fics I read

From the very first day of her lessons with the Gojo Clan, Shiki had been informed of exactly what her lessons were meant for, in no uncertain terms.

It is the solemn duty of a sorcerer to fight and exorcise curses.

In this moment, her mind remains calm, pulse unbothered. Maybe she shouldn't be as wholly unmoved as she is, but it's hard to dredge up fear in face of something that she knows is dead and dying, even despite the grotesque appearance of the monster before her.

(… She's seen worse.)

The cat-curse screams. It's a blood-curling, bone-chilling shriek, one that escapes its throat the very instant that Shiki's hairpin cuts through the red lines on its body. There's no resistance at all, just one clean, smooth swing. The curse collapses in on itself –literally. Its monstrous form instantly loses cohesion and dissipates into a fine black mist, then vanishes entirely without a trace.

Shiki lowers her arm and eyes her hairpin. It looks clean, she supposes. And the accessory is wholly undamaged, too, so it's definitely still usable. Except Shiki isn't so good at putting her hair up by herself, especially not with her hair the long length that it currently is. Would it be considered rude to walk around the Kamo compound with a messy hairstyle? Or would it be ruder to walk around with her hair down? … Does it really even matter if Shiki is being rude or not?

"I-I apologize for my earlier lapse… are you alright?"

Shiki blinks, startled out of her thoughts.

"I'm perfectly fine, Kamo-san," she looks up and reassures the young boy who approaches her slowly. Kamo Noritoshi seems both relieved and uneasy, which is a little confusing. The curse is dead. Shouldn't he be relieved and happy, or something?

… Unless he was unhappy that Shiki exorcised the curse, when he had previously asked for her to stand aside. Ah, was it considered rude to exorcise a curse on your own when you were in another clan's compound? But it had practically been right on top of her! Which had narrowed Shiki's options for dealing with it considerably. She doesn't think that any reasonable blame can be placed at her feet for choosing the one option that wouldn't end up with her being crushed underfoot. Shiki doesn't even want to think about what the Gojo elders' reactions would be if she ended up in the hospital again.

Speaking of which, "Is there anything we should do for Nobutomo-san?"

Shiki gestures vaguely at the unconscious Kamo Nobutomo-san slumped over at the other end of the destroyed corridor. All this time with a curse rampaging around, and he still hasn't stirred. For someone who was the heir to the Kamo Clan, she would've thought that at least–

No, it's probably not Shiki's place to comment on something that is likely deeply entwined with the internal politics of another clan. All things considered, there was most likely a lot more involved in the qualifications to being named clan heir than just strength, anyways. It's not as if Nobutomo-san's shortcomings in fighting curses have anything to do with Shiki in the first place. She can pretend to be politely oblivious.

Kamo Noritoshi-san approaches the unconscious boy and bites his lip, carefully looking him over.

"We should call the healers," he murmurs. Then flushes, swiftly backtracking to correct himself, "I-I will call the healers! Please excuse me, I'll just be–"

"Just what happened here?"

The new voice that easily drowns out the boy's words is steely, authoritative. Shiki turns around, only to be met with the sight of a tall, frowning man. The new arrival clicks his tongue, eyes sweeping over the scene with disapproval –and freezes. His eyes snap back to her and she can see him stiffen, as his mind registers the sight of a little white-haired girl standing wholly unharmed and untouched next to the two Kamo boys, who are both injured and bleeding.

… Should she be concerned about this? Shiki doesn't think that she did anything wrong, given the unexpected situation, but at a glance this probably doesn't look so good.

"Shiroshichi-sensei," Noritoshi-san breathes, turning. Then stumbles, when the motion tugs a little too hard at his injury. The bloody gash on his side paints a dark stain against the black cloth of his training clothes. "T-there was… a curse must have broken out of the cages somehow. I was on my way to the training grounds when it attacked, and… Nobutomo-sama was injured when it appeared. Then I… I… Gojo-san exorcised it."

The stern man slowly turns his attention towards Shiki instead, who stands her ground and stares back at him impassively. He is only able to hold her gaze for a brief moment, before looking aside.

