"Oasis!! Yes, finally!" Yuji cheered weakly from within Gojo's arms. His voice cracked with exhaustion, but relief made him beam. Gojo carried him through the air, Infinity swirling as they arrived at their destination.
Below them stretched a vast oasis, glittering beneath the merciless sun. A lake of crystal water shimmered in the center, ringed with palm trees and shrubs. Birds darted above the surface, snatching fish from the water. Goats and camels grazed nearby. This was the only pocket of life they'd seen in the endless wasteland.
But in the far corner, something caught their eyes, a house. Large, ancient, and strangely pristine.
Gojo's gaze sharpened, his Six Eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger or life. After a moment, he descended, boots touching down on the warm sand. He set Yuji down gently.
Without hesitation, Yuji sprinted toward the lake. He fell to his knees, scooped water into his hands, and drank greedily. The cool liquid ran down his throat, washing away the dryness.
Gojo joined him, kneeling at the edge to splash water over his face. The chill soothed the desert's burn on his skin.
They exhaled in unison, both too tired to speak, simply soaking in the sight of green trees and the glistening lake. For a moment, it felt almost peaceful.
Grrrrrowl.
Yuji's stomach broke the silence.
Gojo chuckled, standing. "Figures. Let's check that house."
Yuji scrambled up, wiping his mouth, his grin returning. "Aye, Sensei!"
Together, they walked toward the looming structure. Up close, the building was even stranger, three stories tall, built of ancient stone yet shaped like a modern villa. The massive steel door stood locked and silent.
Yuji knocked politely. "Hello? Anybody there?"
No answer.
"There's nobody," Gojo said flatly.
Yuji glanced at him. "So... what do we do, Sensei?"
Gojo shrugged. "We break in."
Yuji blinked. "Eh?! Is that even okay?"
"It's fine. This place looks abandoned." And with a casual kick, Gojo sent the steel door crashing inward.
He stepped in first, Yuji trailing behind him nervously.
The entrance hall was vast, elegant in design, with marble floors and a grand chandelier. A long table with ornate chairs stretched across the center, giving the place a regal air. It was far too refined compared to its rough exterior.
"No cursed energy here," Gojo muttered, scanning.
"Yeah... maybe because this is the afterlife? But then why aren't there people? And... why do our wounds still hurt?" Yuji frowned.
Gojo sighed. "No idea. This whole place is strange."
They moved through the halls, eventually reaching the kitchen. Yuji immediately began opening cupboards and cabinets. Most were empty, but tucked away inside one shelf—
"Sensei! Apples!" Yuji shouted, holding up a shiny red fruit. Without hesitation, he bit into it. Juice ran down his chin as he devoured it like he hadn't eaten in days.
Gojo leaned against the counter and grabbed one as well. "Not bad."
One apple turned to two, then three, until both of them had eaten their fill.
Afterwards, Gojo headed upstairs to explore. The second floor revealed a grand bathhouse-like pool, its design reminiscent of ancient desert palaces. Changing rooms lined the walls, filled with untouched garments, long robes and cloths once worn by desert dwellers.
The third floor was quieter: a massive bedroom, a washroom, and a wide balcony overlooking the oasis.
Gojo returned downstairs, his decision firm. "We'll live here for now."
Yuji, his cheeks stuffed with dates he'd found in the kitchen, nodded enthusiastically. "Mmphh—okay!"
"I'm going upstairs," Gojo said, stretching his shoulders. "Need to change into something more comfortable."
Yuji held up a handful of dates. "Sensei, want some?"
"Bring them up later," Gojo waved casually. "And don't eat everything."
Yuji grinned with his mouth still full. "Aye, Sensei!"
+++
Gojo hissed softly as he wound strips of cloth around his torso, using whatever scraps he had found upstairs. Each movement tugged at the stitches that held his body together, the same ones that once kept him from splitting clean in half. His head was wrapped as well, the scar from his brain swap with Yuta still fresh and raw.
"At least bandage me properly next time, Shoko," he muttered under his breath, half a complaint, half a sigh.
The pain lingered, deep and stubborn, though he knew Shoko had done everything she could. Her reverse technique had sealed him tightly, without it, his body would've fallen apart long ago.
Gojo left his upper body bare, letting the air cool his aching skin. He pulled on only a pair of trousers that fit and sank onto the edge of the large bed. It was the only one in the room.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Footsteps. Yuji entered, still wearing an awestruck expression. His mouth hung slightly open as he looked around the chamber. "This room is huge..." he muttered for what must've been the tenth time since they arrived.
He set a small plate on the bedside table. "Sensei, I brought these dates here."
"Mm. Thanks." Gojo's reply was lazy, almost absent, his eyes half-lidded.
Yuji nodded and left him to rest. He went down to the second floor, stripping off his tattered uniform and sinking into the vast bath that took up half the room. Warm water eased his sore muscles, washing away blood and sand. Afterwards, he changed into loose desert clothes he'd found, then stopped in front of a mirror.
His reflection stared back at him, unfamiliar. Scars traced across his face, reminders of Sukuna's reign and his own battles. He lifted his hands, the same hands that carried both strength and guilt.
Yuji exhaled, long and heavy, then turned toward the wide window. Outside, the sun had begun to dip, painting the sky with orange and gold. The lake shimmered under the light.
"I'll catch some fish," he murmured to himself.
Exploring further, he found a storage room beside the kitchen. In it, a rolled-up fishing net leaned against the wall.
"Ohh, perfect."
With the net slung over his shoulder, Yuji went outside alone. The evening breeze brushed against his skin as he waded into the shallows. With a practiced throw, he cast the net. After a few tries, he pulled it in, five fish wriggling inside, each one a different shape and size.
"Wow, amazing!" Yuji laughed, his grin wide.
A camel wandered over, curious about the commotion, lowering its head as if inspecting his catch.
"No, no! Don't steal my food!" Yuji waved frantically at it.
A low chuckle sounded behind him. "Camels don't eat fish, Yuji."
Yuji spun around to see Gojo approaching, his body wrapped in fresh bandages. Despite his condition, he looked amused.
"They could still steal it," Yuji pouted, hugging the net close.
Gojo reached out and ruffled his hair, grinning. "So you managed a feast, huh?"
"Yeah!" Yuji's eyes sparkled. "I'll make grilled fish. Or maybe fish soup!"
Gojo laughed at his student's goofy enthusiasm, his voice softer now. "Do whatever you like. I'll eat it either way."