The young slayer's injuries played out in his mind as if they were still being performed upon him, he flinched every time he blinked, worried that the blackness when closing his eyes was a result of another coming death inflicted by Sukuna. He had begun to follow Sukuna sluggishly out of the warehouse area, and back towards the hotel, where ever it was, though by the King of Curse's confident strides, it was clear he knew.
He had just technically died fifteen times. Such mind boggling torture had no doubt snapped Hayara's psyche like a frail stick. However due to the results of reverse cursed technique, it was like none of these traumatic events had even occurred, he was only left with the mental reminder, the only sign of what he had been through. Cursed Energy surged out of his body uncontrollably, a display of his discordant emotions in the moment.
As Sukuna sensed this, all he did was turn his head for a moment, barely addressing or focusing on Ichinose's turmoil, as if it was nothing to him, like he was training a puppy to be obedient by ignoring him. This sent Hayara into a small spiral, not only was he physically hopeless against the monster before him, he had also been ensnared mentally, every development the slayer made must have been considered by Sukuna, and brought him great amusement, it was as though illusory shackles crashed onto him, confining him to his suffering.
Images of the crater he left in the ground, and Sukuna's 'discipline' monologue which lead to such horrible actions being done to him flashed through the demon slayer's brain. He held onto that idea he had before, allowing it to culminate and change with his wishes. I just have to be in-line with that thing's wishes and accumulate strength slowly and respectfully under it's guidance, otherwise... He inwardly thought as ideas of what would happen if he acted out of Sukuna's expectations made his expression sink into a grimace. This idea, along with the calming of his cursed energy reflecting with his emotions, was what grounded him, and allowed him to not tread completely over the edge of insanity.
A demon slayer has to face demonic threats in the depths of the night all of the time, being healed from fifteen fatal injuries would have affected the boy before the demon slayer corps unspeakably, but with his countless experiences, he would have to find a way to get through this. However Hayara had to keep in mind that this was a different existence entirely, one that defied nature and was a threat to all, following such a path would require him to face the depths of despair around every corner, he was not ready to do such a thing, but his survival and reunification with those he cherished could not be done whilst comfortable.
He had placed his white ribbon covertly under his pillow before he had left the inn, but thoughts of it surfaced and bubbled in Ichinose's mind, remembering what he had left behind when he joined the corps, yet not forgetting what he had gained. My friend, my lover, my father. I'll spill the blood out of my heart a thousand times over to see you all again, this being could cut me to bits and I'd still try to make my severed arm reach out for you... Hayara inwardly expressed, hope still brimming despite the weight on him.
Sukuna scoffed, sensing the fluctuation in the slayer's cursed energy, the fact that he was an amateur meant the outline of his energy was incredibly obvious, and so would reveal a lot about him to the King of Curses with little inference needed.
The two weaved in and out of narrow streets and alleys, traversing the deep urban undergrowth of the city of Tokyo, on the way, Sukuna would pass right by a forming crowd of pedestrians who arrived from out of a tram, one of the newest pieces of western technology implemented within the industrialised city. Hayara internalised a humorous thought, if those passers by had been aware of who they brushed past, they would cower and piss themselves, It's an odd feeling to be alone in my awareness of this monstrous being, I'd much rather be ignorant, to not approach that village on that day... He faintly smiled, an attempt to comfort himself as he continued through the crowd of numerous people close behind Sukuna.
The decorum and vanity of the central city quickly faded as they delved deep into the slums, though Hayara didn't look entirely out of place, his clothes were not recovered by Reverse Cursed Technique, only his wounds, meaning he was walking around in a torn and haggard outfit, including holding a dirty draped cloth over his sword and scabbard, Tokyo had strict sword laws, and this was a means to hide it, though it only made him look more like a beggar.
They eventually arrived back at the inn, Hayara used his newly found qualitative change in strength to boost himself up to the windowsill of the second floor with just his legs. Which Sukuna had already done, though Ichinose almost fell backwards and out of the window once he had jumped up, luckily, the King of Curses mercifully reached his arm out, pulling him inside with strength that was a little too much for the Slayer to handle, likely tearing a muscle in his arm as he experienced a deep jutting pain when it was pulled on, though he wisely didn't express any complaints to the one who had caused it.
Ichinose chose to sit on the bed, his back upright and straight in a self imposed sense of vigilance, he watched as Sukuna leant against a wall, crossing his arms before gazing at Hayara.
"What you learned today is called jujustu Sorcery, the art of utilising cursed energy, if you're ever to forget it I will cut your tongue out, remember you live for my enjoyment, which means your advancement in both life and strength bank on my mood." A smile announced its self on the face of Sukuna as he spoke his mind, the warning wasn't a new thing for the demon slayer, though he chose to take everyone of them as seriously as possible, as he knew the capability of the being in front of him.