Good instincts, Shiki thinks.

"… So you were the one to kill it, then?" The man sighs tiredly and raises a hand to his face, pinching the bridge of his nose in a well-practiced motion. "I don't even… I sincerely apologize that you've had to deal with this mess. It's unbecoming of the Kamo Clan to embarrass ourselves in such a manner before a… distinguished guest. Your presence here is quite the surprise, but nonetheless it is an honor to meet the Gojo Clan's newest blessed child."

With that, the man steps back and executes a curt, polite bow.

"Kamo Shiroshichi, current captain of the Kamo Clan's Defense Squad," he introduces himself.

"Gojo Shiki," the young girl responds simply. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine," Kamo Shiroshichi-san straightens. "Now. I apologize that you were not shown the proper hospitality as befitting a guest of your status. Had the Kamo known of your arrival, we would've made the proper greetings and arrangements."

Shiki blinks.

"That's… interesting, since I was invited here by the Kamo Clan," she says slowly. But judging by Shiroshichi-san's words, by the clear surprise he'd shown upon spotting her here, evidently her presence came as a shock to him. That didn't make any sense, though. Shiki had seen the invitation herself. She thinks about the oddities she'd noticed ever since stepping foot into the Kamo clan compound, the secluded path Kansuke-san had taken, and the way the esteemed Lady had been almost eager to send Shiki off with her son. There is definitely something wrong about all of this. "Kamo Matsuhime-sama should still be meeting with Gojo Kansuke and Gojo Ima."

The man's eyes widen, then narrow in realization. "… I see. That's… quite in-character of Matsuhime-sama, I suppose, even if this behavior is certainly unbecoming of a lady of her station."

His tone as he speaks of Lady Kamo Matsuhime is clearly dissatisfied, reproving. To speak of the Lady in such a manner, and so openly…

"Noritoshi." The boy in question jumps a little, as Shiroshichi-san suddenly turns to address him. "Please guide Gojo-san to the main reception hall, as proper for receiving such guests of the clan. I will see to it that Matsuhime-sama is informed of this change in reception for our Gojo Clan guests."

"Yes, sir," Noritoshi-san nods, then hesitates. "Ah, um… we should call a healer for Nobutomo-sama first, shouldn't we? He's still bleeding, and–"

"No need to worry about that," Shiroshichi-san waves a hand. "Healers are already on the way. It's nothing serious."

Shiki still might not know much about the nuances of living with a clan, but… is that really any way to be treating the clan heir? The clan heir who is currently injured and unconscious, even? … Isn't Shiroshichi-san being a little too flippant about this?

"Nothing serious…?" Noritoshi-san sounds like he's thrown for a loop by Shiroshichi-san's wholly unconcerned response as well, so it clearly isn't just Shiki here. "B-but he's unconscious! That curse threw him into the wall, if he has a head injury then he should be treated for it as swiftly as–"

"There's nothing for you to worry about," Shiroshichi-san repeats, and shakes his head. Then, with a slightly raised voice, "Besides, isn't it embarrassing, for the heir-presumptive of the Kamo Clan to be taken out by a low-level curse in a single blow? Better to remain unconscious until the healers arrive, than to face the consequences of such shameful weakness."

"What…?"

Shiki turns slightly. Notes the way the 'unconscious' Nobutomo-san twitches, the way his fingers curl in on themselves ever so slightly, the way his jaw clenches, before all smoothing out into nothing.

Politely oblivious, Shiki reminds herself.

Noritoshi-san's gaze darts from Shiroshichi-san, who seems wholly unamused, to Nobutomo-san, who continues playing possum. It takes a long moment before the implication of Shiroshichi-san's words finally clicks in the young boy's mind, and his eyes widen in realization.

"Guide Gojo-san to the main reception hall please, Noritoshi," the man says again, sighing. "… And see a healer yourself for your injury afterwards. Don't worry about anything else, I'll take care of the rest."

.

.

The Kamo Clan's main reception hall, as it turns out, is much larger than the room that Kamo Matsuhime-sama had received them in. Spacious and well-lit, finely decorated. It aligns a lot better with the mental image of what Shiki had envisioned for a 'visit,' much more so than whatever had been going on with Matsuhime-sama.

