There is a song stuck in my head. What's the term? An earworm? I think?
Well, whatever the word was, there is a tune playing in my mind.
Standing under the glares of three Onmyōji, my foot unconsciously starts tapping out the opening beat of Ballroom Blitz, by Sweet.
Glancing between them, Ki and the woman both seem pretty strong. The other guy not so much.
Nagayasu will also probably be back soon. Most of my bunnies have been caught up in whatever invisible barrier is surrounding the mountain peak, but there are still enough left down here that I have eyes on him. So best not to dally.
I notice the way that the Onmyōji around me all tense when I start humming to myself, but one thing stands out to me. Both Ki and whoever the woman is glanced at the weaker guy. Not out of concern, and the look was only brief, but it was telling enough. A fact that I should take into consideration tactically.
However, I simply don't feel the need to put forth that much effort.
Instead, I simply smile and mutter the opening words to my earworm, quietly enough that I doubt they even hear it.
"Alright fellas, let's gooo~."
It's clear enough that in typical Onmyōji fashion, none of them intend to make the opening move. Likely also the fact of delaying for reinforcements might be playing into their decision making. I wonder if they know that Nanami Shiki is playing with my bunnies right now instead of trying to help them?
Shrugging the thought away, my smile grows a tad as I take a step forward and throw myself straight at Ki, just to get them moving.
I am immediately gratified in my decision as Ki reacts fast enough to block with his staff, only for his staff to abruptly swell massively in size, slamming into me and throwing me backwards.
Before I so much as get a chance to orient myself in the air, the breath in my lungs gets stolen from me as a spear impales me from behind, evidently having anticipated my trajectory and prepared for it.
Also evident is that this is yet another Cursed Tool—because apparently these guys never run out of those—as my entire body locks in place the moment it pierces me.
"Do it now!" I hear the woman yell in a rush almost at the same time that whatever effect is on her spear wears off—clearly only intended for brief moments of immobility.
The question of what she is referring to is answered when, instead of pulling this spear out of my chest, my hands instead shoot up to my neck out of pure instinct as the unfortunately familiar sensation of drowning overwhelms my rational mind.
I feel Ki and the woman both moving to take advantage of my distraction, yet I still take a brief moment to spare a glance at the weaker Onmyōji to see what I more or less expected. The guy lying on the floor, curled up into a ball and grasping at his neck while sputtering helplessly.
So his Technique induces suffocation? Though it feels more like drowning than simply lacking air. I can feel the water filling my throat whilst also recognising that my throat is clear of blockage. Regardless, the result is my own body betraying me and stopping me from beathing.
An arrow pierces me from the side, shooting straight through my heart before shattering into shrapnel inside of my chest. The pain would likely have been distracting would that my mind were not already distracted by the instinctual reaction to drowning.
That's hilarious~. His Technique even seems to have a condition to apply the effect on the user at the same time. Without that, I'd have probably been able to just break the effect entirely and move on, but self-sacrificial conditions are always the strongest. At the very least, I can probably hold my breath longer, so I just have to deal with it until he is forced to cancel the Technique.
Ki appears in front of me swinging his staff. My body's instincts work against me however, as my body does not move to fight. The best I manage is to barely cover my head with my arms, both of which I feel snap as I get hammered into he earth.
So what, I have to fight two fairly strong people, possibly more if they come quick enough, for the next two minutes-ish? All without breathing or having access to my Technique. Ha! That's so funny~.
Another Cursed Tool comes flying my way as my thoughts close. I don't see it, but I can feel the Cursed Energy.
Fortunately for me, that knock by Ki bounced my brain around in my skull enough to snap me back into focus. At least enough to realise what I have to do.
My body still wants to flail, the most useless survival mechanism of them all. My arms still want to grasp at the imagined hands around my throat.
This time, I do not fight it.
My hands reach my throat, and I shut my eyes in order to focus through the sensation enough to entirely ignore each and every survival instinct within my body.
Warm, sticky liquid coats my fingers as my hands clench, and I hear blood bubble and pop as my body gasps for a breath that never comes.
My arm snaps out to catch the flag as a Cursed Tool tries to yank it away, and through the blood and the pain, I smile.
///
Ki no Tokibumi
///
The plan was, at its core, pretty simple.
Abe no Seimei is not a man to be wrong. He perceives a lot more than most are capable of. Perhaps even more than Kiyohara no Nagiko's eyes do, at least in certain areas anyway.
