-New beginnings- BOOK 1: THE ORIGIN OF DARKNESS

-CHAPTER 4: THE WEIGHT OF SURVIVAL-

The soft hum of the hallway lights filled the silence as Itadori and Fushiguro made their way to the infirmary, each step slower than the last. Every inch of their bodies ached, muscles bruised, and cursed energy drained. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the exhaustion weighing on their minds. The faint antiseptic smell of the infirmary reached them, promising at least a bit of comfort, though both knew a night's rest wouldn't erase what they'd seen, what they'd barely escaped.

Itadori broke the silence first, his voice low. "Megumi... do you think we ever stood a chance against him?" Fushiguro didn't answer right away, his eyes fixed on the floor. The memory of Sukuna's cruel grin, the effortless way he had brushed off every attack they threw, still lingered like a stain in his mind. "I don't know," he finally said, his tone steady but hollow. "Maybe not as we are now. Facing Sukuna like that..." He trailed off, clenching his fists. "It was like fighting against an ocean. We didn't even make a dent."

They reached the infirmary doors, and Itadori pushed them open, the faint sterile light spilling out to greet them. Inside, the room was quiet, lined with rows of neatly made cots. They each collapsed onto a cot, barely having the strength to kick off their shoes. Itadori stared at the ceiling, his mind replaying the fight. Every punch he had thrown, every desperate move, every time he had tried to stand up only to be knocked back down. He turned his head to look at Fushiguro on the cot beside him, his friend's face tense, deep in thought. "We ran," Itadori said, bitterness in his voice. "We ran away. I couldn't even land a single hit that did anything. I wasn't strong enough." His hand tightened into a fist. "And Sukuna knows it."

Fushiguro glanced over, his expression serious but calm. "We survived. That counts for something." Itadori gave a humorless laugh. "Does it? We barely got out of there alive. And now he's free—he could be hurting people right now, and there's nothing I can do to stop him." Fushiguro's gaze dropped, a shadow crossing his face. "I know. But staying there... if we'd died, that would've accomplished even less." He paused, a flicker of regret in his eyes. "I didn't want to run, either. But if we're going to have any chance of stopping him, we have to be smarter than that. We need to be stronger." Itadori fell silent, Fushiguro's words weighing on him. He knew Megumi was right—staying would've only meant their deaths. And yet, the guilt gnawed at him. His mind drifted to the people outside these walls, the people he had promised to protect. "I hate feeling this helpless, you know?" Itadori's voice was barely a whisper. "Like all I can do is wait and hope we get another chance, hope that we'll be ready by then."

Fushiguro looked at him, his own frustration flickering beneath the surface. "It won't be like this forever," he said, a determination creeping into his tone. "Gojo-sensei's right—we'll get stronger. I'm not giving Sukuna another chance to toy with us. Next time..." His fists clenched. "Next time, we'll be ready." Itadori nodded slowly, some of the bitterness in his expression easing as he met Fushiguro's determined gaze. "Yeah. Next time."

They both lay back, the silence settling between them, heavy but not unbearable. They each knew what they had to do now. This was only the beginning. After a long moment, Fushiguro spoke again, his voice softer. "Itadori... you don't have to carry this alone, you know? Whatever happens, I'll be there. We'll face him together." Itadori gave a small, tired smile, his eyes staring up at the ceiling. "Thanks, Megumi. I think... I think that's the only reason I didn't completely fall apart back there. Knowing you were there with me." They exchanged a quiet nod, an unspoken understanding passing between them. They were battered, broken, and bruised—but they had each other. And that was enough for now.

As exhaustion finally overtook them, the infirmary lights dimmed, leaving the room in soft shadows. Both knew that when they woke up, the path ahead would be grueling. But they would walk it together, stronger than before, ready for whatever came next.

The faint, early-morning light filtered through the infirmary blinds, casting a soft glow across the room. Itadori stirred, his eyes blinking open against the gentle warmth, and for a moment, he forgot where he was. But the sharp ache in his muscles quickly brought it all back—the fight with Sukuna, the desperation, the retreat. It settled heavily in his chest as he lay still, the memories lingering like bruises. Turning his head, he saw Fushiguro asleep in the cot beside him. Megumi's face was peaceful in sleep, the tension that usually marked his features softened, if only for a moment. His breathing was steady, his arms loosely crossed over his chest, as if even in sleep he was bracing himself. A pang twisted in Itadori's chest. The sight of Megumi resting there, exhausted but alive, filled him with gratitude. But underneath that, a gnawing worry clung to him, a quiet, stubborn voice in the back of his mind that whispered of the dangers that lay ahead. Itadori's gaze lingered on his friend, his brow furrowing. Megumi shouldn't have to go through this. He swallowed, his hands tightening into fists as he lay in silence. None of them should.

They were just students, learning how to harness their power, but here they were, forced to go up against monsters like Sukuna—battles that should have been handled by those far more experienced, far stronger. Yet, Megumi had never once hesitated, even when facing the impossible, even when standing beside him against the King of Curses.

And that was exactly what worried Itadori.

He took a slow breath, his gaze drifting from Megumi to the infirmary ceiling. It wasn't fair. Fushiguro, who always thought things through, who knew the risks but faced them anyway—it was like he was drawn into danger because of him, because of Sukuna. Every time they fought, every wound they endured, it only reminded Itadori of what was at stake if he failed. Of who he stood to lose. He felt a pang of guilt twist in his gut. If Sukuna had his way, if he couldn't hold him back... Megumi would be one of the first in Sukuna's path. He could lose him. They could all lose each other in the fight to come. Itadori's jaw clenched. I can't let that happen. I won't.

He wished—selfishly, maybe—that Megumi didn't have to be involved in this at all. That he could somehow shoulder this burden alone, spare Megumi and the others from the dangers that lay ahead. But he knew Fushiguro too well. Even if Itadori tried to push him away, even if he tried to take on Sukuna alone, Fushiguro would never let him. He'd follow, stubborn and determined, because that's who he was. And that loyalty, that unbreakable resolve... Itadori felt both honored and afraid of it. Because he didn't know if he was strong enough to keep everyone safe. To keep Megumi safe. With a soft sigh, Itadori sat up slowly, wincing as the motion pulled at his sore muscles. He ran a hand through his hair, glancing back at Fushiguro one last time. Megumi shifted in his sleep, turning slightly, his brow knitting even in slumber. Itadori watched him, a promise forming in his mind, as unbreakable as Megumi's own resolve. I'll do whatever it takes to protect you, Megumi. Whatever it takes to protect all of us.

Just then, Fushiguro's eyes fluttered open, still bleary with sleep. He caught sight of Itadori, a faint frown crossing his face as he pushed himself up on his elbows. "You're awake already?" Megumi asked, his voice rough with sleep. "Yeah," Itadori said, forcing a small, reassuring smile. "Couldn't sleep much." Megumi's gaze lingered, picking up on the strain behind Itadori's eyes, but he just nodded. "Guess we've got a lot to think about." Itadori looked at his friend, his smile softening as he gave a quiet nod. "Yeah. But... we'll figure it out. Together." Fushiguro's expression shifted, the faintest hint of a smile touching his lips before he lay back down, his voice steady. "Yeah. Together." The morning light crept in a little more, its warmth chasing away the night's shadows. And as they lay in the infirmary, silent but together, Itadori felt the weight lift—just a little. The fight was far from over, but with Megumi beside him, he knew he wasn't facing it alone.