You washed your hands in the small stream of water that trickled on the side of the mountain.
Your pack had taken a pit stop before you entered the cave and crossed the great bridge. Your team was gathering supplies beforehand.
It was usual for you to split up while scouting the area.
Getou, who had become increasingly cold as you continued north, stayed by a campfire with the pups.
It was supposed to be a quick pit stop but Getou demanded a fire for the ‘pups’. The girls were not cold at all. They were born in the wintry north. However, the diva got what he wanted.
You had drifted off in your direction and were about to continue, but you halted, sensing that someone was coming.
The sugary sweetness of your alpha hit your nose as the man broke into the clearing.
“Hey.”
“Hey, baby! I need you to help me with something real quick.” Gojo walked over to you with a giant orb resting on his hip, it looked as though it was pulsing with a purple aura.
“Gojo? Can it wait? We still need to grab what we can.”
“Oh, I already did! In your section and mine! Okay, come here real quick.” The alpha was on a mission as he grabbed your arm and moved you to the center away from everything else.
You had noticed that the orb in his hand was actually the security camera that had been following you.
“Is that the eye?” you question with a point.
“Yeah- alright, so I need you to do that shadow thing again. Where you disappear.” Gojo tossed up the ball reactivating it. It glowed and then vanished with a zip of sparkles.
You raised a brow, “I need to go into my shadowform to do that…I don’t really know how I do that move in particular- but I can try…” You took a deep breath, closing your eyes as you readied to give it your best shot. “What is this for anyway?”
“Trying to fix the stupid ball, it can’t see you when you disperse into shadows. And that can be dangerous. We don’t need a repeat of last night haha.”
It was strange hearing those words come out of Gojo’s mouth, especially with your eyes closed. Because it didn't even sound like your silly alpha, it sounded like a whole different person.
You had to open your eyes to make sure that it was in fact Gojo the sassy King Satoru.
He smiled at you as you let out a sigh.
Okay, now you get what was happening.
“Gojo… I wasn't’ going to leave.”
“I know!” He waved off your statement like he had heard it a thousand times, “This is just for…um safety measures. To make sure we know where you are and so Sukuna doesn't act like an idiot.”
You didn't know why this bothered you.
Your spell wasn't going to cause any safety issues. It was your disappearance act. The ball couldn't find you because you didn't want to be found.
Now Gojo wanted to make sure it could see you? What next? Is he going to make the ball go into the bathroom too? Your privacy was already being violated before, but now it was starting to feel like too much.
However, you didn't feel comfortable voicing that… not now while everyone was so uptight about you leaving.
How will that look if you deny such a thing?
Gojo might take it the wrong way if you say no. It may even make you look more… guilty. Even though you weren’t. Considering the delicate situation you didn't want to go down that route.
You will have to wait for the yandereness to calm down before you try to have that talk.
So you said nothing as you prepared to shift into your shadowform.
You really didn't put much effort into it.
You put on a good show of trying but then forced a frown on your face as you shrugged, “I don’t think I can do it right now. Maybe I need Sukuna to piss me off again huh?” You let out a little laugh at the end as Gojo released a soft chuckle.
“Huh… haha...I guess so.” Gojo walked toward you, his steps crunching the cold dry leaves loudly as he approached you.
There was something almost ominous about his demeanor. Something that was borderline scary. His eyes looked cold as ice and his white hair seemed to cast a shadow over them.
The temperature felt as though it dropped into the negatives.
Why did it feel hard for you to breathe?
You blinked up at Gojo once he settled in front of you… He was just… staring at you with that soft kind of smile…
Did he realize you were lying? No way he could have. But what if he did? That thought made your heart quicken, what was he going to think? Now you just look even worse!
Shit-
Your alpha reached out to you, his hands cupping your face. His thumb rubbed gently on your cheek, he looked to be inspecting something with a critical eye.
Sukuna always said your lies were written in your face. Was that what Gojo was looking for?
Your expression of lies?
“Gojo?” You said his name softly, trying to keep your nerves in check.
“Hm?” He hummed dragging his hands down your neck, over your shoulder, and then your arms.
“What are you… um… doing?” He was behaving so odd…
“Thinking…”
“About?”
“You.”
“What… what about me?”
