Chapter Text
- NOVEMBER 19th -
She stands at the top of a building, looking far into the distance, it looks like a war zone out there. It has been five hours since Gojo Satoru has been freed and his decisive battle with the King of Curses is set to take place on December 24th.
How romantic, she thinks to herself.
With the return of the Strongest Sorcerer, the Jujutsu World is shifted once more, this time back on their side. Naturally, they are finally given a chance to breathe, to count their losses and settle any arrangements they may have, for what may follow in the coming days.. well.. not even Gojo might come out alive.
Maki has lost much to be able to stand here, her mission to annihilate the Zenin Clan has come to fruition thanks to her sister.
Mai- she misses her, wishing they had more time with each other, to reconcile after all these years after their falling out, but she knows for a fact that it is pointless, wallowing in the thought of her deceased twin won't bring her back, as she stares at the sword she left behind, but she can't help it.
Wondering to herself if she stares long enough she'll see Mai's reflection but nothing happens as she assumed prior, memories of her provide a sort of peace and refuge in a time when everything and anything is out to kill her.
No thanks to the Culling Games, her fingers wandering off to her right eye, she thought she'd never open it again, not that she cared, one was enough to get the job done.
She feels the scars that lay bare on her face, burning, is the first word that comes to her mind, as she laments the memory of Shibuya.
So much has happened, so fast, she hasn't been given enough time to process much of anything really... she feels different? Now that her Heavenly Restriction has been fully realized it's like she's an entirely different person.
She feels everything, her five senses have been honed to such a degree that she can see the invisible facets that Curses and Humans leave behind, she can hear the faintest change of a heartbeat and the slightest change in the air to such an extent that she can feel the Cursed Spirits below her, about 100 meters away their movements being relayed to her by her surroundings.
Most importantly, her eyes, she can see cursed spirits now without the help of glasses thanks to Mai, she can also perceive the souls of Humans and Curses alike.
She never really bothered much about the specifics of it since she only ever needed to see the soul to be able to cut it down; which was usually the case.
Due to this, she knows what color and shape it takes when the soul is afraid, intimidated, vengeful with rage- emotions that those she has slain usually feel before she strikes them down. A brief smirk comes across her face at the thought of Naoya.
For example, a mindless curse hellbent on killing wouldn't usually have the prettiest shade of color, the form of the soul would look something akin to water, the heavier something is dropped, the wilder the waves. Naturally these same laws would apply to humans, for example Itadori, who is usually a positive and cheerful person, would have a bright shade of color and a clear soul that would usually only change amidst the intensity of battle, seldom does he emanate killing intent.
Her mind wanders off once more to the blade in her left hand, she wonders what Mai's soul would've looked like during their times as children back in the Zenin Clan, and during their times as Jujutsu Sorcerers, what form and shade it would have taken every time Mai saw her, and how she felt during her last moments.
She shudders at the thought of not having her here, she's been able to accomplish what they promised to each other, to destroy the Zenin Clan but at the cost of her twin's life, if only she was stronger, if only she was enough then Mai would be alive right now.
She clutches the handle of her blade tighter. I miss you so much.. she thinks
It's apparent she blames herself for everything that's happened, she believes her heart is gone, taken with Mai, not that she'd care for love. What has it done for her anyways? Nothing but pain.. thinking to herself, jaded in all sense of the word.
She's destroyed everything just as she promised to Mai, so she asks herself Where do I go from here?
All of a sudden she is torn away from her thoughts, assuming a battle stance, something or someone was coming up the stairs, emanating massive amounts of cursed energy, it's presence eerie and familiar, her expression and body language finds its ease, as a voice comes sounding through the other side of the door.
"Maki-san, are you up here?" Yuuta opens the door, his eyes widening as he finds her staring at him clutching her sword with an alert expression.
Under normal circumstances she wouldn't jump at someone's cursed energy especially if that someone was Yuuta, but she was deep in thought and her being at the very top of a building for what has been close to two hours, well, she wasn't expecting any company any time soon to say the least.
"Oh, Yuuta.. what brings you up here?" she says calmly, sheathing the sword into its scabbard.
"I was looking all over for you, having zero cursed energy is really amazing, huh." he says, as he lights up.
She never really liked that fact about her being said out loud as memories of the Zenin Clan flood her mind, and what she and her sister had to go through- needless to say, a tinge of warmth brushes past her as those words leave Yuuta's mouth, she wonders why. Immediately dismissing the feeling.
"Ah, that so?" she says coolly.
"Well, what are you doing up here anyways?" he asks, making sure he is staving off any intrusive tone in his voice.
"Enjoying the view.." she says, turning away from him, moving her body in a way as if to gesture him to come closer.
