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Chapter Text

Birds danced gracefully through the night sky; diving in and out of gray clouds like dolphins might waves in the sea.
A soft rumbling of passing cars could be heard, accompanied by the glare of headlights.

Yuji woke with a low groan, head pounding. His eye lids felt heavy like led and an uncomfortable ache ran through his bones.

"W-where-" Yuji started before being cut off by a weak coughing "Where am I?" He whispered, voice hoarse.

Lifting his heavy body off the pavement, his damp hair falling infront of his  chocolate brown eyes Yuji examined his surroundings.

He was on a roadside. Cars passing and brick buildings nestled along the streets. Steetlamps lit the night, circles of light glimmering gently in the dark. The paths was made of smooth sandstone and it was cold to the touch.

Yuji pulled himself up, standing on trembling legs as he called out "Fushiguro!" he shouted. No reply. "Kugisaki!"  No reply. "Gojo-Sensei!?" He called, his voice wavering with uncertainty. He waited. No reply.

Feeling lost Itadori looked towards the sky, losing a breath and watching as the warm breatth condensed in the cool night air "Anyone?" His voice was low, barely audiable.

There was one thing Yuji Itadori didn't know right now;
Where was he?

Chapter Text

Megumi Fushiguro wandered the streets aimlessly, a dazed feeling settled around him.

The sun had just risen upon the city, rays of soft sunlight chased way the hard darkness of night.

Megumi wasn't an idiot, he knew something was wrong. Before, he'd been back at Jujutsu High and now he was here, wandering the streets of some strage city.
And it felt so, so, wrong.

Something about being here made Megumis skin crawl uncomfortably and yet he still couldn't recall how on earth he'd got here. Had he been on a mission? 

He'd awoke at sunrise in a dull dingey alleyway. Instantly he had reached for his phone to contact Gojo-Sensei only to discover it had been missplaced. So as soon as he was concious enough to distern his surroundings Megumi begun walking.

A woman stood at the bus-stop, she had long black hair that fell down her back, a smooth shein making it look like silk. Her eyes were gunmetal gray, a starking contrast to her pale skin. She wore a plain dress and looked only afew years older than Megumi.

'She doesn't look busy' Megumi thought 'It can't hurt to ask someone where I am'

"Excuse me" Megumi waved a hand towards the girl trying to make it clear who he was adressing.

The young woman stepped back, sliding subtly back into a... fighting stance?  And eyed him awarely. She did it with such pracised precision and casualness that any ordinary person wouldn't have noticed the subtly change in composure, but Megumi did. He was taught to notice things like this after all.

The young womans voice was light and quiet when she spoke "Y-Yes?" She questioned looking towards him with a calculating gaze

Megumi steped back slightly, imatating her movements "I was wondering if you could tell me where I am?" He asked her, trying to keep his voice calm as if he hadn't noticed her shift in stance.

"Oh" the woman blinked, silver eyes widening slightly and her posture relaxed "Yokohama." the girl clarified, looking at him slightly confused.

Megumi nodded, bowling slightly "Thank you." he said respectfully.

"With all respect" the woman began in a timid voice "how did you not know where you are?"

Megumi sighed, lacing his fingers through his spikey hair "Well.." the ravenette paused, contemplating "Its.. a long story" he decided upon, hoping the girl would understand his reluctance to answer the question.

The girl nodded swiftly "hm, I understand." she accepted, a small smile gracing her lips.

Within a moment a bus swung into the stop and a set of glass doors slid open. The girl turned her stance towards the open doors of the bus.

"Thank you for your help, miss...?" Megumi led.

"Ak-" he began before cutting herself with a sudden shake of her head, looking at the ground complaicently. She paused, then in one swift movement lifter her gaze to meet Megumi's.

"Call me Gin" she decided, her eyes hardening for just a moment before they softned again "and you?"

"Fushiguro." Megumi replied, keeping his responce chipper.

Gin stepped into the bus before turning to face Magumi again.

"Thank you, Gin-san." Megumi bid her farewell, bowing slightly.

"Goodbye, Fushiguro-kun." She answered returning the bow.
"Oh, and one last thing" Gin tagged on "You should probably go home" she recomended and Megumi saw a dangerous gleam shimmer in her eyes "I have a feeling things around her are about to become... hecktic."

With that the glass pannels slid shut again and with a metalic clang the bus pulled away.

Megumi stood dumbfounded for a moment.
'What an odd woman' he thought, puzzled by the interaction.

"What did she mean by 'hecktic'?" The ravenette mumbled, considering.

His question was quickly answered when a loud explosion sounded from afew streets away and thick plumes of black smoke swirled into the clear sky.

Screams echoed through the air and Megumi dashed towards them. Was it a curse?

Suprisingly Megumi hadn't seen one since he awoke and now he was confused.

When Megumi arrived at the sorce of the explosion he found it was indeed NOT a curse but people.

A man in a black trenchcoat emerged from the smoke, coughing sharply into his clenched fist. His hair was jet black aside from the tips of his bangs that were coloured a pristine white. He was holding a black breifcase in his other hand amd carried it with far too much casual composure for someone obviously up to no-good.

"Akuatagwa-Senpai!" A woman with blonde hair tied into a tight pony-tail followed suit of the man carrying the breifcase. She was dressed in a feminin suit and carried a firearm in her hands. Well shit.

Megumi swallowed roughly, slightly unsure of what to do.

"Akutagawa Senpai!" The blonde continued to call after the man- Akutagawa apparently. "Akutagawa-Senpai, we need to get these shipping documents back to Mori-san immediately before we are intercepted."

Akutagawa frown deepened "Shut up Higuchi! I'm already more than aware of that. I shall not fail." the man scoffed, mobing forward in long strides.

Higchi straigtened and rushed to Akutagawas side "Of course, Akutagawa-senpai!" she agreed hurriedly.

Megumi'w body was frozen for what felt like an eternity, watching the duo, but as the frightened screams of citizens reached his ears he finally moved, darting forward until he was in the path of the two criminals.

"Stop right there!" He called in a gruff voice, positioning himself in a fighting stance.

"And who are you?" Akutagawa glared, looking at Megumi with an unimpressed expression.

Megumi pulled in a deep breath trying to compose himself. Protect the weak. Help thoes who can't help themselfs. That was his role as a Jujutsu Sorcerer. Thats what Gojo-Sensei had taught him.

The screaming began to grow more distant as people fled.

Off-handedly, Megumi hoped the police would be here soon.

"I don't know who you are or why you're doing this" Megumi declared, eyes blazing with fury "but innocents are being put in harms way by your actions, so i'm going to need you to stand down."

"Higuchi, take this" Akutagawa ordered, tossing the breifcase towards Higuchi who caught it clumsily.

"Akutagawa-Senpai?" She questioned in a small voice.

"I'll put this boy in his place for even daring to tangle with the port mafia." Akutagawa stated, voice laced with malice. He turned towards Megumi " So try not to utterly bore me."

Megumis gaze darkened as he clasped his caloused hands together "Demon Dogs!" the ravenette called, and a black dog emerged from the shadows. Its eyes glowed, black fur unruly as the dog leaped forward towards Akutagawa, sharp fangs bared.

Usually he wouldn't summon his demon dogs unless he was fighting curses but Megumi couldn't help but feel backed into a corner. He could apologise to Gojo-sensei and the higher-ups later.

Akutagawa steped back at the sight of the large, feirce animal headed is way before sweeping his arm forward poining towards the dog "RASHOMON" he screamed, voice powerfull.

Black tentrils reached out towards the dog and Megumi watched with horror.

"What is that?!" Megumi choked out, unsure of waht he was looking at. He couldn't feel any cursed energy- so what-

Before Megumi could finish his train of thought, the black tentril shot from the coat reached his demon dog.
The moment the black spike made contact a white flash pulsed through the air.

It was so bright neither Megumi nor Akutagawa could see and it engulfed the surrounding city.

White. Thats all Megumi could see for about 15 seconds before it was replaced by darkness.

He blacked out.

When Megumi woke a shrill ringing bounced off his eardrums.

"Wha-" he started before his hands flew to his ears and he screwed his eyes shut. His voice sounded so, SO loud.

It look many minutes before the peircing sound in his ears subsided and Megumi let his eyes slowly flutter open, ajusting to the brightness of the daylight.

Suddenly the memories of the past day rushed back to the forefront of the boys mind and he did his best to snap back into focus.

He rised quickly, steading himself on legs that shook violently.

Raising his hands he prepared to fight again, he reached deep inside himself and felt that his demon dog still resided within him.

Shuffling he fixed his gaze towadds where Akutagawa had been, but the man and his accomplice where now knowhere to be seen.

Megumi took a step forward and began slowering his tightned fists only to be stopped has he felt something click around his wrist.

"What-" Megumi started whipping his head around to look. A metal handcuff was clipped into his thin wrist and his dark eyes widened.

A man stood beside him, his hair was blonde and tied into a scruffy ponytail. One of his hands was locked into the handcuff with Megumis and the other held a pale green notebook with "Ideals" scrawled accross the cover. He was dressed formally and he had bright green eyes behind a basic pair of glasses.

Megumi looked at him, his mouth moved to speak but no words came out.

"I'll have to stop you to stop right here, kid" the man said with a serious yet somehwat gentel voice "I'm going to need to ask you some questions."

Chapter Text

Yuji walked down the packed street, the pounding in his skull had began to subside and he felt far more stable on his feet.

The daytime sun now beat down on the streets of the city and there was a buzz in the air as people bustled and chattered.
The sweet scent of fresh pastery and cookie dough drifted idly down the street and Yuji tried to ignore the low grumble in his stomach as it clouded his sense of smell.

He had quickly came to his senses on the roadside once he woke and rushed to dial someone- anyone- on his phone, but the moment that he attempterd to turn it on the screen glitched instantly before fading to black.

Yuji spent about an hour fiddling with the device, trying to get it to turn back on, all to no avail.

He'd have to make it back to Jujutsu High and figure this out on his own.

Or... so he had thought.

Yujis eyes widened tremendously at the sight before him, mouth falling agape.

A woman with light brown hair, cut into a shoulder-length bob stood outside a bakert just afew buildings away. Her bronze eyes gleamed in soft sunlight and her skin was pale.

Yuji recognised her immediately.

Nobara Kugisaki.

Before Yuji could think his body began moving forward, one foot dashing infront of the other in long strides, and withing a moment he found himself facing Nobara.

"Kugisaki!" He adressed, bringing up his hands to grip her shoulders in a firm but gentle hold.

"I-Itadori-kun?!" Nobara stumbled over the name, blinking slowly as if she couldn't quite belive he was here. The brunette spoke again "What are you doing here?" She asked shocked.

Yuji laughed, relief flooding his body at the sound of the familiar voice "I could ask you the same thing" he joked lightly.

"Hmmm." Nobara condidered, tapping her lower lip idly with her pointer-finger "I don't remember how I got here." she conseded and Yuji deflated slightly.

"No clue at all, huh?" Yuji deducted in a bored tone.

"Nope." Nobara huffed shaking her head "I all truth I was just wandering around trying all kinds of treats from the bakerys on this road." She admitted "I just hoped things would go back to normal eventually."

Yuji sighed, running a hand over his face "did you even try to find any of us? Gojo-sensei? Fushiguro-kun? Me?" The pinkette quizzed, raising his eyebrows towards the girl.

Nobaras face twisted into a poorly consealed grimace as she she spoke "Well all that matters is we're together now, right?" she replied, rubbing her neck nervously and letting out a shakey laugh.

"You're unbelivable." Yuji deadpanned.

"Well not like i'd want to waste my time looking for you idiot boys anyways!" Nobara yelled passionately, jabbing a finger towards Yuji "I have bigger worries than you guys!"

"What the hell?!" Yuji snapped, a hurt expression washing over his features "What happened to being a team?!"

Nobara sighed, the fire simmering from her composure "Look I'm glad you're okay Itaodri-kun." she eventually admitted.

"Jeez, that look long enough..." Yuji complained, folding his arms.

Nobara grumbled "Will you quit complaining and drop it already!" she snapped.

"Okay, okay" Yuji backed down, raising his hands simular to the way you'd raise them to calm down a wild animal "So what are we going to do about this, we don't even know where we are." He started, tone becoming more serious.

"Yokohama." Nobara answered quickly before elaborating "I asked around when I first got here and apparently we're in Yokohama, which atleast means we haven't left Tokyo."

Yuji nodded, taking in the information, lifting a hand thoughtfully to rest on his chin "How did we both end up in Yokohama on the middle of the night with no memory of how we got here."

The brunette shrugged in responce "I don't know." She said, and then after a moment asked "hey, have you noticed that there's no cursed energy here aside from within yourself?"

Yuji nodded "Yeah, I can't figure out why though."

She pondered for a moment before asking "Have you seen Fushiguro-kun at all?"

Yuji looked at her with a solem expression before shaking his head slowly "No, I haven't."

Nobaras shoulders slumped "I wonder if he's back at Jujutsu now then or if he's somewhere else."

"Wherever he is..." Yuji finally said "I hope that he's okay."

Chapter Text

Megumi sat in the interrogation room. His arms were folded across his chest and he wore a sour expression on his face as he stared at the man opposite him with a deadly glare.

He was placed infront of a wooden desk and two people- claiming to be detectives.

One was a man with messy blonde hair, emerald eyes and an oufit that bore the impression of strictness.

The other was a woman that looked to be in her twenties with dark purple hair that fell just above her shoulders, it wasn't styled but she wore a golden pendant shaped as a butterfly amoungst her purple locks.
She was dressed in a white blouse what was mostly buttoned and wore a black pleated skirt that fell below her knees as she leaned casually against the wall of the room, not even bothering to take a seat beside her co-worker.

"Hey, Kid." She adresses Megumi and he couldn't help but tense up slightly at the break in the silence "You're not injured are you? I'm a doctor so if you're hurt I can-"

"No." Megumi sliced in shaking his head.

Infront of him the blonde-haired detective let out a long sigh "My name is Doppo Kunikida" he introduced, then jestured to the woman leaning against the wall "and this is Akiko Yosano" the lady in question waved a hand in a friendly motion towards Megumi.

Megumi eyed the two carefully and gave a plaicent nod, signaling for the man to continue.

"We are members of the Armed Detective Agency- a group of private detectives dedicated to solving crime." He explained futher "and I need to ask you some questions about the incident earlier."

Megumi swallowed roughly, and began to twist and tug nervously on the sleve of his shirt.

Kunikida seemed to notice this and let out a miniscule huff "Relax, kid" he soothed "Right, first up, what's your name?"

"Fushiguro." The boy in question replied, voice steady.

"Fushiguro?" Kunikida questioned raising an eyebrow, but when it became clear that the ravenette didn't intend to eleborate further on his name he moved on.

"Alright Fushiguro, do you have a parent or guardian that I can contact about all of this?" He asked, trying to keep his voice something resembling comforting.

Megumi pondered this for a second.
He didn't have any biological parents but this could be an opportinity to contact someone he knew.

Gojo-sensei had raised Megumi so obviously he was the first person that came to mind... but...

Kunikida sat silently, watching as the kid thought over the question, it was apparent that the kid had alot going through his mind, yet the man couldn't figure out what.

If Megumi asked them to contact Gojo-sensei now it might cause more harm than good. It was becoming more and more clear to him something was wrong. This place was clear of cursed energy aside from Megumis own and when he fought the mysterious criminal in  a black trenchcoat he used a power nothing like Megumi had ever seen.
No, he decided, bringing Gojos name into this might cause more trouble than its worth.

"No." Megumi finally bit out, matching Kunikidas stare, "I don't." He clarified.

"No?" Kunikida repeated with a perplexed expression "I'm supposed to belive you've went- however long- without anyone noticing you don't have a guardian?"

"Guess so." Megumi ground out between his teeth and watched silently as the detective scribled somehing into his note book.

Judging by the gleam in the blonde haired mans eyes, Megumi could tell he wanted to press on futher about his personal life but decided against it.

"So, Fushiguro-san, i've brought you here to ask you about some eye witness accounts that where sent into the agency." Kunikida began, picking up afew lose papers on his left and scooping them into a pile "You were reported to have been in communication with Ryunnouske Akutagawa and Ichiyo Higuchi- both members of the criminal organisation known as the Port Mafia." He explained "Care to clarify what your relationship with the Port Mafia is?"

"I don't know what the Port Mafia is-" Megumi delcared, his frown deepening "but thoes assholes where attacking innocents. I did the moral thing and did my best to protect the weak. Its my duty as a-" he cut himself off with a cough, realising what he was about to say "- an individual." he finally finished wincing.

"I find it hard to belive that you've never heard of the Port Mafia." Yosano finally chimed in "Sure, afew years back that would be somewhat plausable but after the incident with the Guild this year their existance has been made well-known on almost a global scale."

Megumi sent a sharp glare in the doctors direction "Well that's too danm bad because I haven't heard of the Port Mafia!" He snapped.

Yosano startled at the kids sudden outburst, pursing her lips as she examined him with a calculating gaze.

"Calm down, kid." Kunikida ordered, raising a hand to silence the teenager "We're just trying to figure out what's going on here."

Yosano ran a hand down her face, and steped forward, wordlessly grabbing a chair and pulling it up to sit beside Kunikida.

"So just to be one hundred percent clear on the matter.." the male detective said, pushing his glasses up his nose bridge "You are in no accociation with the Port Mafia?"

Megumi huffed "well considering I didn't know what the Port Mafia was before today, no." He finalised, tone agitated.

Kunikida gave Megumi a long look before finally giving the boy a chipper nod and wrote something down in his notebook. After some more scribbling he put down the pen and intertined his fingers, looking at the teen infront of him.

"Fushiguro-san, there's another thing we need to adress." Kunikida continued his interigation "I'm under the impression from multiple bystander reports that you engaged in combat and that you summoned a wolf of sorts using some sort of supernatural ability..."

Megumi notably paled at the mention of his Shikigami and felt his heartbeat rise in his chest. Sweat began to bead on his brow and the ravenette felt his stomach hallow out.

Kunikida didn't relent "So tell me kid, what reason do you have to try hide the fact that you're gifted?"

Megumis mouth fell agape and he looked at the detectives, his face a picture of pure confusion "What do you mean.... gifted?"

"Uhhh" Yosano begun, wondering why the teen seemed so confused "It means you were born with a supernatural ability. Like I can heal people" she said pointing at herself "and Kunikida-kun here can summon things by writing them in his notebook" the elaborated, now pointing at Kunikida.
"And you..." she began now gesturing towards Megumi "... can summon that dog."

The teenager still looked incredibly pale and Kunikida wondered what had him so shocked. In all honesty he was terrible with kids, but he still tried.

"Look kid, whilst unauthorised use of special abilitys is strictly prohibited it seems like you were in a tough spot, I can see you didn't have any ill-intent." He said and losed a breath when he saw the spiky-haired boys posture relax slightly "however, you still did break a law and dived into a very dangerous situation, I don't plan to press any charges against you but I can't allow you to leave here without a parent or guardian."

Any relief Megumi had felt vanished as he started at the pair of detectives in horror "I'm not- I'm not gifted. I don't know what that means!" He exlaimed " I didn't do anything wrong so just let me go! I don't have any of these supernatural powers you're talking about, it cursed energy, I-"

Megumi clamped a a hand over his mouth the moment he realised his mistake.

The blonde raised an eyebrow "Cursed Energy? What's that?" He pressed, leaning forward.

Megumi pressed his lips together, shaking his head silently.

"Fushiguro-San!" Yosano called.

Megumi refused to answer.

A minute passed. Then two. Then five.
Eventually Megumi heard the flick of paper follwed by more writing.

Finally, he heard the scraping of two chairs and footsteps.

"Stay here, kid" Kunikida ordered, looking at the teen one last time from over his shoulder "I'll be back soon."

The door closed. Megumi waited.

Chapter Text

Kunikida walked into the office of the Armed Detective Agency.

It was bright, the curtains where drawn back allowing sunlight to flood the area.
Most the desks where empty and papers and books scatterd across the smooth marble flooring.

In the office Ranpo and Dazai where lounging at their desks doing... what seemed to be just about anything but work.

"Oi, are either of you actually working?!" Kunikida boomed, making his precence known and both men turned towards him.

Dazai was the first to speak, leaning back and swivining on his desk chair "Heyyyy Kunikidaaaa~" he drawled, then asked in a cheery "How'd the interigation with the kid go?"

Kunikida grumbled,  stuffing his hands into his pockets "Not good, he didn't even tell me his full name. Just his last name: Fushiguro."

"Huh?" Dazai questioned, blinking "Seriously?"

Kunikida nodded "Yeah, he was acting strange too..."

"Strange?" Ranpo asked, plucking a marshmallow from the large bag he had placed on his lap and beginning to chew on it obnoxiously "In what way?"

"It was like..." Kunikida tried his best to formulate his thoughts into words "...he was unsure of where he was in every sense."

Ranpo and Dazai both raised their eyebrows in union and turned their undivided attention towards Kunikida.

"Memory loss?" Dazai provided.

"No" Kunikida replied, shaking his head "it was different than that, it didn't seem like he was stuggling to remember something it was more like..."

"... he had a different idea of the reality around us."  Ranpo finished, swallowing the marshmallow in his mouth and shooting Kunikida a cockey grin. "Am I right?"

"Yes, thats exactly what it was like!" Kunikida confirmed, voice rising "do you know why?" 

Ranpo shrugged, popping another marshmallow into his mouth.

"Come on Ranpo, you've got to help me out here." The blonde complained loudly "what should I do?"

"I'll help you under one condition!" Ranpo declared in a playfull voice "go to the bakery a couple streets down and buy me powdered doughnuts!"

"You shouldn't constantly need to be bribed with sweets to do your work Ranpo-san!" Kunikida scolded

"Well thoes are my conditions~" Ranpo drawled in a sing-song voice.

"Ugh." Kunikida groaned, dragging a calloused hand down his face "If you give me your answer now then I give you my word i'll go pick some up later."

"Yay!" Ranpo cheered happily and it made Kunikida want to roll his eyes "If i'm being honest..." Ranpos tone shifted in to one of cold calculation and his expresion wore a mask of infinate seriousness "... I think we'd be fools if we let that boy go anywhere."

Kunikida and Dazai both startled at Ranpos admittion but they let the older man continue.

"Theres clearly more going on than we know, and even I can't seen to formulate any solid theorys with the information we have; it would be foolish to underestimate him" The detetective explained "besides if there one thing i'm certain of, its that he's hiding something important from us."

Dazai straigntened at the cold serious that had slipped into Ranpos tone, leaning forward and deciding to consider the conversation with more seriousness.

"If he's hiding something what do we do about it?" The bandaged man asked.

"Not sure." Ranpo admitted solemly "Fear or intimidation would probably work but he's only a minor. Either way, we need to get him to talk... I have a bad feeling that this boys presence is connected to somehing bigger than himself."

The three men pondered this, seconds  feeling like hours in the silence, before Dazai rose, his chair scraping across the marble floor as he strode from his seat towards the door.

"And where do you think you're going?" Kunikida called after him, a frown etched onto his features as he fixed a piercing gaze in Dazais' direction.

The detective in question stopped mid-stride, glancing over his shoulder to where the other man stood and shot him a lazy grin, his voice unaturally calm as he drawled "Atsushi-kun and Kenji-kun won't be back for awhile, so I thought whilst I have some free time i'd try talking to the kid myself."

Kunikida furrowed his brow "I'm not sure if thats a good idea..." he said, words laced with uncertainty

"It'll be fine~" Dazai assured his voice playfull fir a moment before his tone darkened unexpetedly "Besides... Ranpo-kun said it's important we get the kid to talk, right? I've gotten many people to talk when they didn't want to in the past, I hardly see how this is different..."

Dazai tucked his hands into the pockets of his trenchcoat, moving out of the door.

"Dazai!" Kunikida called after him, consern coating his words.

"Don't worry!" Dazai shouted, now out of sight and his voice growing quieter as he moved down the hallway "I won't hurt him."

As he walked down the hall Dazai heard Kunikida complaining loudly but blocked out the noise.

He foucused on keeping his composure calm as he reached the room where the mysterious teen was waiting.

He opened the door...

Chapter Text

Megumi had waited in the room after Kunikida had left.

And waited. And waited. And waited.

The silence was loud. So, so loud.

Suffocating. Deadly.

He wanted to wanted to shout at them all. He wanted to scream until his lungs hurt.

In all his life he'd never felt so... lone.
Mabye thats because he'd never really been alone before. Even after his mother died and his father abandoned him, he'd still had Tsumiki... and even when she was cursed, he'd had Gojo-Sensei.

Then he went to Jujutsu High. He met the second years: Maki, Inumaki, Panda... he had even gotten to meet Yuta Okkotsu before he was sent to do a mission in Africa.

Then he started his first year at Jujutsu and he learnt sorcery alongside Itadori and Kugisaki.

Sure, he'd felt lonely sometimes but he was never alone.

Now? He didn't know where anyone was and this world...

Megumi swallowed roughly at the thought: this world isn't my own.

At first he didn't want to admit the idea but now he was almost certain. Megumi Fushiguro wasn't in the same world he'd been in just afew days ago.

And now, he didn't know where his friends where or how he'd get back home.
He was surrounded by people he didn't know in a world that made his skin itch uncomfortably.

He was a jigsaw piece that didn't fit into the puzzle of this universe.

Before Megumis thoughts could drown him entierly the lock on the door snapped open and the handle turned slowly.

Seconds ticked by in slow motion as the handle spun until it came to a halt with a soft 'click', and the wooden door swung open smoothly with ease.

On the other side of the door was a tall man with messy chocolate hair and chestnut eyes.
He was dressed in a beige teanchcoat and had a teal pendant tied close to his neck... speaking of the mans' neck, he had thick white bandages wrapped around his neck that ran down to his arms.

He looked directly towards Megumi, unfazed. His expresson appeared to be kind but there was something cold and unrelenting in his eyes that unsettled the teenager.

"Hey" the man in the doorway chirped, tilting his head in Megumis direction "Fushiguro-kun, right?"

The ravenette shifted uncomfortably before giving a confirming "Yes."

"Alright then" Dazai said, letting a small smile play at his lips, he closed the door behind him and plopped himself down on a chair opposite Megumi "I'd like to speak to you then, Fushiguro-kun. I'm sure you wouldn't mind that right?"

Megumi startled slightly at the mans bluntness, he seemed to casual for he situation and it made his mere presence discomforting.

"My name is Dazai. Osamu Dazai, if you want the full name, but you should just call me Dazai." He introduced waving a hand in a dismissive manner.

"What do you want, Dazai-san." Megumi questioned seriously- this man was getring under his skin and setting him on edge... and he didn't like it one bit.

Dazai tutted, waggling his finger and hushing Megumi in a belittling manner "Now, now" he taunted "I'm the detective who's going to be answering he questions, so why don't you just focus on answering them."

Megumi sneered at this, looking at Dazai with a vulgar expression.

"So first order of buisness..." he began "...what is your full name Fushiguro-kun?"

Megumis body tensed as he gritted out "I hardly see how thats any of your doing-"

"Oh but its all my doing. You see you might've missed the part where I said I was a detective-"

"I didn't miss anything asshole-"

"You should really watch your mouth around a legal detective~"

Megumi scowled at this "and yet you havent shown me a single badge of proof that implies I have to listen to a word you have to say."

"Oh yeah~?"  Dazai teased grinning "sorry it looks like when Kunikikida-kun brought a kid into the agency I should've checked with him to make sure he understood what an interigation was first."

"Stop talking down to me!" Megumi snapped, voice raising and a cold fustration rising in his eyes.

"Enough." Dazais voice was like ice and Megumis jaw snapped shut at the sudden tone.

Dazai continued "I don't know who you are or where you came from kid" he scoffed in a dark voice "but I have people here I need to protect so if you've brought some danger here with you we're going to have an issue..."

Could this guy be anymore arrogant? Megumi thought, he was trying to deal with his own issues here- he didn't need this asshole implying that he was causing trouble merely by existing.

"Alright- screw you!" Megumi snapped, rising from his seat but when he did the man oposite from him copied the action, rising from his seat in tandem.

Both chairs made a deathening screaching sound as they scraped against the floor, the sound bouncing off the wall.

When Megumi raised his head from where he stood uo though, his blood ran cold.

Something metal was pressed against Megumis forhead; a small, deadly killer.

A gun.

Megumis body locked shut. He couldn't speak. He couldn't move. It was like he was watching the world from ouside of his own body.

"Fushiguro-kun." Dazai drawled "I came in here intending to meet you half way but you're not making that very easy to do. I wanted to trust you and work things out but..."

A small sigh.

"you don't want to talk so..."

Megumi squezed his eyes shut, his head pounding violently and bile burned the back of his throat.

He heard as the gun was cocked.

This was it. He was going to be killed. He-

A loud clang, followed by a not-as-loud thud sounded through the room and Megumi flinched at the sound. He paused for a moment, still waiting for the sound of a gun firing.

But it never came.

Finally the ravenette allowed his eyes to flutter open, taking in the sight before him...

Megumi began to tremble.

Chapter Text

Ranpo and Kunikida listned intently as Dazai footsteps faded down the hallway, looking at eachother- faces contorted with a mixture of uncertainty and worry.