So when he gave them his warning, telling them that Narauko was stronger than all of them combined?
Well, they listened. Even if they thought it was overkill—he thought as much too. But better to win overwhelmingly than to risk a loss.
So they agreed to deal with 'The Strongest' together.
All the plan required was for them to lock Narauko in place for just a moment, each of them more than capable enough to manage this alone. Tachibana, Naishi, Uro and himself anyways. The second-years not so much.
Then, Yorinaga will use his Technique.
Narauko will drown on land, leaving him too vulnerable to defend himself. From there, they simply need to either take Narauko out of the fight entirely, or steal the flag. He wouldn't be surprised if Tachibana would have taken the opportunity to just kill the man instead.
They aren't supposed to fight to the death here, but accidents happen, so it's not like anyone would complain about it. Plenty would probably praise him instead, behind closed doors of course.
That was the plan.
When Narauko showed off his strength, Tokibumi began to have some apprehension, but he didn't doubt that the plan would still work. He just assumed they would have to focus on stealing the flag instead of taking him out of the fight.
Narauko clearly has no idea what their Techniques are after all, so there is no way he would be expecting it. Really, what had Tokibumi most on edge is that he hasn't seen Narauko make use of his Technique once outside of those rabbits. It makes him feel like the man is building up to something.
Regardless, they had a plan. One that he still believed would work.
His certainty in that fact only grew as the plan fell into motion. Uma no Naishi is renown for her collection of Cursed Tools, gifted to her by her Fujiwara lover. It makes her incredibly versatile, and leaves it almost a certainty that she can fill any role necessary. Such as freezing a Sorcerer at the peak of mortal power in place.
The resulting success is evident enough by itself. Narauko lying on his back, clutching at his throat with broken arms, a spear through his lungs and an arrow his heart. It makes for a pitiable sight. The picture of defeat.
So perhaps Tokibumi can be forgiven for his delayed response when it all comes apart.
One of Naishi's Cursed Tools flies over Narauko's prone form, hooking the flag on his back and tearing it free to fly away.
Only, right before it can do so, a terrible squelching noise echoes almost at the same time that Narauko's arm snaps out. Blood-soaked hand grasping the very end of the flagpole right before it can fly away, halting the Tool in place entirely.
In that moment, Tokibumi should have acted. He had the time, the opportunity. He could have broken Narauko's grasp and turned the tide in their favour.
But he does not.
He is too busy reeling in a mixture of shock, disbelief and most of all disgust as he observes aghast at the sight of Narauko tearing out his own throat.
He can see the logic in the act, twisted though it may be. Yorinaga's Technique brings the concept of 'drowning' and forces it on the target. By removing the throat, the Technique has nothing to target, thus removing the instinctual flailing that comes with such things.
He can see the chain of logic that would bring someone to that conclusion. But still...
He didn't even hesitate, Tokibumi thinks, his mind hesitating as a burst of apprehension stops him from doing anything but watching. He didn't even hesitate to rip out his own throat. Is this what a Jujutsu Sorcerer is? Is the difference between us truly so great? What kind of madness infests these lunatics? Does the hunt of Curses and Curse Users affect them so?
Tokibumi has always considered himself a coward at heart. Where normally the term is one of scorn, it is one that he has identified with pridefully. For he has always been afraid. From the first time he sparred with his father to the first Curse he faced. He even feels fear when at great heights.
Yet he has only found pride in his fear, because not once has he allowed it to master him. He has always been in control of his body. Always able to push through that fear. To act, despite being afraid. It is the very definition of bravery, and a fact that never fails to bring a swelling of confidence.
Narauko yanks the flagpole back to himself, bringing the Cursed Tool with it and immediately grabbing the polearm with his other hand and tearing it free. Tokibumi can see the spear wriggling as Naishi's Technique attempts to pull it free, but Narauko's grip does not waver, even as the blood slicking his hands allows the spear to move more than it would have otherwise.
His mouth moves, as if to speak, but all that results of it is for bubbles of blood to sprout and pop within the cavity remaining of his neck. Tokibumi is no stranger to gore, but the sight, and how Narauko simply frowns as if mildly inconvenienced instead of being without his fucking throat unnerves him greatly.
Then, when Narauko's eyes meet his, smiling again despite the deluge of blood coating his lower face or the spear and arrow still impaling him, Tokibumi feels that ever familiar sensation. He feels every muscle in his body tense. Every instinct swell, begging, screaming at him to move.
