When Gojo Satoru was born, the balance of the world shifted.
A few months later, Hanabashi Junko was born as if to fix those imbalance.
The Hanabashi family is an old and powerful family.
They are what you would call the definition of old money. Riches that has spawned from generations and generations of wealth. Traditional to boot, holding the ancient Japanese custom as if it was their lifeline. As if, the modern world outside are nothing but distraction to this noble family.
Sprawling estate in the middle of Tokyo, lush surrounding endless forest. Chests deep inside of rooms guarded by talismans and guards who keep their eyes wide upon ever since the sun is up that stored more money than one can imagined. Hanabashi family, is what you could define an old and noble family.
Even more so in the Jujutsu society where people practically falling down to lick the very feet of the main family.
"Hanabashi-sama" whispered one. "Please bless us, Hanabashi-sama"
"Please" another whispered. "Allow us to see-"
While it never boasted to have it own family jujutsu technique like the Gojos or the Zen'ins or even the Kamos, they are considered in a higher standing compared to those three big family of the Jujutsu society. It was a common custom to bow their head when the head of Hanabashi walked pass. Even when you are the head of the Zen'ins, even if you are a special grade sorcerer. The Hanabashis just held that kind of powerful position in the rigid Jujutsu society.
Sorceres without lineage would ask, why did they held the Hanabashis is such high regard? Why, for a family who doesn't have their own Jujutsu technique, for a family that has never produce a prominent sorcerer in these last years, was held in such a high position?
The reason is simple. Hanabashi family had been elevated to their standing right now because of one simple – yet crucial - reason.
Divine. That's what they are.
They are the descendant of the gods itself. The one who share the same blood as the god that every Jujutsu sorcerers worshipped. From the start of time, where curses prevailed and magic still thick in the air, where Ryomen Sukuna, the king of curses still roamed this world and spread his terror across the land, there was a woman.
Hair as dark as night with lips painted by blood. Eyes the color of fire and grace as if she was a noble. She's a woman that could entrapped everyone under her. Just like honey and bees, many easily gravitated to this elusive woman.
Hanabashi Kyoko, was a Jujutsu Sorcerer hailed as the greatest of the time. A born prodigy with technique that could bring even the strongest cower on her feet. Someone that could brought the world under her feet is she sees fit. Somoene, that stood above everyone. Closer to the sky, and closer to the gods above.
Some said that Ryomen Sukuna avoided the path she took. Afraid, that he will perish under her. Some said, that she is the sole light in the world that had been cursed with such darkness.
Hanabashi Kyoko was the sorceress that put an end to the era of curses and sealed Ryomen Sukuna into nothingness. She's the one who brought the world into peace and contained the kings of the curse into a mere fingers spread across the land. Due to the great dead, the gods above whispered their prayer for Hanabashi Kyoko and elevated her standing as equal as those of a god.
She's the god of mercy for Jujutsu sorcerers. The god that the practitioner pray to. Whispers of reverence and begging full of sorrow could be heard headed towards the dark haired woman. She's the one that promise safety for every sorcerers. The one, who helps the sorcerers to prevail from the curses that they face.
A goddess, meant for Jujutsu sorcerers.
It was said, the gods above granted Hanabashi Kyoko a small mercy. The woman was too deep in love and way too tangled in the forest of love with her husband that she couldn't bare living forever whilst her beloved withered away. That she could not bare to see her beloved turn into ashes while she still stood above the rest.
So the gods grant her the power of gods yet the lifespan of a human. A gift, for a woman who has done this world a great deed yet still has attachment for the living being.
She's not an immortal. A mortal god that surely would leave the realm of the living. Something unthinkable for a god of her status. Many lamented that fact. To think, that the great Hanabashi-sama is destined to die. That she is destined to never see the peace that she had brought upon forever.
Because of this, the gods above give another decree.
"You will be reborn again, Hanabashi Kyoko" they said. "For someone as noble as you, you shall grace this world again, and once again, prevail from these cursed land"
From then on, every Jujutsu sorcerers worshipped the very being that is Hanabashi Kyoko. They all hailed her as the greatest, and aspire them to cultivate their power so maybe they can serve under her.
