p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Mara was vaguely aware of Gojo and Nanami speaking to each other as she followed them, but she couldn't focus on their words. She'd never spoken aloud about her institute to anyone, not since she left. The memory of her time spent there left an oily feeling on her skin, one that would never wash away no matter how abrasively she scrubbed. It squeezed her heart in a vice of regret until she thought it would surely burst. She squeezed her arms a little tighter around herself, compelled by the compression she felt in her chest. The institute came into view ahead, and they slowed their pace. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""…Do what you want, but she should stay here." Her ears perked as she processed what Gojo had just said. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You want me to stay here at the institute?" Feeling slowly crept back into her lips as she formed the words, their fading numbness a soft, static buzz. Gojo merely glanced over his shoulder at her, making a vague sound of affirmation. "Why?" She asked stupidly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Because I'd like to know where you are," he didn't bother turning around. Mara nodded to herself, she would want to keep tabs on someone like her as well if she were in their position. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Put her in the dorm next to mine." Nanami's voice held no discernable emotion, and the realization of it hit Mara harder than anything could. She hadn't hoped for anything remotely positive, but at least anger or disappointment would have been emsomething/em. Oh, God…He was taking responsibility for her. He was the one who brought her here, she was his mess to clean up. Bile burned the back of her throat as white hot shame flooded her, she should have run faster…Should have provoked Gojo into killing her…Should have never let Nanami into her apartment…Should have, should have, should have. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"They crested a small hill into a clearing next to the dormitories, and Gojo veered off. He might have said where he was going or given a 'good-bye' but Mara wasn't paying attention at all. She only focused on Nanami's feet in front of her, stopping or going as he did. He lead them back into the dorm with his room, passing his door and stopping at the next one down. The room was the mirror of his in design, though it was empty save for a worn rug and a tired looking sofa exactly like the one in his room. Mara suspected she would find a standard issue bed in the bedroom./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""We can have Kiyotaka retrieve some of your belongings from your apartment," Mara cringed inwardly at the perfunctory tone, "you have blood all over your face." She raised her gaze to find him looking at her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""O.k., I'll take care of it." She said numbly. Nanami gestured toward the bedroom./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""The shower is in there." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""O.k." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I'll see if I can procure a change of clothing for you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""O.k."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I'll return shortly."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""O.k." Nanami narrowed his eyes slightly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You won't be any good to anyone, yourself included, if you break down now." Mara's eyes became a little more focused at that. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""O.k.," she said once more, walking past him and into the bedroom. It had the expected generic, bare bed and an empty nightstand. She opened the bathroom door to nothing but the fixtures within, turning on the water. She mechanically stripped off her clothes and stepped into the tub, icy water spraying her before slowly warming. Mara sat on the floor of the tub, hugging her knees to her chest, and let the water run over her. There was no shower curtain to protect the floor, but she'd deal with it later. She smoothed her hands up her face, scabs of dried blood peeling off her skin, and through her hair. There was no soap to use either, but she truly didn't care. She desperately wished to be back in her apartment, living a solitary life of going to work and coming home. It was no less a prison than what she now found herself in, but at least there she didn't have the weight of disappointment hanging around her neck, a noose just tight enough to choke but never to kill. She had been stupid enough to let someone in and it had been immediately tainted by her past. She supposed it was only fitting. She'd taken a life and thus she should be made to repay it by having pieces of herself cut away, bit by bit until nothing remained. She was a murderer. A murderer. MurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurderer./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Have you been in here this whole time?" The sharpness of Nanami's voice snapped through her consciousness. The stream of water she was sitting in had gone glacial. She blindly reached an arm up and shut it off. "What are you doing?" Mara blinked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Nothing, just…thinking." He let out a sigh and set a towel down on the lid of the toilet./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Can you stand?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Yeah, uh, just give me a minute." She kept her arms around herself for modesty's sake, waiting for Nanami to leave. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I'm stepping right outside the door, you have exactly one minute before I remove you myself from that tub." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You can just leave," she grumbled under her breath, gripping the sides of the bath as he left. Her joints cried out in protest at being released from her rigid hold on them, she focused hard on where she placed her feet as she waited for feeling to return to them. Mara squeezed her dripping hair out over the tub and wrapped the towel around herself, picking up her sodden clothes from the floor. She stumbled out of the bathroom as the last of the numbness in her legs dissipated. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You can use these until you have more of your own clothing." Nanami stepped toward her, holding out a neatly folded stack of clothing. She looked around a moment before tossing the clothes in her hand to a corner of the room with a wet smack. Nanami's eyes followed their trajectory, but he said nothing as she took the clothes he offered. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Thanks," Mara clutched the clothes and her towel, shifting on her feet as they both stood there. The awkwardness grated against her until she couldn't stand it. "I'll be right out." Nanami nodded once./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Of course," He left her alone in the room, but she could still feel his presence in the living area. She dressed quickly, slinging the plain white shirt over her head and pulling the athletic pants up, adjusting the drawstring so they wouldn't fall. She gathered the front of the shirt to her nose and inhaled deeply, closing her eyes. He'd given her clothes of his own. The faintly woody, clean smell of his cologne lingered in the fibers of the shirt, and she softly rubbed her cheek against it. Mara stepped out into the living area and Nanami turned to her. She couldn't read the expression on his face, if you could even say there was one beyond the neutrality of acknowledgement. His eyes dropped to her feet, which were hidden by the considerable length of the pants. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Here, you'll trip." He closed the distance between them and knelt before her, rolling first one leg and then the other of the pants up. His hand lingered a moment on her calf before he stood, taking a step back./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Uh, thank you, for everything," she waved a hand at the clothes she was wearing, "I really appreciate it." She ducked her head, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm sorry to be a burden."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""The burden only exists in your mind." She huffed a laugh, studying the dust motes floating through a shaft of light. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Are you sure? Because it sounds like you landed yourself in jail with me for bringing me here." Nanami took a small step toward her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You're not a prisoner, and neither am I. You could leave if you wanted to, but should the Wakkanai catch wind of your location it would be easier to help you from here rather than if you were on your own." Her face wrinkled in confusion./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Why would you ever want to help me? Why would anyone?" She hated the rawness in her voice. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""The Wakkanai are killers," she flinched from the sting of the word, but he continued, "they allied themselves with curses, leaving nothing but chaos and death in their wake. They are not the kind of people familiar with regret or honor, they do not mourn their actions, they certainly do not shed tears over them." He reached a hand out, stroking away the tear sliding down her cheek. "I'm not here to absolve or condemn you. You did a horrible thing at their behest, but I don't think you're one of them." Her face crumpled and she buried it in her hands, shoulders rocking as she cried again. She felt Nanami's arms wrap around her and she leaned into his chest. She had no idea why he offered her this life line, but she clung fiercely to it. "I don't know if anything will ever take away your guilt, but if you lose yourself in it, you'll never get the chance to make it right." He rubbed a slow path up and down her spine, the warmth of it sinking into her, soothing her ragged soul. He picked her up at one point and sat with her on the dusty sofa. He waited patiently, letting her cry against him, like a boulder parting a river. Eventually her crying slowed, small hiccups escaping her until she finally stilled. She wrapped her arms tightly around Nanami./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Sorry about your shirt," she mumbled into his shoulder. She felt a chuckle rumble through him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""It's not that bad, I can change," he said. She pushed herself back from him, hands falling to her lap between them. Nanami looked at her. "Tell me your story, tell me everything that happened back then." span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMara sighed, eyes dropping to her hands. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I'm not the good guy in my story," she said softly, sliding off of him and curling into the seat on the other side of the small sofa. Nanami merely waited for her to continue. Mara rolled her neck and sighed, "I was left with the Jujutsu institute at Wakkanai as a child, my curse ability had emerged and my clan wanted nothing to do with me. Haruki took me in, he helped me understand my curse ability and how to control it, he taught me everything I know about Jujutsu. He was like a father to me." Her hands clenched around each other. "Or I thought, at least. Most fathers don't do those sorts of things to their daughters, I imagine." She gave a humorless smile that fell far short of her eyes. Nanami's jaw tightened, but still he waited for her to continue. "He was the mastermind behind the institute, he goaded them all on. He thought Jujutsu sorcerers should be gods among men, 'feared and revered' was his favorite thing to say." Mara rolled her eyes. "He told me I was special, that if I worked hard enough I could be the most powerful of all of them. His idea of 'practice' for me to reach that goal was to have the whole institute attack me all at once, but I wasn't allowed to drain them. If I drained them, he'd beat the shit out of me after they were through." She paused, eyes hollow with memory. Nanami reached a hand across the seat between them, taking her hand in his. "I could have killed them all," she sniffed, picking at a stray thread on the back of the sofa, "I should have killed them all." She shook her head once, as if trying to shake away the memory. "Anyway, Haruki caught wind of a Jujutsu sorcerer who was helping people in a nearby village. Her innate curse ability was healing. And not just like exorcising a curse that's hanging around and the person feels lighter, she could truly heal. Healing, of all things." She huffed a laugh. "Haruki wanted me to take her curse ability for my own, so he told me she was cursing the people of the village. Tricking them into giving her money while she was just making them sicker. And my stupid ass believed him." She pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes. "I held her down, and I watched the life drain out of her while I took her curse ability," Mara choked on a sob. "She was so afraid, I could see it, and I killed her." She held her hands over her face, too cowardly to look to see Nanami's reaction. "One of the villagers saw us and brought others with him, I barely made it back to the institute. When I got back Haruki only asked if I had been successful, and when I told him 'yes' he roared with laughter. It was the hardest I'd ever seen him laugh. He told me he couldn't believe I had fallen for his story." Mara scrubbed angrily at her face. "That was the night I escaped. I drugged their food and I left." She bit her lip, staring into nothingness. "I should have killed them." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Would you feel less guilty if you had?" Nanami's voice held no judgement, only curiosity./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I don't know," she admitted, "maybe I can only say that because my soul is already stained. But of the two parties, Haruki and his followers deserved it more." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You should train again," Mara looked up at him, "work until your ability is at its strongest, and stop running from these pathetic excuses for sorcerers. Facing them won't bring back the young girl, but avenging her might be a step toward bringing yourself back." Mara saw her sweet face in the swirls of pattern on the sofa, eyes unfocusing. "You're not the same as them." Mara started to shake her head, but Nanami caught her chin to make her look at him, "You are not them." He insisted, gently letting her go. Mara sighed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Even if I work myself to my full potential, I'm not the counsel. I can't just go and deliver vigilante justice because someone fucked me over."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""The Wakkanai sorcerers are marked for death, they're enemies of Jujutsu. Any Jujutsu sorcerer is within the law to mete out justice." Mara rubbed a hand over the back of her neck. She didn't bother pointing out she would be counted among them to anyone else. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""What do we do now?" His eyes traveled over her face before he flicked his arm out, checking his watch. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I suppose we have time to go back to your apartment to at least get your clothes, if you don't mind the drive."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""A drive sounds great right now, actually." Mara stood from her seat, waiting as Nanami did as well. "You're right," she said softly, "I can't make it right, but I owe it to everyone to at least try." Nanami took one of her hands, stroking her fingers with his thumb. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""If I can help you, I will." Mara stretched on her toes and pressed her lips against his just once. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I don't deserve it, but thank you." She stepped back from him. "Do we have to ask Kiyotaka to drive us, or can we just drive ourselves back?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""It can just be us," Nanami made his way to the door, waiting for Mara to follow. "Why?" Mara shrugged./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""If I were him, I would hate us for making him drive all the way back again in the same day." Nanami laughed as she slipped on her shoes, following him out of the dormitories. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"The ride back to the city didn't seem to take as long, and Mara found herself better able to enjoy the ride as Nanami drove. Amazing what an improvement the absence of sheer panic could do. She relaxed into her seat as she watched the scenery speed by, and Nanami laid a casual hand on her leg, long fingers idly stroking her knee. She leaned into the touch, relishing in its simple comfort. She replayed bits of their earlier conversation through her mind, contemplating what she should do. She had meant it when she admitted she should try to avenge the healer, her curse ability was already stretching within her, dormant and idle muscles straining awake with each use. Would she really seek Haruki and the others out? Mara shifted as her curse ability crackled under her skin, hungry to lash out at the thought of his wretched face. Nanami's hand paused on her knee, feeling the static of her energy. He cut her a glance from the corner of his eye and she squashed it, lulling her curse energy back into its slumber. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"They came to a stop in front of the apartment complex and this time Mara stepped out of the car before Nanami could reach her door. He followed her into the building, and they rode the elevator up to her floor. Mara's nose wrinkled at the strange smell wafting through the hallway, but she waved it off as they neared her door. She groped along the top of her door frame for a spare key, and Nanami arched a brow at her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I'm beginning to wonder how a curse ended up in your apartment and not a robber." He said dryly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""It's so obvious though, who would think to look for it?" Mara pushed the door open./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Literally everyone." She snorted as she set the key on her dining table, heading back toward her bedroom. "The only thing more obvious might be hiding it under a welcome mat." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""No way," she called over her shoulder, "I'm telling you, it's so overdone no one would think to look." Mara paused, righting a photo that was hanging slightly askew on the wall before bumping her bedroom door open with a hip. She yelped as she was immediately tackled to the floor by the force that leapt into her. Jaws snapped at her face as she struggled to hold back the curse. Mara grunted with effort and worked her feet up into its midsection, launching it off of her. The curse slammed into her dresser, cracking the mirror above it. Nanami hauled her up by her shoulders, holding one arm in front of her defensively and brandishing his blade in the other. He went on the offensive before the curse could roll its bulbous body to get back up, green aura flaring as he struck with his curse ability. The creature wailed, its blood splattering the wall. It was a quadruped of some sort, but its mouth split its face in half the wrong way, vertical halves flapping with the gnashing of its teeth as it dove for them again. Nanami met it with a punishing barrage of blows with his blade as Mara darted into the room, crashing into her dresser and ripping a drawer open. This thing was what she smelled in the hallway, but it was different somehow than the first curse they had encountered here. What in God's name made it feel like this? She pulled out a blade of her own and turned, Nanami was against the wall holding the curse back from himself. She charged them, kicking the side of the creature's leg and grabbing it from behind to haul it off him. She wrapped herself around it on its back, stabbing into its chest with her knife. The curse reared and fell back, slamming into the floor with her. Air whooshed from her lungs with the impact and she dropped her blade. She tightened her hold and dug her fingers into its flesh, purple energy blooming from her palms as she began draining the curse. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Mara gasped, letting go at the first crackle of cursed energy flowing from the creature. It took her moment of shock and used it to roll and sling her into the wall. Nanami was on it again, slashing with her blade./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Nanami, wait!" She cried, "Something's wrong!" But she couldn't get the words out fast enough as he delivered the final blow. Mara scrambled to her feet./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""What?" He grasped her arm to keep her from the corpse. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Do you feel that? It doesn't feel right." She said, looking down at the curse, tendrils of cursed energy leaking back into the ether from its wounds. Nanami considered the curse as Mara knelt in front of it. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""It's…" he trailed off, brow furrowing. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""It's human," she finished, "but also a curse." She laid a hand against the spongey skin and reached into it with her curse ability. She'd never felt anything like it before. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""We need to notify the institute." He said, reaching for her. Mara wiped her hand on the ruined carpet and let him help her up. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""There goes the deposit," she muttered, staring at the mystery before them a moment before turning toward her closet. She quickly changed and stuffed the essentials in a bag. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I don't think it's a coincidence that this is the second curse we've encountered in your apartment, both clearly waiting for you." He said as they rode the elevator back down. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""If this is a dig about the key…" He cut her a look. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Hardly. Though you could make it a little harder for them, next time." He waited for her to settle into the seat of the car before shutting her door and sliding into the driver's seat. They sped away from the city, back toward the institute. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Is this the kind of thing the Wakkanai are capable of?" He asked, eyes forward. Mara rubbed her thumb along her lower lip, considering./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I've never seen anything like that," she said slowly, "Haruki let curses run free and overtake the areas they were in, but they were always just curses. That thing had human elements in it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Is it possible he's hunting you?" Mara's jaw tightened. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I'm sure," she leaned back in her seat, resting her chin against her fist as she stared out her window, "he wouldn't just have been displeased about my drugging them, I'm a possession he lost, to him. That would be reason enough to look for me." She muttered. The steering wheel groaned under his hand as he tightened and released his grip. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Mara was lost in thought. Whether Haruki was somehow involved in this or not, she didn't understand how the curse could have felt human. Curses were curses, evil beings born of the worst parts of humanity, but they weren't human themselves. The energy signature in the curse in her bedroom had definitely had threads of human woven within it though. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Do you think it might be something else? Something made to mimic and trick?" she asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I don't know," he said simply, "I didn't even feel it was off until you said something." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Do you have any thoughts as to what it could be?" She angled her head to face him, watching him as he drove. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""No, the best shot we have at figuring it out is to let the institute retrieve the body and dissect it." He laid a hand over hers, glancing at her and back at the road. "Whatever it was, it wasn't human, this isn't the same." He read her so easily, knowing she was comparing the cursed creature to a person. Mara leaned toward him, pressing a kiss onto his shoulder. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it in return. "I have to take a student out for training tomorrow," he said suddenly, "if you're up to it, you should come with us." Mara blinked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Am I…allowed? To interact with the students?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""If Gojo had truly thought you were a threat to the students, you wouldn't be here right now." He shrugged a shoulder. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Little nonchalant there, don't you think?" The side of his mouth quirked in a smile./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I prefer to think of it as 'pragmatic'," she shook her head, laughing softly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"It was dark by the time they returned to the institute, and Nanami left Mara to give a report on the curse they encountered in her apartment. He told her to make herself comfortable, or as comfortable as possible, in his dorm as he doubted anything about hers had changed. Mara took the bag she'd taken from her apartment and walked toward the dormitories, surprised to see a group of people heading in the same direction. They must have an incredibly small number of students, considering the size of the institution. This was the first sign of life she'd seen on the campus since she'd first arrived. One student dawdled behind, and she gave a small wave of greeting as she passed him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Tuna." Her brow wrinkled momentarily in confusion, and she turned around, walking backward to face the boy as she continued walking./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Albacore, preferably." She turned back around and veered off to the left, a muffled chuckle floating behind her as the student followed the others to the right. Mara jogged up the few steps to the landing of the dorm, reaching for the handle. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I hear you're going training tomorrow," Mara leapt back from the door like it had bitten her, hand over her heart. Gojo emerged from the shadows next to the building, as if it were a perfectly natural thing to do. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Is lurking your thing? Is that what you do?" She asked, hiking her bag up her shoulder. Gojo grinned, his face a floating conundrum of teeth and hair with the blindfold over his eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""It has its benefits." He stepped into the light by the door, hands in his pockets. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""How did you know about the training? We literally just got here." She asked. Gojo held up a cell phone, waving it from side to side in his hand. "Ah, touché." She said. Mara wondered when Nanami had sent the message. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""The student you'll be accompanying is a special circumstance," he began, facing the student's dormitories across the courtyard, hands in his pockets. "He's not an ordinary Jujutsu sorcerer."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Oh?" Mara eyed him. She wasn't sure what to make of Gojo. He seemed just as willing as she was to ignore the fact that he had wiped the floor with her in the forest, but his aloofness was hard to read./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""He's Sukuna's vessel." Mara blinked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""No, he's not," she laughed incredulously, trailing off as Gojo said nothing, waiting in silence for her to quiet. "You're serious. But how?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""He ingested one of Sukuna's cursed fingers and is now his vessel." Gojo leaned against the door of the dorm. "He appears to be able to control it, though, for the moment." Mara's jaw dropped./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""He ate the cursey-jerky and not only lived, but keeps Sukuna from completely taking him over?" Gojo grinned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Cursey-jerky? That should be the official name." Mara crossed her arms over her chest./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""So, wait a minute," she started, holding a hand up for emphasis, "you're telling me the student you want me to go out training with is Sukuna, The King of Curses, vessel." Her brows hiked up her forehead in confusion. "What exactly do you think I can contribute to that?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Well, nothing, really." She flipped her palm up questioningly, giving a small shake of confusion with her head. "You're to help protect him." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I hardly think Sukuna needs my protection." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""No," he admitted, "but Yuji Itadori, the vessel, does." Gojo pushed himself off the door, stepping closer to Mara. He bent himself over so his face was level with hers, and Mara found herself taking an involuntary step back. "He will consume the cursed fingers as we collect them, there's no other way to destroy them, so we will protect Yuji at all costs." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I see." She said. Gojo's mouth parted in that feral grin as he straightened, strolling casually away. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Have fun tomorrow," he called over his shoulder, "and take care of my student." Mara turned and entered the dorm hallway. She really didn't like tests, but this wouldn't have been a hard one anyway. She would have protected a student with her life without being told. Mara opened Nanami's door, setting her bag in the bottom of his entryway closet. She slowly wandered into the sitting area, taking the time to inspect the contents while she waited for him. It would only be snooping if she started going through things, this was just looking. Like a museum. She clasped her hands behind her back, strolling the short distance from the entry way to the far side of the room. There was nothing out of place, no clutter anywhere, no glaringly obvious evidence of past lovers for her to obsess and overthink about. Not that she thought…Well…They hadn't really had a discussion about that. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Mara wandered into the bedroom. There was a neatly made up bed, a dresser, and a nightstand. She wondered what his apartment looked like. He clearly had only come here sporadically, but even then he hadn't bothered to make many personal touches. She stood in front of the dresser, running her hands over it. Opening the drawer would be creepy, do not open the drawer, no matter how good his clothes smell. She huffed a laugh at herself and walked into the bathroom, inspecting her reflection in the mirror. Nanami's counter had a neat line of his toiletries, one of which being his cologne. She carefully took the bottle, inhaling gently before setting it back just as it was. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Mara?" The front door closed. Mara jolted and walked back out into the living area. "What were you doing?" Nanami asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Nothing weird." She said quickly, and grimaced. Wishing she could retract that statement. Nanami arched a brow. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Obviously." He removed his jacket and began loosening his tie. "I took the liberty of ordering some food, I thought you might be hungry." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""That sounds great," she said appreciatively, tucking a leg under herself as she took a seat on the sofa. Nanami sat next to her, a cushion length between them. "These couches really are awful." Nanami grinned. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""They get the job done, I suppose." Mara ran a hand along the stiff back of the couch./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""In the absolute loosest sense of the word, sure." She laughed. Nanami's hand met hers across the distance of the back of the couch, fingers lacing through hers. She watched their hands, smiling softly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Are you alright?" He asked. She raised her brows in question./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Me? Yeah," she stroked the back of his hand with her fingertips. "Are you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Yes," he released a sigh, "I just wanted to make sure, with the curse in the apartment." Mara nodded, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""It is what it is, all we can do is try to figure out how to keep it from happening to someone else." She turned his hand over and began tracing the grooves of his palm with a finger, "Or how it happened in the first place." Nanami gripped her hand. She looked up at him as he pulled her closer. Without thinking she straddled his lap, stroking the side of his face. He slid his hands up her thighs as he brushed his lips against hers, softly kissing her. Mara rubbed her hands over his chest as she felt his tongue against her lips. She opened for him, tongue sliding into her mouth, and he made a small sound in the back of his throat as she ground her hips against him. Mara started unbuttoning his shirt as they continued to kiss, his hands sliding up her back, one into her hair. His mouth broke away from hers, hand gripping her hair as he tilted her head to give himself access to her neck. He nipped the tender skin below her ear, slowly kissing down her neck. Mara undid the last button of his shirt and slid her hands over his shoulders, pulling the shirt with her. He released her long enough to take it off, immediately gripping her hips, pulling her into him as he ground against her. Mara arched her back, arms resting on his shoulders, as his eyes roved over her. He slid a hand up under her shirt, squeezing her breast. Mara stripped her shirt off and Nanami smiled, sliding his other hand up her side. He reached behind her and undid the clasp of her bra, hooking a finger in the band in the front of it. He watched her face as he slowly pulled it down, cool air rushing over her warmed skin. She lowered her arms to let it fall in his lap. He slowly lowered his gaze, lips slightly parted. His thumbs brushed back and forth over the skin of her ribs just below her breasts, teasing goosebumps out of her. She arched her back again for him, pulling slightly on his waistband, and he took her breast in his mouth, rolling his tongue over the nipple, the thumb of his hand mirroring the action on the other. Mara gasped, running a hand through his hair. He groaned against her as her hand tightened into a fist, pulling slightly, and he nipped at the skin of her breast. Mara pulled his undershirt up, forcing him away from her as she pulled it up and almost over his head. She leaned into him, grinning as she held it just at his head, forcing him to keep his arms up. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""What are you…?" She cut off his question, kissing him deeply. He slipped his arms the rest of the way out of the shirt and quickly stood, holding her against him as she wrapped her legs around his waist. "Such a naughty girl." He whispered against her mouth, carrying her back to his bedroom. He squeezed her ass as he held her up, fingers gently stretching her apart as he did, and laid her down on the edge of his bed. He slid a hand up the plane of her stomach, between her breasts, and over her throat. She leaned her head back into the mattress, and he made a low appreciative sound as he stroked his palm up and down her neck, fingers applying gentle pressure to the sides of it. He stood between her legs against the bed and her hips writhed against his thighs, desperate for any kind of friction against the most sensitive part of her. He smiled, eyes roving down her body as he released her neck, fingertips retracing the path his hand had taken back down to her waistband. "Do you need something, darling?" He whispered, trailing his finger straight down the middle of her over her pants, rubbing the heel of his palm against her as her hips rose to meet his hand. Mara moaned at the touch, starting to rise off the bed to reach for him, but Nanami pushed her back down, sliding his body over hers as he took her arms and held them down above her head. He lowered his face next to her ear, "I want you to keep your hands right here," he said softly, sliding his hands up her arms until he interlaced their fingers together, squeezing her hands before trailing his way back down her body. He cupped her breasts with both hands, rubbing his thumbs over her hard nipples. She involuntarily arched her back, gripping the sheet of the bed in her hands as she groaned again. The side of his mouth kicked up in a half smile, "That's my good girl." He pressed one of his thighs against her, letting her grind against it, before dragging his fingers down her sides. He hooked his fingers into the waist of her pants and pulled, taking her underwear with them. He lifted her legs as he pulled them all the way off. He placed a gentle kiss on the inside of her ankle as he looked down at her, slowly kneeling. He slid his hands up her thighs, parting them as he lowered his face to her. She trembled under his touch and he kissed the inside of her thigh. "Absolutely perfect," he breathed against her, and she sucked in a breath as he dragged his tongue up the center of her. He plunged his tongue into her, dragging it up to the middle of her to the bundle of nerves at the apex, sliding two fingers in where his tongue had been inside her. Her back bowed as she struggled to keep still for him, and his other hand slid up her stomach to hold her in place. He slowly rocked his fingers in and out of her, curling them slightly on each retreat. His tongue made lazy circles on her clit, pressing harder when she ground her hips into him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Nanami, I…" her words died on a gasp, groaning as his tongue started moving faster./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Tell me, darling," he said against her, continuing./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You're going to make me…I can't" she panted, his hold on her belly tightening as he held her down with more force. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You can," his fingers started moving faster, along with his tongue, "and you will," he buried his mouth against her, bringing Mara closer to release. She suddenly stilled and he kept his exact pace, her back arching off the bed as he held her against his face. She cried out his name as her release shot through her and he eased his grip on her, slowing his tongue as she trembled against him. He pulled back, softly kissing her clit, eliciting another shudder from her. He trailed kisses along the inside of her thigh, and up her hip. She reached for his shoulders, urging him upwards. He obliged, hovering above her on his elbows as he gazed down at her, stroking the side of her face. She leaned up and kissed him, undoing his belt and pulling it free. She unbuttoned his pants, pulling everything down. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Mara…" he whispered against her lips./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Take them off," she ordered. She felt him grin./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""So greedy," He shrugged the pants off, kicking them to the floor. She reached down and wrapped a hand around his cock, and her eyes widened slightly as she looked down. She slid her palm over the slick head of it and he pressed his hips forward into her hand, groaning. She spread her legs for him, guiding him closer to her until the head of his cock was pressed right against her. She slowly rubbed it up down, right over her clit. Her eyes fluttered at the sensation and she gasped softly, arching her head back into the mattress. He watched her with lust filled eyes. He slowly raised himself up, keeping his cock in her grip, until he was on his knees between her legs. "Make yourself come again," he hiked her legs up, holding them apart by her knees, "I want to watch you find your pleasure on my dick." Slickness pooled between her legs at his words, but she continued rubbing the head of his cock against her, rolling her hips as the pressure started to build again. Her breathing hitched, and she could feel her innermost muscles tightening. "Yes," he hissed, "keep going." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I need you," she breathed, and he plunged himself inside her. She cried out in pleasure as he held her hips, thrusting into her. Nanami felt her tighten around him and he moved deeply inside her, halted breaths coming hard as he found his own release. He stilled, catching his breath as he slowly pulled himself out from her, laying next to her. Mara rubbed a hand over her cheek and turned on her side to face Nanami. He smoothed the hair back from her face, tucking it behind her ear before gently kissing her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I may have made a mess of you," he said softly, Mara laughed, "come shower with me." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""To be honest, I don't think I can move quite yet," she smiled lazily as he pulled her closer, stroking a hand down her back. She snuggled into his arms, laying her head against his chest. He kissed the top of her head as he held her, his hand steadily stroking up and down her back. There was a sharp knock at the front door and they both stiffened in brief confusion before Nanami relaxed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I forgot," he said, kissing her cheek as he untangled himself from her, "the food." He quickly pulled his pants back on, not bothering to button them as he left the room. Mara could hear quick, muffled voices and the closing of the door. Nanami came back in the room, sliding himself over Mara, kissing up her leg, over her hip, and up her shoulder to her lips. "Tell me what you want first, darling." He murmured against her neck as he nuzzled it. Mara grinned. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Shower first, then food please." She squealed with laughter as he scooped her up in his arms, carrying her to the bathroom. This tender side of him delighted her. She should have suspected it, he was constantly touching her in small ways and she loved every single one. They may have taken a little longer than anticipated in the shower, but when they were through Nanami handed her another of his plain white shirts to wear. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I like the way you look in my shirt," he said shyly. Mara happily obliged him. They sat on the sofa in the living room as they ate take out noodles from the cartons, and she told Nanami about running into Gojo on the steps of the dormitory. "Did you really call it 'cursey-jerky'?" He laughed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I actually don't see why you wouldn't call it 'cursey-jerky', it's exactly what it is." She said, gesturing in the air with her chopsticks. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You'll have to tell Itadori, he'll think that's hilarious." Mara smiled at him. She watched Nanami as they talked and her heart swelled. The feeling made her nervous, but quietly hopeful. Nanami insisted that she stay with him tonight, as he was certain there were no spare sheets in her room for her bed and she didn't fight him on it. Mara awoke in the small hours of the night and opened her eyes, she was curled into the crook of Nanami's arm and she slowly smoothed a hand over his bare chest. She watched him for a moment, hesitantly sliding a finger down his cheek, his face slack with sleep. He unconsciously pulled her closer and she laid her head on his chest, listening to the rhythm of his heart, letting it lull her back to sleep. She didn't know for sure what this was, but it mattered so much to her. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanspan style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""…Do what you want, but she should stay here." Her ears perked as she processed what Gojo had just said. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You want me to stay here at the institute?" Feeling slowly crept back into her lips as she formed the words, their fading numbness a soft, static buzz. Gojo merely glanced over his shoulder at her, making a vague sound of affirmation. "Why?" She asked stupidly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Because I'd like to know where you are," he didn't bother turning around. Mara nodded to herself, she would want to keep tabs on someone like her as well if she were in their position. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Put her in the dorm next to mine." Nanami's voice held no discernable emotion, and the realization of it hit Mara harder than anything could. She hadn't hoped for anything remotely positive, but at least anger or disappointment would have been emsomething/em. Oh, God…He was taking responsibility for her. He was the one who brought her here, she was his mess to clean up. Bile burned the back of her throat as white hot shame flooded her, she should have run faster…Should have provoked Gojo into killing her…Should have never let Nanami into her apartment…Should have, should have, should have. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"They crested a small hill into a clearing next to the dormitories, and Gojo veered off. He might have said where he was going or given a 'good-bye' but Mara wasn't paying attention at all. She only focused on Nanami's feet in front of her, stopping or going as he did. He lead them back into the dorm with his room, passing his door and stopping at the next one down. The room was the mirror of his in design, though it was empty save for a worn rug and a tired looking sofa exactly like the one in his room. Mara suspected she would find a standard issue bed in the bedroom./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""We can have Kiyotaka retrieve some of your belongings from your apartment," Mara cringed inwardly at the perfunctory tone, "you have blood all over your face." She raised her gaze to find him looking at her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""O.k., I'll take care of it." She said numbly. Nanami gestured toward the bedroom./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""The shower is in there." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""O.k." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I'll see if I can procure a change of clothing for you."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""O.k."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I'll return shortly."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""O.k." Nanami narrowed his eyes slightly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You won't be any good to anyone, yourself included, if you break down now." Mara's eyes became a little more focused at that. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""O.k.," she said once more, walking past him and into the bedroom. It had the expected generic, bare bed and an empty nightstand. She opened the bathroom door to nothing but the fixtures within, turning on the water. She mechanically stripped off her clothes and stepped into the tub, icy water spraying her before slowly warming. Mara sat on the floor of the tub, hugging her knees to her chest, and let the water run over her. There was no shower curtain to protect the floor, but she'd deal with it later. She smoothed her hands up her face, scabs of dried blood peeling off her skin, and through her hair. There was no soap to use either, but she truly didn't care. She desperately wished to be back in her apartment, living a solitary life of going to work and coming home. It was no less a prison than what she now found herself in, but at least there she didn't have the weight of disappointment hanging around her neck, a noose just tight enough to choke but never to kill. She had been stupid enough to let someone in and it had been immediately tainted by her past. She supposed it was only fitting. She'd taken a life and thus she should be made to repay it by having pieces of herself cut away, bit by bit until nothing remained. She was a murderer. A murderer. MurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurdererMurderer./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Have you been in here this whole time?" The sharpness of Nanami's voice snapped through her consciousness. The stream of water she was sitting in had gone glacial. She blindly reached an arm up and shut it off. "What are you doing?" Mara blinked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Nothing, just…thinking." He let out a sigh and set a towel down on the lid of the toilet./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Can you stand?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Yeah, uh, just give me a minute." She kept her arms around herself for modesty's sake, waiting for Nanami to leave. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I'm stepping right outside the door, you have exactly one minute before I remove you myself from that tub." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You can just leave," she grumbled under her breath, gripping the sides of the bath as he left. Her joints cried out in protest at being released from her rigid hold on them, she focused hard on where she placed her feet as she waited for feeling to return to them. Mara squeezed her dripping hair out over the tub and wrapped the towel around herself, picking up her sodden clothes from the floor. She stumbled out of the bathroom as the last of the numbness in her legs dissipated. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You can use these until you have more of your own clothing." Nanami stepped toward her, holding out a neatly folded stack of clothing. She looked around a moment before tossing the clothes in her hand to a corner of the room with a wet smack. Nanami's eyes followed their trajectory, but he said nothing as she took the clothes he offered. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Thanks," Mara clutched the clothes and her towel, shifting on her feet as they both stood there. The awkwardness grated against her until she couldn't stand it. "I'll be right out." Nanami nodded once./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Of course," He left her alone in the room, but she could still feel his presence in the living area. She dressed quickly, slinging the plain white shirt over her head and pulling the athletic pants up, adjusting the drawstring so they wouldn't fall. She gathered the front of the shirt to her nose and inhaled deeply, closing her eyes. He'd given her clothes of his own. The faintly woody, clean smell of his cologne lingered in the fibers of the shirt, and she softly rubbed her cheek against it. Mara stepped out into the living area and Nanami turned to her. She couldn't read the expression on his face, if you could even say there was one beyond the neutrality of acknowledgement. His eyes dropped to her feet, which were hidden by the considerable length of the pants. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Here, you'll trip." He closed the distance between them and knelt before her, rolling first one leg and then the other of the pants up. His hand lingered a moment on her calf before he stood, taking a step back./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Uh, thank you, for everything," she waved a hand at the clothes she was wearing, "I really appreciate it." She ducked her head, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm sorry to be a burden."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""The burden only exists in your mind." She huffed a laugh, studying the dust motes floating through a shaft of light. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Are you sure? Because it sounds like you landed yourself in jail with me for bringing me here." Nanami took a small step toward her./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You're not a prisoner, and neither am I. You could leave if you wanted to, but should the Wakkanai catch wind of your location it would be easier to help you from here rather than if you were on your own." Her face wrinkled in confusion./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Why would you ever want to help me? Why would anyone?" She hated the rawness in her voice. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""The Wakkanai are killers," she flinched from the sting of the word, but he continued, "they allied themselves with curses, leaving nothing but chaos and death in their wake. They are not the kind of people familiar with regret or honor, they do not mourn their actions, they certainly do not shed tears over them." He reached a hand out, stroking away the tear sliding down her cheek. "I'm not here to absolve or condemn you. You did a horrible thing at their behest, but I don't think you're one of them." Her face crumpled and she buried it in her hands, shoulders rocking as she cried again. She felt Nanami's arms wrap around her and she leaned into his chest. She had no idea why he offered her this life line, but she clung fiercely to it. "I don't know if anything will ever take away your guilt, but if you lose yourself in it, you'll never get the chance to make it right." He rubbed a slow path up and down her spine, the warmth of it sinking into her, soothing her ragged soul. He picked her up at one point and sat with her on the dusty sofa. He waited patiently, letting her cry against him, like a boulder parting a river. Eventually her crying slowed, small hiccups escaping her until she finally stilled. She wrapped her arms tightly around Nanami./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Sorry about your shirt," she mumbled into his shoulder. She felt a chuckle rumble through him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""It's not that bad, I can change," he said. She pushed herself back from him, hands falling to her lap between them. Nanami looked at her. "Tell me your story, tell me everything that happened back then." span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanMara sighed, eyes dropping to her hands. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I'm not the good guy in my story," she said softly, sliding off of him and curling into the seat on the other side of the small sofa. Nanami merely waited for her to continue. Mara rolled her neck and sighed, "I was left with the Jujutsu institute at Wakkanai as a child, my curse ability had emerged and my clan wanted nothing to do with me. Haruki took me in, he helped me understand my curse ability and how to control it, he taught me everything I know about Jujutsu. He was like a father to me." Her hands clenched around each other. "Or I thought, at least. Most fathers don't do those sorts of things to their daughters, I imagine." She gave a humorless smile that fell far short of her eyes. Nanami's jaw tightened, but still he waited for her to continue. "He was the mastermind behind the institute, he goaded them all on. He thought Jujutsu sorcerers should be gods among men, 'feared and revered' was his favorite thing to say." Mara rolled her eyes. "He told me I was special, that if I worked hard enough I could be the most powerful of all of them. His idea of 'practice' for me to reach that goal was to have the whole institute attack me all at once, but I wasn't allowed to drain them. If I drained them, he'd beat the shit out of me after they were through." She paused, eyes hollow with memory. Nanami reached a hand across the seat between them, taking her hand in his. "I could have killed them all," she sniffed, picking at a stray thread on the back of the sofa, "I should have killed them all." She shook her head once, as if trying to shake away the memory. "Anyway, Haruki caught wind of a Jujutsu sorcerer who was helping people in a nearby village. Her innate curse ability was healing. And not just like exorcising a curse that's hanging around and the person feels lighter, she could truly heal. Healing, of all things." She huffed a laugh. "Haruki wanted me to take her curse ability for my own, so he told me she was cursing the people of the village. Tricking them into giving her money while she was just making them sicker. And my stupid ass believed him." She pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes. "I held her down, and I watched the life drain out of her while I took her curse ability," Mara choked on a sob. "She was so afraid, I could see it, and I killed her." She held her hands over her face, too cowardly to look to see Nanami's reaction. "One of the villagers saw us and brought others with him, I barely made it back to the institute. When I got back Haruki only asked if I had been successful, and when I told him 'yes' he roared with laughter. It was the hardest I'd ever seen him laugh. He told me he couldn't believe I had fallen for his story." Mara scrubbed angrily at her face. "That was the night I escaped. I drugged their food and I left." She bit her lip, staring into nothingness. "I should have killed them." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Would you feel less guilty if you had?" Nanami's voice held no judgement, only curiosity./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I don't know," she admitted, "maybe I can only say that because my soul is already stained. But of the two parties, Haruki and his followers deserved it more." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You should train again," Mara looked up at him, "work until your ability is at its strongest, and stop running from these pathetic excuses for sorcerers. Facing them won't bring back the young girl, but avenging her might be a step toward bringing yourself back." Mara saw her sweet face in the swirls of pattern on the sofa, eyes unfocusing. "You're not the same as them." Mara started to shake her head, but Nanami caught her chin to make her look at him, "You are not them." He insisted, gently letting her go. Mara sighed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Even if I work myself to my full potential, I'm not the counsel. I can't just go and deliver vigilante justice because someone fucked me over."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""The Wakkanai sorcerers are marked for death, they're enemies of Jujutsu. Any Jujutsu sorcerer is within the law to mete out justice." Mara rubbed a hand over the back of her neck. She didn't bother pointing out she would be counted among them to anyone else. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""What do we do now?" His eyes traveled over her face before he flicked his arm out, checking his watch. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I suppose we have time to go back to your apartment to at least get your clothes, if you don't mind the drive."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""A drive sounds great right now, actually." Mara stood from her seat, waiting as Nanami did as well. "You're right," she said softly, "I can't make it right, but I owe it to everyone to at least try." Nanami took one of her hands, stroking her fingers with his thumb. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""If I can help you, I will." Mara stretched on her toes and pressed her lips against his just once. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I don't deserve it, but thank you." She stepped back from him. "Do we have to ask Kiyotaka to drive us, or can we just drive ourselves back?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""It can just be us," Nanami made his way to the door, waiting for Mara to follow. "Why?" Mara shrugged./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""If I were him, I would hate us for making him drive all the way back again in the same day." Nanami laughed as she slipped on her shoes, following him out of the dormitories. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"The ride back to the city didn't seem to take as long, and Mara found herself better able to enjoy the ride as Nanami drove. Amazing what an improvement the absence of sheer panic could do. She relaxed into her seat as she watched the scenery speed by, and Nanami laid a casual hand on her leg, long fingers idly stroking her knee. She leaned into the touch, relishing in its simple comfort. She replayed bits of their earlier conversation through her mind, contemplating what she should do. She had meant it when she admitted she should try to avenge the healer, her curse ability was already stretching within her, dormant and idle muscles straining awake with each use. Would she really seek Haruki and the others out? Mara shifted as her curse ability crackled under her skin, hungry to lash out at the thought of his wretched face. Nanami's hand paused on her knee, feeling the static of her energy. He cut her a glance from the corner of his eye and she squashed it, lulling her curse energy back into its slumber. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"They came to a stop in front of the apartment complex and this time Mara stepped out of the car before Nanami could reach her door. He followed her into the building, and they rode the elevator up to her floor. Mara's nose wrinkled at the strange smell wafting through the hallway, but she waved it off as they neared her door. She groped along the top of her door frame for a spare key, and Nanami arched a brow at her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I'm beginning to wonder how a curse ended up in your apartment and not a robber." He said dryly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""It's so obvious though, who would think to look for it?" Mara pushed the door open./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Literally everyone." She snorted as she set the key on her dining table, heading back toward her bedroom. "The only thing more obvious might be hiding it under a welcome mat." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""No way," she called over her shoulder, "I'm telling you, it's so overdone no one would think to look." Mara paused, righting a photo that was hanging slightly askew on the wall before bumping her bedroom door open with a hip. She yelped as she was immediately tackled to the floor by the force that leapt into her. Jaws snapped at her face as she struggled to hold back the curse. Mara grunted with effort and worked her feet up into its midsection, launching it off of her. The curse slammed into her dresser, cracking the mirror above it. Nanami hauled her up by her shoulders, holding one arm in front of her defensively and brandishing his blade in the other. He went on the offensive before the curse could roll its bulbous body to get back up, green aura flaring as he struck with his curse ability. The creature wailed, its blood splattering the wall. It was a quadruped of some sort, but its mouth split its face in half the wrong way, vertical halves flapping with the gnashing of its teeth as it dove for them again. Nanami met it with a punishing barrage of blows with his blade as Mara darted into the room, crashing into her dresser and ripping a drawer open. This thing was what she smelled in the hallway, but it was different somehow than the first curse they had encountered here. What in God's name made it feel like this? She pulled out a blade of her own and turned, Nanami was against the wall holding the curse back from himself. She charged them, kicking the side of the creature's leg and grabbing it from behind to haul it off him. She wrapped herself around it on its back, stabbing into its chest with her knife. The curse reared and fell back, slamming into the floor with her. Air whooshed from her lungs with the impact and she dropped her blade. She tightened her hold and dug her fingers into its flesh, purple energy blooming from her palms as she began draining the curse. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Mara gasped, letting go at the first crackle of cursed energy flowing from the creature. It took her moment of shock and used it to roll and sling her into the wall. Nanami was on it again, slashing with her blade./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Nanami, wait!" She cried, "Something's wrong!" But she couldn't get the words out fast enough as he delivered the final blow. Mara scrambled to her feet./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""What?" He grasped her arm to keep her from the corpse. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Do you feel that? It doesn't feel right." She said, looking down at the curse, tendrils of cursed energy leaking back into the ether from its wounds. Nanami considered the curse as Mara knelt in front of it. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""It's…" he trailed off, brow furrowing. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""It's human," she finished, "but also a curse." She laid a hand against the spongey skin and reached into it with her curse ability. She'd never felt anything like it before. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""We need to notify the institute." He said, reaching for her. Mara wiped her hand on the ruined carpet and let him help her up. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""There goes the deposit," she muttered, staring at the mystery before them a moment before turning toward her closet. She quickly changed and stuffed the essentials in a bag. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I don't think it's a coincidence that this is the second curse we've encountered in your apartment, both clearly waiting for you." He said as they rode the elevator back down. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""If this is a dig about the key…" He cut her a look. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Hardly. Though you could make it a little harder for them, next time." He waited for her to settle into the seat of the car before shutting her door and sliding into the driver's seat. They sped away from the city, back toward the institute. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Is this the kind of thing the Wakkanai are capable of?" He asked, eyes forward. Mara rubbed her thumb along her lower lip, considering./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I've never seen anything like that," she said slowly, "Haruki let curses run free and overtake the areas they were in, but they were always just curses. That thing had human elements in it."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Is it possible he's hunting you?" Mara's jaw tightened. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I'm sure," she leaned back in her seat, resting her chin against her fist as she stared out her window, "he wouldn't just have been displeased about my drugging them, I'm a possession he lost, to him. That would be reason enough to look for me." She muttered. The steering wheel groaned under his hand as he tightened and released his grip. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Mara was lost in thought. Whether Haruki was somehow involved in this or not, she didn't understand how the curse could have felt human. Curses were curses, evil beings born of the worst parts of humanity, but they weren't human themselves. The energy signature in the curse in her bedroom had definitely had threads of human woven within it though. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Do you think it might be something else? Something made to mimic and trick?" she asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I don't know," he said simply, "I didn't even feel it was off until you said something." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Do you have any thoughts as to what it could be?" She angled her head to face him, watching him as he drove. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""No, the best shot we have at figuring it out is to let the institute retrieve the body and dissect it." He laid a hand over hers, glancing at her and back at the road. "Whatever it was, it wasn't human, this isn't the same." He read her so easily, knowing she was comparing the cursed creature to a person. Mara leaned toward him, pressing a kiss onto his shoulder. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it in return. "I have to take a student out for training tomorrow," he said suddenly, "if you're up to it, you should come with us." Mara blinked. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Am I…allowed? To interact with the students?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""If Gojo had truly thought you were a threat to the students, you wouldn't be here right now." He shrugged a shoulder. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Little nonchalant there, don't you think?" The side of his mouth quirked in a smile./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I prefer to think of it as 'pragmatic'," she shook her head, laughing softly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"It was dark by the time they returned to the institute, and Nanami left Mara to give a report on the curse they encountered in her apartment. He told her to make herself comfortable, or as comfortable as possible, in his dorm as he doubted anything about hers had changed. Mara took the bag she'd taken from her apartment and walked toward the dormitories, surprised to see a group of people heading in the same direction. They must have an incredibly small number of students, considering the size of the institution. This was the first sign of life she'd seen on the campus since she'd first arrived. One student dawdled behind, and she gave a small wave of greeting as she passed him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Tuna." Her brow wrinkled momentarily in confusion, and she turned around, walking backward to face the boy as she continued walking./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Albacore, preferably." She turned back around and veered off to the left, a muffled chuckle floating behind her as the student followed the others to the right. Mara jogged up the few steps to the landing of the dorm, reaching for the handle. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I hear you're going training tomorrow," Mara leapt back from the door like it had bitten her, hand over her heart. Gojo emerged from the shadows next to the building, as if it were a perfectly natural thing to do. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Is lurking your thing? Is that what you do?" She asked, hiking her bag up her shoulder. Gojo grinned, his face a floating conundrum of teeth and hair with the blindfold over his eyes./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""It has its benefits." He stepped into the light by the door, hands in his pockets. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""How did you know about the training? We literally just got here." She asked. Gojo held up a cell phone, waving it from side to side in his hand. "Ah, touché." She said. Mara wondered when Nanami had sent the message. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""The student you'll be accompanying is a special circumstance," he began, facing the student's dormitories across the courtyard, hands in his pockets. "He's not an ordinary Jujutsu sorcerer."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Oh?" Mara eyed him. She wasn't sure what to make of Gojo. He seemed just as willing as she was to ignore the fact that he had wiped the floor with her in the forest, but his aloofness was hard to read./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""He's Sukuna's vessel." Mara blinked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""No, he's not," she laughed incredulously, trailing off as Gojo said nothing, waiting in silence for her to quiet. "You're serious. But how?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""He ingested one of Sukuna's cursed fingers and is now his vessel." Gojo leaned against the door of the dorm. "He appears to be able to control it, though, for the moment." Mara's jaw dropped./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""He ate the cursey-jerky and not only lived, but keeps Sukuna from completely taking him over?" Gojo grinned./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Cursey-jerky? That should be the official name." Mara crossed her arms over her chest./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""So, wait a minute," she started, holding a hand up for emphasis, "you're telling me the student you want me to go out training with is Sukuna, The King of Curses, vessel." Her brows hiked up her forehead in confusion. "What exactly do you think I can contribute to that?" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Well, nothing, really." She flipped her palm up questioningly, giving a small shake of confusion with her head. "You're to help protect him." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I hardly think Sukuna needs my protection." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""No," he admitted, "but Yuji Itadori, the vessel, does." Gojo pushed himself off the door, stepping closer to Mara. He bent himself over so his face was level with hers, and Mara found herself taking an involuntary step back. "He will consume the cursed fingers as we collect them, there's no other way to destroy them, so we will protect Yuji at all costs." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I see." She said. Gojo's mouth parted in that feral grin as he straightened, strolling casually away. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Have fun tomorrow," he called over his shoulder, "and take care of my student." Mara turned and entered the dorm hallway. She really didn't like tests, but this wouldn't have been a hard one anyway. She would have protected a student with her life without being told. Mara opened Nanami's door, setting her bag in the bottom of his entryway closet. She slowly wandered into the sitting area, taking the time to inspect the contents while she waited for him. It would only be snooping if she started going through things, this was just looking. Like a museum. She clasped her hands behind her back, strolling the short distance from the entry way to the far side of the room. There was nothing out of place, no clutter anywhere, no glaringly obvious evidence of past lovers for her to obsess and overthink about. Not that she thought…Well…They hadn't really had a discussion about that. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;"Mara wandered into the bedroom. There was a neatly made up bed, a dresser, and a nightstand. She wondered what his apartment looked like. He clearly had only come here sporadically, but even then he hadn't bothered to make many personal touches. She stood in front of the dresser, running her hands over it. Opening the drawer would be creepy, do not open the drawer, no matter how good his clothes smell. She huffed a laugh at herself and walked into the bathroom, inspecting her reflection in the mirror. Nanami's counter had a neat line of his toiletries, one of which being his cologne. She carefully took the bottle, inhaling gently before setting it back just as it was. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Mara?" The front door closed. Mara jolted and walked back out into the living area. "What were you doing?" Nanami asked./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Nothing weird." She said quickly, and grimaced. Wishing she could retract that statement. Nanami arched a brow. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Obviously." He removed his jacket and began loosening his tie. "I took the liberty of ordering some food, I thought you might be hungry." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""That sounds great," she said appreciatively, tucking a leg under herself as she took a seat on the sofa. Nanami sat next to her, a cushion length between them. "These couches really are awful." Nanami grinned. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""They get the job done, I suppose." Mara ran a hand along the stiff back of the couch./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""In the absolute loosest sense of the word, sure." She laughed. Nanami's hand met hers across the distance of the back of the couch, fingers lacing through hers. She watched their hands, smiling softly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Are you alright?" He asked. She raised her brows in question./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Me? Yeah," she stroked the back of his hand with her fingertips. "Are you?