Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Prelude

Brilliant as the Sun, radiant as the Moon.
Celestial body of faraway tunes.

A dazzling light,
A soothing sight.
Existing in darkness,
But free to ignite.

Watching in silence, eternal and vast,
Witness to the future, echoes of the past.

Perched in the distance, the world she sees,
A thing so strange, somewhere she can never be.

A swirling vortex,
A cosmic dance.
Mesmerising and beautiful,
A captivating trance.

Above she lingers, detached and cold,
Dwelling in solitude, her stories untold.
In her echoes a heartbreaking wish,
To not shine alone in the endless abyss.

High up in the skies,
Serenity lies.
Peace and quiet,
She finally takes flight.

The personification of celestial bodies, mysterious and majestic. Present yet overlooked. Revered, yet disregarded. All-seeing, all-knowing, yet never interfering. Like the Sun and the Moon, present, illuminating but untouchable. A being so far removed, unable to connect, living in apathy. Unmoving, solid yet intangible. Constant. Reliable. But never there.

Chapter Text

Chapter 1

Kinzoku Ayara would be the first to tell you that she, in fact, is not perfect. Of course all the other people who have had the pleasure to meet her would probably say otherwise, but they, unfortunately, have not had the pleasure of knowing her for an extended period of time.

Aka they were not present for any of her screw ups. Though she supposes that would be pretty hard, both knowing her for an extended period of time - as Ayara would be the first to tell you that she might just be a bit of a hermit - and for knowing/being present for her screw ups, as her screw ups as they say, occur maybe once every century and regrettably for most people, they just cannot live that long.

Point is, Ayara is not perfect, she makes mistakes, and the reason for her apparent perfection is because all her past blunders have been blurred and forgotten by history.

That, and in part thanks to her ethereal appearance and flawless demeanor, give her an unforgettable, breathtaking, perfect first impression, as an angelic being, or even a goddess that has descended down to Earth, ready to grace lowly mortals with her presence.

Though calling her a goddess wouldn’t be too far-fetched, considering her previous title, granted over two thousand years ago, Amaterasu, Goddess of the Sun. Not that she is claiming to be a Goddess, a divine being, after all, Kinzoku Ayara was born human, was human three thousand years ago, and is - though sometimes she might not feel it - still human. A super powerful, mysterious and godlike figure, but human nonetheless.

Now if only she - actually less she and more everyone else, she really couldn’t care less - could believe that. That would make everything easier, and maybe even get her out of this mess. The name of said mess being Gojo Satoru, who is revered as a God himself. That is probably why she cannot just whoosh her way out of this one, because unfortunately Gojo does live up to his name. Just how did she get herself into this mess?

First things first, Kinzoku Ayara would like to make it known that she never, and I mean never, ever meant to provoke anyone or even attract this much attention.

Hell, she literally disappeared for the past centuries, fading out of the public - and history’s - eyes. Of course her attempts at remaining elusive - and as a mythological figure that is very much not real - came to a halt with the appearance of the newest Six Eyes and Limitless user.

Though, that is probably a little unfair, as at the time the Six Eyes was but a baby, and Gojo Satoru never actually forced her out of her self-imposed exile. It would probably be more accurate to state that the reason for this mess is herself, her curiosity and misplaced belief in her own invulnerability.

After all Ayara has lived a solitary life, the curse of being the strongest. Isn't it just instinct to seek out others, others just like yourself, especially if that someone managed to shift the balance of the world itself just by being born, just like she herself did, with her birth more than two thousand years prior?

Tragically, she has forgotten that for all her perceived infallibility, she is still human, and when humans stick their hands in places they have no business being, it never ends well. It seems even with her two-thousand eight-hundred plus years of experience, she still makes mistakes.

Chapter Text

Chapter 2

Kinzoku Ayara is not naive. She cannot be, what with directly experiencing the unfolding of history, through its wars, the bloodiest periods and being a witness to the most idiotic acts committed by mankind. That does not mean though that she does not underestimate the lengths people can go through to get what they want. Unfortunately, for her that is, she never imagined that she would be caught in the middle of that kind of slugfest. Again, she is not naive, just maybe a teensy bit overconfident in her ability to remain unaffected, to remain a mirage. 

Thinking back, Ayara has to admit, it probably wasn’t the best plan. In her defense though, there was no plan. 

Gojo Satoru was not the first person to shift the balance of the world. Before him was Ryomen Sukuna over a thousand - two thousand - years ago and before that, two to three thousand years ago, was Kinzoku Ayara herself. There might have been others before Ayara, but as that was before her time, for obvious reasons such as lack of evidence - and/or witnesses -, it will remain speculation. 

As Ayara was young then - or as young as a thousand and something years old can be - and inexperienced, she had no idea what that first - or second, or whatever - shift in the balance of the world meant. She felt it, obviously, but she didn’t really get what the world was trying to say, until years later when Ryomen Sukuna came knocking down her - metaphorical - door and disturbing her peace, though that is a story for another time. 

Now that she is older and wiser, feeling the shift in balance for the second time - the first time of her birth doesn’t count as she had no idea how that felt for others -, she had decided, spontaneously, on a whim to go check it out. Except she got sidetracked, and by the time she remembered her passing curiosity again, more than a decade had passed. 

No biggy, she would just satiate her curiosity by attending Tokyo Jujutsu High, in the same class as Gojo Satoru. Why the hell she thought that would be a good idea she doesn’t know. 

Probably because she wasn’t thinking in the first place.

2005

After much wrangling and frankly annoying nuisances, she has finally managed to get scouted. Of course there were a lot of hiccups. The biggest probably was the issue of her lack of existence. In simpler terms, she has no identification - because, well duh, she was born well before that was even invented -, and her background checks yielded nothing. Thankfully she managed to wave it away with wide, innocent eyes, and a subtle dose of pity. 

What can she say, she’s not above manipulation, and technically she didn’t lie. She just left out the fact that her parents are dead because humans are usually incapable of living past a hundred years of age - half of that even, from the time period she was born in -, and that she didn’t have a set living space not because she was homeless, but because it got boring - and hard to conceal - living in the same place for centuries. 

Ayara did not say that she was homeless. The scout assumed. Bold of him to automatically link “Bouncing from place to place” to “I have no home”, like they aren’t even - much - related. She does have a home. Several in fact, scattered across the world, from her humble abode(s) hidden deep in the forests and valleys of Japan, to caves in the Norwegian mountains. 

Nevermind though, it makes it easier for her.

So now here she is, standing in front of Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College, better - more colloquially - known as Tokyo Jujutsu High. Formally enrolled as a traumatised teen in need of adult supervision. Ayara’s not sure whether she should be offended by that or not. After all, she has - very successfully, might she add - taken care of herself for the past dozens of centuries, ages before that scout's great grandfather was even born.

First things first, she’s greeted by a - much too jolly - man, who introduces himself as the first year's teacher.

Second things second, he recites all the rules.

Basic stuff like curfew, respect, no revealing stuff like cursed energy to the public. And her personal favourite, no criminal behaviour. Wow, she just loves how they emphasised that. Does she look like a delinquent to you?

Ayara has spent her life as a law-abiding citizen, thank you very much. She did not cause mass destruction, she did not massacre legions of people. She has spent her life as a - very nice - spectator, and never gave into her rages or bloodlust like a certain someone she knew - hint, Ryomen Sukuna. 

