Desert Rose Chapter 40: Fight Club (Patreon)

Today was game day. Yuuji’s big match. The house(boat) was without a doubt feeling the anxiety.

“You need to have a balanced breakfast! Eat this!” Sukuna was bullying Yuuji all morning but he’d consider it as coaching.

“You are going to stress him out, it’s best for him to relax!” Gojo tried to counter.

“Yeah, he did it your way last time and nearly got his ass handed to him!”

Megumi was lounging on the couch. He was looking at all the posts about tonight's match- of course, it was all said in code. A lot of the bets were fifty-fifty. He saw you pass by him, wearing your blue hoodie. “Morning.” he nodded to you.

“Morning~.” You kissed him on his cheek as you got settled next to him.

“You hungry baby girl?” Toji questioned over the loud boys.

“Mhm~.”

“I'll fix you a plate.”

You waited patiently for your food, eyes bouncing back and forth from one yelling person to the next. “Gumi, um Why?” you questioned gesturing your hand toward the commotion.

“Why are they stressed out?” Megumi looked up from his phone, “Yuuji has a fight tonight.”

“Oh…fight?” You furrow your brows. You didn’t look so excited by such a thing.

“Yeah!” Yuuji switched gears looking at you as he hopped over, “You're coming to my match right?”

Toji shook his head as he gave you some food, “I don't think she should be around all that violence.”

“Aw~.” Yuuji pouted, “You're right…”

You placed a hand on his cheek, “I go.” You smiled at him, “Cheer Yuuji!”

“Uh…” Megumi looked at the others but they shrugged.

“If she wants to go she wants to go.” Sukuna said.

“Yeah! And if she gets nervous she can just go into your office.” Gojo added.

Megumi still wasn't sure if you understood how violent these fights could get. “Alright but have Nanami explain to her what she's about to get into, if she wants to stay home I will stay with her.”

“Right…where is Nanami?” Yuuji questioned.

“Throwing up, I believe he’s seasick.”

Everyone gasped as Nanami wobbled in like a zombie, pale in the face and sweating.

“We need to get back to shore.”

~

In the end, you did decide to come along, despite Nanami explaining what goes on in the fight club. The violence, the blood, and the general chaos that comes with such a vicious sport. You had said something along the lines of you wanted to support Yuuji.

The gym was packed in the back rooms, the boxing ring dead and center, waiting for the bloody match. The crowd for tonight was huge- well it was always huge- but it felt bigger than usual. Maybe because you were here and it was stressing Megumi out. People were already arguing, drinking, and taking whatever they could get their hands on. This was their life but he didn’t feel like it was yours. A lot of the things he did or they did, he was starting to question. Yet as he looked at you, relaxing on his dad's lap as a group surrounded the behemoth, you didn’t look too uncomfortable.

“Dude you gotta share your secrets for such a build!”

“You sure you don’t want to fight you’d for sure win!”

“You would knock everyone out first round.”

“Everything isn’t about muscle, he needs technique, you want me to be your trainer?”

Toji only chuckled at the others, “Guys, I’m not a violent person, I wouldn’t even hurt a fly.”

Megumi snorted at his father’s statement, hiding it behind his drink. As he sipped it he caught Hana across the way. The eye contact was fleeting before she dropped her gaze. What if she decides to do something to you? Or worse have someone else try to do something to to you?

“Why are you so tense?”

“Gah-“ Megumi jumped from the sudden intrusion of Sukuna. “Ah, what? Me I’m not tense.”

Sukuna rolled his eyes, “Yes you are, it’s like you’re going into the ring. You worried about Yuuji?”

“No, I’m not worried about him. Even when he gets beat he somehow still smiles. I don’t think anything can truly knock him down.” The tatted man took his drink from his hand and began to drink it. “Yeah sure Sukuna you can have some.” Megumi muttered.

Sukuna finished the drink with a gasp, “Then what gotcha panties in a bunch?”

Megumi nodded his head toward you, “You think our lifestyle is…good for her?”