There's a pleasant smile on the aforementioned lady's face as she sweeps into the room, but the expression on her face does not match the light in her eyes in the least. Kansuke-san enters the room a half step behind her with a slightly strained smile. It's Ima-san behind them who catches Shiki's attention, though, because in the short span of time that she's left the woman's side it appears as if Ima-san has aged an additional ten years.

… Okay, so she's exaggerating a bit here. But Ima-san looks ever so tired, and there is a marked gap of space between her and Kansuke-san as they enter the room one after another. Shiki gets the impression that, whatever the adults had discussed while she'd been out of the room –it probably hadn't gone well for Ima-san.

Matsuhime-sama reaches the front of the room and turns, silken robes flaring out in a circle around her from the graceful motion.

"This is entirely unnecessary," she says flatly. "It's merely an informal visit, a child greeting her elders as appropriate–"

"I respectfully disagree, Matsuhime. Gojo Shiki does not visit us as just another daughter of the Gojo Clan, and as such, certain formalities must be kept. The main reception hall is proper and fitting for welcoming such guests –not a private invitation to the sealed rooms of your own chambers."

Shiki catches sight of the way Matsuhime-sama's lip curls, before it's quickly hidden as the lady snaps open her fan once more. "… Elder Shino."

It's a wizened, elderly man who enters the room, flanked by several other men. Although his back is hunched, his movements are still nimble. And from the shrewd light in his eyes, it's clear to see that his mind is sharp as well.

"Greetings, esteemed visitors from the Gojo Clan." Elder Shino's gaze sweeps over them, lingering for a moment on Shiki, before moving on. "… Gojo Kansuke. It has been quite some time since your last visit to us. How is Kikuhime?"

Kansuke-san bows stiffly upon being addressed directly by the Kamo elder. "My honored mother is well, and expresses her regrets that she could not join us for this visit today. She will be glad to know that such a respected elder as yourself has asked after her well-being."

The old man snorts, "Hah! Kikuhime has always had a clever tongue even as a young girl, and I see that her son is no different from her. But she would do well to remember that the matters of the Kamo Clan are no longer her concern. Nor were they ever yours to begin with, Gojo Kansuke."

Kansuke-san hesitates. "… With all due respect, Shino-sama, I do not understand what you're referring to."

"No. I think you understand exactly what I'm saying," the elder shakes his head. "Shiroshichi has already informed me of the situation. Your loyalty to your mother's line is admirable, I suppose, but you are a Gojo. You may have enjoyed certain privileges here in the past, simply by virtue of being Kikuhime's beloved son, but you are not a Kamo. Do not overreach yourself in matters that do not involve you. This is your only warning."

There's not one note of intimidation in the old man's voice, but Kansuke-san stiffens regardless.

"Elder Shino," Kamo Matsuhime's voice is soft and silken, "This esteemed lady believes that you misunderstand. The presence of these honored guests is merely a simple visit at this lady's personal request. Kansuke has done nothing worth such reprimands from your–"

"You do your sister no favors, asking such things of her son," Elder Shino cuts the woman off brusquely. "You know the close eye that the Gojo Clan is keeping on this child. A new ocular jujutsu! You are a fool to believe that you would get away cleanly with spiriting the girl away like this. And all for the sake of that undeserving son of yours?"

The woman's fingers tighten on her fan. "Watch your words, elder. Nobutomo-kun is still heir to the Kamo Clan. With the Gojo Clan's support, his place will be secured."

There is a brief lull in the air once the words leave her mouth. Going by the multiple frowns and narrowed eyes from the other Kamo clansmen flanking Elder Shino… they do not approve of what Kamo Matsuhime is saying.

… Shiki thinks that she's finally starting to understand what's going on, a little bit. It seems that Nobutomo-san's status as heir is shaky, and the lady thinks that 'cultivating closer relations' to the Gojo Clan will be enough to cement her son's position. Which somehow involved Shiki, and so she got Kansuke-san to bring her over to the Kamo Clan for a 'harmless visit.'

