Stars * ** *** are recorded below after the chapter.

Death and life - 
What he took from me and gave again 
in this life.

Time, is the only measurable thing today. At least for the people whose focus was fixed on it. The others, who lived prudently day in, day out before themselves - without even thinking that knowingly death is waiting for them. Bitter sweetness rose up in me again and again, cranberries that were eaten impatiently and mixed with something sticky. That's how I felt day after day, and yet I never let anyone know. It was bad enough that Megumi blamed hisself for all this, but also saved me. Maybe this banal comparison didn't really work either; not here. Not at the Tokyo Magic School of Jujutsu - because here, death was waiting for you every day.

Whoever does this job will die - always. The words of my teacher, echoed in me - a job for which one might decide, but still regretted every time. At least when you were facing death - the curse that would eventually turn off your lights. But this did not apply to me, I was doomed by my own species; the humans. Or was that exactly why it applied to me? After all, I had already encountered this very curse - become its vessel. Even before my first day as a jujuzist, I was sentenced to death. I decided to take the job, and some days I regretted it, too.

A contemptuous snort came from me, the last mission went wrong. I died but now I was alive again. A pact or none? How should I know Gojo-sensei? Again the despair crept up my legs like fresh ice crystals, trying to freeze me in place. My heart that contracted painfully for a moment too long; immeasurable to me, yet palpable.
Sukuna Ryoumen, King of Curses and Poisons....
His name, his goddamn name, it was so familiar to me.

Months passed, mission upon mission, people coming and going. Like the blink of an eye - blink once there, blink twice and they were gone again. Just like Junpei and his mother. Just like Mahito the curse that changed shape. Turning my head on its side, I looked through the window from my bed. Was that supposed to be it? I had no idea of anything, the world was as unknown to me as it was new. A sigh escaped my lips, which were far too dry. Junpei, whom I could not save, Mahito, against whom I could do nothing. Sukuna who refused to help me; that fucking bastard. And yet there was something deep inside me that made me pause - every damn time I thought about Sukuna. What was it? It hurt, Junpei and his mother died because of Sukuna's finger. But why did it hurt every time I thought about Sukuna refusing to help me? Anger should be at this point, anger not despair and sadness - as if he had betrayed me, abandoned me - asshole.

Sighing I got up, it was March 20th my sixteenth birthday. Quietly I crept across the room to disappear into the shower after that normal clothes and then just as quietly I left my room. It was still early enough, neither Megumi nor Nobara would be awake. This day I wanted to use "meaningfully".
Sasaki and Iguchi, the two friends from my former school - the non-magic school; my former normal life. Yaga told me to limit my contacts, let ignorant and people who were not able to see go away. When he first told me this, I got angry. What did this guy think he was doing!? It was bad enough what I had to deal with, but now, thanks to my idiotic decisions, I had to decide who I could see and who I couldn't? Thanks, I'll pass on that, besides... they were able to see the curses at that time. So what made him think that they couldn't see? What made him think that they didn't have such powers inside them?! At our first argument, I ran to Nobara right after, but she snorted contemptuously, calling me an idiot - as she often did.

»Of course the two of them saw the curses then, people who are on the brink of death or even fear of death see such things!«

I can still hear her screaming, more than clear in my ears. It wasn't very helpful, just like when I got into a fight with Yaga the second time. Megumi... is and was Megumi, the two of them just didn't understand and still don't understand - nothing at all. They want to be jujuzists, sure, I agreed to that shit too, but did I have any other choice? Should I have agreed to my death right away? What do they expect from me? That I just accept everything without comment? Hardly! We could exist perhaps well as three team, for it the two others lacked it at their sensitivity - clearly. Not even that with Junpei and his mother was really terrible for the two, although they knew that it was indirectly my fault.

I locked the room and left, leaving the courtyard almost behind me I was now standing at the stairs. Today, after all, I had been given a day off, so nothing should get in my way. Gloom was spreading through me today of all days, I could do without that as well. Pulling my cell phone out of my pocket, I walked slowly down the stairs, writing a few lines to Iguchi, then to Sasaki. The appointment in the café at 9 o'clock this morning stood, afterwards the shrine and then sink with Sasaki at home. At least then I would have my peace - at least for today.

