"Ieiri.."

The woman looks like she's close to passing out. She's in bad shape and her energy has been drained.

Ieiri flashes you a small, reassuring, smile. At the school, more specifically outside her infirmary, is where you both currently are.

What happened?

You went overseas a month ago due to a mission you were assigned with. You left with your classmates telling you not to rush the mission, you left with the first years asking for souvenirs but Megumi was a little shy to do so, and you left knowing that everything is fine in Japan.

You left everything to Gojo and Yaga.

Yet why did you receive a call from a desperate Mikami saying that you needed to come back immediately? And that it was urgent?

Now here you are, dreading to see Inumaki. He is just beyond those doors.

Ieiri had just finished telling you everything that she knows. Itadori's wanted, Gojo has been sealed, a curtain was placed above Shibuya to trap in civilians, and the grade one sorcerer Nanami has passed along with a few more, and..

"Okkotsu told me he'd be here in a few hours." you mutter, "Until then, can i spend time with Toge?"

Ieiri could see the sadness in your eyes. You looked drained-fresh from the airport, panicked, and sleep deprived. The woman nods, no words said as she cracks the door to her infirmary open.

She lets you in.

Your breath hitches when you see a boy sitting up on one of the beds, his back againts pillows and a white blanket covering his feet up to his lap. He looks at peace, but you knew that loosing an arm is too much for the boy to handle.

At the sound of the door closing, Inumaki looks up, wondering who it is that came to visit him at a time like this.

His eyes then widen, seeing you beginning to approach him.

"Toge." you call him, sitting on the foot of his bed. Inumaki raises an arm, hands closing and opening as if asking for a hug.

There's an ache in your heart.

You scoot closer to him like he wanted to, and your cheeks heat up when he pulls you in for a hug. It's been a while since you felt his warmth and touch.

You place a hand on his head, biting your lip as an attempt to stop yourself from tearing up.

"I'm.." you choke on your words, "I should've been there.. For you and the others."

Inumaki rubs your back, glad to be back in your arms. Glad to see you safe and not caught in the crossfire unlike him..

"Hmm.." he hums, head resting on your neck. You could feel him breathing and that was enough for you to know that he's here. That he's still alive.

You place a kiss on top of his head before finally pulling away. You keep a hand on his cheek and he leans in, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Y/N.." he mutters with a smile.

You mirror his expression, "Toge.. Hey, don't force yourself to speak."

You bring your hands down once again, the two of you only staring at eachother and enjoying the time you have together.

To have you in his arm just feels so surreal.. He missed his Y/N so much.

It hasn't been too long since you took the mission overseas but still. It's been long enough for him to miss you.

Inumaki's happy that despite his condition, you still chose to pay him a little visit. You could've rushed to Shibuya and helped evacuate any civilians or save injured sorcerers but here you are. Inumaki thought it's bad that he was taking up your precious time but he decided to be selfish just this once. He won't ask you to go out and help and he won't ask you to fight either.

He's asking you to stay.

It's just you and him in a room. Together. Just the two of you and no one else.

"Are you mad?" you then ask.

Inumaki shakes his head. Much to your relief.

It was Sukuna who had done the damage. Itadori had nothing to do with it and didn't know how to prevent it. Inumaki can't blame the kid for something he couldn't control-his inner demon, literally, became too strong for him to handle.

The boy lost almost everything he had in one night; his mentor, teacher, close friend, and his own will to continue living. He's blaming himself for what Sukuna did while the curse was on his rampage-because it's his body. Because he should've been able to take control if it weren't for the fingers that was forcefully shoved down his throat.

Everyone has to remember that Itadori is only sixteen and learning to be a sorcerer. Everything that happened in shibuya is too much for one kid to process. He's a child who is yet to live his life to the fullest as a sorcerer in training.

"Why? Why aren't you angry?" you ask, brows furrowed.

Inumaki shrugs.

You sigh, already having a hint on why he wasn't in any way furious. Sometimes, he's too nice for his own good.

"Toge, i don't have much time." you say, "I gotta go find Okkotsu.."

The boy nods, and you don't flinch when he leans in. He places a kiss on your cheek, and pulls away with a smile on his face.

"Wait for me, okay?" you say, "I love you."

The boy nods, feeling tears stinging his eyes and his lips quivering. Oh how he truly missed being back with you and hearing you tell him how much you adore him.

Though for the sake of what's going to happen in the future, he must let you go.

Cursed energy appears on your ear. You reach a hand out, placing a finger or two on Inumaki's throat.

You've grown as a sorcerer. Like Okkotsu and Ieiri, you're now capable of using the reverse cursed technique.

"I'm not leaving until you say it."

Inumaki chuckles.

"I love you."

Your heart flutters, "Again, Toge."

"I said.." he struggles, hesitant to speak despite knowing that you're continuously healing him, "I love you."

'For fucks sake.' you felt giddy.

Inumaki speaks up, "Stay safe.. Out there.."

With that, you finally remove your hand from him, cursed energy also disappearing. You show him a smile.

"I will, Toge. Wait for me."

'We'll have the longest conversation ever when i come back.'

'That's a promise.'

"Toge and i are okay."

"That's great.."

Okkotsu sighs out of relief, walking alongside you.

The two of you had met up after he talked with the higher-ups about having the both of you as Itadori's executioners. They were skeptical at first since why would Itadori need two, but Okkotsu had reasoned that Itadori is basically five fingers away from turning into Sukuna completely.

That fueled their fear and they finally agreed to have you assist the boy. They were still suspicious of the two of you, of course.

Now, the two of you are now in shibuya-or what was left of it. You held your trusty taiko turned to a sword, ready to slice any curses open.

"Did sensei also tell you?" Okkotsu ask, sparing you a glance before continuing to walk.

You shrug, "He said nothing. I'm with you because it believe it's not Itadori's fault." you explain.

The boy smiles.

"Then, i'm glad to be working with you, Hokori-san." he grins, obviously teasing you. You roll your eyes, waving a hand dismissively.

"You were so annoying back then." you mutter, "But now.. Just tired, sad, and sleep deprived i guess."

He laughs, "Right."

The two of you used to be like water and oil-didn't do well or mix together. First year Okkotsu was too nervous to even approach you, and first year Y/N was too much of an asshole to everyone.

Okkotsu's glad he gained your respect throughout the months, and same goes to you after he had finally dispelled Rika a year ago. The two of you are already better by yourselves, but when fighting alongside eachother, it's already guaranteed that whatever curse you're facing won't make it out the battle alive.

"Wait, i'm sensing something.." you say, stopping.

"Hm?" Okkotsu hums, also halting. He look at you, hoping that you have finally found Itadori. Considering that the boy literally has a raging demon inside him, it shouldn't be so hard.

Your brows furrow when you continue to feel for Itadori's cursed energy. What the hell? Why's there three of them?

"He's near. Maybe below that tunnel?" you point, keeping your voice low. Okkotsu looks at where you were referring to, and it wouldn't hurt to check, right?

His eyes meet yours, "Shall we?"

You reply with a nod.

"Let's make this quick."

'