Mainly because she did not rage much. And she’s never liked blood either. 

But even if she did, she can guarantee that she wouldn’t go around lording her strength over the common folk. Unlike a certain someone - another hint, Ryomen Sukuna.

Mainly, probably because Ayara has never liked trouble.

And even if she did do some things that the law frowns upon - such as trespassing, but does it even count if she inhabited the land way before any of these other people came? -, you can’t really blame her because as you know it, it gets really hard to toe that - not very black and white - fine line of legality and illegality, especially since laws are constantly being updated. 

Point is, Ayara is a free-spirit, and her whims almost never cause lasting damage on anyone, and so that should be good enough. Let her enjoy her immortality for heaven's sake. After all, elders are always right, no?

But she digresses. 

Moving back, yes, the teacher is still there.

And yes, he’s still talking. Is Ayara listening? No.

Why is she here again? Oh yeah, to investigate the cause of such a major shift in the balance of the world.

The birth of Gojo Satoru introduced such a huge shift in balance that collectively all the cursed spirits in the entire world received a - major - power boost to compensate for that. Not to mention the shift in the foundation of the Earth itself. Now, Ayara has no idea how big of a shift her own birth introduced, but what she does know is that Ryomen Sukuna’s was nowhere near the level of Gojo Satoru’s. 

Otherwise she would have been prompted out of her hideyhole a lot sooner. And not you know, wait for that calamity to come knocking down her door.

One of the other reasons she’s here, other than her passing curiosity, is to prevent a similar situation that happened with Ryomen Sukuna with Gojo Satoru. 

Aka she’s scouting out competition before it can come to bite her in the ass - like Ryomen Sukuna did.

Speaking of Ryomen Sukuna, he was turned into twenty fingers. How nice, Not a very good fate she would say. Then again he chose it for himself. She can’t really judge, she supposes, as she’s spent the past few centuries just floating around. Kinda like Ryomen Sukuna actually. Just that she happens to possess all her faculties and not just random body parts.

Hopefully the fate of Gojo Satoru will be better.

Hopefully Gojo Satoru will not become a thorn in her side.

She just jinxed herself didn’t she?

Chapter Text

Chapter 3

Ayara’s first impression of Tokyo Jujutsu High is “Wow, Jujutsu society really has not changed in the last millennium.” To be fair, she’s almost completely sure that she herself is more modernised than the Jujutsu society. And she spends most of her time lounging in caves, like those prehistoric savages. 

Though, her caves are infinitely more comfy, padded with plush carpets, soft mattresses and fluffy pillows. 

Case in point: Tokyo Jujutsu High looks like her old home that she occupied during the Heian era. Same architecture style, fit with pagodas, sweeping gardens and Torii gates. Hell, there were even a couple of shrines. 

Now that she remembers, that’s also the home that got flattened by Ryomen Sukuna. That brute. Just recalling the incident aggravates her.

“Hey, I’m Geto Suguru. Are you a first year too?”

And there’s a classmate. 

“Kinzoku Ayara. Nice to meet you.”

And… awkward pause. Dang, she forgot how unpleasant socialising can be.  

This is one of many reasons why she decided - around a thousand years ago - to retire to the lonely mountaintops to live her life in seclusion. That and to avoid taxes.

Tax evasion counts as law-breaking doesn’t it? Whatever, she’s unemployed anyway. Besides, she frolicked the mountains and the fields way before any country laid claim to it, so really, she’s an angel for not claiming tax from them. It’s okay though, she’ll be pacified with a couple of offerings. Sweets are good. One can never go amiss with dessert. 

She kind of misses the times when she was actively worshipped as a goddess. It was in those times that she drowned in luxury, surrounded by the finest of silks and the tastiest of treats. 

That came to a stop with the rise of Jujutsu sorcerers though. And it definitely came to a very resolute end with the rise of Ryomen Sukuna. 

Infernal brute whose only talent is to smash things. 

Honestly, the amount of perfectly good clothing and property that was ruined because Ryomen Sukuna does not know how to take no for an answer is enough to clothe and house entire armies. Like is it that hard to imagine that some people - Ayara - might just genuinely not enjoy fighting?

Ayara would be the first to tell you that she hates pain. And getting dirty. Do you know what would both hurt and make you dirty? Getting into a brawl. So no Sukuna, the reason she refuses to fight is not because she’s a freaking coward that’s weak. Ayara is not weak. If she was weak, then Ryomen Sukuna would have killed her the moment he shot a fucking ginormous flaming arrow into her home! Her beautiful estate, gone up in flames, reduced to a perfectly round, six feet deep crater! 

All her food, her clothes, her offerings, all gone up in smoke. And he - Ryomen fucking Sukuna - just laughed and said “My, it looks better like this doesn’t it?”

NO IT DOES NOT YOU BLOODY BARBARIAN!!!!!!!

And because Ayara is not a pushover, she is not a pacifist, or a mediator, and her so-called tranquility is due to her stability - gained from various experiences and a long life - and easy-going demeanor, and the fact that often, most things just are not worth her effort. In other words she’s lazy. Not a pushover, and also extremely vindictive if the situation calls for it, which that incident definitely did. So that meant that Ryomen Sukuna was beaten to within an inch of his life. 

Of course Ryomen Sukuna on top of being a sadist is also a masochist.

Yeah, she lost big time. 

One can never win against insanity. 

Backtracking, ah yes. The classmate is still there. Geto Suguru? Yeah, that is his name. And yes, the teacher is coming back, with two other students. Just lovely. Oh hey, that’s the Six Eyes and Limitless user. 

“So now that we are all gathered up, I’ll let you students settle in okay? The female and male dorms are separated, and we expect the males to stay out of the female's area and vice versa. Capiche?” 

“Aye aye captain. Bold of you to assume anything can keep me out.”

And yes, the arrogance checks out. It seems the strongest are always connected by a common factor: narcissism. 

“And Gojo, it would be nice to note that all students are equal, and the staff will never give preference to one student over another. All wrongdoers will be equally punished.”

My, the look on Gojo Satoru’s face is priceless. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 4

After taking a closer look at all three of her classmates, Ayara can safely conclude that this class is most probably the most beautiful class to ever exist. Though she’s still the prettiest, obviously.

Currently, her class consisted of four people, herself, Geto Suguru, Gojo Satoru and a reversed cursed technique user named Ieiri Shoko. 

Geto Suguru has shoulder length ink-black hair that couldn’t be touched by light. Dark fathomless eyes, that seem to gleam purple if you look closely enough. Pair that with his tall, broad frame, and you get a future heartbreaker. 

Gojo Satoru, the Six Eyes and Limitless user, is like basically all other Gojo’s, white-haired and blue eyed. Like a winter nymph, or better yet, the male version of Elsa. Gojo is pretty in that delicate, cold way. Like unblemished mountaintop snow.

Ieiri Shoko is the most earth-like in her beauty out of the four of them, with brown hair and brown eyes, a traditional Japanese beauty with a dash of willfulness. Ayara knew then that they would get along.

Maybe she could even teach Ieiri a couple things about reversed cursed technique. She wonders whether that would be suspicious, that two reverse cursed technique users have popped up in the same year. 

