The metro stations are empty.

It doesn't take you long to find out, and instead you find your way above ground again, intending to join forces with Nobara, who must be lingering around somewhere without doubt.

" Inumaki!"

Not too far from where you're stood just outside of the metro exit, is Inumaki stood, hunched over, holding his shoulder. Your eyes widen in horror as you realize that he's missing his arm.

Did that happen while you were fighting that curse user in the metro station earlier?

Inumaki glances up at you, his eyes wide alert. His collar is left unzipped, showing his mouth, the marks of his cursed technique pinched together as he grits his teeth in pain.

You snap out of it, taking off the cap of one of your refilled water skins to come to his aid. You don't speak as you lower his zipper further. The part of his shirt on his left side is soaked through in blood. You can't imagine the pain. However, you don't linger on it, manipulating water like you've done often. The water engulfs his shoulder, and once your ability starts running through his body, he visibly collapses, resting his head against your shoulder while you do your best to heal him.

Understandably, his wounds sucks up a lot of water. You've never healed a wound quite that bad before, never healed someone who lost a limb. Eventually, all that's left to heal is outer layers of his wound, his bloodpaths reattached.

Your peaceful moments get interrupted by a sudden curse flying your way. You grimace, focusing your cursed energy in your leg as you kick it away.

For now, you pause your healing as you get ready to face this curse. Inumaki is quick to respond too. Obviously, he's completely out of shape currently, needing to rest and heal. However, it doesn't look like he's planning to do so. He readies his stance behind you, ready to fight by your side.

You narrow your eyes as you realize that the curse who attacked you is the same curse which was down in the metro station.

Did it follow you?

" Toge, step out of the barrier. If your shoulder gets hit my cursed technique will come undone. "

Toge looks uncertain, his eyes switching between the curse spirit and you.

" Pickled mustard leaf."

'I'm not leaving you to fend for yourself. I can help.'

" You should help me by leaving, Toge. I can't witness any more people who I care for dying."

Your voice is strong, certain, leaving no room for argument.

Meanwhile the curse spirit grins creepily.

" I've killed the other two. "

It's lying. You know it is.

You scoff, Your cursed energy reaching for the remainder of your water kept inside of your water skins.

" You wish you could."

With that said, you produce a harsh wave, sending him flying.

" Toge, Sukuna and I left Megumi in the shopping district of the city. We kinda... forgot him, to be honest. Please find him and take him outside of the barrier with you."

You don't leave any room for argument, chasing after the cursed spirit, reaching him in a heartbeat.

" I hope you're ready because we're going to end you today!"

-

Yuuji and Sukuna are hot on Mahito's heel, following him with every step. That doesn't mean that things go flawlessly though.

Currently, both are running up the stairs, reaching another level of the metro station, only for Yuuji to get hit with a line of humans, their bodies stabbed through by Mahito's arm.

Sukuna's eyes widen.

What the fuck is this thing?

He jumps, avoiding Yuuji from collapsing into his body. In one smooth maneuver, he cuts the spirit's arm- or at least, attempts to.

Shit. He forgot to ask for his most prized weapon, stored safely in the space of your domain.

" This is funny. You look like Sukuna, but you have no cursed energy. "

Mahito's grinning creepily.

Sukuna scoffs at him, sheating his sword back in it's sheat. Instead, he unties the cloth he has wrapped around his thigh, wrapping it around his hand. It's imbued with his universe' Yuuji's cursed energy, allowing his punches to have effect. He doesn't need a weapon to take the thing on. He'll wring him with his bare hands.

" Are you okay?"

Yuuji is concerned, his hands gentle as he breaks the man's fall.

The man turns to face him.

" Yeah."

He's not. The man's head turns blue before exploding, his blood splattering all over Yuuji.

Mahito, who knew this would happen, is quick to close in on him, changing his hand into a weapon. Sukuna follows, Mahito's hit never coming in contact with Yuuji as as Sukuna interferes, punching it swiftly in it's side, sending him flying.

-

Nobara glances up, noting that something has flown into the roof behind her. She doesn't hesitate, sending nails it's way as it aims to punch her.