Gojo leaned down, turning his head so he could rest his ear to your chest. “Your heart…it’s…beating fast.” He murmured.
“Satoru-”
“Oi! Gather time over!” Toji called.
Gojo popped up as he yelled, “Coming!” he then looked at you and pinched your cheek playfully, “No worries sweetheart, we will try again next time.”
~
Two for two.
You were making the best choices known to mankind.
And by the best, you meant the fucking worst.
Or you were just rolling a nat fucking one on all these conversations!
You could usually get past Gojo with ease. You've lied about the ending of stories and other things that would benefit him but for whatever reason this might have been the one lie he caught you in?
You don’t even know if he actually caught you in a lie or if he was just too far in yandere mode to believe you! Even if you were telling the truth.
What was worse?!
All in all, you somehow fucked everything up MORE.
It was so bad that the pups began to notice the awkwardness in your pack.
As your horses moved into the cave in a group they voiced their opinions.
Their words echoed.
Nanako looked at Sukuna who was behind the tail end of the pack…then you who was in the middle, “It’s okay if you guys don't agree, but you are still family!”
Mimiko agreed with enthusiasm, “Mhm Ohana means family, and no one gets left behind!”
“That’s right girls.” Getou agreed.
You smiled at their sweetness, “We-”
“Family also doesn't lie to each other.” Gojo inserted with a little smile.
His words caught you off guard, like a stab in the stomach. You couldn't even say anything while your lips just hung open.
So he did catch you in a lie…
“I try not to lie… but sometimes I can’t help it.” Nanako felt as though Gojo’s words were directed at her in some way. Like this was some holy connections like how parents always tell you they know you are lying to get you to tell on yourself.
It was not.
It was clearly directed toward you.
Only the pups couldn't see that.
Sukuna let out a mocking laugh, making you feel uneasy. This was nothing like when they make jokes and tease you…
This felt…empty. Lacking any playfulness.
You felt small inside your pack, like your alphas were all glaring at you. Spitting on your very name.
An immense wave of shame came over you.
Is that how they all felt toward you?
Did they hate you?
Nanami stopped the horses turning around so he could glare at you. He had an angry scowl that was unfit for his beautiful face.
You knew it, he too was furious from your actions.
“Family also doesn't act vindictively toward one another.”
You were definitely shocked, you had thought his glare was for you but Nanami wasn't upset with you, he wasn't even looking at you. His angry eyes were on Gojo and Sukuna.
Nanako looked confused, “What does vindic…vindicators mean?”
“Vindictive.” Getou corrected. “It means to be cruel and spiteful.” the alpha finished speaking while also giving Gojo and Sukuna a distasteful look.
Now you went from feeling shame to feeling nervous, you didn't like the hostility between your alphas. But what was worse? All of them angry at you? Or them being angry at each other… about you…?
This divide was going to drive you insane.
You knew Gojo and Sukuna had their reservations but it made you happy to know Getou and Nanami weren’t going to tolerate it… but then that left Toji.
He didn't agree or disagree with anything.
You kept your head down as your group continued. You didn't want to see anyone's expressions. You had to figure out how you were going to dig yourself out of this hole.
The horses barely moved before you stopped again. You looked, confused about the holdup.
There in the middle of the path was a campfire crackling, and a half-tent set up with some food next to it.
“There’s someone here.” Nanami spoke low as he drew his blade.
Everyone dismounted and got prepared for an attack.
PTSD from Hakari’s ambush was real.
“Stay on your horses.” Getou summoned his spirits, making sure the pups were safe.
He stayed back as you moved toward the camp.
The scent of dandelions had your eyes flutter in recognition, “It’s Choso.” After you spoke the man’s name, you saw him within the shadows of the cave.
As soon as your alphas and Choso spotted each other they got into low stances and growled like guard dogs.
“Hey hey! It’s Choso!” You shouted at your men who put themselves between you and the other male.
Choso had his hands up in a prayer, but his fingers were pointed toward you. You could see drips of blood from the tips as he glared at his targets.
“Yet he readies to fight.” Sukuna hissed.
“Drop your aggression and I'll drop mine.” Choso countered.
“I’d rather he travels with us tied up.” Toji let out a little snarl.
You pushed in between your men, grabbing Toji’s big arm. “Stop- he’s not going to hurt anyone. We already discussed this and you guys promised to be on your best behaviour!” You added to make sure they remembered that they agreed to having him come with you.