"Gojo Kansuke does not represent the will of the Gojo Clan," Elder Shino says. "And the Kamo Clan does not bow to the whims of the Gojo Clan, either. You think that arranging a betrothal between your son and a blessed child of the Gojo bloodline will change anything? Foolish –utterly foolish!"

Betrothal? … What?

Startled, Shiki automatically glances towards Ima-san, who remains tight-lipped and silent. To the side, Kansuke-san has gone pale. As for Matsuhime-sama, there are two spots of red high on her flushed cheeks, and it's unclear whether this is the result of anger or embarrassment.

"This lady may be a fool, but at least she knows to keep to the traditions of the clan," she hisses. "You? You and the other elders would deprive this lady's firstborn son of his birthright and see a bastard child lead the Kamo Clan instead! Have you no shame?"

"The Kamo Clan reigns as one of the undisputed pillars of jujutsu society," Elder Shino responds steadily. "We require a clan head with the strength to lead us, Matsuhime. Your son can barely see curses, and has inherited no technique. He couldn't even defend himself from a low-grade curse! How can someone like that possibly protect and lead the clan in the future?"

"… So it was you." The lady's eyes widen in sudden realization, then narrow in righteous fury. "You set that filthy curse on Nobutomo earlier! How dare you!"

"Please do not level such heavy, baseless accusations, Lady Matsuhime. What happened earlier was merely an unfortunate accident. One of the servants was careless and allowed a binding seal to unravel while transporting curses intended for training purposes." The old man pauses for a moment. Then, softly, "… It's not as if this is the first time such an accident has occurred, even. Where is the patience and understanding you once showed when Noritoshi-kun was severely injured by such wayward curses?"

Kamo Matsuhime's lips thin into a tight line. "… You dare compare a filthy harlot's son to the rightful clan heir?"

"Noritoshi-kun has inherited the Blood Manipulation technique. Nobutomo-kun has not," the elder says simply. "In fact, none of your sons have shown signs of any techniques, Matsuhime. I assure you, this would be a very different conversation otherwise."

The lady laughs sharply, a scornful sound. "Technique? There is more to being the Clan Head than simply possessing a cursed technique!"

"Indeed," Elder Shino acknowledges. "But without a cursed technique, one cannot possibly be qualified to become Head of the Kamo Clan in the first place. You know this, Matsuhime."

"All you elders care about are cursed techniques!" Kamo Matsuhime swivels around, pivoting. Kansuke-san takes a step back and Ima-san flinches, but Shiki remains unmoved. The lady's lips curl into a satisfied, triumphant smile even as the little girl looks back at her placidly. "… Well, this lady has found one for her son. The child's guardian has already been convinced that such an arrangement would be in the best interests of all parties involved. Gojo Shiki will be wed to Kamo Nobutomo once she is of age, and then none will be able to dispute his position!"

… What?

Shiki instinctively glances towards Ima-san. Ima-san, who is very fixedly not looking in her direction, head bowed and fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turn white. Her reaction does not reassure Shiki in the least, and only confirms the truth of Kamo Matsuhime-sama's words in this moment.

Betrothal? Wedding? With Kamo Nobutomo-san, who she's only just met today?

… Shiki doesn't like the idea of it. The haughtiness in the older boy's mannerisms, the way he had treated Noritoshi-san… Shiki doesn't like any of what she's seen. But more than simply disliking Nobutomo-san on a personal note, Shiki does not like how such a decision has apparently been made for her. She hadn't even known what was going on! Hadn't known what was going on from the very start, and just assumed that none of this really had anything to do with her. The girl had thought that the Kamo Clan was only just interested in her eyes like the Gojo Clan–

And now, this.

Marriage is still a far-off concept for her that she can't quite properly grasp, but Shiki knows that her mother and father had loved each other dearly, and that was why they married each other. Not… this.

The Gojo Clan at least claimed to have her best interests at heart. The Kamo Clan –or rather, Kamo Matsuhime– was patently obvious about her intentions to use Shiki as a tool to solidify her son's position within the clan. And Shiki wants no part of it.