Probably not. What will they guess anyways, that she’s an unregistered Special Grade from all the way before the establishment of Japan?

“Are you blind?”

It seems Ayara really did jinx herself. She knew then that Gojo Satoru would be a major pain. Time will tell whether or not he’ll measure up to Ryomen Sukuna. It would just be Ayara’s luck to have her equals be people she cannot stand.

After a round of incredulous looks that bounced off of Gojo like rubber balls against a wall, Ayara managed to certify that no, she can see, and that the blindfold serves as part of her cursed technique. Which is not entirely accurate.

The blindfold mostly serves as a way of concealment. Yes, you must be mystified, doesn’t the blindfold draw more attention? Well that would be the case, if Ayara’s eyes didn’t mirror the sun and moon. 

Pupilless, her eyes are literal miniature celestial bodies, her right eye glowing different shades of golds, yellows and oranges, and her left a shimmering silver-white abyss. 

She can't actually see with a blindfold. She doesn't have the Six Eyes that are capable of seeing through objects. But what she does have is almost three thousand years of experience and extreme sensitivity that ensures that she can never be caught off guard. 

That and she has mastered a form of echolocation - inspired by bats - that allow her to map her surroundings and “see”. That is how she could have made out her classmates' appearances in case you were wondering. 

There is also the fact that Ayara is wearing a special type of blindfold that is semi-transparent, specifically so she could observe Gojo. The echolocation trick definitely wouldn’t do, as there is no way a Six Eyes user wouldn’t notice that pulse of cursed energy.

Though, she could probably explain that away by using “blindness” as an excuse.

As expected, Gojo Satoru with his entitled mindset and irreverence immediately goes all up in her space trying to see her eyes. Which is ridiculous and definitely done purposefully to annoy her considering the fact that even with the blindfold covering half of Ayara’s face, Gojo should still be able to see her. Hello, Six Eyes remember.

Appears that while she was observing him, he too was watching her.

Seems Gojo can tell that there’s something off about her. Not bad, for a child. 

After settling in the dorms, putting away the measly amount of belongings she has - deliberate of course, after all the school still thinks she’s a homeless street rat -, she decided to go find food. In this society reliant on child exploitment, Ayara thinks that good food is the least the higher ups can do to compensate them. That and a hefty salary.

Though, she muses, conditions have improved a lot. Now, human rights exist. Though in some cases, that makes it worse for sorcerers. Back in the day, sorcerers could go around destroying cities and annihilating villages, and people couldn’t do a thing about it if they were strong enough. 

Then again, sorcerers could probably do that now too, if they are strong enough to avoid (or take) the consequences. Which might be hard, as nowadays sorcerers are much weaker than they used to be. Not to mention the new technology that allows the weak to overpower the strong. She thinks even she might have trouble getting out of an encounter with a nuclear bomb. Not to mention all the other sub-par sorcerers. 

Not worth it, especially since now sorcerers are paid. Pretty decently too, if they have sway. 

Moving on, the kitchen seems decently stocked. Full of fresh vegetables and meat. If she was Uraume, she would have a field day. Unfortunately she isn’t, and so, Ayara selected a carton of cereal.

“Is that what you're eating for dinner?”

Damn, do you really have to sound so judgemental? Cereal is perfectly acceptable as a form of nutrition. That was the food people in the middle ages survived on. Not every time period was as lucky as this one. 

“Is there a problem?”

“I suppose not, but it isn’t the best option is it? I’m making dinner, do you want some?”

Never mind, she takes it back. Geto Suguru is an angel who is completely not judgemental at all. 

“Sure. Thanks.”

“No problem.”

Watching Geto bustle around the kitchen was mind-opening. Is he really fifteen? Ayara still remembers when she was fifteen. All she did then was laze around in the gardens. Chores? Never heard of it. 

Geto moves around the kitchen like he was born for it. He knows where everything is placed, what ingredients go well together, and which don't. She is a little embarrassed to admit that even with her nearly three-thousand years of experience, Geto has her beat - in this area. 

“What’s that smell? Is that food? I want some!”

Aaaand that obnoxious voice signals Gojo Satoru's arrival.

“Smells good. Is there any for me?”

That introduces Ieiri Shoko’s entrance. 

Seems all of them have gathered together. In the kitchen. 

United by hunger. 

“Of course. I made extra.” 

Awkwardly seated around the table, everyone ate in silence. Well, everyone apart from Gojo. 

Slurp!

And that was the last straw for Ayara.

“Were you raised in a barn?”

“Hey, don’t you know? Making noise is a sign of respect. It means the food is good.” Gojo wiggles his eyebrows, wagging his fingers.

The chopsticks snap under Ayara’s fingers.

“Now, now. That isn’t yours is it? How can you just break it, that’s utterly rude you know. Even children raised in barns-”

Ayara lunges at Gojo. 

That concludes dinner.

Chapter Text

Chapter 5

“Now, the both of you are no longer children. You are both already in the late adolescent stages, which means you are both young adults. And as young adults, you do not brawl over a kitchen table! As young adults, you should know respec-”

“But she started it!”

The heck I did, Ayara thinks. 

“He was behaving like a barnyard animal! I know three-year-olds with better manners than him!”

She does not, but that’s not the point. She doesn't even know any three-year-olds. That’s not the point either.

“No! You were the one behaving like an animal! Making noise is perfectly acceptable, it is a gesture you do if you really like the food, which I DID! And you spilled my foo-”

“You were doing it on purpo-”

“YOU were the one that pounced on me like a goddamned wild anima-”

“ENOUGH! The both of you are grounded!”

Two pairs of incredulous eyes stare at him.

“Grounded?” They echo.

What the hell. 

“Why?” Gojo whines, “She started it.”

“Both of you are to remain on campus until you can get along. That is final.” He states, rubbing his temples.

Nice. First day and the teacher is already nursing a headache. At least that alarmingly cheerful expression is gone. 

“Yeah, I’m never getting along with him. We’ll have to stay here for eternity.” Ayara drawls derisively. 

Gojo sneers, “Like I would wanna get along with a weakling.”

Oh this little piece of shi-

“And both of you will be cleaning the classroom for the next two months.”

What?!

“What?! How is that fair!? Hey! I wanna talk to your manage-”

“If you know what is good for you, Gojo-kun, then you will be quiet and learn to work with Kinzoku-chan.”

Great, just great. Can Ayara leave? She misses her caves already.

Ayara would be the first to tell you that she, in fact, for all her years, is not actually very mature. And that she is very petty. Ask Ryomen Sukuna and he will tell you. Actually, don’t ask him, he’d be more likely to slice your head off than answer.

Point is, she isn’t really very mature, and she can be extremely petty, as testified when Ayara spent more than a century hunting Ryomen Sukuna down for destroying her beloved estate. Or less hunting and more deliberately sabotaging him whenever he tried to have fun. And also deliberately making things more difficult - and humiliating for him - when he was turned into a cursed object. Like that very amusing incident, where she dropped his fingers in a pile of dung. 

Ah, now that was sweet revenge. 

And so, because Ayara is not in the habit of acting her age, and because she does not think it so beneath her, she has decided to dedicate her time to making Gojo regret his life choices. Aka in a fit of extreme pettiness, she installed creaky springs under every surface available in his dorm. Honestly, she’s doing the world a favour. Taking steps as an elder in educating the younger generation. 

