Getou and Shoko sat side by side, sharing a smoke.
The moon had appeared, and the others had decided to nap after you finally calmed down. You were sleeping much more peacefully now and not in pain. The flickering of your shadowform had also stopped, and your smell was getting better. They hadn't been able to rest, so seeing the medicine work was such a relief.
Of course, they begged for Shoko to stay longer to keep an eye out for you. At first, she was hesitant, but when they gave her the note from Utahime, she changed her tune.
She was currently reading it…for the fifth time.
Her expression was lax, but Getou could tell she was getting emotional by her shaky intake.
"…Thank you. For delivering this to me." She handed him the pipe, deciding five reads were enough. Rolling up the note, she carefully tucked it away.
"We were going to give it to you either way...so thank you for staying." He took a long drag, enjoying the way his body began to feel less tight.
It had been a long and stressful week.
"Sure, and either way, I wouldn't have left. I stayed because I know how you and Gojo can get."
Getou was staring at the stars as he spoke, "What is that supposed to mean?"
Shoko let out a little snort, "You two have always acted so aloof, but I always knew deep down you guys were the most sensitive alphas I have ever met. I was just curious if you'd find any omega you felt were worthy of giving your heart to.”
"Same to you." Getou countered.
“Hm? I guess you are right. I never thought I’d meet someone who could make me feel anything. You are lucky, though…If only I could be with my omega…” Shoko sighed, taking her turn.
“You could.”
She exhaled aggressively, “Those bastards aren't going to let us live in peace, and you know that.”
“Yes…so maybe they need to go.”
“Go?” she echoed his tone. “Go where?”
“You know where.” He tossed her a sideways glance.
“Ah, you mean kill them? And what is that going to solve?”
“A lot actually. You would be able to be with Utahime, and no one would have to suffer from the elder priests and their misconstrued ways. The world would be much more peaceful without slugs around.”
Shoko let out a little laugh, “What are you talking about? Slugs are people, too, and there are a lot of them who take the wrong path and need to grow. Most of the people I take care of- lots of idiots who need a good beat down to learn their lessons.”
“The elders are done growing, a simple battle will not change them.”
“Maybe, but is killing them the right thing to do?”
“Terrible people deserve to die so they cannot do more terrible things.”
“Who made you the decider of who lives and dies?”
“I am the prime alpha, I'll do as I see fit.”
“Must it be so brutal?”
The alpha scoffed, “I don't expect you to understand.”
“Hm.” Shoko noticed how serious Getou was despite his calm tone. “What did Raven do to you?”
“She didn't do anything but be the love of my life. I will protect her and the people I care about. Even if that means killing everyone that is not part of my pack.” Shoko raised a brow, making Getou add, “Or pack adjacent.” he chuckled, making Shoko shake her head.
“Wow, thanks, I'm so happy to be spared.” She spoke with a sarcastic tone. “…and Gojo? How does he feel about your…heroic ideas?”
“The same.”
Shoko slowly nodded, “You used to be so headstrong about protecting the people… what happened?”
“I still am the same person. The people are the ones who have changed. You do all you can for them, save them time and time again, and they will still turn on you.”
Shoko cocked her head to the side, “Did something happen recently?”
Getou’s neck tensed as he quelled his anger. You weren't the only one feeling the disconnect from the pups. His symptoms just aren't as bad as yours. “…I’m just tired of my omega being used and abused.”
“So…I'm guessing the rumors are true… You left those omegas and betas in the Shadowlands because they disrespected her?”
“Rumours? Or Larue told you?”
“He did.”
“They wanted to stay by their fallen alphas; we simply abided by their wishes.”
“And the people of Chi?”
“Turned into monsters.”
“Physically or mentally?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yu told me.”
“Fucking-”
“You know no one can hide anything from me. He felt guilty, blames himself for their deaths. Says Tengen is punishing him by taking his Dove away.”
That had Getou pausing for a moment, “Is he…alright?”
“As fine as he can be. I gave him some herbs to help relax him.”
