Chapter Text
“But why do you have to go?” The boy in front of you was frowning, unhappy with the sudden turn of events. He was clutching the little teddy bear you’d given him earlier in the month, one of the only trinkets you could afford. A sigh escaped between your lips, one that you hadn’t meant to release.
But there was nothing you could do. “You know why.” You muttered, grabbing his hands and preventing him from turning and running away like you knew he would if given the chance.
“But you said you wouldn’t go with him!” The little girl tugged on your shirt from your left, her eyes a storm of anxiety. “You said that last time was the last.”
“I’m sorry.” You whispered. “I know I did, but this time I mean it.” And you did. This time you meant it when you said it would be the last.
For all of you.
Even if your two siblings could not understand, you did. You hated that the burden had been placed onto you, but there was little you could do about it now. “I hate him.” The little boy muttered. “He’s mean.” You pouted, shaking your head.
“Don’t say that. He only wants what is best.”
“If he wanted what was best he would leave you alone! He would leave us alone!” This wasn’t the argument that you wanted to have. Not again. Even if you understood the boy’s concerns, you knew the reasons.
It wasn’t safe. Not for him. Not for you, either, but as the eldest it was your burden to bear. “Megumi.” You chastised lowly. “Not today, okay?”
“But—” Tsumiki, bless her heart, put a hand on his shoulder and shook her head. You gave her a grateful look before standing, adjusting the belt of your pants a little to give your hands something to do.
“I have to go.” You murmured lowly. “I’ll be back. We both will be. And then we can leave. Go wherever you want to go.” Megumi refused to meet your eyes. You sighed, patting both their heads lightly before walking towards the door. You needed to leave before they managed to convince you to stay. You couldn’t. You wouldn’t, not when freedom tasted so sweet, so close.
You walked down the alleyway after muttering one last goodbye, taking two lefts and a right. You didn’t look to your side as footsteps synched with yours. “They agreed?” You asked, still looking forward. There was a low hum, one of approval. Your shoulders slackened immediately, and you let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding. “They better not go back on their word.”
“We’ll see.” You turned to look then, glaring up at the tall man beside you.
Your father.
You had been planning this for months. Her life for yours.
Your family’s.
You’d been stalking her, waiting for the right chance to strike. Pesky Jujutsu sorcerers had been flocking to her for ages, leaving no openings thus far.
But today was the day. All your plans were falling into place. And Toji’s confirmation only served to double down on your certainty.
A life for a life.
Hers for yours. “Watcha think’ ‘bout?” Toji drawled, his hands sliding into his pockets easily.
“What we’re gonna do after.” You admitted. “Megumi said he hated you again.”
“I don’t blame the kid.” He breathed out, an almost regretful smile on his lips. “Haven’t exactly been a shining example for father of the year.”
“Don’t say that.” You snapped. “You’re doing this all for us.”
“Aw, you’re gonna make ‘ur old man cry if you keep that up.”
“I hate when you do that.” You muttered, a soft blush creeping up from your chest.
“What?”
“Deflecting.” Toji sighs, but the smile turned playful, ever the deflector.
“You know that it’s easier this way. Easier for them to hate me. For me not to be around.”
“They don’t even remember your face.” You scoffed. “You never—”
“Babydoll, Imma need you to stop.” Toji snapped, a rare kick of something harsh in his tone. He rarely shut you down, so you clamped your mouth shut. “I just want to enjoy today, you know?”
“I don’t know how much you can enjoy today when we’re literally planning on murdering a teenage girl.” You snort, taking a sharp right down a new alleyway. You turned, scaling a nearby fence, using the height to hoist yourself onto the roof of the nearby building. Toji followed effortlessly behind you. “30 million?”
“60 after we bring back the body.”
“I’m gonna settle for 30 then. I don’t really plan on dragging her body anywhere afterwards. You crinkled your nose in distaste. “Doesn’t sound like the afternoon I had planned for us.” Toji shrugged, a thoughtful look coming to his features.
“How about we grab something to eat after?”
“With the kids?” Toji let out a noncommittal hum. You scoffed but didn’t push. You knew. Knew why he pretended not to care. Knew why he kept his distance. It was the same reason you were in this mess in the first place. Both the kids were blessed with being too young to remember.
