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sttoru · 29 days ago

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𝝑𝑒 𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒. you accompany sukuna to a meeting with the head of the fujiwara clan. all goes well, until the other concubines mess with your head, causing you to mess up and overthink everything.

tags. true form!sukuna x concubine!reader. prologue to the ‘poisoned concubine’ fic idea. mention of cannibalīsm, subtle misogynistic standards from back then, anxiety. reader gets called ‘woman’. not proof read.

the head of an influential clan would be visiting the estate today, which is why your ladies-in-waiting are currently helping you dress up. perhaps they’re doing too much. the accessories in your hair and the multiple layers of robes and cloth on your body keep weighing you down.

“all done, my lady,” one of them eventually speaks up. the others step back and bow at you politely before cleaning up the area. your head lady-in-waiting hands you a small mirror.

you look stunning. but then again—perhaps a bit too extravagant to your liking. the make-up is heavy, the red powder stands out immediately around the shape of your eyes. the hairpins dangle and make faint clinking noises as you move your head.

“beautifully done. thank you,” you answer with a hum. the jūnihitoe you’re wearing consists of the colors red and gold—something fitting of a high-ranking concubine.

and not just a high-ranking concubine. you’re the ryomen sukuna’s favored concubine.

you grab your folding fan in hand and move out of your chambers when your ladies-in-waiting are prepared for your departure. you’re a bit nervous even though sukuna has held these gatherings many times before (well, against his will; he only does so when he’s certain he’ll gain a satisfying amount of profit).

“you will be the most beautiful woman out there, my lady. i’m sure of it,” the soft voice of your head lady-in-waiting snaps you out of your anxious trance. you tilt your head to the side and flash her a grateful smile. her comment did certainly soothe your fraying nerves.

before you can respond, another one of your attendants speaks up. “those other concubines will be seething with jealousy, my lady,” she giggles quietly, hiding her grin behind her hand.

“i can assure you that they’ll look nowhere as beautiful as you do, as usual,” she adds in a whisper. the three other ladies-in-waiting snicker at the snarky remark.

you have a small itch to scold them for their reckless behavior. shaming another concubine behind her back is strictly forbidden and severely unladylike, though you stay silent. no one is around to reprimand them or you for not teaching your attendants better, so you let them have their little moment.

not like you actually care whether they badmouth the other concubines.

you eventually reach the end of the spacious hallway and come to stand at the top of the grand staircase. you take in a deep breath before looking down at the entrance to the courtyard, where the other concubines are standing.

there at the front is the one and only; sukuna.

the hushed murmurs in the hall fade away as all eyes turn to look up at you. although the only gaze you care about are that of the cursed one.

all four of sukuna’s red eyes are on you. they’re scanning, cold and calculating, like he’s appraising his finest asset. his stoic facial expression doesn’t change as you carefully walk your way down the wooden steps. his eyes, however, never leave your face and body.

the air is heavy with anticipation and as thick as incense smoke. the concubines that are gathered around the king of curses, seeming to have been trying hard to get his attention before you arrived, freeze in place. some can't help but glance your way with poorly veiled disdain or masked envy. you're the last one to arrive and it's clear why: the arrangement of your attire that is almost obviously better in quality than theirs, the coiling in your hair and faint scent of sakura and amber that follows you.

your ladies-in-waiting have been given the finest materials to work with, to prepare you thoroughly for this gathering. the rumors that sukuna had specifically given them everything needed to make sure you're looking your best are proven to be true.

once again, the other women are made aware of the painfully blatant favoritism.

but none of that matters to you. not the whispers, not the glares, not even the sharp inhale of one of the other women at your audacity when you don't even acknowledge their existence. because he is watching.

sukuna, draped in muted reds and dark silks, stands at the forefront like a carving from a fevered dream. towering and immutable. his expression is still unreadable, although his eyes follow you with ruthless precision. those terrible yet beautiful eyes.

they rake over you not like a man admiring beauty, but like a king measuring worth. you feel it in your skin, your throat and your spine. that ancient and oppressive pressure that both threatens to crush you and pull you forward. that push and pull between you two never gets old.

the others notice the palpable tension between king and concubine as well and they're clearly not happy with it. however they have little power to stop it--to speak up against this unfairness.

sukuna's gaze does not falter even once. not as you reach the bottom step, not as you finally meet his stare with one of your own as you stand nearby. it's pure silence for a good five seconds before he speaks up.

“took you a while, woman,” sukuna comments, his voice low and rough. it's not mean, but also not kind or anything close to it. you didn’t expect a compliment from him so the only thing you can do is bow your head in apology.