“Good…it wasn't his fault. He doesn't deserve to hold that guilt. They deserved it for what they did to that woman and her pups.”
“I don’t think that's the part he takes blame for… He said he should have made sure no one went into the village. He still believed those people could have been saved. And what about your omega? I've heard of her cruelness within the omega home, and look how she has changed?”
“She’s a unique case.”
“How so?”
“It doesn't matter. The past is the past, why are you digging this up now?”
“It sounds like it's about to be your future, too, considering how you speak about the priests.”
“Utahime is in on the plan too.”
“I highly doubt she wants to kill them.”
“You must not know your omega then. Because she spoke to Gojo about it before we left and even told us the best day to strike.”
“…My sweet innocent Utahime...” Shoko spoke in slight surprise, but then settled, crossing her arms. “The years must have taken a toll on her as they did you…”
“Things are different when you aren't the number one world doctor. No one would dare cause you harm.”
“Because I help people. You could too.”
Getou shook his head, “As I said, you wouldn't understand. You do a job not many people do, you have immunity, a universal understanding that we need you. Not even the beasts of the land would hurt you. I am the prime alpha, someone who must protect and make difficult decisions. I cannot protect people without hurting others.”
“You could lead by example, pave a path for a land of peace.”
“I will leave that for some other fool in the future. Maybe if I kill off most of the slugs, then they will have an easier time.” he smirked. “I might be doing my part of paving.”
Shoko released a snort, looking at the dark sky, “…I understand what you are saying…and even though Utahime may agree...I personally don’t approve of your method. But I'm sure my words would never be able to penetrate that thick, stubborn skull of yours.”
“Don’t forget, beautiful. I have a beautiful, thick, stubborn skull.” Getou tapped his head.
Shoko released a short laugh before trying to change the subject, “Has Raven spoken with her Grandma recently?”
“If she's talking to herself, I suppose she did.”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
“The old lady look was just a disguise.”
“…Wh- What?!” Shoko blinked, realizing that it was you who was that sweet old stubborn lady. “I can't- I can’t believe that was her. Why did she want to go to the lost island?”
“She saw it in a book; she was just curious. But I convinced her that it was a suicide mission.”
“And how did you manage to do that?” Her voice was telling- like she knew he sacrificed scouts all for the sake of protecting you.
“…” All he had to do was look at her to conclude her thoughts as true.
“Should have guessed that one.”
“There is no price I won't pay for her. Let us not speak on the subject no longer. Come, I want to show you something.” He stood and took Shoko a few paces out of the camp. Sending out his jellyfish to illuminate the way.
Choso was posted by a tree with the witch right next to him.
"Shoko, Getou." He greeted the two with a nod.
“Hey-Good Tengen!” Shoko gasped when she saw Yorozu. “What happened to her?”
“Don’t know, we found her like this. She had been cursed by something that is currently eating her. It has depleted her curse energy. She has been like this for almost three days now, dropped somewhere along the way.”
“You found her like this, huh…” Shoko looked toward Choso, who only confirmed the lie.
"Yes, during our travels."
Getou inwardly grinned, loving how easy Choso was to go along with his schemes.
“Poor thing…" The doctor kneeled. "I’ve seen something like this only once in my life. I'm sure you remember Choso...the person that you found on the coast, but there was nothing I could do. The body was barely visible; it was covered in… whatever this stuff is. I just gave your dad something to put them out of their misery; I didn't help in any way.”
"I know..."
“…Yes, nothing we have given her has helped.” Getou stated. Little did Shoko know that person was you. You were alive and well now, but it was not by the power of the doctor. “So there is no cure?”
“I don't know, did you guys ever find a way to help that person?"
Choso looked toward Getou, unsure if he wanted to reveal the truth.
"Actually..." Getou coughed, "...The person that was found was Raven."
"What?" Shoko gasped in shock. "No way!" She has been flabbergasted once again! What else does she not know about you? "H-how what did you guys do to save her?"
"We didn't. It was someone else."
Getou added, "Someone we believe she met before us, but she doesn't know who. There is a cure for this, we just don't know what it is."