Remember fleeing.
The dark alleys and the monsters that crept out at night when your breathing became less than even. The sleepless treks through the streets of Tokyo, always looking over your shoulders and never knowing what might happen next. Toji had adapted, finding a safe place for the three of you to settle while he continued to wander, drowning himself in alcohol and races. It was all an act.
To get them to back off.
Because they wanted something Toji was not willing to give.
They wanted something they didn’t even know you possessed.
Because you knew, deep in your belly that if Megumi ever manifested a technique in the borders of Japan that you would never be free. You would be hunted down and taken, used for the whims of a clan whose name you’d never borne. “What’s got you thinking so deeply?” Toji’s voice broke through your incessant thoughts, and you shuddered, turning to look at him from your perch on the building.
“Just thinking about where we would go first. How much Megumi would love Hawaii.”
“Hawaii huh? Trynna bleed ‘ur old man dry already?” You laughed together, just enjoying the moment.
It didn’t last as long as you wanted it to. Suddenly the air went thin and you heard fighting in the distance. “So, it’s begun.” You nodded, stretching your back and hopping from one foot to another, warming up your body for the inevitable fight ahead. Toji had trained you in all he knew, and while you would never hold a candle to the pure genius in his movements, you could hold your own just fine. You had to, your technique was not meant for fighting. It would’ve rendered you completely useless if your body hadn’t been trained and honed into the perfect weapon for half your life.
Toji wordlessly handed you your katana, one that was kept within the confines of his inventory curse. You hated the thing, but you couldn’t deny its use. With practiced ease from years of missions together, you parted ways, you ducking right and him hopping down from your shared perch. You jumped effortlessly from roof to roof, eye narrowing at the taller buildings of skyscrapers in the distance. There was a commotion there, someone was fighting, flashy and cockily against what appeared to be an enemy that came in numbers rather than skill.
You rolled your shoulders back, turning away from the sight. That wasn’t the mission, nor was it your purpose.
You moved quickly and silently, the path well thought out and trekked beforehand, avoiding any kind of detection.
And soon your eyes were landing on your target, a small thing that was being guided by a black-haired boy, another woman trailing behind them with rushed footsteps. You came to a halt, gathering your energy and squeezing, pushing it down until it was barely a blip on anyone’s radar. It was something you’d learned to do on your own, constantly surrounded by someone that had not a drop. You’d taught yourself to replicate what it felt like. The boy escorting Tengen’s vessel suddenly stopped and scanned the rooftops, but you were good at what you did, hiding yourself easily and escaping his detection.
He knew that he was being followed. It was telling, how strong he was, when all he did was turn and walk away, ushering the girl and the woman further towards the outskirts of the city. Tokyo’s very own Jujutsu High came into view as the buildings became shorter, scarcer.
You were forced to drop to the ground, following behind. You didn’t face any opposition as you walked through the first barrier. Not physically. Your katana was ready, deadly and waiting to strike at the smallest of movements. However, you came to halt at the sight before you. A boy, white haired and blue eyed, lounging lazily against one of the pillars that led to the inner compound.
“Oh?” He perked up at your appearance, a smile coming to his face. “That was fast. I didn’t think you’d get here so soon. You almost slipped passed me.” There was a cocky smile on his lips. You didn’t let his words affect you, dropping into a defensive stance.
You’d know those eyes anywhere. “Six eyes.” You greeted, taking in your surroundings.
This was not a fight that you would win.
That wasn’t the point.
That wasn’t your purpose here.
“Oh? You know who I am?” The boy shamelessly pointed to himself, his grin widening even more. “I’m famous.” You didn’t bother to reply to him. You darted to the side, testing him, but he quickly appeared before you. You hoped that you’d shocked him when you didn’t bring up your katana as he’d likely suspected you would do. Instead, you dropped low to the ground and threw sand at his feet.
Just as you’d suspected, limitless bounced off the granules, not even dirtying his trousers. But your purpose was to test. To see. Your eyes narrowed as you calculated how fast and how much power you could muster in a hit and whether it would be fast enough to counteract his limitless.
Probably not.
You jumped back to give yourself distance, but the boy didn’t let you away so easily. He was quick, but he was lazy, his confidence rolling off him in waves. Suddenly your little spar was interrupted by the arrival of the rest of his group. Your target, the black hair boy, and the woman all stood there, panting and catching their breath. They didn’t seem to notice you at first but then stiffened at your appearance.
