𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐭

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𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐭

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𝐒𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍

───✱*.｡:｡✱*.:｡✧*.｡✰ ───

--THE BUNDLE OF KIDS ALONG WITH - IJICHI - STOOD IN FRONT OF THE WEST TOKYO CITY, EISHUU JUVENILE DETENTION CENTRE Ijichi had been quick to inform them that there was a possible cursed womb, witnessed by multiple non-sorcerers above the exorcise yard.

Gojo wasn't present as he was on a mission overseas, dealing him absent. Yaga had spoken to them just that morning informing them of a mission directly from the higher ups, complementing their ego's.

The rain didn't help set the mood, instead it merely irritated Misa as her hair would become fuzzy once it dried. And she wasn't exactly happy to begin with. They were assigned to a mission above their expertise and yet Ijichi spoke as if they were in no danger, that and the fact that she was on her period.

She didn't like it. The idea of the three people she had grown to know facing such a threat. Apparently it was also a possibility it would turn into a special grade way out of their league. What if it already had? What if it lingered in the shadows waiting for people to feast on?

The rain pattered steadily on the pavement, a relentless drizzle that soaked through jackets and dripped from the edges of umbrellas. Misa stood with her arms crossed, her expression a mix of irritation and unease. She tugged at the hood of her jacket, muttering under her breath as her damp hair clung to her face.

"This is ridiculous," she said sharply, glaring at the building looming in front of them. "Who thought it was a good idea to send us of all people to investigate this?"

Ijichi flinched slightly, his hands gripping his clipboard as he tried to remain composed. "The report indicated that the cursed spirit was initially classified as a Grade 2. It only recently escalated—"

"Recently escalated?" Misa interrupted, her tone incredulous. "That's a funny way to say, 'It's probably a death trap, but good luck!'"

Yuji tried to suppress a laugh, glancing at her with an amused grin. "Come on, Misa. It's not that bad."

Misa turned her glare on him, pointing a finger. "Not that bad? Yuji, we're talking about something that might already be a special grade. Unless you have Gojo-sensei stuffed in one of those pockets of yours, it's absolutely that bad."

Megumi sighed, his hands tucked into his pockets. "We've handled dangerous missions before."

Misa raised an eyebrow at him, unimpressed. "Oh, really? Did those other missions involve rain, potential special grades, and my hair turning into a frizzy mess?"

"Your priorities are inspiring," Nobara said dryly, rolling her eyes.

"You say that," Misa shot back, "but wait until your mascara starts running. Then you'll know true despair."

Ijichi cleared his throat nervously. "If you're all ready, we should—"

Misa turned to him, her eyes narrowing. "Ready? Oh, sure. Let's just stroll in there, slip on some wet concrete, and get eaten alive. Perfect plan."

Yuji nudged her lightly with his elbow, grinning. "You're really good at pep talks, you know that?"

Misa rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a faint blush. "Just trying to keep it realistic, champ."

Megumi stepped forward, his expression firm. "Let's focus. We don't know exactly what we're dealing with yet, but the sooner we confirm the situation, the sooner we can figure out how to handle it."

Misa sighed, adjusting her hood. "Fine. But if something jumps out at me, I'm blaming Ijichi."

Ijichi paled slightly but managed a weak smile. "Noted." As the group began the walk he recalled his earlier statement. "Also," He spoke catching the students attention. "Do not disregard your fears. If you do happen to face a special grade you either run-or you die. This mission here today is strictly the verification and rescue of survivors. Got it?"

They all nodded simultaneously before they moved toward the entrance, Misa muttered under her breath, "This better not ruin my shoes, too."

At least that was before a womans voice cut through the air.

"Excuse me, sir, tell me—where's my son?" Her voice was desperate, trembling with a fear that made everyone stop and look. She was waving frantically from behind the security line, her eyes wide and glassy.

The security guards immediately moved to block her path, their hands raised to keep her back. "Stay behind the line, ma'am," one of them ordered firmly.

But the woman was relentless. "Where's Tadashi?!" she cried again, louder this time. "I need to know if my son Tadashi is alright!" Her words carried the kind of raw desperation that made Yuji's chest tighten.

Ijichi stepped forward, his usual reserved demeanor replaced by something more commanding. "Please leave, madam," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. "It's possible someone released poisonous gas inside the compound. I'm afraid we can't share more details at this time."

