Chapter 9

Tezuka woke the next morning feeling as if she hadn't slept at all. Maybe she didn't sleep at all, not really anyway. Her and Yuji both had fallen asleep on the couch, only waking up when Gojo came waltzing into the room loudly exclaiming about their first day back to school.

"Now hurry up and get dressed! I've scheduled an important meeting with the principal." Gojo said from the doorway. Tezuka stood behind the couch while Yuji looked over the back of it, both looking at Gojo.

"Important meeting?" Tezuka asked her brow furred.

"Yes, you see I've got an application for you pushed through to attend Jujutsu Tech but you still have to impress the principal." Gojo said.

"Wait what?! You didn't tell me I had to do an interview?!" Tezuka exclaimed.

"No no," Gojo chuckled. "It's not an interview think of it more as a test to see if you're fit to attend the school."

"A test!?!" she exclaimed She had never been the best in school. She made good enough grades to stay on the softball team but that was about it. She silently worried she would be quizzed on things of this mysterious jujutsu world that she had only been apart of for a couple weeks.

"Better hurry up and get ready!" Gojo sang and skipped out the door.

Tezuka panicked and ran up to her room. Quickly she showered and put on her uniform. She didn't have much makeup, she wished she had felt the need to buy some when she went shopping with Yuji. She dug through her clothes trying to find the only outfit she had from home. Almost always she kept lip gloss and mascara in her pocket on the rare occasions she did wear makeup. Relief washed over her finding her mascara in her skirt pocket. She applied it generously then tied half of her hair up, leaving the rest of it cascading around her shoulders and back. When she was ready, she met the boys down at the car.

"I can't believe I'm finally going back!" Yuji exclaimed stars in his eyes.

Tezuka let a smile slip. She remembered her first day back to school this year. She had been so filled with excitement to play on the varsity team with her best friend.

"I can't wait to see the look on Fushiguro's face!" He exclaimed as the three piled into the car. "And you'll get to meet them all, they're great people Tezuka."

"Well lets hope I pass this test then." she said nervously pulling at her uniform.

"Don't sweat it, He'll have you fight those cursed bears, its no biggie." Yuji answered. Some relief washed over her. Gojo had them train with the bears for days, this would be a piece of cake. However she didn't exactly feel comfort in the fact someone would be watching her fight the whole time.

When they pulled up to the school Tezuka couldn't help but feel awestruck. She wasn't sure exactly what she was expecting but it was a lot nicer than she expected. They entered through a large stone gate and were surrounded by a forest that ran for miles and miles. The old stone and bamboo buildings were clustered together at the end of the forest. The traditional Japanese style buildings reminded her of pictures her grandparents had shown her when she was younger.

"Here we are," Gojo said stepping out of the vehicle. The warm summer air brushed her skin. For a high school campus however, it was very bare of students. "Yuji, wait in the teachers lounge with Nanami. Tezuka, follow me."

"Okay," Tezuka nodded beginning to fall in line with Gojo's footsteps.

"Hey wait," Yuji blurted, grabbing her arm. The pure strength in his grip around her arm stopped her in her tracks. "Don't sweat it okay, you got this," Yuji smiled flashing his bright white teeth. His smile was wide and warmed her chest.

"Thanks," she let out a smirk feeling a bit more comfort from his strong presence. Then turned to catch up with Gojo.

Tezuka followed him through the largest building of all, its wood flooring creaked under her feet as an eerie silence gripped the air. They climbed large stairs up a couple of flights and not a single person came into Tezuka's view. Where was everybody?

They got to the top floor and Tezuka followed Gojo down the hall. They stopped at two large wooden doors that towered over the both of them. Gojo looked at Tezuka and gave her a sheepish smile then knocked three times. The doors swung open though there was no one on the other side.

"Go ahead," Gojo spoke holding his hand out. She nodded and swallowed hard looking into the black abyss before her. Not a single light shown through and she got the overwhelming sensation as if the darkness was going to creep into her very soul. Alone, her mind drifted to Sukuna. Was he going to be at the end of this room? No that's absurd. Why would Sukuna be here? As outrageous as it sounded, the thought still lingered in the back of her mind. She had no choice but to enter and find out what was before her. Slowly, she walked into the room, Gojo shutting the doors around her.