»So? You called me here today? What's to do Principal Yaga?«, Yuji leaves the school, what's the little one up to? Shouldn't he be working out instead? Find out if Sukuna had made a pact with him?
»You have a mission, alone. Two people are to forget. Towards evening you will pay a visit to the two and Satoru, no games is that clear? Was difficult enough for the little one to finally agree. Do it conscientiously without any mistakes, that was his wish. Fulfill it, after all, it's his birthday and no, he doesn't want to celebrate or be surprised, that's what he specifically asked for when he showed up here«, two thin paper files landed on the table behind me as I watched Yuji become smaller and smaller by the distance.
»So, a mission just for me and I'm supposed to erase memories? What are their names?«, but my former teacher just snorted.
»You'll see when you look through the files. They are known to us and especially to you. You already met them the day Yuji picked up the first finger«, so that was it, Sasaki and Iguchi, with a sigh I turned around.
»I know about it. I don't need the files, I'll find those two and get it done in the evening«, with that I disappeared without further ado.

»We should finally get to the shrine, you should make your requests Yuuji«, Sasaki waved someone from the cafe to join us and Iguchi paid the round completely. Slowly, continuing to be engrossed in our conversation, the three of us then walked through the streets; the first time Sukuna listened - silently. »And do you already know what you're going to ask for?«, I remained silent, well what exactly should I ask for? A quick death? Or should I pray directly to one of the seven gods of luck? Bishamonten? Or should I just pray to Sukuna, which was almost like a god; only almost. Snorting, I turned my head to the side as if to Yuuji.
»Probably for health and for grandfather«, I then murmured my answer softly. The gastric juice in my body tried to pull itself up my esophagus, swallowing I pushed it back down.
»That's right, your grandfather. Sorry Yuuji, I...«, but at that I put my hand on her shoulder and smiled. »Don't worry Sasaki, grandfather is fine and I gave him a good going over like he wanted. I'm fine and yet I want to think of him today, it's important«, now she smiled too and nodded. Finally we had reached the shrine that was in our neighborhood, slowly we entered it still not really looking at the surroundings.

As the cherry blossoms fell, so often did the memories. 
Of course, at the beginning we still remembered, but little by little one or the other faded. 
The clothes one wore that day; was it a blue or green sweater? 
Little by little, you forgot the little things and weren't they often the ones that triggered memories?

Just like right now, the three of us looked ahead and there stood someone; monk's clothing. Silvery hair with blood-red accents -

Uraume; Them.

»You guys go ahead, I'll catch up with you, I'd like to talk to the people who live here«, Iguchi and Sasaki looked surprised at first but accepted my request, they ran to the small store and bought their prayer request boards. I, myself immediately started to move, why was a mystery to me, because I knew Them although I had never met They. Uraume, was Them the key? Quietly I stepped behind this... curse... without hesitation I started to speak.
»Why do you live here, and why do I know you?«, sighing, Them paused in their movement, turning to me only slowly and dropping their head into the neck.
»I advise you not to fight here, Iguchi and Sasaki are almost free. I hope you don't want to risk this, Yuuji-san*«, I clenched my hands into fists, my gaze once again falling on my two best friends who were by now far behind me.
»Do I get explanations? Why a damn curse lives here? Why I know you even though I don't? Why I don't want to kill you - like all the others?«, Uraume hissed.
»Yuuji-san restrain yourself! I'm not some curse! I'm entourage and important, you'll get an explanation when you're really ready for it! But not now, it's clearly the wrong time«, like that? Retinue? Wrong time? Then I'll make it the right one now.
»No! Now! Right now!«, Them growled, raising the latter's hand and I backed away.
»Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I'm not tired of living and the master would kill me«, They touched my forehead.
»Sleep«, it whispered in front of me and my vision blurred until I was fully gone.

