3

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When Shiki returns to the Gojo clan compound, there is an entourage waiting at the gates.

Or, well. Not an entourage, precisely, but there are… a number of people quite pointedly gathered by the tall, polished gates, evidently having already stood there for some time already. At the forefront of them all is a familiar-looking elderly man who stands there serenely, hands tucked neatly beneath the folds of his long sleeves.

Shiki's initial knee-jerk reaction is something along the lines of, Am I in trouble?

… Despite the fact that, technically, Shiki isn't exactly beholden to any of them –except Ima-san, maybe, by virtue of being her aunt? But even that's debatable. Probably.

Satoru-oniichan, on the other hand, clearly holds no such compunctions. The white-haired teen is wholly unbothered as he easily strolls straight up to the crowded gates, Shiki trailing along quietly behind him. "Yo, long time no see, Old Daisaku."

Shiki recognizes Daisaku-sama from that uncomfortable meeting that was held over her eyes. Judging by several sharp intakes of breath from the other people around them, though, she's guessing that Daisaku-sama isn't someone to be addressed so casually –unless you're Satoru-oniichan. The young man stands there with a smile that says he dares for someone to call him out on his irreverence.

Which doesn't seem very likely to happen, going by the ducked heads around them and gazes fixated to the ground.

For better or for worse, Daisaku-sama appears wholly unconcerned by the apparent disrespect. "It's certainly been awhile, Satoru-kun. I'm glad to see you well."

"Uh-huh," Satoru-oniichan sounds disinterested. "So what's up with the welcoming party here?"

"… We're merely here to offer our greetings to our esteemed clan heir. It's been quite some time since you've last returned home, after all."

"Ri-ght." There's not one jot of belief in that drawn-out word that Shiki can discern. Satoru-oniichan shrugs. "Well, school's busy, what can I say?"

Daisaku-sama hums lightly. Then, deliberately careless, "Yet I see that you've made the time to become acquainted with your new cousin here. I hope Shiki-chan hasn't been too much trouble to look after."

The way that he speaks might be genial and grandfatherly, but Shiki doesn't trust it in the least. She doesn't like the implication behind his words, either, as if Shiki is his charge and her behavior reflects upon him, someone whom she's only ever met once –and not exactly under ideal circumstances. While he doesn't look at Shiki with quite the same sort of expectation that Ima-san does, there's no doubt that he, too, is someone who wants something from Shiki for her newly-cursed eyes.

The little girl eyes the red lines scored over the elderly man, then lowers her gaze.

"She's a good kid," Satoru-oniichan responds casually. Satoru-oniichan… he has cursed eyes, too, doesn't he? How does he deal with it? How does he deal with… this? "I'll be dropping by to check in on her, so don't be surprised to see me around more often! Might take her with me to school a few more times in the future, too, and–"

"That would not be wise, Satoru-kun."

Her cousin stills. Around them, several people almost seem to shrink in on themselves, collectively holding their breaths. "Oh?"

Across from them, Daisaku-sama bows ever so slightly. "I mean no disrespect, of course. But given the uncertainty surrounding this ability granted to her by her eyes, and considering that the girl is wholly untrained –not to mention, still recovering from a medical coma– it would be safer for her to remain within the compound for her own protection."

Satoru-oniichan arches an eyebrow from behind the black frames of his sunglasses. "She won't be safer anywhere else than she'd be with me."

The confident words go past arrogance and straight into something that's said with absolute truth, almost as if he's stating that the sky is blue or the grass is green. Shiki will be safe with Gojo Satoru.

The little girl blinks up at her cousin, eyes wide. Across from them, Daisaku-sama smiles patiently.

"I do not deny your strength, Satoru-kun. Even at the young age of sixteen, you already far outstrip the brightest talents of the clan in terms of raw power," he praises. "As expected of the blessed one who holds both the Limitless and Six Eyes–"

"Get to the point."

"–but you need to understand, no one is perfect," the elder continues without skipping a beat. "Your strength might be more than enough to fend off unsavory characters targeting you, but it would be prudent to take more precautions for your little cousin. She has potential, certainly, but she is still weak and untrained. There's a reason why we had placed obfuscation wards up around the hospital… before you single-handedly tore them down when you brought her out with you."