Ichinose mustered up the courage to say something by clenching his fists tightly and sharply exhaling.
"What's your name?" Hayara had realised in the days he had spent with the monster, the being had not even told him his name, though of course it might be cocky to even ask, and in the next moment, his neck would be separate from his head. But learning his name would definitely alleviate some of the mystery surrounding this person. He told me earlier that he was a 'curse', perhaps that's the source of this unknown and terrifying power, jujustu, after all there was a clear link to 'cursed energy' with how they described themselves... Hayara would think, concerned.
"Ryomen Sukuna." Sukuna replied without care, he had a mental checklist of mysteries to be completed once he came into this world, the effect of saying his full name was one of them, even little experiments like this would help him solve what had happened, not that he minded too much, it was a new experience after all, a scenario that a hedonist revels in.
"Ah.. I see." What an old sounding name, this reinforces my thoughts of his origins a little, he must be some ancient curse from who knows when, has he resurfaced to wreak havoc and revenge upon solely me? Hayara shuddered at the thought of it. Choosing to use the title of 'he' because of the distinctive male name, before he hadn't because he was a bit confused on the nature of Sukuna, as it was clearly a young-man, however his actions and mentality had always made it seem like he was possessed by some awful thing.
Sukuna was about to open his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a distinctive knocking sound at the door.
"Hello? It's the innkeeper again, I was just wondering if you're staying for a few more days, as your deadline to leave is today, you'll need to pay me in a couple hours for the new days or clear out." The man announced from behind the door rather sternly, it appears he was a stickler for money and did not appreciate unresponsive customers.
Hayara came to a realisation, the man that Sukuna murdered in order to gain access to this room obviously only had a limited period of having it! I'm going to have to see another gruesome murder by Sukuna, it sickens me to even think of it as nothing new though, but obviously I don't want it to happen... Hayara internally worried.
Sukuna exhanged a glance at Hayara, making a motion with his fingers by rubbing them together, signifying what Ichinose should do.
"I'll get you the money in a few hours! Promise!" Hayara replied with an uncertain voice.
"You sound a tad different, you ill or something?" The Innkeeper replied, still by the door.
"Yeah... case of the flu, you always catch something around these places." Ichinose attempted to concoct an excuse of sounding different on the spot.
"Uh huh..." The Innkeeper sounded a bit pissed off at this statement, Around these places... I just insulted the man's place of business directly. Hayara clicked his tongue in frustration. The notable sounds of footsteps on a creaky wooden floor subtly got fainter as the man walked away from the door.
Before Hayara could catch his breath from the tense situation, he was reminded of an even more pressing matter, one who had started to speak right behind him.
"So, I'd like you to do me a few favours before the end of today." Sukuna stated plainly.
"Of course, what are they?" Hayara replied in a false sense of enthusiasm, not wanting to incur any more wrath obviously.
"First, sort out the room issue brat, I'll give you these to sell because a worm such as yourself obviously holds no value on your person." The King of Curses directly insulted Hayara, it always dragged him down a little, reminding him of his place. A toy to be thrown around.
Ichinose stared in disbelief as Sukuna revealed something from out of his pocket, a pile of golden teeth.
"I wanted to originally harvest the corpses of those repugnant fools that attacked us, and have you cook and spice them appropriately, however their teeth stood out to me as more useful in the moment, so sell them, failure to do so means punishment, obviously." Sukuna scoffed, chucking the golden teeth on the floor for Hayara to pick up.
"Okay, sure." Hayara nodded swiftly in response.
"Second, I want you to gather the right hand and subsequent arm of a woman, she must be in-between her 20s and 30s." Sukuna announced with a neutral tone.
Hayara thought he had misheard, but after a moment of deliberation, he almost wanted to drop his jaw to the floor in shock. Hayara had long become an accomplice in a string of murders, but the moral thought of taking an innocent woman's life with his own hands meant that it was completely off the table. I'm going to get chopped up if I deny his request aren't I... Ichinose's solemn thoughts quickly popped like a bubble. That's right! I can find an evil-doer, one who fits the criteria of the request to act upon instead, it would be a better weight off of my chest. The Demon Slayer contemplated, before nodding to confirm that he had understood and was willing to partake in Sukuna's second request.
"What are you waiting for? now act on it, brat." The King of Curses spouted coldly.