Sukuna made a face, “What’s wrong with our lifestyle?”

Of course, Sukuna wouldn’t understand. He sees nothing wrong with what he does. “Like… the drugs, the violence, the partying…”

“Tch.” Sukuna shook his head, “You are looking too far into it. If Rose didn’t like it she wouldn’t be here, she would have stayed at home with you.”

“Yeah sure, but what if we are all she has you know? So of course she’d go along with anything we do, when has Rose ever said no?”

“When we tried to put Yuuji in the trunk.”

“Oh-well not that-“

“No, yes that. If she’s uncomfortable with something she will say it, that’s what the stupid ass safeword is for.“

Megumi paused for a moment watching as you and Toji start to giggle at something said. Maybe Sukuna was right, which is saying a lot. “Maybe…” Megumi relaxed a bit.

“Have a drink, chill out.”

“I mean I did have a drink before you…and he’s gone.” Megumi watched as Sukuna walked across the gym grabbing the microphone while clicking the red button.

“Everyone shut up- it’s time to start this shit.”

Contrary to what Sukuna demanded everyone cheered in an uproar as they surrounded the ring trying to get a good spot. Megumi walked up to you and the others as Toji put you on his shoulders so you could see.

Sukuna allowed Fumihiko to take the mic as he started rabbling quickly. “Leeets go ahead and get this party on a rooooll. First, introducing! Yuuji the one-two goodnight Itadori~!”

Everyone cheered while you screamed and clapped for the boy. He jogged out wearing red shorts and white long socks with red shoes, his jacket zipped up as the strings bounced around with his excitement. He got up into the ring punching his wrapped knuckles together giving the crowd a little show. Of course, they all ate it up.

“In the next corner- a man that came from afar- the god of lightning!”

A man with blue hair in a half-up and half-down hairdo. He walked casually wearing his white and blue shorts. Just as he passed Sukuna he paused, “After I beat your brother, I’m coming for you next.”

Sukuna’s eyes narrowed on the man’s back.

Kashimo entered the ring but he wasn’t as flashy as Yuuji. He shrugged off his jacket and tossed it, rolling his shoulder around.

Masamichi stepped in between the two, clearing his throat, “You know the rules, repeat them for me.”

Yuuji kept his eyes locked with his opponent as they both spoke at the same time, “Someone yells "stop!", goes limp, taps out, the fight is over.”

Masamichi hummed in approval, “Very good. When the bell rings, tap knuckles, and then we will begin.”

The adrenaline- the rush- it was all Yuuji could feel. The crowd went wild. This was his night, either he came out on top or he limped home in defeat. His eyes scanned the people and he saw all of his friends watching. Cheering him on.

“Go Yuuji!” You screamed as loud as you could.

“You got this shit Yuuji!”

“ONE TWO KNOCK THAT BITCH OUT!”

The bell rang in his ears. His heart pumping with each second. He grinned as he got settled into a stance, tapping his knuckles with his opponent.

“Good luck.”

“Luck? I don’t need luck.”

“BEGIN!”

The dance started. Yuuji followed his movements.

“Take it easy Yuuji, read em!”

The shouts and cheers all became a blur. Blending together. Soon the crowd got quiet waiting for something to happen. They got closer and closer, until-

Kashimo moved and so did he but he was much quicker, back-stepping into a punch. Yuuji barely dodged it, the fist guided past his cheek as he jumped back.

“Ooo~!” The crowd murmured from the quick exchange.

“Wow, you are fast.” Yuuji chuckled wiping his nose with a thumb.

“Don’t get too impressed yet.”

After his comment, he dashed forward sending out another jab that Yuuji dodged. He positioned himself perfectly for a counterattack. Gotcha! Yuuji went for a hit but his fist never connected. The man did a quick spin and hit him good in his chest.

“Ah!” You cried watching as Yuuji stumbled from the hit.

Gojo patted your leg, “He’s okay- he’s just warming up baby girl.”

Getou was watching the fight with an intense glare. “Yeah, he’s just getting a feel for his opponent.”