"You don't trust me to keep her safe," Satoru-oniichan states blandly, the slightest hint of something dangerous to his tone. "Then, what are you suggesting? Keeping her locked up in the compound so it's easy for you to study her eyes?"

"The words you use, Satoru-kun, honestly," Daisaku-sama tiredly heaves an exaggerated, almost wounded-sounding sigh. "It's merely for the girl's own good that she's at least trained before being given free reign outside the compound, wouldn't you say? Just the same as what we did for you during your childhood, if you'll remember. And even then, there were still quite a few close calls."

Satoru-oniichan snorts, "Yeah, so much for being well-protected on clan grounds."

The elder frowns reprovingly. "The protections over the clan compound deter malicious intent–"

"Deter, sure. But there are still workarounds, aren't there?" Satoru-oniichan shrugs, "'Sides, if we're talking about barriers, you won't get any better barriers than the ones placed by Tengen, like the ones over Jujutsu Tech–"

"The school's wards focus on hiding. In terms of defenses, the clan compound is safer against attacks the likes of which the girl will be needing protection from."

The teenager clicks his tongue. "I disagree. C'mon, be honest with me here, what's with this reaction of yours? Why are you so insistent on keeping her locked up? Even if it's just because of her eyes, that's still no reason to be going overboard like this."

"… Unfortunately, Ima hadn't exactly been the most discreet when she'd first brought the girl back to the clan, which started a lot of rumors. We were going to work on curtailing loose tongues after confirming the girl's situation, but then there was… her second hospitalization. And then you blatantly brought her out to your school, which didn't exactly help things any," Daisaku-sama explains dryly, and sighs. "There's too much attention on her now. We even received a missive from the Kamo Clan the other day, expressing interest in seeing these 'new Six Eyes.'"

"What, seriously?"

"Yes. We turned them down, of course, citing that the girl's recovery took precedence over anything else –but that's irrelevant, at the moment." The old man turns, and finally sets his attention onto Shiki.

"Although we kept you isolated for your own protection, I understand why you wished to visit the school, Shiki-chan," he says. "What was his name… ah. Nanami Kento-kun, correct?"

Shiki does not say anything in response, but perhaps her suspicious silence speaks enough for itself. Daisaku-sama sighs again, sounding every bit his elderly age.

"I admit that some of the clan's methods may come off as being rather… heavy-handed, you could say… but we do have your best interests in mind," he waves his hand. "While your loyalty to your family is commendable, you now have a responsibility to learn how to properly harness the power you've been gifted with. That comes first and foremost before anything else."

"I didn't want this," Shiki finally says.

"Irrelevant," Daisaku-sama responds without skipping a beat, faintly reprimanding. "You may not have wanted it, but this power is yours, regardless."

The words are not harsh, but they are certainly irrefutable. Truth. Even though Shiki would've much rather had both of her parents alive and well, rather than waking up from a year-long coma with cursed blue eyes… this is the reality that she must live with, now.

Beside her, Satoru-oniichan does not say anything. Perhaps because he knows this to be the truth as well.

"Untrained techniques are dangerous. Potentially to the user themselves, but more so to the people around them, especially if the user in question lacks control," Daisaku-sama continues. Despite herself, Shiki thinks back to how Kento-ojichan had knelt down and hugged her in relief, red lines flickering over his body, and Shiki…

The girl clenches her fist.

If she… if there was an accident. Then, would Kento-ojichan… just like that blade, would Kento-ojichan…?

"Right, I think we're getting a little off-topic here," Satoru-oniichan suddenly breaks in. "So. Basically you're saying that there's too many eyes on her at the moment? And you want her to have a better grasp over her technique before she leaves the compound again."

"That is the clan's decision on this matter, yes."

The white-haired teen hums noncommittally, then turns to the little girl by his leg. "… Well, I suppose I don't necessarily have to bring you out to school with me. I can just bring Nanami-kun over here to you instead!"

Shiki brightens a little. Her main concern is just –she doesn't want to be barred from seeing Kento-ojichan, not like what Ima-san had been doing before Satoru-oniichan had swept into her hospital room. Although…

Across from them, Daisaku-sama does not seem pleased by the prospect. "Satoru-kun, bringing outsiders onto clan grounds is generally frowned upon, even if–"

"Nope! I don't want to hear anything about it," Satoru-oniichan grins sharply. "Or are you telling me that the clan heir doesn't even have the right to invite guests as he pleases, hmm?"