"Welcome, Cousin of Satoru Gojo." a voice boomed from the end of the room. A small flame appeared out of no where illuminating a tan face. More flames erupted from candles around the room casting shadows against the bamboo. In front of her sat a dark haired man with thick burly features. He too had his eyes covered though only with a pair of sunglasses. His dark features cut through Tezuka's soul like a knife through butter. Was he the one that was going to be testing her? Where were the stuffed bears? Had Yuji told her about the wrong test? "And welcome to Jujutsu Tech!" A complete change of posture occurred before her giving her a metaphorical whiplash. Ceiling lights flicked on and the entire room was illuminated. The man jumped from his seated position and ran to her his mustache decorated mouth curled back in a smile. "I've heard so much about you." he said grabbing her hands shaking them profusely as he shrugged over her.

"I'm confused," she said almost in a bit of panic.

"My name is Masamichi Yaga, Principal of Jujutsu Tech it's an honor to have another member of the prestigious Gojo clan grace our school." He said excitedly.

"I thought there was going to be a test," she said confused her heart still racing.

"Ha!" he exclaimed. "No need! You are a Gojo after all!" The principal exclaimed. "Satoru explained your situation and I've heard of your abilities from Nanami. It'll be a pleasure to have you."

Explained her situation? She assumed she meant the story Gojo told her. She was a transfer student from America, a relative. That's all.

"It's a pleasure to be here," Tezuka said trying to muster a calm smile.

"Now I hope you wont be too disappointed, our first year instructor is none other than Satoru Gojo. So you will be learning under him while you're here." Principal Yaga explained walking to her door. "But don't expect him to go easy on you. Every one of our students will be treated fairly and be expected to have the same responsibilities."

"Yes of course," Tezuka responded. "I wouldn't want to let my cousin down."

"That's good," Principal Yaga said. opening the door. Outside Gojo was waiting a wide annoying smile on his face. She couldn't help but feel a little irritated with him. If he knew she was just going to get accepted why not tell her? The two walked off, Principal Yaga waiving excitedly after them.

"I know you will do great things for our school!" He called after them happily. Gojo turned and gave him a thumbs up then they disappeared around the corner.

"You lied to me," she said irritated.

"You should've seen you're face!" he laughed, one hand over his mouth to contain his laughter and the other on his stomach.

"No, it wasn't funny! Not at all!" she exclaimed then paused. "He said the Gojo clan was a prestigious family... What does that mean?"

Gojo stopped laughing and stood straight taking a stern face. "In the world of jujutsu sorcerers there are three big clans that some of the most powerful sorcerer's belong to. The Gojo family sits at the top. It's my responsibility to maintain balance of power." Gojo said.

"Sounds like a tough job," she said.

Gojo smirked. "Only to people who aren't as powerful as me." He turned his head lifting his blindfold slightly exposing the brightest blue eyes she had ever seen encased by pure white eyelashes staring back at her. She could see the cursed energy swimming behind his pupils and felt his overwhelming power. She knew Gojo was strong, she had figured that much out in training but she didn't realize he was this strong. "When people are told about your cover, they will expect a lot of things from you."

Great. How the hell was she supposed to live up to these expectations when she didn't even know them herself?

"Don't worry," he said replacing his blindfold. "I'll teach you everything I know. It's just us after all."

Just us? What was that supposed to mean? Was he the only one in the clan? How could it be the most powerful with just one person? He did realize she wasn't actually apart of the Gojo clan right?

Though the question clouded her brain, she didn't ask it. It was time to meet up with Yuji and find the rest of their classmates. What would they be like? Yuji always spoke highly of them, however, she wasn't the social butterfly everyone thought she was. Would they like her? Would they be able to see through her façade? They made their way to the teachers lounge, Yuji was standing outside pacing. As soon as he looked up to see her, his eyes lit up.

"How'd it go did you pass?!" he asked running to her, his knees bent, shoulders crouched and hands towards his chest in fists.

"I didn't even do anything, he just introduced himself and that was it." she said and eyebrow raised.

