Chapter Text
It’s not normal for sorcerers to acquire additional cursed techniques after they have already manifested one from when they were younger. Usually, their abilities are innate, and most likely related to the lineage into which they were born; while some have otherwise different techniques from what their families are known for.
Take the three most prestigious clans in the whole jujutsu world, for instance: the Zen’in clan which were granted the ten shadows technique; the Kamo clan and their blood manipulation technique; and the Gojo clan with, probably the most complex ability to exist, the six eyes and limitless. There have been other esteemed families who are able to pass down their own respective techniques, but they are quite rare.
Utahime Iori, on the other hand, had zero connection with these so-called "great" families. But she was bestowed a gift—or a curse—that would either make her one of the greatest weapons that could rival the six eyes and the limitless of the Gojo clan, or pose as one of the greatest threats to society.
She was just a shrine maiden who had no outstanding cursed power of her own. Then she became a normal semi-grade 1 jujutsu sorcerer whose original cursed technique allows her to control the mood and emotions of everything around her through her voice. She could also feel these emotions naturally without using as much cursed energy to tire her out.
Her technique was not deadly or very useful in combats but it can make the greatest difference if the right timing was achieved. The only downside to her power is that it uses a lot of time in preparation. That was why she was, until now, only a semi-grade 1 sorcerer and not above. And as much as she wanted it, her chance for another promotion had gone down the drain.
She was a normal jujutsu sorcerer not until one tragic mission made her one of the most dangerous persons to ever exist. One fateful encounter with a special grade had earned her another lethal technique that was considered as forbidden from times past. Her potential became immeasurable, and her power unknown. For some reason, instead of trying to understand and learn more about her potential, the ones above them decided that she should no longer be allowed to roam the earth-- and immediately ordered for her to be killed.
That being the case, with Utahime's hands being restrained at the back of a chair, she's suddenly on the verge of getting executed at the hands of the strongest jujutsu sorcerer alive.
Gojo Satoru -- The man who was ordered to end her life, but did absolutely quite the opposite.
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“What? ”Utahime’s brows creased in disbelief. He was incredulous, to say the least. What he proposed was so absurd to the point that she thought her mind was playing tricks on her.
“Let’s get married.” Gojo repeated his words from earlier.
Utahime tried to read his emotions to know if he was just kidding, but unfortunately, she felt nothing coming from him. Gojo was always an expert at concealing his emotions in her presence. They have known each other for over a decade, so she was not at all surprised to know that he had learned to block them from her throughout those years. After all, it had already been such a long time.
What actually surprised her the most was the fact that he could utter those words without a hint of emotion flowing from him. It felt as if he was only obligated to say those words like he was following an order, and somehow it made her wonder what else he was hiding from her. Or if there really was a catch.
Of course there is. He probably won’t make such a ridiculous suggestion without a hidden agenda in store.
“We don’t know what you’re still capable of. Either you will be an asset or a burden in the future. The former will let you live, but the latter is immediate death.” He pressed his lips together at his last statement.
See?
He’s right, though. Even Utahime herself had no idea to what extent the power she was vested with would bring about: was it a blessing or a destruction? She was scared to think about the possibilities.
The first time she realized she had this ability, she was not sure if it was real or if it was just her imagination. They were on a mission to exorcise a special grade, and she was together with a few fellow sorcerers when something unexpected, one that was not in the information they were given, happened.
It became a bloody fight when some of her colleagues wound up lifeless or severely injured. Seeing her comrades in such a state woke up something within her at that moment. Utahime had gathered all of her remaining strength and faced off with the cursed spirit alone. Even though she knew that she did not have the ability to do it, she still tried. In the end, she was not able to finish it off.
Utahime had been so worn out that she thought of giving up. With these thoughts in her fragile mind, she readied herself as the cursed spirit she was fighting with launched its final attack, but something unimaginable transpired that made Utahime somehow survive the fight. Little did she know that her survival would turn the peaceful life she once had into chaos.
She shook her head, trying to get those memories out of her mind. Thinking about it made her blood boil with rage because she knew that it was not just a coincidence that she was given such a task. She thought about it for days, and when she had mustered the nerve to ask the people she was with on that mission, the pieces finally came together. And she was not at all impressed.
Utahime had likewise made an effort to understand more about what took place and asked one person who she thought might be able to help her, but it turned out that he was on the opposite side, hence this execution.
