The fight between you, Yuuji and the cursed spirit was running relatively smoothly. You're pleased to find out that this Yuuji is much like your Yuuji. Neither seem to care about how they're getting the job done, as long as they get the job done. He's athletic, you notice, jumping from spot to spot and launching punch after punch.

You don't need to do much. One of your water skins is uncapped as you use it. You're really just slashing this curse back Yuuji's way, trapping him there, keeping him there. However, you can't ignore that something really does feel off. It's definitely a curse, but it's body' fluid composition felt so... Human? It was unsettling.

As a Water Manipulator, you could feel fluid compositions. People are made up of at least 60% water. You can use them as your doll if you wish to do so, which is why you were feared among curse users in your own world. Cursed spirits are always made purely of cursed energy. And so far, you haven't come across a cursed spirit which power was based on water.

Eventually, things take an unexpected turn soon enough. Nobara is getting pulled out of the barrier, for some reason.

You're quick to follow, and soon enough the both of you are stood against the curse.

Which was an odd thing. It seems to pretend to be a gentleman, spouting about how he'll let the two of you go considering your gender, leaving you both confused.

And then it hops back. It looks ridiculous. Things get even more odd when Yuuji and the other curse jump in. Apparently the weird curse in front of you has something disgusting on its back.

Things escalate. Nobara comments on the rotting smell that comes from him, and he grows angry, activating it's cursed technique. Soon enough, he's launching blood your way.

You move out of the way- just in case, but you're pleased (yet also incredibly unsettled) to find out that it really is blood, even if it is poisonous.

The curse angers visibly.

" You should run, with your back to me! "

Nobara and Yuuji have no other choice, so they do. You keep your eyes on him, gathering the blood he's launching your way as you prepare to counter attack.

" How about I rip your blood sculpted wings off instead? "

It doesn't like your words. Not at all. In fact, it launches so many attacks that even you have to pull back, throwing messy counter attacks as you jump backwards. It's laughing, while it manages to draw you back. It's incredibly quick, which makes it so hard to keep up.

Nonetheless, you don't give up.

Eventually, you manage to turn the tide. Suddenly, he's at your mercy, as you continue to summon his attack and make it your own. Unlike Blood Manipulation, you can't change the condense of blood, so you'll have to rely of the speed of it. You charge up the circle of it's blood that was already starting to pick up pace around you, and send it at him in one go. Like always, it creates a sword like effect, slashing through everything. The curse's eyes widen, and it has no choice but to jump back, all the way.

Your attack had a bigger hit than expected, as a few trees fall to the side- you jump to avoid them. Oops. Regret fills your senses as you realize that the curse is dashing off on you.

" Hey!- "

You're glaring. How dare he run off on you? You chase after it, however, it's much quicker than you. Your eyes widen as you catch up, your friends now both injured.

" There's no need to worry. My younger brother's blood doesn't have the same quality as mine. And even mine won't kill you unless you would be drowned in it. Though it will hurt like hell. This is where our technique starts-"

He raises his pinky, and immediately black, tattoo like flowers run over your friends' wounds. Your eyes widen as concern overtakes your features. Shit- you're a healer first. You have to save them. For a moment, you panic in silence, not sure what to do, or what to say. Obviously, this isn't the time and moment to heal them.

Meanwhile, the curse is breaking down how his technique works. The consequences are pretty clear, once either him (should we even refer to it as him?) Or his brother activate the technique, they only have about 15 minutes to live.

Your eyes harden as you realize what you three have to do. Healing comes later. You've never come across a technique which effect was like poison. You don't know if you'd be able to stop his technique while it's working. It's better to have them release their technique altogether and heal them properly after that.

Yuuji and Nobara seem to think the same thing.

" Would you like me to end you right away? "

The curse was too bold with it's actions.

" A technique that grants victory once it hits... That makes you strong. Too bad for you though, that makes me the worst match for you! "

Nobara is bolder. She's confident, yet somehow not arrogant. You watch in amazement as she plunges one of her nails in her arm, activating her straw doll technique.

In response, both of their body's blood flow changes into one of stress. You stop all together. What are those things? They can't be curses. They simply can't be. Their body is made of blood. They're alive. You wouldn't be able to exorcise them, because it would be killing.

You're distressed now, unable to move. Can you even kill? You've never deemed yourself a good person, nor a bad person. You're not the type to forgive easy, or at all in most cases. You hold grudges a lot. You're not a bad person either. You're not fond of bullying, or picking on people. You're just,, you. You're not a killer though. Something was going on in this universe which was not natural, even for Jujutsu. Spirits that have taken bodies... These bodies could've been living an actual life before they were taken... You can't do this. You can't kill them.

