Eclipsed Radiance

The front door creaked open as six-year-old Megumi Fushiguro stepped inside, tossing his small bag carelessly onto the floor. The stillness in the house felt eerie. Quiet usually meant one of two things: either Gojo was up to something or he had left on a mission. And when Gojo left, the house often became a disaster zone.

Megumi kicked off his shoes and padded into the living room, expecting the usual clutter of empty candy wrappers and discarded clothes. Instead, he froze.

Sitting on the couch, slouched and completely at ease, was a boy around his age. The stranger had messy black hair and wore a hoodie with a faint crest embroidered on the chest. His violet eyes, sharp and strangely knowing, flicked up from the TV to meet Megumi's gaze.

"Yo," the boy greeted lazily, raising a hand. "You're Megumi, right?"

Megumi frowned, his small hands clenching into fists. "Who are you, and why are you in Gojo's house?"

"Renji Kurogane," the boy replied as if that explained everything. "Gojo didn't tell you? He's training me too. Said I could hang out here while he's on some mission."

Megumi's scowl deepened. "Why would he bring you here?"

Renji smirked. "Why not? Maybe he figured you could use some company."

Megumi crossed his arms, still glaring. "What makes you think I want company?"

Renji shrugged, unbothered. "Don't know. You just seem like you'd be fun to annoy."

Megumi's glare turned icy, but Renji wasn't finished. He leaned back, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Gojo said you're his little 'work in progress.' You know, all potential and no patience. Kind of cute, really."

Megumi's cheeks flushed with anger. "He did not say that."

Renji's grin widened. "Oh, he definitely did. Right after he said I'm already way ahead of you."

That was it. With a frustrated growl, Megumi grabbed the nearest pillow and hurled it at Renji with all the force his small frame could muster.

The pillow sailed through the air—only to stop abruptly, hovering inches from Renji's face. Renji raised his hand lazily, his violet eyes glinting with amusement as the pillow floated in place. With a flick of his wrist, the pillow reversed course, flying straight back toward Megumi.

Megumi barely caught it before it hit him, his scowl deepening. "Show-off."

"Hey, don't be mad just because Gojo likes me more than you," Renji teased, turning back to the TV with a satisfied smirk.

Megumi huffed, crossing his arms as he sat down on the opposite end of the couch. "Just don't mess up the house. Gojo'll blame me for it."

"No promises," Renji replied, popping a chip into his mouth and crunching obnoxiously.

Despite himself, Megumi felt a small twitch at the corner of his mouth, a hint of a smile he quickly suppressed. This boy might be insufferable, but at least he wasn't boring.

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The front door slammed open with all the grace of an avalanche.

"Kids! I'm home!" Satoru Gojo's voice rang through the house, sing-song and obnoxiously loud.

Renji and Megumi both turned their heads toward the commotion. Renji raised an eyebrow, while Megumi sighed heavily, already bracing himself for whatever whirlwind Gojo was about to unleash.

"Don't sound so excited to see me," Gojo said as he waltzed into the living room, balancing a comically large stack of takeout containers in his arms. "I even brought dinner! You're welcome."

"What is all that?" Megumi asked flatly, gesturing at the precariously stacked boxes.

"Dinner, obviously," Gojo said, setting the containers on the coffee table with a flourish. "I had a tough mission, so I figured I deserved a feast. And since I'm such a generous guy, I decided to share." He leaned closer to Megumi, grinning under his blindfold. "No need to thank me. Your gratitude is enough."

Megumi pinched the bridge of his nose. "You're unbearable."

Renji, meanwhile, watched the entire scene with a bemused expression. "Do you always make an entrance like this?"

"Always," Megumi deadpanned.

Gojo spun toward Renji, pointing a finger dramatically. "And you! How's my favorite new protégé? Did you hold down the fort while I was gone?"

Renji shrugged. "Pretty sure Megumi was about to kick me out, but other than that, it's been fine."

"Kick you out?" Gojo gasped, clutching his chest like he'd been mortally wounded. "Megumi, how could you? I bring home a guest—an important guest—and this is how you treat him?"

"I didn't kick him out," Megumi muttered. "Yet."

"See? That's the kind of attitude we're working on, Megumi." Gojo wagged a finger before turning his attention to the takeout containers. "Now, let's eat before it gets cold. I got sushi, ramen, dumplings, karaage—you name it!"

The trio settled around the dining table, though Megumi kept his distance, clearly still annoyed by the chaos Gojo had brought with him. Renji, on the other hand, looked oddly comfortable, picking through the food with casual ease.

"So," Gojo said through a mouthful of rice, "how'd you two get along while I was out? Bonding? Sharing secrets? Planning to overthrow me?"

Megumi scowled. "Why would we overthrow you?"

Gojo leaned back, grinning. "You know, because I'm so powerful and handsome and everyone secretly envies me."

Renji snorted. "Pretty sure no one envies your ego."

Gojo gasped, feigning offense. "Renji! I thought we were friends."

"Friends don't let friends embarrass themselves like this," Renji replied dryly.

Megumi hid a small smile behind his chopsticks.

Gojo leaned closer to Renji, his grin widening. "Oh, I like you. You've got spunk." He clapped Renji on the back, nearly making the boy drop his food.

"Careful, old man," Renji said, recovering quickly. "You're not the only one here who can bend space."

Gojo's grin turned sharp, almost challenging. "Oh, I know. That's why I'm keeping an eye on you."

The air shifted slightly, the playful banter momentarily giving way to something heavier. Renji met Gojo's gaze—or rather, the opaque blindfold that hid his gaze. For a moment, it felt like they were speaking an entirely different language, one that only those with their level of power could understand.

Then Gojo leaned back, his grin easy again. "But enough about that. Eat up, both of you! You'll need your energy for training tomorrow."

"Training?" Megumi groaned.

"Yup! Bright and early!"

Renji smirked, popping a dumpling into his mouth. "You're not serious about making me cook, are you?"

Gojo laughed, reaching for another container. "Not unless you want to."

Megumi sighed heavily, already dreading the chaos tomorrow would bring. But as he glanced at Renji, he noticed the other boy seemed oddly at ease, almost like he'd been part of this strange family all along.

For the first time that day, Megumi felt himself relax a little. Maybe having Renji around wouldn't be so bad after all.

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A/N: Renji meets Megumi! So, yes... Renji essentially lives with Satoru now. So Renji and Megumi are basically Satoru's little siblings now. Next chapter....Season 1 starts.