The woman's face went pale, her knees giving out as she crumpled to the ground. She began to sob, her hands clutching at the air as if reaching for something—anything—to hold onto.

Yuji couldn't tear his eyes away. His fists clenched at his sides as a wave of guilt rolled over him. "Guys," he began, his voice low but steady. He glanced at the others, determination hardening his features. "We'll save them." He cracked his knuckles, the sound sharp in the stillness.

"Of course," Nobara replied without hesitation, her voice calm but firm.

Megumi gave a small grunt of agreement, his gaze fixed on the building.

Misa nodded silently, her usual cocky demeanor replaced by quiet resolve.

Ijichi looked at them with a flicker of worry. "Be careful," he said, though the words felt thin against the weight of what lay ahead. With a single hand sign, he released the veil around the building, its shimmering barrier rippling outward like disturbed water. Yuji blinked in surprise but quickly refocused as they stepped forward.

The air changed the moment they crossed the threshold. Megumi summoned his demon dogs, the white one materializing with a sharp howl that echoed through the eerie silence.

Yuji couldn't help but crouch down, giving the white dog an affectionate scratch behind the ears. Misa joined him, her fingers brushing over its soft fur as her lips curled into a faint smile.

"Focus," Megumi said, his tone clipped as he pushed open the door. The dogs slipped inside first, their paws silent against the floor.

The group followed closely behind, their footsteps clicking against the tiled floor of the dimly lit corridor. The entire space was bathed in a faint red hue that cast long, warped shadows on the walls. Misa felt a shiver run down her spine, her fingers flexing nervously at her sides.

Suddenly, Megumi raised a hand, signaling them to stop. His demon dog had come to a halt, its ears perked and body tense.

"Hold on," he said quietly.

The group stilled, their eyes lifting to follow the dog's gaze.

The ceiling above them stretched impossibly high—far higher than the two-story structure should have allowed. Pipes snaked through the upper reaches of the building, twisting and tangling like vines in a jungle. A faint darkness loomed over the space, obscuring the ceiling entirely.

"I thought this was supposed to be a two-story dorm building," Yuji said, his voice tinged with confusion.

"Maybe it's a condo," Nobara quipped, though the shakiness in her voice betrayed her unease.

"No," Megumi said sharply, cutting her off. "This isn't normal."

"It's an innate domain," Misa said, her voice low as her eyes darted around the space. Her gaze lingered on the endless stretch of darkness above them. "Cursed energy warped the structure. But... I've never seen one this big before."

Her voice trailed off, unease settling heavily in her gut. The oppressive atmosphere pressed down on them, and for a brief moment, none of them spoke.

Yuji broke the silence, his fists instinctively clenching together ever the slightest. "Then we take it slow," he said, his voice steady. "Stick together and find those people."

The group nodded, their usual banter giving way to a tense silence. Each step felt heavier as the oppressive atmosphere settled around them. Suddenly, Megumi's voice cut through the quiet.

"The door!" he shouted, urgency sharpening his tone. His gaze snapped back to where they'd entered.

"It's gone," Yuji confirmed, turning in disbelief to where the door had just been moments ago.

"No way!" Nobara protested, her voice rising with a tinge of panic. "We just came through it two seconds ago!"

Misa's eyes flicked to Megumi, her expression equal parts skeptical and wary. She took a cautious step back, the eerie red light from the warped domain casting strange shadows across her face. "If this is some horror movie shit, I'm telling you, Megumi, they always kill the attractive comic relief first! Shield me!" she shouted, throwing her arms up into an exaggerated X for dramatic effect.

Megumi shot her a flat look, though a flicker of amusement briefly softened his otherwise stern expression.

Meanwhile, Yuji and Nobara were huddled together, clearly rattled. "What do we do?" Yuji asked, his voice quieter than usual.

Nobara's eyes darted between her teammates, her grip tightening on her hammer. "We're not seriously stuck here, right?"

"We'll be fine," Megumi assured them, his voice steady. He gestured to the demon dog that stood alert by his side. "The dog remembers the scent of the entrance."

That small reassurance made the three others collectively gasp in relief. Yuji and Nobara immediately crouched down to shower the dog with affection, their hands ruffling its soft fur.

"What a good boy!" Yuji cooed, his tone ridiculously enthusiastic. "You'll get all the treats you want, forever!"

"Every last treat in the world!" Nobara chimed in, scratching behind the dog's ears.