"I don't like this" Kunikida voiced, emotion swelling in his chest.

Ranpo huffed, removing his glasses from his pocket and unfolding them before sliding them up his nose-bridge "Truthfully, neither do I, but Dazai might be able to bring us some answers."

"True..." Kunikida admitted reluctantly "... but still, we both know he won't go easy on the kid. He'll push and push until he starts getting answers or-"

"Or until Fushiguro-kun breaks" the dark-haired detective finished, tone tinged with guilt, biting his lip slightly "but still, Dazai is part of the Agency. We have to trust he knows that he's doing and won't try anything drastic."

Kunikida nodded solemly at his colleagues words, folding his arms and leaning against the cream wall with a long sigh.

"Kunikida-kun." Ranpo calls, his voice stern and serious "did the boy say anything strange to you when you were talking to him? Anything that really stuck out?"

The blonde pondered this for a long moment before speaking carefully "... well there was one thing that seemed off to me" he admitted quietly "When I approached Fushiguro-san on the reports implying he was gifted he didn't seem to know what it actually meant to be gifted."

"Interesting" Ranpo acknowledged, before gesturing to Kunikida to continue.

"But when I did mention it he mentioned something about cursed energy before he cut himself of and-" Kunikidas eyes widened in realisation "he looked frightened, like he said something he shouldn't have."

Ranpo let out a thoughtfull hum as he asked quietly "Cursed energy isn't something that i've heard of- it could be some kind of gifted ability but if it was he would've said that-" his green eyes shot open "meaning he isn't an ability user at all..."

"Ranpo-San?" Kunikida questioned "what do you mean he isn't an ability user- he was described as having supernatural abilitys!"

"Kunikida-kun, I don't know how or why but... I have a feeling Funishuro-kun isn't from our world." He mumbled quietly.

"What?" Kunikida blanked "Do you hear what you're saying, how do you know he's not just lying-"

"I just know!" Ranpo exlaimed, cutting his counterpart off.

"So what do we do?" Kunikida asked dryly, thinking hard.

Ranpo sonsidered the question for a moment before replying with a steady voice "We need to get him to open up to us- the more we learn about his situation the more we can learn about his situation." The man stated with as much scupltured calmness as he could muster "Besides we don't know if he's the only one who-"

Ranpo wss cut off my three loud knocks on the agency door.

"Hello?" Kunikida called out and the door opened revealing Naomi on the other side, a smile playibg on her lips.

"Kunikida-kun, Ranpo Kun!" She greeted cheerfully as she leaned slightly against the doorframe "theres a man here asking to speak to someone from the agency- he claims to be looking for a boy who was sent here? He wasnt very specific on the details but he looked nice so I let him in." The girl explained.

Kunikida and Ranpo both looked at eacherther intently before Ranpo faced Naomi again "let him in." He ordered.

The girl smiled brightly, turning around and waving the mystery-man towards her "you can come in!" She welcomed and a tall man stepped into the doorway.

"This is the Armed Detective Agency, right?" The man asked as he stepped into the doorway- he was tall and had white fluffy hair that flopped back messily. His skin was pale and his eyes where covered by a black cloth that ran around his head.

Despite the mans unusual apperance and blindfold what stuck out to the two detectives the most was the blue uniform adorned with golden buttons: practically identical to the uniform worn by the boy they brought into the agency.

So, if he had to guess, Fushiguro was who this man was here for.

"You should know" Kunikida began, masking any recognition of the mans apperance and acting has natural as possible "you shouldn't have your eyes covered in a facility like this- or at all actually- hiding your identity can be considered a crime in some circumstances" he scolded.

"Ah." the white haired man acknowledged, running a finger along the edge of the black material "its probably for the best I keep my eyes covered."

Kunikida startled slightly at the words but knowing unsettlingly little about the man decided to drop it for now.

"Can we ask why you're here today- uh whats your name again?" Ranpo asked semi-formally.

"Gojo Satoru" the man- Gojo- intoduced.

"What do you need Gojo-san?" Ranpo repeated, tone placid, perfectly masking any disposition he felt towards the unusual man.

"I heard that you took in a kid that summoned two dogs from seemingly nothing this morning" Gojo explained.

"Did you now? And what would you know about him?" Kunikida asked, hoping that this 'Gojo Satoru' figure would reveal something about the teen he didn't already know.

"Well I know his name is Megumi Fushiguro and that he's fifteen years old" Gojo began proudly "His birthday is December 22nd and he's a super picky eater- like super picky-" the man rambled "like when was the last time you met a kid that bases half his meals around what pairs well with ginger?"

Ranpo and Kunukida whipped their heads towards eachother, eyes wide with shock. This man really knew Fushiguro- Megumi Fushiguro apparently.

Gojo continued rambling "-he got into so many fights when he was in middle school- won most of them, let me add! The kid kicked ass- but his teacher must have gotten sick of calling me in because it happened alot." And he kept talking and something reminicent slipped into his eyes "Not his sister though she was the golden child, I think it might've made Megumi-chan insecure sometimes thinking I prefered Tsumiki-chan because she never caused any trouble at school but I always thought Megs' trouble-making was adorable-!"

"I think-" Kunikida spoke up, raiding a hand to silence the rambling man "I think we've heard enough."

"Oh really?" Gojo replied, startling- and then he pouted: actually pouted "But I have so many more things I could say about Megumi-Chan."

And that alone spoke chapters. It was evident that the blindfolded man knew alot about the teen who was currently talking to Dazai but there was one thing he didn't know-

Ranpo beat him to the question "Gojo-san, what relation are you to Fushiguro-kun?"

"Oh me?" He exclaimed, pointing at himself and then seemed to pause, pondering the question for a breif moment "I suppose you could consider me Megumi-chans guardian, afterall I raised him." He stated, a proud smirk on his face.

Kunukida offhandedly wondered if the man would look so proud of he knew how much trouble his ward had caused for the agency. For some reason he thought the man would be.

"So Fushiguro is your ward?" Kunikida checked and Gojo nodded happily. "And do you have any evidence to back this claim? When we asked Fushiguro-San earlier the boy claimed that he had no parent or guardian we could contact."

Gojo flinched slightly at the information, rubbing the back of his neck "yeah about that..." the man laughed nervously "...I don't really know what to tell you. Its a long story."

Kunikida nodded- more secrets, more puzzels- their was certainly more to Satoru Gojo and Megumi Fushiguro than met the eye.

"Look-" Gojo asked, abit more seriously that before "Can I just see him?"

Kunikida sighed but before he could reply to the blindfolded mans request-

"Yes." Ranpo answered "Kunikida-kun, take Gojo-san here to see his ward immediately."

Kunikidas mouth feel agape "Ranpo-"

"Take him." Ranpo said, confidence strong in his voice, and Kunikida couldn't bring himself to argue with the detective as he nodded obediently and signaled for Gojo to follow him.

Kunikida kept his pace quick and Gojo followed him suit as they headed towards the room where Megumi was being held.

They where just afew strides from the room when yelling could be heard

"-Alright-Screw you-!"

It was loud followed by the scraping of chairs moving but the resounding silence after the yell felt even louder.

Kunikida and Gojo froze, blood turning into ice.

Gojo was frozen, until he wasn't.

The sound of a gun being cocked resounded through the door. There was muffled speaking and the world moved in slow motion for a moment.

Until it wasn't.

Gojo dashed towards the door in lighting speed, throwing open the door with so much force Kunikida was suprised the man didn't pull the wooden pannel off its hinges.

Gojos vision blurred and he couldn't hear the world around him as he opened the door to a brunette, dressed in a sand-coloured trenchcoat and bandages ran up his arms holding a gun to the temple of his student. His Ward. His Megumi.

The teenager has his eyes scrwed up tightly, his body braced for the impact of a bullet. The sight made a cold rage sweep through the powerfull socerer.

He leaped forward, raising one hand to knock the gun out of the hand of the bandaged man and bringing the other up to grab the asshole by the scruff of his neck.

The gun hit the ground with a loud clang and Gojo turned his attention fully to the man who he had pinned my the collar.

"Hold up-" the man pleaded, a nervous smile on his face "-it isn't what it looks like-"

Dazais words where cut short by a curt punch to the jaw and Gojos expression settled into a cold glare.

"Quite frankly" Gojo stated, his tone like sharp ice and a terrifying calm mask settled over his flaring fury "I don't care what your reasoning was- don't you ever threaten my favorite student or I will kill you." He promised.

The man in his grasp watched Gojo with wide- fustratingly amused- eyes. He looked like he was considering answering but Gojo simply let go of the brunette with a small shove as the man fell to the ground roughly.

He turned to Megumi, who was looking at him with wide- now open- eyes and appeared to be trembling.

"Go-Gojo Sensei?" Megumi stuttered, shock swirning in thoes deep blue eyes.

Gojo allowed himself to relax slightly at the sight of his student, shoulders slumping slightly as he waved.

"Hey, 'Gumi"

Chapter Text

Starlight illuminated the black sky. Small diamonds twinkiling on a black canvas, glimmer causing faint rings of light to form around the stars.

Nobara and Yuji walked the streets of Yokohama, a dull ache weighing down both their bodies.

After Yuji had found his classmate it didn't take long before the two decided to make a phonecall through a phonebox after taking note that neither of their phones worked.

He had memorised Fushiguros' number and rang it hoping- praying- for an answer but the line fell dead before it ever even rang.

Which lead to the duos' second observation; the technology here was... outdated.

People walked around speaking into phones that were considered outdated technology for the era Yuji and Nobara found themselfs from.

Now they thought about it everything felt... older. From technology to clothing everything was so different. Which popped the question; where are Itadori Yuji and Kugisaki Nobara?

Had they been pushed back in time? Or...

Yuji gulped. Is it possible this wasn't even their universe?

The thought settled uncomfortably in the boys' stomach, so he shoved them down into the darkness of his mind.

"So" Nobara broke the silence "where are we spending the night?"

"Huh?" Yuji sounded dumbfound as he stared blankly at the young woman.

"Uhhh, Itadori-kun, it's night, if you think i'm pulling an all-nighter on the streets of this weird-ass place you're delusional" Nobara deadpanned "especially after all that walking we did today!"

The pinkette nodded in agreement, he had to admit he could feel the exaustion settling like a mist around his mind "Fine" he conseded letting out a long breath "but how are we going to stay anywhere?"

"I've got money" Nobara declared "I'll pay just this once" she offered, jabbing a punctuating finger towards Yuji.

"Hold up-" Yuji stumbled over his own tounge "why do you have money?!"

"Hm?" Nobara hummed turning to the other sorcerer "oh I always keep money in my uniform pockets, in case of emergancy." She stated plainly.

"Seriously?!" Yuji puzzled "girls are so weird."

The girl in question whipped her head towards him "Oi!" She scolded "at this rate you can stay wandering the streets and i'll stay in a nice, cozy hotel room all by myself."

"Hey, come on now, Kugisaki-" Yuji began to complain but froze.
Nobara and Yuji both stood frozen- they felt it in the same moment.

"Itadori-kun..." Nobara began, voice wavering slightly "do you feel that?" She asked.

Yuji swallowed, throat dry, as he nodded "It's..." he paused for a long moment as he and Nobara faced eachothet fully "Cursed energy."

"Yeah..." Nobara agreed "What do we do? Follow it?" The teenage girl questioned, voicing her thoughts.

"What other choice do we have" Yuji conseded.

The duo began to chase the pulse of cursed energy, suddenly feeling awake. As the feeling grew stronger the two teens picked up speed, traveling in long strides, the only sound bursting along the quite streets of Yokohama being the tapping of shoes against smoothed concrete.

They ran until Nobara halted and yanked Yuji backwards by his vermilion hood.

"What'd you do that for-?!" Yuji hissed only to be silenced by a sharp "Shh!" From Nobara.

Yuji looked up at the girl next to him with wide, confused eyes but quickly gathered his thoughts as he followed his classmates line of sight.

A man dressed in a black suit walked down the street- a black suitcase clutched in his hold- and rounded a corner wearily into a dark alleyway.

And he was dripping with cursed energy.

"It's coming from him." Nobara stated bluntly, certainty lacing each word.

"Mhm." Yuji agreed, standing up straighter from his hunched position behind the wall "So we follow him?"

"Yeah, guess so." Nobara huffed desicively and began taking quick yet carefull steps towards the alleyway the man had slipped into.

The two teens both slipped into the allyway and saw the man just a short distance ahead.

"There!" Yuji called out, not-so-stealthily and Nobara winced at the boys exclaimation. Looks like they werent being sneaky anymore.

Nobara dashed forward and grabbed the man swiftly by the scruff of his neck before slamming him against the brick-lined wall of the alleyway. Then she raised her leg and with a singular kick knocked the breifcase out of the mans grasp sending it skidding accross the floor.

"Itadori!" Nobara ordered, tilting her head in a gesture towards the breifcase.

"On it!" Yuji quickly complied, falling to his knees beside the case and unfastening it with lightening speed and looking at the contents- his face paled.

For a quick moment Nobara took note of the firearm strapped to the mans waist and made no shortage of time before plucking the object from his side and disgarding it on the floor.

When Nobara turned her attention back to Yuji she saw that a slight trembling had overtook her friends hands "Itadori-kun, What is it!?" She demanded "Itaori-kun!" She called again after a second.

"Its empty." The boy in question answered, his voice weak.

"Huh? What do you mean its empty? We followed cursed energy here." Nobara questioned confused.

"No" Yuji corrected, his expression grave "we followed the trace of a cursed objects energy here... this energy its from-" he was going to be sick.

"Its from what?!" Nobara demanded, still pinning a man against the wall, now holding her hammer against his neck threateningly as she spoke to Yuji. "What are you talking about Itadori?"

"Its Sukunas Finger..." he admitted quietly "I can feel it. Sukunas finger was in this breifcase Kugisaki-chan."

A mouth split open in Yujis cheek, forming a wide twisted grin made up of sharp iron teeth and a long snake-like tounge "Well, well" Sukuna taunted, laughing manianically "this just got interesting..."

"What?" Nobara asked to knowone, horror-stricken. She stood their for what felt like an eternity, bones locked into place as the curses unhinged laughter bounced off the walls of the thin alleyway.

When the freezing rush in her body melted away Nobara ajusted her attention back to the man squirming in her grip- a new-found fury flaring in her chest.

"Do you want to explain what the hell you were doing carrying around a cursed object?" The brunette seethed and the suited man notably paled.

"I- I don't k-know what th-that is-!" He defended, the worlds tumbing out of his mouth between hitched, panicked breaths.s

"Tsk." Nobara tutted, glare hardening "Likely story." She said, voice ratiating with dissbelief and she raised her hammer above her head- prepared to bring it down upon the man trapped in her hold.

This simple movement snapped Yuji out of the spiral of terror that had threatned to suffocate him and pulled him back into tje present "KUGISAKI WAIT!" He pleaded, jumping onto his feet and catching her thin wrist in his hand.

"What is your problem?!" She shreiked, hee face unreadable.

"You could've killed him!" Yuji shreiked in return.

"No I wouldn't! I was going to stop just before I reached his face, moron!" Nobara explained, tone twisted with deep agitation.

Yuji threw his hands up into the air in a sharp exclaimation "Well I didn't know that did I?!"  The sorcerer huffed folding his arms before he mumbled under his breath "where's Fushiguro-kun when you need him?"

Nobara let out a long sigh before turng her full attention to the man pinned against the wall once again, she opened her mough to interigate him further but was stopped when Yuji spoke first.

"Were you asked to transport any strange objects?" Yuji asked in a cold voice and the man whipped his head towards the teen.

"I- the seller said that the object in the breifcase was powerfull" the man responded shakily "I was just asked to deliver it to the Mafia headquaters..."

"The mafia?" Nobara questioned.

"Yes, the Port Mafia." The man clarified like that was supposed to mean anything to the duo.

Nobara and Yuji sent eachother a confused look before both returning their gazes to the man infront of them.

"Look-" the man began, desperate to appease "I don't know what a couple of teenagers want with the Mafias' dealings but if you value your life I suggest you back off." He grumbled "it was just some weird finger-shaped shit wrapped in tape anyways. Harmless."

Nobara let out a hallow, mocking laugh "Harmless?" She scoffed "If they take the tape off that thing everyone in your precious Mafia is dead."

"Where is it?" Yuji demanded, stepping closer to the man.

"I told you its with the Port Mafia-"

"So take us there." Nobara demanded, voice like ice "or give us directions....

"...because everyone is going to die."

Chapter Text

It was the dim hours of night, the time where the sky is eclipsed in a jet black darkness and the streets thsemselfs seemed to be sleeping.

Mori Ogai found himself awake late doing paperwork... or more accurately staring at the final few papers whist he fiddled idly with a scalpel.

Elise had joined him, scrawling across paper and onto the floor below with a set of bright crayons. She kiced her legs and hummed brightly as she did so and Mori couldn't help but smile at her enjoyment.

Tiredness tugged at Mori, and he found his eyes heavy like lead as a long yawn drew its way out of him.

"Elise-chan dear, do you not think its time for bed?" Mori proposed, earing a noise of dissagreement from the young girl.

"No!" The girl squeealed, huffing and folding her arms in a fit "I don't wanna sleep yet Rintarou!"

Mori let out a long sigh, shoulders slumping as he eyed the young girl "As you wish Elise-chan. Two more hours."

Elise hummed proudly, re-adjusting her position to continue her drawing.

Mori fixed his attention back to the scaple in his hand, spinning it casually in his hands as he gleefully pondered all the peoples whoms' throats he has slit with the small metal tool.

His thoughts were interupted by a brisk knocking on his door.

"Come in." Mori stated simply, his tone bored as he didn't even bother looking up from the scaple in his hand.

The sound of a door could be heard opening and then clicking shut, follwed by multiple sets of footsteps that sounded through the room before they drew to an abrupt halt.

"Boss." Tachiharas voice greeted, and Mori could imagine the boy giving him a polite bow.

"Tachiharaaaaa-chann" Elise sing-songed, standing up  and dusting off her skirt before standing behind Moris desk and leaning uo to rest her elbows on the edge.

"Tachihara-kun." Mori greeted more formally "how can I help you?" He inquired, lifting his violet eyes from the scalpel im his gloved hand and looking towards Tachihara who... was not alone.

Tachihara stood infront of the large oak door, his expression cold as he gripped a handcannon in each hand and held them to the heads of two teenagers.

One a young boy with rose pink hair accompanied by a a golden-brown undercut and chocolate brown eyes.
The other a young girl with reddish-brown hair and a simular set of tawny eyes.

Both seemed to shift uncomfortably under Tachiharas gunpoint and where dressed in near identical navy uniforms that were adorned with shiny, golden buttons engraved with a russette swirl.

Interesting.

Mori blinked slowly, stomping down his exaustion and applying his whole attention to the three indiciduals infront of him.

"And who are our guests, Tachihara-kun?" Mori questioned, his tone a smooth blend of suprise, amusement and curiosity.

"Guests is a generous term..." Tachihara scoffed "Gin and Hirotsu found them trying- and doing a terrible job by the way- to sneak into Mafia territory."

"I see." Mori nodded, blinking slowly "so what's complled you to have brought them here?"

"Well we were planning to either throw them out or kill them..." Tachihara explained, earling a flinch from both teens "... but the girl started spoiting something about a dangerous transaction between the Mafia to gain a possibly lethal item called a..." the ginger scrunched his nose "... cursed object?"

The boss of the port mafias purple eyes widened, and his lips twisted up into an amused half-smile "I do belive i'm aware of a transaction like that."

"You need to hand it over now!" Yuji exlaimed, desperation flooding his voice "That thing is dangerous! People will die if you don't get rid of it-!"

"Is that a threat?" Mori questioned, his voice sickeningly sweet and his expression oddly amused.

Yuji was quick to shake his head "Not a threat. Its a fact." He explained "That object is cursed, it needs to be exorsised immediately!"

Beside him the red-headed boy tsks "Yeah, okay" he drawled sercastically "Thats total bullshit. Look kid, we don't have time for your ghost stories so unless you can tell us something real-" Tachihra threatened but was startled when the brunette girl turned to him. A dangerous gleam in her caramel eyes.

"They arent ghost stories." She spat with so much conviction it make the man take a step back.

"She's right!" Yuji cried "We're sorcerers from Jujutsu Tech and its our job to exorise curses!"

Nobara paled at Yujis words, spinning in his direction at lightning speed "Itadori-" she hissed, lowering her voice "-we aren't supposed to talk about Jujutsu!"

Yuji replied in a hushed tone "I know that, but we don't know how else we can get Sukunas finger." He reasoned "besides thid might not even be our univers-"

Moris voice sliced into their conversation with a deathly calm "Thoes are interesting uniforms you two are wearing." He commented, shifting the topic of conversation almost entirely.

This seemed to grasp both teens attention.

"Just this morning one of my employees by the name of Akutagawa experienced a..." the black haired man paused thoughfully "... unsettling confrontation with a boy decribed to have been wearing a uniform very simular to the ones you two are wearing right now." He hummed thoughtfully "Yes, I believe I was told the boy was able to summon a large dog of sorts..." he trailed off.

Nobara and Yuji's gazed snapped to one and other.

"Fushiguro-kun." Yuji whispered the name to knowone.

Mori, however, payed no notice- continuing his explaination "The mafioso was unharmed but seemilgly... how shall we put it- startled by the ordeal and the strange effects of the teens ability. Not that it matters but I heard the boy was taken into questioning by the Armed Dective Agency"

"Where is he now?!" Nobara inquired, allowing a her tone to take a hopefull edge.

"Presumably, still in the custody of the armed detective agency." Mori supplied, before his tone slipped into one of dangeruous, sadistic enjoyment and a cruel smirk adorned the mans features "so you do know him?" He confirmed, voice like death.

Nobara and Yuji both took a step back in tandem at the danger radiating from the port mafia boss, sending eachother a weary glance.

Taking the lack of an answer as confirmation, Mori gave Tachihara a manianic grin "Tachihara-kun, I have reason to belive these two are dangerous ability users in accociation with the reckless boy that attacked Akutagawa and Higuchi." He stated calmly "please have them locked up and extend comminication with the Armed Detective Agency as of what should be done with them and their little friend. We will determine our course of action reguarding these two based on their reply."

"As you say, boss" Tachihara obeyed with a simple nod.

He reached out to grasp the pinkettes arm but was shocked when the boy yanked away from the firm touch- consentrating his focus to Mori.

"Hold up-" the teen seethed "- what are you planning to do with the cursed object?" Yuji demanded.

Mori simply shrugged "I will do with my purchase as I deem fit, the 'cursed object' as you call it- no matter its fame or power- belongs to me now"

Nobara lets out a sound of protsest, pulling in a breath as sharp words settled on her tounge ready to be flung like daggers at Mori but dropped all her will to argue when a certain laughter sounded through the room.

"Your purchase?" Sukuna immitated when his manianic laughter had finally died down "What an odd univese we're in. Let me make it clear to you Mori that thoes fingers belong to me. Not you. Not the brat. Me."

Yuji's body begun to shake at the voice of the king of curses, terror flooding his veins "Not a good time, Sukuna." The teen bit out between clenched teeth.

"That's a fascinating ability you have there." The port mafia leader mused "Unfortunately I can't run the risk of seeing what it can do just yet until I get information from either you or the Agency." He conseded, his tone dissapointed.

Yuji stared directly at Mori- too much was going on, too much was at stake.

A wave of nausea rolled uncomfortably in Yujis stomach and the world spun.

Too much, too much, too much- 

"Wait up-!" Nobaras sharp yell peirced through Yujis suffocating inner-termoil and he shook him self out of his thoughts turning towards Nobara-

The girl layed unconcious on the floor.

Panic and sheer horror spiked in Yuji's chest, his lungs became heavy and tight and sweat begun to bead across his brow.

In an instant the pink-haired teen begun to dash towards his unconcious classmate.

Usually he would have been fast enough to stop Tachihara as the older boy delivered a blow to the side of his head using the hilt of a gun- but with the mixture of exaustion and nausea slowing his movements Yuji Itadori was left hepless against the attack.

There was a sharp jolt of pain followed by darkness.

Chapter Text

Gojo and Megumi had both been permitted to spend the night in a room provided by the agency under the condition that they'd comply and explain everything at dawn.

Megumi had seemed hesitant at the offer but Gojo simply assured the boy that they'd be fine- reminding his student that if anything happened he was 'the strongest.'

Megumi had resisted the urge to remind him that this clearly wasn't there universe but decided against it as he felt exaustion pull down his body.

The room had been simple- all connected in the same appartment block- with two futons' and small kitchen area.

Despite this, neither Megumi nor Gojo slept much. Spending most the evening discussing the how's and why's of their prediciment- ultimately being unable to come to a clear conclusion.

Their memory of how they got here consisted of short flashes of movement. Unclear.

Eventually Gojo told the teen to try get some sleep and not wanting to instigate conflict Megumi complied.

He slipped into a baggy t-shirt and slacks- again curtosey of the Agency- and slipped into the futon.

Two hours later and Megumi still lied awake.

"You really need to try get some sleep." Gojo pleaded, looking towards the boy huddled in his futon.

Megumi squeezed his eyes shut tighter, attempting to fein being asleep, beside him he heard Gojo chuckle quietly.

"My six-eyes don't lie Megumi~"

Ugh.

Sighing Megumi rolled over to face Gojo who was still perched on the window-ledge, gazing at the stars.

"I don't see you sleeping either, Gojo-sensei" the teenager in question grumbled.

Gojo chucked "I'm keeping watch, this world isn't right and I don't trust any of them- especially since when I walked in one of them had a gun to your head."

Megumi flinched slightly at the reminder "I don't like that guy, he's dangerous, he consealed his intentions too well- his entire personality did a flip in no-time. On the surface he's arrogant. Annoying. Almost playfull. But underneath that..."

The white-haired man nodded in understanding "I'll keep an eye on him. I don't plan on letting him within arms length of you if I can help it." He declared, folding his arms.

Megumi almost rolled his eyes "You don't have to protect me- i'm not a child anymore, Sensei" he huffed.

Gojo laughed at the ravenettes' words, a smile tugging at his lips "I know I don't need to protect you, 'Gumi, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm going to protect you anyways." He stated "You're still young, and we don't know anything about this universe, so let me handle this, okay?"

"Fine." Megumi replied plainly.

"Is there anything in paticular keeping you awake?" Gojo asked sincerely, genuine consern laced into his words.

The teenager let out a long sigh before speaking seriously "We aren't in our world- or universe- whatever. That much is clear but..." he swallowed roughly "... I don't understand how or why." His voice dropped to a volume barely a whisper "It scares me. I thought I was alone- trapped here with them- forever."

Gojo listened to his student, something tight clenching his heart as he listened to the ravenette.

Megumis's lip trembled and he paused for a short moment before-

"When that gun was put to my head I thought I was dead..." he admitted breathlessly "... yet somehow, I prefered that idea over living alone."

Gojo nodded in understanding before slipping off the balcony and striding towards Megumi. He gave the boy a sad smile as he dropped onto the carpeted floor beside his futon.

"Megumi..." Gojo begun quietly, fixing his gaze upon his student "You're not alone- you're not going to ever be alone. I'm here." He spoke with a strong, certain voice "Whatever happens we'll face it together- we'll find a way back home, i'm sure of it."

Megumi looked up at his mentor with wide eyes, nodding mutely.

Gojo gave the ravenette a soft smile before reaching out and flicking the tip of the boys nose. He rose to his feet.

"Agh!" Megumi yelped out in suprise, lifing a hand to cover the end of his nose protectively "The hell was that for?" He complained and Gojo just laughed.

"Get some sleep, Gumi." he ordered the younger, returning to perch on the windowsill.

Letting out a long, tired sigh Megumi rolled back over, allowing his eyes to slip shut.

It wasn't long before the boy fell into a deep sleep

___

Hurried footsteps rushed through the ruined building. Faster and faster.

A shout. A scream.

"It was supposed to be a second-grade!" A womans voice. Who was it?

Nobara! That was Nobaras' voice.

"What do we do?!" A panicked voice replied- lighter.

That voice was usually filled with joy and kindness- Yuji.

A flash of blue energy. A flood of dark shadows.

"I'll call Gojo-Sensei!"

That was his voice. Megumi Fushiguro.

More shouting. Crashes. Blood.

"Gojo-sensei!" Yuji shouted.

A blur of white. A blindfold.

A crash and then-

He was shouting- almost screaming-

"Kugisaki-! Itadori-!"

No, no, no, no.

"Gojo!"

No, no, no, no.

What was going on?

He was cold. He was warm.

....where am I?

___

Megumi opened his eyes with lightning speed. He was freezing cold yet felt dropplets of sweat drip from his face and hair. His breathing was short and labored. His dull eyes darted around.

"-egumi! Megumi!" A voice called. Gojo.

The room spun around him and a wave of nausea washed over Megumi, causing the teen to squeeze his eyes shut, gripping the sheets below him tightly. He pulled in a shaket breath, steadying himself before allowing his eyes to flutter open.

As he opened his eyes the room was dark- only illuminated by the moonlight that streamed in from the uncovered window.

As he looked up Megumis eyes met a pair of crystal eyes- swelling with consern.

