumi heard someone calling for his name.
“YOU LOST MEGUMI?!” Yaga's voice echoed through the entire Jujutsu Tech.
Gojo kneeled quietly in front of Yaga. His gaze never leaving the floor. Yaga kept on ranting how stupid it was of him to leave a child all alone in a park in the middle of night and many more. Gojo did not raise a single noise of protest. Suguru and Shoko looked their classmates from the side-lines. From their perspective Satoru looked pretty upset. Upset he was, because he couldn’t find Megumi anywhere. No even with his six eyes. There was not a single sign of the child present in all places that Gojo searched at. The neighborhood Megumi lived at, the shabby apartment that was his living address. Heck! He couldn’t find any one in the house. As if no one ever lived there. A bad idea of something worse happening came to Gojo's mind when he recalled the information of Megumi being sold to the Zenin by his own father.
Satoru took a deep breathe to calm himself. He can’t let thoughts invade his mind. They are just thought. Thoughts are not always reality.
“Fushiguro Megumi is dead.” Yaga solemnly announced to the first and second year students after five day Megumi went missing. Everyone was dead silent with shock. Yu was the one to speak.
“Sensei don’t joke like that. He was a child. But he was also the Holder of 10 shadow technique.” A nervous smile adorned by him. What Yu didn’t realise was that he was already talking about Megumi in past tense.
“If you don’t believe me turn on the news channel. It is all over the media.” With that Yaga left the students.
No one dared to move from their spot. Heart burning with rage, regret, anger, denial and guilt. Satoru was the exception. He sat on a seat and turned on his cellphone to watch the news. He needs to know if it’s actually true. His mind can’t grasp the idea of Megumi being dead. No it just simply can't be true. He clicked on the first video he saw on his search feed.
“A horrendous crime was reported this morning.” A female news reporter announced. “The local authorities found a dead body of a child at a dumping ground. According to the Police the victim was a five year old boy, named Fushiguro Megumi. Upon further investigation the police discovered another body which is believed to be the body of a female child, named Fushiguro Tsumiki. ” The listeners became wide eyes from the news. Memory of Megumi telling them stories, of struggles he and his sister had to go through just for living another day, flashed in their mind. Yu choked on his tear. Shoko crushed her lollipop, she needs to smoke.
“After talking to the neighbors it was confirmed that the two children were step siblings. Their parents went missing a long time ago, abandoning the two siblings. Such a tragic incident.” The female reporter sighs with sorrow. Nanami clicks his tongue. Abandoned? Yeah right. A father planning to sell his own kid can be called abandonment.
“Forensic department determined the cause of death for the sister as starvation. While the younger one was tortured. Even I find it difficult to read.” Hesitation and then a deep breathe. The listeners held their breath in suspense and fear. Overwhelmed by the continuous stream of information.
“The brother was missing both his eyes. Hands chopped off in a clean . Burning marks all over his mouth and throat. Cut marks all over the body. However, the main cause of death was insertion of a sharp object through the rec-” The cellphone blasted in Satoru’s hand.
“We don’t need to hear more.” It was Suguru.
Satoru gave no response. He simply walked toward the door to leave. His mind felt so numb. On contradiction to his mind the heart was jumping like he ran all around Japan. Making Gojo feel crazy and dead the same time. He ignored how Yu fell on his knees, ugly sobs guttering out. He ignored the silent tears Nanami was shedding. He ignored the worried look Shoko gave him. He ignored his shout of name from Suguru. He ignored them all.
Death of a sorcerer is inevitable. Even from birth Gojo was caught in assassination attempt multiple times. But he was protected by the clan members. He didn’t like them but because of them he was still alive. Megumi was not like him. There was no one to protect him or care for him. Gojo walked lost in thought until small brown petals appeared in front of his feet. His tired eyes looked to his left, there on top of the a bench was a wilted flower crown. All brown and dead. Just like their creator.
Satoru took the flower crown. This emotion snapped when the crown fell apart in his hands. Just like Yu, he fell on his knees. Small sobs surrounding him. Suguru and Shoko witnessed the scene from a distance. A small child left a big impact on them. Silently every one of them swore revenge for the small soul.
Extra:
Suguru : Megumi give me a nickname like Nanamin.
Megumi : huh?
Shoko : call me Sho nee san.
Megumi : Okay. Sho nee san.
Suguru : Now for me?
Megumi : *thinking real hard* ! Su kun!
Satoru : No one cares about me. *cries in a corner.