“Who’s this?”
“No one.” Six eyes waved off. They started a conversation as if you weren’t even there, and you knew what it was. They were trying to anger you. Ignore you and bait you into attacking.
It wasn’t going to work.
The black-haired boy smiled suddenly and complimented the six eyes. “You did good.” You stood back and watched calmly as the moment came to a screeching halt the moment a blade went through the six eyes’ chest. There was a stunned silence as you lazily walked up to him, cocking your head to the side. You didn’t say anything however, as he turned and looked down at your father, crouched low, blade still deep within the other’s chest.
“Excuse me, but have we met before?” He asked, his teeth grit in shock. He must have never known injury such as this before.
Toji smiled up. “Yeah, we have, but don’t worry about it.” His next line was so lame that you almost groaned in embarrassment, running a hand down your face.
“Toji, shut the fuck up.” You muttered, before tilting your head to the side to see the black-haired boy grabbing the vessel and the women tightly behind him. But there was a curl of hope in your chest. It had worked. Toji had been right. Even with limitless and the six eyes, Gojo Satoru was nothing more than a teenage boy. He got overwhelmed; he didn’t account for everything.
He was cocky.
His senses had dulled, and the moment you’d done your little trick, flinging nothing but dirt at his feet, you knew that you’d had him.
Suddenly there was movement, a worm-like curse bursting from the black-haired boy’s chest and lashing out at Toji. It swallowed him whole, the worm landing on a pile of dirt to the side. He rushed towards six eyes, but you stepped in front of him, smiling coyly. “Forgetting about little ol’ me?” You teased. “I’m hurt.” You pouted then, dropping your katana slowly. You knew how you looked. A fifteen-year-old girl, wide-eyed and innocent.
“Don’t worry about me, I’m fine.” Gojo said from behind you, and you noticed that he was staggering to his feet. “I didn’t make it in time with my technique, but it missed my vitals.” He then went on an exaggeratedly proud explanation of how Toji hadn’t even hurt him. Like a safety pin through a big hole in a knit sweater.
Oh, you would remember those words. You watched as they continued chatting as if nothing was wrong. It didn’t bother you that the two boys immediately forgot your existence.
That was the point.
That was their mistake.
The black-haired boy took the girls and ran as soon as Toji made himself known again, easily escaping the confines of the curse that had devoured him moments before. You stayed put, sighing as you dropped your katana and leaned on it. You had to be patient. That was the entire reason you were here. Patience.
Gojo dropped into an offensive position, his hands coming up and a burst of energy leaving his fingertips easily. Your father dodged easily, looking almost bored. There was a look of unease in Gojo’s eyes as he seemed to calculate the fight before him. You sat and watched as your father grinned, suddenly moving faster than the eye could see, zipping through the trees as if it was nothing.
You’d never grow tired of watching him fight.
It was breathtaking.
He suddenly approached the six eyes, but the boy simply held up a hand and blew him back, the building behind them splintering and falling around your father’s body as he was corralled backwards. You rolled your eyes as Gojo glanced your way, waiting to see if you were going to do anything. You shrugged at him, motioning for him to remember who his real opponent was.
You stepped in synch with him as he began to traverse the ruined buildings. He started shouting something to the air, no doubt thinking it was cool, but when he came upon where Toji should have been he stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes began to flit around frantically as the air began to move, Toji disorienting him with quick and powerful movements, never giving away his location.
It was then that Gojo’s eyes landed on you. You smiled sweetly at him, far closer than he’d thought you’d been. You were still relaxed, katana at your side like it was nothing more than a prop, your body swaying sweetly to a tune only you could hear. It looks like he was starting to figure it out.
Gojo could hardly sense Toji. With his lack of cursed energy, it was extremely hard to pinpoint where he was and where he might strike next.
With your cursed energy so close to his, that only served to dull his senses even further. He frowned, his hand reaching up to you, but before anything could happen, Toji caught his attention again. Realizing who the bigger threat was, your eyes widened as Gojo began to force energy from his hands. You couldn’t help but mutter an appreciative wow at blue. It was magnificent, truly. A work of art.