"Goj-" a cough "Gojo-Sensei." The ravenette whispered out the name, staring at the man infront of him.

"Megumi." Gojo breathed a sigh of relife at hearing his students voice.

"Gojo-Sensei- what happened-?" The teenager questioned, his head still spinning from the strange dream.

Gojos' gaze fell do the ground "You were thrashing in your sleep. You shouted for Nobara-chan, Yuji-kun and..."

"...You." Megumi finished, finally remembering the dream.

The white-haired man nodded solemly.

There was a long silence until it was finally broke by Megumi.

"It wasn't a nightmare- not really." He started, and Gojo whipped his head up to look at the ravenette "it was abit fuzzy and unclear but..."

He met Gojos gaze with a bright gleam in his eyes.

"It was a memory."

Chapter Text

The rising sun painted the sky a warm tangerine. Light streaking from the golden sun and illuminating the agency office.

After the nightmare Megumi had been restless, stubborly clinging onto the faint traces of memory he could  piece together.

Gojo had tried to get his student to get some sleep but the ravenette had just grumbled saying that it was futile.

They'd both went the night with miminal rest.

Now, they stood in the office of the armed detective agency with Edogawa Ranpo, Doppo Kunikida and Osamu Dazai.

Megumi positioned himself close to his teacher- who was glaring daggers at the bandaged detective who had held tje ravanette at gunpoint.

There was a cold, underlying threat in his gaze and it made a chill curl up the teenagers spine.

"Its safe to say that there's alot more going on than enitally suspected here..." Ranpo begun, clearing his throat "But I think we've all came to the same conclusion."

Everyone shifted uncomfortably the same thought ringing in their minds-

"-This isn't our world."  Gojo finalised, crossing his arms. His voice was friendly but stern as he spoke with clear caution and a stunning edge of professionalism. It wasn't often Gojo Satoru was serious but he could be when he needed.

Ranpo nodded briskly at the words, emerald eyes narrowing.

The white-haired sorcerer sighed loudly "I get we're in a differen't world but I don't understand whyyy" he complained, rubbing his temple.

Dazai rolled his eyes slightly "Your the ones who have came cradhing into our world- wouldn't you know?"

Before Gojo could formulate a snarky responce Megumi cut in sharply "I think its obvious that we don't." He stated simply.

Kunikida huffed out a long breath "Stop provoking people Dazai." He deadpanned before turning his attention back to the duo infront of him "So, do you two know if anyone else fell through from your universe too?" He asked.

Megumi and Gojo glanced at eachother for a short moment- something heavy in the breif exchange- before Gojo looked towards Kunikida shaking his head.

"No. Not as far as we're aware." He replied solemly "I didn't even know Megumi was here until i'd heard word of a black-haired boy summoning two demon gods. If it weren't for his Shikigami being so recognisable I would've assumed I was the only one."

Kunikida didn't even want to ask what a 'Shikigami' was as he gave a firm nod "Right. So neither of you have any memory of how you got here."

The pair bristled at the mention of their memories and Megumi moved a hand to tug at the edge of his sleeve.

"Well I don't- it's all a blurr..." Gojo started slowly, shifting his stance to face his ward "But Megumi... uh..." he trailed off, gesturing towards the kid.

The prickly teenager coughed roughly into his hand before speaking seriously with a stoney look in his eyes "I remembered something in a n-" he paused " a dream, last night. It was unclear but I know that Gojo-sensei and two of my peers were there. There was fighting and..." he lifted his gaze to look at Gojo "Something has happened to bring us here." He said, certainly.

"So you belive somehing has triggered your apperance in this world?" Ranpo questioned "You mentioned two of your peers- if they're in your memory before you appeared here then I imagine there's possiblity they're here too." He stated simply, watching as the young boys eyes widened at the prospect.

"You really think?" He blurted- half quiet half firm. Unsure of himself but also so, so certain.

"I can't say for certain- but i'd count it as a possibility." Ranpo explained, earning a wordless nod from the teen.

Their was a breif silence as everyone processed the possibilty before a boy with dusty-white hair but into uneven, choppy bangs came bursting through the door.

"Dazai-san! Kunikida-san!" He called, his breathing short and ragged

Shortly behind the boy was a girl who looked to be slightly younger than Megumi with long violet hair and a red kimono and a bright-eyed boy about the same age dressed in denim overalls.

Kunikida appeared taken-aback at the young mans sudden arrival "oh, Atsushi. Welcome back, are you okay?" He greeted.

"Atsushi?" Gojo voiced, furrowing his brows.

"Right." Kunikida straightened- pushing his glasses up his nose bridge "Atsushi here is a member of the Armed Detective Acency. As are these two; Kyoka Izumi and Kenji Miyazawa." He introduced, gesturing towards the duo who had followed the white-haired boy into the office.

The boy- Atsushi- gulped down a breath before giving an affirmative hum. Once he could breathe again Atsushi looked towards Dazai with wide eyes "We just recived communication from the Port Mafia!" He exlaimed.

Megumi startled slightly at the mention of the Mafia- remembering his conflict with the strange black haired mafioso.

Gojo- noticing his students unatural reaction- turned towards the ravenette, his eyes narrowing behind the blindfold "You know what that is?"

The teenager winced at the question, averting his gaze "Sort of" he mumbled, elaborating when the blindfolded sorcerer raised a brow "I had an... altercation with someone from this 'Port Mafia', I don't actually know what their deal is though."

The blonde boy- Kenji- took note of the two strange individuals conversating in the Agency office, turing to Kunikida as he asked "Who are these guys?"

The older detective sighed, rubbing his temple "Now that's.... a long story" he decided.

In tandem, everyone in the room finally turned their attention back towards Atsushi who had calmed his enitally paniced breathing.

"What's this about the Port Mafia?" Ranpo questioned, now perched on the edge of his desk with his legs folded.

"Dazai-san sent me to investigate a suspicious shippment made to the Port Mafia but instead we recived a message from the leader Mori..." Atsushi explained, his body tense "Apparently, two teenagers infultrated the headquaters late last night and demanded access to the shippment. Mori has contacted the agency under the belief that the agency took an accociate of theirs into custody..." he explained "Something about the Mafia beliving them to be a band of dangerous ability users who all wear uniforms. Apparently one of them fought Akutagawa yesterday and the two abilitys cancled eachother out."

Ranpo whipped his gaze towards Megumi "Its you. You cancled Akutagawa-kun's ability." He deducted "and i'd bet anything thoes are your friends that are being held by the Mafia."

Megumi's dark eyes widened and he instantly flung his gaze towards Gojo.

"Hold up Atsushi-kun" Dazai started, confusion twisting his words "You said that they infultrated the Port Mafia to try and obtain a shippment? What would they even want that the Mafia has?" He questioned.

"No idea." Atsushi shrugged "I guess that shippment was more unusual than we origionally thought."

"So what now?" Megumi asked, his voice bleak and drained of any emotion- something distant and dark loomed in his eyes.

"Now we go to the Port Mafia and try work out some kind of deal to save your friends" Ranpo finalised.

"You think they'll hand them over? Just like that?" Gojo inquired, skeptically.

Ranpo smirked, his lips twisting upwards "No, I don't." He stated bluntly "That's why we're going to split up. Dazai and I will negotiate whilst Atsushi and Kunikida retrive kids."

Gojo bristled at that "And you expect us to wait here?" He scrutinized.

"It's not safe." Kunikida attempted reason with the older man, who merelt scoffed.

"Where I come from i'm the strongest- I think I can hold my own. I'm not leaving my students lives in the hands of people I don't know" he stated bluntly before sending a sharp glare towards Dazai "...or trust"

"What about Fushiguro-kun?" Ranpo inquired.

"I'm going too." Megumi replied instantly, not giving anyone else an opportunity to speak "They're my classmates. My friends. I'm going to help."

Kunikida sent a pleading look towards Gojo who merely shrugged "I'm not going to stop him. The kid's got skill. Besides, i'd much rather not deal with an angry Megumi-chan~." He laughed.

Kunukida let out a long sigh at the words, runnibg his long fingers through his messy golden hair "I think I know where the kid gets his stubborn attitude from." The man complained, earning a proud smirk from the white-haired sorcerer.

"I don't know, 'Gumi is more stubborn than I am" Gojo teased "Mabye I got my stubborness from him."

The teenager in question rolled his eyes "Shut up" he snapped at the annoying man "I will punch you."

"Awh" Gojo grinned "I love you too, Megumi."

Kunikida sighed, shaking his head dissaprovingly "Fine, I can't stop either of you. It's easier to bring you along then deal with the trouble later." He conceded "It's not like we know what either of them look like either way." He huffed.

"Oh! About that..." Atushi started, laughing nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck as he exteneded a small piece of paper towards Kunikida who accepted it.

The mans eyes widened as he examined the image and Atsushi explained "... we got this photograph attached to the message."

Walking towards Kunikida Gojo leaned over the detectived shoulder to look at the photograph. His breathing stuttered.

"Megumi, come look at this." Gojo called the boy over, and no one stopped him as the ravenette walked over and looked at the photograph.

Megumis' blood turned into cold ice.

Nobara and Yuji were unconscious- passed out on a dull, stone floor.

His heart thudded against Megumis ribs as he tucked his hands into his pockets to conseal the trembling that consumed them.

His friends. That was them. They're really here.

Were they hurt? Scared? Dying?

Each thought that rushed though his mind was more painfull and terrifying than the last.

Noticing his students disstress Gojo reached out a hand to touch his students shoulder- grounding the teen with a firm, comforting grip.

There was a thick, heavy silence that drowned the room before Dazai snached the image from Kunikidas hand "Thoes are the cells underneath the north sector of the Mafia's headquaters- near the  shipping containers." He deducted, examining the photograph "I should be able to give directions."

"Right." Ranpo nodded, nitting his hands together "I should be able to organise a good plan and we can leave in afew hours. Dazai, I need you to draw out a path for Kunikida-kun and the others to follow." Je ordered.

The agency errupted into conversationz Ranpo muttering plans that Kunikida noted diligently.

Amidst the conversation Megumi began to stumble towards the door.

"Hey, you arlight there?" Atsushi asked the teenager, consern flooding his eyes.

"Fine." Megumi replied quietly "I'll be back soon, I just need some air" he explained, his head pounding as he slipped out of the room.

Atushi felt worry tug at his chest as the black haired boy left the room.

Chapter Text

Drip. Drip. Drip

Cold water splashed against Yuji's cheek, rolling down just above his ear- dropplets landing in his rose-coloured hair.

A dull ache pounded in his skull and the teenager found himself groaning at the pain. Yuji gritted his teeth and pressed the palms of his hands against his closed eyes.

"You awake Itadori?" Nobaras voice, echoed from what sounded like a short distance away.

"Hmmm." Yuji hummed in responce, too tired to formulate words.

He heard Nobara huff a sigh "That Tachihara bastard must've really hit you hard. You've been out for hours." She informed him.

Just great.

Yuji grumbled smth under his breath as he rubbed his eyes befofe planting them against the stone below him- lifting his body up from the cold ground.

Glancing as his hands the teenager noticed two metal bands were clasped around his wrists- unattahched to anything. Yuji furrowed his brows at the bands- they didn't do anything.

Slowly, Yuji looked around, squinting at the fuzz of dark grays and brown rock around him- only illuminated by narrow bars of daylight.

"Ugh." Yuji grumbled, leaning his weight against the brick wall "Where did we go so wrong to end up here?" He complained.

"That's exactly what i've been wondering ever since I woke up" Nobara replied, tone agitated.

"Who even were thoes guys?" Yuji questioned, rubbing his temple.

"No idea." Nobara replied bringing up a hand to comb through her caramel hair "but in future we probably should make plans before attacking criminal organisations and demanding cursed objects..."

"Yeah." The pinkette agreed, sighing loudly "Where's Fushiguro when you need him?" He asked.

"For real." Nobara agreed "I hate to admit it but he's the logistic one on the group." She admitted reluctantly.

"Thoes idiots don't even know that they're dealing with and now they've locked us up here! Cursed objects are dangerous danmit!" Yuji snapped, gritting his teeth as fustration boiled in his chest.

"The hell is a cursed object?" A voice boomed out of knowhere.

Yuji and Nobara both jolted at the sound of the voice, suddenly alert. The duo looked through the narrow gaps between thick metal bars outside of the holding room.

Slumped against a wall just outside the cell was a short, lean man with ginger hair. He wore a formal oufit and a brown hat that matched well with his clothing.
He had pale skin and dazzling blue eyes that held a mischevious glint.

Realising he wasn't going to get an answer the man sighed softly before approaching the cell- his eyes more gentle somehow "You don't have to be so weary of me- i'm not on duty right now, i'm visiting on my own volition." He shrugged.

"Okay." Nobara replied sceptically, raising a brow "Who are you then?"

"Oh, i'm Chuuya." the man introduced casually "I'm an executive in the Port Mafia- but like I said you don't need to worry about that right now." He dissmissed with a wave of his gloved hand.

"Chuuya, huh." Yuji joined the conversation, noting the gingers name mentally "You said that you're an exactutive? Doesn't that mean you have more important things to do than mind a couple kids?" He questioned.

Chuuya smirked at the pinkettes words "I just told you i'm off-duty" he corrected the kid "besides who wouldn't be curious about a couple of teenagers who are rumored to be powerfull ability users."

Before the strange man could continue Nobara scoffed- "I wish people would stop saying that." She complained.

Chuuya blinked, confused as he asked, words filled with a genuine curiosity- empty of any malicious intent "Saying what?"

"Ability users." Nobara sneered, her voice mocking "I don't even know what that means."

Chuuya gaped, looking taken-aback, before speaking slowly "You don't know what an ability user is...?" He inquired carefully, searching the girls chestnut eyes for any signs that she was joking."

"Nope." She deadpanned, a frown evident on her face.

"Kid, I was told.that you're both ability users." Chuuya leveled "Surely you'd know if you both possesed some kind of supernatural powers- so if you're playong dumb-"

"-SUPERNATURAL POWERS?" Yuji sliced in, eyes swimming with suprise "Like- turning invisable? Or being able to fly?" He quizzed Chuuya, curiosity grappling his words.

"I mean- yeah?" The older man responded, dumbfound before shaking his head rapidly "Hold up you seriously don't know what i'm talking about?"

Before Yuji could speak Nobara huffed, fustration radiating off her "We already told you that we don't!" She snapped.

"Okay, okay" Chuuya withdrew, holding up his hands in an attempt to calm the girl "Jeez, can you blame a guy for being confused?" He grumbled.

"Do you have powers?" Yuji asked the red-head and Chuuya gave him a gracefull nod.

"Here, i'll show you." Chuuya demonstrated, picking a small pebble off the ground and holding it in his palm. After a brief moment the tiny rock began to shine with a faint crimson glow before shooting up towards the celing with ungodly speed.

"Woah!" Yuji exlaimed, his chocolate eyes blown wide in shock "How did you do that?!" He squawked.

"Gravity manipulation." Chuuya explained proudly, a soft smile playing at his lips "My special ability allows me to change the gravity of anyhing I touch."

"That's so cool." Yuji breathed, overtaken by suprise and even Nobaras' enitally uninterested apperance had conterted into one of amazement.

Chuuya frowned at the expression of the kids faces. Real, consuming shock.

They knew nothing about special abilitys. They weren't lying- he was sure of it.

Stping a firm step back Chuuya glanced at the ground below him "What are your names?" He asked quietly.

The two teens blinked at him in suprise, giving eachother a slightly unvertain look before introducing themselfs.

"Yuji Itadori"

"Nobara Kugisaki"

Chuuya nodded diligently, noting the two names mentally. "And..." he swallowed "You know nothing about Special Abilitys?"

The question merely recived the shaking of heads.

The ginger fell quiet and a long silence filled the air before the older spoke- his tone hushed.

"I'm sorry" Chuuya apologised, rising to his feet "I belive you- I really do- but the boss is certain you and that both of you alongside that other boy who's apparently your friend have dangerous abilitys." He explained "and I heard from Akutagawa himself about the encounter. I'm sure there's more going on than we know but..."

He trailed off and the two teens sighed.

"You can't help us can you?" Yuji asked, his voice heavy.

Chuuya winced slightly at the question "I'm sorry kid. I can't ignore direct orders though to help either of you- i have no reason to." He apologised sympathetically.

Chuuya stared at the two teens with large, soft ocean eyes for a long moment before turing on his heel and walking towards the stairwell.

"Goodbye." He waved farewell as he trailed away until he stopped-

Chuuya spared the two teens a glance over his shoulder, grinning as he said "Oh, but if you kids do try to escape-

Good-luck!"

Chapter Text

"Where are we going?" Megumi whispered, trying to keep his voice low as they crept through the underground pathways of the Port Mafia.

Kukikida scatched his head, fumbling with the piece of parchment that Dazai had scrawled directions of where they needed to go onto.

"Danm Dazai." Kunikida cursed, his voice barely above a whisper.

"What's the matter Kunikida-san?" Atsushi asked, confusion painting his words.

Kunikida sighed, fustration itching his tone "Dazai gave me some very unspecific and confusing directions." He complained.

"So- we're lost?" Atsushi summarised and Kunikida grumbled in responce"

"Yes Atsushi." The blonde haired man replied, his voice bored "We're lost."

They'd been searching these tunnels for what felt like an eternity. He'd been formally introduced with the detective known as Atsushi Nakajima before being partnered with him and Doppo Kunikida on the assignment to recover his classmates from the organisation known as the Port Mafia and somewhere above Ranpo, Dazai and Gojo had been sent to 'negotiate' with Mori.

The two detectives sighed and Megumi shifted uncomfortably were he stood, unsure of what to do.

"Very well then." Kunikida said decisively "We'll split up- I'll go Right. Atsushi, you take Fushiguro-san and go left." the dectective ordered.

Atsushi nodded obediently and Megumi mimicked the older boys action before the pair turned and traveled left.

"Be carefull!" The blonde detective shouted after the two boys and Atsushi waved affirmitively.

"We will!" The boy replied.

Atushi and Megumi shuffled down each tunnel in a suffocating silence until the detective spoke.

"If you see any hints to were your friends might be let me know. Since Dazais' instructions were... rough, we're going to have to rely on ourselves." Atushi explained in a hushed voice, and the ravenette he was speaking to listened intently "If you see anyone down here its likely they're working for the mafia, so don't worry about me and hide- even if a fight breaks out or even if I get hurt you need to make sure that you run. You're younger than me so it's my job to make sure you're not hurt."

Megumi nodded, his composure formal as he spoke clearly in a polite manner "I appriciate the consern Nakajima-san, but I'm perfectly capable of handling myself. If something happens I don't instend to flee. I knew the risk in comming here." He declared with a deadly calm.

Atsushi winced slightly at the ravenettes words "I know but-" he started before glancing up at Megumis eyes. They were bright and filled with conviction.

Sighing, Atushis shoulders slumped "You know what? I'm not going to argue with you." He decided "Though please just call me Atsushi- 'Nakajima-san' sounds too formal from someone only three years younger than me."

Megumi simply noddded at the older boys words, his head bopping gracefully.

The duo crept through the undeground of the mafia- footsteps echoing though the silent passageways. Each clack bounced off the bare stone walls; lines of gray and mousy coloured rock bound together by thick layers of cement.

It was empty and cold. The air was stangant and it tasted of dust.

Just before rounding a corner they'd pause, crouching slightly and pressing their bodys against the uneven stone walls before leaning to poke their heads around and peer into the next desolate passage.

They continued like this, travling with precise and planned footsteps and keeping  their breathing low. They exploread each tunnel for any sight of thick metal bars and listned for the sound of any voices.

They looked and looked until a sharp, dry voice sliced through the air like a dagger "What do either of you suppose you're doing down here?" The voice snapped and both Atushi and Megumi swiveled towards the sound- recognition flooding both of their eyes.

"Jinko." the voice sneered. Ryuunouske Akutagawa.

Atushi stumbled back slightly at the sight of the familiar dark-haired mafioso, expression twisting into simting half-bitter, half-pleading as he whispered; "Akutagawa."

Akutagawa tore his gaze away from the tiger-boy, setting his eyes upon the young sorcerer beside him "and you" the mafioso sneered, discust dripping fron each word.

Atsushis gaze flickered between Akutagawa and Megumi. He felt lost. Uncertain. And something twisted painfully in his gut.

"Akutagawa i'm going to need you to step aside-" Atushi attempted to reason. Futile, fragile words that were swept aside without a moments consideration.

"Shut up, Jinko." Akutagawa silenced, and the white-haired detective gritted his teeth. "I shouldn't be suprised to see hat this one is in accociation with the agency" he scoffed, gunmetal-gray eyes trailing over Megumi.

Akutagawa raked his gaze over the teenager before something dark twisted his expression. His eyes, however, grew softer and something glimmered in the silver edge of his pupils. Pain. Longing. "He's not another useless stray Dazai took pity on is he?" He scoffed, discust overtaking his composure as he glared at Megumi- yet something sad still lingered in thoes eyes. Regret? Jelousy?

"His accociation with the agency is none of your buissiness." Atushi defended swiftly, taking a protective step infront of Megumi.

"Tsk." Akutagawa sneered "I think it is my bussiness when he's sneeking around the mafia's territory." He repremanded, earning a miniscule flinch from Atsushi.

"Look Akutagawa, we're here to get two of the mafias prisioners- not cause a massive conflict." Atushi explained, desperate to appease.

The dark haired mafioso merely rolled his eyes, flaring his nostrils. Within a moment a tendril of Rashomon shot out- moving at lighting speed- until it was pressed flush against Atushis throat.

"I'm afraid I can't allow you to go any further. You were a fool to come here alone with nothing more than this boy as back up." Akutagawa critisized.

Atsushis glare hardened "I'm not alone. Ranpo-san and Dazai-san are upstairs right now speaking with your boss." He snarked.

Akutagawa took a sharp intake of breath at Dazais' name, his composure going stiff. Megumi blinked, noticing the strange shift in composure, but kept his obseration to himself- keeping his lips pressed shut.

"Dazai-san?" Akutagawa repeated, sounding breathless. Frozen.

Taking advantage of Akutagawas moment of distraction Atsushi transformed his hand into the paw if the were-tiger; clasping into the tentril of rashomon and wrenching it away from his pale neck.

Megumi stepped forward towards Atsushi but the detective whipped his gaze towards the teen, eyes blown wide "Stay back Fushiguro-kun!" he pleaded, and Megumi froze dead in his tracks.

"But-" Megumi started but was silenced quickly.

"No." Atsushi barked "Run Fushiguro, now!" He called, but the boy in question didn't move.

Should he run? Should he fight?

Atushi leaped towards Akutagawa, his speed much more efficent than Megumi has imagined. Another tendril of rashomon  spriraled towards the tiger-boy but he dodged it with practiced ease before swiping a iron-sharp claw towards the mafioso.

The weretigers eyes blazed as he swung for Akutagawa, and the boy ducked the attack- but not before his cheek was grazed by the claw slicing the soft skin on his face.

Akutagawa wiped away the crimson blood trickling down his chin, muttering a sharp curse beneath his breath. A second passed before three charcoal tenrils snapped towards Atsushi- one striking a large gash in the boys shoulder. Thankfully, the tiger-boy mangaed to escape the other two tendrils which lashed againt the smooth stone of the walls.

Pouncing off the wall Atsushi landed on the ground with grace before sliding accross the flor and delivering a sharp, violent kick to Akutagawas abdomen, sending the mafioso tumbling back.

The raven-haired man gasped at the sharp kick, sending a small tentril of Rashomon for the wererigers leg, that peirced through skin and muscle.

Atsushi cried in pain, letring out a stangled scream as he ripped the strand of rashomon out of his leg.

Still tumbling backwards, Akutagawa slammed into stone, a sharp pain piercing his skull as it smacked into the solid wall. The mafioso clutched his lower stomach, coughing violently between ragged breaths. He cringed slightly at the red that now poured fron his chapped lips.

Atsushi and Akutagawa both pulled themselfs back up into a fighting stance and Megumi gaped as the two struggled.

Now. He would act now.

Dashing forward Megumi flung himself towards Akutagawa- earning a cry of protest from Atsushi- but was stopped when a crushing weight sent his body slamming into the concrete ground below. What.

"All of you stop!" A cool voice interjected into the fight "What the hell are you doing?"

Atsushi and Akutagawa felt both their bodies tense, both boys pausing in their tracks.

"Nakahara-san!" Akutagawa gaped, his silver eyes now fixed directly on the executive.

"What's going on?" he demanded and Megumi still couldn't move. A faint rose glow illuminated off his skin and it was like his entire body was being forced down.

Atsushi and Akutagawa both looked away sheepishly so Megumi took the opportunity to speak "Look, I don't know who the hell any of you guys are..." he gritted out, his body shaking with the effort of attempting to rise from his hunched position on the ground "... but i'm here to get my friends, so stay out of my danm way."

Chuuya raised a brow "your... friends?" He questioned before realisation flooded his ocean eyes and he flung his gaze towards the dark-haired mafioso.

"Akutagawa, is this the boy you fought with down town?" He inquired, hearing a brisk nod from Akutagawa.

"Yes, Nakahara-san." He confirmed.

Chuuya frowned "How many times have I told you that just Chuuya is fine..." the executive complained, muttering before he shook his head.

Snapping his fingers Chuuya released Megumi from the grasp of his ability, and the boy relaxed at the loss of pressure before shakily rising to his feet.

Atsushi darted towards Megumi, hands hovering above him apprihensively as the teenager swayed slightly for a moment.

"Wha-" Akutagawa blanked, confused.

Tucking his hands into his pockets Chuuya brushed passed Atsushi, walking calmly towards his colleague "Let them go Akutagawa." He ordered with a level tone.

"What? Why?!" Akutagawa demanded but Chuuya temporarly blanked the younger boy.

"Take two lefts, a right, and another left." Chuuya advised, sparing the two boys a glance "That's where your friends are."

"Why are you helping us?" Megumi inquired skeptically.

Sighing, Chuuya shrugged "I've never been a fan of the Mafia taking kids capture." He admitted "consider it a win for both of us- besides I belive there's more going on here than the Port Mafia is aware of, so i'll leave this one to the Armed Detective Agency"

Megumi and Atushi found themselves speechless and Chuuya continued.

"I'll warn you now though..." the red-head warned, his voice taking a dark edge "If you cause any problems for myself, Akutagawa or the port mafia, I will kill you for the safety of thoes I care about." he threatened.

Swallowing roughly Megumi nodded "Understood." He answered briskly.

Giving a small bow, Atsushi wasted no time before grasping Megumis arm, gesturing for them to continue ahead.

Without any rebuke Megumi complied, following Atsushi as they raced through the passageways, following Chuuyas directions.

Once the two boys were out of earshot Chuuya  turned to Akutagawa, consern evident on his face "are you alright Akutagawa?" He asked softly "You're bleeding."

Feeling a pang of shame Akutagawa covered his face, trging to wipe away the blood "I'm fine." The mafioso assured.

Frowning Chuuya huffed a sigh "If you say so..." he relented, shoulders slumping.

Finished wiping the blood off his face Akutagawa slipped his gaze back to the executive beside him "are you sure letting them go was the best idea?" He questioned, his voice wasn't critial but instead calm and calculated- like he was trying to make sense of the situation with a clearer mind.

Chuuya hummed in responce "I can't be one hundred percent sure about anything" he admitted "But I have a good feeling that letting them go was the best decision."

Nodding, Akutagawa silently a accepted his superiors words, slipping his hands into the large pockets of his trenchcoat. A moment passed and then he asked "What are we going to tell Mori about how they got away?" He questioned.

The shorter man grinned widely "Let who get away Akutagawa?" He asked, voice mischevious "I don't recall encountering anyone down here."

So they were feigning arrogance then.

Sighing, Akutagawa followed Chuuya who was now striding away.

"Come on." The exective called, gesturing for the mafioso to stay with him "we'll get your injuries patched up. You don't take care of yourself well enough, knowing the way you are you'd walk around all day hurt." He complained, fixing the boy with a caring yet critical stare.

Akutagawa and Chuuya walked.

Somewhere in the same passageways Atsushi and Megumi ran.

Chapter Text

"Well this is certainly unexpected~" Mori chided, an amused smile twisting his lips.

Osamu Dazai, Edogawa Ranpo and a strange blindfolded man stood infront of him and a thick silence hung in the air.

"Hello Mori-san." Dazai greeted, a cold grin twisting his features "We need a little favour."

"Is that so?" Mori inquired, a bright gleam illuminating his violet eyes "and what possibly could that be?"

"I think you no perfectly well why we're here..." The detecrive replied, sounding half-amused half-bored.

Mori trailed his fingers elegantly along the smooth mahogany of his desk- tracing the scratches and imprefections that'd formed from his own bordem enticing him into jabbing the wood with a scalpel.

For a moment, the boss' face was blank from emotion as he spoke- tone sounding utterly unimpressed "Yes I do." He finally replied "After all, I was the one who extended communication with the armed detective agency."

"However, I must say..." Mori continued, fixing Gojo with a threatening glare "I'm almost humored by the fact you brought another one of these strange ability users along with you." He commented, bis voice almost critical.