To turn.
To escape.
To run.
This time, it is different. The fear is so much more primal. An instinctive rejection of the sight before him.
The temptation, the instinct to run, it is so much stronger than ever before.
And so Tokibumi's foot leaves the earth, and it moves forward.
A smile is forced onto his lips, a brittle thing, but it is there nonetheless.
Narauko is strong. Stronger than he thought, strong enough to claim the title he wears without debate. Of that there is no doubt.
Narauko is also crazy, more so than any Sorcerer Tokibumi has met so far. Crazy enough to terrify the shit out of him.
But Ki no Tokibumi has never before allowed his fear to master him, and today will not be the day that single fact changes.
So he steps forward. Moving towards the smiling monster no matter how fiercely his mind rebels the thought.
"Ready for round two?" Tokibumi asks, his voice not wavering in the slightest, hands not shaking.
Narauko nods happily before lowing himself into a familiar stance, wielding the flagpole and Naishi's polearm exactly how Tokibumi remembers Tachibana dual wielding his swords.
Tokibumi releases a startled huff of amusement as he easily figures out what must have happened inside of that Domain.
What an absurd being you are, Narauko-dono.
Once more, Narauko bursts forth, only to be immediately halted and forced to defend as Naishi's Cursed Tools surround him and attack without relent. Bladed, blunted and esoteric weaponry such as fans and a lantern surround him in various effects. Elemental the most obvious, but others can be seen in their effects as Narauko occasionally pauses or twitches at unseen things, briefly dropping to a knee as the lantern passes overhead.
Tokibumi takes a moment to watch without interfering.
Uma no Naishi may not be a candidate for Special Grade as he is, but with Tool Manipulation and such a plethora of high quality Cursed Tools available to her, she is more than capable of punching above her weight class. However, that is all that she can do.
She is managing to hold Narauko back well enough, keeping him occupied through so many avenues of attack. It honestly does look at first glance as if she has him boxed in, barely surviving by the skin of his teeth.
But Tokibumi is not stupid, and a few things are readily apparent.
First is that one of Narauko's weapons, a polearm of Naishi's, has actively been fighting against his movements the entire time. The other weapon he is wielding isn't even a weapon, and Tokibumi can see that the flagpole is only surviving its clashes with Naishi's weapons because Narauko is pumping a truly absurd amount of Cursed Energy into reinforcing it.
Another thing to note, though this one Tokibumi didn't notice right away, is that Narauko is actively keeping that spear pierced through his lungs. Tokibumi isn't entirely sure how exactly, likely by using Reverse Cursed Technique around the spear constantly so that his very flesh can keep it from pulling back.
Regardless of the how, that he is doing it at all means that he must have deduced the function of the spear and realised that it can only activate upon landing a hit. In other words, if the spear were to leave his flesh, then it could cut him again and freeze him in place a second time. But if it simply remains, then the Technique is nullified.
He still has a spear through his lungs though.
Tokibumi is really starting to regret attending this event.
But more than any of that, what stands out most is one simple fact.
Tokibumi hasn't once seen Narauko make use of his Innate Technique.
It really is quite scary. The bloody smile doesn't improve things.
Tokibumi notices Narauko's attention waver and snaps back into focus, moving to position himself between Narauko and Yorinaga. An act that has Narauko meeting his eyes again, even if he'd really rather the man didn't.
But so long as Yorinaga is in play, Narauko can't heal his throat, and frankly they need all of the advantages they can get, so Tokibumi isn't going to leave that path clear.
Unfortunately, his action does have the unintended side-effect of forcing him straight back into the battle, and so with a sigh Tokibumi returns to the familiar rhythm.
Fighting Narauko is a strange experience, he notes.
Tokibumi mostly has experience fighting against fellow Onmyōji, the occasional Yōkai and city Curse—for there is a significant difference between a Curse in the capital and one in the boonies, though it has been noted that the number of Curses forming has decreased of late for some reason. That however, is neither here nor there.
Narauko fights like none of these yet all of them at the same time.
He fights like an Onmyōji, with strategy and skill. Skill that is incredibly familiar for how it is so clearly being stolen from them all as the fight goes on.
He fights like a Yōkai, with overwhelming power and the arrogance that comes with it. The most common way to slay a Yōkai is, after all, to allow their arrogance to blind them.