The look that crosses Daisaku-sama's face at this makes it look as if he suddenly bit into a lemon. Shiki turns to the side and stifles a small smile. "… Of course not, Satoru-kun."

"Good, glad we're on the same page here," the teenager looks down towards his young cousin. "So, how does a week or so sound? I'll be back with Nanami in tow."

A week. That sounds… that sounds ever so long, and if she's being perfectly honest with herself, Shiki doesn't like it. She doesn't want to return to the too-fancy buildings that she doesn't belong in, doesn't want to live with Ima-san who only wants Shiki for her eyes. But it's not like there's any real alternative. And… and it's not as if this is a bad thing, right?

If the Gojo Clan wants Shiki because of her eyes, then they'll take good care of her in order to use her in the future. She understands that much, at least.

"Thank you, Satoru-oniichan," is all Shiki says, which earns her a sharp smile and a quick headpat. She seems to be saying that a lot to him, she realizes. Part of Shiki can't help but wonder why a cousin she's never met is going to such lengths for her. It hadn't seemed like he was particularly close with Kento-ojichan, back at the school. If anything, he'd seemed to be a lot closer with Geto-san and Ieiri-san, who were in the same year as him. They'd been nice to her, but… there hadn't really been any reason for them to be. Nothing beyond Shiki being Kento-ojichan's niece, and–

And… her eyes.

… She feels very ungrateful for the direction that her thoughts have turned in, but for a moment Shiki wonders if Satoru-oniichan wants her for her eyes, too.

It doesn't matter, though. Even if that does turn out to be the case… she's still happy to have met him. He'd brought her to Kento-ojichan, just like he'd said he would, when the rest of his clan seemed to be very determined to keep Shiki away from her uncle. And… even though they hadn't seemed to be particularly close, Kento-ojichan trusted him.

That's enough for Shiki.

So when Ima-san steps out from behind Daisaku-sama and reaches out towards her niece, the little girl goes with her easily enough. Cold fingers close over her wrist and pull her towards the elegant compound, and–

"Welcome home, Shiki-chan," her aunt says.

… She doesn't really trust her voice to respond to that, and opts to remain silent instead.

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Shiki doesn't really know what she'd been expecting, after being informed that her training and lessons would begin soon. Probably something along the lines of going to school, like Kento-ojichan and Satoru-oniichan? Sitting behind a desk and given books to read and worksheets to fill out?

Instead, she's presented with a sword.

… It kind of sets the tone for things after that.

Mornings are filled with lessons on swordplay. Shiki stands in a too-large dojo and swings a wooden sword, with a strict instructor watching her every movement. Since your technique seems to be largely based on 'cutting lines,' a bladed weapon would suit you best. Shiki's legs grow tired too quickly and her arms lack strength, and while part of it might be due to her physical condition from being bedridden for so long –well.

If her father were here, he'd probably tell her something about hard work and talent and the former being able to make up for lackings in the latter. But he isn't. So Shiki repeatedly swings her practice sword in silence under the watchful gaze of her stone-faced instructor until her arms feel like they're about to fall off. And then continues swinging the sword even more.

… Adequate. But you'll have to do better than that, Shiki.

Afternoons tend to vary. Sometimes, she sits down with books as one might expect of a typical lesson, but more often than not the subjects are a little… strange. Like how to control cursed energy, or the basics of forming barriers.

It's all rather overwhelming, to be honest. And through it all, Shiki is acutely aware that she's constantly being judged and scrutinized for every single thing, and it's…

She doesn't like it. But that's nothing new.

"For what it's worth," Satoru-oniichan says, "The clan honestly does want you to do well."

"Because of my eyes?" Shiki doesn't even bother looking towards her cousin. Feet set in a balanced stance, she swings the wooden sword in her hands again. One hundred and twenty-one.

"Yes," he responds candidly. Shiki appreciates the straightforward honesty, at least. "Because your father was a Gojo, and you've manifested a new ocular curse. So now the clan is invested in you."

One hundred and twenty-two. The little girl's arms tremble, burning with pain, and she carefully readjusts her stance, before raising the practice blade again.

