I woke up to the rumble of a car engine, my body swayed with each bump in the road. I peaked open my eyes. I was on the highway, slumped in the passenger's seat as rain pelted against the windshield. I had no idea how I'd gotten there. I turned to my left to see who was driving.

"Took you long enough. Done with your beauty sleep?"

"Sukuna...?" I mumbled and slowly situated myself. My body became on high alert as soon as I saw him.

I rubbed my eyes, "What are you doing?"

"Well, I gave you one simple task y/n... Don't die. An then today, I walked in on you about to get strangled to death. You and your idiotic friends really couldn't have come up with a better plan?"

I began to remember what happened. The men breaking into Gojo's apartment, the fight... I almost died. And then, Sukuna saved me... Sukuna of all people...

But what about Nobara, what happened to her? Did he only save me?

"What about Kugisaki?" I asked.

"Oh, that woman? I only got the patience to protect one girl... And that's you."

I clenched my jaw, "You just left her for dead! What the hell happened? Where is Megumi, or Gojo?"

"I'm going to be honest y/n, I don't give a fuck about your friends. It looks like I just have to protect you myself from here on out."

"What are you saying?"

"You're not leaving my sight... y/n."

"You're kidnapping me?"

Sukana drove into the parking lot outside of some some bar and rested the car there. The keys jingled as he pulled them from the slot.

"Something like that. You make it sound so dramatic. Here." He tossed me a water bottle. "Drink up, you look lethargic."

I glared at him with the water in my lap. I was thirsty, but it felt lousy of me to accept any favor from him. Sukuna sighed and clicked his tongue.

"You're gonna make this real difficult for yourself y/n."

I ignored him and pulled at the door handle. The latch immediately clamped back to its spot. I fiddled with the locks and buttons. Nothing was working. I even tried thrusting my shoulder against the door.

"Let me out." I demanded.

"C'mon, don't make me laugh."

"I said let me out Sukuna!"

"No."

I kicked at the door.

"Let me out of this car!"

My breath hitched. Suddenly, Sukuna clasped his hand around my arm in one violent movement. His grip was harsh, it felt like my skin was burning.

He spoke methodically, knitting his words together so carefully with the intention of never repeating himself again. I'd forgotten how terrifying he was.

"You're not going anywhere y/n, do you understand? I'm not in the mood to have my time wasted. Your feelings don't matter to me. Your job is to obey me. Got that?"

Our eyes were locked, his gaze dominated mine. He had the power, just like always.

"And if I refuse?" I said softly, edged in fear.

"I have no problem punishing you."

And he let go, my arm tingled with the aftermath of his grasp. I gradually caught my breath, I hadn't even realized I'd been holding it. A fleeting silence ensued. I huddled myself in the corner of my seat, as far away from him as I could get.

"Are you afraid?" He asked deeply.

My heart throbbed.

"Yes..." I whispered.

"Good."

I looked at him in horror, it was like I was trapped inside a nightmare. Although, it was real. No matter how many times I wished it away. This was real. Sukuna had me all to himself. There was no one to protect me, no one to save me. The only refuge I had was to think quick and try not to get killed.

The doors unlocked with a click, "Get out, we're going in there." He ordered, pointing at the bar. I could finally open the door and step outside. The two of us stood in the rain. He eyed me, making sure I wouldn't try and make a run for it.

"Let's go." He said, heading for the bar. I scanned the area and made a senseless attempt to sprint away. I didn't even make it halfway out of the parking lot when Sukuna caught me in his arms. I squirmed and fussed in his hold. I let out a scream and he quickly covered my mouth with his hand. My muffled cries were useless.

Sukuna whispered angrily, "What did I just say to you? Ah? Don't fuck around with me y/n."

He dragged me to the entrance and let me go when we reached the door.

"Don't even think of trying anything stupid when we get inside. Got that?" He said.

I ignored him again, but he knew I understood. He pulled open the door with one hand and rested the other, casually in his jean pocket. The smell of beer and cigarettes mixed into one apparent aroma. The room bustled with chatting customers as low tunes peppered the atmosphere.

I walked beside him, extra close. I could nearly feel the heat from his body. He didn't want me going anywhere. We took a seat by the bar table. The bartender; a woman in about her mid thirties with crimson hair, smirked at us while she cleaned a glass.

"Now what's a brute like you doing with a nice girl like her huh?" She chuckled.

"She's for the ritual." Sukuna replied.

The woman eyed me and slowly nodded, "Ohhhh...  So she's the one you were talking about. You really think this is gonna work?"

"I've been waiting one thousand years for this... If it doesn't work then I guess I have you witches to blame."

"And not yourself?" She chuckled, pouring him a drink.

"Don't get smart with me Valorie. Did you lot find where that bitch is hiding or not?"

"It's complicated."

"Speak."

"You're not gonna like what I have to say."

"And you're not gonna like if I rip your head off in the middle of this bar. Now speak."

"Careful, continue with your threats and I might just put holy water in your drink."

"Funny... Go on."

I was completely lost. I knew Sukuna wanted to use me for some ritual, but who was this woman he was trying to track down? I tried to put the pieces together in my head.

"She doesn't exactly want to talk with you." Valorie said.

Sukuna twitched his knee impatiently, "Well that sounds like her. Tell me where she is."

"She doesn't want to see you Sukuna."

"Did she tell you where she is or not? You're wasting my time by beating around the bush."

"She didn't tell me where she was."

Sukuna raised an eyebrow, "Ah?"

"She didn't tell me. Give me a few weeks, I'll get you her location I promise."

"I gave you a year Valorie. A year to find her! And you expect me to give you more time than that? I'm not here to bargain."

"I swear, I'll find her. I'm close, I know I'm close. But she doesn't want to be found."

"Not my problem, find her, before I get impatient."

Valorie sighed and walked to the other end of the bar to serve a customer. Sukuna took a sip from his glass, a glint of anger in his eyes. He looked straight forward before noticing my gaze on him.

"I'm not in the mood for any of your comments y/n." He said.

"Who are you even looking for?" I asked.

"Apparently, someone who doesn't want to be found."

"Is this person... part of the ritual? Matter of fact, why are you using me for this in the first place? What is this ritual?"

"You'll be dead in a few weeks y/n so it doesn't matter."

"You're going to kill me?"

"Precisely, yes. The ritual requires a sacrifice. That sacrifice is you. Enjoy your last few moments alive. Have a drink." He said casually.

I slapped him across the face. Not sure how smart of an idea that was.

"Go to hell." I spat.

Sukuna chuckled. "Is that all you've got sweetheart?" He stood from his chair and grabbed my arm, his hold jerked my body.

"We're leaving." He said in a sharp whisper.

"Let go of me, I'm not going anywhere with you!"

"Shut up."

He continued to drag me out of the bar in a hurried pace. I couldn't scream, even if I wanted to. There was this growing pain in my chest. I think it was the realization that no matter what I did, Sukuna was going to use me.

❂