As if on cue, he follows near the edge, she sees him at the corner of her eyes an arms length away. For a time they remain that way, quiet and gazing out into the open, she wonders why it doesn't feel as awkward as it should be.
"Whoa you're right, the view is pretty nice up here Maki-san.. despite the torn up landscape." he says, breaking the silence.
"Mhmm.. so why were you looking for me?" she asks, monotone.
She sees it, the way his soul comes alive every time his eyes find their way on her. Bright and warm, a kind soul.
However, diverging from the latter- the miasma like sensation his cursed energy gives off is dark and heavy, but she's not bothered, she should know of course, it brings her back to a simpler time.
When a scrawnier Yuuta walked into the classroom unassuming, his body slouched, his eyes decorated with eye bags. Eugh, great, I'll definitely ignore this guy. She was thinking to herself.
All of a sudden she feels a wave of cursed energy so thick and sinister, surge from this scrawny looking boy, it betrays his appearance, her senses choosing between fight or flight, fight, obviously, as she unzips the bag containing her spear and charges towards him.
The thought was brief, interrupted by Yuuta's voice bringing her back to the present.
"Since Gojo-sensei has been unsealed I was wondering what you are planning to do now?" he questions, curiosity evident.
She wonders, what is there to do? "Why?" she asks, glancing at him briefly.
"Well.. if you decide to do anything I'm always here to help out." he says, his positive tone betraying his somewhat dim expression.
She nods, turning away, leaning her elbows onto the railings, staying quiet for a good minute.
"Is that all Yuuta?" she questions, still facing the sky.
Yuuta turns to her, his eyes wide for a brief moment "Well.. I uhm.. just wanted to check up on you in all honesty.." he says.
She turns her head towards him for no more than three seconds followed by a hollow smile "Ah.. I see." unsure what to make of his statement.
They stay that way again, another long segment of silence at some point her eyes wander off to inspect Yuuta, gone are the days when he would trail behind her, slouching to appear smaller. He's grown into his skinny frame, a bit more muscular now, and taller, about four to six inches, he seems more confident, that indecisive expression on his face rarely appearing now.
Most importantly, he's gotten stronger, those words ringing in her mind, he's gotten stronger .
She's proud of him, his annoying bean sprout has been working hard it seems, what kind of training did he do overseas? She wonders.
Praise him , a brief thought.. she'd rather jump off this building then do that. Her eyes linger for sometime until she looks out into the sky once more, the sun is setting, darkness is soon to fall.
***
His eyes find their way on her when she isn't looking.
The first thing he notices is the blade, and the way it emanates this strange cursed energy, as if someone is inside of it? Regardless, he wonders where she got it from, a question for another time. The second thing he notices are her burn scars, the one's she got from Shibuya, a tinge of anger wells from within him at the thought of her lying helpless as she burns on the ground. If only he'd gotten there sooner.
If only he was there to protect her.
He knows blaming himself won't undo what has been done, yet he still does. In the end, Inumaki's left arm is gone, Principal Gakuganji is dead, Shibuya is now a wasteland riddled with the corpses of his fallen comrades, and Maki, well..
Maki is next to her, the strongest person she knows.
Maki, who was born with little to no cursed energy, in a place where you were measured by the strength of your talent, and those without any; garbage, a place where women like her were treated as objects no more, no less.
Maki who left, her destination unknown, accompanied only by the thought of spiting her clan and Jujutsu Society with sheer strength, alone, to be able to make a world where she and her twin could live happily.
Maki who annihilated the clan that treated her as if she was nothing.
Maki who has an unshakeable will and keeps moving forward regardless of what adversity is thrown her way.
Maki who has given up so much just to be able to stand here next to him, alive and breathing.
Damaged but unbroken, her scars prove her resilience.
Maki, the most beautiful person he's laid his eyes on.
Catching himself, respiration spiking and eyes widening at the thought. He turns his head away hoping she didn't see him staring. (she did) He'd rather jump off this building right now then tell her something so embarrassing.
Darkness is falling, the stars are showing their faces as the sun sets, its color draping the surrounding area, both of them still gazing off into the distance, "Pretty" she thinks, "What a lovely sunset, Maki-san" he says.
A deep exhale followed by a subtle smile, she can't deny it.
Yuuta has always been good with words, in times of peace and conflict, he always knows the right things to say, as if he can just pour his heart out onto the world, unabashed without fear of judgment or any embarrassment that may perhaps follow. His heart is always on his sleeve.
Maki on the other hand, it'll be a cold day in hell before anything soft or endearing finds its place out of her mouth.
Just as sharp and painful as the arsenal of weapons she has mastered throughout her years of training. She is a killing machine, a living weapon capable of destroying anything she deems an adversary.
