In Battles Of Blood And Shadow 4

The Bond

After showering, she sat in the tub. The hot water and steam were almost always helpful to her aching muscles. But the conversation with Sukuna was still replaying in her mind. What if a curse really had attached itself to her without her knowledge, she shuddered. The idea was so violating, so disturbing, especially since she was not able to see the thing. If it were, in fact, a thing.

She looked at her body in the bathwater. She surveyed her skin carefully, willing herself to be able to see it, to see even the tiniest shred of evidence that a curse was with her. She sighed, knowing full well the futility of it. She had not seen a curse until she had laid eyes on Ryomen Sukuna. And he was quite the powerful curse. Anyone could see him. Probably.

She took another deep breath. The tendrils of steam wafted up and over her body as she soaked. In all honesty, she'd never thought that she would have made it back to the cabin. Going back to Sukuna was a risk. There was something undeniably alluring about him and his shrine. Perhaps it was the ominous aura that emanated from the darkness that enveloped his domain. Perhaps it was something else entirely.

Eventually, she drained the tub and toweled off. She combed her wet hair in the mirror, she peered at her reflection. She didn't feel any different and she didn't look any different either. Her face looked back at her in exactly the same ordinary way it always had. She wondered if the curse was looking back at her as well.

The sudden thought made her turn, she did not want to imagine what the curse looked like. She wished she had never even mentioned anything about her lack of cursed energy to Sukuna. He would probably use any knowledge he had against her. He had lied about how the test would not hurt her. He'd been surprised when she didn't react. But when he said she would be able to come and go from his domain, he had done as he promised. Maybe he could be trusted somewhat. Maybe just a little.

Laying in bed that night, she felt torn. Part of her wished to be at home, snuggled in bed with her cat, Momo. His warm, buff colored coat was as soft as the fruit for which she named him. She missed his gentle purring, the way he kneaded the bed beside her. It was such a comfort to have him near, but he was safe at home with her parents.

She sighed, not wanting to acknowledge the part of herself that still wanted to go back. The part that knew she would go back. To talk with a powerful curse was an opportunity that she could not pass up, even if defied all sense and logic.

She shut her eyes, trying to sleep. She could feel herself growing more agitated. The ticking clock, the crickets chirping outside, even the noise of her own breathing seemed to grate on her last nerve. Sachi sat up, and wrapping a blanket around herself, she went to the kitchen.

After she had boiled the water for the tea, she let it steep as she thumbed through the pages of one of the library books. She scanned it for any information regarding curses that could siphon cursed energy from their victims. Sipping her tea, she continued to read, but was unable to find any helpful details. She found only the information she already knew. Curses came from negative emotions. When negative emotions build up- there you have it- a curse. None of this explained how she could have her own curse, when she wasn't experiencing such extreme emotions like grief or anger. She wasn't an angry person. She was happy. She liked making other people happy. She was good at it too.

Maybe Sukuna was just toying with her. That would be just like him. Except he seemed so sincere in his curiosity about this, it felt honest. It felt genuine. She sighed, knowing that she would need rest, especially if she were going to go back to see him tomorrow.

When she began to set out that next morning she donned all her usual garb, her coat, her scarf, and her winter boots. The snow crunched underfoot, icy from the cold night before. She shoved her bare hands into her pockets at the first icy breeze. Her fingers grazed the cold metal in her pocket. She brought her pocket knife, not that it would do much good if she needed a weapon, but it might come in handy.

She made her way to the cave and down the tunnel with more ease than before. It was a shame she could not always depend on this route to visit. It was a nice way to be able to clear her head and think. But, now she was back in the darkness of Sukuna's domain. The lack of sunlight felt particularly noticeable today.

She didn't hear him, but decided to crawl out from the tunnel. She cleared her throat. Surely he knew she was here already, but she felt odd that he didn't speak first. When she looked around, she noticed that the room looked a bit different. The candles and throne were still at the center of the dark space, but the corpses, where had they gone? She shook her head, not wanting to think about the possible answers to that particular question.