You watched as it trampled a war path through the buildings, sucking everything in its path until only the ground beneath your feet remained. You stepped closer to Gojo, dirt falling into the crater that now surrounded you. If you had reached out your hand you could’ve touched it. “The attitude is a little justified.” You let yourself admit. You didn’t know if Gojo heard you, and if he had, he didn’t acknowledge it. Gojo was whipping around, trying to sense Toji, but suddenly there was a loud buzzing filling the air around the two of you.
You lazily flicked some of the flies away from your body as they surrounded Gojo, only serving to disorient him more. You could tell that his mind was working quickly, but something seemed to change in him, and in a panic he turned.
Wrong move.
Your father’s blade cut through the boy’s neck like butter. You didn’t flinch at the sight; you knew what had to be done. You’d known the consequences coming into the job. Your father struck deeper, cutting downwards and slashing the poor boy open. Toji turned and walked away without any ceremony.
Off to finish the job.
You, however, plopped yourself down next to the fallen boy, a pitied hum escaping from your lips. “Such a pity.” You murmured. “You were kind of cute.” Gojo’s eyes were staring up at the sky, unfocused and hazed. There was a look of absolute shock and defeat on his features, no doubt not believing that he was bleeding out and dying. Mortally wounded by a man with not a single technique or lick of cursed energy. “I think you and I would’ve been cute, you know?” You babbled on, keeping the topic light. He was dying, but he was just a boy. He deserved a little something at the end. “If you’re into younger girls that is.” You teased. “I’m only fiteen, not that young, but I haven’t had my first kiss yet. Toji says he’ll kill whatever boy believes he has the right to put his lips on mine.” You looked down at Gojo’s eyes. You could tell that he was still conscious, even if he wasn’t responding to your flirting. “Well, you’re already dying, so do you want to be my first?” You asked excitedly. “I have to admit, I’m actually pretty shy, but you just have a way about you, you know? Most girls would get pissed off at your holier than thou personality, but it’s honestly kind of endearing.
“Who doesn’t like a big strong man, huh?” You looked up at the sky now. “Nah. You probably hate me, so I’m not gonna kiss you.” You finally muttered. “Plus, Toji might come back and kill you for sure if he ever found out. And I’m trynna be a good girl. He’s taken me and my siblings away from here after this. Maybe I’ll find a nice Hawaiian boy that’ll be all shy and bashful with me. Well, anyways,” You stood then, dusting off your pants. “Nice talking to you. Sorry we never got any proper introductions.”
You turned away to follow behind your father. “Geto would have a field day, knowing there’s someone that talks more than me.” The words stunned you and you whipped around, your arms bracing for the hit the boy sent your way. Your eyes widened at the realization that he was alive.
Alive and standing up. “Shit, that’s so embarrassing.” You groaned. “Toji says I have to work on my cool talk. All broody with good punch lines and shit.” You sighed, beginning to build yourself up for this confrontation. He was weak and healing, there would only be do long before he was at it again, so you had to be fast about it.
The two of you clashed together suddenly, your sword not even coming close to his skin when you arched it downwards. You didn’t have the power nor the strength that Toji did to inflict the same kind of damage. So instead, you focused on distracting Gojo until you could get the hell out of there. Gojo came at you again, and you braced for an attack of cursed energy.
None came.
You easily deflected his blows, your eyebrows furrowing together. Well, that was rude. “This how you flirt with girls?” You accused. “Especially cute ones like me? Treat them like they’re all weak and shit?” Your katana came down in a precise cut, Gojo reaching out to block it.
But you weren’t aiming for him.
You were aiming at the steel beam below his feet.
Water gushed out of the pipe immediately, giving you enough of a distraction to sweep your feet out, dropping Gojo to his back again. He landed with a rough wheeze, the wound on his chest still open and still bleeding. “Honestly.” You mused. But you were glad that had worked. Typically, you had no issues holding your own.
But not against a curse eater.
Not against the six eyes.
You weren’t meant to be anything more than a useful distraction today. Well shit, there went your plan. You and Gojo danced around each other, and you could tell that the boy didn’t really want to hurt you. You’d use that to your advantage.