With the bonus of teaching Gojo the annoyances of unnecessary noises.

And a side dish of revenge of course.

She can’t wait to see his face.

“GOJO SATORU YOU SPAWN OF THE DEVIL!!!” Ayara’s screams echo through the hall.

Oh, he is so dead. She is going to barbeque him.

She will boil him alive and feast on his flesh!

She will skin him, roast him and then feed him to her pets!

She will laugh as he sizzles and dance as he burns!

She will sing in delight as his bones start to churn!

Waiting impatient for his ashes t-

“HAHAHAHAHA!!! My gosh, look at you. See, this is what happens if you go against the Great Gojo Sato-”

 “I thought I specifically told you, no more fights!”

“Technically you said that we are young adults, and young adults do not brawl over a kitchen table. You never said “Don’t get into fights” specifi-”

And Gojo gets bonked. It is satisfying. Now let her concentrate and save it in her memory forever.

“Kinzoku Ayara! Why is Gojo-kun covered in burns?”

“I dunno Sensei, I think he tripped. You wouldn’t be blaming me right? After all, I'm such a weakling.” She says, glaring at Gojo.

He glares right back.

“You know what, I give up. Gojo, go to Ieiri-chan. Kinzoku, stay out of trouble. Please.”

How unfair. He should be saying that to Gojo. 

Whatever. Not that she cares anyways.

The burns ruining Gojo’s pretty face are enough for her.

Hmm. Just thinking about that elevated her mood.

“Is there any need to rise up to his provocations? You do know that by giving him a reaction, you will only motivate him further.”

“Geto-san. If you’re only here for that, then spare me the lecture.”

“Of course not. How are you?”

“What do you mean? You do know that Gojo was the one that came out looking worse right?”

“I am aware. I just saw the need to check up on you regardless.”

“Sorry for your noodles. They were good.”

He chuckles lightly, “No problem. Feel free to ask if you want more. Wouldn’t want you surviving on plain cereal now would we?”

“Cereal is a perfectly acceptable source of nutrition.”

“Breakfast maybe. Not dinner.”

“Says who?”

“Umm, common sense?”

“What common sense? You mean the sense that is absent in 90% of the human population?”

“Are you saying that you lack common sense, Kinzoku-san?”

“Obviously not.”

“I think you do. Otherwise why would your first reaction be charging at him for a minor slight?”

“It was not a “minor” slight. Besides, he does look extremely punchable. His face was just begging for my fist.”

“Just, try to avoid doing it again, ok? I’m saying that in the long-term, it’ll be more trouble than it's worth.”

“I’m tougher than I look.”

Otherwise how did Ayara survive the centuries? By luck? She thinks not.

“I know. I saw Gojo’s state. I have to say, it was pretty serious. You could have scarred him.”

“Puh-lease. Like anything can mar that face of his.”

“Perhaps. But you should have still been more careful. Anyways, you should get some rest. We start early tomorrow.”

“Yeah. Night.”

“Good night.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 6

Bright and early, a new dawn,

Another day is now long gone.

But matters not this little plight.

As there is now room to enter the light.

The birds are chirping from outside,

Singing in sync with the rising tide.

Savouring the feeling of the morning ray,

This isn’t so bad, so maybe she’ll sta-

“WAKE UP YOU LAZY PEOPLE!!! THE MORNING IS HERE, CHOP CHOP! OUT WITH I-”

“SHUT UP YOU ALBINO PEACOCK! How are you here anyways? This is the girls' dorm!” Ieiri screeches.

“Why, I’m Gojo Satoru of course. Like a measly door can stop me. B-”

“Ieiri-san. S-”

“Shoko is fine.”

“Ok. Sensei sent us to wake you up. Is Kinzoku-chan awake?”

“Even if I wasn’t, I am now. Morning Geto. Ieiri.”

“I don’t get a greeting? Why how rude of you, Kinzoku-chan.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Suguru calls you that.”

Wait, Suguru?

Glancing at Geto, he just shrugs. Ok, so Gojo ignores social conventions. Shocker.

“Doesn’t matter what he calls me. What matters is that I don’t like you calling me that.”

“Ooh. I’ll call you Aya-chan then.”

“Gojo.” She grits out. “Do you want more burns to go with the previous ones?”

“I thought Sensei said that you can’t come to the girls' dorm?”

“I suppose he wants extra time away from those two.” Geto says, motioning towards Gojo and Ayara.

“Fair enough.” Ieiri hums.

“Well, let’s not keep Sensei waiting, shall we?”

Sticking close to Ieiri, or well Shoko as she asked to be called, Ayara has managed as best as she can to block out Gojo’s annoying voice.

“-these lessons will be a piece of cake…”

Yeah, let’s see if it’ll still be a piece of cake when she wipes the floor with him.

“Ok, now since all of you are here-”

“No thanks to the lazy asses who oversle…”

“-we will start with the first lesson, in which I will be evaluating your respective skills.” Sensei continues, ignoring Gojo. “So, who wants to go first?”

“I can go first. I’ll show you weaklings what true strength is.” 

Ayara scoffs, “What? Getting turned into a flaming chicken? In that case, go ahead. I’d like to see what “true strength” is.”

“You! You caught me off guard yesterday!”

“And here I thought you were strong. Seems “true strength” still falls to weaklings, yeah?”

“YOU-”

“It seems we have our first volunteers for today. Since Gojo-kun and Kinzoku-chan both seem to have some idea of what’s going on, why don’t you give the class a demonstration?” 

Geto and Shoko wisely move to the side. 

Oh, Ayara is so going to take this chance to pummel Gojo into the ground. Disguise be damned. 

“Now, no maiming, no killing and for god’s sake, Kinzoku-chan, do not set Gojo-kun on fire.”

“Hey! She played dirty last time, I wasn’t expecting it! It’ll never happen again!”

Ayara just smirks.

“Ok, get into position, Geto-kun, Ieiri-chan, watch closely. Try to spot mistakes and areas that could use improvement.”

“Like I could ever make mista-”

“Gojo, be quiet. Now remember, this is a friendly spar. Ok, start.”

Ayara immediately conjures a miniature Sun the size of a small marble, before slamming it at Gojo. It explodes in a dazzling array of light, the waves of heat radiating out from the point of detonation. 

Gojo is lucky that she didn’t make it bigger. It was really tempting. Still is very tempting. Unfortunately the consequences of killing the Gojo heir is more trouble than it's worth. Besides, it’s no fun murdering a child. She'll wait a few years for him to grow into his powers. 

For now, she’ll settle for utterly trashing him. 

“How long are you gonna stay on the floor? Oh, don’t tell me you’re tapping out already. And after all that bragging of being strong. You couldn’t even last a single second.”

“Shut the fuck up!”

He surges at her, infinity activated, blue forming on his fingertips.

It never hit. 

Ayara is dancing behind him before he can even react. A few firework displays later, and Gojo is covered head-to-toe in soot, and probably on his way to getting skin cancer too. 

“How pathetic. And you call yourself strong?” She taunts.

This is absolutely gratifying. Ayara should make bullying children a habit. She can see why Ryomen Sukuna would enjoy this. This is probably the most fun she’s had in ages.

