Moving on?

Author pov

" Although we almost died, I'm glad to wake up another day to be next to you guys." Ms. Tanka's smile was hesitant as she wrapped her arms around Misumi's fragile frame. She planted a small kiss on Misumi's forehead, trying to erase the permanent frown that had formed since the incident. But as she held Misumi, conflicting emotions bubbled up within her - guilt for not being able to protect her, fear of what could happen in the future, and a fierce love for the child who had captured her heart.

After Makima's departure from the Saito residence, Ms. Tanka became a loyal servant to both Makima and Misumi. Despite her helpfulness, Makima also sees her as a maternal figure, guiding her in the right direction as she navigates the challenges of having a child in her life. Thanks to Ms. Tanka's assistance, motherhood didn't seem so daunting for Makima after all.

As Ms. Tanka observed the strange positions of Misumi and Makima and saw Gabi unable to help, she decided it would be best for Misumi to have a small celebration with close family instead of a big party with her classmates. It may not solve all their problems, but at least Misumi would feel more at ease with those she trusts around her.

" Thank you, Ms.Tanka. I'm glad you are alive too." Misumi's voice trembles with fear and trauma, no longer holding the sweet bubbly tone it once did. Ever since that night, when Higanbana tore away her innocence and revealed the twisted horrors of the world, she has been a shattered version of her former self. Though still just a little girl, she has witnessed countless dead bodies, each one crushing what was left of her fragile innocence until nothing but a shell remains.

The adults surrounding her glance down, hesitant to do or say anything that may cause the girl to retreat further into her shell. This was meant to be a joyous day for her, yet she was trapped in a cycle of fear and anxiety. Despite all the therapy sessions she had gone through, none of them seemed to make a difference in relieving her from the traumatic memories of that night.

Misumi could feel the intense gazes of the others piercing into her skull. It was as if they could see straight into her thoughts. She quickly stood up from the table and hurried towards the door, causing some people to jump in surprise and fear. Makima wasted no time in following after her, but Gojo grabbed her arm to stop her. Meanwhile, Gabi sprinted after Misumi, determined to catch up to her.

" What do you think you are doing?!"Makima's upper lip curled in disgust as she looked up at the blindfolded man in front of her. She clenched her fists, yearning to unleash all her pent-up anger and frustration onto him.

" She needs to hear the words you were going to say from someone else. Gabi needs to speak with her on a deeper level. Let him have this chance and let her hear those comforting words from her father. " Her once tightly clenched fist relaxed and her expression softened. The thought of her daughter experiencing something she had promised to protect her from was now a reality. Makima's anger was not directed at Gojo; he was simply a physical outlet for her frustrations. She was more upset with herself for not being able to prevent this situation from happening to her daughter.

"I just want my daughter back to the way she was. She's not herself anymore, I haven't seen her smile or heard her laughter and she hasn't bothered me about sweets. She lost a little weight, her eyes lost their color. She reminds me of my old self and I hate it. It feels like I'm looking into a mirror of my past self." Makima's knees were getting weak and Ms. Tanka made sure to be near her body before she collapsed to the ground. "I feel like my mother . . ." Just as Makima was about to finish her rant, Ms. Tanka quickly intervened by smacking the back of her head to silence her.

"Don't you dare compare yourself to that woman."Ms. Tanka, the kind older woman who is always willing to lend a hand and shares a smile with everyone, has finally had enough. She usually resorts to peaceful methods, but this time she chooses to use force in hopes of getting through to Makima. " You two are nothing alike. You didn't fail Misumi and she knows you love her dearly. Despite us wanting to keep our kids safe, some things are out of our hands. Let Gabi handle it this time, I believe he will pull through, however, you need to work on yourself. You have been losing a lot of weight as well." she releases Makima's body to a nearby seat, "Gojo, watch over Makima and I will fix up a snack for everyone."

*****

Misumi sprinted through the tranquil neighborhood, where the sound of passing cars was minimal. Tears streamed down her face as she kept moving her feet without pause. She heard Gabi's voice calling after her, but she didn't stop to listen. Her father's words were urging her to halt, but she couldn't resist the urge to run away. During her therapy sessions, the therapist would often look at her as if she were a bizarre creature with three heads. She couldn't help but hear her mother crying behind closed doors, and she couldn't bear to see the pity in her father's eyes. It was humiliating to be treated like a freak that everyone pitied. And the memories of all those people she had killed haunted her mind. HIganbana's twisted smile would grow wider each time she claimed another life, and Misumi couldn't escape the fact that HIganbana saw her as a prized possession - calling her "my child" when Misumi would engage in violent acts.