You charged forward in a restrained show of offense, flicking your wrist in a practiced maneuver, the blade falling to your other hand and bringing it into an upwards cut, aiming for the wound on his chest that seemed to be rapidly closing as you fought. Gojo’s eyes were bright once more, but something darker curled into his movements as he seemed to suddenly realize who you were.
That you weren’t just a girl.
You were an enemy.
Your dance continued, but it was mostly you attempting to keep up with his movements, his hands more than enough for him to do any amount of damage if a hit were to land. So far, you were doing fine. All you had to do was buy Toji enough time to come back and finish off the boy, then you could get away, disappear—
You stumbled back as a hit landed onto your side, his fingers sliding easily through your skin and piercing an organ. Definitely something important.
You rocked backwards, glaring at him as you went down, your legs giving way. But you used that advantage to stab him in the foot. “Fuck!” He hissed as you removed the blade, before collapsing onto your back. “’ur not supposed to hit girls.” You grumbled. “Toji’d never let you date me now.” Gojo didn’t give you the witty retort you were looking for, instead turning tail and running. “Hey!” You stumbled to your feet, but you were much slower now. “Shit.” You cursed, but you gathered your strength and followed.
Gojo was already gone, but you knew where to go. “Fucking bastard. Didn’t even agree with me.” You muttered. “I am cute.” You mantra’d to yourself, finally, finally making your way down to where your father was no doubt fighting the other boy. First, you noticed the body of the vessel, a bullet hole through her skull.
Quick, clean.
But then…
A sound ripped from you, one that you didn’t even know the human body could make. It wasn’t in slow motion, not how they showed it in the shitty movies on the shitty TV you and your siblings were always watching. It wasn’t dramatic either.
He was standing one moment, and the next he wasn’t. Your hand gripped around the katana you held, rushing forward and pushing past the white haired freak that had felled the greatest fighter you’d ever met in your life. “NO!” Your knees slid across the pavement, and your hands came out immediately, your cursed energy already blooming on your fingertips.
There was a hand on your shoulder, one attempting to pull you back, but you screamed again, twisting the katana backwards in a bloody sweep, warding off anyone that tried to get in your way. The hands did not come back.
Instead, Toji wrapped a hand on your shoulder, turning you back towards him. You didn’t know when you started crying, just that tears were already dripping down your chin and underneath your shirt, thick and ugly. “No.” You whispered, reaching your hands out once more, willing your energy to the surface. But Toji grabbed your wrist this time, refusing. He had just been fine. You were only gone for a moment, there was no way they’d had time to fell a great warrior in such a short amount—you could fix it.
You could fix it, you just needed to wait, just a bit longer and then—
“No.” He repeated back to you. “’t’s not right.”
“This was supposed to be our out.” You whispered. “We were supposed to—”
“Jobs done, kid. It’s okay.” You didn’t understand the words coming from him. He was insane, the job was done? What the fuck was he trying to pull?
“It’s not. You promised.” There was blood trickling out of the corner of Toji’s mouth. “I can do it. I can do it.” You repeated over and over again. “I can do it.”
“I don’t want you to.” Your breath caught in your throat and your hand curled into a fist, anger rising in you. “Why not!? Why? I can do it, I can—”
“You can’t.” Toji shook his head. “I know you could, but I won’t let ya.”
“You fucking idiot.” You hissed. “You’re going to die.”
“Let me.” His eyes turned towards something across from you. You turned to follow his gaze, landing on the body of the vessel. “Her.”
“No.” You swallowed hard. “I’m not wasting it on her. You.” You jabbed a finger into his chest. Or what was left of it. “We came here to kill her. She’s dead. That’s all. You promised. Christ, you said—I can do it. I can. You won’t, I know you wouldn’t. There has to be a way—”
“No.” Toji denied again. “I’d rather die than kill you.” The words were barely above a whisper. “Wouldn’t be able to live with myself.” With more strength than you thought he’d have, he grabbed you and shoved you towards the dead girl. “Do it.” You were shaking. Distantly, you recognized the two teens were still standing behind you, bodies taught and ready to fight, even in their injured states. Your hand clasped around the katana once more and you dragged yourself to your feet and walked towards the girl. Your breathing was haggard, your hand clutching your injured abdomen. They hadn’t been aiming to kill you. You still didn’t know why.