Oh, red is flying towards her. Time to dodge.

“You miserabl- STOP RUNNING AWAY!”

“Oh please, you’re just slow. That and your aim is terrible.”

With a yell, Gojo launches himself at her, forgoing all rules of sparring etiquette.

“OKAY! Time's up! STOP! STOP!!!”

Yeah, they did not stop. In the end Gojo had to be restrained while Ayara mocked him from the side. Which probably did not help matters.

The teacher exhales one very weary breath. “Geto-kun, Ieiri-chan. Can you tell which areas could use improvements?”

Geto steps up, “Overall Gojo needs to up his reaction time. He should also think more rationally rather than defer to his emotions. A lot of his blunders came because he threw himself headfirst into his anger.”

“Geto-san, you really shouldn’t put such high hopes on children.” Ayara snickers.

Gojo blows up. 

Sensei sighs.

Ayara thinks it’s amusing how Gojo Satoru is so obviously unused to being challenged. He probably would have remained that way, if she hadn’t spontaneously decided to drop by. 

Gojo isn’t particularly powerful. Sure, he has a lot of potential, but it is just that - potential. Against any of the sorcerers in ancient times, he would’ve had his ass beat into next Tuesday. 

Of course that would probably be a different story once he unlocks the full potential of the Six Eyes and Limitless technique. 

But now, he is a child. He has much to learn, and lucky for him, Ayara can help. By thrashing him of course, but hey, one shouldn’t be picky about the type of help. 

Ayara knows that Gojo Satoru has the potential to reach her, and Ryomen Sukuna’s level. But he is far weaker than the both of them were when they were his age. Probably due to the conditions of the world he was born into. 

Currently, the world is peaceful, and while yes, his birth did boost the overall strength of cursed spirits, it doesn’t compare to the pure carnage that surrounded Ayara and Ryomen Sukuna during their early life. Ryomen Sukuna was born and bred for the battlefield, and by the age of fifteen, he had already felled entire armies. For Ayara, well, she was a female in a male-dominated society. One can imagine the bloody path she carved just to get the basic human rights that are so readily offered in this period. 

Not to mention the people. This era is sprawling with the weak. There is absolutely no one who can challenge him. Not in the way plenty of people had Ayara and Ryomen Sukuna. 

This is probably the biggest reason why Gojo Satoru’s birth introduced such a huge shift.

Just like a rock. If the waters are still, then the ripples are especially obvious. But in turbulent waters, what difference does the one rock have on the waters? The ripples sent by that rock would not be obvious at all, shadowed by other miscellaneous distractions.

So in conclusion, it is not that Gojo Satoru is the strongest per se, but that he is the strongest in the era of the weak. Or well, one of the strongest that was born in the era of the weak. And that is why his presence is so particularly prominent.

To sum it up, he isn’t a threat to Ayara.

Not that she was threatened in the first place (that would imply that she wouldn’t be able to handle him, which obviously, she can). She just wanted to make sure that history wouldn’t repeat itself. Otherwise with two Ryomen Sukunas, Ayara would have to kiss peace goodbye. Forever.

Thankfully it seems the heavens have finally decided to take mercy on her.

Chapter Text

Chapter 7

Nevermind. The heavens have not been taking mercy on her. Gojo Satoru is a menace, the biggest menace to society to ever grace this Earth, and she swears, if Gojo follows her around one more time she wil-

“Aya-chan! There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you!” Gojo chirps brightly, with the most sickeningly saccharine smile ever.

Her eye twitches.

Had she known that kicking Gojo’s ass would have resulted in an absolutely annoying overexcited six-feet-plus puppy becoming her personal shadow, then she would have never done it. Goddamnit. She really should have listened to Geto.

Speaking of Geto, he is totally wearing an expression of schadenfreude. “Guess who is right” is written all over his face.

Shoko, strolling leisurely behind Gojo, also looks extremely amused. Also, is she carrying popcorn??!

Jee thanks for the help guys. Not.

Turning around, Ayara resolutely decides to pretend that Gojo is a tree. The type of tree seen at the back of plays that no one pays any attention to. Hopefully, Gojo will get the memo and go away.

“Aya-chan! Guess what? I’ve never been able to get my technique reversal to work before. You know, Red? Yeah, that one. Buuuut, I managed to get it to work! When I was fighting you! Isn’t that great?”

Ayara can feel a migraine forming.

“-think it’s because you’re like the first person to actually pose a challenge! No one has been able to beat me before! Sure, it was kinda upsetting at first, but now I think it’s amazing! You think it’s amazing too right?!” Gojo beams. And Oh My Gosh, is that a ray of sunlight? Illuminating him??! What the heck, it is framing him like a cliché male protagonist of a shojo-anime. Frick, she’s not getting paid enough for this. Actually, she’s not getting paid at all!

“But now I can’t get it to work again. So? Cooomme oon! Let’s fight! It was super fun last time. Let's do it again! Helloooo?” Gojo bounces in front of her.

She stares at him with the most deadpan expression she could muster. “Go. Away.”

“That’s really mean. And here I thought we were friends.”

She stares at him in bewilderment. Since when were they friends?

“-fter all, we bonded! You know, during the fight? It felt amazing. We’re like a match made in heaven!” And that cuts it. Gojo definitely has some screws loose. “-You can beat me up again, it’ll feel amazing!!!” Yeah, he has a lot of screws loose. “So come on! One fight? One tiiiiiny little fight? I’ll get you whatever you want! Whenever you want! And you get to beat me up again! Isn’t that just so sweet?” Nevermind, it’s just his one single brain cell working overtime. 

“No. Now Scram.”

He pouts. He FREAKING pouted. What is he? A toddler?!

Utterly done with this situation, she turns towards Shoko, …who is eating her popcorn, looking like she’s enjoying a particularly interesting play. Ok, let’s try the other person. With a look of extreme desperation, she turns pleading eyes towards Geto. Who waves with that closed-eyed smile, and then proceeds to return to his food. Also looking like he’s deriving a lot of entertainment at her expense.

Fake friends. The both of them. 

This is the reason Ayara does not make friends. Apart from the fact that they tend to die rather quickly, there’s also other matters to consider, like the betrayal she is currently experiencing right now. 

Dragging a hand down the side of her face, she contemplates the methods of escape she can employ right now. And also any that’ll prevent other similar situations from occurring in the future. Unfortunately, short of murdering Gojo, she doesn’t think she can prevent this from happening again. 

But, she does know a method that’ll get her out of this situation, and also pretty quickly - and easily. She takes to the skies.

“HEY?! Wait what?!” Gojo’s jaw-drops, along with Geto’s and Shoko’s, as they stare up at the skies in shock, where she had disappeared into the horizon.

Kinzoku Ayara was known as Amaterasu, the Goddess of the Sun, many, many years ago. Her title, granted to her as a testament of her powers, of her conquests and achievements. A title …that is pretty misleading.

See, now Ayara’s cursed technique is sort of related to the Sun. She can manifest balls of plasma, charged with ionised atoms, energy and light. A miniature Sun equipped with electromagnetic waves and charged particles. Solar radiation, which is probably why several of her attendants had died pretty young. Or, well, within a few years of serving her. 