Misa joined in, crouching to pet the dog as well. "You're the MVP here, buddy," she said with a grin.

Megumi's eye twitched, his patience clearly fraying. "Stop playing around!" he snapped, his voice cutting through their brief moment of levity.

Yuji rose to his feet, flashing a broad grin. "You rock, Fushiguro! Thanks to you, we can save ourselves and the other people!"

Megumi shut his eyes for a brief moment, muttering something under his breath before sighing. "Let's just keep moving," he said, already starting to walk forward.

The others quickly fell into step behind him, the lighthearted mood fading as the eerie atmosphere of the domain tightened its grip around them.

The hallways seemed endless, the distorted architecture playing tricks on their senses. The faint hum of cursed energy buzzed in the air, making Misa feel like her skin was crawling. She instinctively moved a little closer to Yuji, their arms brushing together as they walked. The contact was subtle, but it grounded her, offering the smallest bit of comfort in the oppressive space.

Yuji noticed and glanced down at her briefly, his expression softening. He didn't say anything, but his presence seemed to reassure her in a way words couldn't.

Suddenly, a metallic clang echoed from the pipes above, the sharp sound startling everyone into freezing.

Misa let out an involuntary squeak, grabbing hold of Yuji's arm with both hands. Her grip was tight, and her eyes darted around, trying to locate the source of the noise. Yuji, reacting instinctively, shifted closer to her, his arm moving protectively in front of her as his gaze scanned the dim corridor.

The group remained still, every muscle tense, until a faint squeaking broke the silence. A small mouse scurried out from the shadows, its tiny feet pattering against the ground.

Misa exhaled a shaky breath, her shoulders slumping in relief. "It's just a mouse," she muttered, releasing Yuji's arm slightly but not letting go entirely.

"Thank God," Nobara added, rolling her eyes at herself as she adjusted her grip on her hammer.

Yuji chuckled softly, his free hand resting lightly on Misa's as she continued holding his arm. He didn't mind the contact—in fact, he found himself oddly pleased by it. There was something about the way she leaned on him for comfort that made him feel a little braver, like he had a reason to be stronger.

"Alright," Megumi said, his voice breaking through the brief reprieve. "Let's keep moving. Stay focused."

The group nodded, pushing forward with renewed determination, but Misa didn't let go of Yuji's arm. And, despite the tension in the air, neither of them seemed to mind.

The group approached a corner, the tension in the air thick and unrelenting. Megumi held up a hand, silently signaling for the others to stop as he carefully peeked around the edge. After a moment, he gestured for them to follow.

The corridor led to a door, its metal surface stained with something dark and unidentifiable. Megumi stepped through first, his movements cautious and deliberate. But as soon as he entered, he froze, his entire body going rigid.

"What is it?" Yuji asked, stepping closer.

The rest of them filed into the room, and the answer hit them like a physical blow.

A man lay on the ground. Or rather, what was left of him. His limbs were torn apart, jagged and uneven as if ripped by brute force. Half of his torso was missing, exposing a grotesque mess of organs. The room reeked of blood and death, and the man's lifeless eyes stared blankly into the void.

Yuji rushed forward without hesitation, breaking free from Misa's loose grip on his arm. He crouched down next to the body, his face a mixture of shock and overwhelming guilt.

"Yuji," Misa started, her voice soft but cautious, but he didn't respond.

"There are two more," Megumi said, his voice even but tense as his sharp eyes swept over the scene. Two additional bodies lay crumpled nearby, disfigured beyond recognition.

Megumi's gaze shifted to Misa, who stood just behind him with her arms crossed, her usual confidence dampened by the horrific sight.

"Looks like three victims," he stated, his voice carrying the weight of the observation.

Misa nodded, her brows furrowed in disgust as she forced herself to keep her composure. "Two disfigured ones. This is... grotesque, isn't it?"

"That's one word for it," Megumi muttered, his jaw tightening.

Yuji reached out, resting a hand on the dead man's shoulder, as if his touch could somehow make up for the lives that had been lost. His fingers brushed against the man's bloodied name tag, and his heart sank as he read it.

"Tadashi," Yuji murmured under his breath. The name hit him like a weight, and he instantly remembered the desperate woman outside, begging for news of her son. He clenched his fist, his shoulders trembling slightly. "This was her son."

Nobara gasped softly, exchanging a glance with Rina, who frowned in response.

