Megumi POV

Naoya led us back to a conference room. Gojo always claimed to hate him, but they were chatting like old buddies. It made me sick.

I knew there was a game to play in this world of sorcery, but I don't think I could ever do what he was doing. Just another reason not to be the clan leader I guess.

We sat down around a table where Naobito, Jinichi, and Ogi were already waiting for us. They all stared at me intensely, not paying much attention to anyone else.

"I'm surprised you came," Naobito was the first of them to speak up. He was trying to keep a stern, threatening presence, but I would never be intimidated by him. Or anyone else in this room for that matter.

"Well I was invited," I mumbled as I leaned back and crossed my legs, pulling out my phone to distract me. I wanted to be here less and less with every passing moment.

I couldn't care less about what they needed.

"Yes, however, you did turn down your destiny. You ought to be leading the clan by now."

"So even you don't like your son," Nobara snickered.

"Alright children," Gojo called out. "Let's play nicely."

"How about we start with some tea?" Ogi offered.

Naoya nodded, "Yes. I agree."

We stared at him as he rang a small bell. Its sound easily distinguishable.

He can't possibly be ringing for that woman from earlier... I treat my dogs better than he treats them.

"Oh, is that woman coming back?" Gojo smirked, obviously having the same thought process.

"Not her," he laughed. "She's much too good for a bell."

On cue, another young woman walked in, immediately catching my attention. Her hair was cut shorter than mine, rigid and untamed as it brushed across her. It looked as if someone chopped it with a dull blade.

Her bright red, deviant eyes pierced forward, not acknowledging us in the slightest. Her lips were tightened shut, yet still full and feminine.

Her clothing wasn't nice and traditional as we had seen on Naoya's other women, but they were tattered and cheap as she wore all black.

The most concerning aspect of it all were the cuts and bruises littered across her. Her arms were covered in bandages and there was even a group is stitches on the left side of her neck.

She wasn't a wife or a toy, she was a punching bag, clearly being abused by Naoya and whoever else.

What else were they doing to her? How did she end up here?

"Tea," Naoya demanded as she stood at attention. She remained completely unfazed and unafraid, her chin still lifted up towards the sky as she stared back at him.

"Now," he reiterated.

She glanced over at me briefly as she turned to leave. Her eyes narrowing before she redirected her gaze.

I had never experienced a look so cold and deadly. She didn't need to say anything for me to know that she hated everyone in this room, including me.

The air was tense as she left, all of us from Jujutsu High caught off guard by her presence. Naobito began to speak, but I couldn't let it go. I couldn't stay quiet.

"What are you doing to her?" I snarled as I cut off Naobito and peered over at Naoya.

"Megumi," Gojo warned, reminding me to stay in my place.

Naoya's lips curled upward into a small smile, pleased by the reaction he got out of me. It was as if he was looking for it, as if he were proud of his work.

"Ah yes, Y/n." I shivered as her name rolled off his tongue. "You should've seen her when she first became mine. Perhaps the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on."

"But she has a mouth worse than this one," Naoya nodded over a Nobara. "So I've had to teach her some manners."

Y/n walked back into the room carrying a tray of tea to the table, seemingly unaware of the conversation, but I knew that wasn't the case.

"Isn't that right dear?" Naoya asked her.

Her knuckles turned white as she gripped down harder into the tray. The amount of fight she still had left was astounding. It's clear they were trying to beat out of her.

Naoya chuckled as he stood and walked over to her., "See, Y/n lost her speaking privileges. She's much more tolerable now, but it's too bad I had to seal that precious mouth of hers shut. It works wonders."

He grabbed onto her chin, "I put up with her back talk for so long just so I could still use it."

Y/n's body began to tremble as she locked eyes with Naoya, but it wasn't out of fear. Even from across the room I could tell she shook with rage.

Nobara quickly stood up, throwing her hands down on the table as she stared at Y/n, "Fight back! Why don't you fight back!?"

Gojo just sighed, already giving up on bringing us back to the matter at hand. I'm sure he felt bad for the girl too. She must be around our age.

"Go ahead, Y/n," Naoya whispered. "Fight back."

As soon as the words left his lips, Y/n snapped. She took the tray and smashed it against the side of his head, the sound of shattering tea cups quickly following the echo of wood splitting against Naoya's face.

We watched with wide eyes as she didn't stop there. She spun and landed a kick to his head, completely knocking him to the ground.

Disoriented, Naoya grabbed onto his bleeding face. She approached him and lifted her leg, ready to smash him in once again when she let out a loud scream.

Her whole body tensed up, shaking and trembling before she collapsed to the ground next to Naoya.

We were all in shock at how quickly everything happened, we didn't even have much time to react.

"You bitch," Naoya hissed as he regained his composure, spitting on her as he stood up.

Y/n's scream had stopped, but her body continued to quiver. Naoya's seal on her speaking ability probably let up when she hit him which allowed her to get a sound out.

It was selfish, but I wished I had never heard that cry for help. I knew its piercing pain would always haunt me. What were they doing to her? Must be some kind of internal technique...

"Stop!" Yuuji yelled as he got up from his seat and found his way to her side. "Stop this!"

It seemed that Naobito was the one with his grip on her, and he released it as Yuuji brought her into his arms.

He used the sleeve of his shirt to wipe the blood from her mouth, pushing back the sweaty hair from out of her face. Her eyes shut momentarily as she laid there practically unconscious.

"Who is she?" Gojo spoke with his voice low and dangerous. The way she fought, along with how many binding seals they held on her, she must be someone notable.

"An ungrateful whore," Naoya hissed as he sat back on his chair.

I joined Yuuji, kneeling down beside him and the girl, "We're taking her with us."

"You will not," Naobito spoke up. "She belongs to us."

"And you have a binding seal on her? To prevent her from using cursed energy?" Gojo asked.

Naoya's eyes never left Y/n's body, "Like I said, she's difficult. She wants to act like an animal, so she'll be treated as such."

Y/n's eyes began to flutter open, her long, dark eyelashes providing a stark contrast to her deep red eyes.

She frantically squirmed around as she realized she was in between me and Yuuji, wrapped up in his arms. Now wasn't really the time, but I actually felt myself being jealous of him.

"Hey, it's ok," he smiled at her. "We're not going to hurt you."

Even with Yuuji's soothing voice and demeanor, she wasn't having it. She pushed away from us, scooting back a bit before glancing over at me.

She looked so wild as she gazed into my eyes, ready to attack and protect herself at any cost.

I had no idea who she was or what had happened to her, but I wanted to be the one to protect her and keep her safe.

I wanted to tame those frantic, desperate eyes. Give her something to believe in. Someone to trust.

I could've saved her from this fate if I would've just become the clan leader. I couldn't help but feel guilty and partially responsible.

"Y/n, leave. Now," Naoya demanded.

She stood up, and we followed her lead. She smirked as she glanced over at Naoya, finally realizing the damage she did to his face.

Before she walked out of the room, she glanced over at Nobara. With the acknowledgment, Nobara jumped to her feet and pulled Y/n into a hug. Y/n froze before pulling away.

"We'll come back for you," Nobara mouthed, but just by the expression on her face, it was clear Y/n didn't believe her.

But I knew Nobara meant it, and I was already in too.