He was sitting calmly. His eyes fixed on her like an animal watching their prey. With each flicker of the nearby candlelight, his eyes seemed to light up with an even brighter shade of red. He smiled.  The silence felt ominous. The soundless air between them seemed thick with whatever perverted thoughts lay just behind his smirk.

"I apologize. If it's a bad time for you, I can just-"

"Nonsense." he almost laughs. The sound of his laughter was an odd sound to say the least. "Besides, I think I've found a solution to our little issue."

Sachi looked surprised.

"About you needing a more convenient way to get in touch with me, without using cursed energy. The reason for your lack of cursed energy, I'm sorry to say, is something I think you'll need to discover for yourself."

"So you know what it is then?"

Sukuna laughs again, "I have an idea."

"And you won't tell me?"

He smirked again, his voice low, "That would take all the fun out of it."

Fine. So he knows what kind of curse I have and how it works. Maybe. But, there's no point in pushing, it'll most likely irritate him. She considered.

"And about the way for me to meet you?" Sachi led.

He smiles, eyeing her in a way he had not before. His gaze made her feel vulnerable. But there was something else there as well, something she couldn't place.

"After you left, I gave it quite a bit of thought. It was a difficult puzzle to solve." his eyes roamed her form in an almost predatory way, "You were right, without the help of a cursed object, or cursed technique, or even cursed energy for that matter, it would be incredibly hard for you to enter my domain in any way except that which you already have."

She looked at him expectantly, but his posture remained controlled and calm. As he looked at her again, she could hear an underlying tone of mischief in his voice.

"But it's not impossible." he continued, "You just need a little help. A sort of shared energy so to speak, a bit of a personal touch."

She furrows her brow, "What do you mean?"

Sukuna leans forward, his eyes never leaving hers. "What I mean, little mortal, is that the other way for you to enter my domain is to have a personal connection with me. And I've got just the method in mind to establish this bond."

She raises her eyebrows, but he ignores the gesture in order to continue his explanation. He softens his voice, "How badly do you want to be able to freely enter my domain?"

Sachi panics internally. She had crossed the line one too many times. He'd lured her into a false sense of security, just to watch as he pulled the rug from beneath her feet. There was no way he'd let her leave now, despite doing so yesterday. But, would she have been any safer if she'd stayed in the cabin? Surely he wouldn't take kindly to being ignored. She was trapped either way. The only option she had left was to get as much information out of him as possible, and bide her time.

"What are you suggesting?" Sachi asks, refusing to answer his questions without more details.

"I'm suggesting a bond, little mortal. But, not just any bond. Something closer, more intimate."

He leaned back on his throne again, studying Sachi's expression, silently gauging her response to the unnamed proposition. His eyes were fixed on her, predatory and unyielding as he watched her mind calculate what to say next.

She looks at him flatly, realizing his meaning. "Now why would you want that?"

Why? Of all the questions, she asks me why? Sukuna wonders to himself, masking his surprise with a confident smirk. He let his eyes roam over her body more deliberately before returning to her face.

"Perhaps because I find you interesting. You're a far cry from the typical sort of human I've had the misfortune of encountering. You're fearless. And you ask many questions. And," his eyes cut down to her body once again, "Truth be told, I find the idea of knowing you more intriguing with each of our meetings. You certainly can't blame me for wanting more intimate knowledge. Can you?"

"Just... How intimate would this bond be?" Sachi said hesitantly, "How would you do it?"

"I thought you'd never ask," he responded, "Would you like me to show you?"

Sachi shook her head, taking a small step back, unwilling to look him in the eyes. "Nope. No. I'd like you to talk me through it first at least."

"I suppose that's fair. The bond I'm proposing is called a 'Binding Vow'. Have you heard of those before, little mortal?"

She cocks her head. Furrowing her brow she tried to recall if she had read anything about such a topic. But, it did not seem familiar to her. She shook her head. Sukuna nodded, unsurprised by her lack of knowledge on this.