“YUUJI YOU BETTER KICK HIS ASS!” Nobara screamed. She didn’t like seeing Yuuji get hurt any more than you did.

Yuuji jumped back up, shaking the hit off like it was nothing. “Quite a punch too.” He murmured the statement more to himself, watching carefully so he didn’t get blindsided. The punch didn’t really hurt. The man had speed but he did not have the impact. He’d have to tire him out, find an opening, and give him a good knockout.

You watched Yuuji prowl around the ring with his opponent, your eyes almost unblinking. “(Nanami? Why is he not fighting)?” Your tone sounded a bit worried. Of course, you didn’t understand what Getou had mentioned earlier.

“(Yuuji is like a sleeping tiger. At least that’s what Sukuna calls him. He waits for the right time to deliver the right blow, but when he does, it usually ends the match. That’s why he’s called the one-two goodnight. It’s only a matter of time before he-)“

“GAH!”

“EEEK!”

Yuuji had got hit super hard in the face. He fell to the ground spitting up blood.

“Oh no! YUUJI!”

“You gotta relax Rose, you don’t want to get him distracted.”

“He’s suffered harder hits by me- GET UP YUUJI!”

“(Sorry Rose, this is the way he fights. If he cannot study his opponent quickly enough then he will lose).”

Megumi looked up at you while Nanami was speaking, he felt bad with how worried you looked. ‘Come on Yuuji, you can’t lose, not with Rose watching.’ Megumi looked over to see Sukuna standing by the ring with his hands on his hips, face creased in anger.

“GET UP!” He growled.

Of course, Yuuji shakes it off and continues.

The fight was not favoring Yuuji. Every time he thought he had his opponent it was actually the opposite. Yuuji had to admit, the guy was too fast.

“Damn Yuuji…” Shoko hissed as she dabbed up some of his cuts.

“What’s going on out there!” Sukuna growled throwing off his towel.

The three of them were in his office where they were taking their first timeout.

“He’s super quick.” Yuuji sighed after taking a swig of water. “I don’t think I can catch any openings!”

“You make the openings! He’s playing you right into his strengths!”

“I got it I got…” Yuuji trailed off as you came running in with tears in your eyes.

“Yuuji!” You cried hugging him tightly, “I don’t want you hurt!”

“Hey…I’m alright.” Yuuji gave you a smile patting your back.

Megumi leaned on the door frame, it was his idea to let you see him for a brief moment.

“Yuuji stop fight, I don’t want you hurt!”

Yuuji never had anyone cry over him getting hurt in the ring. It’s his own stupid need for adrenaline and the rush of being a winner. He didn’t see it as a bad thing but you did. He didn’t like seeing you cry over him, especially for something that he chose to do. If he lost a match the others would just tell him to do better next time and work him extra hard. It was a sport to them. They could tell this was definitely not your type of sport.

“I’m sorry Rose… I’m sorry for making you cry.”

“We only got thirty seconds left.”

“Yuuji.” Sukuna grabbed his shoulder, “Either you win or tap out.”

“What? I never tap out.” He didn’t think that was a thing. He never called to stop a fight either. He went until he collapsed, that’s the only way he lost.

“Tonight you will. I don’t want to see her crying because then it’s going to piss me off.”

Yuuji pouted, “Fine! Guess I’ll have to just win!”

“You better, Junpei just got here.”

“J-Junpei is here?!”

“Yeah, I invited him.”

“More like forced him to come.” Megumi snorted. “He threatened to fire him.”

“Wha-why did you do that? He hates blood and violence!”

“Yeah well you better not get beat up, it’ll make you look like a real loser in front of him.”

Yuuji rolled his eyes as the bell rang, “FINE!” Grabbing you he kissed you upon your forehead, “I WON’T LOSE!”

You sniffled watching Yuuji get back into the ring. Megumi, Sukuna, and Shoko standing next to you as they watched the fight continue. Shoko held you close patting your back, “He’ll be fine, Yuuji is strong.”