Toji’s muscles flexed as he relaxed a bit, stepping back. However, of course, he had to issue out a warning, “If you even think of hurting her consider your head mine.”
“I should be saying the same to you.”
The tension was back up as your alphas snarled at him-
“You think we would hurt our omega-?!”
“Who the hell do you think you are!?”
“She’s ours!”
“OKAY! ENOUGH ENOUGH ENOUGH!” You had phased through them all to be in front. You then turned your back to Choso as you clapped your hands at your alpha- “SETTLE DOWN! NOW!”
Nanami looked a little nervous but he kept his lips tight without saying anything more.
Sukuna was pissed, “Don’t turn your back on him!”
“I trust him! So trust me! You all said this was fine! We talked about this!” You wanted to show them that Choso was not a threat, so you stepped closer to him, trusting him not to stab you in the back. ”No fighting. We will be traveling together so get used to each other… yes?”
Each side looked like they were one drop away from attacking each other.
You were afraid your control of your men was slipping but slowly they put away their weapons. Choso also lowered his hands but they could not keep their eyes away from each other.
“Cool…cool…” You breathed looking at everyone. “…Please- please- do not kill each other… we must work together...”
Nanami bowed his head, “We will be cordial, until he gives us a reason…”
Your other alphas seemed to agree with that statement.
That was probably the best you were going to get from them.
You looked toward Choso, “If you truly want to help… then there should be no issues…” Just in case he was thinking of betraying you, you wanted him to know there would be no hesitation in releasing your dogs if he sells you out.
The odds were low… and you weren't at all surprised by what he said next.
“All I wish is to help you…” Choso’s tone was much calmer now that he was speaking to you.
You believed him. And therefore felt that they would all be okay after they got over this macho alpha bullshit. And you get control of the reins again.
Nanami took a few steps forward, sizing Choso up. “I understand you wish to travel with this gentleman… but I must talk to him first before we continue. Is that alright sweetheart?”
“Yeah…Okay…” If anyone was going to talk to Choso you supposed Nanami would be the safest. If he got a good read on him he could also let the others know.
All in all, it was a good idea and you were glad Nanami was taking the initiative to accept Choso’s help.
“Do you mind?” Nanami gestured for Choso to walk forward.
The beta nodded, glancing at you before walking away with Nanami.
Getou had come over with the horses, “Is everything good now? Or is Nanami taking him out assassin style?”
“No ha… they are just talking. But i think that’s good… please try to be cordial with Choso as well. He’s risking a lot… he already failed his mission for me and now he's going to go out his way to assist me again…This man is very important.” You whispered looking toward the girls but then you caught the three-man huddle with Gojo, Toji, and Sukuna.
They were speaking to each other, looking as though they were arguing about something.
What the hell was going on with your pack?
“Is that your friend Raven? The one who gave you a call?” Mimiko questioned.
“Yes, that's him…will you guys excuse me for a second?” You bowed to Getou and the pups, moving toward your other three alphas.
When Sukuna noticed you coming he stopped talking and so did the others.
You felt like they were holding secrets.
You hated feeling like a stranger to your own alphas.
You hated this whole thing so much.
Why can't you all just kiss and make up?
You looked upon their expressionless faces as you got to them.
Toji was the first to speak, “Hey princess, what's up?”
“I wanted to talk…”
“To whom?” Toji questioned.
All of you.
But you only had time for one person.
You didn't know who needed to be talked to the most.
You already fucked up with Gojo so you thought to let him simmer a bit before you opened that wound again… and then Toji didn't seem upset with you, perhaps he was just caught in the middle.
“Sukuna.”
Sukuna it is.
“Alright.” Toji nodded, he seemed happy about your decision. Like he was waiting for the two of you to talk. “…Come on Gojo, let’s give them a moment.” Toji grabbed Gojo’s shoulder, moving him past.
As Gojo walked by he said, “You’re getting pretty good with your shadow form huh?”
You looked toward the alpha as he left but he didn't spare you a second glance.
Why was he acting like this?
Why was he trying to hurt you too?
You already had stupid fucking Sukuna to deal with you didn't need him too! So what you lied- you only lied because you were afraid of how he was going to react!