She had imagined some other sorcerer carrying out her death sentence, but to her utmost surprise, this man in front of her appeared. If she were being honest, she’d say that she was somehow relieved that it was Gojo Satoru who’d bring about her end. She guessed that familiarity with him played a big role in that. And as difficult as it is to say, she trusted him. She trusted him enough to feel comforted by the fact that she would die in his hands. As twisted as it sounds,.
But then the same man who she thought would end her life stunned her with something entirely different. She was as shocked as when she first found out about what she was capable of when Gojo Satoru asked for her hand in marriage. What could be more preposterous than that?
Utahime was brought back to the present when Gojo continued to speak.
"TThe old hags want you dead, but I personally think we can still use you, or rather, use your newfound powers, for whatever purpose they may serve in the future.” Gojo folded his arms over the back of the chair he was sitting on backwards and smirked at her. “And if you agree to marry me, not only will your execution be suspended for the mean time, but you’ll also be under the protection of the strongest sorcerer alive. Me.”
She bit her lower lip, and anxiety rushed through her system, making her heart beat unsteadily.
Gojo sighed and spoke in a soft voice, which was unusual coming from him. “The higher-ups are scared of you and of what you can do; that’s why they wanted your death.”
Utahime tilted her head with narrowed eyes. She understood as much. But what she couldn’t comprehend was why he was willing to take such a risk.
“Why?”
Gojo raised his brows. “Why what? ”
“Why are you doing this? ”
He paused, like he was thinking about how to answer her question.
“This is not a negotiation.” He settled for this explanation. “If you want to live, accept my offer.”
He leaned back, his face serious again, and stretched his long arms all the way while his fingers gripped the chair tightly, turning his knuckles white.
Utahime stared at the ceiling, and it just dawned on her where they were. The execution room under the Tokyo Metropolitan Magic Technical College was still as creepy and confined as before. There were neither windows nor doors, but only hundreds, if not thousands, of talismans plastered all around to seal the room and trap them from the outside. Across from where she was restrained was Gojo Satoru, his hair as white as sheets and his blindfold covering his eyes. The same eyes she could feel were pinning her on the spot.
She took a deep breath and pondered for a while. A million thoughts raced through her mind, but not a single one she could grasp. If she were to agree with him, she'd probably live for a few years, at most. If not, she’ll die immediately. What’s the difference, though? If she chooses to live, she’ll be at the mercy of those who want to kill her. She could not fathom how to live day by day while always watching her back. It would feel like a living hell—always on guard from the possibility of getting killed at any moment. Moreover, she didn't want to burden anyone anymore. Especially him.
She made her decision.
“Fine. Just kill me now.”
Gojo’s jaw clenched. The tension on his neck was visible—cords standing out from his smooth skin. For a moment right there, Utahime could feel a slip of the emotions that he had been hiding since earlier. She almost gasped at what she felt—it was pain and frustration and something else she could not decipher. The intensity of those made her instantly close to the connection that she had with him. It shook her to the core, her hair standing on the back of her neck, and her heart raced as if she had just run a thousand miles.
She stared at him, and she could see that he was trying to control his emotions. Utahime understood his frustration; of course, she wouldn't just let him do what he wanted that easily. She'd rather die than marry him. It was a bit excessive, but she thought it was the better choice—to leave him out of this situation. But the pain and the others that she sensed in him didn't make sense.
He took a deep breath.
She wanted to ask what that was all about, but before she could even open her mouth, he spoke.
“It’s not up to you to decide.” He closed himself off once again, and there was no more emotion in the way he said those words.
She was not used to this side of him, the overly serious type. She prefers it more when he’s being playful—teasing her, making fun of her, even pissing her off. Right now, he is neither of those. And she didn’t know how to deal with it.
“You just said...”
“I told you this is not a negotiation. I already made the deal with the higher-ups.”
Gojo stood and went to where she sat. He hovered over her and leaned down until they were eye level, while keeping both of his hands inside his pockets.
Utahime leaned back a little and locked her whole body. Being this close to him, she could smell his musky scent, which was mixed with a little bit of sweat.
She caught her breath when Gojo moved his head a little bit closer. She moved her head back at the same time, in an attempt to give them more space.
“Congratulations, Utahime.” He grinned at her. “You’re going to be a Gojo.”