Free Man

Gabi pov

Gabi leaned his head against Gojo's shoulder, the rain plastering their tangled hair to their faces. They could barely see through the strands sticking to their foreheads as they heard shuffling around them. The downpour soaked them to the bone, causing droplets to trickle down their skin and clothes.

"I remembered now . . ." Gojo utters, " Remember how we used to be close as kids but father begged me to keep my distance from you. We slowly parted from each other and I guess it turned into disliking or even hate. . . I was just confused and still am." he finishes off but his hand never leaves Gabi's locks.

(You are not the only one, Satoru.)

Gabi let out a hollow chuckle, unsure of what was real anymore. Higanbana's ability to manipulate memories left Gabi questioning the authenticity of every thought and memory. Was this laughter genuine or just another manipulation? The uncertainty gnawed at Gabi's mind, creating a constant state of conflict within.

As the twins stood there, they heard approaching footsteps and their hearts sank. They knew it was Makima and Misumi, but they didn't know what to expect. Gabi felt a pang of guilt as he saw his daughter curled up in fear, unable to even look at him. Was this all his fault? He didn't want to hurt anyone, especially not his own flesh and blood. But here he was, causing distress to an innocent child. The conflicting emotions inside him tore at his heart as he struggled to come to terms with the consequences of his actions.

(I'm not better than Higanbana, I ruined her before she even had the chance to grow up. I could never forgive myself for this.) 

Makima saw the guilt riding Gabi's face and she knew he blamed himself for it but now wasn't the time to discuss it, especially in front of Misumi. She needs to get away from this scene, away from everyone so she can heal herself. Sympathy covered Makima's face and was aimed at Gabimaru. " Thank you . . . Gabi. If it weren't for you, I . . . we wouldn't have her back."

( We?)

" We should all get going," Gojo said out loud. The moment was getting to everyone more importantly Misumi. No one dared to counter what Gojo said because everyone agreed with it.

As the four of them turned to leave, a group of sorcerers dressed in traditional Japanese black and white suits appeared on the scene. Satoru's sharp eyes scanned their faces, trying to decipher their intentions. Makima's grip on Misumi tightened as she instinctively protected her daughter from potential harm. Gabi hung his head in resignation, fully aware of what would come next. The air around them crackled with tension and fear as the two groups faced off.

( They didn't show up to fight along with us but to capture me. That sure isn't surprising at all.)

"What's going on?"Gojo stood with his back straight and shoulders squared, exuding a commanding presence. He towered over the group, his dark eyes scanning each person as he spoke, conveying a strong sense of authority.

" Listened, Gojo. I want no problems with any of you but I'm here on orders. We here to bond Gabimaru and send him to the higher up." Kusakabe's drooping eyelids betrayed his exhaustion, and He let out a long, tired sigh. He had been awake for over 12 hours, working through the night without a break. His normally aloof demeanor was now tinged with weariness.

" What do they want? To execute him?" Gojo let out a mocking laugh to convey just how pitiful their words sounded. His upper lip curled in disgust as he shook his head, unable to believe the ridiculousness of the situation.

" Orders are orders. You know how they're. Especially what just took place. We lost a lot of people. Do you want me to name them?" 

"I know we lost people! Do you think I don't? Nanami died and I wasn't here for him!" Gojo snapped at Kusakabe, "I almost lost my students!"

Kusakabe stood there with his arms crossed, his expression was stoic and unmoved as Gojo spoke, "Also Yaga, nitta, and Gakuganji are in critical danger. Other managers are fighting for their lives like the countless innocents who perished last night. Of course, the higher-ups will execute him." 

( This bickering will only continue and I am too drained to hear the back and forth if I'm being honest here,)

Gabi held his hands up, palms facing Ksuakabe in surrender. Gojo and Makima's eyes widened in shock as they watched the tense standoff between their friend and Kusakabe.

" Gabi, don't do this-" Gojo tried to stop him.

" No! Gabimaru, you signing away your life!" Makima's voice rose in anger, causing Misumi to leap out of her embrace in surprise. As soon as the words left her mouth, Makima regretted unleashing her frustration.

"It's okay. He's right and just backing down will cause more problems. I suppose you want me to do a bonding vow for me not to run away?" He is a notorious criminal in the sorcerer world, feared by all and wanted dead or alive. If this news ever reaches the public, they will not hesitate to form a mob and demand his life at the end of a rope. The mere thought of his name sends shivers down their spines, for he is known to be nothing but pure evil in human form.

Gabi's heart aches as he meets Misumi's eyes, filled with regret for the choices he made that may have forever damaged their relationship. The weight of guilt crushes him as he realizes that Misumi may never see him as anything more than a distant father figure. He can't blame her if she chooses to cut ties with him completely, and it cuts deep into his soul.

*****

Author pov

It had been exactly sixty-two days since Gabi's imprisonment began. Gojo, with his influential position, had managed to delay his execution while Makima, with her menacing power, had warned against any attempts to end Gabi's life prematurely. The tension in the air was palpable as those involved waited for the inevitable outcome of this dangerous game of power and influence.

Gakuganji's wounds had finally healed, and with a sense of urgency, he made his way to see Gabi. As the guards swung open the heavy doors, Gakuganji's eyes fell upon the figure that filled him with disgust: a man he despised more than anyone else in the world. The sight of him made Gakuganji's blood boil and his fists clenched.

Gakuganji reluctantly tolerates Saturo, since he is the light who brings order into this world and keeps it balanced. Gakuganji always believed that Gabimaru was the opposite. Gabimaru was the definition of darkness and whatever he touches will be destroyed. Every fiber of his being is telling him to get rid of Gabimaru but someone holds him back. To be precise two of the strongest beings that can kill him off and anyone standing in their way. Gakuganji struggles with his conflicted emotions as he grabs the hem of his shirt to stop him continue his desire to kill that man.

"You're only alive because of your twin brother, Makima and Shoko. I hope you know if they weren't involved I would have slaughtered you right there, sitting down in a weak-looking state of yours." Venom dripped from his voice, coating each word with a deadly poison. His old eyes gleamed with a cruel determination and a murderous intent that seemed to seep out of them like a toxic mist.

The room falls silent as Gabi's lifeless eyes bore into the walls, his body a mere shell of its former self. His skin is pale and gaunt as if he hasn't seen sunlight in days. He hasn't slept since he was locked up, and his once clean-shaven face is now covered in scruff and dark circles that seem to sink deeper with each passing day. His hair hangs matted and tangled around his face, a reflection of the mess his mind has become in this cold, dark place.

" No words?" Gakuganji spoke. " You son of a -"

"I think he already heard an ear full of your rant, Grandpa." Shoko enters the room. "It's been outvoted for him getting executed. We all sinned but at the end of the day, you wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for him."

Gakuganji's eyes widened and his jaw tightened as he looked up at Shoko, taking in her familiar face with a mix of shock and disbelief. He couldn't believe she was standing there, aligning herself with the enemy."He the one who caused this!"

" Was he really? He was wrongfully convicted for something he didn't do and yet the person who accused him is still roaming free and leading the Saito clan." Shoko clapped back and Gakuganji just sneered at her.

Shoke approached Gabi, her hand firmly gripping a set of jangling silver chains that bound him. She pulled out a key from her pocket and expertly unlocked it, the heavy metal links crashing to the ground with a loud thud. The sound reverberated through the dusty room. " Welcome back to the free world." she warmly spoke to him and helped him up from the ground.