As above and so below.

That's what Takumi can describe himself to be in right now.

"Not this again." Ever since he's got this Curse technique, every night, he dreams of this place.

Looking up, the pitch-black sky doesn't show him anything but an expanse of the endless void. Below his feet, the floor is the same, except it feels like he's walking in mud. Deep, dark, inky mud that went up to his ankle.

At first, it was okay to him, it was somewhere he could learn more. About the technique and maybe his own souls.

*Woof* *woof*

"Hey there, how'd you two been ? Fine, I see; take me to the rest."

Shirane and Kurona bark as a greeting to him; not just the divine dogs but his other Shikigami is here as well. Takumi walked closer to a mat where he could sit down; he didn't have to wait long for the rest to come out and welcome him.

Toad, Tsuyu.

Great serpent, Orochi.

Electric Eagle, Nue.

Max elephant, Meghi.

Escape rabbit, Mirko.

Tranquil deer, Madoka.

Piercing Ox, Uma.

Funeral Tiger, Iroha.

All of them are in here, appearing after each time he was able to defeat them in the real world. He gave them all a name, too, just cause he liked it. Whenever he calls, they respond.

All but one.

Ominous. Emanating from just beyond the shadow he can see. There it stood, tall, enormous, undefinable, uncontrollable.

The eight-pointed wheel and a maniacal laugh that goes along to make fears creep so much deeper. Like a dare for him, she sat waiting.

He wakes up in cold sweats.

It's been almost 3 months now, and Takumi hasn't even tried to tame it even once. He looked at the clock, sighed, then got out for another day.

Too many things happened in such a short time, and Takumi hadn't adjusted properly. The first place he visited was the hospital.

Tojiko wasn't so fond of having a child, her own experience when she was one taught her that being a child means nothing if it doesn't have any curse energy. It was boring, being in bed all the time every day. While other mothers considered it was a joy, she just felt pain.

The constant exhaustion and tiredness and the cause is sleeping right in her belly. It grows by days; she can feel the vibration of the child's heart beating inside her every time that child kicks her stomach.

"It's a girl." The doctor said.

"Told you so." She still smirked when looking back on that day. She knew what her baby would be way before Takumi forced her to checked with ultrasound.

*bumb*

"Stop kicking brat." She let out a silent wince, grabbing one fresh apple from a basket. A clear gift from someone very thoughtful, she mumbles a wordless 'thanks' before taking one bite. Megumi had taken a lot more space in her belly now.

Her muscles were all there, just under the round and swollen curve space where her abdomen was.

And as for the name. Megumi, it was actually her choice to name their baby. Her husband didn't question it, just nodded in agreement and smiled like he'd knew why already.

She and Takumi had been so happy together just as a couple, and Takumi was quite excited about the prospect of children.

"I see that you are still very lively." Takumi said as he sat by her bedside. He eyed the basket, now empty, and smiled.

"Not me, all the kid's fault. She's been nonstop kicking all day." Takumi laughed at her complaint, "She is growing fast, ain't she."

Takumi lifted her hand and kissed it, "Sorry for not being able to stay by your side. It must be hard for you."

"Hard on me?" Tojiko raised an eyebrow at her husband, "look at me, Takumi. I haven't done a single thing but eat, shit, and sleep."

She pulls his face close and kisses him on the cheek. "If anyone here is having a hard time, it's you. Me ? I'm fine, just a little more while until I can pop this baby out of me."

"Mind your words please, honey."

"Nah, I'll be fine. But what about-"

"You won't have to worry about it. I won't try to do anything, o'kay? You need plenty of food and rest, I'll be back tomorrow."

He sounded so confident that Tojiko couldn't help but believe him, not his charisma but something else that always managed to sway her to his side, in the end. She hated leaving him with work to do, but if he thought he could handle it, then she wouldn't argue.

Exiting the hospital, Takumi drove through a deep forest and found himself at a clan estate. On their door is a symbol of a raven.

When he was guided to a traditional-style room, he didn't have to wait long at all. Hearing the sound of the sliding open, an elderly woman enters the room.

"Well, well, it's been quite sometime now, has it." She looked at him, quite amused.

"It has, teacher."

"From the looks on your face, you must've been through some trouble." She said while scratching the back of her head, "so what can i do for you ? I heard it was some chick trashing up Tokyo, then she and some guy disappeared from the scene."

Takumi gulped audibly at her words; he looked away nervously.

"So it was you." She laughed, a full belly laugh like an old person would before settling down, she wiped a tear from a corner of her eyes and then asked, "Let me guess, you want them table lap dog off your back ? Or

"On the contrary, I need help to get into a position where I can make some changes, like, big changes."

"You got a place in mind ?"

He has, actually, two places. But the more important one he wanted needed some setting up. And where he going to isn't going to accept him, if he played it right, he might be able to have the best spot for his plan.

"Yes, i need you to set me a meeting with the head clan of the Zennin."

When he left the clan gate, it was afternoon, but he still had one place left to go. And not one where he could visit easily, Takumi parked his car away and then made some hand signs.

"Nue." He sat on the bird and took off. He travels to some unknown mountain. While the trip itself wasn't hard, that was because he was flying. Had he gone on foot, Takumi would have been stuck for hours trying to navigate his way through all the barriers that surrounded this place.

Landing down on the top of this particular remote mountain, he activated his shadow and pressed into multiple hidden seals in a certain order.

*pufff*

The ground hisses, and a trapdoor reveals itself to him, a set of stairs that lead him underground. To a scientific-looking base, with tubes containing all kinds of creatures inside, collection of scrolls holding knowledge of hundreds years worth of research. A dark and creepy aura radiated throughout the room he found himself in.

"Ahh, well, if it isn't my favorite test subject. Here for another of our "lessons" ?" Senjaku's chilling voice crept behind his ear as one of her hands wrapped his shoulder.

smacking her hand away, "not the time for jokes, just give it to me so i can leave." His voice was abrupt, showing a clear disdain toward her.

"Aw, the main body is always so serious. Why don't you be more like the copies you sent me. That guy is so much more docile, it makes me so much happier, too."

Takumi just side-eyed her the whole time; understanding his silence, she dropped both hands to her side and let out a disappointed sigh.

"Here." She tossed him a book, which Takumi caught with no effort. He flipped through the pages to give a quick check.

"Satisfied ?"

*clasp* "Yeah." Closing the book, Takumi makes his way out.

"My offer still stands, if you ever re-consider. Hit my number."