It's gone before she can see what it is, but soon enough, the cursed spirit comes running back, aiming an attack that elongates it's limbs in some sick way. The different ends of it's limbs punch into the ground harshly. Nobara, who had seen it aiming her way, runs, avoiding them from hitting her. She ends up on the roof, aiming yet another nail at it.

It hits.

Finally, you return to the scene after that, jumping through the air in time to notice the curse expanding it's limbs once again. Thankfully, you had already been speeding water in that familiar lethal circle, and you slam it down.

The curse's eyes widen, pulling back just in time as your attack hits the ground. The ground cracks beneath the force, a huge slash left in it's awake.

It's eyes widen, amusement dancing in it's eyes.

It didn't expect you to have that kind of power.

" Not bad!"

It's amused, intrigued in your power. But did you have the ability to fight him?

Either way, it chases after Nobara as you hit the floor, your newfound cursed energy recharged and ready to use as it leaves an indent where you hit the floor as you finally land.

Meanwhile Nobara is cautious to keep it's hands on a distance.

Good. She's aware of it's power.

" You're no fun."

The cursed spirit is quick to charge at her again once it realizes she knows, throwing several objects her way.

Nobara doesn't back down, throwing nails in return and continuing and blocking it's attempts to harm her.

You don't back down either, charging at it as well.

It's surprisingly smooth, evading your attacks while also managing to continue attacking her.

" Neither of you can beat me."

He's probably right. Nanami mentioned in a report that only Yuuji's attacks seem to have effect on him.

However-

" We know, but sometimes you just gotta try anyway!"

Nobara's words are nothing short from the truth, and soon enough, you notice what's happening. You jump onto the roof, out of her way, as she jumps down, activating her cursed technique.

" Hairpin!"

At once, the nails beneath the curse explode. Nobara grins, satisfied as it's hands are severed. She jumps on it next, slapping her strawdoll on its body and raising her hammer.

" I've been wanting to try this on you for a while now. Resonance!"

Both of you grin at one another, before sharpening in on the situation again. Her technique is effective against it, which was understandably great. However-

" That was odd. I just felt my cursed energy explode somewhere else nearby. Let's see. Your cursed energy is weak, and you passed on the chance to grab me earlier too. You're some kind of double that can't use its technique, aren't you?"

Your eyes widen at her words. She's right. It makes sense.

The curse, or well, the curse's double, grins, licking it's own blood off it's face.

" Correct."

Meanwhile, Sukuna and Yuuji are watching with wide eyes as several spikes puncture through Patchface, recognizing that cursed technique all too well.

" Nobara."

" Sukuna! Now!"

With that, the two of them rain down punch after punch on Mahito.

" Sukuna, once Nobara's cursed technique has worked out, let me do the punching. You don't have the cursed energy to protect yourself!"

Yuuji's words have no ill intent, yet Sukuna scoffs, huffing with a nod, giving Mahito a particularly harsh punch and sending him flying.

" Tch. Fine. Don't concern yourself over me. You'll get distracted, and I'm not weak."

Yuuji nods in acknowledgment, but doesn't react otherwise.

He doesn't know how to feel about Sukuna, especially because of what Ryomen Sukuna just did. Cursed energy or not, Itadori Sukuna was dangerous, strong. He saw it while Ryomen Sukuna was in control. Your Sukuna stood a serious chance if he was given the right weapon.

Yuuji wouldn't dare underestimate him.

" This is where the real battle begins!"

Nobara's grinning, as are you. You have a chance.

" Nah.. I'm outta here!"

The duplicate takes the both of you by surprise, shooting off in the opposite direction instead.

" What?! Hold it!"

The both of you charge at it, and soon enough you realize it's heading back to the metro station.

You understand Nobara's train of thought as the both of you are running, realizing the plan that's formulating in her head. You don't always need to communicate with people to catch on, and right now is one of those moments.

If you continue down this pad, you'll make your way to B5, where Gojo sensei is sealed. You had originally pushed that aside. Alone, you would be no match for Geto Suguru's cursed technique. Not in this environment.

If only you were near a river now.

The both of you follow after Mahito, jumping after it as it jumps down into the metro station.