After running for almost ten minutes, Misumi finally emerged onto the busy streets. Just as she was about to cross, Gabi teleported in front of her. Startled, Misumi bumped into her father's body and stumbled back. Luckily, he caught her before she fell on her butt.

"Misumi, you are being reckless. You could have gotten hurt." His voice was as gentle as a whisper like he was speaking to a newborn baby making its first appearance in this world. He didn't want to frighten her or make her feel small, so he spoke softly and carefully as if she were made of delicate glass.

Without making eye contact with him she stared at the ground, " Maybe I should. . ." She sharply hissed as she pulled away from his grasp. Her knuckles clenched, the images of blood spatter flashing through her mind again, and she recoiled at the thought of enjoying the urge to harm others. She despises herself for feeling like an untamed animal, out of control, and on a destructive rampage.

Cautiously stepping near her, Gabi reached his hand out wanting to ease her into him, "Why would you say that? You have people who want the best for you. Your mother will be in pain if you ever get hurt and -"

Miusmi smacks his hand down as her teeth clenched in anger, " Everything would been better than this! Mom wouldn't be crying every night before she slept. Ms.Tanka wouldn't be trying so hard to help me cheer up. Gojo sensei wouldn't feel like he had to walk on eggshells around me and you! You wouldn't give me those eyes you always do!" Her petite figure trembled as she screamed with all her might, gasping for air between each word. Her flushed cheeks were dotted with blotchy red splotches, evidence of her intense exertion and emotional outburst.

"I'm sorry we made you feel that way but we just want the best of you. I'm sorry if I offended you. I just . . . I just didn't know what to say or do." Even as she yelled and pushed him away, Gabi refused to give up and instead moved closer to her. He couldn't bear the thought of her running away from him."I just feel angry at myself for not knowing how to protect you. I was so in with my grief and revenge that I didn't know I had a daughter in this world that I was putting in danger."Gabi knelt on the ground, pleading with her to see how much he cared. His eyes filled with sadness and remorse as he never looked away from her, desperate for her forgiveness. "If you are mad, be mad at me because I cause this but I will never stop proving myself that I am sorry. Until the day I die, I will protect you and love you for no one. Nobody can step in the way of that again."

Misumi's head shook with force, unable to accept his love. She felt she couldn't deserve it as she believed he deserved a better daughter - someone who wasn't a murderer and had no shame in committing the act at that time. "I am a monster, I should have died in that night."

Gabi couldn't bear to hear the hurtful words she was directed toward herself, so he pulled her into a warm and protective hug. Even though people were walking by, he paid them no mind; his daughter's well-being was more important than their judgment. He had let her down before, but he was determined not to do it again." You are just a child who was caught up in my immoral life. Brainwashed by her powers. You didn't do anything wrong and the one who should have died that night should have been me."She returned his embrace, warm tears streaming down her father's neck. Misumi was crying, but not out of anger, it was a release from the weight of their past. Only Gabi understood the pain that Misumi was experiencing, as they both played a role in Higanbana's sicking puppet games. They will carry this guilt forever, under the curse of the mother of all curses.

****

After half an hour of chatting and finally getting comfortable with each other, the two decided it was time to head back before Makima caused another global conflict. As they approached the house, Gabi noticed a familiar figure in the distance. He gave Misumi a pat on the back and instructed her to go inside while he went to greet the person.

"Yuji, are you waiting for Gojo?"

Yuji got a little startled as he jumped up from his spot and he finally looked in Gabi's direction. "Actually, I was here for you."

"Me?" Gabi's face went puzzled and wondered what Yuji would want to do with him.

"Ever since that night when Sukuna took over my body and Higanbana attacked him, my body havent been the same since. I don't know how to explain it. I've been getting a lot of nightmares and it's like I have a bad omen on me. I even went to a card reader and she tossed me out of her shop once she read my future. . . I feel like something is going to happen to me or maybe I don't know. A real cause of destruction is coming-" Yuji starts to ramble on, but Gabi interrupts him by placing a hand on his shoulder. Instantly, Gabi is overcome with a surge of dark energy, causing his body to tremble in fear. It takes all of Gabi's strength to pull his hand away, and he is horrified by the vision that flashes before his eyes - a world reduced to nothing but dust.