"I thought as much. A Binding Vow is a rare and powerful thing. It's a magical agreement between individuals that binds them together through supernatural means. A Binding Vow can take many forms, but the basic concept is always the same. It's a promise that cannot be broken. At least, not without severe consequences. In this case, the Binding Vow I'm proposing would connect us so that you could enter my domain from anywhere you are, at any time and still leave when you please."

"How would this bond be achieved?"

"Now we're getting to the interesting part. The formation of the bond is quite simple actually. It just requires three components."

He holds up one finger. "The first is a mutual agreement between you and me. Both parties must enter willingly into the bond. Each must make the promise to bind themselves to the other."

He holds up the second finger. "The second is a set of conditions that we both must agree upon. These conditions define the specific terms of the bond detailing what each of us promises and what privileges each of us would gain. I can tell you in this case, the primary condition would be absolute obedience on your part. But, we can discuss the specific details later if you agree to proceed."

He holds up a third finger. "And finally, the third component is the actual act of sealing the bond. This would involve the specific technique that I possess which would physically bind us together. Once that's done, the bond will be formed."

"What technique?"

She shakes his head, not willing to share any more information. "Unfortunately this particular technique works best when hidden. But I assure you, no harm will come to you. It's quite painless."

"I'm not worried about pain," she said.

"So, it's the depth of the connection that gives you pause. Not the physical aspect of it. Fascinating. So reluctant to share your thoughts. Tell me, are there secrets you're protecting? Fears perhaps?"

"If you know all my secrets and all my thoughts then wont you get bored quickly?" she asks again, still unsure about his motives, "And once you're bored, I'll be in violation of our first deal. So it's off to hell or some other sort of terrible place for me. It seems like that much is an inevitability. So, I hope you don't expect me to give up that quickly."

"You are a sharp one, and your concern is valid. However, I assure you, I am not trying to trick you. You have no idea how entertaining you are. I could spend an eternity just getting to know your thoughts and watch your reactions. I have seen many minds and I can say that your unique perspectives are truly intriguing. No, letting me into your mind would only reveal more enticing layers of you to discover and enjoy."

"Have you done this sort of bond before?"

"Yes, but the nature of our particular bond would differ from those that came before; I've never made such a deal with a human without even a modicum of cursed energy."

It was so bizarre, she was still trying to take it all in. "And, for me. What would this bond be like? For a human who has no cursed energy?"

"Good question." Sukuna answers, still studying her intently, "Since you have no cursed energy, I would suspect that the effects of the vow might not be apparent to you right away. But, make no mistake, the vow will still work. It will still bind us together, even if it does so differently than it would between two sorcerers. The most obvious change, perhaps, would be the connection you'd feel to me. I'm sure it would be unlike anything you've experienced before."

"Explain."

Greatly enjoying Sachi's interest and her questions, he continues. "Imagine a sense of feeling connected to me at all times. A constant awareness of my presence, even when I'm not physically around. It will be as if a part of me was always with you, in the back of your mind or your heart," he feigns a sympathetic gesture, placing his hand over his heart. He paused again, allowing all the information to sink in. "But, the bond would go beyond just feelings. It would give me a certain degree of access to your thoughts and emotions as well. The connection we'd share would offer far more benefits than downsides."

"What benefits?"

He leans back casually, "Well, first, you'd have a direct line to me whenever  you need, as I've said. You can enter my domain at any time, from any place. But, I'd also be able to respond to your summons within my domain which is a great advantage for you considering your current predicament. But there's more to it than that. The bond would also allow me to share some of my power with you. That would be quite useful for you, wouldn't it?"

If I agree, then I will have a way out. Sachi reasoned silently. If I try to leave now, he'll probably just kill me. Or worse. But, if the only way out is by allowing him to read my mind, then this is clearly a trap. Not to mention the thought of giving the King of Curses, a portion of my willpower. But what other choice do I have? I'll simply have to make the best of this. I can still use his interest in me to bargain or a safer deal.

He waited, letting the silence drag out a little longer. He can see her face, the calculations she is doing behind her eyes, trying to decide what to say.

"You said your conditions for this bond would be my obedience. I want you to explain that further."