“my apologies, my lord,” you reply with a steady voice. you ignore the hateful stares from the concubines standing nearby, your eyes on the wooden floors.

sukuna is silent for a moment before a slight and low hum escapes his lips. it’s not much of an acknowledgment to your apology, but it’s enough. he walks past you without much of a word.

except your gaze follows him quietly, and there on his face, only you can notice the slightest curl of his lips. the ghost of that damned satisfied and amused smirk.

you fall in line and slowly walk behind sukuna, on his right side. a brown-haired concubine walks on his left—the other two following. you’re walking down the spacious hallway with elegance, just as is expected of a court lady.

the courtyard is just ahead of you now, the two ornate sliding doors closed and ready to be opened once sukuna gives a sign.

you breathe in slowly through your nose and close your eyes for a good second. you hope nothing goes wrong today, that no one tries to sabotage another.

despite your silent prayers, you’re sure at least on of those women surrounding you will try to embarrass you.

the doors to the courtyard open, revealing the familiar sight of the gardens. you keep your eyes low and fall into pace with the others. however, you can’t help but sneak glances at sukuna’s back.

you know he isn’t fond of having any humans around his estate. they’re usually food for him, or entertainment, before he kills them. you wonder what is going on through his head. if he doesn’t reach a satisfying deal with the fujiwara clan head today, he might just get rid of him. or take out his annoyance on one of the poor servants.

well, the only thing you can do is hope all goes well.

the gardens are as beautiful as ever. the only thing that has been changed to it is the raised lacquered platform with a long low wooden table on it. multiple tatami mats are placed in two rows on each side of the table. one side for the fujiwara clan and the other for sukuna and his concubines.

you’re not surprised to see that the fujiwara clan head is accompanied by his own concubines. even if it’s not spoken out loud, you know it’s a show of power by both sides. the more concubines or courtesans, the more authority and prestige someone holds.

you shiver as you feel a pair of eyes on you. four eyes, staring right at your soul. you immediately lower your gaze once you sense that flicker of dominance, coming from none other than the king of curses. he doesn’t have to directly look at you to be able to scare the soul out of you.

the unspoken threat that passes between sukuna and you is clear; look at that man for a second longer and he dies.

the pink-haired man doesn’t even greet the guests, simply walking to the elevated platform and sitting down on the mat laid out at the head of the table. he doesn’t care—doesn’t bother to talk about anything that isn’t business. he wants those humans gone as soon as possible.

you and the other concubines follow wordlessly. none of you dare to speak up without permission. not that you have any say in the matter. this is a deal between two powerful men and your opinion as a consort isn’t going to be valued much.

you sit on your knees, the cushion comfortable enough to keep you in that position for some time. you fold your hands over your silky robes and keep your head bowed slightly.

“speak,” sukuna grumbles. he’s bored already, not even giving the other man a chance to introduce himself properly. he wants to get straight to the point to prevent losing time on nonsense.

“and make it quick,” he adds as his red eyes bore onto the clan head.

the noble man is taken aback from the coldness and intimidation, clearly swearing a bit already. he’s heard the rumors—of others who’ve sought just a friction of sukuna’s power to help them, only to end up six feet under without getting a chance.

eventually, he clears his throat and speaks. “i humbly thank you for—“

“i said speak.”

a loud crash is heard and it startles nearly everyone around. you flinch but don’t lift your gaze to investigate. you could hear it—the sound of glass scattering down on the floor. a nearby vase scattered. one that was right behind the clan head. it’s a clear threat. a warning to not piss sukuna off even more.

to tread carefully.

you’re used to sukuna’s little outbursts. he’s an impatient man after all. small talk and too much ‘fake’ gratitude irks him. it wastes his time.

the noble man and his consorts squirm in discomfort in their seats, but try to not cause any more ruckus. the vase is already being cleaned up by uraume—their face expressionless as they wordlessly clean up after their master.

and so the actual deal starts to be negotiated. this time with absolute zero small talk.

sukuna isn’t interested and it’s clear. his answers are curt and straightforward, while the clan head does most of the talking and bargaining, mainly getting rejected for his offers.

the tension is heavy in the air. you and the others are basically decoration at this point. pretty dolls with not a say in the matter. no one dares to look around or move.

only when the king of curses finally and reluctantly accepts a single offer, do you breathe. the clan head would grant him full authority over a big area while also sending him sacrifices (which includes humans) every month. in exchange, sukuna would take care of a small problem.

that being assassinating the clan head’s competition, the man’s own brother.

you didn’t even realise how much you’re sweating until the noble man excuses himself to talk to one of his consorts. you look to the side, at sukuna, who’s eyes are already on you.

you’re about to glance back down at your lap when one of his calloused fingers tugs your chin back up. your mouth parts lightly as his rough thumb tugs your bottom lip down, watching it bob back into place once he lets go.

the red lipstick stains his skin, though he doesn’t seem to care.

“are you satisfied with the deal i accepted?” sukuna asks. it’s a trick question, his eyes cold and calculating as he awaits your response.

you swallow thickly before answering, “whatever satisfies you, satisfies me in return, my lord.”

the king of curses smirks. for the first time since you’ve seen him today, he shows an ounce of amusement. he lets go of your chin with a soft shove. “clever,” he comments gruffly.

though it doesn’t seem like it, he’s in a better mood. so much so he orders uraume to prepare a meal. not for the guests—they’re expected to leave immediately. he has no use for them anymore.

uraume bows politely before disappearing into the main building. a few attendants follow them to the kitchen area.

the noble man and his concubines take their leave. neither did they want to linger in the presence of such a cruel monster, who’d kill them with a single flick if they didn’t watch themselves.

the other concubines seem less on edge as well once the guests leave and sukuna seems to be in a somewhat better mood. they know it’s because of you, have seen and heard your little interaction from the sidelines. it irritates and angers them, though they know better than to let it be visible.

the brown-haired concubine whispers to the one next to her. that same woman relies the message to the other and the cycle continues for a few seconds. except for those hushed murmurs, the gardens are comfortably silent.

sukuna doesn’t seem to care much. his focus is on the delicious meal that uraume is preparing him, his fingers drumming against the table as he waits. almost impatiently.

his hard gaze flickers to you again, as it does many times. he did well ordering your attendants to dress you in the finest silk.

