Tranquility


Stuck in the mud, girls, dreamers, stuck in the mud, look at what the reaper got stuck in the mud-Isaiah Rashad and SZA


Live For


Fifty-four hours turned into just two. But that was all Maki needed. As she sat patiently on the stool, dressed in her signature Jujutsu High uniform. Waiting for the blacksmith to finish his final touch ups to her order.

Having called the man as soon as she returned to her dorm room that evening from her junk food run. After a brief civil conversation and informing him of her mission. He had reassured her that the request would be ready before she departed for Shinjuku.

Fortunately she did have to wait alone.

"Whoa! This is a pretty cool place Maki, you get all of your curse tools from here?" The curious Utahime asked, seated on the stool next to Maki. The Semi-Grade One sorceress was dressed rather casually. Wearing a purple and white flower dress, with white and purple outline Chuck Taylor Converse. The outfit was finished off, with a light blue denim jacket.

She looked around the robust size workshop with fascination. It was garnished with various types of diverse weaponry and curse items.

All of them top of the line.

"Naw, not all of them. I got my new red spear from here. But I usually go to a different workshop. This place does exquisite work, but it's pretty pricey. Given how they do both normal and supernatural weapons." Maki explained, her bank account had taken a bit of a hit with this gift. But it was worth the hit, as it was a special gift for a special someone.

"Oh! This must be something really special then?" The student supervisor said, tone still curious. But now with a hint of excitement.

"It is." Maki replied back genuinely. Her thoughts drift to the person the gift was for and the warmth from her heart. Traveled to her cheeks, turning them into faint red blush. In nearly less than two hours. She would be alone with her deep crush for nearly two weeks. A notion that brought a nervous but exuberant chill up her spine.

The Older Zenin sibling's pondering was broken, when a man of average height and build was approaching her.

He had light tan skin, pure black neck length hair and slightly scruffy beard. He wore a simple black kimono and a hachimaki headband with a Tōkon slogan of fighting spirit on it. It was the blacksmith; Yoshihara Sakai.

"Lady Zenin, Your katana is ready. I use a mixture of manganese and carbon steel to craft the blade. A battle-ready sword. Pure of purpose, prepared to face death. Ready to crave the darkness, to the deepest shadows before the dawn. You gave whoever this sword is for, a divine gift indeed." Yoshihara calmly explained the katana's details, handing it to his client.

Maki took the hardwood sword case and fought the strong urge to take the blade out. And examine the sword herself, but she knew that first honor should go to Yuta. However, she could still sneak a peek. Utahime had the same idea, as she moved closer to the young sorceress to get a better look herself.

The Green Haired Woman sat down back on the bench, placing the case in her lap. She opened it and the contents made both her and Utahime gasp in wonderment.

Both had seen plenty of impressive weapons in their time. Both normal and special, especially in Mak's case. But this was one of the most beautiful katana they ever saw, looking at it made something pivotal deeply within her stirred. Like she was...fated to do this for Yuta.

To have this sword forged for him.

"It's really beautiful, Maki! I'm certain Okkotsu will adore it." Iori said positively, smiling at the lightly blushing and shocked young sorceress. Who recovered quickly and put on her standard headstrong and straightforwardness.

"You did a marvelous job , truly exceptional work. And I'm deeply grateful for it. You have more than exceeded my expectations. Thank you very much!" Maki spoke with profound gratitude to the blacksmith, having already closed the case. She gave a bow to further show her appreciativeness.

"You flatter me, Lady Maki. I hope you bless us with your business again soon, I'm honored to have forged this blade for you. It's one of my best works." The Blacksmith replied back, returning the bow in kind.

The young ladies were beginning to make their exit. But they were stopped by .

"Lady Maki...while you may have not forged the katana with your hands. But it was sculpted with the love of your heart, the passion in your soul and the strength in your spirit. This blade couldn't be born without your imprint. Whoever shall wield this blade, will do so in your love and honor." Yoshihara spoke profoundly, receiving a grateful bow from both ladies in return for his words.

"Thanks for coming with me Madam Iori." Maki said to the student supervisor genuinely. After calling Mr. Sakai, she made another call to the senior sorceress. Asking If she would accompany her to the workshop. Not only did she get a yes, but Utahime said she would drive her there as well.