"That's...amazing…Now I am most curious to know what it is. Was I perhaps looking in the wrong direction? Was it something that I overlooked? Something I wouldn't even think of?" Shoko continued to murmur to herself like they weren't even there. "I wish I could learn more. I must know how this curse works."
“Yes…That's exactly why I brought you here…” Getou gestured, “You can take her.”
“Huh?” Shoko looked up at him with a raised brow.
“She’s already dead. Maybe you can use this life to save hundreds more.”
Shoko hummed, “…I could save a hundred more lives, but the question is, are you going to kill all those lives anyway?” The woman joked.
Getou rolled his eyes, “Are you never going to let this go...” He drifted off, hearing a noise behind him.
"Did you hear that?" Choso questioned.
“What?” Shoko leaned over to see what caused the interruption. But there was no sound.
“I heard it too-” Getou stopped speaking when he heard the noise again. It was a giggle. Furrowing his brows, he realized that the laughter was coming from camp. "Stay with her." He pointed to Yorozu and hurried back with Shoko.
Only to find you dancing around the fire in your nightgown, having a grand old time.
“Darling?”
That stopped your movement abruptly, “Oh, Getou? Helloooo, my alpha!” You sounded as though you were drunk.
“Hey…how do you feel?” He spoke carefully.
“I feel like dancing!” You opened your arms with a smile, but your eyes still appeared tired. “Get over here! Let's dance ~Let’s dance ”
“What’s going on here?” he whispered to Shoko, who just caught up to him.
“The medicine blocks out any negative emotions-”
“Shoko?! Shoko, what are you doing here? How have you been? I haven't seen you in forever!” You skipped over to the doctor, who smiled at you.
“It’s good to see you, too, gran gran.” She accepts your tight hug. But then realization hit you as you pulled back with a laugh.
“Ah! Who told you!”
“Your alpha did actually.”
You released a gasp, “Getou, you snitched on me?”
“I didn't think it was supposed to be a secret, but I'm more concerned with you right now.”
“Don't be-I'm good! I feel amazing!” You grabbed Getou’s hands and began to spin yourself around. “Come on, alpha~!”
Getou gave in to the dance, swaying you around as you laughed. He looked toward Shoko with slight worry. But she just gave him a thumbs-up.
Your mental state was concerning him. Yes, you were up and moving and smiling…but you sounded drunk, wouldn't all of this put you in an even worse condition? Well, you didn't freak out over Shoko calling you Raven, so maybe he had nothing to worry about.
It was just that your eyes looked so exhausted, your smile not touching them, and giving them the light they normally have.
After you stepped out and twirled back in, he held you to his chest. “Do you remember everything?”
“Not the stuff from before, haha, Yuta couldn't give me those memories silly.” You danced out of his hold, but he gently pulled you back.
“I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about…” he paused, trying to tread carefully, “…Are you hearing any voices?”
“Nope! No pups, no shadow creatures either!”
“Shadow creatures? They talk to you?”
“Oh my Tengen, yes! It's so annoying, but I don't hear them anymore -listen!” You cup your ear and look around with a slow smile, “It's quiet!”
That was concerning. What the hell were those shadow creatures saying? Sometimes he can hear his shikigamis when he summons them, and all they speak about is blood and killing. He was used to such a thing, but he didn't know how you would handle that.
A presence was approaching. He smelt the betas before they had entered the camp.
You lit up seeing the newcomers, "Yuji, Megumi!"
Yuji was looking down, but when he saw you, he spoke up, trying to sound happy, "Hey, Raven, it's so nice to see you up." He smiled, but Getou could tell something was bothering him.
"Why are you up so late?" Megumi questioned.
"Because I feel good now! Can you play my favorite song, please?" You usually notice things about others, but in your current state, you didn't realize the boy gave off a sort of sad smell.
The medicine must have been blocking out that as well. Anything that could negatively impact your mood.
"Sure, we can play it for you." Yuji sat down upon the log as you clapped in excitement.
"It's kind of late, no?" Megumi questioned while Yuji looked toward Getou for permission to continue.