"Very well, let me be perfectly clear with you then." Sukuna's voice is low, menacing,  "It will be as if a part of your willpower belongs to me as well. It's a connection that runs far deeper than mere physical proximity. Secondly, I would expect unrestricted access to a portion of your thoughts and emotions. I want to feel what goes on in that fascinating little mind of yours."

His tone shifts, a bit less harsh now, "The amount of access I'll have to your thoughts and emotions will be quite small in the grand scheme of things. You'll hardly even notice. As for your willpower, I'll only take a small share of it. You'll still be your own person of course. I have no desire to create a mindless puppet. But, a small part of you will be irrevocably tied to me."

He waits as she thinks it over. She knows that her next words will have grave consequences. Her heart beats hard in her chest. She needed more information.

"Are you willing to make the trade to receive the benefits?"

Sachi doesn't answer, instead she asks another question. "What happened to the other bonds?"

"They served their purpose. Some fulfilled the terms and thus ended naturally. Some no longer served a purpose so I terminated the bond myself." he shrugs. "In any case, the state of my former bonds is not your concern. The only thing that matters is the possible bond between you and me."

"How does a bond end naturally?"

"A bond cannot be broken once it's formed, true enough, but that doesn't mean it can't conclude naturally. Once the conditions of a bond have been fulfilled and all the obligations are met, the bond will simply dissolve, no longer binding the parties together."

She takes a breath, "I have one condition."

"There you go. Negotiate." he praised in a way she could not interpret as genuine or mocking, "What would your one condition be?"

"If I agree to give you some power over my will, then you cannot request or force me to go against my current moral code. And you cannot change my moral code to suit your whims."

"A moral limit? A mortal one at that." He laughs, "Like I said. I have no need for puppets. Sure, I accept your condition." Why the hell not? I enjoy a bit of a challenge. I will not force her to go against her will, nor will I change her mind for her. But I will push her to question her own morals.

"So we are in agreement? If you force me to do something that you know violates my morals then the deal is off, and I get to go free."

"You drive a hard bargain. The ultimate decision on whether or not to act against your morals will be yours. But, know that I will push those boundaries of yours, test your dearly held beliefs and put you in situations that test your limits. Can you handle that?"

She doesn't answer, instead seeking further clarification. "You didn't specify how much of my mind you would occupy, so I want to be clear. You will also allow me to have a space in my mind, just for me. You will not be allowed to see my thoughts or emotions while I'm there. And you will not stop me from entering nor be allowed to enter yourself. You will not be allowed to destroy or tamper with it."

"A private space in your mind? An intriguing demand, I'll admit. I haven't heard a mortal ask for such a thing." he thinks, "but, I will accept this second condition as well. Any more requests?"

"Any specific thoughts and memories I have put in that place will be off-limits to you?"

"Yes, the thoughts and contents of that sanctuary will be completely off-limits to me. But keep in mind, I will be able to access the rest of your mind."

"Not yet," she said bluntly, "You didn't listen to what I wanted from you."

He was curious now. What would this strange, defiant, blunt little mortal ask of him next? "I'm listening,"

Sachi was careful in her phrasing and her request. She needed something to give her a sense of security, a possible way out if things were to go poorly. She took a breath, steeling her nerves as she made her request known.

"You must always be completely honest with me. No lying or cheating from the time the bond is created.. No partial truths. No avoiding answers or misleading me. No illusions. You must be completely genuine in your responses to me, be it verbal or otherwise."

"As you say, it will be."

"No, not like that. Say it like I said it."

He chuckled at her determination to make sure he would be truthful. He was beginning to feel a strange sense of fondness for her fearless requests, her blunt nature, her absolute disregard for his own bullshit. He obliged, repeating her demands exactly as she had said them.

"If you break any of these, if you even so much as misguide me knowingly, then I will be free and the bond will be broken."

"You really enjoy putting me in a tight spot don't you?" It's true that Sukuna could have sliced her body right now if he wanted to, but he had a morbid curiosity, a reluctant infatuation with this little mortal being. He wanted to see just how far he could go with this. It was certainly a unique challenge to overcome.