Anyways, she can manifest stars of various sizes, from ones as small as a dot, to the huge - well tiny by universe standards - star that covered the skies millennias ago and instantly barbequed the entire army that besieged her - and consequently the entirety of Japan and some parts of the world-, which is actually also the incident that granted her the title Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess.

She can also choose to detonate her little balls of light, either by fission reactions (like an atomic bomb) or by compressing her miniature Sun, forcing it in on itself, and then tearing itself apart once all the hydrogen’s have been consumed in the fusion reactions (kinda like a hydrogen bomb). See, inside stars, fusion reactions take place all the time, converting hydrogen into helium, and once the hydrogen depletes, and the core becomes mostly helium, it contracts under gravity becoming denser and hotter. And after the temperature reaches a certain threshold, the helium starts fusing into carbon (or iron, but we’re currently talking about carbon core so), resulting in a helium flash in which the degenerate core conditions of the star triggers a runaway fusion burst, which means an uncontrollable self-sustaining fusion process that escalates rapidly, leading to a massive release of energy before stabilising. Aka the release of massive amounts of energy (radiation) that’ll render everything within its path dead - or severely injured.

Or she can bypass that entirely and create a miniature supernova, in which the core collapses, where iron cannot fuse anymore, electron degeneracy fails - something that prevents (white dwarf) stars from further collapse -, and then a resulting explosion (supernova) that may result in a - very, very small - neutron star or black hole. 

In other words: the collapsing (iron-nickel, not carbon) core of her star rebounds, triggering a (miniature) Type II supernova, which is basically a massive, violent explosion, where the heavy elements of the ex-star are sent careening in all directions - which, again, might result in the formation of a neutron star and/or black hole. Photodisintegration.

With a touch of radioactive decay. Or well, a lot. Probably another reason why people generally don’t live very long when in close proximity with her.

The most common supernovae that she triggers however is probably Type Ia, which results in the complete destruction of her (carbon-oxygen core) star, leaving no remnants (using thermonuclear detonation). There are also Type Ib/c supernovae, but they are personally her least favourite. 

Or instead of exploding her star, she implodes it. Which has basically the same effect → her enemies die.

She hasn’t actually really tried creating a black hole before. I mean theoretically she could. But creating one would mean destroying the world, and unfortunately, she’s not sure whether she would survive that.

In simpler terms, she speeds up the fusion reaction in her tiny sun, letting them fuse from hydrogen to helium, and then carbon or iron, or whatever, and then it explodes once it becomes too much, releasing a ton of energy and heat. And radiation. But her star still radiates even when it’s not on the verge of destruction so… 

Basically her technique means she can generate fully-functioning stars that are way smaller than original stars, but still operate in the same way. Which would be impossible in all other instances as stars have to be huge. Really big if they even want to have a chance of becoming a supernova. But because it is Ayara’s cursed technique, she can make a supernova with a star the size of her nail. Pretty neat. And sparkly. Also very destructive.

But that is only one aspect of her cursed technique. Her cursed technique, which she calls the Sun and the Moon, means not only can she form stars at her fingertips, she can also form moons. So really, she should be known as the Goddess of the Sun and Moon. 

Not that she blames the people who bestowed that misleading title. Due to the inherent nature of her cursed technique, she rarely uses the Moon aspect, choosing instead to rely on the Sun aspect. After all, it’s much more logical - and time-efficient - to release a ton of energy that’ll rid a problem in a flash, rather than play Whac-A-Mole with a giant piece of rock. Not to mention forming a Sun looks way cooler than a Moon - and also a lot less messy-, which if you look closely, is just rock and ice. And maybe metal. But still, not particularly dazzling. The Moon lacks the splendid light display of the Sun. And so, due to sheer efficiency and theatrics (and also an aversion to blood and viscera), she uses the glowing ball of gas. And because of that, not many people have seen, or even know about the counterpart to her Sun technique. 

Ergo the title: Goddess of the Sun.

But how does this relate to her ability to fly?

It doesn’t.

I mean, she cannot really fly fly in the conventional sense. What she can do is subtly manipulate her own gravitational pull. Essentially reducing her own gravity to negligible, which she then pairs with small bursts of energy that lets her maneuver herself. Tada! She can fly. 

The expressions on the faces of people whenever she pulls out this trick never ceases to delight her.

Just like the faces Gojo, Geto and Shoko made.

It was pure gold.

She’ll treasure it forever. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 8

Kinzoku Ayara thinks that she was perhaps far too fast in writing Gojo Satoru off. Sure, he isn’t the second coming of Ryomen Sukuna, but what he is though, is his own unique branch of chaos. 

So while he is not Ryomen Sukuna, he is still annoying. Maybe just as annoying, but in different ways.

Where Ryomen Sukuna occasionally stumbles into her space, wreaking havoc and destruction upon her whenever he does, Gojo is literally always in her space, though less destructive and more whiny. 

Ryomen Sukuna destroys her property. Gojo Satoru destroys her sanity.

Both of them are masochists.

Why isn’t she more surprised?

And so here she is, drifting in the midnight sky, dreading her return to Jujutsu High, which she just knows will be accompanied by a cacophony of questions and destroyed peace. Peace that will probably remain non-existent for as long as Gojo lives. 

Why did she think introducing herself to the other “Strongest” would be a good idea?

She supposes she could just not return. But then that might result in a long, painful investigation that might end with Gojo busting down her front door like Ryomen Sukuna did ages before. Which would be terrible. First for her anonymity, and second for her property.

Then again Ryomen Sukuna was following traces of the legend of the Sun Goddess in search of a worthy adversary, and since that title died ages ago, and with it any traces of her footprints, Gojo won’t be able to find her that way. Not that he even knows about that.

But, Gojo is in possession of the Six Eyes, and Ayara has a distinct energy signature.

She is just starting to realise how utterly short sighted she was when she decided to enroll herself into Jujutsu High. 

And now she has the attention of Gojo Satoru. Just great. Can she get a redo button?

Trudging up the stairs of Tokyo Jujutsu High, she peeks wearily around each and every corner, making sure that Gojo Satoru wouldn’t randomly spring out of nowhere.

Nope, all clear. No Gojo in sight.

With a sigh of relief, she slips into her room, and promptly gets a heart attack. 

Where is her super-sensor radar??? Is she malfunctioning?! It SHOULDN’T be so easy for people to sneak up on her! She should have sensed them!!! Why didn’t she???? Oh my god, is she so unused to human presence, or is it that she’s spent so much time alone that her previously second-nature instinct to scan for people or surprises in her vicinity has disappeared? Does that mean if an assassin were to come, she wouldn’t notice???? Then again the chances of an assassination attempt has reached an all-time low… THAT’S THE TYPE OF MINDSET THAT GETS YOU KILLED!!! And the type of mindset that makes it so that she doesn’t notice THREE people-

“Hey, you’re back.” Geto acknowledges.

Can Ayara turn back? Yeah she’s totally turning back.

“Nope!” Gojo bounds into her personal space, wagging a finger in her face, “You’re not going anywhere.”

And that didn’t sound creepy at all. That was sarcasm by the way.

“Since when can you fly?” Shoko, still as blunt as ever. Still as straightforward and to-the-point. 

“Since forever.”