She is spiteful, she is loud, she is coarse, she is a destroyer, a murderer.. all of the things Yuuta would probably find vile and repulsive.. if only he knew what these hands have done. As she slowly clasps them together.
***
The sun is long gone, replaced with a crescent moon, the light it shines is just enough to be able to see the surroundings below them. Curses come alive at night, she thinks, I better get moving or else they'll-
"Well, Maki-san.." her train of thought interrupted.
He turns, his gaze warm and sincere, his eyes never leaving hers. "If you need anything.. you can always call any time. I'll be heading in now." he says, gazing at her with what can only be described as kindness, his soul reflecting his expression.
There's that warmth again brushing past her stomach. "Alright, Yuuta.." She says, making sure her expression is blank.
Closing the door, she hears his footsteps grow fainter and quieter, the miasma like cursed energy descending the stairs with him.
She's alone again, her thoughts taking the shape of a man that had just left five minutes ago.
She's unsure why she feels this way, reminded of his gentle gaze; overflowing with kindness and sincerity, that look of his, as if he can see right through her, past the scars, past the regret, past the pain.
As if she's not the sharpest thing he's laid his eyes on. She feels uncertain, of him and of herself, Why Yuuta..Why me? she thinks.
She raises her head and gazes at the moon, clutching her sword. She takes her time with every single breath, deep and controlled, before deciding to call it a night. Not sure what to make of these emotions, not sure what to make of him.
***
Yuuta descends the flight of stairs in a slow pace, deep in thought, his steps are accompanied by an unease. Clutching the bag containing his Katana; footsteps echoing through the corridor.
What happened to you? he thinks, a worried expression shrouding his face.
He recalls the way her eyes reflected her fiery personality back then. Bright, and alive.
Remembering a time when she'd say what she thought proudly, her words rough but true. She was blunt, and quick to anger, but she cared and that was enough.
She was one of the few people aside from Gojo-sensei who pulled him out of that dark place he was once in.
He was weak, and she made sure he got stronger, despite being levels below her she never once turned down a request to spar and train. Come to think of it, have I ever landed a hit on her? he thinks, worry replaced by a smile. You really are amazing, Maki-san. He feels warm, he wonders why, relishing in the feeling.
She gave him a reason to live, a purpose. A question from long ago, while she was on the verge of death; What do you want to do? What do you want to get? What do you want to achieve?
"To be needed by others and the confidence to live." Realizing the words had escaped his mouth before he could stop them. His eyes wide before his expression softens.
The warmth welling up from his stomach is hotter now.
However, the thought of the Maki he saw earlier crosses his mind. In contrast she looked distant, and grim, like something was weighing on her. What could be so heavy for someone so strong? he wonders.
Her eyes were empty, and dark, yet they were familiar, like he's seen them before. There was also a subtle hint of longing in them, like something was taken from her or someone-
Immediately, the air around him gets thinner, his cursed energy spiking at the thought of someone hurting her, donning the expression he usually has during times of battle. SHE'S ALREADY GONE THROUGH SO MUCH! he thinks, if you could hear his thoughts they'd be deafening, his steps getting loud and heavier.
But before they can get any louder.
"Yuuta.. Yuuta.. are you alright?"
Rika Orimoto the vengeful cursed spirit pokes her head out of a patch of darkness on the floor.
Seeing this Yuuta calms down, as he finds his poise.
"Ah, I'm sorry for startling you Rika.." he says, his angered expression replaced with that of concern.
"It's okay.. Rika is just concerned." she says.
Yuuta rubs her head in return, attempting to ease any lingering concern off her.
It's silent for a while, the exit door coming closer into view. But the silence is replaced with a question.
"Yuuta.. you like her don't you?" Rika asks, curiosity apparent despite her warped voice.
He stops abruptly as his face reddens. Facing her with a clumsy and nostalgic expression. He muddles his words before settling on an answer, but right before he can say anything.
"It's okay……. Rika doesn't mind.. Rika likes her too." she says.
Yuuta is taken aback by this to say the least, his mind racing, trying to think of something to say to fill the silence.
"Yuuta.. Yuuta.. does she make you happy?" she asks.
Yuuta nods.
With that, she retreats back into the darkness.
Leaving Yuuta alone, to ruminate in his thoughts once more. The heat on his face subsiding, and his resolve strengthened.
I know now Maki-san, you don't have to say anything, that expression of yours, I thought I'd only ever see eyes like that whenever I was staring at a mirror. He thinks.
He'll do everything in his power to bring her back, she is the strongest in his eyes, but maybe she doesn't have to be, not anymore, not when he's here.
I won't let you be alone, Maki-san.
Lend me your suffering.