Gojo opened his mouth to speak but quickly snapped it shut when Ranpo begun to speak instead "His name is Gojo Satoru" the detective introduced the sorcerer "and he's merely here to negotiate for the freedom of his commerads." He stated simply.

Smirking, Mori flopped his head to one side, strands of dark hair falling infront of his eyes "I see." He said simply. Entertained.

"Look I don't know who you think you are..." Gojo begun, keeping his voice level as he crossed the room towards Moris desk in long strides. He paused when he reached Moris desk, placing one palm flat against the polished wood and used the other to tug aside the soft fabric of his blindfold; his fire-blue eyes blazing "but thoes are my students you're keeping down there, so unless you agree to release them we're going to have a problem."

"Is that so?" Mori replied, raising an eyebrow, a sadistic hint to his voice.

There was a dense, heavy tension in the air and silence surrounding them felt excuritiatingly loud

"Woah, woah!" Dazai exclaimed- his tone frustratingly playfull- as he placed a hand on Gojos shoulder "Easy there. Lets not go starting fights just yet." He taunted.

Unaturally calm, Gojo tore his hand from the wooden desk before relcutantly complying with Dazais words- rereating back with a firm step.

He kept his blindfold off for the time being, and when Dazai peered up into thoes crystal eyes he startled "Wow." He blurted, his voice a blend of amusement and suprise "your eyes are freaky."

Gojo pointedly ignored Dazais comment, keeping his eyes trained on the mafia leader.

Rubbing his temple, Mori sighed, before turning  towards Ranpo "Hey, why aren't you the one doing the talking?" He complained.

"Oh i'm just here incase these two fail." Ranpo shrugged, his voice light "I could trick and manipulate you into doing whatever I wished if I really wanted to, but for now i'm just observing."

Nodding, Mori ran a hand through his dark hair "So, since you didn't all come here just to chit-chat, remind me why I should hand over the two teenagers that infultrated my Mafia?" He asked, his voice sweet like honey.

"Kugisaki-xhan and Itadori-kun are just kids, I'll take resonsibility for whatever it is they've done." Gojo leveled before pausing "did they state why they were ever here?" He eventually asked.

Mori let out a long breath, giving a half shrugg "We recived an offer from an accociate of the Mafias claiming that he'd encountered something unusual- the seller has a special ability that is able to assess the danger and power of an object through simple touch. So when the Port Mafia revived an offer to purches this item it seemed foolish to refuse- especially since his ability is yet to fail the Mafia in the past." Mori explained, before focusing his gaze on Gojo "but when this shippment arrived your two students arrived demanding it."

Gojo startled "What would they want with an object purchased by a Mafia?"

Mori shrugged "I'm not sure myself- I was going to have them thrown out-mabye have their legs or arms broken to teach them a lesson" he explained "but then the boy started rambling about things i'd never heard of, like cursed energy and cursed objects-"

Gojo listened with wide eyes.

"- and then some nonsense about a finger."

He took in a sharp intake of breath.

Shit. If one of Sukunas fingers was here, who knew what kind of trouble that could cause. It put everyones lives in danger. This world in danger.

Noticing Gojos shift in demeanor Ranpos green eyes widened, noticing the link between this mystery object and the other mans distress.

"So." Dazai begun abruptly, and all eyes in the room turned to him "You bought the object based on a strong reassurance upon the seller, so i'd assume you've known them for a long time- you'd never shared the specifics or details of each seller's abilitys to thoes in the Mafia unless neccecary- but based on your clear trust, i'd bet the seller was Hiroto Tamaki since I remember seeing his name on many illegal records during my time at the mafia." He paused, before speaking again; confidently "As for your plans for the kids, you already suspected that they don't posses natural supernatural abilitys. You wanted them here to try and figure out why their perception of realist is so different to ours but when thinking this you also realised that for once you know nothing." He sneered "and so instead of risking your organisation it was easier to contact the agency and pawn the kids off to someone else... but now we're here you're conflicted between your desire to learn more about the usual abilitys the teens posses or to assure the mafias safety."

Mori gave Dazai a deadly glare, but the detective merely gave the man a lazy grin, leaning onto his desk.

"And now..." Dazai continued "You're fustrated because you have no clue what the correct decision is~"

For a moment the room was silent.

For a moment Dazai leaned against the desk with an amused expression even though his eyes held a boundless darkness.

For a moment Gojo just watched- purely in awe.

For a moment Mori's expression was a perfect facade of stone.

For a moment...

It all ended when Mori began laughing- the sound loud and twisted as he paid no reguard for anyone else in the room.

Once the port mafia boss was done with his fit of laughter he leaned forward, meeting Dazais eyes "Well played Dazai." He praised "you would've made a fine leader for the Port Mafia to succeed me... it's a shame you chose to leave and mingle with these detectives instead." The man mused.

Dazai stayed silent as he continued to match Moris stare.

"However you did miss one minute detail..." Mori tutted disspointedly, his shoulders slumping.

"Oh?" Dazai inquired, taking a step away from the table and tucking his hands into the large pockets of his beige trench coat.

"It's that i'm more than aware you've sent others from your little Agency to go and free the children." He stated bluntly.

Gojo, Dazai and Ranpo all collectively jumped at the words, bodys turning tense.

"What did you do-?" Gojo hissed but Mori simply raised a gloved hand to silence him.

"Relax." Mori stated calmly "I've not sent anyone to intercept your students escape. They'll leave the mafia unscathed- assuming they aren't found by one of my Mafiosos."

"Why?" Ranpo asked simply. He didn't elaborate. He didn't have to.

"Whatever object I posses was enough to strike fear into thoes two kids, so whatever abilitys they possess doesn't matter" Mori stated quite blatantly "I have something they desire- something with real power, so essentially they'll listen to me if they want that thing back." He explained.

"I see, so you belive power comes in leverage?" Ranpo asked, his voice darkening.

Mori remained silent and Ranpo huffed a laugh, turning on his heel.

"Gojo-san." the dark haired detective called "Dazai."

He reached the office door, grasping the gold-painted handle with a pale hand as he swung open the large wooden door.

He glances back at the other man, his emerald eyes glowering "Lets go back to the Agency-"

"- we have no further bussiness here."

Chapter Text

Megumi ran. His feet moving in rapid succession as he followed Atsushi around the corneer- abandoning the two Port Mafia members in the dark, damp passageway.

Only when they'd took their second left that the rush of panic had begun to fade and both boys slowed their pace.

They'd been looking for Nobara and Yuji- only to be stopped in their tracks by the silver-eyed mafioso known as Akutagawa. He was the same man who'd  preciously encountered Megumi, rendering his demon dogs useless, before escaping without a trace- well accept from the thick feild of smoke rolling through the air and the huddled of trembling citizens.

Megumi had then been taken into custody by the Armed Detective Agency and accused of being an an accomplice.

He'd hated Akutagawa- but back there something seemed off about him. Almost human. Almost childish. It cracked the heartless picture Megumi had formed of the mafioso in his mind when he saw the pain and fear welling in the mans eyes at the mention of Dazai.

Then they'd fought. Atsushi and Akutagawa exchanging ruthless, bloody blows. Inflicting gashes and bruises.

And... Megumi had done nothing. Nothing.

He's went to move- to summon his shikigami- but everytime he's gathered the courage he remembered his first confrontation with Akutagawa.

That flash of light. The piercing pain. That heavy, breathless feeling- as if he was going to die.

His ability had the possibility to create the situation worse and all he could think was-

'What if I hurt Atsushi?'

'What if I can't control my ability?'

'What if I get in the way?'

'What if it's worse than last time and I accidently kill someone?'

He couldn't summon his shikigami to help- but he couldn't bring himself to flee either.

He was useless.

Suddenly, Megumis legs stopped moving- and he found himself stood, unmoving in the chilled passageway.

Noticing that Megumi had stopped mid-sprint Atsushi paused his own running, turning around to look at the younger boy.

"Fushiguro-kun?" He called, consern and confusion lacing his tone "are you okay?"

Swallowing roughly, Megumi fell into a deep bow, closing his eyes and speaking in a quiet, aplogetic voice "I'm sorry." he begun, his tone gentle "I didn't help you back there- and I didn't listen when you told me to run either."

Atsushi blinked, baffled for a moment before waving his arms frantically as he stuttered out a reply "H-Hold up, you don't need to be sorry! I'm the one who told you not to fight- and sure I asked you to run but everything turned out alright in the end- right?!" He assured nervously.

Megumi raised his head from the bow, looking at the detective with wide blue eyes.

Atsushi rubbed the back of his neck nervously as he looked away bashfully "I will say I am suprised you didn't try and fight though- I didn't want you to fight of course!- but I half expected you to reguarless" the tiger-boy admitted "Actually...why didn't you?" He finally dared to ask and the boy in question looked away.

Megumi looked towards the wall as he spoke, his hands clenched into lose fists at either side of his body, as he avoided meeting the older boys gaze "I was scared that if I summoned my Shikigami to fight it'd cause more problems than it would help- last time I fought that man..." he winced "...I was knocked out cold by my own power."

Atsushi nodded understandingly "I get it- your abilitys acted strange when it last clashed with rashomon and you didn't want that to happen again right?" He summarised, his voice feather light "I don't blame you- I probably wouldn't want to use my ability in your shoes either- so don't sweat it." He affirmed, waving a hand towards Megumi.

The ravenette simply nodded, giving Atsushi a miniscule smile and the detective returned the gesture.

"Come on" Atsushi encouraged the younger boy "lets go find your friends!"

"Right!" Megumi agreed, breaking into a sprint alongside Atsushi.

They followed the directions given to them by Chuuya until they found themselfs along a passage lined with holding cells.

Fire pumped through Megumis veins as he sprinted down the passageway "Kugisaki! Itadori!" He called.

"Fushiguro?!" A voice replied- close. So close. It was Nobara.

Megumi dashed towards the sound of his classmates voice, and grasped onto the metal bars of the cell when he reached it.

He panted, his chest rising and falling rapidly as his gaze landed upon Nobara and Yuji stood towards the front of the stone-lined cell.

"Fushiguro?! What are you doing here?!" Yuji exlaimed, rushing to the bars to get a closer look at his friend.

"I've come to get you guys out of here." He explained.

"It's really good to see you Fushiguro." Yuji admitted, breathing a sigh of relief.

Beside him, Nobara hummed in agreement "Itadori's right, it's nice to see you!" She cheered before pausing "I hate to admit it but me and Itadori don't always make the best decisions without you..." she admitted.

Megumi rolled his eyes at the comment "Yeah I can see that." He snarked.

"How did you know we were here?!" Itadori inquired, curiosity illuminating his eyes.

"It's a long story..." Megumi decided pausing for a moment before furrowing his brow "how did you know I was here? You don't look very suprised to see me either." The ravenette deadpanned.

"Oh!" Yuji started " The creepy boss guy upstairs told us you were here- said you caused trouble for one of his Mafios... or something like that." He explained, sounding fustratingly unsure of himself.

"Creepy boss guy?" Megumi echoed, confusion evident in his tone as he tilted his head slighlt to the side.

"That would be Ogai Mori I imagine." Atsushi sliced into the conversation and all three of the teenagers gazes landed on him "He's the current leader of the Port Mafia- he holds alot of social power in Yokohama."

Megumi made a small 'oooh' sound in acknowledgement and Nobara gave a firm nod of understanding- but it was Yuji that poked his head uncomformfortably between the cold iron bars, turning his head to try and get a clear view of Atsushi as he asked "Who are you?"

Atsushi straightened slightly at being adressed before bowing his head "I'm Atsushi Nakajima and i'm a detective from the Armed Detective Agency." He introduced.

"A detective?! Cool!" Yuji chirped- not even bothering to ask if the boy was even on their side "I'm Yuji Itadori" he said gestiring to himself "and this is Nobara Kugisaki!" He then exclaimed, gesturing towards the brunette beside him.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." The white haired detective said as way of greeting, smiling softly.

"Yeah same here!" Yuji agreed, grinning with a smile woven from sunshine.

"Nakaji-" Megumi begun before cutting himself off "Atsushi-san is an ally. You can trust him." He corrected, remembering the detectived previous request that Megumi adressed him by his first name.

There was a silent acknowledgement that lingered in the aif before Megumi crouched slightly, digging his hand through his toruser pocket before plucking out a thin, long metal pin which the ravenette quickly inserted into the keyhole.

"Woah!" Nobara exlaimed "I didn't know you could pick a lock Fushiguro?!" She noted, mouth falling agape.

The boy in question merely shrugged, moving the metal pin with practiced precision, his eyes focused on the keyhole as he spoke in a smooth, calm voice "Gojo-sensei bought me a lock-picking kit one christmas."

"A lock picking kit?" Yuji questioned, raising a brow questioningly "Why?"

"Who knows." Megumi grumbled, shrugging once again "Honestly I don't think anyone knows half of what that man thinks- I suppose that atleast one of his weird gifts is comming in handy now though." He admitted.

"One of his weird gifts?" Nobara echoed with an amused grin "so you mean there were others?" She pressed, earning a loud sigh from her classmate.

"You don't even wanna know the half of it..." Megumi complained until something bright sparked in his eyes "Actually, speaking of Gojo-Sensei, he's here too."

"GOJO-SENSEI IS HERE?!" Yuji and Nobara practically screamed oy to be hushed quickly by Megumi and Atsushi.

"Shhh! Do you want us to be caught?!" Megumi scolded, pressing a silencing finger against his lips before returning to pick the lock with haste.

"Sorry, sorry" Itadori apologised, raising a hand up apologetically "but... Gojo-Sensei is here?!" He whisper shouted.

Shoulders slumping with a huff of breath Megumi nodded stiffly "He's upstairs with some of the others from the Agency- i'm sure we'll see him soon."

"Gojo-sensei~" Nobara and Yuji cheered together in a sing-song voice, earning a dissprooving snort from their classmate.

Suddenly, Megumi felt the lock click beneath his pale fingers and he wasted no time before dropping the sharp pin back into his pocket and tugging the cell gate open.

It was stiff but still opened with a forcefull yank, freeing the two teenagers.

Nobara and Yuji practically leaped though the now open cell, cheering brightly.

"We're free!" Yuji  celebrated, wiping a non-existant tear from under his eye dramatically.

Megumi huffed "Yes but there's just one issue..."

"Oh? What's that?" The pink-haired boy asked, his voice becoming abit more serious but Megumi ingored him instead turning to Atsushi.

"How do we get out of here?" The ravenette asked the detective.

Atsushi paled at the question, his eyes blowing wide open "I-uh-" he pondered glancing around.

A moment passed and the white haired detective met Megumis gaze, rubbing the back of his neck nervously as he admitted "I have no idea how to get out of here..." in a timid voice.

The three teens practically deflated at the words but they all perked up when a voice boomed down the passageway.

"Atsushi!"

Kunikida was spriting down the passage, his gloden hair abit aloof and breathing tired as he finally reached the group.

"Kunikida-san!" Atsushi, cried out, waving at the other detective.

"Thank goodness" Kunikida sounding breathless and relief filling his voice as his gaze landed on Nobara and Yuji "You found them."

When Kunikida stopped he quickly glanced over each of  them- checking for injuries- and when he reached Atsushi-

"You okay Atsushi? You look a little roughed up there." He asked but the younger boy merelt waved of his conserns.

"I'm sore but thankfully nothing too serious- the tiger healed most my injuries." He explained and Kunikida nodded.

"Good- but why were you injured in the first place?" The blonde man inquired, narrowing his emerald eyes.

Atsushi winced slightly "oh we might've been caught by Akutagawa-" he admitted.

"YOU WERE WHAT?!" Kunikia bellowed but Atsushi was quick to jump to his own defence.

"It's fine! I'll explain on the way back, but I don't think anyone is looking for us now." The younger boy explained drawing a sigh out of Kunikida.

Pushing aside the new information Kunikida set his line of sight upon Nobara and Yuji.

"I'm Doppo Kunikida, a member of the Armed Detective Agency like Atsushi here." The blonde said by way of greeting.

In return, Nobara and Yuji introduced themselfs too.

"This is nice and all but we need to get back to the Agency." Kunikida declared causing Atsushi to whip his gaze towards the older man.

"You know how to get back?!" Atsushi asked, allowing hope to flicker in his two-toned eyes.

"Fortunately, yes." Kunikida declared, turning to walk away "Come on follow me."

Megumi and Atsushi exchanged a glance, relief on both their expressions alongside... acknowledgement.

Acknowledgement for the mutual respect they now shared, something warm and friendly.

As they muddled through the passageways to leave Atsushi explained the confrontation with Akutagawa, how they'd fought, and how the executive Chuuya had saved them.

Just afew meters behind Megumi, Nobara and Yuji were all partaking in casual conversation- teasing eachother and laughing- finally reunited.

When they finally exited the Port Mafia underground and the building itself they were faced with a flood of soft sunlight.

The sky was crystal blue and the gentel breeze tugged cotton clouds through the air. It was hot but not sweltering- just enough to provide a comforting warmth.

Outside, already surrounded by the sunlight waited Osamu Dazai, Edogawa Ranpo and...

"GOJO-SENSEI!" Yuji called out, sprinting towards their teacher and Nobara  followed him, hardly an arms length behind the pinkette.

Gojo released his infinity, embracing both kids as they crashed into his open arms.

"Yuji-Kun!" He cheered glancing towards the pink-haired boy.

"Nobara-chan!" He called now looking at the girl who had her arms wrapped around his torso.

He slid his long arms around both students, smiling as his eyes twinkled beneath the blindfold that rested comfortably once again over his face.

Megumi, however, didn't rush towards his teacher- instead remaining a short distance behind Atsushi and Kunikida.

Shifting akwardly he waited with the two detectives for a moment, watching Gojo up ahead dotting on his classmates, until he cleares his throat.

"Atsushi-san. Kunikida-san." He adressed and both detectived turned towards him.

"Thank you." Megumi breathed, his voice filled with grattitude "for helping me. For helping Gojo-sensei. For helping my friends... and for everything you've done for us so far."

He bowed his head deeply and jumped when a large hand tustled his spiky black hair "No problem, kid." Kinikidas deep voice assured.

Megumi lifted his gaze to find the two detectives smiling at him. 

Atsushi blushed slightly at Megumis thanks, crossing his arms behind his back as he grinned cheerfully "It was my pleasure Fushiguro-kun!" He returned.

The corners of Megumis lips curled up into a genuine smile.

"Go on." Kunikida ushered gesturing towards Gojo, Nobara and Yuji "go join your friends."

With that Megumi wasted no time before dashing towards his sensei.

Chapter Text

Yuji and Nobara looked around in wonder as they entered the Armed Detective Agency office.

It was bright- with large clear windows and clean floors covered in mint-green tiles. There was half a dozen desks- each covered in scattered papers and a miryad of different pens.

The group of detectives followed by a perky Gojo and a suprisingly content Megumi followed in tow.

Four detectives were in the office- Kunikida, Ranpo, Dazai, Atsushi and Yosano- who had only just appeared, leaning against the doorway and observing silently.

Sighing Kunikida leaned against his desk, adjusting his glasses to rest more comfortably over hos nose before turning to Dazai.

"So, you mentioned that Mori was already prepared for our arrival but didn't do anything- why?" Kunikida questioned.

Dazai ran a bandaged hand through his soft, chocolately hair "Honestly, who knows for sure why he does anything- but if I had to guess Mori is avoiding risking the unknown." The detective mused with a light chuckle "he has no intel on people that don't exist in this world. So instead of gambling his organisation it's much easier to let the Agency play that risk instead." He explained.

Ranpo nodded in agreement with Dazais words "Yes, that does seem to be the most logical explaination- I still think we should be weary of the Mafia though." He concluded.

Dazai snapped his figngers "Right!" He exclaimed "what was all that about some musty old finger anyways? Is it really that dangerous?"

Megumi furrowed his brows in annoyance "that 'musty old finger' has the power to ruin lives." He snapped "that is the finger of the king of curses Ryomen Sukuna- if someone were to consume that finger we'd all be in danger."

Dazai merely blinked at the boys words "consume? You mean like eat it? Ew." The brunette laughed "who the heck in the right mind would eat a finger anyways?" He dissmissed.

The ravenettes glare hardened "You're not taking this seriously!" Megumi scolded "also Itadori was stupid enough to eat one" he proclaimed, jabbing a finger towards his friend.

The pink-haired boy in question pouted "Oi Fushiguro! You don't get to ridicule me just because i'm stupid! I ate that finger to save your life." He defended, huffing a sigh and crossing his arms tightly over his chest.

Kunikida wrinkled his nose "you ate a finger... so save him?" He puzzled before shaking his head "hold up. I think now we have the time now would be a good opporunity to clearly evaluate the difference between our worlds."

Ranpo waz quick to agree "Yeah, it's clear you posses some kind of powers but it doesnt seem to work the same as thr abilitys from our worlds- i'd like if you could tell us about how things work where you're all from." He prompted, a hopefull yet curious gleam in his emerald eyes.

"Right." Gojo agreed nodding, his expression placid "well, why don't you go first and then we can start listing off the differences."

There was a breif moment of silence before Ranpo begun, speaking fimly from his position perched on the wooden desk "Well our world consists of mostly normal people- however there is a small percentage of the population that is gifted with special abilitys. There's no origin  of these powers, they're basically down to chance, but they're rare and usually unique- however  there has been situations where people have had the same ability before so it's not impossible. But- I assume your world works differently?"

They all took a moment to process the words before Gojo nodded firmly "Yes. Our techniques work differently it seems. You see- Jujutsu Sorcers such as myself are taught to work with cursed energy."

"Cursed energy?" Atsushi blurted "what's that?"

Gojo smirked as he continued "Cursed energy is a type of energy that forms from strong negative emotions. It poures from the human body and accumulates in places accociated with these emotions- like hospitals or schools- and over time this overflow of cursed energy produces Cursed Spirits."

Everyone in the armed detective agency gaped- seemingly speachless as their minds puzzled together what had been told to them.

After a moment, Megumi piped up "It's worth mentioning that not just anyone can see these spirits." He added.

It was then Kunikida who asked "What do you mean? You're saying that there could be a curse infront of me and I just wouldn't see it?" The blonde inquired, folding his arms.

Megumi hummed thoughtfully before trying his best to formulate  an understandable explaination "Ordinarily people can't see curses- however almost everyone posseses a certain level of cursed energy, if this level of cursed energy but if a certain threshold is passed then that grants a person an ability to see curses. This is what grants some of us the ability to become Jujutsu Sourcerers."

"Woah!" Atsushi exclaimed "So not many other people can see curses other than you guys? But they're dangerous right- So how do you get rid of them?"

"We exorsise them!" Gojo chirped, a proud expression evident on his features "Being Jujutsu Sorcerers allows us to channel our cursed energy into different techniques."

The detectives all looked slightly perplexed so Gojo elaborated "Take Megumi-chan here for example" he begun, gesturing towards his student who rolled his eyes at the use of the doting honorific "He possesses the cursed technique ten shadows- a powerfull technique that allows him to manifest creatures known as Shikigami to aid him in exorsising curses."

"So that's how you summoned the dog." Kunikida deducted, the realisation striking in his chest as his eyes widened.

The ravenette nodded in confirmation.

"So what was all that stuff about the fingers?" Dazai suddenly inquired, raising a brow.

"Oh!" Yuji blinked, rubbing the back of his neck nervously "I guess I should probably explain that one..." he started but was cut off by Gojos blunt responce.

"Yuji-kun ate the finger of a thousand year-old curse to help Megumi fight a spirit and now he's possesed by the king of curses; Sukuna." The snowy-haired sorcerer summarised with a shrug.

"What." Dazai vocalised, his expression  unusually blank.

"I mean-" Yuji stuttered, his face flushed in embassasment "Gojo-sensei isn't wrong exactly- you did miss some details though-"

"-Like how Itadori is scheduled  to be executed once he's consumed all twenty of Sukunas fingers." Megumi added helpfully, but his tone has a bitter tinge to it as he said the words.

"After he's consumed them?" Kunikida inquired skeptically "why would he do that them?"

Gojo was quick to answer "so that he can adsorb all of Sukunas cursed energy before he dies- that way Sukuna dies with Yuji-kun." He stated calmly  "Yuji-kun is a rare vessel who's able to suppress Sukunas control- an opportinity to kill Sukuna never arrive again so killing him now would be a waste."

"Why not just destroy the fingers?" Ranpo asked, more for confirmation  of his suspicions than grappling curiosity.

"We can't." Gojo admitted.

"Tsk. Can't even destroy a finger." Nobara scoffed playfully "and you're supposed to be the strongest sorcerer."

The woman who'd been leaning and had resigned herself to silence let out a choked laugh, grinning at Nobara "I like you kid, you've got spunk" she commented, clearly amused.

"Huh, you're silent all this time and you pipe up to say that?" Kunikida questioned  skeptically.

The purple-haired detective merely shrugged  in responce  "I didn't have any need to comment before." She stated simply before turning to adress the room "I'm Akiko Yosano. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance- well..." she glanced towards Megumi winking "I suppose we've already met ."

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Gojo greeted, a dramatic tinge to his tone that made the dark haired teen at his side scoff.

"So what do we do now?" Yuji puzzled "we don't know how to get back to our world and we couldn't leave anyways until we get back Sukunas finger."

There was a breif pause of contemplation until Dazai snapped his fingers- the click resounding through the office.

"Idea!" The bandaged man proclaimed, travling accross the room in long strides  towards the desk Megumi and Gojo were stood beside.

And if Gojo angled himself defensively between his student and the detective, knowone commented on it.

Dazai reached for his phone  that lay dissguarded amoungst lose papers and begun to dial on the keypad.

"If we need the crusty finger from the Mafia..." Dazai begun a mischevious grin spreading accross his face "then who better to ask for information than an executive  who'll be told all the intel~"

The phone rang for four dials before it was answered, a sharp agitated voice sounding through the phone-

"What the fuck do you want shitty mackerel?" 

Chapter Text

"Seriously, what the hell is going on here?" Chuuya's voice sounded from the doorway  the executive leaning against the wooden framing.

He was short but still had an intimidating presence that portrayed an overall sense of power and certitude. His gaze raked over the agency office, his expression morphong into a soft bewilderment at the sight of the Jujutsu Sorcers whom resided so casually in the room.

All eyes in the room landed on the red-headed man who seemed unaffected by the sudden attention.

"Ah Chuuya~" Dazai called in a sing-song voice, a playfull grin on his face "So glad that you could join us!"

"Ah shove it you ass wipe" the mafia member scoffed in return, rolling his sapphire eyes in irritation "I didn't come here to play games, so spill it, what do you want?" He inquired.

Kunikida was the one who stepped forward, clearning his throat before speaking with a certain edge of conviction "We want to know the Port Mafias plans for a shippment that was made recently."

"A shipment, huh?" Chuuya questioned, his voice a lethal calm "What kind?"

"Don't play dumb." Dazai chided, a smirk playing on his lips as he fixed his former partner with an glacial glare "you know exactly which shipment we're talking about to don't waste our time."

The shorter man only matched Dazais glare, his voice taking a dangerous edge "Say I do know what your talking about" he proposed, walking over and grasping Dazai by the collar "Why would I tell anything I know to an enemy organisation?" He pressed.

"Because they aren't the ones that need to know" a voice sliced into the conversation and Chuuya whipped his head towards the sorce "we are." Yuji admitted, his voice low as he rubbed the back of his neck, eyes cast to the ground.

Taken aback Chuuya released his grip on the bandaged detective, turning towards the teenager with a puzzled expression "Huh?" He inquired, blinking slowly "Why the heck would you want to know about Port Mafia dealings?"

"Because we're actually sorcerers from another universe and we need that object before we can go home." Gojo blurted suddenly.

There was a long, almost comedic silence that hung over the agency, Chuuya was frozen and his mouth hung agape.

Megumi sighed "Gojo-sensei, you can't just drop information like that casually to people." He repremanded, agitated by his mentors flippant attitude.

Gojo pouted, huffing slightly.

"Wait, wait, wait" Chuuya backtracked, his expression twisted in pure confustion as his arms flayed about uslessly "I need you to back up, what do you mean another universe? Is this some kind of joke?" He questioned, obviously feeling lost.

Yuji looked to the ground bashfully "He's not lying. We don't know exactly what happned- my memory is fragmented- but we all woke up in this universe."

Chuuya gaped at the words, his eyes blown wide as he stood frozen. He paused for a long moment before speaking slowly "So... what's your universe like? Who are you all?" The executive inquired.

The students all stayed silent feeling it was best to leave the explaining to Gojo. The blindfolded man in question tapped his chin absently, giving a small hum before explaining best he could to the port mafia exectitive what he's told the agency. The shorter man listened respectfully, only stopping the sorcerer to ask the occasional question or ask for clarification.

When the sorcerer was finished Chuuya remained silent for a minute, his mind soaking up the information. His throat felt dry and he swallowed roughtly before speaking in a calm voice "So you're all sorcerers- and that cursed object purchased by the mafia is connected to the curse living inside of Itadori-kun, which si dangerous and could potentially bring down the enierity of Yokohama?"

Gojo nodded seriously and the executive sighed, running a gloved hand down his face as his shoulders slumped "Great. Just wonderful." He remarked sarcastically.

"So..." Yuji begun "Can you help us?" He asked half assertive, half withdrawn.