You made quick work, your wrist flicking effortlessly, a finger severing from her body. “Hey—” The angered voice was cut off as you picked up the finger, your lips forming a thin line that lacked any amusement. There was a hollow feeling in your chest, but you choked out a joke anyway, more for your sake than his.
“You planned it this way, didn’t you?” You called out. There was no response. You turned, stilling as you met unfocused eyes. Your knees buckled before you could catch your weight and a sob heaved so forcefully out of your body that you gagged. Your power surged in that moment, uncontrolled and unbidden as your emotions destabilized. The two teens that were standing there were thrown back by an invisible force, white energy swirling around you and the finger of the dead girl.
The finger twitched in your hand, and you let it fall, falling backwards yourself. The grief enveloped you wholly as you laid there, weak and injured. Pathetic. Useless. Undeserving.
You landed on your side, another sob heaving as you curled yourself into a ball. A small part of you screamed to get it together, that you needed to get the hell out of there, but you couldn’t bring yourself to.
Footsteps pounded on the ground, the vibration passing around you as the two teens exclaimed a name, relief and thinly veiled shock on their faces. With them distracted, still you did not move. If anything, you curled tighter, shutting your eyes as the surge of cursed energy ebbed away, until it was nothing more than a whisper in the air.
Your trump card.
Gone until you could gather your strength once more. Too late, too late, too late, too late, too late, too late—
“Hey!” Your eyes snapped open, just in time to witness the girl taking a staggering step forward, her face blank as she entered the barrier around you. The two boys tried to reach out and stop her, but there was nothing they could do as she descended the staircase, a barrier thrown up powerful enough to stop even the six-eyes. “AMANAI!” The black haired one shouted. “You—”
“There’s no point.” You whispered. Their attention came to you, lying on the ground, now on your back and staring at the endless cavern ceiling. “She’s doing what she was meant to.”
“But—”
“Her wish for freedom is gone.” Your voice was haggard from your sobbing, coming out choppy and in between small wheezes. “She will merge with Tengen.” You’d watched them all day, stalking and waiting for the right moment. You had a grasp at what had meant the most to the girl. Her freedom to choose. The choice that was given to her, moments before Toji had put a bullet through her skull.
Your eyes traveled to the body of the girl, the old one, that was still lying lifeless next to you. “What?” The six-eyes suddenly noticed as well, shock written all over his face. He approached the vessel’s old body and reached out. At the last second his hand withdrew and he turned again, seemingly looking beyond the barrier. “How?”
“Something physical, something not.” You muttered. “Sacrifice.” The word sat heavily on your tongue. Both boys were looking at you now.
“What?”
“My technique.” You laughed weakly, hoping that telling them would let some strength well into your bones, giving you the strength to try again. But you knew that it was completely useless. And you couldn’t. You wouldn’t.
He’d said not to.
“I’ve never heard of sacrifice.”
“That’s because you aren’t meant to.” You responded softly. “I’ll have to kill you now.” You admitted. “Or you could kill me.” And oh, how that sounded so good. So sweet.
Maybe then you could rest. You could finally atop running. Stop hiding. Never mind that you would be forfeiting any type of revenge that boiled in your veins. Although, knowing Toji, he knew that you wouldn’t take the opportunity. You wouldn’t because you knew that this was the plan all along.
He never planned on coming with you.
The reality of the situation landed on you once more, crushing you into the ground. You couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. “Alright.” That was enough. Enough weakness for the day. You staggered to your feet on shaky legs, your grip on the katana incorrect, your normally confident stance now laced with desperation. “Who’s first?”
“I’m not fighting you.” Your head snapped up at Gojo. “You called me cute, we flirted.” There was a small smile on his lips.
This time it enraged you. “You fucking piece of shit!” The next flurry of words was caught in your throat however, and you couldn’t catch yourself in time as your knees landed harshly on the ground for the second time today. Your wound and your emotions were telling you that you were done. “Fuck.” You muttered, pushing yourself to your feet again. “Fuck, just…” With shaky hands you lifted your katana once more. “Just come on already. I won’t leave till we’re done.”
“I think we’re done.” Gojo was serious now, walking towards you with calm and sure feet. You reeled back, attempting to put yourself in a defensive position, albeit a shaky one. But the moment his hand came up and touched your forehead?
You were out.