But most of all, he fights like a Curse. It is nothing at all like Tokibumi's teachers or peers, where they fight with cold logic and pragmatism and years of discipline.
No. Narauko has none of that. He fights purely with emotion.
He attacks not to take advantage of an opening, but because he wants to. Because he wants to see the response they give, wants to see the counter or the defence.
He does not dodge or defend to avoid damage, he only does so if he feels like it.
Tokibumi is sure that were hi throat not removed, he would be hearing Narauko laugh as they fight. It is all so strange, but most relevantly it makes the man very difficult to predict. Not helped by how his Cursed Energy seems to flow whichever way it feels like, leaving him feeling as if his opponent will move left when they actually move right.
A swing of Narauko's purloined polearm as he is off-balance from having to avoid more of Naishi's attacks comes dangerously close to slicing through Tokibumi's throat. Despite the surge of fear that fact brings, Tokibumi does no hesitate to strike at the opening.
A hand briefly leaves his staff to brush against the retreating tip of the polearm. The second he grazes the metal, his Technique flows into it, shrinking the weapon down to a quarter its size.
Immediately, Naishi takes advantage. Sending the shrunken weapon twisting and shooting like an arrow straight back at Narauko who barely manages to dodge, though looking more delighted by that fact than anything else.
With Narauko on the backfoot—more on the backfoot anyway—Tokibumi already knows what is coming, so his hand then snaps out to the side. Not at anything in particular, just held out into the open air with his Technique thrumming in anticipation.
He is not left waiting as an arrow flies by, brushing the tips of his fingers with its shaft just long enough for his Technique to take hold.
Narauko's eyes widen as the arrow multiplies in size over a hundred times, though more weighted to width than length. It grows so large without losing any momentum that the air around the arrowhead ignites, yet any feeling of triumph is immediately robbed from Tokibumi as he notices Narauko's eyes twist up with unholy glee.
Moving once again without an ounce of hesitation, Narauko moves towards the enormous arrow, throwing himself forward and into the air at speed. In the air, he twists to be horizontal, perpendicular to the arrowhead and angled just enough that the arrow tears through his torso near entirely.
As the giant arrow continues its flight carving a trench in the earth and forest behind, Narauko neatly lands in a flip, his flesh regenerating so fast that it is almost pristine by the time his feet are back on earth.
"Hahaha!" Narauko's laughter echoes over the battlefield, not surprising Tokibumi in the slightest nor making hm hesitate. Yet Narauko continues to speak as if he is not evading and parrying Tokibumi as he does so. "I was hoping you'd do that! Hahaha! All that shrapnel in my chest was really—ghukh!"
His words are cut off as he starts to choke, hands once more rising on instinct to clutch at his throat and allowing Tokibumi to land an easy hit on the man's ribs, sending him flying into Naishi's waiting Tools.
Narauko quickly recovers in the air, ripping his throat out a second time before rapidly twisting the flagpole in his hands to pierce the ground. His momentum is swiftly brought to a near halt, and he spins around the pole to kick away a pair of approaching Tools, using them as platforms to throw himself back to the ground where he can move with more control.
In a brief moment of respite, Narauko's mouth moves, though nothing results of it except for more blood pouring out of his neck. Scowling with a pout, of all things, Narauko glares at Yorinaga and gestures at him with a closed fist bar his middle finger raised high.
Tokibumi has no idea what that gesture is supposed to mean, but contextually he assumes it to be derogatory in some manner.
However, before the fight can resume in earnest, a new presence enters the clearing. They all turn to watch Tachibana trudge his way through the foliage, a fierce glare set to his face that does not waver from the freshly grinning Narauko.
"Throw me through another landscape," Tachibana all but growls at the man, angrier than Tokibumi has ever seen him, "And I will begin to take offence."
Tokibumi isn't sure what went on inside of his Domain, but he gets the feeling that Tachibana is already taking offence. Whatever though, that isn't his problem.
Apparently Narauko doesn't find it a problem either, for he seems rather overly delighted to hear such a threat.
Tokibumi doesn't think he will ever be able to understand this strange, Cursed man.
A scoff delays the resumption of their battle, and all yes turn to Yorinaga, even if they aren't so stupid as to actually move the majority of their attention away from the Jujutsu Sorcerer between them.
"What cause do you have to look so pleased, Commoner," Yorinaga sneers, filling Tokibumi with amusement at the audacity. But then the dumbass actually keeps talking. "You could not even fight back against the three of us, with Tachibana-dono here as well, you stand no chance!"
