Tempestuous

~Chapter Fifty-Three~

3rd Person POV...

      Itadori's response has been stuck in Megumi's mind. Should he pry or is it better not to? He simply can't decide. Slipping out of bed where Itadori lay asleep, he decides to go to the gardens. The weather is cold this morning, much colder than usual. Anala, Marise, and Koji stretch before following Megumi out excitedly. It's so cold out there is a layer of frost on the grass and his flowers would've been affected if not for Sukuna's power to protect them for Megumi.

Feeling a powerful presence, Megumi summons his dogs and Nue. He's unable to fight much so it won't be an easy situation. He turns around to see that familiar curse that fought him before, the one that had planted a seed that feeds on a sorcerers power inside his body. "I have not come to fight, I only desire to properly meet whom I am protecting."

"..." Megumi is cautious, keeping a hand over his stomach as a shield while the dogs wait for command. Nue waits for the order of attack as well. The curse is incredibly tall, 7'5 feet. "Sukuna had me stay to protect what he holds precious. You and I fought before, I sincerely apologize for harming you as now you symbolize life, Blessing. I often watch you here in the gardens, you stare woefully at such beauteous flowers. Why? Why do you show such an emotion?"

Megumi couldn't tell if the curse was trying to distract him with questions so he decides it's better to keep his gaze focused on the target at hand. How has he not noticed eyes were on him? "Forgive me, perhaps I overstepped in territory far beyond my comprehension. You can call me Hanami, I'll provide what you need." With that, the curse was gone. Shiro and Kuro looks up at Megumi who releases Nue but keeps the dogs as he pets their fur softly.

"Koji, Marise, Anala, we're done for today. Let's go inside." Megumi calls. Seeing their mother walking away, they stumble over one another to follow. Kuro and Shiro stay on each side of Megumi, keeping eyes out for any threats.

      Like Mahito, Hanami was curious of Megumi. A human deemed worthy of life, to be the Blessing of the world and Sukuna's sole treasure. The curse remembers being warned of Fushiguro before the infiltration, not to step on Sukuna's land mine. They couldn't understand why Sukuna had this obsession for a mortal boy. For Hanami, it's quite interesting. The curse wishes to form some sort of relationship with Megumi so communication can be had. Hanami would love to learn and be able to ask many things.

Megumi decides to stop by Aoi's bedroom. So he makes a bottle for the baby before going, feeling embarrassed about having to do it. "Shh." Megumi tells the playful tigers despite knowing they won't really listen. Opening the door quietly, he finds Aoi is fast asleep with a fussy baby. Megumi quietly closes the door, looking at Shiro and Kuro to keep an eye on the cubs. Fushiguro leaves them and picks the infant up.

The baby has already grown familiar to Megumi as he easily is accepting of the bottle, holding onto Megumi naturally as if first nature. "Must be hard without mommy, I'm doing the best I can. Sorry, you'll have to wait a little longer." He whispers to the baby. As if sensing him, Aoi begins to wake up.

Megumi turns his attention to the flushed boy which makes him frown. His fever must be back, that certainly isn't good. "I'll get you a towel to put on your forehead after. A bath might be a good idea too." Megumi suggests and Aoi weakly nods his head in agreement. The raven haired teen hands the baby to him before going into the bathroom to run the tub.

One minute Aoi is getting better and Megumi believes he's successful then it suddenly gets worse, high fever and weak body that can't hold down food for long. Not to mention the ointments and medicines for his wounds, wounds Sukuna would rather die than heal. Once the tub is filled, he turns the nob so it stops providing more water.