"What?!" Yuji exclaimed straightening his posture, glaring at Gojo. "You're telling me I had to get my ass beat by stuffed bears and she just walks right in?!" Tezuka was confused. Was he angry with her?

Gojo chuckled then walked into the staff room. The two followed, Yuji demanding answers from Gojo.

"I'm sorry Yuji but she's a lot prettier than you of course the principal isn't going to attack her." Gojo chuckled.

"That's not fair!" Yuji exclaimed.

"Come on now we have to catch up with the other students. The exchange event is about to start," Gojo said.

"Exchange event?" Tezuka asked as her and Yuji shared confused expressions.

"The Tokyo Kyoto Sister school exchange event!" Gojo smiled pointing his index finger to the ceiling. "Every year we have an event with our sister school in Kyoto to show off our students abilities. It's a fun little exchange event with two activities and whoever won the previous event hosts the next one. It just so happens that we won last year so now we're hosting it here in Tokyo!"

Great so not only was she meeting her knew classmates but she would also have to preform in exchange event with people she didn't know while who knows who is watching!

"Calm down Tezuka, just think of it like a softball tournament." She thought to herself.

"Whatever lets jut go see Fushiguro and Nobara already!" Yuji exclaimed.

"We can't just go barging down there we have to make a big entrance with tears and snot and everything!" Gojo expressed dramatically.

"This is a recipe for disaster," Nanami spoke looking over the news paper he was reading.

"That's a great idea!" Yuji exclaimed. "But how?"

"All you have to do is go with the flow and follow my lead!" Gojo stated proudly pointing to himself. He then turned and left the room. She stared at Yuji in confusion then sat in the chair across from Nanami. She looked at the newspaper he was reading and attempted to read it herself, though failed miserably. She had no idea how to read Japanese. Not much later, Gojo returned with a pushing cart carrying a large metal box. On top of it were small pink dolls. "Get in the box,"

"What?" Tezuka exclaimed.

"Okay," Yuji said willingly getting into the box. Gojo replaced the lid and the dolls.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Tezuka asked following Gojo out the door.

"Sure it is," he smiled. "Everyone's going to cry, some may vomit."

"That's disgusting," she responded.

She followed Gojo down the hall to an elevator and out the building. They walked down a paved path through trees and buildings, still hardly a soul in sight. Then finally she saw kids her own age in uniforms similar to hers standing around talking as well as... a giant... panda...?

"Sorry for the wait," Gojo sang out, all of the students turned to face him, looks of annoyance on all of their faces. "Glad everyone's back together, I just got back from a big ole business trip overseas. I've got souveneirs!" he exclaimed.

"Whose this chick?" Tezuka turned to face a girl with short brown hair and a scowl on her face.

"Only the most beautiful angel I've ever seen!" Suddenly at her side appeared a large man, though he was dressed in a students uniform. His shoulders, easily the size of her entire body and his dark hair pulled up into a bun, a large scar covering the left side of his face. He dropped to his knees at her side grabbing her hand and brought it to his lips. "You look just like my Takada-chan." he smiled and kissed her hand.

"Uh thanks?" she said confused. Who the hell was this guy and who was Takada-chan?

"This is Tezuka, she is an exchange student from America and my cousin. She will be joining the first years as of today." Gojo answered. "Here you go Kyoto kids," Gojo thrust a doll into the big man's hands who dropped her own and stood up. "Sorry Utahime, there's none left for you," he said after passing the dolls out to the students on the left who were standing next to a tall beautiful woman in a white robe, her hair pulled back just like Tezuka's, a scar decorated her skin just under her right eye.

"I didn't want one!" the woman exclaimed angrily. Something told Tezuka she wasn't a big fan of Gojo's.

"Now for all you Tokyo kids, I have something extremely special!" he exclaimed thrusting the cart towards them.

"Opi!" Yuji exclaimed bursting out of the cart.

Gojo jumped out throwing his hands Yuji's direction. The student's stared at him, blank expressions on their faces except for two, the brunette haired girl and black haired boy who stood next to her. Their faces were flushed of color and eyes wide like almost as if they had seen a ghost. Were these two the Fushiguro and Nobara Yuji had always talked about?