Which he's acting like a damn pup right now so guess it didn't even matter!
Might as well have told the damn truth!
Fucking dammit!
What's worse than being at odds with one alpha?
TWO!
Sukuna let out a snort-like laugh, much like before. Did he find this whole thing hilarious? You whipped your head toward him, you wanted this to have been a peaceful talk but it was hard when he was being so passive-aggressive! Shouldn’t he be apologizing to you? Shouldn't he be trying to reconcile with you?!
Why couldn't he just make this easier for you?!
“Do you think this is funny?”
The alpha shrugged, crossing his arms, “It’s not often you see him mad…at you.”
You furrowed your brows, feeling even more hurt by his words. “That makes you happy? Seeing Gojo and me fight?”
Sukuna looked annoyed by your question, “No, I'm just glad someone else is holding you accountable besides me.”
“Holding-” You scoffed, “-Holding me- accountable?!”
“Did you not lie to Satoru?”
So Gojo told him about that.
“I-!” You were getting angry again, feeling your blood become hot. But you didn't want this- this isn't why you started this conversation. You were tired of feeling like passing ships to one another. You wanted to squash this hopefully before Nanami finished talking to Choso. So you took a deep breath, “…That is a conversation... between Gojo and me… Right now I wanted to talk about us... I wanted to… get over this-I don't want to have this weirdness between you and me anymore.”
“…” Sukuna looked away from you, thinking your words over. “…You tried to leave.”
You could hear the strain in his voice. “I didn't... I didn't try to leave… You know I wasn’t going far… You even said so yourself.”
His red eyes snapped toward you, “So you watched me. You saw me looking for you. You heard me screaming for you!”
The sudden change in the conversation had you flinch, “I was- I was hurt Sukuna- you-you were being mean!” Your voice started to break and so did your tears. Why did you sound so small?
“Was I supposed to jump for fucking joy?”
“N-no- but you didn't have to act like that-”
“So you tried to hurt me, by threatening to leave this world?”
“…That…I-i may have overreacted-”
“That’s even worse- how do I know you won't do that shit again all because I piss you off? Does that make you happy? Does it get you off knowing how it will tear me apart if you leave?!”
“N-no it’s not like that Sukuna!” You hated how sick and perverted he was making your situation.
“If it’s not like that then let Gojo fix the fucking ball. Then you can crash out and run all you want.”
“You-” you suddenly realized that he knew that Gojo was trying to make the ball capable of seeing you in your invisible shadow form phase. Their anger was starting to seem a little connected. “Did-did you get into Gojo’s head… are you trying to turn him against me…?”
“You’re doing a good job of that yourself.”
That…
That hurt…
No-no!
What was happening, this wasn't how this was supposed to go! You couldn't help the choked sob that racked your very ribcage. This was all so painful to bear. Why did it feel like you were fighting a losing battle- why did it feel like you were getting further and further away from the warmth of your comfort?
How did one night cause such coldness?
Sukuna looked irritated seeing you sob, “What- why are you crying!?”
“I-I-” You couldn't speak as you stuttered and sniffled in your miserable state.
“I knew I should have stayed- what did you say to her?” Toji came up behind you grabbing you into a comforting hug.
“Nothing I didn't say to you!” Sukuna hissed.
“Why is she crying!?” You were surprised to hear Choso’s voice, turning to see him nearly charging over. Nanami right beside him.
Sukuna stepped forward as he snapped, “Who the fuck are you to worry about what's mine?!”
“Treat her like shit and she won't be!”
Everything was happening too quickly.
Before you knew it, Sukuna flew past you so fast that Toji had to catch you. The pups screamed as Choso and Sukuna attacked each other viciously- blood and fists were cracking and your other alphas tried desperately to get in between the two. Flames popped off and explosions occurred.
You felt like you couldn't breathe, like your chest was collapsing in as you watched the brawl.
“Stop-stop them Toji!” You couldn't hold yourself without Toji’s assistance.
You collapsed to the floor crying. Covering your face with both of your hands. You couldn't handle this.
Especially so with all these heightened emotions.
You had dipped a toe into the sadness and then you got dunked into it.
Your omega side having a full meltdown.
You could hear them screaming and fighting within your isolation…
“Enough-”
“Stop it!”
…and all you could do…
Was nothing.