"Late, early-pfft- time is a concept!" you laughed.
"It's fine, you can play the song." Getou cut in.
"If we wake up that cranky alpha, you'd better handle it." Megumi sighed, sitting next to his partner.
"He will understand... trust me." Getou spoke as you ran to him excitedly
The bards began to play your song, and the two of you resumed your dance. After your song ended, they played another one for you, and you grabbed Shoko as your partner next. She was smoking while dancing. She tripped most of the time, and you had joked that she had two left feet.
Nanami was the first to come out of his tent. His eyes were curious, but before he could question what was happening, Getou came over to fill him in.
"So she's alright?" Nanami whispered, trying not to interrupt you.
"As for now..." Getou whispered back. "...The medicine keeps her in this trance of happiness...something was going on with Yuji, and she hadn't even noticed. I'm not so sure where she will be when she comes out of this."
"Then we should retrieve more before Shoko leaves."
"Nanami!" You beckoned the blonde to be your new dance partner.
The blonde and Shoko switching places.
"At least the medicine is working." Shoko limped over, having tripped one too many times. She was not a good dancer!
"For now... what do we do when this wears off?" Getou asked with concern.
"Don't worry, Getou, I will be sending you more medicine for her treatment. I gave her five servings today, but tomorrow you will do four, then three, then two, and for the last day, one. I'll separate it all into four bottles."
"What is it? This medicine?"
"Well, I feel I can tell you without you freaking out. It's Lavada leaves. It works well with omegas who have dropped, but people believe it is the witches' brew."
"So you obtained it from a witch?"
"...From the very same woman the Chi village had killed."
Getou blinked in shock, "Asaki? The pups' mother?"
"Indeed. She was a good person; it's unfortunate what happened to her. I would like to say thank you for taking care of her girls and bringing them home...It's a shame they didn't let you adopt them." She spoke, looking towards you. "Witches have a unique way of passing on pups."
"..." Getou kept quiet; he wasn't in the mood to explain to Shoko what had actually occurred. She simply believes that Asaki didn't dance for you. But considering all that happened, guess it didn't matter. There was no way she'd dance for you anyway. The witches were afraid of you, and so were the pups.
It hurt Getou to watch you smile and spin around...knowing deep down you were in so much pain. It was like a band-aid, covering up a gaping wound.
It was still there.
They just couldn't see it.
The others were woken up by the sound of the music playing.
"Why the hell are you two playing so late?" Sukuna questioned, coming out with a heated growl.
"Is it time to go?" Gojo yawned.
"...Baby? You are up." Toji immediately went toward you, not at all concerned about the bards disturbing his sleep.
"Sorry guys! I just wanted to dance! Come dance with me!" You spun to Toji as he caught you around your waist.
Gojo lit up, "You want to dance?" He was happy to see you moving, but Sukuna realized something was off.
"Gojo, Sukuna, come here." Getou waved them over to fill them in on what was going on.
"We can dance...but did you get something to eat?" Toji questioned, holding you in place. He also looked toward Nanami, wondering if he had fed you.
"Not yet, she wanted to dance as soon as I got out here." Nanami waved for Yuji and Megumi to stop. "That's enough, you guys need to get some rest."
"No more dancing?" You question Nanami without much of a sad tone. It sounded weird. Robotic, even, like a statement rather than a bummed question.
Your blonde placed a swift kiss on your temple, "Not now, Yuji and Megumi are tired. And you haven't eaten anything yet."
"Ok! Do we have any of my fav left over?"
"Yes," Nanami smiled, "I saved a lot for you. I'll get some warmed up now."
You beamed excitedly as Toji scooped you up and sat down with you in his lap, "That's a good girl, I'm happy to see you out of your nest, and with an appetite." Toji kissed you repeatedly with appreciative pecks.
You hummed as his lips met yours, but when he stopped, you threw your arms around his neck with a giggle.
"I love you so much." You said before kissing him so sweetly.
Your alpha allowed you to kiss him however you wanted. He followed your lead and kept his hands respectfully resting around you.
