In Your Eyes

Chapter 6

The first time he tricked Uraume to cook human flesh, lying that it was an ox, it resulted in a brawl which followed to their second defeat in the hands of him, which continued in an argument and ultimately finished in a lesson at Uraume's end.

"Your curse energy is all over you. Learn how to control it."

Sukuna was their enemy, a target, a walking disaster. He was never a mentor.

"Then teach me how."

He laughed grimly. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

Sometimes, Uraume would be silent, merely observing the surroundings, eyes filled with wonder like it was the first time they had seen the outside world. They would stare at butterflies dancing in the meadow, chase the rabbits when they're bored, scream at random insects, swear at some mild annoyance. They tirelessly follow him, night after night under canvas listening to the lament of the wind, and occasionally the baying of distant wolves.

Having someone around was a concept foreign to him but Sukuna didn't find them a bother. At times, Uraume would be asking questions. Questions like the usual, repetitive, and honestly boring if not completely unworthy of any answer.

One time, it was his turn. "You must have a death wish following me." not a direct question but the thought was there.

Uraume skipped rocks in a river. Just like a kid, Sukuna often mumbled under his breath.

"I have never made a decision for myself. Following you around is a first."

"And you think it's the right decision?" Sukuna ridiculed. Their response was stupid but what could he expect from the brat.

The white-haired sorcerer faced him with a frown and retorted like a challenge. "If you want to, you could have killed me already."

He hummed facing them back still with a raised eyebrow. "Out of the question. And who said I don't want to?"

Uraume huffed and continued walking. "Unless it's because you find something I can do that interests you?"

Sukuna paused and folded his arms over his chest. He won't say the answer out loud but Uraume already knew it. There was one thing they could do that he couldn't, aside from the many things that monsters couldn't do. No matter how much it was hilarious to admit, the reason he let them live another day was that they could cook delicious foods.

There weren't many people who could cook human meat well. Needless to say, Sukuna was impressed and pleased. The kid was gifted in the art of cooking not only normal human foods but also complicated human dishes. An idea came to mind to use the opportunity in his favor.

"You said you want to learn how to effectively control your cursed energy,"

It's now Uraume's turn to pause dead in their tracks.

"How about we make a deal?" the corner of his lips turned upward and it was clear that the offer would be something Uraume would not be able to refuse.

Uraume ends up cooking for him in exchange for becoming his student. Sukuna did not consider himself a sensei and Uraume did not consider themself as his student. But things have gotten out of hand. Back then, there was only Gojo Satoru and the rest of the jujutsu sorcerers in the manor who had taught them little knowledge about sorcery. However, before Uraume could learn it fully, they were dispatched to a mission that changed their view of the world forever.

Time goes by. They realized they weren't so different.

"People see you as a curse,"

The faint glimmer of sunlight from outside had drained from the sky and there was nothing but darkness. Another night spent outside with the comfort of fire. Uraume was getting used to this life.