“You think he’ll win?” Megumi questioned.

“Now that he has motivation, yes.” Sukuna crossed his arms, with a stern glare. “He always has to fight for some greater good. He’s like a stupid anime character.”

“So what’s your secret?”

“I win because I am simply better.”

“You sound like a villain.”

“Shut up.”

Yuuji got into a stance, his opponent smiling without a mark on him.

“You should just tap out already. You can’t even touch me.”

Yuuji snorted, “All I need is one opening.”

The man had said something else but Yuuji was too busy looking out into the crowd. He hated seeing your eyes water and… then there was Junpei standing by the trash can trying to not throw up. Aw man he didn’t know he was here! Damn, Sukuna.

“Hey! Are you even listening?”

“Hm? Wacha say?”

The man growled, “Forget it! You ready to lose?” Hajime chuckled. “Go ahead and tap out so I can fight someone worth my time.”

“I won’t lose.”

“Pfft you think?”

“I can’t, because the girl I like is crying and the boy I like is throwing up.”

Hajime blanked, “What kind of fucked up shit-“

*DING DING*

The bell rang and the match was back on.

Kashimo and Yuuji circled each other much like before.

“I don’t know what shit you snorted during break but this only ends in one way… with you losing!” Kashimo charged Yuuji going for a fake out, but Yuuji put his arms up and blocked. “Tch- going on defense Huh?” Kashimo laughed as he punched and kicked Yuuji like a punching bag.

People were yelling and shouting, the crowd becoming white noise as Yuuji focused. He knew it must have pained you to see him get hit like this but just a little longer…

“What kind of technique is this?” Just as Kashimo landed a punch Yuuji opened himself up about to attack but he moved before he could hit him getting behind him. “Ha you thought-ACK!” He could barely finish his words as his teeth clacked together, the heel of Yuuji’s foot connecting with his chin as he was sent stumbling.

“ONE!” The crowd yelled.

The light was blinding in Kashimo’s eyes as he stumbled and looked toward his opponent. Three figures were coming at him in a blur. In that moment Yuuji looked like a fierce tiger, and he could have sworn he saw black all around him as he came at him fast. That’s when the three figures all hit him at once sending him spiraling into the air and onto the floor.

“TWO!”

Then everything went black.

“KNOCK OUT!”

Everyone burst into cheering as Yuuji put his fist into the air. This was the part that he enjoyed, everyone going wild for him. Shouting his name. Of course, there were those who were salty about this outcome but who cares! It made the taste of victory that much more delicious!

“He did it.” Megumi clapped.

“Told you.” Sukuna sounded proud of his brother, watching him bask in his victory. The cocky bastard thought he was safe behind Yuuji but that was his plan all along, to make him think that he was attacking him but really he was preparing himself for a roundhouse kick. Well played Yuuji.

The winners stayed back for the next fights as sore losers went home with their tales tucked. At the end of the night, only a few people stayed behind for clean up. Yuuji, Megumi, Junpei, and some of his other friends all sat together talking about the fight. Sukuna was busy counting money and setting up the next schedule in his office when you came in with a drink for him.

He took the drink muttering a quick thanks.

“Sukuna come have fun?”

“I’ll be out there in a minute pretty girl.”

“Kay~.”

He had expected you to leave but he looked up to see you peaking out of the blinds.

“What?”

You giggled looking at him, “Sukuna and Yuuji, are same… same uh.” You pointed at your tongue.

“Taste? How do we have the same taste?”

You pulled on the strings opening the blinds so he could see the others.

“Like pretty boys.” You smiled gesturing to them.

Getting up Sukuna stood next to you- luckily he had blackout windows because this wasn’t creepy at all- he looked at the group, Junpei and Megumi sitting next to each other.

“Emo pretty boys.” You fluttered your fingers in front of his face as if you were throwing pixie dust.

Sukuna squinted, you may be right. “Yuuji and I are nothing alike.” But he will never admit it.

You began to giggle knowing he was lying. “Ahuh.”