“AND YOU DIDN'T THINK TO TELL US???” Well Gojo, in case you weren’t aware, we don’t even know each other!

“You do realise that we met like two days ago? Like when school started?”

“STILL!!! That should’ve been the first thing you mentioned!”

“It was really cool. Next time though, you should give probably Sensei a warning. Especially if you’re leaving school bounds.” And Geto, still as sensible as ever. Wait, Sensei?

“You forgot, didn’t you?” Geto accurately deduces, looking at her mildly sheepish expression.

“Who cares about Sensei, she can fly! How do you do it? I mean, I can sort of do it, and I have been making progress with Limitless on that front, but I’ve never been able to do more than float for a few seconds!”

“Well maybe I’m just better than you.”

“Oh please, just watch. I’ll get it in no time.”

“Ayara, you should be happy to know that we covered for you with Sensei.” THANK YOU SHOKO!!!!

Ayara smiles, “Thanks Shoko. Geto.”

“Where’s my thanks???”

She ignores him.

Gojo did get it in no time. Ayara is almost impressed with how much he improved in just a few days. A little competition does go a long way. 

Apart from herself and Gojo, Geto too has proven his ability to “fly”. Which leads to this moment.

“I cannot believe all of you come with these ultra cool techniques that allow you to fly, while I’m here stuck on bench duty with the superpower called “healing.” Do you know how lame that is?”

“Don’t say that. Healing is important, especially in this field when injuries are guaranteed.”

“For the weak maybe.” Gojo laughs.

“I seem to remember a certain someone that paid a visit to the doctors a few days ago to address a couple burns. You don’t happen to know anything ‘bout that do you?”

Gojo flushes.

Ayara laughs.

He glares at her.

She shoots a smug look in reply.

“Yeah, only the weak need healing” 

“YOU!-”

“Why are you getting so worked up? I am agreeing with you, you know, your earlier statement-”

To the side, Geto watches with mild dismay and a touch of exasperation. Shoko, though, has decided to make herself comfortable on the ground, a safe distance away from where the fight is taking place.

And so, the following days, months and years pass like this. 

In domestic bliss.

2006

“It’s been two days and there is still no sign of Utahime Iori and Mei Mei. Your task is to check in on them, and if necessary, rescue them.”

“Figures. Of course it’s up to us to rescue the weak.”

“Satoru. That’s not nice.”

“Oh boo, lookie here, I am soooo scared of hurting the feelings of these itty bitty- oof.”

“Gojo! I expect prompt and professional work!”

“Yep!”

“Like Gojo will ever be professional.”

“Aya-chan! You’re being so mean to me right now. You’re always so mean to me. I’m gonna cry!”

Ayara cringes. 

Ewww.

Yeah, she’s not going to deign that a response.

“We’ll get to it right away.”

Yaga gives Geto a nod. “Ieiri will be coming along just in case there’s an emergency.”

And so they all set off. To retrieve their hopefully alive Senpais.

“Aya! Wanna race?”

She ignores him.

Like always.

“Suguru, are we going the right way?”

“Yeah. Relax, we won’t get lost.”

“Aya-chan! Why do you call him Suguru, while I’m still Gojo?”

“Take a guess.”

“I don’t wanna guess! I wanna know! It’s not that hard. See, Sa-to-ru. Now say it after me! Sa-to-”

Ayara blasts him to the other side.

Predictably it only excites him.

“That was lame. Is that the best you can do? Come on! I know you can do- oof!”

To the side, Shoko and Geto stand nicely out of the way.

“How likely will we make it in time?” Shoko remarks dryly.

Geto smiles wryly, “In time. Hopefully.”

They exchange an utterly exasperated look.

“I’m blaming Satoru.”

“That’s fair. But Ayara’s not without blame.”

“Her only problem is her temper.”

“And Satoru cannot keep his mouth shut. It’s the biggest part of his personality.”

“That’s why I’m blaming him.”

“Isn’t that unfair?”

Shoko shrugs, “Girl code.”

Geto just hums in reply.

“Guys. Keep Gojo away from me, otherwise I won’t be blamed for manslaughter.”

“Aya!!! How could you say that? Besides, you'd miss me too much.”

“Seems you finally admit your inferiority.”

“What do you mean?”

“You didn’t refute the fact that I can kill you.”

“Oh please, it’s because it’s so obvious that you can't, that I didn’t bother refuting. But to debunk your delusions, you can’t kill me.”

“Big words for a loser.”

“Loser?! I won last time!”

“I think you hit your head so hard that you started hallucinating.”

“Please, like these Six Eyes won’t let me know the difference between reality and fiction.”

“Obviously you need to get them checked.”

“OK! We’re here! So please dial back the argument!”

The four of them stand in front of the mansion.

“My, that’s an interesting barrier. Who wants to do the honors?”

“Since you’ve been bragging about your supposed victory, I’ll leave the honors to you.”

“Scared Aya-chan?”

“If you can’t do it, just say so. I’ll do it for you. After all, the strong should look out for the weak.”

“Unnecessary.” 

With that said, Gojo collapses the whole building.

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...Satoru, we’re on a rescue mission.”

“Oops.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 9

“I’m here to save you, Utahime!”

Ayara physically cringes.

Did he have to drag out the words?

Why couldn’t he have said it in a normal way?

Oh right, because he’s Gojo Satoru and the biggest thorn in everyone’s side.

As expected, Utahime blows a fuse, delicate features twisting in absolute rage. Then again, if someone announces that they are here to rescue you, then asks “are you crying?” in that mocking tone and then proceed to say to another person - your partner - “you wouldn’t cry because you’re strong,” then, yes. Ayara can see why one would burn with fury.

“Gojo! You listen here! I don’t need your hel-” Utahime glances backward, pupils shrinking at the huge curse that springs out from the wreckage. 

It’s so sad how quickly she is forced to eat her words. 

This is why it is better to be strong. That way you won’t need to rely on people like Gojo Satoru.

“Satoru, it’s not nice to pick on the weak.” Suguru chimes in, voice velvety and laced with amusement, his own, bigger curse taking care of the other one. A marginally better option to being saved by Gojo. 

“What kind of idiot picks on the strong?” 

“You, duh.” Ayara sneers. 

Gojo freezes, cocking his head to the side before the realisation clicks in that he, in fact, does like to pick on her, who is stronger than him.

“Utahime-senpai.” Shoko’s sweet, almost sleepy voice drawls out.

Utahime brightens up immediately. Ayara would say that she is jealous of how fond her upperclassmen is of Shoko, if it isn’t for the fact that she herself sometimes picks on her. 

She can’t help it. Utahime is really fun to tease. 

The one thing she and Gojo can agree on. 

Reunions aside, she has other matters to take care of so, “I’m leaving. Bye.”

“Oi!” Gojo shouts. “No fair! We h-”

Too late. She is already gone.

She has been wondering for quite some time now, when would be a good time for her to disappear?

Her research is done, her dip into modern society should be coming to an end, so all that is left is non-suspicious fading out of view, and also the disentangling of the sticky threads of Gojo. Because he, no matter how juvenile he currently is, will grow, and she really does not want a repeat of mature Ryomen Sukuna and being chased through regions.

She values peace.

And Gojo is everything but that. 

Jujutsu society is anything but.