That was until you licked his lips seductively with a haughty laugh.
Toji grinned, his hands cracking as he flexed them, "Careful, I might take you in front of an audience."
"Ooo~." You fluttered your eyes at him, meeting his lips once again.
"Goodnight guys." Yuji called as you pulled from your makeout session-
"Night!" And then went back to kissing Toji like there was no one else around...well, other than your alphas.
"It's about time I rest as well. Wake me if you guys need anything." Shoko took one final puff before she bid her nightly farewells.
Not even Shoko had stopped you from your sensual time.
"She's not even shy about the others...dancing around in such a frilly nightgown and practically sticking her tongue down Toji's throat." Getou had his arms crossed. His eyebrows were fixed in a permanent furrow.
"That's good, right...? Means the medicine is working...at least she's not sad..." Gojo shrugged.
"It helped her get out of her nest..." Sukuna drawled, "...But it still doesn't feel like her. She would not be doing this. I assume the medicine takes away her shyness and everything else that makes her the silly omega she is."
"You and I have been agreeing a lot lately; there must be an alignment within the stars." Getou joked lightly, but then added. "There is no balance with her emotions...I want her off this medicine as soon as possible."
Gojo tried to view it in the way Getou and Sukuna saw it. He was happy you weren't in your tent, but maybe the others were right. There seemed to be a lack of you right now, like you were missing that other half.
Nanami was warming up your food over the fire; his eyes would flicker to you often. You were busy with Toji, lost in lust. He wasn't sure how he felt about having you on this medicine, but if it is the only thing that will help you take care of yourself, then he saw no harm in it. "Foods ready."
You perked up, “Thank you, Alpha!”
Toji grabbed the plate Nanami handed to you. "Can I feed you, sweetheart?"
"Mhm." You nodded, making your alpha more than pleased.
He began to feed you, enjoying having you in his lap, enjoying taking care of you. Enjoying how happy you were.
This was perfect.
After eating, you had started to nod off. Toji had put you to bed and joined his alpha brothers just as Sukuna said, "...She only gets four days of this shit, then she's done."
Toji looked confused, finding that everyone else didn't look as excited for you. "She's eating and dancing, why are you all upset?"
Nanami shrugged, continuing a conversation toji wasn't originally a part of, "I see what you mean, but this is better than her being stuck in her nest. We give her as much as she needs to get back to herself."
"Yes, four days." Sukuna nodded again.
"Again, what is the issue?" Toji restated, looking between everyone, was there something he was missing?
"Toji, I understand that you may be enjoying feeding our omega, but she is clearly not herself." Getou pointed out.
That pissed Toji off, "No shit? She's fucking grieving!"
"That's not what I mean. I mean the medicine; it doesn't feel like it's her."
"It is her. She's just happy!"
"It's forcing her to be happy."
"So you would rather her be miserable and broken in her nest? Shoko said she was showing symptoms of an omega who was dropping- you want her to be like that huh?"
"No...you know I don't want her like that..."
"Then let her be happy! Until she is ready! Four days may not be enough, and I don't know about you guys, but I don't want to see her like that again! This is so much better. Am I fucking wrong?!" Toji shouted, looking toward Sukuna, who averted his gaze. "Ryoumen? Do you want our omega to be miserable?"
"No." Sukuna stated firmly with irritation in his tone. He understood what Toji was saying, but he felt this was a bit more complex than how he was looking at it. Or maybe he was the one making it more complex than it had to be...
"Can we not fight over this...for fuck's sake..." Gojo spoke low. "...Everything doesn't have to be an argument...she's up, moving, and eating...this is good for her... It's better for her...I know she's not all there, but...it's a start..."
"Ok..." Nanami began, "...We will wait until she's ready. Getou said we give her smaller doses each day...if she isn't better by then...then we ask Shoko for more. Gojo is right...we do not need to turn everything into an argument." Nanami rubbed at his head.
It was argument after argument...they were such a mess.
⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☽ ◯ ☾₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆
Chef Note: I keep hearing emma saying let's dance in my head, and it tickles my brain.