Meanwhile the original Mahito jumps into multiple smaller versions of himself beneath Yuuji's punch, avoiding it at the last second.

Damnit. It split up.

It's not stupid either, choosing to run away in multiple directions.

" Shit."

Sukuna scoffs, taking out his Chain once again, getting to work with destroying one after another. Yuuji punches one of the other ones, the one with the most cursed energy.

However, once Mahito has gained enough momentum between Yuuji and Sukuna, he comes back together again.

" Haha, fooled ya'."

And then he's running off.

" Come back here you fucking wuss!"

Sukuna's visibly irritated. He hates it when opponents chicken out.

Truth to be told, Sukuna loves fighting. It's one of the rare things he's good at and useful for. He doesn't really care if he has to exorcise something or kill it. He doesn't care who he has to kill. As long as the people who he cares for are at his side.

Exasperated, Sukuna throws his Chain Mahito's way, who gets lucky, avoiding it at the last minute, jumping down the escalator.

Why was it heading towards that part of the metro station?

Yuuji is the first to see both Mahito's, confused by the double's appearance.

Sukuna follows shortly after.

Both boys their eyes widen as they notice Nobara and you at the other side.

Confusion rushes through the both of you, and it takes you a moment before the dots connect in your mind.

The spirit never followed you. It had been fighting Yuuji and Sukuna this whole time. You thought it had followed you and then split up as some kind of survival tactic.

" Itadori?"

" Kugisaki! Y/N! Run!"

It's too late. The spirit is too quick.

By the time Sukuna catches up in realizing what is happening, the spirit is too close to Nobara, and close to you too. It was too late to throw out the Chain and pull the spirit back towards them to save the both of you. He tries either way.

Your eyes widen in horror as the curse's hand slaps against Nobara's face, swiftly hitting her for a moment before heading your way.

You're lucky. You're incredibly lucky. Your fighting style was engraved into your subconscious, allowing you to move without thinking about it. A harsh training your parents ordered you to follow in case the Kamo clan would ever decide to attempt to take your life. The Clan never had. They had rightfully been too scared of your parents to ever seriously harm you.

However, your parents aren't here to protect you. Except for Sukuna, you're on your own.

Today, your fighting style saves your life. The sleek movements of your body allowing you to move along the curse spirit's body, allowing you to escape its lethal touch in reflex.

And just to Sukuna's luck, you step in the right direction, his Chain wrapping around your arm.

By the time you're glancing down at your arm in realization of what just happened, he's already pulling you his way harshly, causing you to loose your footing as you stumble in his direction.

Meanwhile Yuuji snaps as the double grins, laughing about Nobara's injury.

" Haha! Hit you dead on!"

" Out of my way!"

Yuuji hits the double harshly only once. It's enough to kill it.

Sukuna meets you halfway, catching you before your body hits the ground, his arms secure around your waist as he catches you. Neither of you speak. You numbly get back on your feet as you gently call out to her, scared eyes searching her expression.

" ......Nobara..?"

Everyone watches with bated breath, unwilling to loose her. You make quick work of uncapping your water skin, running out of Sukuna's loose hold as you manipulate a stream of water towards her, using the same technique you've used on Tsumiki of your universe. It glows as it surrounds her. Perhaps, your technique was strong enough to save her. You're already crying, though you don't realize it, desperate to save the girl you know as your best friend.

" You!"

Mahito does not like you. Your reverse cursed energy is blinding. And if you keep this up, you'll save her.

He extends a hand towards you, and Sukuna is quick to react, pulling you back, out of harm's way. Though it does the trick: it breaks your concentrations, your healing circle breaks, and Mahito's technique runs it's course as it would.

" Yuuji, Y/N, Sukuna, please tell everyone: It wasn't so bad."

She's smiling as her face contorts, before the side of her head explodes.

Yuuji's voice is small as he calls out to her.

" Nobara?"

You start crying, and this time, you do realize it.

[ A/N: Yo Jujutsu Kaisen manga' ends on 30 september- fucc. ( I have finally caught up with what's out now)

Also, (inappropriate question considering the chapter but:) who would you like to see together with mc?
Personally (It might've been obvious, but) I ship her with mc's Sukuna.]