You felt like you were shutting down and it was taking everything to keep the lights on. That's all you focused on.
Breathing was taking manual work.
You had to get yourself under control, you could feel your mind wanting to slip into a safe of darkness.
It was like your mind was trying to dissociate to a whole new world.
~
You sat by the fire, staring at the flicking flames.
You don’t know how things settled down but Nanami was the one to lay down the hammer. He somehow got everyone to sit around the campfire as he walked in his disappointed stride. Trying to gather what he was about to say to all of you.
Sukuna and Choso sat opposite each other, with marks all over them from their fight. They both looked pretty beat.
Toji sat next to you rubbing your shoulder gently. Getou and the pups were to your left. While Gojo was next to Sukuna.
Nanami was walking forth in agitation.
No one spoke.
You blinked over to see that Getou had spirits that looked like clouds over the pups' ears like earmuffs, their eyes downcast into their drawing books. It was another form of keeping the pups out of the disciplinary discussion.
You felt so bad seeing their red eyes and nose, all from crying. They were in shock and probably hated seeing the bloody bath that was about to get into something more..
It was a good thing they were going home soon, they didn't deserve to be in this shit storm.
Nanami clicked his tongue, finally speaking, “I don’t understand what has been happening with our pack but I have to say I am very disappointed. You all speak so highly but no one is using their fucking heads...”
“…” No one said anything... What could they say?
Nanami kept going, “You do not have to love each other- I’m not even asking you to be friends- but I will demand respectful and proper behavior from everyone.” He then gestured to you, “We are all here for the same reason... Let us not forget why we are doing this…”
“…”
“…I am certain… we all care about… (Y/n)…”
Hearing Nanami say your name, caused you to short-circuit for a hot second.
It was sad that all of this was even happening, especially since it was happening because of their love for you.
“…And after speaking to Choso… I know he would do anything for her too.”
You looked toward Choso wondering if he felt the same about you as he did Raven. He made eye contact with you. There was still care within his gaze. One that you could even compare to your alphas.
To him, you were still the same person he cared about, even if you didn't remember him.
You saw Sukuna roll his eyes looking away from everyone.
“…With that being said.” Nanami cleared his throat, “…I expect better travels… from here on out… Now let us head out before it gets too dark.” Your blonde finished his spiel, prompting everyone to get up.
You didn't move while everyone got up to leave. Toji went to help you, but you put a hand on him, staring at his chest as you spoke, “…Are you mad at me?” You whispered to him.
“No… no baby not at all.”
Hearing that made you look up at him with a sad gaze. His expression matched yours.
“But they are…” You didn't need to say who ‘they’ were. His eyes glanced behind you before coming back to you.
“They are just scared… to lose you...” He spoke as he helped you stand. “Can’t handle the idea of you leaving.”
“…Were you scared? You knew I wasn't going to leave right…?”
“…” Toji moved you to your horse, getting ready to lift.
But you stopped him, putting your hands upon his forearms. “Toji…I would never leave…” He looked to be contemplating something as he slowly nodded his head.
“I was…the one… who told Gojo to upgrade the eye...”
You blinked in surprise, “You-”
“Just… as a safety measure…you know just in case...you go into flight mode again… I’m not saying I'm upset with you… I could never be… but I…was definitely afraid. We all were…”
“Toji… I'm sorry…”
“It’s fine.” Toji kissed you upon the head and then bent down to lift you onto your horse. “Besides…I don’t think you would lie to Gojo just because, I’m sure you had your reason.” He patted your leg and then went over to his horse to jump onto it.
“You okay?”
You looked over, Choso on his horse beside you.
“Me?” you released a little laugh at the irony. “I should be asking you that. Are you alright?”
Choso swiped a thumb over his lip, looking at the blood upon it, “It’s only a surface wound.”
You let out a little chuckle, but it got caught in your throat when Sukuna and Gojo trotted by with a glare.
The scent of jealousy blows by.
Of course, they would be jealous.
Now you had to grab the bull by the horns…somehow. Throwing jealousy in the mix sounded like a recipe for disaster.
⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ ◯ ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆
Cher Note: here comes the chef with midnight soup! I hope you guys had a great Halloween and now we got this spooky chapter of our alphas acting up.
We gotta shake this angst and sadness off us asap and control this circus like Britney spears >:v!