"Alright, well everyone from Kyoto this is Sukuna's vessel, Itadori." Gojo introduced though they really didn't pay attention to him much either. "Ah principal Yoshinobu," Gojo said walking off.

"You got something you want to say to us?" The brunette said kicking Yuji's box.

"Um..." Yuji began almost afraid to say the wrong thing in front of her. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was alive?" Yuji and the brunette began to argue, but the messy haired boy watched her.

"I'm Megumi Fushiguro," he bowed. "I wasn't previously aware of your arrival."

"It was kind of a last minute thing," she bowed as well. "I'm Tezuka its nice to meet you."

"How long have you been in Japan, how do you like it?" he asked. He was a tall boy standing roughly the same height as Yuji. His shoulders weren't as broad as Yuji's and the slumped a little more. He stood with his hands in his pockets giving her a laid back care free vibe.

"A couple of weeks now," she answered noting his interest. "It's different, but nice,"

"I didn't know there were Jujutsu schools in America," his voice sounded relaxed but interested at the same time.

"Not many people do," she spoke, which wasn't exactly a lie... but it wasn't the truth either.

"How dare you disappear and let us think that you died while you're alive and with this girl! How come she knew about you and we didn't and we don't even know her! And why is her school uniform so much cuter than mine?!" the brunette exclaimed.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys it's kind of a long story, but this is Tezuka and she's a really cool person." Yuji said his cheeks getting red. "I think you guys will get along great!"

"Don't mind Nobara," Fushiguro said. His eyes didn't open very wide, in fact they looked as if they were almost closed as he looked down at her. "She's annoying," he said causing Tezuka to smirk.

"I'm Maki," A taller girl with green hair pulled back into a ponytail answered. She had a very serious demeanor, her sharp features cut through the air like glass and her thin eyes glared down at her. She was so intense yet at the same time Tezuka couldn't help but have a sense of familiarity coming from this girl. Was she a first year too? She didn't look like it. Maybe a year or two older? "This is Toge and Panda."

"Salmon," the white haired boy answered. His uniform covered his mouth so she couldn't see the bottom half of his face though his bright purple eyes stared at her intently. Why did he say salmon?

"Nice to meet you," the panda spoke in a deep voice holding up a hand. Tezuka tried not to freak out about a giant talking panda. She couldn't blow her cover. If she was supposed to be from a Jujutsu school in America she would know how this panda could talk. Was he like the stuffed animals? Alive with cursed energy alone?

"It's nice to meet you all," she bowed to them.

"I didn't know the Gojo family branched out to America." Maki said. "Tell me do they hold as much influence over there as they do here?"

Tezuka nodded. "That's why I am here in Japan, to learn under my cousin and carry on the family name in America." she lied through her teeth. Sweat formed on her palms. Would they believe it?

"Interesting," Maki said grabbing her chin. "They must be more willing to recognize a woman as the head of the clan in America."

Tezuka nodded wondering why such a thought would be made.

"Tezuka!" The large man came barreling towards her again knocking everyone else out of the way. "Even your name sounds like my Takada-chan!" He again grabbed her hands and towered over her his large eyes peering into her soul. "I can't believe all this time the woman of my dreams has been here in Tokyo!" he exclaimed. "As soon as this event is over and I win I will carry you back home, trophy on one shoulder and you on the other my beautiful goddess! I will treat you like a queen and worship that beautiful ass-"

"Hey!" Yuji exclaimed shoving the guy away from her. "You don't talk to a woman that!!!"

Tezuka looked at Yuji out of shock, his cheeks burned a hot red as his eyes stared with pure hatred at the larger guy.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Nobara exclaimed smacking Yuji on the head. "You can't just go shoving people across the sidewalk!"

"Ow! This guy was being a pervert!" Yuji exclaimed in defense.

"I'm sure she can handle herself," Nobara growled looking at her with eyes that could kill. What was this girl's problem?

"Come on," Tezuka heard Fushiguro's voice behind her. She turned to see him walking behind her. "It's almost time for the opening ceremony."