Chuuya hummed "I can try but I don't hold alot of power in the mafia so there's not alot I can do. Best I can help is leaking information about any plans I hear of reguarding the Cursed Object." He admitted.

Yuji gave him a small smile "Thank you. That's more than we could ask of you, I bet your risking alot by being here at all." The teenager assured understandingly.

Chuuya returned with a sad smile of his own, holding the boys gaze for a moment before sending his line of sight back to their teacher "So do you guys remember how you got here at all?" He inquired.

They all shook their heads accept for Nobara who spoke up, voice slightly uncertain "Actually, I do remember vaugely being on a mission to exorise a curse with Itadori and Fishiguro." She admitted, causing everyone to fling their heads towards her.

Yujis chocolate-brown eyes widened "Wait I think I remember that too- its all fuzzy but..." he agreed, but begun to trail off furrowing his brows as he thought hard.

"A mission?" Chuuya parroted, blinking slowly "wait how old are you kids again?"

"Jujutsu Sorcerers usually begin taking missions within their first or second years of high-school" Gojo explained, causing afew responding gasps.

"You send fifteen and sixteen year olds out on missions?!" Chuuya protested causing the blindfolded man to recoil slightly, a frown tugging down his lips.

"Now, now Chuuya~" Dazai drawled dissaprovingly "You can't say anything, the mafia drags in kids all the time. Don't play innocent."

A dark fury ignited in Chuuyas eyes as he scoffed, turning towards the bandaged detective "You're telling me to stop playing innocent?! Ha. Thats a laugh." The red-head criticised, his tone glacial "I may be part of the Port Mafia but so were you- and if I recall correctly I wasnt the one bringing kids into the organisation during the middle of the night." He spat, distaste coating his words.

Dazai smirked playfully, feigning shock "I'm hurt Chuuya, how could you ever speak so low of me?"

"Stop it, both of you...!" Kunikida repremanded but his plea fell in death ears.

"You make me sick." Chuuya scoffed, the words sharp "you can play the hero all you want but I know who you really are. You're the most feared port mafia member to have been for a reason. Don't pretend like you care if kids get dragged into conflict when you brought both the Akutagawa siblings into the mafia. They were just kids!" He exclaimed.

There was a silence that hung over the room after that. The agency looked at their commerad with poorly-consealed terror whilst Gojo had positned himself a step infront of his students, stance cautious. Atsushi looked shaken, his body trembling slightly.

"I- uh-" Yuji spoke up, his voice rough "Chuuya-san, I appriciate the consern but there's regulations in place to ensure that we don't fight curses that aren't too strong for us to handle. So really, it isn't a big deal-" He explained, the words rushing out of his lips quickly, desperate to appease.

"Yuji-kun." Gojo cut in softly "Stop. Chuuya-san has a point, honestly Jujutsu is dangerous for anyone regardless. Kids shouldn't be fighting curses. I remember in my second-year one of my lower-classmen died on a mission- it's not safe." The white haired man sucked in a decisive breath "But, I also recognise that sending you on missions is also a good way of preparing you for being real sorcerers- basic lessons won't help you survive. You need experience."

Yuji look at his teacher in shock for a moment, before nodding mutely.

Kunikida grumbled "I certainly don't like the idea but I can see were you're comming from Gojo-san." He said, sliding into the conversation "As for you Dazai- we've agreed not to assess your character based on your actions in the mafia, yet I still find myself slightly disturbed at what was said today."

And werent they all. Atsushi looked like he was going to be sick. The agency was rendered speechless...

Even Megumi Fushiguro who wasn't accociated with the agency since a short time ago saw the dots connecting in his mind. Dazais threatening behaviour. His tactful words. The way Akutagawa reacted to the mention of his former superior in mafia- they all painted an unsettling image in the teenagers head. Megumi knew Gojo knew the danger too, by the way his posture shifted.

"Nobara-chan?" Gojo said, breaking though the suffocating silence "do you remember anything else about how we got here, or just that you all were sent on a  mission?"

"Hmmm" Nobara hummed, contemplating "Not really, but the more I talk about it the easier I can start to connect the pieces."

"Wait..." Yuji started "didn't we get sent by Nanamin to exorise a special grade?" He asked, looking towards his  peers for confirmation.

"I think so."

"Wait. I remember seeing a special grade." Megumi muttered, causing Nobara, Yuji and Gojo to all look at him with wide eyes.

At that revelation something appeared to click inside Nobaras mind"Yeah! You're onto something Fushiguro!"

Yuji contemplated the idea for a moment before asking "why would we be fighting a special grade?"

"Now my memory is fuzzy but I'm pretty sure we defeted the grade two and then one... showed up." Megumi stated, his speech slow as he tried to fix the pieces together in his mind "An error in the mission report you think?"

Gojo's shoulders tensed at the words, narrowing his eyes as annoyance radiated from his body "or the higher-ups trying to kill Yuji-kun" he suggested bitterly.

"Kill him?!" Kunikida blurted, horror dripping from each syllable.

"or the higher ups trying to kill Itadori." Nobara echoed with a sigh, ignoring the blonde mans sudden exclaimation of suprise.

Ranpo turned to his colleague an understanding smirk on his face- however his eyes held a certain heaviness has he explained "we can assume since Itadori-kun is posseses by a curse there's people who would want to dispose of him, instead of taking the risk."

Yuji glanced towards Ranpo and Kunikida, combing a hand though this dusty-pink hair as he nodded in confirmation "Yeah..." he muttered "That's pretty much what happens- not the first time they've tried to kill me."

Noting his students tense posture Gojo strode towards him, plaing a reassuring arm around his shoulders "Say, Yuji-kun, why don't I just kill all the higher-ups when we get back?" He suggested brightly.

"I- what- no!" Yuji cried out, his cheeks darkening as he stumbled over his words.

Megumi sent his mentor a glare "Gojo-sensei, stop trying to find an excuse to kill the higher-ups." He ordered, his tone flat.

Huffing the white-haired sorcerer folded his arms "Knowone ever lets me have any fun..." he complained.

"Hey." Yuji suddently started "I think I remember- after the special grade showed up you called Gojo-sensei, Fushiguro!"

Megumi stratched his head, clearly thinking intensely but it was Gojo who spoke up.

"Yes! Thats right, I remember, Megumi called me so I told you guys to hide whilst I rushed over and exorised the curse." The blindfolded man cheered, nodding furiously.

Nobara puzzled the claim "So... if you came and exorised the curse then what went wrong?"

They all paused for a long moment until Yuji blurted out  "Sukunas finger wasn't in the special grade."

Suddenly it was like all their memory became clear.

"Oh my god, you're right!" Nobara practically shouted.

"Do you think that's when it fell into this universe?" Megumi questioned.

"Likely." Ranpo confirmed "but how? Based on the information you told me that doesn't make sense." The detective puzzled, and it shocked the agency to see him so puzzled.

"I think I might have an idea." Gojo announced in a serious tone "it might be a result of a cursed technique. If the higher-ups are desperate to dispose of Yuji-kun they could've hired someone..."

All three students paled considerably and Yuji looked ill "So-" the pink hared boy begun, his expression haunted "This is all because they wanted to kill me? Because I ate Sukunas finger..." he deduced his voice barely above a whisper and guilt dripping from each word.

"Hey, hey, hey." Gojo scolded gently "Don't blame yourself for the higher-ups decisions, I might even be wrong, but even if i'm not, you're not the one to blame." He said factually.

The sorcerer then lifted a hand to rustle Yujis rose-coloured hair, earning a soft laugh from the teen.

"Hey! Fushiguro-kun." Chuuya suddenly spoke up, earning a miniscule jolt from the dark-haired boy.

"Yes?" Megumi questioned, keeping his voice as level as possible.

"When your- what did you call them? Shikigami? -clashed with Akutagawas Rashomon it caused a massive disturbance, right?" He asked, earning a confirming nod from the teeanger which Chuuya reciprocated "Right. You should probably be careful- all of you should- just incase that happens again." He suggested.

"Mr. Fancy-hat is correct" Ranpo chimed in "It's quite possible your abilitys can upset the stability of this universe since they don't belong here, you should avoid using them as much as possible." The detective explained.

"Gotcha!" Yuji exclaimed with a mock-saulte and the other three sorceres all nodded in agreement to the words.

"Right then, i'll be on my way then" Chuuya decided, walking towards the agency door and waving over his shoulder.

"Thank you for your help." Megumi said graciously with a respectfull bow, but his thanks were practically dorwned out by Yuji and Nobaras thankfull yet loud goodbyes.

The executive walked out of the Agency, snapping at Dazai who begun drawling tantalising taunts at the shorter man as he begun to walk away, and once he'd left the room was silent for a long moment.

There was a weight of uncertaintly over them all. Like they knew everything, yet nothing at the same time.

But that was all for another day. For just one day, they could rest, free of the dilemmas thay plauged them. Until tomorrow.

"Hang on. How are we going to house so many people?!" Atsushi suddenly exclaimed.

Okay, mabye they still had one dilemma then...

Chapter Text

Steamy, hot water beat against Gojos bare skin. Dropplets running down his back and through his pristine white hair.

He massaged shampoo into his hair, the fresh aroma of the liquid filling the small shower. Once he was satisfied with the foamy, cloudy shampoo in his hair he tilted his head back into the showerhead, gentely rubbing away the bubbles.

Turning of the shower he stepped out, reaching for a plush cream towel that he used to throughly  dry his hair before dragging it down the rest of his muscular body until he was dry.

Slipping on a comfortable baggy t-shirt, light-gray slacks and putting on his blindfold before exiting the bathroom and looking around at the clean hotel room.

After reaching the conclusion that there was not enough room for everyone at the Agency dorms, president Fukuzawa decided that it's be best to have Satoru Gojo and his students moved into a hotel just afew blocks away under the condition that they didn't abuse the agencys trust.

They moved into the rooms just this morning after one last night at the Agency which was a... less than comfortable squeeze.

Gojo had been given his own room, so had Kugisaki. But Yuji and Megumi had been given a room to share, two beds in a rather spacious room for the boys.

A swift yet loud knocking sounded through the room, snapping Gojo from is thoughts as he headed towards the door.

Upon opening it he was greeted with a familiar face.

Dazai.

Gojo narrowed his gaze "Can I help you?" He inquired, voice sceptical and disstrusting.

Dazai gave him an easy grin "Well isn't it nice in here~" the detective drawled, voice sickeningly sweet as he stepped inside, inviting himself to walk around the hotel-room.

Gojo raised a brow.

"It's much cleaner than the rooms at the Agency. I should've asked Kunikida-kun if I could stay here aswell~" he mused, snickering at his own comment "Honestly, you'd think-"

"What do you want?" Gojo demanded, cutting Dazai off abruptly

Dazai blinked innocently, before letting out a sound somewhere between a scoff and a laugh "I came here to visit, if that so hard to believe?" He asked playfully, but there was now a cold edge to his tone.

"And if I said it was?" Gojo prompted.

The bandaged man smirked "then I would be deeply wounded by your accusation that visited with some kind of ulterior motive" he responded dramatically.

Gojo contemplated his next words carefully before speaking "would that accusation be wrong?"

A silence hung in the air.

Dazai begun laughing. Genuinely laughing. "No." He admitted, his voice breathless and almost sad "I suppose it wouldn't be."

The blindfolded sorcerer waited for him to continue.

"I had to ask- that story you told earlier- about the finger and falling though universes..." Dazai questioned "it real?"

Gojo seemed taken aback at first but quickly recovered nodding firmly "Yes." He said simply "is that all you wanted to ask?"

Dazai perched himself on the arm of a nearbye couch "I guess so. I'm not sure if i'm satisfied with my answer though." He admitted, his voice light like he was off somewhere in a daydream.

The whole act unsettled Gojo slightly, and he gritted his teeth "I'm not sure what game you're trying to play here-" he started only to be cut short by Dazai.

"I don't understand." Dazai begun, his voicr clipped as he spoke "I don't know what your capable of, how your abilitys work and if my ability can do anything against you. If you turned on the agency, I might struggle to stop you... I might fail entirely." He explained.

"We aren't here to attack your agency." The white-haired man explained, irritated "so stop being an asshole would you?" He finally snapped.

Dazai just sighed dramatically, unphased by the words- slumping back against the navy couch like he wasn't even listening.

Somehow that irritated Gojo even more.

There was a heavy silence that hung like lead in the air until the jujutsu sorcerer finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper; "Do you think we can get the cursed object off the port mafia?"

Dazai jumped at the sudden question, standing up straight and tucking his bandaged hands into the deep pockets of his trench coat as he hummed sweetly "Well, yeah. Worst case scenario we face off against the Port Mafia but i'm positive that Ranpo-san will figure it all out" he replied, his voice cheerfull yet suprisingly honest.

"Very well." Gojo acknowledged, giving a greatfull nod to the other man.

A moment passed before Dazai begun making long strides towards the doorway "i'll be off then." He announced with a wave and only paused his strides when he reached the door snapping his fingers "Oh! One last thing..." he added suddenly, turning to face Gojo as his expression darkened "If you or your students do anything to endanger the Agency.... just know i'm not afraid to pull the trigger next time."

Gojo sneered, the memory of this man pressing a gun to Megumis forhead flashing though his mind.

Megumi. The way she shook. The way his fists were bawled tightly at his sides, trembling. The way his dark eyes slid to the ground in a silent acceptance before he screwed them shut in fear.

He remembered the night after, watching his ward laying stiffly beneath thin sheets, prenending to be asleep. 

He remembered what he said-

"When that gun was put to my head I thought I was dead..." Megumi had admitted "... yet somehow, I prefered that idea over living alone."

Yanking himself out of the painfull memory Gojo swallowed roughly, pinning his icy gaze back onto the detective in the doorway.

"I don't know what game you're playing- but if you lay a finger on any of my students I will make it my own personal mission to see you dead my my own hands." He declared, keeping his voice a lethal calm, even as rage threatened to spill over into his words "do I make myself clear?"

For a moment Dazai tensed, his bandaged hand gripping the doorframe tightly as he looked at the other man with a sort of poorly-consealed horror. An experession that appeared and disspeared within the same second.

The detective gave him a lazy grin, eyes assesing the sorcerer carefully before he spoke "Its best I stay on your good side then~" he teased before stepping out of the threshold to take his leave "I loon forward to working with you." He cheered, disspearing down the hallway as the door swung shut behind him.

Gojo stood in the middle of the hotel room. Alone again. He released a wearly sigh, running his long fingers though his silky hair.

It wasnt long before a gentle knock sounded through the room and  Gojo huffed a breath, wondering who it could be now.

"Yes?" He called, as he reached out to open the door again, midly irritated until he saw who was on the other side and the tension rolled of his posture.

Megumi Fushiguro, Nobara Kugisaki and Yuji Itadori stood on the other side.

"Gojo-sensei." Megumi greeted politely, his expression calm.

"Megumi! Yuji-kun! Nobara-chan!" Gojo greeted, opening the door to his room wide and ushering them all inside.

The room was spacious, with walls painted eggshell-white and decorated with plush navy furniture. He had a large double bed at the back of the room with white, cotton sheets and a dark blue throw blanket. The floor was built up of glazed wooden planks and the scent of floor polish still clung to the air.

The three teenagers took in the room around them, Yuji letting out a low whistle as he followed his mentor towards a pair of plush navy sofas either side of a cozy coffee table.

Yuji and Nobara sat on one side and Megumi on the other. Gojo went towards a small cabinet where a kettle sat, got afew tea bags out of jars and placed three porcelain cups on the side.

"Yuji-kun? Nobara-Chan?" He called over his shoulder, getting the two teens attention "what would you like to drink? Tea? Green Tea? Coffee?" He asked, listing options.

"Oh! Tea with four sugars, please!" Yuji requested.

Megumi scoffed, muttering quietly "like you need any more sugar. You're hyper enough already."

"Milk?" Gojo offered.

Yuji contemplated the offer with a thoughtfull hum "Just abit." He decided and the blindfolded sorcerer made a sound of approval.

"Nobara-Chan? What about you?"  Gojo questioned, now facing the young brunette.

"Coffee. Lots of milk and 2 sugars please." Nobara requested and Gojo grinned.

"I like that you've got your order down!" Gojo praised, impressed at how quickly she was able to state what she wanted.

The kettle whistled and Gojo pottered about- pouring piping hot water into cups, pouring milk, scooping teaspoons of sugar into dark coffee- all until he walked over with four steamy mugs and placed them infront of each of his students on the wooden table, keeping one in his own hand before searing himself beside Megumi.

"So, you kids all settled in now?" Gojo begun conversationally.

"Yup!" Yuji cheered, exitement filling his voice as he turned to Megumi "and I get to share a room with Fushiguro! Oooo, we should tell ghost stories!" He suggested, a bright smile on his face.

Megumi let out a long sigh "Mabye." He huffed, reaching to take a long gulp of his black coffee. Gojo didn't even bothet to ask the boy what he wanted to drink, knowing him well enough.

Gojo clasped his hands together "Well i'm glad you're all settled!"

They all thanked him before dissolving into mindless chatter. Something so casually amd normal- yet essentiall in a situation like this.

They talked until a comfortable silence settled over the room and they all finished up the dreggs of their tea and coffee.

Megumi shifted uncomfortably, clearing his throat "what do we do now?" The teenager blurted.

All eyes shot to him instantly and he quickly ducked his head down in shame.

Megumi stared into his empty cup, fingers stoking the smooth porcelain mindlessly as he explained himself "I-I just-" a low sigh "we don't know how to get back to our world yet. Will we ever?" He inquired.

Beside him Megumi felt Gojo straighten, sitting up slightly before he spoke much more seriously "All that we can do for now if find that finger before it causes more havoc in Yokohma- since this world isn't equipped to deal with any of this." He admitted.

Megumi nodded mutely in acceptance.

"...Though..." Gojo continued, his tone lowering to a volume to barely above a whisper "I belive it's possible that us being here is the result of a cursed technique. If we find Sukunas Finger, I believe theres a chance we could end up tumbling right back into our own universe."

Yuji tilted his head in confusion and opposite him Megumi sighed, a hand coming up to grip his own inky-coloured hair.

"Esentially you consuming the finger may be what gets us back" Nobara supplied, leaning forward as she listened to the conversation.

"I was thinking about it and I thought of a sorcerer who's Cursed Technique checks almost all the boxes." Gojo explained futher "Her name was Sakura Jiro, and she worked as a second grade for afew years before deciding to leave Jujutsu Society- she had the ability to weaken the lining of the universe itself, which is good to apply to objects but I as far as I was ever conserned it required alot of concentrated cursed energy that she didn't have to be able to apply its effect on large areas."

Megumi frowned "You think she improved her ability?" He suggested, shifting slightly so he was facing his mentor.

Slumping back into the plush navy cushions that adorned the couch Gojo sighed, contemplating "Mabye- I can't be sure. But if the Technique activated when we came into close contact with the finger, mabye it'll pull us back. I think its worth a shot." He shared decidedly.

Kugisaki gave a weary smile "best we can do is try and if all else fails we're trapped here for the rest of our lives" she teased, her voice half jokingly and half conserned. Like her mind was weighing up the likelyhood of that possibility.

Gojo shifted his gaze to Yuji- the poor boy was hunched over, shoulders tense, with a sad expression resting over his features. Guilt gnawing at the young pink-haired boys chest.

Lowering his infinity the blindfolded man reached over to place a consoling hand on the teenagers shoulder "This isn't your fault, Yuji-kun." He re-affirmed, giving the boys shoulder a gentle squeeze.

Lifting his chocolate-brown eyes from the wooden floor Yuji gave him a tiny, genuine smile "Thank you, Sensei." He said greatfully.

Nobara looked long and hard at Yuji, worry etched deeply into her features before she harshly shook herself out of her gaze, bouncing to her feet.

Without warning she begun marching towards the door.

"Kugisaki? Where are you going?" Yuji questioned, raising a brow inquisitively.

The girl in question stopped in her walking, turning towards the pinkette "On our way here I saw a bubble tea stand and wanted to try it out. Anyone want to join me?" She offered.

Yuji hopped to his feat, following her swiftly "Yeah, i'll come." He decided quickly.

"Fushiguro?" Nobara called, the obvious question of 'are you coming too?' hanging in the air.

"Nah. You guys go without me." Megumi allowed with a shrug "i'm tired."

Nobara nodded sharply "Very well. Off we go then." She announced prancing out of the door, Yuji following in tow.

"Byeeee~" Gojo drawled waving them off "take care you two!" he told the pair of teens.

"We will!" Yuji confirmed "See ya later Sensei! See you Fushiguro!"

And just like that the door swung shut leaving Megumi and Gojo alone in a comfortable silence.

"Why didn't you go with them?" Gojo quickly asked, giving Megumi a casual smile.

"Like I said." Megumi deadpanned "Tired."

Gojo hummed contemplating "I don't doubt that" he agreed, before adding "but that's not all is it?" He pressed, prompting his student to speak further on whatever was bothering him.

Gojo could read him like a book.

Allowing his eyes to slip shut for a moment, Megumi let out a groan of annoyance "Fine" the black-haired teen folded "there is something I wanted to talk to you about." He admitted.

Gojo smirked, a proud feeling rising in his chest at being correct yet again "i'm all ears!" He exlaimed, waiting for Megumi to elaborate on his feelings.

His student grumbled as he begun "It's about that Dazai guy..." he started, and Gojo tried to hide the shock he felt at the statment, allowing the teenager to continue.

"Something about him... Its not right" the spiky haired boy attempted to explain "When... when we were in the mafias underground a man named Akutagawa fought us- and when Atsushi-san brought up Dazai during their fight..." Megumi swallowed the words dying in his throat.

"Yes?" Gojo encouraged, trying to keep his voice friendly.

"... he just looked afraid. Even just at the name." Megumi finally finished, his face pale and a grim expression twisting hia features.

Gojo felt dread pool in his stomach but quickly clamped down on it. He hadn't forgotten what Chuuya has shouted in a fit of rage about Dazai.

But something about knowing that the detective had instilled the kind of fear into someone that they looked scared from just hearing his name-

It was backwards and wrong.

Chuuya said that Dazai had brought this 'Akutagawa' person into the mafia, yet- he'd hurt him. Used fear as a wepon to get loyalty instead of kindness and trust.

Frowning, Gojo looked towards Megumi, seeing the way the teenager screwed his eyes to the floor with a strssed expression.

Sighing he shuffled closer to the teen- who was still sat beside him- and brought up an arm to wrap around the kids shoulders.

"I'll protect you. All of you." Gojo vowed "no matter what Dazai, the Armed Detective Agency or the Port Mafia have planned."

Megumi relaxed at the words, allowing himself to lean slightly into Gojos shoulder, earning a soft chuckle from the older man.

"So..."  Gojo begun, lifting his blindfold to reveal eyes twinkiling with mischief "That Fukuzawa guy said all our experiences will be covered by the Agency, including food... do you wanna order pizza?"

Megumi rolled his eyes, snorting "Pepperoni."

Gojos grin widened.

Chapter Text

Dismal obsidian clouds formed over Yokohama, covering the blue canvas sky and consealing the golden glow of sunlight.
Rain fell down, thick droplets of water sploshing onto the concrete streets; forming puddles.

The wind gushed, carring stray leaves; sending them twirling and spinning though the air. Many people carried umbrellas- allowing the rain to ricochet off the waterproof sheet, shielding them from the onslaught of water droplets.

Gojo Satoru- the strongest Jujutsu Sorcerer - needed no such thing.

The rain paused before it reached him. He didn't feel the rain bouncing off his skin, or see dropplets falling from his damp, white hai. He didn't stumble from the pressure as a strong gust of wind rushed past him.

And so, entierly uneffected by the elements around him he arrived unbothered at the Armed Detective Agency.

Whilst himself and his prized students had been graciously allowed to stay at a well-furnished, secure hotel on the Agencys dime it didn't come without them all being expected to uphold certain conditions.

Of course there was the basics, specifically around upholding the law whilst staying there and not doing anything distruptive or foolish enough to have themselfs removed from the hotel.

But the rest were more personal requests of President Fukuzawa. Firstly, he'd supplicated that Gojo Satoru himself would check in with them twice a week to ensure that they hadn't gone far. Secondly, it was demanded the Jujutsu Sourcerers would stay in contact with the Agency and that any revelations regarding the Cursed Object and returning Gojo and his students to their world, would be shared openly between both parties.

With not any other options and a desire to keep receiving the Agencys aid, Gojo accepted the deal.

Now the blindfolded sorcerer found himself crossing the thresholds into the Detective Acency building- large doors swinging shut behind him, locking the dreadful weather outside.

Accending the stairs Gojo strode into the main office, waving a hand in greeting.

The office was lit warmly, the curtains drawn back to reveal water racing down the glass. The road outside could barely be seen through the heavy condensation obscuring the view. The only thing passing cleary though the windows was the dull light that battled its way past the bleak clouds.

"Gojo-san, there you are." Fukuzawa said by way of greeting "would you follow me this way?" He continued, gesturing to the room behind him.

"Gladly." The white-haired soucerer replied, dipping his chin in a nod. Gojo strode across the office floor, slipping into the Presidents personal workspace.

"Would you like any refreshments?" The older man offered but Gojo politely declined.

"Have you detectives got any news for us? The port mafias plans? Rumors? Stories? Mabye some spicy gossip?" Gojo inquired, his voice casual trying to relieve some of the tension in the air.

Fukuzawa huffed a sigh, shaking his head- his silver moonlight hair swaying with the movement "afraid not." He admitted.

The blindfolded man deflated slightly at the words, plopping into the plush chair opposite the Presidents wooden desk.

"I trust that you are well?" Fukuzawa asked- and Gojo knew that the question didn't just apply to him, but to the kids aswell.

Gojo nodded firmly "They've settled in well- still managed to keep their spirits high in eachothers company."

Fukuzawas expression softened and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

In that moment- as the steely man infront of him allowed a warm serenity to seep through the cracks in his serious mask- Gojo Satoru knew that the president was a good man. The ability to care about the well-being of these people who'd crashed into their world- because at the end of the day it was a teacher and a group of students. A group of kids.

"I'm glad to hear that." Fukuzawa finally uttered, pulling the sorcerer from his own thoughts "but i'm no fool. Please tell me, how are you all truly?"

Gojo sucked in a sharp breath at the words.

Fukuzawa merely offered him a gentle expression of infinate patience.

Lowering his icy-blue pupils to the ground- not that anyone could see that through the dark fabric covering his eyes- Gojo tucked his hands into the navy pockets of his trousers. Silent.

The grey-haired man before him sighed quietly "Gojo-san, i'm not trying to press any information from you that you're not willing to share-"

For some reason the white haired man couldn't help but wince.

"- but I understand that the suddenless of all this must be alot for you and your students-" That was an understatement  "- and i'd like to offer the support of the agency in any way I can. I'm aware that you might not trust us but I can assure you the Armed Detective Agency means only to help."

Mabye you could call up Dazai, he doesn't seem to share your sentiment

Gojo bit back the retort on his tounge.

The sound of rain splattering over the windows and the rushing of a swift wind outside was the only sound that rested between them for a long moment. Fukuzawa taking the opportunity to take a long drink from the tall glass of sparkling water on his desk.

Swallowing roughly, Gojo finally started to speak "It's been... different" he started, cringing slightly at how unspecific the statment was.

"How so?"

"Well..." the sorcerer continued "as much as I can see the kids are keeping themselfs distracted I know it's only a distraction. I can see it sometimes..." sorrow begun to twist his voice "... when they sit in silence for a moment too long or- or when I catch one of them on their own-" a moment, and then "they look so distant. Sad, lost- aching to go back to the place they call home and worst of all they look-" the words caught violently in the back of Gojos throat.

Fukuzawa watched as the man infront of him struggled. His lips moving but no sound coming out. A pained expression on his face.

Gojo's chest ached.

"They look what, Gojo-san?" The agency president prompted, lowering his voice in an attempt to sound comforting.

Gojo lifted his gaze once again, and Fukuzawa could feel the eyes underneath that blindfold as they met his own.

"Scared." Gojo finally said "They look scared."

                                     ••

Gojo and Fukuzawa has only talked for a small while longer after the white-haired sorcerer had talked about the impact of the whole ordeal on his students.

Scared. He'd practically whispered. Like it haunted him.

Now, Gojo moved to exit the small office, rising from the plush chair and striding to the door in afew long steps. Twisting the smooth metal handle he took a moment to glance towards the silver-haired man, still seated at his desk.

"Thank you for your time, Fukuzawa-san" Gojo said, a greatfull smile on his lips, as he inclined his head.

"My door is always open to you and your students should you need it Gojo-san" Fukuzawa offered.

Gojo merely gave an appreciative nod in return before slipping out of the room, letting the door 'click'  shut behind him.

As he stood in the main room of the office he realised that there was only a three detectives in the room. Gojo blinked- confused.

"Hey, um, isn't there usually more of you guys?" He inquired, hopefull that someone would reply.

Atsushi- who was seated behind his desk- shriked "OH! Oh! Hi Gojo-san, uh, sorry I didn't realise you were done speaking to President Fukuzawa already-!" The boy fumbled.

Gojo merely waved a dismissive hand at the neccecary apology.