Hayara didn't complain nor chat back as he blinked in acknowledgement, choosing to leap back out through the window smoothly, his feet soon met soft earth as he looked around, no one had seemed to see him perform such an extraordinary move, most, such as the tramps that lined the street, were too busy looking glumly downwards, wallowing in their own pity, Ichinose felt that in this moment he was similar, except, he was holding his head up, even high.
Sukuna had finally left him alone, even for a moment, he had his own time, a privilege he was not allowed in what seemed like an incredibly long time.
Why did I feel so calm just now? Hayara realised inwardly the state of mind he was in constantly shifted, never settling, as if it was a raging sea foaming against a stalwart line of coastal rocks. His mood suddenly dropped once more, before calming, allowing Ichinose to exhale slowly.
Am I half-crazed? What's with this? The demon slayer had his guesses, but couldn't quite place what was happening to him. He chalked it up to his previous encounters with Sukuna installing a sealed off deep trauma, one which stirred up his emotions at every moment without impacting too completely on his psyche. He made a tsk sound before walking forwards.
He shook his head, attempting to ease his mind at such worries of growing insane. Instead, it was the calm that disturbed him. How could I have my moments of quiet after witnessing and being complicit in the murders of multiple people, and being subject to such torturous methods, it was absurd.
As he continued down the slum streets, he once again noticed he did not stand out with the crowd in the slightest to his dismay, he had not cleaned himself in multiple days, his demon slayer clothes were torn and withered, he appeared absolutely decrepit. I miss the attendants in the corps, they'd wash your uniform in the river for you... Hayara inwardly longed.
His mind began to work logically again, recollecting what he had to do today, once again realising, without the presence of Sukuna, he could think freely without oppression, due to this, his brain started tracing back to thoughts of those he knew before these events.
Do I think that shithead's going to go looking for me? Of course not, he's too stupid to even find his way to a bathroom at night. He dismissively shook his head, internally hoping that his fellow demon slayer would never be able, the danger he'd be put in if he did would be grave.
With his mind quickening theories all over, Hayara picked up the pace as he sauntered through various dark, gloomy and narrow slum alleyways to reach a larger road, it was much more populated, the people there gradually looking to be more well dressed, some even wore western style suits, with matching and equally as fancy black pants.
"What a place... wait, won't I stand out?" Hayara mumbled in panic, looking down at his ruined set of clothes.
Indeed, multiple people from within the moving crowd cast their gaze over to him, with an eyebrow raise or two, before walking away. Ichinose narrowed his eyes at this, he had always been quite put together after his arrival to the corps, never gazed mockingly at for his hygiene or outward appearance, this was a new annoyance as well as the fear that he would draw too much attention to himself, both emotions carried his movements even quicker forward, weaving in and out of a crowd who was dissatisfied whenever they saw him.
He quickly made his way to a market square, the difference being, this one was on the shadier side, he had heard plenty of talk from aggravated and drunk men at that bar last night regarding this place, that if you found the right spot or person, you could sell anything. I seriously doubt those rumours... Hayara introspectively commented as he saw the rather kind and gentle demeanour of both the customers and stall owners.
Though his gaze rested on one in a newly vested interest, a rather tanned man, one composed entirely in mountains of muscle stood idly at his stall, upon it lay a few cracked pots, the lining of each crack was filled with a brilliant gold layer. Kintsugi.
A muscled man practicing Kintsugi, you see something new everyday, he is sure to be a crackpot, I'd ought to talk to him, I'm sure he wouldn't mind my appearance, considering how he looks selling his little mended pots.
"Welcome, are you interested in the noble art of Kintsugi?" His gentle voice almost threw Hayara into a coma from surprise, although he only displayed this through a slight raising of his eyebrows. What a kind sounding titan... He'd lampoon.
"Not entirely, I was wondering if you had any side-ventures, such as pawning off these real golden items here." Hayara attempted to exaggerate his voice to annunciate the worth of his goods, procuring from his pocket a pile of glistening gold teeth.
The tanned titan blinked, looking Ichinose up and down before his expression took a strange shape, one of seeming pity.
"I wouldn't expect one with such kind eyes to carry a deep and weighty terror behind them, why are your pupils contracting so much?" The gentle giant asked out of the blue.
"What?" Hayara suddenly stopped, he snorted, attempting to laugh off the sudden invasion of his soul by the man in front of him.
"It's as if you're slowly melting, pieces of your psyche shattered off of you and fell to your feet as you came over here, yet you don't go back to even pick them up, to patch it together again. It's perplexing." Ichinose stared blankly outwards as the tanned man had come out with absolute drivel, yet this conversation had still deep down echoed through his soul as if it had a ringing truth to it, though the young man had reflexively decided to expel any accusations.