Meanwhile, the actual fight takes place. Yuuji is the first to throw a punch. First at the blue curse, before he switches with Nobara.

You finally seem to snap out of it when-

" You bitch! "

Like we've mentioned before, you're not a good person.

" Who the fuck do you think you are to call my best friend a bitch?! "

You're launching yourself at the curse as well, joining your friends yet again. It's blue brother whines out desperately, but you force yourself to ignore it.

His brother seems to release their cursed technique, and Yuuji now gets into physical combat with him, throwing punch after punch after punch. The curse is quick to react, enabling his stupid technique, Wing King once again, launching strikes of blood Yuuji's way. You're quick to intervene, summoning it's blood your way as you create the circle you're so fond of, charging up for your counter attack. Yuuji doesn't rest either, following your opening as both him and Nobara simultaneously manage to land a black flash on both of them.

Your eyes widen in amazement. So far, you've never managed to do so before. The blue spirit barely survives, and your expression saddens as Nobara activates her hair pin technique, ultimately resulting in killing the curse.

" Kechizu.. "

It's the other curse. You feel guilty. He did refer to him as brother, after all.

" I'm sorry brother, I couldn't protect him... "

Nobara's eyes widen, staring at the curse.

She must've not known either. You realize.

Out of nowhere, a truck suddenly comes from the tunnel. Everyone jumps out of the way in time. You lose focus, the curse's blood falling to the floor below you, it's poisonous effect evident as it burns into the ground.

The curse is quicker to react, jumping on the back of the truck and keeping one of the two people in it hostage. Nonetheless, Yuuji chases after it. With result too, as Nobara releases her straw doll technique on it's brother, dead on injuring the curse, who falls right into Yuuji's clutches.

Yuuji kills him.

He doesn't look happy to do so.

Afterwards, the three of you are heading back, towards Megumi. You're lost in thought about the events that just occurred, having forgotten about their injuries in favor of mental injuries you have no doubt created for others.

Those two curses called each other brothers. It made you wonder if there was another one perhaps, maybe a whole family. Yuuji's voice cuts through your train of thought, reminding you where you are.

" Kugisaki, are you okay? "

" Oh, yeah. Though this might leave a scar. I wonder if those guys are okay, considering their truck just went speeding off. About the poison, I wonder if Shoko will be up this late. And if she will be sober- What are you fidgety for? It's creepy. "

She's asking Yuuji the question. Meanwhile you press a gentle hand to her uninjured arm.

" I can fix that, actually. If that's okay. "

Nobara nods, and you get to work. You first manipulate the poison out, managing to tell it apart from her own blood with surprising ease. After that, you uncap one of your water skins, manipulating the water around your hand as you press the cold substance to her arm's injury. First, she cringes at the cold, but then she grows more comfortable as a comforting feeling settles in her skin. The water you're using to heal glows, and her arm feels all warm and comfortable.

Meanwhile, the two had continued talking.

" Wasn't this the first time you killed something instead of exorcising it? "

Your eyes widen, your focus momentarily quivering. He's done this before? Does he know what they are?

" Yeah, what about you? "

" I have, once... No that's not correct. It was three people. "

" You seem to be doing way worse than me. To put it blunt, I don't care. As a sorcerer, you tend to run into these things. I'm no Fushiguro, but ultimately, there's only so many people we can save. "

Her words are cold, but real. Meanwhile you finish up your work, her skin smooth and healed once again, like it never happened. She continues to explain why she feels like that, and you somewhat do understand. You wouldn't have won if all of you had refused to kill it like you did, especially with a technique that strong.

" Woah, your healing is indeed impressive, Y/N.- How do you feel about killing? "

Her blunt words make you cringe as you continue to walk.

" Uncomfortable, to be honest. I'm not sure if I can kill one if the situation would ever demand it of me to be honest. They were crying for one another. I never had to fight something that understood emotions before. "

Yuuji nods in agreement.

" I feel the same. I'm happy we survived, but still, tears were shed over the lives we ended tonight. "

For a moment, a silence settles over the three of you.

" Then I guess that makes us accomplices. "

Nobara points out, causing you to cringe yet again, the weight of the word uncomfortable.

Thankfully, a moment later, the three of you come across Fushiguro... Who is passed out, beside the river.

" Fushiguro! "

" Megumi! "

All three of you call out in worry. You drop down to your knees beside him as he stirs, uncapping your water skin yet again in preparation, eyes scanning over him for injuries.

Megumi grumbles as he opens his eyes.