The Green Haired Sorceress however, another reason for inventing the other sorceress. She wanted to pick her brain a bit and ask for some advice about relationships.

"Oh, It's no problem, Maki. I actually enjoyed coming along. I learned of another place to get curse tools from. Which might come in handy one day. And please, just call me Utahime or Iori . " The blackish-purple haired young lady replied back with a kind smile.

It was a sunny afternoon, The pair made their way down the slightly packed sidewalk. Towards her 90 Silver Honda Legend 2nd generation (KA7-KA8), conversing lightly with one another.

Maki even asked about her younger sister and was so happy to hear how well she was doing from the student supervisor.

Putting the case in the backseat. The young lady made her way to the passenger one. And once she was seated. Utahime started the vehicle, and made her way to Jujutsu High. It was about ninety minutes until Maki's departure time. And she still had a little packing to do, with having to get her own package from Panda.

"I had another reason for asking you to come with me Mada- I mean Utahime. I wanted to ask something. Something kind of…personal." An awkward Maki inquired. Never having thought that she would have to deal with, let alone ask about girly soft things like this.

But here she was, asking.

"Sure you can, Maki! Is everything okay?" Jujutsu Sorceress asked, turning down the 80s pop music to hear better. She was in full concern teacher mode.

"Yeah, everything is fine. I just wanted to ask...is it okay for a girl to make the first move on a guy? And did you do so with Gojo?" Maki asked in a curious but serious tone.

Utahime gave Maki a similar look that she received back at the workshop, when mentioning Yuta. Her thoughts couldn't help but shift to her current boyfriend; Satoru Gojo. That annoyingly sexy cocky grin and those remarkable light blue emeralds, that he called eyes, looking at her with lovely genuinely.

The two of them began casual dating about two weeks after the Hyakki Yagyō attack. Which then turned into exclusive dating within a month or two. And for the past three weeks, things have been getting pretty serious between the two.

Iori tried her best to keep things as discreet as possible between her and Gojo, the first couple weeks of them going exclusive. But after being caught in a heated makeout out session by their friends and colleagues in the faculty lounge one day. It became a moot point. Also didn't help that Satoru put in little effort on his end to keep the relationship secret.

"Well….At times yes and others no. It all depends on the vibes of the situation, honestly. That idiot asked me out first. Annoyed me until I said yes finally. But I did….kiss him first." The Scared Sorceress answered fairly, explaining her opinion to attentive Maki. She recalled her first date with the Head Of The Gojo Clan. On how classic romantic movie it was, the memories made her blush.

"But when it comes to Yuta. I think you might want to take the initiative. He might be growing out of his timed and sheepish nature, but I think he is still intimidated by you in some ways. Giving a few blanted hints might help." Utahime continued evenly, pulling off the highway. They were less than five minutes from Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School.

"So I should act more...girly, more...feminine?" Maki asked, cringing in disgust. Imagining herself acting like a flirty girly airhead. Her expression and statement caused Iori to chuckle lightly.

"Of course not, that's not your style at all. I'm saying, be your usual straightforward and blunt self. I think you will get some awesome results. Besides, I think Yuta likes your feistiness." The Blackish-Purple Hair Sorceress finished her advice, as they pulled up to Jujutsu High School. The two sorceresses exited the car, with Maki grabbing the case. She took in all of the elder sorceress's words.

Walking up the stone steps, Maki remembered a question she had been meaning to ask.

"Hey, Utahime?" Maki asked.

"Yes?" Iori asked herself.

"How did you know the katana was for Yuta? I mean….on one hand I get it I...guess. It is his main weapon, after all. But how did you know for certain?" Maki inquired, she had her suspicions. But she wanted to know for sure how her elder found out.

Utahime gave her a shy apprehensive smirk at her questioning.

"Well...Don't be too mad at them. But It was Satoru and Mai." Utahime answered, still a bit shy.

The Spear wilder grumbled a thank you and made her way to her room. Reminding herself to rip her little sister a new one and get her teacher back in some way.


Yuta steps out of the steaming bath, rubbing and moving his aching muscles and joints. Out of the fifty-four hours they had until leaving for Shinjuku. Yuta Okkotsu spent at least thirty of them practicing, training or going on Grade one or two missions with Miguel, before his big cousin intervened. And told him to get some much needed rest for the remainder of time he had.

While it might not be good for he's insomnia. But Yuta did indeed feel the improvements and developments in such a short time.