A great, deafening silence engulfs the area as those words are processed. Even the birds seem to still in silence at the sheer... Stupidity inherent to such words.
Woodenly, Tokibumi finds himself turning his full attention to Yorinaga, barely noticing the rest all doing the same. Their expressions filled with the same disbelief as his own.
Has this idiot not been paying attention? Tokibumi asks himself, genuinely baffled. Narauko hasn't even used his Technique yet!? What the fuck are you talking about??? And since when was Tachibana -dono to you?
Yorinaga's posture grows awkward as he becomes the centre of attention, clearly beginning to realise far too late that he might just be genuinely stupid.
From the corner of his eye, Tokibumi also notices Narauko's smile growing near maniacal, dangerous. Were he not so poised, Tokibumi is nearly certain that a whine would have left him at the sight.
Instead, he choses to restrengthen his glare at Yorinaga.
"Will you please," he emphasises the words as heavily as possible in the hope that Yorinaga might actually heed them. "Just shut. The fuck. Up?"
Narauko releases a sound that could be generously described as amused, and so Tokibumi returns his attention where it matters, not wanting to look at Yorinaga for a second longer.
Looking at the bleeding man, Tokibumi gets a horrible feeling in his gut, one that only grows when Narauko reaches his free hand up and cracks his neck, grinning all the while.
Without any sign or warning, Narauko's Cursed Energy surges over the flagpole in his hand, hardening into a thick, sharp barrier. In mere moments, he goes from holding a flagpole to wielding an excessively large double-sided blade. More like a slab of sharp black metal attached to a stick really, wider across than even the man wielding it.
Then, his free hand comes up and this time the he makes cannot be misunderstood.
'Come at me.'
The message is simple enough. He's going to start fighting with more than just his fists. Great.
Tachibana surprises him by moving first, clearly allowing his agitation to drive him, but Narauko does not even look his way. Instead, the man gathers a truly absurd amount of Cursed Energy in his palm, even absurd to Tokibumi who has an abnormal amount of Cursed Energy himself, and launches it straight at Tachibana.
It is an incredibly wasteful attack, but that does not make it ineffective. Yet even as Tachibana evades the attack, Naishi sends her weapons forward again.
Only this time, instead of running around to avoid them, Narauko stands still as a pure black barrier appears in the path of every weapon before they can reach him.
Wait a second, that's Tengen's Barrier Technique!? Tokibumi realises wit shock. It's not like Tengen's barriers are an Innate Technique, but they are notorious for being near impossible to learn, to the point that only an immortal such as Tengen could have managed it over centuries. Are you even still human at this point!?
Regardless of his internal complaints or his ever-present fear, when Narauko makes a move for Yorinaga, he does not hesitate to plant himself between them.
The force behind Narauko's attack is noticeably stronger than before, but Tokibumi is hardly helpless, he can still fight it. With the added support of Naishi and Tachibana, they might even still win.
Narauko is a daunting opponent, one that could near certainly crush them all one on one, but together?
There is still a chance.
It is important to hold on to hope.
///
Meanwhile, Nanami Shiki
///
"So fluffy~," Shiki sighs, nearly moaning in comfort as she reclines in a bed of fluffy fluffy bunnies.
A rustling draws her attention, and she raises her head enough to watch another bunny hop into the small clearing. It hops right up to her 'throne' before proudly presenting a small, smooth rock for her to observe.
Observe she does. Scrutinising he pebble as if it is a work of art—her lips can't help but quirk up at the thought, and the entire scenario in general.
"You pass," she eventually 'decrees' and the bunny immediately starts hopping and dancing around in celebration, quickly making its way to one side of the clearing to join with a crowd of similarly dancing and cheering bunnies.
On the opposite side, another crowd of bunnies has gathered, all of them drawing circles in the dirt or otherwise looking morose.
Another soft giggle leaves her throat at the sight.
Shiki has no idea what anyone else is doing on this mountain, but she is having a great time.
///
A/N: He~llo! Dear readers!
Not sure if you can notice, but I kinda lost interest in writing this fight scene as I was writing it lol. I'm not upset with how it ended up though. Didn't expect Tokibumi to be getting so much character development, but he's turned out pretty cool imo.
Also, I probably should have had this chapter out way sooner, but I've abruptly become busy in the run up to christmas. One of the reasons for that is that I'm planning a prank for my family that is a lot of effort and time.