(She’s been hearing some whispering, stirring that might have something to do with an old acquaintance.) 

The world is shifting, something is hovering in the horizon.

She can feel it. 

All this contemplation is making her hungry. And so, she makes sure to stop by a Takoyaki stand. 

“Here it is, miss.” The elderly owner smiles, one that she eagerly mirrors.

The first bite is delicious. Warm, crispy on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside. The perfect seafood mesh.

“Hey! That’s- Kinzoku-senpai!” A joyful call rings out.

Ayara’s head snaps up, her senses honing in on the familiar energy of the first years. “Haibara-kun. Nanami-kun. Are you also here for some late-afternoon snack?”

“Yeah! We were just wandering around when we saw you!” Haibara beams, bounding up to her. “Is it good?”

“Exquisite.” She replies.

“Great! I’ll get some too. Hey boss! Can you make us some?”

“Sure thing!” 

Nanami chews carefully, facial muscles relaxing in subtle satisfaction. 

Ayara grins. “It’s good, isn’t it.”

“Of course!” Haibara laughs.

“Senpai. I thought you were on a mission with…” Nanami drifts off.

“Yeah. We found Utahime and Mei Mei.”

Nanami stares judgementally at her. 

Okay, so maybe it wasn’t the most responsible thing to do, but…

“They should be back then?” Haibara says between munches, happily oblivious. 

“Yeah, probably. If Gojo doesn’t get up to anything.”

Nanami snorts softly at that. 

Their return to the school brings about a whirlwind of indignation courtesy of the one and only immature brat. 

“I cannot believe you ditched me!” Gojo screeches, throwing himself dramatically over Ayara, making her stumble under the weight of the six-foot-plus puppy. “For them!” He continues, fake-weeping as he points accusingly at a lost Haibara and an unimpressed Nanami.

Ayara would be yelling at him to get off, but her past experiences already tell her that it would do nothing.

“We got lectured.” Suguru adds, sidling up to them. “Yaga’s pissed.”

Yaga. 

Oh. 

Right. 

She forgot about him.

“Well, I’m going to bed so you can t-”

“Not so fast!” Speak of the devil and he shall appear. 

Gojo finally lets her go. Of course, as is the case with the misfortune she has often been subjected to during this outing of hers, this release is met with abandonment.

Of Suguru, Nanami and Haibara.

This is why friends are useless!

“Kinzoku.” Yaga glares down at her. “Where have you been?”

If she responds with ‘I was hungry,’ how deep would her grave be?

Metaphorically of course. It’s not like anyone here can land an actual hit on her.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about Sensei. I got lost.”

“...don’t do it again.”

And that is lesson one-o-one on how to not get in trouble. 

“You missed out on quite a lot.” Suguru says, popping open the cap to his drink.

“Oh?”

“Yes. For one, me and Satoru are assigned a mission.”

“When are you not?”

“This one is different. It’s for Tengen.”

Ayara stills. 

Tengen. Six eyes. Star Plasma Vessel. Is it that time now?

“We’re heading out soon.”

“Great.” 

There is no way Kenjaku wouldn’t take this chance to mess around. Though maybe he wouldn’t need to act. There are plenty of other fries who could do it for him. She knows, from a historical aspect, how many people are against the merger. 

How many enemies Tengen truly has.

She supposes it’s the side effect of being ancient. Even her, with her ‘pacifist’ approach has seen the arrival of many adversaries. 

People who try everything they can to obstruct her. 

(Is this the reason behind the unease?)

“Good luck.” She clinks her bottle against his. “Do get back soon.”

Nightfall sees an apparition gliding through the corridors of Jujutsu Tech, dipping into shadows, unencumbered by the veil of darkness. 

Ayara pauses, her energy flaring briefly to life as she disturbs the barrier shielding Tengen from her. 

It is a courtesy after all, to knock before entry.

And Ayara is anything but uncultured.

For the first time in nearly a year, her eyes are freed from the constraints of her blindfold. 

She’s almost forgotten how it feels to see. 

Through sight. 

“Amaterasu.” Comes the echoing, rasping voice of her dear friend.

“Tengen.” She hums, scanning the layers after layers of barriers, arrays set into the earth. “Will you grant me an audience?”

A pause.

Then the world shifts. 

She finds herself standing in a dimly-lit traditional-style room, reminiscent of the past, languid days where she would 'chill' with the rest of the ‘gang.’

“How nostalgic.” She comments. “Feeling that old age wistfulness?”

“You look as beautiful as ever. Even time flees at the sight of you.” Tengen sighs, materialising into view.

“And you look…” Old is an understatement. Fossilised is more accurate. “I suppose this is why you want the Star Plasma Vessel?”

“More like the time has come.”

Theatrical as ever. If anything, what each of them are guilty of is their dramatic streak. Something even Tengen is not exempt from.

Something she isn’t exempt from. Though she has been moving away from that. No more lavish tea parties, faithful aides and mountain shrines. Though she does have a mountain villa. Flashy is the way to go, except when trying to keep a low profile, which is something she has succeeded in in the past few centuries, so maybe her reformation was a success. 

“Not going to offer me anything?”

“Nope.” Tengen cheerily replies, not at all abashed.

Well, looks like social etiquette has been washed away along with good looks.

“I know you feel it too.” Ayara gets straight to the point, knowing there is no use dallying any further.

“Hm…” Tengen reclines back, as much as her ancient shell allows her to. “Six Eyes users have always been accompanied by-”

“This is different.”

A sentiment Tengen agrees with, gleaning from her tight expression. Finally, she shakes her head. “Amaterasu. Is there a reason you have left seclusion?”

Ayara shrugs. “I was bored. You’re not going to tell anyone, right?”

“No. I haven’t in the past, so I won’t now.”

“Even though Kenjaku is almost certainly planning something?”

“Yes. We’re old,” Tengen’s eyes glimmer, melancholy settling in their depths, “And for better or worse, we’re not a part of the world anymore. Not in the way we were in our youth.”

“Tell that to Ken the parasite.” 

“How… mean.”

“It’s the truth.”

“Are you still holding the grudge?”

“Of course.” Ayara scoffs. “Him and Ryomen Sukuna, that god-blasted vermin.”

If she meets Kenjaku again…

Well, let’s just say there is a reason why Kenny has been keeping a low profile. 

“I will ask a question. Whose side will the Sun Goddess take?”

A smirk crawls across her face, a silver and a golden eye shining brilliantly. “Who says I will take a side? Imagine how tedious that would be.”

Ayara has always been on one side, and one side only.

Her own.

“Very well.” Tengen whispers. “I hope not to see you on the opposing side, dear friend.”

“I have a question for you.” Ayara’s pitch comes out low, dark. “Do you truly side with humanity?”

Protect the world? Don’t make her laugh. Coasting through the rise and fall of dynasties, the stupidity and mindless cruelty. 

“You have changed.”

Ayara stares, slightly taken aback. “No, I haven’t.”

She's eternal.

Always was, always will. 

Perfection cloaked in human form. 

(But she's forgotten, it was Tengen who was her constant companion, overtaking even Kenjaku who had, at one point, been her closest confidant. But that was more than a millennium ago, and one's memory tends to blur with time. Or maybe it wasn't the fault of time, but rather-)