Desert Rose Chapter 42: Christmas (Patreon)

"IT'S CHRISTMAAAAAS~!"

"GOOOJO! SHUT UP!" The girls called from the other room.

Megumi groaned rolling over to cover his ears with his pillow, you were lying next to him squished between him and Sukuna. A look of annoyance on your face from your peaceful slumber being disturbed. 

"IT'S CRHISTMAAASSSS!" Yuuji screamed along with him.

"WHAT THE FUCK!"

Sukuna grumbled throwing his arms down with a hiss, "I swear to god I'm going to punch them in their throat-"

*BAM*! 

The door flew open as Gojo and Yuuji ran in and jumped on top of the bed in their pajamas. "IT'S CHRISTMAS! GET UP GET UP!"

"I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR ASS!" Sukuna picked up his pillow and started hitting Yuuji as he squeaked jumping off the bed.

"ABORT MISSION!"

 "DON'T RUN NOW ASSHOLES!"

"That's our family." Megumi sighed deeply looking toward you, a small smile on your lips.

"Mhm~." You got up and kissed his cheek, the two of you climbing out of bed together. 

Gojo and Yuuji were running to Toji's room, banging on the door while Sukuna attacked them with a dangerous pillow. 

"HELP US TOJI!"

"WHAT'S HAPPENING!?" The door flung open with Toji holding a sleek gun up in the air.

"TOJI WHAT THE FUCK?!" Megumi yelled from down the hall.

"I WASN'T SURE IF WE WERE IN DANGER!"

"WE ARE IN DANGER!" Gojo screamed running into his room. 

Megumi rolled his eyes entering the bathroom. You and Shoko were brushing your teeth while Nobara was in the shower. 

"I gotta piss." Megumi yawned opening the toilet so he could pee. 

"I'm gonna kill those two." Nobara spoke around her toothbrush with sleepy eyes.

"They do this every year Rose." Shoko called from the shower.

"It's kay... excited fun." You spit into the sink handing Megumi his toothbrush once he was done using the bathroom. 

Yuuji slid to the bathroom with a wide smile, "Oi! Come on presents awaits us!" 

"Some of us don't like morning breath Yuuji."

"Huh!? My breath doesn't stink!" The boy blew into his hand just to double-check. "See?" he leaned forward to blow into Nobara's face but she frowned pulling his cheek.

"UGH! You smell like a donkey's ass go brush your teeth idiot!"

Everyone trickled into the living room with tired excitement. Gojo and Yuuji had the most energy as they hopped up and down passing out presents. Nanami was busy handing everyone breakfast and coffee, the living room buzzing with life.

"This is yours!"

"Oi~ Who's big box is this?"

"DON'T SHAKE THE PRESENT!"

"I hope it's a new car."

"Why would someone wrap a car in a box?"

"AH~ I LOVE THIS PURSE!"

It was a whirlwind of joy. 

Even the dogs had their own presents, bones wrapped with bows along with new chew toys that they couldn't wait to destroy. 

"Oh, Rose~ This is for you!" Shoko smiled handing you a small wrapped box.

"For me?" You questioned. You had already opened your gifts from most of them. They had all got you different things like jewelry, games, and books. You were spoiled rotten. Megumi was especially excited about getting you a pretty bracelet. That he had put on you. So you were surprised to know you had one more gift. 

Everyone quieted down as you held the box in your lap.

"It's from all of us."

Furrowing your brows you began to open the gift, your eyes widened when you realized what it was. "A- a phone?"

You smiled blinking at everyone with teary eyes.

"I put you on our phone plan." Toji rubbed your shoulder gently. 

Gojo grinned, "We thought it was bout time you got into the family group chat!" 

"Our numbers should be the only numbers you have."

Megumi hit Sukuna, "You can put anyone you want into your phone. It's yours."

You began to laugh but then your smile died. "I-I (Don't deserve all of this)."

Yuuji's brows furrowed, "Hm? Why does she look sad, Nanami what did she say?" 

The blonde shook his head, "(You're right, you deserve so much more)."

"(I have nothing to offer. I have nothing...)"