One hundred and twenty-three–

"So, out of curiosity, when are you going to actually disclose what your technique is?"

Shiki fumbles, nearly dropping the sword in the middle of the courtyard. Satoru-oniichan watches on in amusement.

"The elders are calling it 'Fragility' for now, since it appears to revolve around enforcing weak points onto other things, similarly to Nanami-kun's Ratio Technique," he informs her. "But that's not the full picture, is it?"

Beginning and end. Open and close.

"… No, it's not."

"Yeah, I thought so," Satoru-oniichan seems satisfied by her confirmation. He reaches up and taps at the edge of his pitch-dark glasses, "You know that I have the Six Eyes, so I'm pretty perceptive! Especially when it comes to things like this. It's kinda hilarious how you still have the elders running in circles over your ability. But… you know what your technique actually does, don't you?"

Shiki nods slowly, then shakes her head.

"Hm. Some techniques require being figured out through a lot of trial and error, but others come with a… an innate understanding of sorts, if you will," her cousin muses thoughtfully. "Seems like you lean towards the latter. Is there any reason in particular why you're trying to keep it to yourself? Makes it harder for others to help with anything if we don't know what it is we're supposed to be helping with."

The little girl gives him a long look. Satoru-oniichan rolls his eyes.

"I'm being honest here! Welcome to being part of a clan: Everyone is a nosy busybody and no secret actually stays hidden forever." He claps his hands together. "Although, you do realize that the longer you give the elders the runaround on this, the longer they'll try to keep you locked up in the compound? Even I got free days to wander around outside, y'know."

Part of Shiki's wariness about explaining her technique to the people around her boils down to her uneasiness with the Gojo Clan as a whole. That's not the entire reason, though. Shiki might not trust the elders expecting something from her, might not trust Ima-san who watches her with greedy eyes –but she also doesn't trust herself, either, not with the nature of her ability being what it is.

… Satoru-oniichan is like her, though. He also has cursed eyes, so he knows what it's like to see things that really aren't meant to be perceived by human eyes. Even if it's not the same thing –as far as Shiki knows, the Gojo Clan's Six Eyes doesn't involve seeing red lines– it's still similar, sort of? So…

A sudden thought strikes her. "Satoru-oniichan, can you tell what my 'technique' is?"

The white-haired teen waves his hand flippantly in a vague 'so-so' gesture. "Just the broad strokes. Your eyes are like mine, in the sense that the Six Eyes enables effective usage of Limitless. I can tell from the flow of your cursed energy that your eyes are similarly entwined with your technique, even if I can't determine what it is, exactly."

"I see." Shiki falls silent for a moment. She's uncomfortable with her technique and its implications, which is another part of the reason why she's deliberately avoided talking about this in any detail to Daisaku-sama and the others for so long. But if it's Satoru-oniichan…

"I'm… empty," she finally says. No, that's probably not the right way to phrase things. But how does she explain this? It's hard enough just thinking of it as a concept, and… honestly speaking, she doesn't even really know if she understands enough of this so-called technique herself to explain things properly. But at least she can try. "And, everything has that same emptiness. Everything is flawed, from the instant they come into being to the moment they reach their conclusion. That's… that's basically what the lines are."

Satoru-oniichan makes an interested sound. "So the elders are on the right track, then?"

"… I guess?" Shiki pauses and takes a moment to think about it. "According to them, I'm… basically doing what Kento-ojichan does with his technique, right? Enforcing a weak point onto other things. Except, instead of a single point at a seven-three ratio, it's lines for me instead. But that's… not really the case."

"Mhm. And what would you say is the distinction between your techniques?"

"I'm not enforcing weaknesses onto anything at all," the girl says quietly. "It's… everything is already there."

Her cousin arches an eyebrow. Shiki struggles to pick out the right words for this. Beginning and end. Open and close.

"Show me your technique?" Satoru-oniichan finally asks. That might be a better idea, actually. He's taken off his sunglasses, blue eyes trained on Shiki as she easily obliges his request.

The little girl bends down and plucks a flower growing by her feet. Then, with little fanfare, Shiki draws her nails through the red lines across its surface.

The flower instantly withers in her hands and crumbles to dust.

