Cursed | Ryomen Sukuna & Gojo Satoru

(16) Carried

He was supposed to be dead.

Yet, there he is. Standing before her.

His forehead adorned with a long line of stitches, and a sinister smile played on his lips— Kasaii's heart dropped and a chill went down her spine.

Disbelief gripped Kasaii's consciousness, her eyes widening in so much shock and confusion.

How could Suguru be alive? Is that him? What dark forces had brought him back? How had he managed to appear here, now— of all other times?

In that split second of distraction where Kasaii's movements faltered completely, the consequences were dire.

Jogo, seizing the opportunity, unleashed a blazing arrow of fire that streaked through the air. Before Kasaii could react, the searing projectile pierced her right lung with excruciating force. Pain exploded through her body, halting her breath and sending her staggering forward, her senses reeling.

As she struggled to maintain her balance, Kasaii's vision blurred, her surroundings fading into a haze of agony and confusion. The searing pain in her chest intensified with each labored breath, threatening to overwhelm her consciousness.

Yet, even through the agony, her gaze remained locked on Suguru's form.

"Itadori... run," Kasaii managed to gasp, her voice strained and desperate.

She knew she was gravely wounded, her strength waning with each passing moment.

Geto's smile widened at the sight of Kasaii's fall, a sinister glint in his eyes revealing his intentions.

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Kasaii's consciousness flickered like a struggling flame, her senses slowly returning to her despite a haze of pain and disorientation.

She felt herself being carried, the steady rhythm of footsteps were clear although her mind was foggy. Each jostle sent fresh waves of agony radiating from her wounded chest.

"Y- Yuji, I told you to run. This— is an order," Kasaii managed to rasp out, her voice fragile, barely audible above a whisper. The weight of concern for the young kid weighed heavily on her mind, even in her weakened state.

"Don't get me confused with that brat, woman," came a sharp and unexpected reply— now, surely cutting through her hazy mind.

Kasaii's eyes shot wide open, her vision swimming as she found herself staring directly into Sukuna's piercing crimson gaze. Disbelief mingled with pain as she realized it was the King of Curses himself who was carrying her.

"You imbeciles are lucky that long-haired bastard appeared," Sukuna scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. "Shame on you for losing to a single sorcerer, a woman at that, too. Tch. Consider yourselves fortunate that I intervened. Follow my lead, and this will be your last."

Kasaii struggled to comprehend Sukuna's words but it was enough for her to feel his protection. She had always heard Sukuna to be unpredictable and ruthless, yet here he was, carrying her wounded body with such fragility like she could crumble at any moment.

Each step Sukuna took, despite his gruff manner, spoke of a deeper, unexpected complexity.

As he continued to carry her, his pace never slowed despite the dead weight he bore. Kasaii fought to stay conscious— trying her best to focus what was remaining of her chakra on the whole in her right lung. While trying to do so, her thoughts drifted back to Yuji— guilt gnawed at her heart, knowing she had failed to protect him as she had sworn.

"I healed the brat when I took over him, obviously," Sukuna's voice broke through her thoughts, almost as if he could sense her emotions.

Kasaii blinked, surprised by Sukuna's blunt admission and his nonchalant manner. She managed a weak smile despite the pain coursing through her. "You're weird."

She had no energy to think of a smart reply or argument— she just said what came to her mind first.

"Excuse me?" Sukuna's voice turned dangerously low, a warning laced with his usual arrogance.

He went out of his way to switch with that stubborn airhead and this is the 'thank you' he gets?

Kasaii chuckled softly, her smile widening. "Who thinks about— splitting their soul into fingers? Can't you split it into cookies instead or something?"

"One more word, and I'll drop you," Sukuna threatened, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone that betrayed his irritation.

As they continued their journey through the dense forest, the sunlight filtered through the canopy above, creating an ethereal rays that almost soothed the recent battle's brutality. The journey back was mostly silent, save for the rhythmic sound of their footsteps and the occasional grunt of exertion from Sukuna. Each step brought them closer to the city, yet the air around them remained unchanged— still charged with tension and uncertainty.

Kasaii stole glances at Sukuna, observing his tattoos, his stoic demeanor, or the way his crimson eyes occasionally flickered when she shifted a little bit in his arms for more warmth.

"Ryomen," Kasaii finally managed to speak, her voice weak but steady.

Sukuna's breath, once again, seemed to catch at the use of his first name. It was the first time she had addressed him as Ryomen but the familiarity of it felt oddly comforting and intimate.

"Why are you helping me?" she asked, her curiosity tinged with caution.

Sukuna's smirk was quick to appear, a thin veil over the hint of softness that had briefly surfaced. "Don't mistake this for kindness, woman," he replied tersely. "Consider it... a matter of personal interest."

Kasaii nodded teasingly in his arms, "So you're interested in me?"

"You're hopeless," Sukuna scoffed, though his tone lacked its usual bite. "I should've left you there with those peasants."

"But you didn't," Kasaii pointed out quietly, a note of gratitude slipping into her words.

"You're really asking to be dropped right now," he muttered.

"I bet Yorozu would like that, huh?" Kasaii retorted, a playful edge creeping into her voice.

Yo—? What?

Sukuna paused, his gaze lingering on her as she looked away bashfully.

Sukuna's chuckle was unexpected— low and rumbling. "You're still the same, you know that?" he remarked, his voice carrying a rare warmth before he resumed walking.

"How so?" Kasaii inquired, genuinely curious about his perception of her.

"Adorable," Sukuna replied simply.

Kasaii couldn't help but smile despite the weariness that weighed heavily on her.

He, too, remembered.