"Rose." Nanami knelt in front of you, grabbing your hands within his. "(Don't say that. You have plenty to offer. You are a beautiful woman with a beautiful soul. Anyone would be lucky to have you in their lives)."

"What the hell are they saying?" Sukuna grumbled in annoyance. He wanted to know why you were crying.

Megumi has seen this pattern before though, so it was much easier for him to pick up on, "Rose, we all love you and you are a part of this family because we love you.

"You know what she's saying?" Toji asked as you looked toward Megumi with a few sniffles.

"No... but I know you may not believe you deserve to be here but I think you were meant to be here. I think my dad found you for a reason, and when we kill those bastards, I hope you will understand how important you are to us."

You breathed deeply, wiping your tears away before nodding. "Okay, thank you, everyone."

"Of course!"

"We love you Rose."

"Yeah, Rose Gojo."

"What the fuck did you just say?"

"What? She doesn't have a last name so I gave her one!"

"HELL NO!"

"Guys don't fight over her last name!"

"I think it should be Rose Fushiguro since I found her." Toji coughed.

"Seriously Toji?" Megumi shook his head as everyone began to argue about the last name you should have.

"(Would you like to get their gifts)?" Nanami asked you while everyone was fighting.

"(It's not... that great)."

"(Nonsense, you put a lot of thought into it. I think they'd like it. Let's go get it)." Nanami took your head, and the two of you left the living room to grab your gifts.

"Where are you taking our precious flower!"

"We will be right back!"

"Is he going for a quickie?"

"I knew Nanami had that dog in him."

When the two of you came back, you had a box in your hand, you looked nervous, clutching it to your chest.

"Whatcha got there sweetheart?" Shoko questioned while sipping her spiked coffee.

"Gift...um not much..."

"Stop saying that stupid shit." Sukuna snapped at you.

Gojo cleared his throat, "I think what the Grinch means is, whatever you give him he will cherish it till the day he dies."

"That is not what I said."

"Guys hush!"

Nanami gave you a gentle push to your back as you stepped forward and opened the box. 

"Nanami helped..." You whispered as you pulled out smaller boxes to hand out.

You then stood back while they opened their gift from you. It was all the same. A bracelet with colorful beads on it. 

"Um...all birthstones..." You said shyly looking toward Nanami.

"The bracelets all have our birthstones on them. It's in order from youngest to oldest."

"Aw~ That's so cute!" Nobara put her bracelet on looking at the colorful beads.

"It's like a cute family bracelet! I love it, Rose." Yuuji jumped up to hug you.

"So that's what you were doing when you were sizing our wrists huh?" Getou hummed, admiring the gift.

"Yes...like?"

"I do, come here, show me which one is mine?"

You nodded sitting next to him so you could point out who's birthstone was who's.

"Wait I want to know? What's my birthstone?" Gojo leaned into you so you could point out his.

"Aqua...aquamarine."

"Oooh-"

"Wait..." Megumi furrowed his brows looking at the bracelet. "There are four aquamarine whose... whose elese birthday is in December?"

You smiled pointing toward Toji, everyone looking toward him as he slowly sipped his coffee.

"DUDE! Your birthday is in December!?"

Toji clicked his tongue, "Yep..."

"Isn't that your dad, how don't you know his birthday!?"

"WE NEVER CELEBRATED IT!"

"It's really no big deal..." Toji shrugged it off. "I don't typically celebrate my birthday, I'm usually out on missions around this time."

"Well...this year is different...when was it?" Megumi questioned.

"It's... on the 31st."

"NEW YEARS EVE!?"

"Yeah."

"Well, that gives us time to plan-

"-What do you want for your birthday Toji?"

"Aren't we supposed to be catching those people that kidnapped Rose?"

Toji looked toward you with a slight smile, "That's exactly what I want for my birthday."

Getou shook his head, "I can't believe you were so selfish Megumi, that you didn't even know your father's birthday."

"Oh shut up."

"Hey-" Yuuji piped up, "so then who's the fourth December birthday?"

Nanami placed a hand on your shoulder rubbing it softly.

You placed a hand on his, "Reborn month..." then you looked up at Nanami with a grin, "for... Rose." 