"That," Satoru-oniichan says, "Is definitely not Nanami's Ratio Technique."

They're on the same page, then; Shiki didn't think so, either. A soft breeze brushes past, and everything is carried away in the wind. Shiki's hand becomes empty once more.

"If anything, I'd say it's…" her cousin hums. "Hey, repeat it again with something else? I just want to confirm something."

The little girl glances around, then lets her gaze fall upon her wooden practice sword.

… No one will miss this, right?

Moments later, the sword falls to the ground in pieces.

There is a brief beat of silence. Then–

"Your eyes," Satoru-oniichan says, slow and considering, "You see death expressed as lines, don't you?"

Shiki has been trying very hard to avoid thinking about it in those exact terms, but he isn't… inaccurate. Her cousin's gaze rests on her, discerning. Contemplative.

"… Okay, I can see why you'd try to keep quiet about something like this. But trust me, people are going to figure it out, sooner or later." His hand ruffles her hair. It's probably meant as a comforting gesture, to offset what he's saying. "Does Nanami know?"

Shiki shakes her head. Above her, Satoru-oniichan pauses.

"Why not?" There's no judgment in his voice, just vague curiosity. And the answer to that is–

Because I'm scared.

Although she does not say the words aloud, it looks like her cousin picks up on something of her sentiments regardless.

"Nanami isn't the type of person who'd turn his back on you or treat you differently just for something like a dangerous technique," he laughs. "Or… hm. That's not what you're really worried about, is it?"

"I trust Kento-ojichan," Shiki responds quietly. Yes. She trusts her uncle unreservedly, but when it comes to Shiki herself–

"So it's something on your end, then," her cousin concludes, then smiles at her winsomely. "C'mon, spill. Control isn't really a problem for you, is it? Just make sure you don't cut any lines you don't want to, and you're golden."

That's easy for him to say, certainly. But to wake up every morning to the sight of red lines everywhere, everywhere, everywhere, knowing that it means death… it's one thing to look upon the red lines on Ima-san, whom Shiki is indifferent to by and large, and another thing to see the same lines on Kento-ojichan. Shiki misses Kento-ojichan, and she wants to see him, wants to be with him and see for herself that he's still okay –but at the same time, she also doesn't. Does that make any sense?

(She thinks it might be part of the reason why she's grown rather attached to Satoru-oniichan in such a short span of time, aside from the fact that the two of them are the only ones around with cursed eyes. Because of all the people she's seen since waking up again, Satoru-oniichan has the least red lines marring his body, and it's… reassuring, in a sense.)

"You're not the only one with a dangerous technique," Satoru-oniichan tells her. "Trust me, some are much harder to even control, much less use properly. Have a little more faith in yourself, yeah?"

Shiki gestures towards her eyes. "Doesn't it… doesn't it ever get tiring, seeing things like this?"

"What do you think my sunglasses are for?" is the lackadaisical response that she gets. Shiki doesn't even realize that she's pouting slightly until her cousin pokes her in the cheek none too gently. "You can inscribe spells onto glasses, too, see if that might help things any."

Oh. "There are spells that can make the lines go away?"

"Should be doable," Satoru-oniichan scratches his chin, then shrugs. "I recommend checking in with some of the clan's toolmakers on this. At any rate, it wouldn't hurt to ask."

Shiki cheers a little at the prospect of not having to see deathly red lines everywhere and wherever she looks. It doesn't hurt, but sometimes it's all so overwhelming and–

"Satoru-sama, Shiki-sama."

… Shiki doesn't think she'll ever get used to being '–sama'-ed. It's weird. Regardless, both of the white-haired children turn around simultaneously at the call, only to see dark-haired Rie-san folded into a low servant's bow.

"Guess that's my cue to leave," Satoru-oniichan heaves a gusty sigh, then grins at Shiki. "Nanami-kun was called for a mission last-minute this time, but I'll be sure to bring him around next time. Think about what you'll want to say to him, yeah?"

The little girl nods.

"Great. Be good and try not to cause too much trouble! Don't talk to strangers and don't start any fights, 'kay?"

"Yes, Satoru-oniichan," the little girl says patiently in response to her cousin's silly teasing.

…

Three days later, Shiki gets an invitation to visit the Kamo.

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