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Yes," he released a sigh, "I just wanted to make sure, with the curse in the apartment." Mara nodded, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""It is what it is, all we can do is try to figure out how to keep it from happening to someone else." She turned his hand over and began tracing the grooves of his palm with a finger, "Or how it happened in the first place." Nanami gripped her hand. She looked up at him as he pulled her closer. Without thinking she straddled his lap, stroking the side of his face. He slid his hands up her thighs as he brushed his lips against hers, softly kissing her. Mara rubbed her hands over his chest as she felt his tongue against her lips. She opened for him, tongue sliding into her mouth, and he made a small sound in the back of his throat as she ground her hips against him. Mara started unbuttoning his shirt as they continued to kiss, his hands sliding up her back, one into her hair. His mouth broke away from hers, hand gripping her hair as he tilted her head to give himself access to her neck. He nipped the tender skin below her ear, slowly kissing down her neck. Mara undid the last button of his shirt and slid her hands over his shoulders, pulling the shirt with her. He released her long enough to take it off, immediately gripping her hips, pulling her into him as he ground against her. Mara arched her back, arms resting on his shoulders, as his eyes roved over her. He slid a hand up under her shirt, squeezing her breast. Mara stripped her shirt off and Nanami smiled, sliding his other hand up her side. He reached behind her and undid the clasp of her bra, hooking a finger in the band in the front of it. He watched her face as he slowly pulled it down, cool air rushing over her warmed skin. She lowered her arms to let it fall in his lap. He slowly lowered his gaze, lips slightly parted. His thumbs brushed back and forth over the skin of her ribs just below her breasts, teasing goosebumps out of her. She arched her back again for him, pulling slightly on his waistband, and he took her breast in his mouth, rolling his tongue over the nipple, the thumb of his hand mirroring the action on the other. Mara gasped, running a hand through his hair. He groaned against her as her hand tightened into a fist, pulling slightly, and he nipped at the skin of her breast. Mara pulled his undershirt up, forcing him away from her as she pulled it up and almost over his head. She leaned into him, grinning as she held it just at his head, forcing him to keep his arms up. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""What are you…?" She cut off his question, kissing him deeply. He slipped his arms the rest of the way out of the shirt and quickly stood, holding her against him as she wrapped her legs around his waist. "Such a naughty girl." He whispered against her mouth, carrying her back to his bedroom. He squeezed her ass as he held her up, fingers gently stretching her apart as he did, and laid her down on the edge of his bed. He slid a hand up the plane of her stomach, between her breasts, and over her throat. She leaned her head back into the mattress, and he made a low appreciative sound as he stroked his palm up and down her neck, fingers applying gentle pressure to the sides of it. He stood between her legs against the bed and her hips writhed against his thighs, desperate for any kind of friction against the most sensitive part of her. He smiled, eyes roving down her body as he released her neck, fingertips retracing the path his hand had taken back down to her waistband. "Do you need something, darling?" He whispered, trailing his finger straight down the middle of her over her pants, rubbing the heel of his palm against her as her hips rose to meet his hand. Mara moaned at the touch, starting to rise off the bed to reach for him, but Nanami pushed her back down, sliding his body over hers as he took her arms and held them down above her head. He lowered his face next to her ear, "I want you to keep your hands right here," he said softly, sliding his hands up her arms until he interlaced their fingers together, squeezing her hands before trailing his way back down her body. He cupped her breasts with both hands, rubbing his thumbs over her hard nipples. She involuntarily arched her back, gripping the sheet of the bed in her hands as she groaned again. The side of his mouth kicked up in a half smile, "That's my good girl." He pressed one of his thighs against her, letting her grind against it, before dragging his fingers down her sides. He hooked his fingers into the waist of her pants and pulled, taking her underwear with them. He lifted her legs as he pulled them all the way off. He placed a gentle kiss on the inside of her ankle as he looked down at her, slowly kneeling. He slid his hands up her thighs, parting them as he lowered his face to her. She trembled under his touch and he kissed the inside of her thigh. "Absolutely perfect," he breathed against her, and she sucked in a breath as he dragged his tongue up the center of her. He plunged his tongue into her, dragging it up to the middle of her to the bundle of nerves at the apex, sliding two fingers in where his tongue had been inside her. Her back bowed as she struggled to keep still for him, and his other hand slid up her stomach to hold her in place. He slowly rocked his fingers in and out of her, curling them slightly on each retreat. His tongue made lazy circles on her clit, pressing harder when she ground her hips into him. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Nanami, I…" her words died on a gasp, groaning as his tongue started moving faster./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Tell me, darling," he said against her, continuing./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You're going to make me…I can't" she panted, his hold on her belly tightening as he held her down with more force. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You can," his fingers started moving faster, along with his tongue, "and you will," he buried his mouth against her, bringing Mara closer to release. She suddenly stilled and he kept his exact pace, her back arching off the bed as he held her against his face. She cried out his name as her release shot through her and he eased his grip on her, slowing his tongue as she trembled against him. He pulled back, softly kissing her clit, eliciting another shudder from her. He trailed kisses along the inside of her thigh, and up her hip. She reached for his shoulders, urging him upwards. He obliged, hovering above her on his elbows as he gazed down at her, stroking the side of her face. She leaned up and kissed him, undoing his belt and pulling it free. She unbuttoned his pants, pulling everything down. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Mara…" he whispered against her lips./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Take them off," she ordered. She felt him grin./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""So greedy," He shrugged the pants off, kicking them to the floor. She reached down and wrapped a hand around his cock, and her eyes widened slightly as she looked down. She slid her palm over the slick head of it and he pressed his hips forward into her hand, groaning. She spread her legs for him, guiding him closer to her until the head of his cock was pressed right against her. She slowly rubbed it up down, right over her clit. Her eyes fluttered at the sensation and she gasped softly, arching her head back into the mattress. He watched her with lust filled eyes. He slowly raised himself up, keeping his cock in her grip, until he was on his knees between her legs. "Make yourself come again," he hiked her legs up, holding them apart by her knees, "I want to watch you find your pleasure on my dick." Slickness pooled between her legs at his words, but she continued rubbing the head of his cock against her, rolling her hips as the pressure started to build again. Her breathing hitched, and she could feel her innermost muscles tightening. "Yes," he hissed, "keep going." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I need you," she breathed, and he plunged himself inside her. She cried out in pleasure as he held her hips, thrusting into her. Nanami felt her tighten around him and he moved deeply inside her, halted breaths coming hard as he found his own release. He stilled, catching his breath as he slowly pulled himself out from her, laying next to her. Mara rubbed a hand over her cheek and turned on her side to face Nanami. He smoothed the hair back from her face, tucking it behind her ear before gently kissing her. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I may have made a mess of you," he said softly, Mara laughed, "come shower with me." /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""To be honest, I don't think I can move quite yet," she smiled lazily as he pulled her closer, stroking a hand down her back. She snuggled into his arms, laying her head against his chest. He kissed the top of her head as he held her, his hand steadily stroking up and down her back. There was a sharp knock at the front door and they both stiffened in brief confusion before Nanami relaxed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I forgot," he said, kissing her cheek as he untangled himself from her, "the food." He quickly pulled his pants back on, not bothering to button them as he left the room. Mara could hear quick, muffled voices and the closing of the door. Nanami came back in the room, sliding himself over Mara, kissing up her leg, over her hip, and up her shoulder to her lips. "Tell me what you want first, darling." He murmured against her neck as he nuzzled it. Mara grinned. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""Shower first, then food please." She squealed with laughter as he scooped her up in his arms, carrying her to the bathroom. This tender side of him delighted her. She should have suspected it, he was constantly touching her in small ways and she loved every single one. They may have taken a little longer than anticipated in the shower, but when they were through Nanami handed her another of his plain white shirts to wear. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I like the way you look in my shirt," he said shyly. Mara happily obliged him. They sat on the sofa in the living room as they ate take out noodles from the cartons, and she told Nanami about running into Gojo on the steps of the dormitory. "Did you really call it 'cursey-jerky'?" He laughed. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""I actually don't see why you wouldn't call it 'cursey-jerky', it's exactly what it is." She said, gesturing in the air with her chopsticks. /span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;""You'll have to tell Itadori, he'll think that's hilarious." Mara smiled at him. She watched Nanami as they talked and her heart swelled. The feeling made her nervous, but quietly hopeful. Nanami insisted that she stay with him tonight, as he was certain there were no spare sheets in her room for her bed and she didn't fight him on it. Mara awoke in the small hours of the night and opened her eyes, she was curled into the crook of Nanami's arm and she slowly smoothed a hand over his bare chest. She watched him for a moment, hesitantly sliding a finger down his cheek, his face slack with sleep. He unconsciously pulled her closer and she laid her head on his chest, listening to the rhythm of his heart, letting it lull her back to sleep. She didn't know for sure what this was, but it mattered so much to her. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanspan style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/span/p