"Aw~ I like it! Happy reborn day Rose~" Shoko hugged you giving you a wet kiss on your cheek. 

"This was a really thoughtful gift, Rose." Yuuji repeated, just to make sure you understood that he appreciated the family bracelet. 

"Thank you...Happy you like."

*PLEASE ENTER YOUR PASSCODE*

Everyone stopped to look toward Sukuna who had your phone in his hand. He looked around as if he hadn't just been caught red-handed. "The fuck you guys looking at?"

"GIVE ROSE HER PHONE!"

You laughed as everyone tried to get your phone back from Sukuna but he was making it quite difficult for them. 

A soft whine caught your attention, looking down the dogs pawned at you softly.

"Outside?"

"Arph!" they panted dancing around excitedly. 

"Ok~." Hopping up you cross the living room to open the back door, but once the curtains pulled back you gasped loudly. "AH!"

"WHAT?! WHAT'S WRONG?"

They looked toward you as you pointed outside. "LOOK LOOK!" You danced around happily. "SNOW!"

"IT SNOWED?!" Gojo jumped up excitedly to see the white blanket on the ground the two of you bouncing with excitement.

"Outside?" You questioned just as excited as the dogs dancing around.

"We gotta get you bundled up first."

Megumi hit Sukuna as he got up to go get dressed, "Come on you know you want to hit people with a snowball."

"Fine~"

~~~~~*

It was a fun time in the snow. From building snowmen to making snow angels to having a full-blown snowball fight.

"TANGO DOWN!"

"BRAVO SIX GOING BARK- GET EM DOGGIES!"

"AH! RUN YOU FOOLS!"

You were busy laughing while running around the house to get away from the monster known as Sukuna who was pelting everyone with snowballs. He had no shame. To get away from him you cheated and ran to the front. Just as you ran on the sidewalk you stopped looking up at the man who stood in front of you. You panted quickly gathering yourself. "H-hello."

"Hello, young lady." The man nodded toward you.

There was an awkward silence as you looked around. "Um... who?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry." He bent at the hip with a hand placed on his chest. "Excuse my manners. I was just coming to see where my sons were."

"Sons?" You questioned.

Just as you asked Sukuna came running around the house, "You damn cheater-" He froze eyes widening at the person before you.

"Ah~" The man hummed. "Speak of the devil and he shall appear."

"The fuck you want." Sukuna's attitude changed drastically. The snowball in his hand was crushed in his fist.

"Seeing as it is Christmas... I would think you'd like to spend your time with your father."

"You are not my father."

"I've raised you-"

"You didn't raise shit."

"Then the least you could do is come over for your mother."

Sukuna inhaled deeply, shaking his head in anger, "Don't you fucking dare. She's been in a coma for years- stop trying to use her you piece of shit!"

"Sukuna-"

"What's going on?" Megumi and Yuuji came around the corner, wondering what all the fuss was about.

"Oh-" Yuuji looked surprised, "Hey Kenjaku..." Going toward them he tried to position himself in between the two. Sukuna hatted the man's guts and blamed him for all the wrong in their lives, but Yuuji didn't mind him. He did his best as a stepdad, especially when their dad died. Sukuna went to the streets to survive on his own while he went to his grandpa's but Kenjaku never stopped looking out for them. He was a good man.

"Hey, Yuuji. Choso would love to have the two of you over-"

"Oh, now it's Choso huh?" Sukuna cut in, "You just use anyone to get us over there! Why the fuck do you care so much huh?"

"Why do I care for my sons?"

"Oh, hop off it-"

"Sukuna-"

"Alright, that's enough come on Rose." Megumi walked toward you as his dad stepped in.

"Sir I'm going to have to ask you to get off my property." Toji crossed his arms like he was the bouncer at the club.

Kenjaku shook his head, "You really think the cops just leave you all alone because they like you? I'm the reason you still run your fight club and your boyfriend isn't thrown in jail for the drugs he sells. Or what about this whole group you call family hm?"

"I will FUCK YOU UP-!" Sukuna was already flying at the man as Yuuji threw himself at his chest.

"AYE-"

"Calm down!"

"I TOLD YOU I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOUR GODAMN FACE AGAIN!"

Toji was already escorting the man back to his car, while Gojo and Yuuji held Sukuna back from a felony.

Kenjaku got into the car without much of a fuss, Toji caught the door before he closed it.

"Don't ever come near my family again." Toji told him before slamming it shut.

Kenjaku drove away, lost in his thoughts. Glancing in his review mirror he watched as you walked up to Sukuna and comforted him. 

Just as he crawled to a stop he dug his phone out, opening the internet. He typed in, '(First Name) (Last Name)'. The first article that popped up was the one where you were found dead. Scrolling to the picture he hummed. He usually doesn't start drama, knowing all the right buttons to push Sukuna, but this time he did, for the sole purpose of observing you. You looked familiar but where had he seen you before?

There was no doubt about it. The girl found dead was standing alive right in front of his face, just a few minutes ago. 

How did you end up here?