“keep that on tonight,” sukuna says shamelessly, his words dripping with innuendo. in other words; he’ll visit your chambers again tonight.

not the others, but you. again.

the concubines fall silent and their faces are masks of polite smiles, but they’re fuming internally. all the while you’re trying not to look embarrassed by sukuna’s bold comment.

“understood,” you answer with a short nod. your heart is beating faster as you try not to show your nervosity. his eyes are clearly undressing you, imagining what you’d taste like. both figuratively and literally.

while you wait for your meal, you look around idly. one of the concubines had called over her attendant and whispers something in her ear. you can’t catch what it is, but the young girl seems to be a bit taken aback. her eyes flicker to sukuna for a split second.

perhaps with concern.

but just as quickly, she’s gone, back inside the building with a hurry in her steps. you shake the feeling off. it’s probably nothing.

you take a deep breath to calm yourself. you’re overthinking everything again—the anxiety becoming worse as the concubines flash you smiles when you glance their way. those same fake smiles they give you whenever sukuna is around. despite the fact that you’re used to it, they seemed more sinister than usual.

perhaps it’s just your imagination.

your palms start to get sweaty when you don’t even know why you’re getting so worked up about something so subtle. that look that attendant gave sukuna, even if it was for a split second, was your first sign. and then the smiles, the muffled laughs they hide behind their fans. behind the disguise of inaudible jokes between fellow concubines . . .

what are they planning this time? are they going to try something foolish to mess with you again? or perhaps they’ll try something else this time.

. . . surely they won’t be foolish enough to try and do something to sukuna? no, of course not. they don’t have that much power or the abilities to cause any damage to someone of his status. plus, they’d be signing their own deaths with that. but if something happens to him, you won’t be save either.

it’s too much. you’re overthinking too much.

without hesitation, you stand up. you need to go somewhere to calm down, because at this rate you’re going to embarrass yourself with the concern and fear etched onto your face. all the while you try your best to keep that elegance in your form, the polite smile on your lips.

“please excuse me,” you murmur, trying to keep your voice steady. you bow your head at sukuna, who’s watching you intensely with a raised brow. he didn’t expect you to excuse yourself without permission.

before he can say a thing, you’re walking down the main gravel path to the building. all eyes are on you until you disappear behind those doors. the concubines hide their victorious grins behind their folding fans, eyes downcast.

sukuna however, doesn’t show much emotion on his face at your sudden departure. the thrumming of his fingers stop soon after and he clicks his tongue.

he doesn’t know what you’re up to and it’s annoying him. he’s got this urge to keep you beside him at all times so he can keep an eye on you. just like you’re expected to do as his concubine.

what you did just now was an act of defiance. he should’ve ordered you to stay, but something inside him just let you go. to give you the illusion that you had a choice.

sooner or later you’ll return and grovel before him, apologising for your actions and explaining what the hell that was for. when that time comes, he’ll be even more ruthless with his punishment. will show you that defying him has its consequences, even for someone he tolerates. favors.

but when the minutes pass by and you’re still not back, his anger flares up. he tells himself it’s because you disobeyed him by leaving without a word. but a tiny part inside him, the one he loathes and never shows, hates the fact that you left his side more. the fact that he has this ugly possessive need to drag you back outside just so he can keep an eye on what you’re up to.

you belong to him—you’re a part of him. therefore you cannot ever leave him. even if it’s for a second or five minutes.

“damned woman.”

sukuna curses under his breath and slams his palm against the table loudly. he stands up, his large and intimidating frame unfolding to his full 7”’ height. he’s greatly displeased. displeased at the fact you defied him, that he allowed you to actually step foot inside the building and away from him.

but also angry that he has to chase after you. because he has this urge to find out what has gotten into you—the usually obedient, though fiery, concubine that wouldn’t just leave him behind like this.

the pink-haired man storms off, his crimson eyes flaring with anger that scares the concubines left behind into silence. the look in their eyes turns from fear to pure hatred once sukuna disappears behind those doors to go after you.

to have the ryomen sukuna basically chase after someone - not with the intention to kill them or actually harm them - never happens. they cannot believe it. that blatant favoritism never stops, no matter how much they try to gain his attention.

why does he keep them around, like prisoners, when he doesn’t even as much as look at them?

it pisses them off. it fuels their hatred, not only for you, but for him.

however, they calm down as they think of what they have planned amongst themselves;

if all goes well, it’ll be the first and last time sukuna seeks you out - or anyone else for that matter.

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sttoru · 1 month ago