Uraume my most loyal follower. Grinning broadly, I stood before Them.
»Good to see you again, Uraume«, They snorted and went back to the work here in the temple.
»It's all done?«, Them nodded silently, now raising their eyes.
»When are you going to tell Yuuji-san? It's his birthday today, he will awaken that's an unwritten law, after all you reside in him brother«, I clicked my tongue, Uraume was right, Yuuji would awaken again.
»His other lives?«, Them sighed again.
»Is that really what you want to hear Sukuna? It doesn't matter, the one thousand years have passed to the day. Now you are here again, awakened; returned. Just as you said, what will be your plan now?«, my hands ended up in the pockets of my pants, these new clothes.
»Well what do you think Uraume? I'm back, free again and this time they won't just get him. He's too important, so his other lives?«, I repeated softly, urging Them to tell me what I missed this one millennium.
»Found and killed every single time; for safety. Your threat back then was enough for the Jujuzists to always have him in their sights. Often he was just waking up, so didn't understand what was happening. Until they decided to be more "humane" and finish him off beforehand by accidents. Anything; but he was looking for you - every single life. It was too dangerous to get close to him when he had just awakened. Their always had him in their sights, but this life, this one is completely different - the cards have been reshuffled and redistributed. Now we have a chance«, damn those dirty bastards! All this just because of our connection to each other.
»No matter what should happen Uraume. The top priority is Yuuji, for you and for me«, Them nodded and went back to work.
»He will sleep for another hour, you can hide here. I will tell the other two people that Yuuji still wants to stay here«, I nodded and took off, should Uraume bother with those maggots.
It wasn't until 20 minutes later that Them followed me.
»How much longer do I have?«, They tilted their head.
»With Yuji-san's strength, forty more at most.... No, thirty minutes. And you should be back at the people's door by then at the latest«, I clicked my tongue. Why should I? All maggots I wasn't interested in.
»Their memories will be erased. This is the last day Yuuji will spend with them. So you do what I tell you brother or else it sits what. You know him and you know how angry he will be later, many times you have felt it. Don't you ever learn from your mistakes?!«, the only entourage allowed to tell me - to command me. Dissatisfied, I grumbled, but then nodded absently. I heard them in the distance - the others. »You did a great job, the veil seems perfect. You haven't been found all these years?«, Uraume nodded but also snorted.

»That was more exhausting than you think! We should go, Takumi and Kenzo** are waiting for you. You've kept them waiting a long time«, I heard them so I knew which direction. Without further ado, I shot through the night and knew They was following me. 
»Sukuna-sama«, everyone stepped out of the houses, greeting me solely with my name and a bow.
»Takumi, Kenzo«, both of them came to a stop in front of me, grinning broadly they now stood here.
»It's been a long time Sukuna, how does it feel to be free again?«, I shrugged.
»You certainly can't call it free. The fact that I'm currently out here for more than a minute is also thanks to Uraume. How are you getting along?«, Takumi, next to Kenzo and Uraume probably my closest confidant. »Well old friend, so harsh? What is wrong with you? Usually you always have a solution too«, again I clicked my tongue. »Of course. I have nothing better to do than to be stuck inside a human«, he started laughing and patted me on the shoulder. »Yet it shouldn't bother you so much, it's your soul after all, your human, your wife*. You always wanted to know what she was thinking«, rolling my eyes I walked towards the biggest building here - my shrine. »Do you have a plan? Or is everything going to stay the same? You know there will be war if we stay the same way«, the three others followed me but have no answer. Thought to myself, we had to think of something, urgently. Otherwise everyone will be wiped out, it was already great luck that so many survived the first time. When the first foot hit the step to the shrine, it happens.
»Fuck!«, and that's when the brat had the upper hand again.