~~~~~~~

"Yuuji!" Choso got excited when he opened the door, yelling the boy's name before he could even knock. "I'm so happy you finally made it!"

Yuuji chuckled hugging his brother," Of course!"

Walking in Choso stuck his head out looking back and forth, "Is... Sukuna not coming?" His voice dropped a bit.

Yuuji scratched the back of his head with an awkward sigh, "No... sorry- uh he- he was just busy..."

Choso closed the door, knowing his brother was lying to save his feelings. Sukuna hated them. Hated him and his father. He was just grouped by association. Unfortunately, no matter how hard he tries to show he wants to be a part of his family he always pushes him away. 

Yuuji walked toward the end of the hall, to the last room where his mother was lying in bed, eyes closed. "Hey mom..." Yuuji whispered softly running the back of his fingers upon the side of her face, careful to not rub the stitches. "I'm so happy to see you, there's so much I have to tell you...Sukuna says he loves you... sorry he's not here..." 

"...I got you a present!" Yuuji piped up showing the gift he had brought. It was a music box. "It plays that song... that song that you used to hum to me as a kid... I just thought you'd like it." Yuuji twisted the metal piece, winding it up so the ballerina could dance around and the melody could play. "I hope you like it..." He sat it next to her, holding her hand within his. Sometimes she'd twitch or squeeze his hand as if communicating with him. He kept his eyes on her, watching for any sign. Any little hint. He swallowed harshly as the lullaby ended. "I-I met this girl mom... she's... wonderful...but she's been through a lot...some people did some really bad things to her...I also... you know that boy I told you about? Well~ Now we are dating but- he had to leave town for Christmas. I hope you get to see him soon. I also hope you get to see Rose soon. I love them both."

The doorbell rang as Choso went to open it, and a loud chorus of greetings filled the house. The rest of his siblings arrived. All of them met... all of them got together for holidays, everyone except Sukuna.

"Everyone is here Yuuji! Come eat!"

"Kay~!" Yuuji called while kissing his mother on the hand. "Love you mom."

Her lips began to move, opening and closing, "..."

"Mom?" Yuuji leaned in close, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Yuj-"

"Yuuji?"

Yuuji stood up straight looking toward his father. "Hey- I just wanted to give her her Christmas present."

"You're quite alright. It's about time for her medicine." Kenjaku hummed while walking toward her IV. He prepared the medicine, flicking the needle while Yuuji stared at his mother.

"I think she...almost said my name." Yuuji smiled softly.

"Did she now?" Kenjaku raised a brow while inserting the needle in the tube.

"Yeah... I think.... at least."

"Don't get so down Yuuji. Sometimes, we want something so bad it makes us hear or see things."

"Yeah...I know..."

"I'm sure she can feel the love we offer her. Always remember that."

Yuuji nodded with a grin, “Yeah.”

"So what's this about a girl you like?" Kenjaku finished, grabbing Yuuji by the shoulders as he left the room, with a blushing Itadori.

"Oh- w-well-"

"Is it the girl that I saw at the Fushiguro's?"

Yuuji laughed a bit, "Yeah..."

"I would love to hear about her." Kenjaku smiled, closing the door behind him.

"She's amazing...!"

Just as it shut, a lone tear rolled down his mother's cheek.