"But—" Nobara began, her voice uncertain.

Yuji interrupted her, his tone firm. "How will she accept his death if we can't even show her a body? She deserves to know!" His voice cracked with rising frustration.

Misa stepped forward, her expression carefully neutral but her words tinged with reluctant pragmatism. "There's nothing we can do, Yuji," she said softly. "If we take his body, it'll only add to the baggage—literally and emotionally. And imagine what that poor woman will feel when she sees her son like... this." She gestured vaguely to the mangled corpse, her voice lowering to almost a whisper. "Half of him is gone."

Yuji shook his head furiously, refusing to accept it. "No. There has to be something we can—"

Megumi cut him off, grabbing the back of Yuji's hood and pulling him up abruptly. "We still have to verify the other bodies," he said coldly, his grip firm.

Misa unconsciously took a step forward, her instincts kicking in at Megumi's sudden action.

"Leave that body behind," Megumi continued, his tone sharp.

Yuji spun around, his face a mixture of confusion and anger. "That makes no sense! The way we got in isn't even there anymore—we won't be able to come back for it later!"

Megumi's expression darkened, his usual stoicism giving way to irritation and something deeper. "I didn't say we'd come back," he said bluntly. "I said leave it behind."

Yuji's mouth opened in shock. "What are you talking about? You're just going to—"

"I'm not risking my life for someone I had no intention of saving in the first place," Megumi interrupted harshly, his voice colder than usual. "So forget it."

Yuji slapped Megumi's hand away and grabbed him by the collar, dragging him down to his level. His eyes burned with anger. "No intention of saving him? Are you kidding me right now?"

Megumi's tone remained steady but firm, his words deliberate. "This is a jury detention center, Yuji," he said, his gaze unwavering. "As a Jujutsu sorcerer, I had access to the records of everyone in here. Tadashi," he continued, motioning to the corpse behind them, "hit and killed a little girl while driving without a license. That was his second offense."

Yuji's grip faltered slightly, but his expression didn't soften.

Megumi pressed on, his voice rising slightly. "I get that you want to save everyone, and I respect that. But think—how are you going to feel when someone you save goes on to kill another innocent person? What then?"

Nobara clung tightly to Mina's hand, her usual bravado muted by the tension crackling between the two boys. Misa squeezed her hand back, her expression unreadable as she watched the argument unfold.

Yuji gritted his teeth, his jaw clenching so hard it hurt. "Then why'd you bother saving me?" he demanded, his voice breaking with emotion.

Megumi froze, his eyes narrowing as the words settled between them like a heavy weight.

Misa and Nobara exchanged a glance, unspoken agreement flashing between them. This had gone on long enough. Nobara groaned audibly, her expression tight with irritation. She rolled her eyes, letting go of Misa's hand and stomping forward, planting herself closer to the two boys.

"Both of you, cut it out!" she snapped, her voice sharp enough to slice through the stillness. Her eyes darted between Yuji and Megumi, her frustration clear. "What the hell is wrong with you two?"

Misa shifted uneasily, her instincts prickling. Something wasn't right. The air around them felt heavy—off. She froze, her sharp eyes scanning the room. The cursed energy was suffocating, building in waves that pressed against her chest like an unseen weight. Her stomach churned as her senses locked onto the source. It was right beneath Nobara's feet.

Nobara was oblivious, her annoyance spilling over as she jabbed a finger in the boys' direction. "Are you both idiots? This is hardly the time to be acting like—"

"Nobara!" Misa's voice cut through like a whip. She lunged forward without hesitation, her body moving on instinct.

In one fluid motion, Misa shoved Nobara hard, sending her stumbling away from the spot. A heartbeat later, the ground beneath Misa warped and collapsed, an inky black void spiraling into existence where she stood.

"MISA!" Nobara's scream echoed as Misa was pulled into the dark, her body vanishing into the cursed spirit's black hole.

The sensation was immediate and overwhelming. Darkness closed in on her, dense and suffused with cursed energy. It pressed against her skin, her senses overwhelmed by the suffocating force. The faint echo of Nobara calling her name faded into the oppressive silence.

Misa swallowed hard, her breath shaky but controlled as she steadied herself. Her mind raced, but fear didn't have the chance to take hold. Instead, adrenaline surged through her veins as she prepared for whatever was waiting for her in the abyss.

＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