"It's only myself, Tanizaki-san and Kenji-kun at the moment! Yosano-san is taking the day off to go shopping, and Kyouka-chan is running an errand. Meanwhile Kunikida-san and Dazai-san have went to handle a case with some smugglers." Atsushi explained helpfully.

"Ah, so you guys have been left with the boring paperwork it seems?" Gojo teased, amusement twinkiling in his hidden eyes.

"I-uh-well- I-" a pause, followed by a relenting sigh "Yeah." The weretiger conseded.

Gojo chuckled.

Behind his stacks of disorganised papers, Tanikaki also snickered at the display.

"Anyways, i'm going to head back." Gojo announced with a farewell wave, turning towards the Agency door to leave.

"Wait!" Atsushi blurted.

"Yes...?" Gojo inquired, raising a brow.

"Can I-" the boy stumbled over his words "can I speak to you for a moment- please?"

Gojo was taken-aback by the sudden tequest but nodded all the same "Sure thing." He replied  "is everything alright?"

Atsushi flushed slightly, embarassed  "Yeah but I just wanted to ask you about some things that have been-" a sharp inhale "bothering me."

The blindfolded man spared a glance to the two detectives still in the office.

"Would you like to move this conversation to the hall?" Gojo offered, concern for the younger boy pulling at his chest.

Atushi nodded.

Gojo stepped out into the hall within an instant, Atsushi following in tow.

Atushi leaned against  the wall the moment he'd fully shut the door behind him.
"Do you mind if I take my blindfold off for a moment?" Gojo asked. Usually he'd keep something covering his eyes at all times, but in this world with no cursed spirits he found it easier to remove it without suffering any side effects.

"Of course! Go ahead." Atsushi granted.

Gojo slipped of the blindfold, tucking it into his pocket before he leaned against the opposite wall, waiting for the boy to speak.

"I wanted to talk to you about Dazai." Atsushi admitted, his voice barely above a whisper "The stuff that Chuuya-san said the other say about him- about the things-" a shakey exhale "- about the things he did to Akutagawa..." he trailed off, at a loss for words.

"It rattled you?" Gojo guessed.

A minute nod in return.

Gojo hummed in understanding his expression compassionate before confusion dawned upon his features "Why did you come to me about this though?" He asked suddenly.

Atsushi flinched. Opened his mouth. Then closed it.

Gojo only grew more confused "Hey-" he started.

"No." Atsushi stammered, cutting the blindfolded man off "I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have- it wasn't your- i'll go."

The tiger-boy trembled slightly moving to leave. Gojo didn't let him move more than a step before he placed a hand upon his shoulder.

But instead of halting his movement's, Atsushi flinched hard under the touch- slamming into the wall behind him as he jerked out of the touch- his ombre eyes fixed onto the ground.

Gojo retracted his outstretched hand in an instant, pure concern taking over his features as he glanced over the boy infront of him.

Atsushi snaked an arm around his middle, hunching his shoulders as he curled into himself slightly. Shame burned at him.

"Are you... okay?"

The sorcerer asked it with so much sincerity, so much worry. Guilt coiled in Atsushis gut, knowing he was the cause of that worry.

Forcing down a shudder Atushi forced his body to loosen his tight posture "i'm fine." He ground out.

Gojo let out a small sigh of relief. As much as he could see from Atsushis tense figure that he was very much not as 'fine' as he claimed, he was atleast greatfull the kid wasn't having a panic attack.

Something about the way he'd fliched- the way his body curled  into itself- it made Gojo realise how young Atsushi still was. Just a couple years older than Megumi. Or Nobara. Or Yuji. Still in his youth.

"Atsushi-kun" Gojo begun carefully, a horrible possibility twisting his gut "what's your relationship with Dazai?" He asked.

Steading himself with afew calming breaths, Atsushi lifted his eyes to look more directly at Gojo "Dazai-san is my mentor. He's the one who saved me from the brink of starvation and brought me here to the Armed Detective Agency." He explained.

"Has he ever..." Gojo inquired further, trying to keep his tone reassuring despite the dread that clawed at him "harmed you?"

Atushi opened his mouth to say 'no' before a memory flashed through his mind.

Atsushi knelt on the hard concrete. His hands grasping at his hair- tugging- ripping- at his hair. Sharp, relentless.

Hallucinations danced around him- shrieking. Taunting. Spitting cruel insults at him. It felt so, impossibly real.

He begged. Pleaded for them to stop.

"Stop it!"
"Stop it, stop it, stop it!"
"Please- stop it now!"

His cries fell on deaf ears. Futile.

Tears burned at his eyes- violet and amber pupils now swirling with them. They gathered in thoes eyes and before he knew it they were pouring down his cheeks.

Overwhelming. Too much.

He wanted someone to help him. To pull him from this nightmare. To tell him it'd be okay- that it wouldn't be like this forever.

A gentle hand gripped his chin, lifting it. Hand as he looked up, his eyes flittering open the hallucinations begun to melt away.

"Look up, Atsushi-kun."  Dazai. That was Dazais voice.

The shadows melted away and Atsushi was left staring into a pair of dark chocolate eyes.

A hand struck his cheek. Hard.

Pain stung where it had hit. Panic took over his mind for a moment asthat same voice- smooth but unrelenting- spoke

"Listen to me very closely..."

Atsushi winced at the memory, a phantom pain stinging at his cheek.

It was once Dazai had hit him. Yet the memory caused something painful to twinge at his heart.

It hadn't bothered him this much in the past- but after the things he's heard about Dazai recently-

How easily had Dazai been able to deliver that hit?

He did it with no hesitation. No guilt. Swiftly. Like he'd done it a million times before....

And thats why it made his stomach churn.

"Atsushi-kun" Gojo now called, narrowing his eyes towards Atsushi.

"Sorry-" Atsushi begun bashfully "what was the question-? Harmed me?"

The younger boy shifted uncomfortably.

"Dazai-san- he-" No. Atsushi willed himself to say No. He hasn't but the words wouldn't leave his tounge "Not without reason." He settled for.

Gojos crystal eyes darkened, a feral promise in his gaze "Atsushi." He said, and Atsushi bristled- not just the lack of honorific but the dangerous edge the mans voice now took "If he's abusing you in any way I need you to tell me-"

Atshishis eyes widened, mouth falling agape "Oh my god, NO! Absolutely not- Dazai-san isn't abusing me, I promise." He fumbled, not even expecting that to be the conclusion Gojo had drawn up.

"Atsushi-kun..." Gojo said again, scrunching his nose.

"Once." Atsushi explained, suddenly feeeling breathless "Dazai-san. He hit me once. Awhile ago- and it hasn't happened since so you don't need to worry."

Gojo didn't look entierly convinved but his shoulders has notably slumped "Are you sure?" He checked.

A firm- confident- nod "Certain. I- I've experienced abuse- in the past- and if-" Atsushi ground his teeth "-if Dazai-san was hurting me i'd tell someone. I swear it."

Relief seemed to surge through Gojo at the reassurance, and the tension rolled off his shoulders. But he tensed slightly again, wincing slightly as the other implication  fully hit him.

Experienced abuse.

Suddenly he regretted his earlier choice of grabbing the youngers shoulder without warning. Also understood the flinch.

Atsushi tilted his head back, allowing the back of it to  thump against the wall behind him before sliding down and sitting in the floor.

Gojo juat watched him for a moment, before cprssing the distance and taking a seat on the ground beside Atsushi.

"Alright kid, you've got my attention- what do you want to talk about?" Gojo asked, before adding as an afterthought  "Take your time."

Atsushi let out a long sigh before speaking, his voice heavy "I thought I knew him." He uttered.

The white-haired sorcerer tilted his head to face him but said nothing.

"I-" a trembling breath "I thought I understood who Dazai-san was... and now I feel like mabye I don't." The tiger boy admitted.

Understanding swirled in Gojos ocean eyes "Who did you think he was?" He asked.

Atsushi shrugged, a frown tugging the corners of his lips down "I thought he was good. That he was better than other people..."

There was a pause. The faint muffled sound of rainfall could hardly be heard in the narrow corridor. Just silence rested betweem them.

Gojo ran a hand through his own unkempt hair "Look, Atsushi-kun" he started "I don't like Dazai. I don't trust that he has good intentions towards me- or my students."

Atsushi listened to him speak with a thoughtfull expression.

"And I don't think I can forgive him for the way he threatened Megumi."  Atsushi had briefly been informed of the altercation by Kunikida "But I don't believe he has bad intentions for this Agency or anyone in it." He finished.

Atsushis eyes widened, lips parted as a rush of suprise washed over him at the admittance.

"You really don't?" Atsushi asked, voice small- hopefull.

Gojo shook his head "No. I think that he truly cares for the Armed Detective Agency." He elaborated  "Wheather that's for his own personal gain or if he truly cares for you all... I don't know him well enough to say."

Atsushi dipped his head in acknowledgement at the words.

Gojo continued "I don't know if he's actually good person- or atleast wants to be better. But I don't believe you're in danger from him." He finished.

Atsushi's brow furrowed "If you didn't think I was in danger from him- why- why did you ask that earlier- if he was..."

He didn't finish the sentence but Gojo guessed how it ended.

"Because" he started softly "Despite whatever I want to assume of Dazais nature i'm not about to gamble anyones safety on it, besides-" displeasure wrinkled his features "I'm not about to put any violent nature beyond him."

Atsushi hummed in understanding before another thought twisted his gut.

"Do you know... Akutagawa?" Atsushi questioned carefully.

Gojos eyes narrowed "Heard of." He replied "Megumi- he was concerned about the way Akutagawa-kun had reacted to Dazai's mention."

Atsushi poorly concealed a wince at the words "I'm sure you heard Chuuya-san say that Dazai-san trained Akuatagawa in the Port Mafia."

Gojo confirmed the statment.

"I think..." Atsushi started, his voice gaining a sturdy edge "That Dazai-san is getting better. I do. But his relationship with Akutagawa is just wrong. There's something unsettling about it... and the more I think about it the more I think that Dazai-san hurt Akutagawa." The admittion tasted bitter on his tounge. "Even if he's a good mentor now- that doesn't change the fact that he abused someone else."

Gojo clicked his tounge, trying to find the right way to respond.

Atsushi wrapped his arms around his legs, tucking them close to this chest.

"I'm a teacher to my students." Gojo started, a warm look on his face "I train them. Spar with them. It's my job to push them to their limit whist also making sure that they don't break that limit." He explained "but training is never about me- it's about them. Helping them grow at a healthy pace in a safe enriroment. And sure mabye once or twice i've hit too hard in sparing-" Yuta Okkotsu had certainty never let him live that one down "- but my intention  was never to really hurt them. And the very last thing i'd ever want is for them to be afraid of me."

Atsushi silently listened to the man.

"If Dazai used fear to train Akutagawa-kun then that's not being a teacher. It's just beating someone down until they listen to you."

The younger boy took a moment to let the words Gojo said sink in. Truly understanding them.

When Atsushi spoke again his voice was hoarse "If Dazai-san really hurt Akutagawa then how am I supposed to forgive that? How am I supposed to look at Dazai-san the same?" He questioned, sorrow coating each word.

Sympathy rested on Gojos face "I can't answer that one. How to forgive him- if you forgive him- that's your choice to make when you're ready."

Atsushi gave Gojo a genuine greatfull smile "Thank you." He whispered.

Gojo returned the small smile "I do still wonder though, why did you come to me about this? Not that I mind, of course." He asked for a second time.

The wind gushed outside and something deep ignited within Atsushis two-toned eyes "Because everyone else adores Dazai-san- he's been in the Armed Detective Agency for longer than most of us..."

"You were worried their perception on things would be tainted." Gojo summarised earning a confirming nod from Atsushi.

"Also..."

A pause.

"... I just felt like you'd understand."

Chapter Text

Bullets whistled through the air. Whizzing past Gins head as she ducked low to the ground.

She kept her knife gripped firmly in her hand as she slid along the concrete ground kicking out a leg to snatch a man off his feet and plundged her blade into his neck.

Crimson splattered across her nose bridge but she paid it no mind as she bounced to her feet, lunging towards another shooter-twisting the gun out of his grip before  allowing her knife to strike again- slashing open this throat.

"GIN! Fall back, there's too many of them!" Tachihara bellowed.

The black lizard arrived at the docs an hour ago, nothing but the soft crashing of waves against the port and the clanking of boats pulling in and out.

They'd been waiting for a wepons dealer to meet them but instead found themselfs surrounded by a gang.

They had claimed they'd heard news of a mystery item obtained by the Port Mafia- one that the Armed Detective Agency wished to take. Assuming it was valuable the group had demanded that the Black Lizard retrieved it and brought it to them. Or die.

Naturally, with no more than a sparing glance between Hirotsu, Gin and Tachihara; they picked the messier option.

Now, hearing Tachihara's call to fall back they realised that it may not have been the brightest idea.

Tachihara continued to fire bullets towards the gang member, taking afew out as he crouched behind a pile of large crates to take cover.

Gin- swift and cunning- slammed the heel of her boot into  a mans stomach, causing him to double over, gasping for air, before she scrambled to duck behind the crates with Tachihara.

And, after blasting his special ability sending a violet burst of power through the port, Hirotsu joined them.

"What do we do old man?!" Tachihara exclaimed, turning to face Hirotsu before returning to his shooting.

"There's to many of them. We'll have to make our escape." The older man said decisively pausing to contemplate.

Gin also began to think, scrunching up her face in thought.

The gang drew closer.

"I'm going to need you guys to think a little faster!" Tachihara shreiked, panic lacing his voice.

An idea sparked beneath Gins silver eyes.

"The water, we can swim to land." She suggested, though it was rare that she spoke.

Hirotsu gave a sharp nod at the idea "it'll be harder for them to follow us. There's too many of them for them all to swim." He said by way of agreement.

"Lets go then." Tachihara agreed quickly.

Shifting on her feet Gin prepared to pounce from where she was crouched behind the crates and make a swift dash for the water.

Tachiharas coppery eyes met her own silver ones and he flashed her a fierce grin. Beneath her mask she returned the gesture, bearing her teeth as she grined back.

Despite not being able to see her mouth Tachihara could tell Gin returned the grin by the way her eyes scrunched up.

Not looking at either of the younger assassins Hirotsu- staring towards the water with a steely glint in his pupils- suddenly ordered them to move.

"NOW!"

Wasting not a moment Tachihara and Gin followed him, moving in long strides as they ran towards the sea.

A rain of bullets still streaked the air around them.

Gin sprinted just behind Tachihara, her feet moving fast as they bounced off the pavement below with something akin to grace.

The wind rushed past her ears, battering her jet black hair that'd been tied back- only afew strands of hair whipping the parts of her face left uncovered by the mask.

She ran and ran and ran.

Then she saw something that made her heart halt in her chest and her stomach turn empty.

A large bullet headed straight towards Tachihara's side, large and of substantial length- its gold-plated point ready to pierce flesh and slam through bone.

It was going to hit it's mark.

Barely thinking, Gin lunged forward, slamming the palm of her hand into Tachiharas back as she shoved him forward with as much force as she could muster.

Tachihara tumbled forward barely catching himself on his feet as Gin pushed him.

A curse rested on his tounge as- still moving forward- as he snapped his head towards Gin. But that curse died before it left his lips.

As Gin had pushed Tachihara out of harms way she herself stumbled into it.

The bullet cut through her, peircing her abdomen as cold metal sliced a hole through her body. A wet cough broke out of her as she staggered forward. Warm blood soaked through her clothes as she clutched a trembling hand to where the bullet had hit.

Shit.

Gin swallowed a cry, unshed tears burning in her eyes as the wound burned, agony rattling through her with every pained gasp for air.

Shouting her name Tachihara clasped onto her arm before she could fall off her feet.

"Gin!" He pleaded, fustration coating his words "Why did you do that?!"

When she didn't reply the tangerine-haired man slung her arm over his shoulder, still moving swiftly as he hauled her towards the sea.

When they reached the  edge of the doc Tachihara's breath caught is his throat before he said "Sorry but this is going to hurt like a bitch." Before he plunged them both into the freezing water below.

Ice cold water attacked them both, salt stinging Gins wound.

Somewhere  between the impossibly cold water and the painfull throb where the bullet had went through her abdomen black overtook Gins vision.

It all faded to black.

                                       ••

Ryuunouske Akutagawa, Mafioso and the Port Mafias prized hellhound raced through the halls as fast has his body would take him.

He sprinted so quickly that his chest burned and blood begun to bubble at the back of his throat- but he wouldn't stop.

It was only when he came bursting through a set of double-doors that he halted his movements, panting as goosebumps tingled down his back.

Chuuya Nakahara waited for him on the other side of thoes doors, wincing breifly before scolding his expression into a forced calm "Akutagawa-" he begun but his jaw snapped shut when the mafioso spoke with a voice full of terror.

"Where is she?!" Akutagawa pleaded.

"Listen to me Akutagawa, I need you to stay calm but the injuries are-"

"I don't care!" The ravenette exlaimed, gunmetal grey eyes brimming with desperation "Let me see her!"

A pause. And then, this time impossibly quiet;

"Please, take me to Gin."

Swallowing roughly Chuuya nodded, mutely taking Akutagawa to the bed where Gin laid.

Akutagawa didn't think he was still breathing.

Gin laid in the bed, her skin impossibly pale. An oxogen mask covered her face and Akutagawa could see bandages wrapped around her torso were her shirt rode up sightly. Tubes stuck out of her arms feeding medicine into her and a heart-rate monitor beeped steadily.

Her eyes were shut as his sister remained unconcious. Unmoving.

A gloved hand reached up to grasp Akutagawas shoulder assuringly "A bullet wound." He explained "It unfortunately hit some vitals when it went though- apparently whilst shoving Tachihara-kun out of gunfire."

A pause.

"They don't know for certain if she'll make it." Dejected. Agonised.

Forcing himself to speak Akutagawa only managed to utter one word "Why?"

"A gang arrived before they  were able to meet with the wepons dealer- they-" a nervous halt before continuing "they demanded an item in the Port Mafias possession that'd caught the interest of the Armed Detective Agency. We don't know for certain how they got that information." Chuuya supplied.

Alutagawa sucked in a breath. After Chuuya had returned from his little 'visit' at the Armed Detective Agency he'd breifly informed Akutagawa about what they'd discussed about the 'cursed object' and told him that the Armed Detective Agencys newfound companions where not from this world. He'd kept it breif, unspecific- only informing him of the basics.

At the time he found himself disgruntled at the fact the Mafia refused to just hand over the object- now it made rage flow through his vains.

One stupid little object had caused his.

Akutagawa bit down in the inside of his cheek. Hard. Until the coppery tang of blod filled his mouth. His ha ds bawled into fists at his sides and he trembled with anger. With fear for his sisters life.

Noticing this Chuuya took a miniature step forward "Akutagawa, my boy" he adressed quietly but firmly, a scolding glint burning in his sapphire eyes "you need to calm down."

Akutagawa took a brisk step back- out of Chuuyas reach.

"No." Akutagawa ground out "I'll find whoever did this and let Rashomon tear them to shredds."

The steady beeping of the heart monitor still echoed through the room in the medical ward.

"Believe me Akutagawa, i'm angry about this aswell." Chuuya stated sharply "but we need to think still. Besides, people aren't supposed to know that you and Gin are related- let alone siblings- if word gets out you could be used against eachother." He reminded.

"I don't care." Akutagawa hissed, his voice breaking "I-" another step backwards. Towards that door.

"Akutagawa." Chuuya attempted to placate "if you go and one of them escape- if they know it's you- they'll be able to guess your attachment to her." He tried to reason.

A dangerous cold rested in Akutagawas eyes as he said with deadly finality.

"They won't. I'm not letting anyone make it out alive."

"Aku-" Chuuya started, but before he could even say the name the dark-haired Mafioso had left.

Thundering towards his prey.

                                      ••

Crimson blood pooled beneath Akutagawas feet as Rashomon sliced down every person in that gang.

A lethal calm expression remained solid on his face as he killed and killed and killed.

Calm on the ouside. Even as a livid rage burned under his skin and the image of his younger sisters motionless body in that medical room made his stomach turn cold and empty.

The last gang member sobbed in terror, fat tears sliding down his gaunt face as he begged for his life.

"Ple-please- don't kill me- I-I don't even know who you are- wh-why are you doing this?!"

"My name is Akutagawa." The hellhound declared, his voice like a glacial storm. "And i'm doing this because one of your men hurt someone important to me. This is the price."

Rashomon flew close to the mans neck.

"No,no,no!" He cried "Please! I didn't-!"

Akutagawa didn't let the man finish before he let his ability slice open the mans throat. Ruby sprayed, splattering into the hem of the mafiosos coat.

Surrounded by bodies of the people he killed Akutagawa didn't so much as blink before he turned to leave, his ink-black boots splashing through puddles of blood.

He returned to the Mafia breifly, moving discretely to avoid Chuuya Nakahara who was no-doubt awaiting his return. He washed the bloodstains from himself before leaving once again.

This time his destination was the Armed Detective Agency.

Chapter Text

Ryuunouske Akutagawa burst into the Armed Detective Agency. The doors to the office slamming open with so much force that they almost came flying off their hinges- the wood splintering.

Atsushi, Yosano, Kunikida, Tanizaki, Ranpo and Dazai all startled at the ruckus. Eyes flying towards the Port Mafia member that now stood in the doorway.

Sweat slid down Akutagawas brow. His chest rose and fell quickly as his legs shook- knees threatening to buckle. The mafiosos breathing was ragged and a haunted look flickered in his eyes.

Atsushi was the first to speak once he broke through the shocked silence "Akutagawa?! What are you doing here?"

Silver eyes flicked to Atsushi for a moment before settling decisively on a certain bandaged detective accross the room.

Rage flared in thoes eyes, which is why the room bristled as the words that left the Mafiosos mouth were nothing more than a plea.

"Please, Dazai-san... please..." he begged, his voice impossibly quiet.

It caught Atsushi off guard and unsettled him at the way the ravenettes voice broke between words.

Dazai didn't so much as blink "Akutagawa. What are you doing here, you know you're not welcome to come bursting into the agency." His tone was firm and despite the softness lacing his former mentors voice Akutagawa felt as though a blade had been twisted in his gut at the rejection.

Keeping his face blank Akutagawa still dared to ask "What is it....?"

The bandaged detective furrowed his brow in confusion, a frown tugging down the corners of his mouth "You're going to have to be more specific than that Akutagawa-kun."

Gathering up some courage Akutagawa crossed the distance between.

The ravenette spoke quietly yet firmly as he demanded for information "Tell me- what is the item Mori-san posseses that the Agency wants so badly. What is it?"

Fustration twinged in Dazais chest but hs didn't allow it to show as he drawled "I don't know what you're talking about." He lied sweetly.

Akutagawa grit his teeth, desperation threating to consume him as he neared a breaking point "Liar. You're lying! Last week- when you all invaded the Mafia with thoes strange people. You wanted something from Mori-san. What was it?"

"You should know i'm under no obligation to share any of this information with you." His tone was glacial and an unforgiving darkness shone in Dazais eyes.

Atsushi shuddered at the cruel glare his mentor gave Akutagawa, dread coiling in his gut.

Despite the anxiety that made bile burn at the back of his throat Akutagawa continued to press forward "Chuuya-san said it was  called a cursed object.  That it's not from our world. T-that neither were thoes people- thats why when our abilitys clashed-" the mafioso winced, slamming his jaw shut when he realised he'd said too much.

Rising from his seat, Dazai slid his hands into the pockets of his trenchcoat "it seems that little Chuuya has been blabbing too much."

A threat lied in the underone of the statment, and Akutagawas already pale skin managed to grow even paler.

"...It's Gin." The black-haired boy admitted, a bitter tinge to his voice "She was attacked... by people who wanted this cursed object... it was- she was- its not good..." his voice trailed off into a volume that was practically inaudible.

Silence was all that settled over the room. An impossibly loud silence. It made Akutagawa want to scream, to claw at his ears and tear off his own skin.

He lowered his head, that desperation rooting itself deeper and deeper "Please, just tell me why you want it..."

Dazai didn't answer. He atleast has the decency to lower his chestnut eyes to the desk infront of him.

When his former protege stormed into the Armed Detective Agency he found himself rendered practically speechless with shock. At the way Akutagawa had demanded answers- the fact that it was fury that burned in thoes eyes. But then the ravenette uttered one name and it all made sense;

Gin

And in that moment Dazai knew that is Akutagawa wanted to tear Yokohma to shreds knowone could stop the Mafioso. Not even him.

The only reason he was pleading was because he needed answers that killing wouldn't get him.

So, prahaps, it was foolish as Dazai pressed his lips into a thin line in refusal to answer his ex-student.

Not that it mattered because it was his partner in the agency who spoke up to reply.

"Ranpo-san believes it might be able to send them back to their own universe. On top of that it's also dangerous, and we don't know what kind of power it has. We can't understand it. Best to send it back to were it belongs." Kunikida explained helpfully.

"What form does this object take?" Akutagawa inquired further and Kunikida indulged the ravenettes curiosity.

"It's a severed finger. Apparently belonging to the 'King Of Curses'" Kunikida replied.

Disspointment crumpled Akutagawas features, something pained crossing over his nonchalant face. There and gone in the same breath.

"Is my sister going to die over a servered finger?" Akutagawa said, his voice empty. Devoid of any emotion.

Afew gasps and sharp intakes of breath could be heard throught the room.

It was Tanizaki who spoke next, his voice trembling slightly as he uttered "Sister?" Like he was praying he's miss-heard.

Akutagawa hunched is shoulders, realising he shouldn't have revealed the information so carelessly-

Tanizaki waited for him to reply, his tangerine eyes round and sad.

There was no use lying about it now.

Akutagawa tucked his hands into the pockets of his black coat to hide the slight shaking that laced through them "Gin is my younger sister." He admitted.

Tears stung at Tanizakis eyes "You-" he stumbled over the prospect, even now "you're Gin-sans older brother?" He practically whispered, like the idea was surreal.

Akutagawa nodded mutely. His expression still a blank facade.

But at that tiny nod Tanizakis heart splintered "I'm so sorry." He offered. Not as an Armed Detective Agency member to a Port Mafia member. But sincerely, as one older brother to another.

Akutagawa remained in silence after that. So did Tanizaki. They all did.

Nothing more needed to be said.

Until Yosano decided so speak up, "Akutagawa-kun."

The ravenette in question slid his gaze to the woman.

Her dark hair hanging just below her chin, dressed in a blouse and pleated skirt that dipped just below her knee. Her amethyst eyes pinned him under a serious glare.

"I'd like to propose a deal." She offered.

"I'm listening."

She chewed her bottom lip, contemplating. Was she really going to make this offer?

Yes- she decided. She was.

"I want you to aid the Armed Detective Agency in our plans to take the Cursed Object from the Port Mafias clutches." She delcared.

The wind whistled outside.

Yosano continued, voice firm "and in return I will heal your sister."

Akutagawas grey eyes widened at the answer. His body tensing. He blinked. Once. Twice. Like he was unsure if he'd heard her right.

"You'll heal her?" He echoed, like he didn't fully believe it.

Yosano nodded, her hair moving like silk at the motion "I'll ask that you have her brought here so I can monitor her for afew days after- but yes. Help the agency with thsi one task and I swear to you I will heal her."

"Done." Akutagawa replied swiftly. No hesitation.

A lazy grin spread across Yosanos face.

"Welcome to the team Akutagawa-kun." She drawled "you're officially a traitor to the Port Mafia."

"Only if he gets caught!" Ranpo- who had watched everything play out without saying so much as a word- chimed in.

Akutagawa didn't even try to hide his frown.

"Oh, and you'll be glad to know Akutagawa-kun" Ranpo continued "that your not alone. Chuuya has also agreed to slip information to us."

Akutagawas mouth fell agape.

"Nakahara-san?" He breathed, disbelief evident on his face.

From behind his desk- once again lounging on a chair- Dazai snorted "You're still calling him that?" He asked, amusement lighting up his eyes "Oh man, I dread to think how much he's begged you to drop that habit."

Akutagawas frown deepened. Yes. Chuuya often pleaded with him to abandon the formality.

"Nakahara-san is my superior." Akutagawa stated blandly.

Dazai sighed dramatically "A superior who's been pleading with you to call him 'just Chuuya' since you were what? Thirteen? Fourteen?" He practically deadpanned.

Atsushi stiffened.

Kunikida sucked in a breath at the question- that age was so young. A child. Dazai himself must've only been in his late-teens himself. About sixteen.

Off-handedly Kunikida wondered how young Osamu Dazai had joined the port mafia.

How young they all had been. Didn't Akutagawa say that Gin was his younger sister? By just how much?

Akutagawa had merely turned away at Dazais teasing, giving a small scoff.

"I bring my sister to you and you will heal her, yes?" Akutagawa ensured.

"You have my word." Yosano agreed.

Akutagawa had dipped his head once in thanks before turning on his heel and darting out of the door- his black coat flaring out behind him.

Atsushi lingered in the room breifly.

Dazai lounged back in his chair, swiveling as he continued to neglect the stack of papers infront of him.