»So? That was faster than expected. His wife is as strong as ever«, I fell to my knees, feeling the tremendous forces of three curses behind me. Shit. Where had I landed here! I couldn't move for shit, I was frozen to a pillar of salt, waiting to be killed. »This is so going to backfire! Uraume!!! Put him to sleep again!«, it screamed from my cheek. »Oh no, not like that my friend! My body! My rules! My power!«, I immediately gathered curse power and got ready, if I was going to die, I wasn't going to die without a fight. Someone behind me sighed.
»Uraume get ready, Sukuna owes me for this. I keep getting it off. Why doesn't he wake her up right away? Every time this sneakiness gets on my nerves«, someone started moving, he was strong, at least special rank. Shit. The footsteps made the ground shake, my end coming closer and closer - to kill me. Move! Move! Move your Ass, Yuuji!
»Move already you fucking idiot!«, I yelled to myself and with that, life finally came into my body. My legs worked and brought me to a stand, immediately I spun around. Two men, curses. I licked my lips, I had died, come back, had gained experience. I did not surrender without a fight. The taller one was standing much closer to me by now.
»Go ahead. I carry Sukuna inside me so I'll outlive you too!«, I hissed angrily. Only now was I aware of my surroundings, here.... This place is crawling with them! A village full of curses?! Undiscovered?! Immediately I lowered my arms.
»It's not true, it's impossible«, for the first time I looked around, realizing the truth. It was a village full of curses, with a huge shrine, Uraume - Them so familiar to me, also here. Then my eyes fell on a column that adorned the entrance, it hung full of prayer tablets. Loosely a thousand pieces, the fight already forgotten, I ran directly to it. Coming closer, I realized that over the small strings each time a five yen coin was threaded. On the plaques themselves, Uraume's and Sukuna's names were written over and over again, like the ones in my pocket. What did that mean? I swallowed, the three curses watching me closely. Uncertainty and nervousness spread through me; goosebumps covering my body like a chocolate coating pulled over rotten fruit.
I was not supposed to be here, not supposed to know about all this. Nothing at all! I was a jujuzist and my job was to report this! Or to wipe out this village myself! My skull burned like hellfire itself. Holding my head, I stammered in a panic.
»I... I'm not supposed to be here! If... if they catch you.... or Sukuna...«, my head was too full, I was flooded with information and couldn't process it. I had to get out of here right away. All by myself, cursing power gathered in my feet and I set off at a sprint.

»Drive down brat.«
I paused in my motion.
»I won't. Rip my heart out again for all I care. But I'm a jujuzist and I'm not supposed to be here! Are you actually completely insane?! If Gojo or Yaga ever find out about this, then...«, my voice died, became quieter and quieter. I could still hear my own words echoing inside me. I was speaking totally inconsistently, was I on their side now?
»Wait, no... I would have to exorcise you... shit!«, my eyes filled with tears, shit. I so needed to get out of here!
»I have to get out of here! Otherwise, at least Gojo will find me! Uraume and Takumi can't die!«, so I ran off without another word to the next village or town no matter until I hit real civilization again. Breathing heavily, I came to a stop at some border and dropped to my knees again. I was drenched in sweat and out of breath. I took off my sweater and threw it beside me. By now the headache was unbearable and my stomach was rebelling. My heart was racing madly, as if a rabbit were being chased to death by a fox. I spat out the bile that was working its way up to my mouth; I threw up. Gush after gush. The more I thought, the greater the pain and the more I retched.
»I need to calm down, really need to calm down«, with one hand I supported myself, with the other I held my head. Waited and hoped for improvement that came only when everything was out of my body to the last bit. Groaning, I heaved myself back up, trying to get a clear view. Tears ran down my cheeks from the vomiting and from this cumulative force of memories. I buried my hands in my pants pockets, forget Yuuji - just forget everything. I bent down and grabbed my hoodie, let's get out of here. Quickly this was put on again and when I finally wanted to go further Uraume stood behind me again.
»If you want explanations, come to the bridge of your last mission with the Zen'in brat in three days. Then you'll get your explanations«, I looked to the side, no I want....
»Listen Uraume, I don't understand all this at all and I don't want to understand it. Stay away from me - all of you. Even Takumi and Kenzo! Don't follow me, don't show up at the academy, they would only kill you! And I certainly don't take that on my shoulders. You were free and should remain so... I don't know why I talk like this as a jujuzist, my task would be to exorcise all of you... Sukuna shall die in me and with me.... It... stay away, from me, from Sukuna, from my life«, with that said, I finally ran away, putting distance between us - which I felt would never be big enough. God damn, I would have loved to be on another planet. Again the tears ran, this time silently without making a sound. Some station I reached until I realized I would be on the road for at least two hours. Hopefully I would arrive back at Sasaki's in time to say goodbye. Even then I was still at a loss for words, how did one do such a thing? The next train stopped, I got on and leaned my head directly against the window. Staring into nothing, I tried to forget everything that had happened today except Iguchi and Sasaki. Everything else was dangerous and should be deleted.

*wrong ending? No. Explanations will be given later.
**Takumi and Kenzo own characters.