"That's ridiculous." Hayara clicked his tongue as his expression dropped into a fierce scowl.
"I don't mean anything by it, simply my years of introspection pushed outwards, please don't take it too deeply, I have faced things in my past too, so I am familiar with that look, the look of steel-eyed determination that was matched and overwhelmed by pure, unadulterated terror. When I was holding a knife, ready to pounce, just for the target to pull the barrel of a gun to my face, so that I could peer through into the blackened outline of hell itself, it must be a similar experience to that, no?" He was inclined to comment, wanting to shake Hayara's agitation off.
"And what would you have me do about it, you know nothing of what it feels like to be a stringed up puppet, with these threads that twine and drag you through mud, blood even fucking faeces for what it feels, at least, I could grudgingly bear with it if those same strings didn't bask in the need to pull my body apart every two seconds, you have no solutions for such problems, so please, just take my teeth, give me my money and stop lecturing me on such a brittle definition of 'terror', before my fist passes through each and every one of your frail pottery bowls." Ichinose went on a lengthy rant, at the same time, the expulsion of such frustrations made him feel better, in an odd way.
"From that outburst you do actually seem to want to talk about it, I'll be taking the teeth now, a couple yen for the lot of them." A couple yen was quite a decent sum of money. Hayara was surprised the old man actually went through with the trade, seems he wasn't lying about being a shady figure in the past. Though he just wanted to get the favours completed, so he hurriedly handed him the teeth.
"One more thing, my stall will be here again every Sunday, which is market day for this square, be sure to be here at 4pm, when the sun begins its first stages of rest and turns a deep orange, I'd like to talk to you more on these matters, you've piqued my interest." The built man nodded, seeming assuring himself of the special person in front of him. The young man in turn blinked, rather stunned at the fact he'd ask him back, he waved his hand to deny the request, the tanned man sighed, before storing the teeth in some compartment under his stall, he quickly uncovered a few yen, which were passed to Hayara accordingly.
"The choice is up to you, it's only because of my good eye, I'm sure you'll have lots of stories to tell, maybe it'll solve whatever's bothering you." The towering man shrugged.
"In your dreams, I have to thank you for the trade though, enjoy the rest of your day." Ichinose bluntly spouted, before walking off hastily.
The tanned man present in the stall shook his head, sighing deeply, before going back to grafting shattered pieces back onto a broken bowl with unparalleled patience.
The young slayer walked along for a while, partly satisfied, but also confused after his encounter with the eccentric man, a criminal making a living fixing bowls is not something I would have imagined... Ichinose inwardly criticised, perhaps out of spite for the man's prying into his complicated affairs, that only made him more uncomfortable.
With his sword covered neatly in a contrastingly ragged and dirty cloth, matching his equally torn set of clothes, he passed into the next alley, it was full of squalor, rats quickly scattered from a mound of rotten food left out to ferment as he entered the passage through, whilst he was halfway into the alley, he caught sight of a mound of blankets, out of one of the opening's popped out a grimy woman's head, her mouth was covered with black stains, flies buzzed around her hopeless and greyed eyes.
This made the young demon slayer sympathetic, his mood dropped as he passed by, yet such a melancholic moment was soon shattered by the presence of an upheaval of rotten emotions which raged out of a source which was above him, his heart had dropped into the depths of the underworld as he looked up apprehensively, the figure of Sukuna sat casually on the roof overlooking the slim alleyway.
"Aren't you going to do your second task?" A mocking smile. Kintsugi bowls and terror was all Hayara could mentally conjure as he walked over to the mound of blankets, it was as if a pair of puppet strings had guided him there, twining and waning around to complete the movement of his legs, which had now walked him in front of the female tramp.
The woman looked up at him with a revitalised expression, her greyed out eyes seemed a little less darker as she was glad that a kind stranger was about to give her some money, maybe she could buy some food with a little luck.
Hayara's arms were compelled to reach for the ragged cloth, it's thin frame softly fell to the ground, revealing the scabbard, threads of terror seamed to weave in and out of the skin of his arms, pulling him in to draw his sword, the silvery blade reflecting a brilliant light off of it as he did so. The woman's face suddenly was plagued with terror, her greyed eyes began to glisten as tears welled around the corners of them.
"Please sir, have some mercy, I didn't mean to steal whatever I did from you... I'm just hungry." Her words shook with tones of fear, as streams of water formed on her face.
A second set of tears fell down the face of Hayara as he spoke softly, and with a tremble.
"I'm sorry for being such a miserable puppet."
Mental threads spun, and Hayara's drawn sword descended downwards.
The corners of Sukuna's mouth climbed further up his face.