Yosano rose to her feet, announcing something about preparing the medical ward in the Agency for Gin's arrival in order to treat her efficency and Tanizaki- heartbreak still lingering in his golden eyes- eagerly offered his help. Big brother instincts, Atsushi had supposed.

Ranpo pushed aside the box of pink-icning donughts that he'd been munching through most of the day, leaning forward with a serious expression on his face as he lost himself to thought.

When Atsushi finally glanced towards Kunikda he found the older man already looking directly at him. The white-haired boy swiftly looked away, suddenly finding the tiled topaz floor interesting.

He waited afew minutes- allowing everyone to go back to their work before slipping out of the room and into the corridor. Shutting the door with a soft 'click' he ascended the oak stairs up and up.

He found himself on the roof of the agency. The distant squawking of birds accompanied by the humming of the passing wind was the only sound.

The cold air was refreshing on Atsushis face. Rays of sunlight beamed through the eggshell-white clouds that adorned the sky. No longer raining like it had the day prior. Not too warm but certainly not to cold.

As he stood on the walled roof Atsushi wasn't sure if he was breathing right.

A pressing weight threatened to crush his chest. That lost, lonely, uncertain feeling that he'd thought had begun to diminish threatened to choke him.

He didn't know anything anymore.

He didn't know who Dazai was. He didn't know who Akutagawa was. Not anymore. He never did really.

A port mafia leader and his student. A master and a servant. An abuser and his prey. A mentor and a protege. A child and a younger child. A broken soul and a lost one.

Atsushi didn't know which of thoes things to lable Dazai and Akugagwas relationship with as he witnessed them speaking just moments ago.

Because rage wasn't the only emotion in thoes gunmetal eyes.

Atsushi saw it when Dazai would speak, something else flickered there.

Terror. Not just as he feared for his sisters life but as he feared Dazais every movement.

Stop thinking about it. Atsushi willed himself. Over and over.

He couldn't stop.

So many moments. So many memories flashed through his head.

Every sentence, every word.

Each insult Akutagawa has sneered at him. The way he spoke about Dazai. The way he spoke about the mafia.

With nothing but sheer luck you're praised and revered by Dazai.
You don't even understand how lucky you are!

At the time he'd thought it was jelousy.

Not he realised that that rage wasn't meant for him. Not really. It was meant for Dazai. the anger and hurt and betrayal for being abandoned and replaced.

It was all so messy.

It tore at Atsushis heart. It hurt him so, so much. But what right did he have to be so destroyed by this when he wasn't the one who'd endured the Demon Prodigy at his worst.

Thay didn't make it hurt any less.

Behind him a door creaked open.

"Atushi?" A voice called, calm but cautious.

Atsushi couldn't bring himself to reply to the call of his name.

Kunikida merely approached where Atsushi leaned against the wall, staring out into the city of Yokohama with an unfaltering gaze.

"Atsushi?" Kunukida tried again, now standing directly at Atsushi's side- though still leaving enough space between them for the younger boy to have his personal space.

Silence.

And Kunikida finally asked, voice gruff "why are you crying?"

Soundless tears broke down Atushis face as he finally tore his gaze from the city around them and looked towards the blonde detective with tearfull eyes.

"Please, tell me what's wrong." Kunikida inquired, doing his best attempt at sounding comforting.

Fighting past the lump lodged in his throat Atsushi uttered in a hoarse voice "I feel lost. Like I don't know who he is."

Atushi didn't say who 'he' was but Kunikida knew it was two people.

Dazai and Akutagawa.

The blonde man frowned deeply "I understand that this is alot to take in. You  care for Dazai. Knowing you you probably found yourself caring for Akutagawa-kun too- which I imagine is abit of a shock in itself. And your perception of both has been changed so much in such a short amount of time. It's so surprise that they both feel like strangers." Kunikida supplied, hopefull that the reassurance that his feelings were valid would console the crying boy.

"Am I allowed to care about either of them?" Atsushi asked wearily.

"You can care about whoever you want. You can feel whatever you want to feel about them. You can care that Akutagawa-kun has suffered so greatly at Dazais hands whilst also caring that Dazai suffered being brought into the mafia so young. It doesn't have to be exclusive to one." Kunikida explained "Dazai left the mafia and came to the Armed Detective Agency with the desire to use his gifts to save people. But that doesn't change the fact that he destroyed lives in his past."

Tears continued to slide down Atushis cheeks and he pawed at them- them away even though they continued to flow from his eyes.

"It's too much." Atsushi half-sobbed "I don't know how to come to terms with all of that."

A sorrowful look swept over Kunikida's features "That's okay. You don't need to know, not yet, it'll come with time." he assured.

Atsushi said nothing, just turning to stare back out into the city.

Vehicles rumbled down the narrow roads; busses, cars, vans and motorcycles. All a miryad of different colours, shapes and sizes. Lights flashed on traffic lights and the occasional honking of a car-horn bellowed through the streets.

People bustled down the sidewalk, their voices no more than a faint mumbling from so high up.

Atsushi just watched and listened to it all mutely, still choking back tears.

Kunikida didn't utter so much as a word as he lifted his hand to the center of the younger detectives back rubbing soothing circles there.

The danm broke at the movement.

A violent sob broke it's way past his lips, followed by gasping, agonised cries.

The blonde man just kept his hand on the base of Atsushis back as sobs racked his frail body.

They stayed there until thoes sobs died down into muffled cries. And then into quiet whimpering. Waited until they died out entierly.

And all what remained was a silence silence.

The weight on Atsushis chest felt lighter.

Chapter Text

She looks so still, was all Akutagawa could think as he sat on a small wooden stool in the armed detective agencys medical room.

Gins breathing was shallow. Her black hair cascading over the soft sheets below her. Her eyes were shut and under different circumstances Akutagawa might have thought she looked like she was in a peaceful sleep.

That would be if it weren't for weren't for the steady beeping of the heart-rate monitor reminding him exactly why his sister was layed here. She'd been shot.

He hadn't said anything since he arrived at the doors of the Armed Detective Agency at the crack of dawn- and noone had questioned him as he wordlessly took up a seat at Gins bedside.

None of the Agency members disturbed his hallow silence aside from the doctor- Akiko Yosano coming in regularly to check up on Gin and ask Akutagawa if she'd stirred from her sleep. Every time he just shook his head. Every time the doctor just gave him a sad smile for disspearing back to whatever other work she had to do.

He hadn't told anyone in the Port Mafia where he'd went, or why he'd taken Gin to the Armed Detective Agencys medical professional so abruptly the following day without explaination-

Which is why the mafioso was a little more than suprised when he turned to see Chuuya Nakahara leaning casually against a doorframe.

Panic struck in Akutgawas chest instantly.

"Nakahara-san!" He stammered instantly, leaping to his feet, "what are you- why are you-?"

He faltered, stuttering as he desperately tried to form the correct words, but Chuuya just raised a gloved hand to silence Akutagawa.

He pressed his lips together, watching the other man with nervous anticipation.

Yet, the executives expression held no malice or discontent but instead a quiet, gentle understanding.

"It's alright Akutagawa-kun." Chuuya consoled, "At ease. I'm not here to scold you." He assured.

Akutagawa didn't try to hide his confusion.

"It's okay, I know the deal you made with the Agency to save your sister."

The mafioso stiffened. "They said..." He muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, "you agreed to feed them information about the Port Mafias plans for the 'Cursed Object'."

Chuuyas gaze softned, "I did."

"Why?" Was all Akutagawa could manage to ask.

Chuuya sighed deeply, rubbing a gloved hand againt the back of his nape, "Because," he said, "the Port Mafia isn't always right."

A moment passed where the only sound was the dull beeping of the heart-rate monitor and the hushed whistle of the wind outside.

"Oh." Akutagawa replied, the word itself a whisper.

The mafioso shifted uncomfortably, his expression painfully blank before he decided to retreat back to his post sitting on the tiny wooden stool beside Gins unconcious form.

Chuuya just stood there, examining the form of the younger man before him. He saw the tense lines of Akutagawas blank expression and the heavy sorrow vlittering in bis gunmetal-gray eyes.

Crossing the distance between them, Chuuya found himself stood less than a meter from the mafiosos side.

"What's on your mind, kid?" He asked eventually,  once the silence grew too suffocating to bare much longer.

Akutagawas pale hands curled into loose fints on his lap, and he bit the inside of his cheek hard enough to draw blood.

"Are you leaving?"

The question struck Chuuya with a lash of surprise and he bristled as he processed the words, gaze turning to Akutagawa who didn't even meet his ocean-blue eyes.

The executives brow furrowed, mouth twisting into a frown, "why would you think that I-" he begun to ask but then cut himself of sharply- the words dying on the tip of his tounge.

That was a stupid question to be asking. He knew why the younger man thought that.

He sighed.

"No, Akutagawa-kun. I'm not going anywhere."

                                      ••

Yosano was just dwindling her way through a stack of paperwork when Ranpos voice broke her consentration.

"You would've helped anyway wouldn't you?"

Yosano stirred, placing her fountain pen down elequantly on the wooden desk and leaning back in her chair as she lifted her gaze to glare at Ranpo from atop her glasses.

"What?" She inquired, raising a brow.

The other detective groaned dramatically, toying with an empty bottle- watching the turqouise marble inside spin and slide along glass, "You know what I mean." He insisted.

Yosano let out a long sigh, removing her glasses and placing them beside her fountain pen on the desk before rubbing the bridge of her nose between her thumb and index finger.

Yes. She knew exactly what Ranpo meant.

"Come on." Ranpo drawled, his eyes still following the glass marbles swirling inside of the bottle, "Even if Akutagawa-kun refused to lend us his aid you would've saved his sister." He stated, like it was a fact and not a theory.

Yosano didn't even attempt to deny his words, instead nodding once with deadly seriousness, "I would have." She admitted.

"Why?" Ranpo asked her, sounding intrigued.

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes dramatically, "You know why." Yosano insisted.

"True." Ranpo chirped with a shrug, "but, I'd like to hear it in your words. Humor me."

Yosano exhlaled deeply, humming thoughtfully, "Because,  I realised I don't know Akutagawa-kun's full story or why he's in the Mafia but yesterday all I did see..." she paused for a moment, emotion glistening in her eyes "... was a big brother, worried about his little sister. And even with the stony exterior, when he shouted at Dazai- so hurt and angry and scared- he looked human."

Ranpo nodded slowly, satisfied, and he finally stopped to look at Yosano, noting the deep emotion etched into her features.

After a moment the corners of her mouth cuved into an amused smile, and she tagged on with a soft chuckle, "Besides," the went on, "I think Tanizaki might have burst out crying right then and there if I didn't offer."

Chapter Text

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden haze across the surface of the river.  The water gushed gently, catching the tangerine sunlight in flashes of shiny copper and amber.

On the bank, Atsushi Nakajima stood, his feet planted against the smooth concrete guarding the rivers edge, the fabric of his clothes catching in the soft breeze.

The hum if the river and the hushed pulse of the city of in the far distance him so soothing Atsushi almost forgot about the half-a-dozen civilians that had gone missing passing through this area in the past few weeks alone.

The area around this part of the river was decolate, houses vacant and oozing with crime.

Atsushi took a slow breath, his face lifted to the dying embers of sunlight still streching along the ground. Trying to smother the uneasy feeling that churned in his stomach from just being here.

"Atsushi-kun."

Atsushi bristled as Kunikida called his name.

"Yeah?" He called back.

Kunikida strolled towards him, his hands tucked elegantly into his pockets and his experssion molded into one of calm seriousness. Or atleast it looked calm at first.

As it was only when Kunikida was stood afew strised away from him that Atsushi could see the way worry creased his brow and something akin to panic shadowed his emerald eyes.

"Whats wrong?" Atsushi asked immediately, shoulders straightening.

Kunikida shook his head, "These missing people cases, I don't like the timing."

Atsushi's brow furrowed in confusion, his eyes drawing up to meet with the older detectives.

"These missing people cases started around the same time a certain group of individuals appeared in this world. And there's no traces, no distubrances to the area, no reports of suspicious behaviour beyond the usual- nothing to go off."

Atsushi jolted, swallowing a sharp gasp before asking tentatively, "You think theres a connection?" He asked, though he knew the answer already.

Kunikida nodded slowly.

"What-" Atsushi faltered, before starting again with a bit more of a steady edge to his tone, "What are we going to do?"

Kunikida sighed, dragging a calloused hand down his face.

"I'm going to make a phonecall."

                                      ••

Gojo Satoru arrived within five minutes after Kunikida called him saying they needed him for something related to a case.

The man asked no questions about why he was needed, he didn't doubt their intentions or pester them over the details.

The only thing he asked was "Where?"

Atsushi had heard before from Megumi Fushiguro that the white haired sorcerer had horrible punctuality; but he supposed that desperate times called for desperate actions.

In this case that seemed to be actually showing up on time.

Gojo wandered forward, his posture lax. He carried himself like he was used to being untouchable- and even this strange unpredictable new world didn't phase him.

"Gojo-san." Kunikida greeted, dipping his head in some semblance of a bow, "Thank you for coming on such short notice."

Gojo merely waved him off with a dissmissive shrugg, "I'd ask what's up but i'd assume it's something to do with the crazy levels of cursed energy around here." He said casually, slipping his hands into his pockets as he stopped before Atsushi and Kunikida.

Atsushi and Kunikida both sucked in a sharp breath.

"What did you just say?" Kunikida practically hissed.

Gojo shifted, looking around like he could see something- even with that blindfold wrapped around his eyes- that they couldn't.

"There's cursed energy all over this place. The first i've felt since arriving here." He stated in a plain, factual tone.

Or at least, as plain as you could get for Satoru Gojo.

"What does it mean?" Atsushi asked, ignoring the way nerves shook his voice slightly.

"Okay,  I think i'm owed a question first. " he stated, raising his half in polite motion signaling for Atsushi to pause, "What's going on? What happened for you guys to call me?"

A string of tension hung heavily in the air.

"We were called here for a missing persons case." Atsushi said eventually, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Danm it." Gojo gritted out, a shadow passing across his face.

Kunikida seemed to contemplate with a grave expression twisting his features.

"You need to block off the area. It's not a good idea for anyone to be passing through there whilst the cursed energy levels are this high." He explained, running his fingers through his white cloudy hair.

Atsushi faltered for a second at the sudden demand but he quickly recovered, giving a sharp hum of confirmation, "Right."

Kunikida gave his own sound of approval, "I'll go inform the officers." Was all he said before disspearing off towards the huddle of police all buzzing with conversation.

Atsushi had a horrible feeling that this wasn't the last they'f hear of this mess.

                                      ••

The following day, Chuuya Nakahara leaned casually against the desk, his arms folded loosely across his chest. His posture was relaxed and a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, as he waited for conversation to unfold, his gaze drifting thoughtfully around the room. Everything about his posture exuded confidence without even a hint of effort.

His eyes flickered from one person to the next, noting their movements with a sort of quiet curiosity,  his attention sharp and the executive had to admit curiosity tugged at the back of his mind as he wondered who would be the first to speak.

Unsurprisingly,  it was Dazai.

"Um, remind me why we're all here again." He inquired, raising his hand as he spoke in an almost childish manner.

Everyone had arrived- and he meaned everyone. The whole Armed Detective Agency, Akutagawa, Chuuya and the four strangers who'd wound up in their world all stood around the room with quiet anticipation.

"We're here to discuss how we will move forward in reaguards to obtaining the cursed object currectly in possession of the Port Mafia." Fukuzawa explained, his eyes like steel, "We need to make sure we're all on the same page. The Port Mafia is dangerous and rash, we can't take any chances with them."

Chuuya couldn't help but scoff, "Jeez,  thanks." He uttered dryly,  "Love to see the vote of confidence." He added, sarcasm dripping from the words.

He tilted his head, meeting Akutagawas gaze and had to choke down a laugh when he saw the youngers face looked just as bored and unimpressed as his own. Chuuya supressed an amused smirk.

Stifling that smirk became nearly impossible when a certain blindfolded sorcerer let out a snort of laughter, his face crinkling with humor.

"Glad to know we all trust eachother." Gojo commented in jest, his voice twinkling with amusement. Chuuya lookwed towards the other man and a silent message passed between them.

Chuuya and Akutagawa weren't  the only outsiders who didn't belong in this room.

"Chuuya-San. Akutagawa-kun." Fukuzawa adressed ignoring the half mocking comments from moments ago, "I believe you have information about the transportation of the Cursed Object?"

Akutagawa stiffened,  uncomfortable with the way the spotlight suddenly shifted onto him- with the way every pair of eyes in the room flicked towards him.

So Chuuya stole that spotlight.

"I revived word that the 'Cursed Object' is due to be tranported to a small yet trusted gang of underground specialists in Yokohama. Mori is willing to pay them a hefty sum to have research on the objects potential as a wepon done. " Chuuya explained, "The object will be traded to the gang in a werehouse down near one of the more desolate areas in Yokohama, just off the river edge, but I'd reccomend intercepting it before then."

Kunikida jumped in blinking slowly as he processed the information,  "how do we intercept it before then?"

Something proud flickered in Chuuyas sapphire eyes as he continued, "The Port Mafia likes to take more complex routes- switching cars and shit- to throw authorities of their tail." A moment and then he added on in a grumbling afterthought, "Though i'm sure Dazai could have told you that." Cutting a sharp glare towards the other man who merely returned the death-glare with an arrogant smirk.

Fucking mackerel.

"So your suggesting that we find this exchange point and stop the Cursed Object before it even gets anywhere important?"  Gojo asked, finally piping into the conversation.

Chuuya nodded in confirmation.

"How do we find out where that is?" Kunikida inquired, his pen scratching against his notebook, no doubt noting down every dreg of information with excruciating detail.

"It's-" Chuuya begun but Akutagawa beat him too it, the mafioso answering within a heartbeat.

"It's in the east of Yokohama, in a Minami Ward, there's an abandoned Mourge around there used as an exhange point between vehicles." Akutagawa supplied, tone calm.

Chuuya looked at him, his face a carefully constructed painting of utter, undiluted confusion, "How do you know that?" He asked instantly, suprised.

Now it was Akutagawa's turn to look confused, blinking twice and silting his head in an owlish manner, "what do you mean?" He replied, devoid of any emotion.

"You don't handle thoes kind of deals and as far as i'm aware you've never been cleared to work on any of thoes deals." Chuuya said, obviously baffled, then his eyes narrowed on Akutagawa, his voice taking on a fustrated edge "I've never cleared you to go Akutagawa. I'm an executive, i'm in charge of what missions you do and don't take on." He added a touch sharply.

Akutagawa bristled, a range of emotions, - hurt, anger, fear, sadness - all flickered across his face in quick succession before his cool, collected mask of indifference fell back on, "Calm down." Akutagawa huffed, "I went on thoes missions back when I first joined the Mafia- before I started working under you." He explained.

Chuuyas fustration intensified, but it was no longer directed at Akutagawa.

"You sent him?!" Chuuya exclaimed,  turning to face Dazai in an instant, "Danmit, he was fourteen-"

"-will you stop acting like he was a helpless child-"

"- he was a child-!"

A scoff. "- Not a helpless one!"

"Stop it! Both of you. It doesn't matter." Akutagawa interjected, his face twisted in irritation and his fists clenched at his sides.

Atushi's watercolour eyes flicked towards the mafioso, studying him with a tense expression before clearly coming to some kind of silent resolution in his mind as he turned to Dazai and Chuuya, "We're getting off track." He said sternly before adding on a touch nervously, "Where were we at- before- um- that?"

The rest of the Armed Detective Agency who had just watched the interaction in stunned silence finally seemed to snap out of their mute observation.

Chuuya cleared his throat, his cheeks flushing slightly in embassasment, but he still held traces of an angry glimmer in his blue eyes, "Right. Yeah." He said, almost dismissively, "I can pinpoint the exact locations later, if that's alright." He proposed, with a pointed look towards the detectives dotted around the room.

Kunikida piped up quickly, "Yes that would be helpfull. Thank you."

Chuuya just gave a shallow nod in repsonse.

"It would be best if we split up into groups." Ranpo eventually informed, sending all eyes in the room firing towards him.

The detective was perched on the edge of a wooden desk, his legs hanging over the edge, his feet not quite reaching the ground, as he slipped his iron-rimmed glasses over his nose-bridge.

"Gojo-san. Kunikida-kun." Ranpo begun, gis voice sharp and direct as he jabbed a finger in the direction of the two men, "You two will work to intercept the cursed object at the exchange point."

The detective and sorcerer shared a small glance, their gazes lingering for a moment before turning back towards Ranpo with a curt nod.

Ranpo continued, "You will then hijack the van being used for transportation and take it to pick up Atsushi-kun, Fushiguro-kun, Itadori-kun and Tanizaki-kun who will be waiting at the werehouse monitoring things there."

No one objected. No one would dare to dissagree with Ranpo's decisions anyways.

"You'll then finally stop near the north end of the Yokohama river, where myself Nobara-chan and Akiko will be."

"The north end of the river?"  Chuuya asked suddenly, "why there of all places?"

"Firstly, it's within a reasonable distance to the werehouses." He declared, popping up a finger for empathis, "and secondly-!"

"The cursed energy levels there are through the roof."

Every head turned to Gojo.

                                     ••


"How much longer you think they'll be in there for?" Nobara Kugisaki asked, breaking the silence.

She shifted against the hard wall of the agency she was leaning against.

Megumi gave an unbothered shrugg in responce, "Who knows." He stated nonchalantly.

The three teenagers- Nobara Kugisaki, Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro- had lingered in the hallway of the Armed Detective Acency for almost two hours already. It didn't take long before they subsittited for sitting on the tiled floor.

"Do you think it'll work?" Nobara asked, praying that she didn't sound too hopeful.

There was a dreadfully long pause.

Silence hung in the air; thick and heavy with suffocating tension.

Then-

"Yeah." Yuji uttered finally, his voice tight as he attempted to feign optimism.

Nobara looked in his direction and almost winced at the tight smile on her friends face. His chcolate eyes where empty and something unsettling shook his words.

"I mean..." Yuji continued quietly,  "...It had to work, right?"

No one answered.

No more words passed between the three Jujutsu sorceres for a long, painfull time, and Nobara could have sobbed with relief when someone approached them.

"Hey- um-" the detective started, "Do you mind if I- I wanted to say-"

Atsushi faltered again, tumbling over his words as he stood before them- his face tilted towards the ground and cloved hands clenched into weak fists.

"I-" A pause. Then, much softer and quieter, "Sorry. I'll just leave." He muttered,  turning on his heel to leave.

"Hey!" Yuji called, his voice filled eish his usual kindness "Come sit with us." He invited, tapping the ground beside him for empathis.

Atsushi seemed to blink in suprise but after a second he was smiling softly, sitting in the ground just a short distance from Yuji- his knees tucked close to his chest.

Atsushi seemed to hesitant to initiate conversation so Nobara took it into her own hands.

"How are things going in there?" She asked, nodding her head towards the door to the Agencys main office.

Atsushi jolted but recovered quickly, "Good. They're just talking the coordinates and stuff over." He supplied.

Nobara nodded, "Sounds good." She said with a half-smile.

The glowing sunlight of the day cast rays of glimmer through the narrow hallway, and Nobara felt it warm her skin as it arched over her face.

It was almost peaceful as they all sat in comfortable silence.

Then, suddenly, Megumi bounced to his feet.

"Where are you going?" Nobara inquired, but he didn't reply.

Megumi simply tucked his hands into his navy trouser pockets and slipped away.

Not long after Megumi left words started to tuble their way out of Atsushi.

"I'm really sorry." He apologised suddently, catching both Nobara and Yuji off guard, "..For this whole mess, we should have been able to deal with the Port Mafia."

Nobara and Yuji looked at eachother confused.

Blinking once. Twice.

Then they both burst into a flitfull laughter.

Atsushi flushed, "W-What-" he floundered, confused.

Yuji gave a genuine, broad smile as he clasped his hand on Atsushis shoulder, "Oh man-" he gasped between spells of laughter.

Atsushi just appeared confused, blush still staining his cheeks.

Yuji and Nobaras laughter quicky fizzled out, leaving the strawberry-haired boy grinning at Atsushi.

Yuji only said one thing;

"You have no need to apologise."

                                      ••

Ryuunouske Akutagawa had returned to his sisters side the moment he was allowed to; sitting at her bedside, englulfed in silence.

Occasionally, doctor Yosano would come in to fuss over Gin or Chuuya would poke his head around the door to ask if Akutagawa needed anything- but aside from that he was left to nothing more than the company of his own thoughts.

Which is why the mafioso had to admit he was suprised when he saw a certain black-haired jujutsu sorcerer silgering in the doorway.

"What do you want?" Akutagawa snapped sharply.

Megumi didn't dignify him with a response as he clicked the door shut behind him and strode into the room.

"How is she?" Megumi asked, gazing upon Gins unconscious form.

Akutagawa bristled, caught of guard by the question, "What is it to you?" He countered defensively.

Megumi huffed out a sigh, "Look, if you really want me to leave, I will. But I have a sister in hospital right now and I know how sitting in silence for so long can drive a person insane."

Akutagawas silver eyes widened considerably.

Megumi waited for the mafioso to send him away, but the man merely shifted to face his sister's resting form again.

Megumi moved to the opposide side of the bed, pulling up a neat wooden stool much like the one Akutagawa was perched on and took a seat oposite.

"Do you know when she'll be conscious  again?" He dared to ask the mafioso.

Akutagawa shook his head slowly, "Not exactly... but doctor Yosano-san estimates a few more days."

Megumi hummed in acknowledgement.

"... what about your sister?" Akutagawa then asked,  his voice so quiet Megumi wondered for a moment if he'd imagined the question.

"She..." Megumi swallowed roughly, "She's been in a coma for just short of a year and a half."

Akutagawas head whipped up.

"She shows no signs of waking up."

Megumis expression grew haunted, a dark shadow of some distant memory fliskering in his dull eyes.

Still, something warm and comforted bloomed deep within his chest as he looked upon the resting girl infront of him.

Her skin was starting to get its colour back, and her black hair was still lush and healthy as it spilled across the soft cotton pillow beneath her.

She'd be waking up soon.

And...

"I knew her." Megumi said suddenly.

Akutagawas brow furrowed, and he tilted his head to the side in a minuscule movement.

"Gin-san. I met her once when I first arrived here. I asked her for directions and she told me to leave the area- that it wouldn't be safe." Megumi re-accounted.

Akutagawa stared at him- shock strung across his features. "The first morning we fought." He uttered, his voice practically a whisper.

Megumi nodded in mute confirmation.

The mafioso looked away and his eyes darkened with some unspoken emotion.

"I'm so-" Akutagawa started then paused, shaking his head and falling back into silence.

Megumi didn't need to ask to know what the older boy was going to say, and he didn't stop to ponder what the meaning behind the words meant.

He just sighed, meeting a pair of gunmetal-gray eyes and saw the years of lonliness and sorrow that lied beneath.

                                     ••

"So that settles it." Gojo stated, leaning back against the wooden desk.

Ranpo nodded firmly, "The traces of the cursed technique still linger on you. So combine that with the feild of cursed energy and then the spike of cursed energy that will be caused when Itadori-kun consumes Sukunas finer should cause the rift between worlds to open again even if it's only for a moment and you should be able to get back to your world."

"When are we moving out?" Gojo asked, a smile dancing on the corners of his lips.

"Um, can someone translate what Ranpo-san just said please?" Atsushi, who had just walked back into the room, pleaded.

No one answered.

"You should have four days." Chuuya supplied.

So it was settled. In four days time they would be in motion.

Chapter Text

The next four days had been eventful to say the least- and they'd left everyone equally exausted and more prepared for what was about to happen next.

Cold air rolled through the docs at night, everything bathed with the silver glow of the moonlight.

They stood in the shadows, their figures mere silhouettes against the great expance around them, and the wooden doc creaking beneath their feet with each subtle tilt and shift.

A man in a long coat stood at the edge of the doc, his hands burried deep in his pockets as he gazed up at the star-flecked sky. Each breath he took formed infront of him in the cold air, before vanishing quickly into the shadows of night.

It was Osamu Dazai.

Akutagawa would recognise that man anywhere. No matter how many times he abandoned him or shoved him down. That face was one of hope and nightmares that would haunt his mind until the end of his short life.

It took only a moment before Dazai spared a glance over his shoulder, and his dark eyes flickered over the huddle of people behind him, passing over his ex-student entierly.

Akutagawa always found thoes eyes strange- thoes eyes that only looked upon him with hate and disgust or avoided him entirely.

However beneath the hate and distain, or false playfullness- they always looked sad.

Ranpo, Yosano, Tanizaki, Kunikida, Atushi, Gojo, Yuji, Nobara, Megumi and Chuuya all stood talking, and planning just as they'd arranged. 

Akutagawa cursed himselffor however long he'd wasted watching Dazai in the distance, snapping back into the conversation.

"... the rest of the agency will be on standbye if they are needed." Kunikida informed, his voice firm and smooth.

"So," Gojo drawled, "We gonna re-cap the plan?"

Kunikida nodded, pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose. He opened his mouth to speak but stopped when someone else spoke first.

Yosano stood with her arms folded casually scross her chest, and spoke with an air of grace as she turned to Akutagawa.

"You're done." Was all she said, pointing  a finger towards him.