"Mr. Miguel really put me through the wringer. I still have a lot to learn, until I'm at his and Gojo's level. But I...feel…I feel it. I've gotten sharper. I've gotten better." Yuta thought to himself, with a newfound confidence.

" You have Yuta!" Orimoto spoke, reinforcing Okkostu's thoughts and feelings.

He thanked her dearly and put his necklace that had Rika's ring on it. After Geto's attack on Jujutsu High, the young swordsman began to wear the jewelry around his neck. Which the spirit was still very grateful for.

Whipping off the condensation on the mirror to get a better look at himself, Yuta slicked his raven colored hair back. Which put more emphasis on his face, in particular his dark blue eyes and the bags under them. He started wearing his hair like this about a few weeks ago, he got a pretty good reception from his friends, classmates and teachers.

But it was Maki's reaction that stood out the most to him. When she saw him, a pinkish hue colored her fair skin cheeks and her golden eyes widened a fraction. She ran a brief but gentle hand through his hair, commenting on how it made him look more professional, confident and...handsome. The words and action sent a palpable jolt through Yuta's entire being.

Yuta continued to get dress in his standard uniform, save for his socks and shoes. He exited the bathroom and saw his cousin and best friend lounging on his couch and chair respectively, looking at television with leisurely dispositions.

Both of them dressed in their usual Jujutsu Uniforms, but Toge wore a pink turtleneck underneath his and Gojo had on his sunglasses in replacement of his blindfold.

"A lot of these blockbuster movies are trash nowadays. Besides some nice eye candy and cool cars. I don't get the appeal of these Fast and Furious movies?" Satoru said in honest confusion, hands in the air.

Toge responded in what could be considered gibberish to a large number of people. But Yuta and Satoru were able to translate and understand what the Curse Speaker meant.

"While I agree with you cousin, I can understand Toge's point of view. The movies are goofy action films that are kind of fun in a way." Yuta chimed in evenly, having already put on his footwear. He slung his sword case over his back, walking over to the spare seat on the couch and waited.

In about thirty minutes or so, he would be alone with a girl he both desired and admired. And it terrified and thrilled the young man beyond anything he ever knew.

"So...lil cuz you ready for this?" The Special Grade sorcerer quizzed, shit eating grin plastered across his face.

Yuta heard the double entendre in his cousin's questioning, but ignored him like usual and gave him a more practical answer.

"Yes I am. People are being hurt and If I can help stop that, I will." Yuta answered his older cousin calmly but sincerely. Making the man smirk even more.

He expected and loved that Yuta answered in a textbook way. That orthodoxism will come in very handy in the future. But he was deflecting the question.

"A very political correctness answer cousin. But I think you know what I'm talking about. I'm talking about Maki. You have it pretty bad for her right? Are you going to be able to focus on the case while being alone with her for so long?" The Rhetorical Satoru questioned. His smirk grew a few inches.

Inumaki watched the two with interest, he looked at Yuta curious as well.

Yuta decided to humor his mentor and friend.

"Yes, I can. I-I'm...I'm not ashamed to say I love Maki. She is someone I truly respect, admire and care about. But I will be able to focus on the mission and stop whoever or whatever is behind." The young swordsman said with conviction.

The answer seemed to please and amuse the other two sorcerers.

"Well then...you should ask her out then. It's not like she would say no." The Teacher replied back casually.

"What!?" Okkotsu said in genuine surprise.

"Oh Yeah...word around campus Maki has it just as bad for you as you do her. So go for it, Yuta. You just might surprise yourself." Gojo advises, despite his cavalier attitude. He was genuinely rooting for the two young sorcerers, knowing how much the Zenin girl meant to Yuta.

"Salmon Salmon" Toge spoke evenly, seeming to back up Satoru's words.

"I might surprise myself. Panda said the same thing to me a few days ago. Maybe….I should try to be more proactive when it comes to Maki." Yuta pondered to himself in deep consideration.

The three continued to talk while barely paying attention to the film, by the time the credits it was time to go.

"Well loverboy we better get going then. Don't want to keep your lady love waiting, do we?" The Sardonic Gojo said.

"No, we don't." Yuta replied calmly, grabbing his bag and turning off his TV. As they made their way out of his room to the departure location.

Soon they will be in Shinjuku where it will begin.