" Oh, you guys are back. Glad you're all safe. "

" W-We were so scared, we thought you were dead! Thank goodness! "

Both Yuuji and Nobara are in the back, holding hands as they express their fears to their dear friend.

Meanwhile, you focus on his health.

" Are you okay? Or injured? "

" Could you two at least keep it down? I'm okay, Y/N, but my head hurts. "

You pout at his stubbornness.

" Where? "

You're already summoning water around both of your hands, ready to help.

Megumi opens his mouth to say something, probably to tell you off with nonsense, when you notice the big red stain on the back of his head. You purse your lips, scolding him softly. He leans into your touch, a new comforting feeling spreading through his skull.

" No wonder your head hurt. "

" Don't go to sleep with a Sukuna's finger in your hand. That's dangerous. "

Nobara's words draw your attention. You glance at Megumi's hands, noticing that he is indeed holding a disgusting looking long nailed red finger-

" That's a-? You swallow that thing whole? Like nail and all? "

" Pretty much. Should I eat it? "

" It's not like left overs, you know? "

" We're not sure how many fingers you can handle. So don't eat it. You look the least worn down though, so take it. I'll tell you again though, don't eat it. "

Yuuji huffs, probably annoyed by Megumi's way of addressing him currently, as he approaching. However, surprise takes over your features as a mouth appears on Yuuji's hand and fucking swallows it. Ew.

You watch in disgust which turns into amazement as you notice familiar marks appearing on his skin for a moment. Your heart skips a beat at the reminder of your best friend, who is so far away.

Silently, you wonder how he's doing.

-

[ Parallel Jujutsu Kaisen Universe ]

" You should really stop staring at your bracelet like that, it's getting a bit depressing to watch. "

" You wear a blindfold, do you even see anything? "

Gojo hums, sitting down on the floor beside his student, on the stairway leading up towards the mountains. He knows this spot all too well. Y/N and Sukuna would sit here often. Something about liking the view. Gojo doesn't really get it. It's just trees and buildings. He doubts Sukuna gets it either.

" I have the six eyes, remember? "

All he gets in response is an annoyed sigh from the teenager. Sukuna didn't get along well with people older than him. He lacked respect, in multiple ways. His parents were more fond of his twin, simply because he was more outgoing, naturally nicer. People didn't typically get along with the boy at all. Something about him being too intimidating, too rude, too disrespectful. The tattoos on his face were a stark reminder that he doesn't really care. Somehow, he did manage to be close friends with you though. Gojo will never understand how. The two of you were pretty much complete opposites, yet you balanced each other out just fine.

The six eyes never told him, but he didn't need any ability to see the bond he shared with you. It was unique, deep. It reminded him painfully of him and Suguru. Sukuna doesn't view you like the sacred healer you are. He sees you just as you, just like how Suguru used to view Satoru as himself.

Gojo sighs softly, his easy going smile leaving his face, making room for more serious conversation.

" I know losing your best friend is hard. But you have to-"

" She's not dead. "

Gojo sighs, having expected that response. He wouldn't believe anyone who told him his best friend would be dead when she had literally disappeared out of nowhere.

" Sukuna-"

" She's not. I'm 100% sure. Something isn't adding up. "

" She could have fallen in the river, -"

" No, look. "

Gojo glances at his student's phone, noting the messages.

Mine

Where are u?

This isn't funny

I made gyoza without you while using your secret recipe

Gojo can't help but grin, noting the oddness of the messages.

" Even when gone you can't be nice? "

" That's not what I'm talking about. "

[ The number you're trying to reach is not in use ]

Gojo's brows furrow behind his blindfold. That indeed is very odd.

" Besides, did you just hear yourself? Y/N losing when around a river? "

" You never know, if she was knocked out she could've been drowning-"

" She's not dead. "

Gojo's eyes glance at Sukuna's bracelets below his blindfold, the water in it limp, ordinary. He didn't understand exactly how it worked, but somehow it always drew Sukuna to you whenever he needed to find you, no matter where you were. It would flow, like a river leading him towards the sea. The only reason for it to stop working would be if you were dead, or really that far away, but where would you be.

Sukuna sighs, getting up as he glares at his sensei. He looks like he's about to say something, but then he scoffs, turning away, walking off.

Gojo figures that Sukuna is really just unaccepting of your death. If the boy had cursed energy, he'd tell him to get a hold of his emotions before he'd accidentally place a curse on you, though he doesn't have any, so you should be fine.

However, even Gojo has to admit that his most irrational student has a point. Perhaps he should look deeper into it indeed.