The mafia member bristled, his silver eyes going wide- glistening with confusion.

"I-" he cleared his throat, "I do not understand what you mean by that-"

Yosano held up a hand calmly, cutting off his words, "I meant what I said, you're done." She stated, "You don't need to help any further."

Confusion merely etched itself deeper into Akutagawa's features.

"Listen." She continued, "You're putting yourself and your position in the mafia at risk by being here. Go, don't risk any further involvement." She smiled softly, her eyes warm with kindness.

Akutagawa faltered, shoulders stiff- his gaze was calculating but uncertain, and his voice came out hesitant as he spoke, "But... I owe you? For saving my sister-"

"You don't owe me anything." Yosano corrected, shaking her head. Akutagawa appeared taken aback.

"I would have helped your sister if you agreed to work with us or not. That's the vow I made to myself as a doctor." her voice was stern but soft as she said for a final time, "Go. You don't owe me. It's not fair for me to hold saving your sisters life over your head when I would have saved it anyways- and I don't want to use that leverage to make you get involved in something that could effect your whole life."

Akutagawa could only blink at her.

He seemed to wait. For what he didn't know- mabye he was waiting for her to change her mind and take it back.  And when she didn't, he found himself frowning.

He opened his mouth, a million different responses resting on his tounge...

He didn't say any of them.

Instead, Akutagawa merely bowed, something tightening in his chest. The gesture was gracefull and yet it carried the weight something unspoken.

Yosano didn't need to hear him say it, but as Akutagawas round, silver eyes met her own she heard the message loud and clear.

Thank you.

                                     ••

It was only moments after Akutagawa straightened from his bow that Yosano turned to Chuuya.

The executive appeared nonchalant, his gloved hands tucked casually into the pockets, but as his gaze shifted towards her- she didn't miss the unmistakable greatfull gleam in his eyes.

Is she had to guess, Chuuya seemed to feel an obligation to support Akutagawa. Prehaps it was guilt, feeling like he'd failed Akutagawa in the past and wanting to make up for it, or prehaps there was just something fiercely protective in Chuuyas nature. The desire to protect and support his commerads. An unshakable loyalty.

"Chuuya-san." Yosano said suddenly, "I think you should withdraw too."

She didn't need to explain, she'd already done as much for Akutagawas sake.

Chuuya looked mildly suprised for a moment, but a moment later he nodded in understanding.

"Guess we're off then." He drawled, nudging Akutagawa as he turned to leave.

The mafioso bristled just slightly at the nudge- not out of fear or discomfort but just the unexpected nature of the touch- before turning back to the agency and dipping his head in a final gesture of appriciation to Yosano, for the choice she had given him.

As Chuuya strode to leave he pointedly passed Itadori, a gloved hand coming up to tousel he boys hair.

"Goodluck, kid." Chuuya said, a smile curving the line of his mouth.

Itadori smiled back, but there was something painfully forced about the gesture. It made something tighten in Chuuyas chest, and he hooked an arm over the youngers shoulders and knocked hin playfully on the side of the head.

"Oi!" He scolded, "Stop overthinking, you're gonna be fine. Hear me?"

Itadori blinked, the words really hitting something burried deeper in his chest, and when he smiled again, it was a little more genuine.

Chuuya let him go, turning now towardsds Nobara and Megumi- "Be safe." He urged.

Then finally, he adressed Gojo, something some amused entering his smile, "Gojo-kun. I'll miss the snarky commentary."

Gojo snorted, "So sentimental." His voice skipped with humor, but softened as he tagged on, "Goodbye, take care."

Chuuya waved a dismissive hand, "Hope that if you ever decide to go universe hopping again, the next one you land in doesn't have a Dazai." was all he said, before stalking away.

Gojo choked on a laugh.

Chuuya walked up to Akutagawa, and they appeared to share some brief hushed exhange before slipping away.

As they faded into the distance, Ryuunouske Akutagawa  spared a singular glance over his shoulder and his dark eyes beheld some unspoken promise.

This grattitude still remained but a firm rdetermination for something else still lingered within him.

Yosano had given him a choice. Something so rarely given to him in his life.

A choice we would take the opportunity to make for himself.

With that final glance, the hellhound of the Port Mafia slipped into the dark night.

                                     ••

The cold wind cut through the night like a blade- or prehaps it was like a whsipering icy breath.

"Ranpo-san."

Kunikidas clear voice sliced through the air, grasping everyones attention, "Would you like to recap the plan? Just so we're all clear."

The air seemed to whistle, compensating to the dramatics that was Edogawa Ranpo.

Ranpos hands snapped together, a grin appearing on his face, "So." He announced, "Myself, Kugisaki-kun and Akkio will head to the checkpoint, where the cursed energy is the highest. We'll wait and be ready if things don't roll out smoothly."

Nobara and Yosano exhanged a confident glance.

"Gojo-san and Kunikida-kun will head together to interpret the transportation of the item-" he jabbed a finger towards the two men, "you'll be in disguise so you arent recognised. Then, you'll take  the van with Sukunas finger inside to the werehouses where Fushiguro-kun, Itadori-kun, Atushi-kun and Tanizaki-kun will be waiting for you."

Tanizakis hand shot up, "Why are we waiting there and not at the checkpoint?"

"Goos question." Ranpo hummed, "It's because if there's a misshap in timings thats where I calculate Sukunas finger will be taken."

Noone questioned that.

Ranpo continued, "Finally, you'll all travel to the checkpoint, where everyone will be together and it'll be safe to give the cursed object to Itadori-kun."

A shadow concealed the detectives expression as he spoke, and his voice danced with amusement - pride as he seemed to get a kick from this new case.

"Easy, right?"  Ranpo sang playfully.

But even as he pondered the question in his own mind, he didn't like the answer that buzzed on his own mind.

Easy right?

'No. Not at all.'

Chapter Text

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a pale light over their surroundings, as they rounded the corner of the abandoned building.

Kunikida's moved with a calculated, perfect precision  as he treaded carefully around the forsaken estate, his hand rested on his holstered gun and he hoped off-handedly that he wouldn't have to use it.

Behind him, Gojo Satorus footsteps were unnervingly casual. The sorcerer carried himself with a confidence and grace that told Kunikida that he was used to being untouchable. He wasn't even trying to be quiet, and Kunikida shot him a sharp glare.

"Are you trying to get us caught?" He hissed, his voice low but harsh.

"Me? Caught? In this place? We'll be fine, stop fretting." Gojo waved his hand, as if dissmissing any real danger, "These people don't even know what they're dealing with. If it comes down to it I could flatten them all with a snap of my fingers."

He said it with such conviction that it struck Kunikida in the chest, "You're unbelivable." He muttered, "Just focus okay? We want to avoid letting this get messy."

Gojo hummed in acknowledgement, but the interaction fizzled out there.

That was, until, a loud slam a vehicle door closing echoed through the night. Kunikida and Gojo, cloaked in dark hoods that masked their faces, ducked low behind some large crates, blending into the shadows.

Ahead of them, a huddle of men lingered towards the back of an open van, their quiet voices, unmistakably urgent and brisk, stood out against the silence.

Kunikida and Gojo exhanged a brief glance, their eyes meeting for no longer than a momentary flash before slipping into the rear door of the buildings enterance.

Gojo crept forward following behind, still a shade too confident.

Kunikida moved in measured, deliberate way, the only sound being the occasional creak of cold metal and wooden pannels beneath his shoes.

He lifted the gun at his side from it's holster, a steady exhale breaking from his lips, as he aimed it at a thick rope positioned to support a stack of crates from tumbling down.

Kunikida aimed, looking down to the tip of his gun- and with careful precision he fired.

Crash.

The loud noise echoed through the abandoned building, sharp and jarring. A stack of crates toppled over, sending a cascade of wood and metal clattering to the ground.

Immediately, voices rose in alarm outside, panicked and sharp.

"What the hell was that?!"

Kunikida shot an alarmed look in Gojos direction, and for once the man returned it with a single serious nod.

"Nice work." Gojo praised, his voice light before dipping to a lower tone, though it was still tinged with satisfaction "Distactions set. Lets go!" He whisper-shouted.

"Right." Kunikida muttered in confirmation.

The pair fled, slipping out of a side-door, just as the men all came rushing inside of the building - their eyes frantically searching the area.

There was a mix of confused shouts that sounded behind them, but Kunikida paid no mind as he made a beeline for the front of the van.

Meanwhile,  Gojo bolted for the back of the van, his heard pounding as he slid forward and grabbed the silver breifcase that laid abandoned on the van floor- the prize that they'd came here for. Or rather the curse.

Without even checking inside Gojo menouvered  to the front of the van- he didn't look back, his mind razor-sharp - before slipping into the passanger seat.

Thankfully, the keys had been foolishly left in the front of the van- just as Ranpo had suspected.

Kunukida's gaze cut to Gojo- making sure he had the breifcase. The sorcerer end it up in the air, flashing him a lazy grin.

"Put on your seatbelt." Was all Kunikida said before the engine roared to life, and he slammed his foot on the accelerator.

The van lurched forward, and the faint sound of furious cursing was barely audiable as they sped away.

Gojo let out a light laugh, leaning back in his seat as he casually inspected the breifcase, "Well that was easy. Honestly, were they even trying?"

Kunikidas eyes flickered vreifly away from the road, drifting to to breifcase.

His hands tightened on the wheel, "It was too easy." He uttered, a sense of unease rising in his chest. Something didn't sit right with him.

And then Gojo frowned, his body going taught.

"Kunikida-san." Gojo whispered, his voice drained of all its previous amusment- instead sounding haunted and hallow.

Kunikidas pulse quickened, "What?" He demanded quickly, "What is it?!"

"I can't feel it. I can't feel the cursed energy."

Gojo clicked open the breifcase- slowly, too slowly, like he already knew what would await him once it was opened- glancing at the contents. A muscle feathered in his jaw, as he stared into the now-open breifcase, before cursing softly.

"What is it?" Kunikida pressed, though the sinking feeling in his chest warned him he already knew the answer.

"It's empty." Gojo gritted out, his voice clipped.

Kunikidas heartbeat gutted in his chest, "What?!" He snapped.

Gojo cringed slightly at the sharp yell.

Kunikda could barely register what had just been said before he slammed onto the breaks, the van coming to a sudden halt. He turned to Gojo with wide eyes, reaching forward to snatch the breifcase as disbelief  slapped him accross the face.

Empty. The breif case was empty.

They were too late.

Sukunas finger- the cursed object- was already long gone.

"No... No way..." Kunikida breathed, his voice trembling.

Gojos expression darkened, "It really was too easy." He muttered.

Kunikida's grip tightened on the empty breifcase in his grip- fingers trembling with poorly concealed rage.

"Now what?" Gojo asked quietly.

Kunikida sighed, running a hand over his face- before digging through his pockets and finishing out his phone.

He punched in some buttons into the device then brought it to his ear, the dialtone echoed in the silence of the van.

"Now..." Kunikida started and then the sound of cracking could be heard as the other line picked up, "I need all agents on the scene. We have a problem."

                                     ••


The silence was thick and heavy in the air as the group of four—Megumi, Yuji, Tanizaki, and Atsushi—waited in the shadows, their backs pressed against the stack of crates behind them.

Breaking the stillness, Megumi leans forward, his eyes narrowed and shoulders taught- "Do you hear that?" He asked suddenly, his voice low.

Three sets of eyes flashed towards him.

Tanizakis brow furrowed, "Hear what?"

"Shushhh!" Megumi hushed quickly but now unkindly, as he raised a hand in a gesture for everyone to pause.

Itadori pointedly raised an eyebrow.

Megumis gaze flicked towards a nearbye werehouse, where muffled conversation could be heard, "Over there."  He gestured.

Atsushi stiffened, glancing towards the shadowed building, "Is it possible, that could be where the deals supposed to be going down?" He murmured, looking toward Megumi.

Megumi nodded slowly, his expression unreadable, "I'm going to take a closer look." He whispered, already shifting to stand upright, moving away from the creates.

Atsushi shuffled forward, his face tight with concern. "Fushiguro-san, wait! We should stick to the plan. Kunikida-san and Gojo-san will be here soon. It's better if we stay here and wait."

Tanizaki nodded in agreement. "Atsushi's right. It’s better to wait."

Megumi didn't stop, his eyes where focused forward in that stubborn determined way, "I won't be long. I'll just take a look and come back- I won't get caught."

Itadoris gaze shifted between the others. He frowned, unsure of whether to argue. "You sure you’re good to do this by yourself? I can come with you if—"

"No," Megumi interrupted, holding up a hand. "Stay here. It'll be fine."

Itadori gave him an uneasy glance but eventually relented, nodding slowly, "Alright," he conceded "but don’t do anything reckless."

Megumi expression softened, something warm entering his dark eyes, before slipping into the shadows.

The remaining three crouched in silence for a moment- sharing silence uncertain glances.

Tanizaki sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Does he do that often?"

Itadori shrugged, his arms crossed over his chest. "Yeah, pretty much. But, he’s capable. Probably more than most people give him credit for." A small smile curved the corner of his mouth.

Atsushi frowned, his brow furrowed. "I just don’t like the idea of him going off alone..."

Itadori sighed, shoulders slumping, "I don't either." He said quietly- so quietly that his voice was carried off in the passing breeze before it ever was heard.

Chapter Text

“Oh my god – seriously?”

Yosano flung her hands up in the air – a show of exasperation, as she looked around, looked towards the signs bolted to tall, temporary-state fences that read:

‘AREA CLOSED: DO NOT ENTER.’

Nobara appeared beside her, placing her hands on her hips, ignoring the way the thick mud below threatened to swallow her boots, focusing on the task at hand. Her expression pinched when he caught sight of the frustration on Yosanos face.

“Yosano-san?” Norbara asked, voice tilted with worry, “What do we do now?”

The wind bustled around them – the hair moist and cold, as though a storm was on the horizon. Nobara almost sighed at the thought –  a storm was the last thing they needed to deal with right now.

“We do what we have to do.” Ranpo proclaims suddenly from behind them, stepping forward a few paces, his composure unfaltering.

A questioning sound rises in Nobara's throat, her lips parting as though she might ask what he means by that, but Ranpo continues before she so much as gets the chance.

“Look.” he said, “We don’t have time to play with. So even if we’re bending a few law’s, as long as we’re acting in the good faith of the greater good – I estimate that we’ll be forgiven pretty easily.”

The clouds rumbled above them.

Nobara chews her lip, a little uncertain as she fixed her auburn eyes upon the detective. He just gives her a strange sort of smile in return – something serious and soft all at once. And more than anything: certain.

“Alright.” Yosano started, not even hesitating to put her faith in Ranpo. In fact – Nobara found her faith almost startling. “So, how we getting onto the docs?”

Ranpo snickered, flicking the under-side of his cap with his index finger, “isn’t it obvious? We scale the fence.”

                                     ••

Megumi lingered in the shadows. Usually , he feels at home in them, like the cool darkness provides some kind of protection. A shield. As though that darkness is intertwined with his soul – his very core.

In the moment, however, Megumi can’t help but feel strangely exposed.

Perhaps, it’s because of how well-lit the warehouse actually is – or maybe it’s because of the five armed men stood in the center of it all, talking in low voices.

Megumi shifted slightly, holding his breath, towards them – trying to catch some of what they’re saying without revealing himself. His stomach felt as though it was in knots, but he can’t help the tug in his chest that tells him he can’t flee just yet.

He leaned against the smooth edge of a create, straining to listen –

“-- where are the fuckers?” one of the men complained, pulling down the sleeve of his blazer to check the time on his silver rolex.

“Hell knows.” Another spit, “Don’t tell me the Port Mafia is being screwed over by a bunch of no-body thugs.”

“ And risk the wrath of the boss? No way, right?”

Megumi's breath hitched. So these guys are the Port Mafia.

“Honestly.” one man sighed, dropping his cigarette to the ground and grinding it away with the heel of his boot, “They’d better hurry up. We’re not holdin’ on to this thing forever.”

Megumi's stomach sunk. A bad feeling settling over him. Holding on too-?

“What even is it?” a slightly younger-sounding voice asked, "Rumor has it the executives are involved in the decision making of what happens to this thing.”

A snort. “That’s bullshit.”

“Bullshit? What makes you say that–?”

“‘Cause.” the man said, shrugging as he pulls a cigarette-box out of the deep pockets of his trenchcoat, patting himself down for a lighter with his other hand, “Don’ tell anyone this – but I had a sneaky look inside of the package before we left. Y’know, to see if there was any truth to the gossipin’.”

The man seemed to have finally scrounged up his lighter as he made an ‘a-ha!’ sound, and Megumi heard the audible click of a flame igniting.

“Oh?” a man asks, raising a brow, “What was it?”

The male in the trenchcoat merely scoffed, taking a puff from his cigarette. “Nothin’ of value. Just somethin’ Mori-sama must want to be analysed. Likely to shut some fucker up – i’d get pissed too if someone started spewin’ stuff ‘bout it bein’ important.”

Megumi's hands tightened into fists against the nearly-splitering wooden creates. The bad-feeling he had only worsened.

“Well! Spit it out!” The other jeered, flinging a hand out, “I want to know what it is.”

No, no, no, no, no –

Please, Megumi thought, don’t say what i think you’re going to say.

Megumi thought of Gojo and Kunikida. Surely they had it – surely it wasn’t –

“Oh that?” the man laughed casually, smoke swirling around him, “You won’t fuckin’ believe me…”

Megumi braced.

“...It’s a severed finger.”

                                     ••

Climbing a wall with mud-slick shoes? Not a great idea.

At least, that’s what Nobara had decided, as she’d tried to scale the wired fence - her trembling fingers tightening around the cold web of metal as she heaved herself up. At least there wouldn’t be any more mud on the docs.

Just focus, she had urged herself. It’s really not that hard – they’d done so many more diffuctit things since starting at Jujutsu High! This was no problem. No problem at all. Yeah… totally.

She’d fought curses for christs sake, who’s to say she couldn’t scale a fence –

“WHO GOES THERE?”

“Wha-!” Nobara startled. Hard.

Her grip slipped slightly, her footing sliding –

She barely even managed to cling feebly onto the fence as she swung her head around – her short bob of hair flaring out behind her – as she turns… only to slam her eyes shut against the blinding lemon-coloured glare of a torchlight.

A torchlight? Oh goddamn it.

Yosano must’ve realised at the same time she does because Nobara heard her let out an annoyed groan, “Uh.” she gritted, “What do we do now?”

Nobara swallowed. She had to admit that was a valid point – what would they do if they were stopped now? They needed to be at the checkpoint, or everyone would be –

“Don’t worry.” Ranpo said lightly, hopping off the fence, he wasn’t putting a whole lot of effort into climbing it anyways, likely out of spite of the fact both girls had firmly refused to carry him over the wired-fence, “I’ll handle it. You two keep going!”

Nobara made a sort of strangled unsure sound, twisting her head to look at Yosano who was only a little ways behind her to her left. Yosano’s expression didn’t hold much promise either, the woman appearing slightly perplexed.

Behind them, they could hear the soft slosh of Ranpo hopping through puddles even at the torchlight grew closer and closer.

“Who goes there? Get down from there immediately!” the officer warned, voice booming through the dim, “I want you all to state your names immediately – i’ll take you to the station for tresspassing!”

“Woah, woah! Easy there officer, you might burst a vein!” Ranpo cut back, voice pitched with sarcasm, “We aren’t just any old trespassers so lets slow down.”

The officer seemed to startle slightly by the air of calm in Ranpo.

“You see,” Ranpo continued, smirking as he pulled a leather wallet from his deep pockets, “We aren’t just any old delinquents –” he dropped the leather cover, flashing his detective badge, “We’re private investigators!”

The man seemed to falter, foot slipping slightly in the mud, “P-private investigators -?” he stuttered, before his resolve tightened, “No matter – entry is strictly prohibited here in the middle of the night –”

Ranpo laughed. “Oh dear, do you still not realise who we are?” he waved the gold badge tantalisingly, tone a condescending tease “Come take a closer look! I promise, I won't bite.” 

Nobara frowned. So did Yosano. Somehow they seemed to have little real faith Ranpo wouldn’t bite.

Still, the man creeped closer, until he was standing just a few paces away from Ranpo, “Le–let me see–” he stumbled, eyes narrowing beneath lowered brows –

Until Ranpo closed the distance between them, shoving the badge right under the officer's nose: literally.

Nobara practically gaped.

The officer - on the other hand – stumbles back so hard he almost fell over. “Hey–! Get away from me!” he screeched.

Ranpo remained unbothered, still holding the badge in the same place, rigid in the air. “Y’know.” Ranpo said, laughing as he dragged his gaze over the officer, “You’re awfully jumpy for a policeman. Have you considered a change in profession? Becoming a baker maybe? Or a cat-sitter? I’d say baby-sitter, but I'm not sure I'd trust you with a child any more than I'd trust myself with one…”

“Wh-what is the meaning of this?!” The man shouted, slicing Ranpo's words short, “Wha– enough of this!” He said, pulling out a pair of silver cuffs, stepping closer.

Oh no –

They were going to be arrested. They were going to miss Itadori and Fushiguro and the others. They –

“Sir!” Nobara called from up on the fence, determination hardening her resolve, “Look– we're really sorry. But we can’t do what you're saying. We can't–.”

“Take a breath, please.” Ranpo chimed.

Nobara turned as far as she could to look at him. A protest on the edge of her tongue.

“You're not getting arrested, Kugisaki-chan.” Ranpo said pompously, though she didn’t miss the note of genuine reassurance in his gaze, “Just keep going, leave this to me.”

“Huh– absolutely not – stay where you are –” the officer snarled.

Ranpo sighed dreamily. “Well you see –”

“Ranpo-kun!” Yosano cried indignantly, though a slight amusement tilted the corner of her mouth, “Stop toying with the poor man.”

Nobara's eyes widened. Toying –?

“Fine. As you wish Akkio-chan.” Ranpo huffed, folding his arms over his chest, the badge folded between his fingertips. Nobara thought he looked almost like a child as he reached forward, seizing the officer's wrist.

“What are you..?” The man murmured as his wrist was dragged forward and the black wallet concealing the badge inside.

“Giving you my badge. Look a little closer.” Ranpo said, tapping the black leather as he spoke.

“Huh?” The officer fumbled with the wallet, opening it and –

“Wait – you're with the Armed Detective agency?”

Ranpo blinked. “Well yes. That is what the badge says. Can't you read?”

“Seriously?!” The officer exclaimed, his bright eyes wide, “You've been all over the news ever since –”

“Yes, yes. Now will you let us be?” Ranpo asked quickly.

“Now wait a minute–” the officer interjected, “What are you investigating and why”, he lifted his torch pointing it towards Nobara, “is there a teenager with you! Climbing a fence – is that not dangerous?”

Ranpo pouted. “You sure do ask a lot of questions don't you…”

“It's a safety risk!” the man exclaims defensively.

Ranpo puckered his lips, looking away, his voice tilting musically, “Well I mean unless you're going to offer us another way in…”

The officers eyes widened suddenly, and he tapped himself down – for a moment Nobara had wondered what on earth he was doing – until the man dug into his pocket and pulled out something –

Keys. Gold and silver and bronze. All hanging from a keychain.

“If you're really private inversigators… and not just any private investigators but the Armed Detective Agency –” the man said quietly, looking nervous, “I suppose it wouldn't hurt if I…”

“Opened the gate and let us in? Yes, yes that would be great!” Ranpo interrupted snapping his fingers, a grin twisting his expression. 

Shockingly, the officer didn't object.

“Huh-?!” Nobara exclaimed, gaping.

Her gaze skittered between Ranpo, Yosano and the mystery officer – her fiery gaze scanning for any sign that this was all some elaborate joke.

“Are you guys serious?!” She shrieked after a moment.

Before anyone could reply the first thing Nobara heard was Yosano chucking softly. Her expression is warm with a sort of endearing amusement.

“Oh, Kugisaki-chan.” the doctor proclaimed lightly,  as she began lowering herself down from the fence, “there's a lot of things to learn about this world, but if one thing is for certain – it's that Edogawa Ranpo will do anything to avoid having to do anything physical.”

Her deep eyes glistened with mirth – and despite herself, Nobara couldn't help but find herself smiling along with the sight.”

                                     ••

Megumi's first mistake was sneaking around the warehouse.

Megumi's second mistake?

Well that was a little more interesting. His second mistake, was being caught sneaking around the warehouse.

 ‘A finger’ the man had said. Two words, that meant nothing to the individual saying them, but had changed everything for Megumi Fushiguro.

He'd staggered back instantly upon hearing them – his frame slamming violently into the crates around him, accidentally causing several large, wooden boxes to go tumbling and clattering down around him.

Megumi pressed a hand to his mouth – trembling slightly.

He needed to let Gojo know. He should've still been with Doppo Kunikida now. 

If Megumi could just get back to Itadori and the others – contact them somehow –

“What was that?!” 

“I don't know – go check it out! Quick!”

“Is some fucker watching us–?”

The voices are loud, but Megumi, in that moment, can't fully process them over the spinning in his head. 

And he certainly didn't process them before there were several men – weapons raised – surrounding him.

Megumi's pulse roared.

“Well, well.” one drawled, flicking his cigarette to the ground, letting it smoke against the dry concrete, “What d'ja think we got ‘ere boys? A rodent?"

A few of the other men grunted and jeered tauntingly.

He tried to run – pushing himself to his feet and bolting straight for that gap between two of the men. 

But before he could even manage to escape Megumi found himself seized between two strong arms and pushed roughly back down. Megumis staggered back a few steps, trying not to fall –

Only to find himself sprawled back on the cold concrete.

“Where do ya think you're goin’, kid?” The man scoffed, “we weren't done talkin’. Tell me – what's a scrawny teenager going lurkin’ around in a place like this?”

Megumi gritted his teeth. A shadow passing over his face.

“Come on,” prompted another man, with a more musical tilt to his voice, “surely you realise it's dangerous. You might just run into the wrong kinds of people…”

A suited man to his left sniggered at that, causing Megumi's pale hands to twitch against the concrete.

“I–...” Megumi started, but his words died in his throat. He didn't know what to do. He had to get out with Sukuna's finger. If the plan had already gone wrong…

“Awwww, cat got your tongue kidda?”

“‘Ere! Bring him outta the shadows and into the light.” One barked, cracking his knuckles, “I have some questions for the kid.”

Megumi's chest tightened, and he struggled weakly as the strength of three men hauled him up – 

“Get off me!” Megumi snarled, heart hammering against his chest, “Don't touch me–!”

They continued dragging him across the space- his shoes scraping the rough concrete – only to deposit him in the middle of the warehouse, beneath the glaring lights. 

Megumi's stomach wrenched to the side as he feels a rough hand furled in his hair, and another on his shoulder, force him to his knees.

The ravenette pulled away instinctively, but was only held down more harshly and firmly.

“Easy there, boy . We just wanna ask you a couple of questions alright?”

Megumi felt sick.

“I'm not telling you anything.” Megumi managed, sticking out his chin, and meeting the man above him with a defiant glare.

The man's expression betrays a flicker of annoyance, "Damn kid.” he scoffs, “It's fine, maybe you just need a little…”

The man's expression remains relatively blank, but a flicker of something enters his eyes as he reaches for the holster at his waist, and pulls out a sleek, black gun.

A Port Mafia gun. Perfectly modelled.

Megumi's chest heaved. He would not falter. He would not break.

Even as the barrel was pressed against the place between his chin and neck – biting against the sensitive skin there.

“I want to know who you are. Where you're from. And why you were spying on us…” the man shaked his head, ignoring the way Megumi winced against the guns pressure, “Because let's be honest – everyone in Yokohama knows a Port Mafia deal when they see one, and even fools know to look the other way .”

Megumi shuddered,  the room pressing in on him. His dark eyes flickered to the side for half of a second. If he could just get the cursed object somehow and leave –

No. Not if. He had too.

“Hey – answer me–”

Megumi did not.

“Why so quiet–?”

Megumi pressed the thin line of his mouth tighter.

“What are you–?”

Megumi let his eyes fall almost – almost – entirely shut.

The gun pressed a little more firmly into his neck.

Megumi wondered what death would feel like. And he couldn't help be feel oddly reminded of the day he's first arrived in this world. Of the gun Osamu Dazai had pointed at him…

Megumi waited for something to happen.

For the man to spit out another question, or for him to get bored, and for the world to snap to nothingness. After all, what patience would a man in the mafia have for a random teenager?

What Megumi didn't realise, what that all the men had stiffened entierly, expressions frozen in – shock? Concern? Fear?

Megumi opened his eyes a little wider. Peering up from under dark lashes.

What the hell?

“Apologies for the interruption.” A familiar voice stated, very unapologetically, “But i'm going to have to order you all to vacate the area immediately or you will find yourselves without a throat.”

Megumi's breathing halted as he looked upon the dark figure now standing in the entryway.

“–and of course.” the figure continued, “I'm going to have to request you leave the item you're holding in this room, and the young-man you discovered here.”

Megumi was released instantly, and from where he remained kneeling on the ground, he dared to look up –

His gaze clashed into a pair of burning silver eyes.

Megumi almost laughed. 

Ryuunouske Akutagawa had come back to help them.