Gojo Satoru said nothing.
Tu Bai waited, but received no response, making his heart feel even more stifled.
Laugh if you want to," he said, his head still turned away. "Once you're done laughing, just leave.
Gojo Satoru laughed.
It wasn't a mocking laugh, but the kind of laugh that came from truly finding something funny.
Tu Bai turned his head sharply, glaring at him: "You—"
"Very cute," Gojo Satoru said.
Tu Bai was stunned.
My Rabbit King," Gojo Satoru said, his eyes curving into crescents, "so majestic, so cute.
Tu Bai's face turned red from his ears down to his neck.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing could be seen.
In the end, he could only turn his head away and mutter, ".. Shut up."
Gojo Satoru did not shut up. He walked over and sat down beside Tu Bai.
Tu Bai moved aside a bit, staying further away from him.
Gojo Satoru did not chase after him; he just sat there, looking at the distant Garbage Mountain.
The two of them just sat there, neither of them saying a word.
After a long time, Gojo Satoru reached into his pocket, pulled something out, handed it over.
A piece of candy. It was wrapped in wrinkled candy paper, there was no telling where it had been fished out from.
Tu Bai stared at the candy but did not take it.
Are you hungry?" Gojo Satoru asked, his tone as casual as if he were asking about the weather, "Shall we leave Meteor City first?
Tu Bai looked up at him.
Under the Moonlight, those Blue Eyes were still as bright as ever; there was no questioning in them, no blame, only.. only what?
Tu Bai couldn't explain it.
He lowered his head and reached out to take the candy.
The candy wrapper was very wrinkled, but the candy inside should still be good.
He didn't unwrap it; he just held it in his palm.
You.." he spoke, his Voice very soft, "Won't you ask me why I ran?
Gojo Satoru remained silent for a few seconds.
"When you want to say it, you will say it," he said.
Tu Bai was stunned.
Gojo Satoru stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes.
Let's go," he said. "Let's find a place to rest first. Your Demon Power is almost gone; continuing to exhaust yourself like this isn't good for Baby.
Baby.
Tu Bai pressed his hand against his abdomen.
That warmth was still there, pulsing weakly.
He took a deep breath and pushed himself up from the ground to stand.
His legs were still a bit weak, but he could stand.
Gojo Satoru looked at him, not reaching out to support him, but merely standing by his side, waiting.
Tu Bai glanced at him and stepped forward.
He walked a few steps, then turned back.
Gojo Satoru remained standing in place, watching him.
"Not leaving?" Tu Bai asked.
Gojo Satoru laughed and caught up.
The two walked side by side amidst the Garbage Mountain, neither of them saying a word.
Chapter 44
Tu Bai sat in that corner of the Garbage Mountain all night.
He said he sat there, but in truth, he hadn't slept much. His brain was a mess, one moment thinking about the stupid things he did when he lost his memory, the next thinking about the things Gojo Satoru said, then thinking about his escape plan.
When dawn broke, he opened his eyes and found Gojo Satoru still sitting beside him.
That man leaned against the Garbage Heap with his eyes closed, looking as if he were asleep. His Silver Hair fell down, covering half of his face, shimmering faintly in the Morning Light.
Tu Bai stared at him for a few seconds, then looked away.
He stood up and stretched his stiff legs.
Gojo Satoru opened his eyes.
Awake?
Mm." Tu Bai turned his face away. "Let's go.
Where to?
Tu Bai fell silent for a few seconds.
A way to find it back," he said. "We can't stay here forever.
Gojo Satoru stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes.
Got an idea?
Tu Bai thought for a moment, then nodded.
The leader of the Phantom Troupe," he said. "Chrollo.
Gojo Satoru raised an eyebrow.
He is interested in strange things," Tu Bai said. "He would likely want to know about the matters of our world.
You want to ask him for help?
It's not help," Tu Bai said, "It's a deal. Trading something he's interested in for the information in his hands.
Gojo Satoru looked at him, a hint of a smile in his Eyes.
The Rabbit King is quite clever.
Tu Bai's face turned red in a moment.
Don't call me Rabbit King!" He glared at Gojo Satoru, "Keep calling me that and I'll bite you!
Gojo Satoru laughed even more happily.
Alright, I won't call them," he said. "So, are we going to find that Leader now?
Tu Bai nodded.
---
Tu Bai took Gojo Satoru and spent most of the day wandering around Meteor City before finally finding someone.
That person was one of the subordinates Tu Bai had recruited before; he was thin and small, nicknamed "Rat." He had no combat power, but he knew many people and was well-informed.
Rat was startled when he saw Tu Bai.
R-R-R-Rabbit King? You're still alive?
Tu Bai's face darkened: "Nonsense."
No, no, I didn't mean it like that.." Rat waved his hands hurriedly. "I mean, you left so suddenly yesterday, we all thought..
He saw Gojo Satoru standing behind Tu Bai and was stunned.
Princess..
Cut the nonsense," Tu Bai interrupted him. "Help me deliver a Message.
Rat blinked: "What Message?"
To Chrollo, the Leader of the Phantom Troupe," Tu Bai said. "Tell him that I have something he will be interested in and that I want to make a deal with him. Let him decide the time and location.
Rat's expression became complicated.
Rabbit King, that's the Phantom Troupe..
I know," Tu Bai said. "Are you going or not?
Rat looked at him, then looked at Gojo Satoru, finally nodded.
I will," he said. "The Rabbit King commanded it, so I will go.
---
Two days later, the Message arrived.
Chrollo's Meeting. The Location was an Abandoned Factory on the Perimeter of Meteor City, the time was set for That evening.
Tu Bai stood outside the factory, looking at that dilapidated building.
"Do you think he will bring people?" he asked.
Gojo Satoru stood beside him: "He will. But he won't bring everyone."
Why?
Curiosity," Gojo Satoru said. "He's interested in us, but he doesn't want to take risks. Taking a few main forces should be enough.
Tu Bai glanced at him.