But what can she do? What can she do about this? Shiki is uncomfortably aware that, as her guardian, Ima-san has an extraordinary degree of control over her. She just hadn't thought that it also extended to… well, that doesn't really matter at the moment. Right here, right now, Shiki needs to make it clear that she is not interested in any further involvement with the Kamo Clan. Not that she had any interest to start with in the first place. She has no interest in any of the Clan Drama that she's unwillingly borne witness to today. Shiki does not care who the Kamo Clan chooses as their heir. She just wants them to leave her out of it!

But how to go about enforcing that? If it were Satoru-oniichan…

… Shiki doesn't think Kansuke-san would've dared to try pulling something like this in the first place. Because Satoru-oniichan is strong, right? The strongest, her blue-eyed cousin had said to her with a playful smile and wink.

Shiki isn't strong. Someday, maybe, she will be. But not now. Not yet. Right now, Shiki is still weak and depending on the Gojo Clan to protect her, and today she learns that not everyone in the Gojo Clan will protect her.

Somehow, that's not particularly surprising. Looking up towards Ima-san one last time, Shiki wonders if she should be disappointed. But is it even possible to be disappointed by someone if you've never truly expected anything of them from the start?

"… It matters not, Lady Matsuhime. The Kamo Clan will not accept a Clan Head who does not possess a cursed technique. Your efforts are futile, in the end."

"That is not for you to decide, Elder Shino," the woman replies loftily. She walks forward until she is directly in front of Shiki, then crouches down in front of her. Close enough that Shiki can easily reach out and touch those shimmering red lines scored across her body if she wanted to, and for a moment Shiki gives serious consideration as to whether or not she should. Unlike Shiroshichi-san, who'd taken one look at Shiki and understood that there was something wrong with her eyes, Matsuhime-sama clearly has no such sense of self-preservation.

The beautiful lady smiles indulgently at her, "Rest assured that you would be treated well in the Kamo Clan, Tobiume child. So long as you support Nobutomo-kun… you understand, don't you?"

Something in Shiki's mind clicks and neatly slots into place.

In this instant, the little girl abruptly realizes how to make it perfectly clear that she would be very happy with never visiting the Kamo Clan again in the future.

"No. I don't understand," she tilts her head. "Why would I marry someone weaker than me?"

…

The silence in the room that follows is deafening.

.

.

"… You really should've known better than to say such a thing, Shiki."

Outside the car windows, the scenery flashes by in a blur. After Shiki's careless declaration… suffice to say, the meeting had fallen apart in short order after that. She's sure that there will be more to the fallout of Kamo Matsuhime's machinations and the Kamo elders' plotting that went over her head, but none of that has anything to do with Shiki anymore.

It shouldn't have had anything to do with her in the first place.

"And you? You said nothing," Shiki refuses to look at Ima-san. The first words that the woman has spoken since leaving the Kamo clan compound, and it's to reprimand Shiki for her behavior. She continues staring steadily out the window. "… So I had to. No one else was going to."

In the passenger's seat towards the front, Kansuke-san shifts uneasily but offers nothing in his own defense.

"I…" Ima-san's voice falters. "I'm… sorry, Shiki. There's nothing that I… with my lacking cursed energy, my abilities, I… there was absolutely nothing that I could've possibly resisted with, when Kamo-sama asked and I… What would you have had me do in such a situation, niece of mine?"

Shiki can guess what the woman is referring to. Can only imagine the pressure that Ima-san would've been under, facing down Kamo Matsuhime and Gojo Kansuke at the same time. It's not so surprising that she capitulated to their demands, in the end. But even so, she…

"I don't know," the girl finally says. But in her mind she thinks, Kento-ojichan wouldn't have done something like this. Ever.

… She wants to see Kento-ojichan.

The sudden urge strikes her, and she wants–

"Shiki? Shiki, please listen to me. I really–"

"Please don't talk to me right now, Ima-san." Shiki presses her forehead against the cool glass of the car window and closes her eyes.

The rest of the car ride back to the Gojo Clan passes in silence.

.

.

…

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