Tezuka watched Yuji and Nobara fight as the larger guy tried to fight with Yuji. The whole commotion was a headache. So she silently slipped off with Fushiguro to the opening ceremony. It was a small event, Principal Yaga stood at the steps of the large building her and Gojo had just been in. Though the stood at the back of it which opened into the rest of the large forest surrounding the school's buildings. He explained what the exchange event would be. It was a two day event with today, day one, being a cursed spirit group race. This relieved Tezuka, knowing she wouldn't have to fight alone while still trying to understand this world's concepts. They would have to fight a grade two cursed spirit, which Tezuka assumed was a challenge from the looks on everyone's faces, as well as other third grade spirits and lower. Tezuka still struggled to understand the power level of cursed spirits and instead watched to see everyone's reactions. Most, like Fushiguro, kept a straight nonchalant stature. Principal Yaga also explained that sabotage of the other team was actually acceptable though they couldn't seriously injure or kill anyone which Tezuka found odd that he even had to bring it up. She thought not killing people in a school event would be common knowledge and unwelcomed by anyone. Why would she want to kill these people? Why would they want to kill her? Her eyes darted to Yuji. Had Principal Yaga brought it up because people tried to have Yuji killed?

"You're dismissed until noon!" Principal Yaga called out, fireworks erupted in the sky kicking off the event.

"They really get into these school competitions," Tezuka muttered to herself.

"Principal Yaga wants to show off in front of the Kyoto school to prove how much better we are." Fushiguro explained, though Tezuka was surprised he heard her.

"Come on, we have to strategize." Maki said turning on her heal and walking back towards the school in a swift graceful manner. The rest of them followed. Maki lead them to a building that resembled dorm rooms, though they only walked into a common space living room.

"Want to explain to us how the hell you're live?" Nobara asked her eyes closed refusing to look at Yuji, her arms crossed over her chest.

"To be honest, I don't really understand it myself." Yuji said putting a hand on the back of his head.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Fushiguro asked.

"I couldn't," Yuji said. "Gojo thinks the hire ups wanted me dead and wanted them to believe I was until he could figure out who is trying to kill me."

"Makes sense," The panda said.

"Salmon," Toge spoke.

"Why do you keep saying salmon?" Tezuka asked curiously.

"Toge is a cursed speech user, it amplifies the power and compulsion of words. He doesn't say much to keep everyone else safe." Fushiguro explained.

"Tough," Tezuka breathed.

"Very," The panda answered. "He must limit his speech in order to protect himself. The more powerful the word, the more it affects himself."

It's a good thing this guy isn't much of a talker.

"How can you talk?" Yuji asked the panda curiously as they all sat around in chairs.

"Will you stop blabbing about everyone's techniques?" Nobara huffed. Tezuka glanced at her annoyed mostly because she too wanted to know how this panda could talk.

"What's more important is my blade." Maki interrupted looking at Yuji. "Where is it?"

"Uh...." Yuji's expression turned grave. "Gojo... has it..."

"Of course," Maki crossed her arms over her chest. "That blindfolded dumbass..." she muttered under her breath and Tezuka pretended to not hear it. "Anyway, we have to talk about strategy, should we change strategy now that we have two new members?"

"Well I think that depends on what you guys can do." The panda said looking between Yuji and Tezuka.

"Hand-to-hand combat," Tezuka replied. "I'm also pretty good with a bat in my hands."

"We have a lot of that," the panda responded.

"Yuji is powerful. If we all fought him both Tokyo and Kyoto, without cursed energy... he would win. As for Tezuka, I'm sorry but I'm not familiar with your abilities." Fushiguro said.

"Tezuka is powerful too. She trained with me, some of the missions we went on... I wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for her." Yuji spoke up.

What was he talking about? She never saved him! Tezuka's eyes shot to Yuji though he wasn't looking at her.

"You said a bat?" Maki asked.

Tezuka nodded. Maki turned on her heal walking down a hallway. a few minutes later she returned with a wooden bat. She held it out towards Tezuka. Tezuka stared, it's black wood was nothing like she had seen before. It was roughly the same size as her softball bat back home. Tezuka could sense cursed energy coming from the bat, and when she took it, a rush of goose bumps lined her arms. This was perfect. Tezuka haled the bat in her hands, a familiarity washing over her. Now she was ready to kick some ass.