Her children and descendant are hailed as the priestess of Hanabashi Kyoko. They guard her legacy and the temple where she first ascended to become a god. The Hanabashi family, the one who has the pure blood flowing inside their vein. The family, that will always stood above the rest.
The Hanabashi family may not have their own Jujutsu technique. But they share the blood of a god.
Divine. Pure. Untainted.
That's the Hanabashi Family.
Hanabashi Junko came to this world among the loud rainstorm and deafening thunder.
The sky above them are dark and droplets are pouring down the earth in a loud rumble. Servants could be seen hurried down the corridor with waters stained by blood and towels splattered with red. Inside the Hanabashi estate, amidst this pouring storm, no peace could be seen amongst the household.
Their madam, the family head wife, could be heard wailing and crying from one of the room inside the estate. Doctors hailed from the best hospital around and midwives that has served the family since the start could be seen in a flurry of white. Their hands are stained by blood and sweats pouring down their forehead as they try to assist the birth as best as they could.
Anyone who could hear the wail of the woman would surely feel an ounce of pity. The wail itself sounds painful and agonizing. As if, the woman is holding the last of her lifeline in a tight grip. Too afraid to let go lest she will also lost her life.
It was a hard pregnancy and an equally hard birth. Hushed whispers has circulated around the servants, that maybe the family head wife won't survive the process of giving birth. That the baby will grow without a mother and surrounded by servants.
A tragedy they thought. For the long awaited child may brought misfortune to the main Hanabashi family.
After all, it was a baby that is cherished terribly by both the family head, Hanabashi Fuji, and his wife, Hanabashi Saeko. Both of them had waited ten years before the gods had decided that they are now worthy to be parents and give them their miracle. Upon knowing about the pregnancy, they had throw a huge banquet. Anyone who was anyone in the Jujutsu community appeared and congratulated the couple.
Following that, Hanabashi Saeko was always guarded by the best Jujutsu sorcerers hey could hire. Even when curses would always avoided those with a Hanabashi blood, the family doesn't want to take the risk. This is the heir if the family after all, the next head that will lead the Hanabashi into another decade of peace.
Amidst the loud wail of the mother and the flurry of servants, after long long hours of agonizing pain, a cry could be heard. A small cry from a deep set of lungs belonging to a still red baby.
Hanabashi Saeko survived, as well as Hanabashi Junko.
The head of the family had cried, cradling his daughter tenderly as he whispered words of love towards his wife who is so exhausted she could only offer a small tired smile. Wisp of dark hair could be seen from the baby's head as she still continue announcing her presence to the world.
Immediately, her birth brought another onslaught of hushed whispers.
For Hanabashi Junko was born with hair as dark as the night and eyes the color of blood. For Hanabashi Junko, was born with a spirit attached into her very soul. The spirit of Hanabashi Kyoko.
The elders rejoiced, her parents stared with a look of wonder and reverence. For at this moment, their god has finally graced the land of the living once again. For this time, Hanabashi Junko is the vessel of Hanabashi Kyoko soul.
"By the gods!" Exclaimed one of the elders when they finally laid their eyes on the baby. An almost invisible hand could be seen patting the baby's hand. Nails painted in red and scribbles of talismans could be seen on the hand fingers. "Kyoko-sama has been reincarnated"
Not even Kyoko-sama kids share the characteristics of hair the color of midnight and eyes the color of fire. Not even Kyoko-sama children has the soul of Kyoko-sama attached into them upon birth or the years after.
To think that now, a child from the main family, a child who share the characteristics of Kyoko-sama, a child that has the soul of Kyoko-sama latched into her ever since birth.
"This is the golden era of the Hanabashis" agreed the elders with wonder on their voice.
Junko stopped being Junko when she was born. Instead, she was known as Kyoko-sama reincarnation.
The spirit of Hanabashi Kyoko latched into Junko as if she was her home.
It constantly whispers, small words of encouragements or the most poisonous words you can hear. She tends to ignore the woman, only choosing to listen when the elders asked her to or if Kyoko-sama is being way too distracting.
Sometimes, when she is learning on doing embroidery, Kyoko-sama likes to do something mischievous and prick her finger lightly. Flowers of red seems to always painted her creation. Giving it a stark contrast from the dark threads and pure white fabric she seems to always choose.
She also likes to give her own commentary when Junko is doing his everyday routine or just go through the day.
"That looks really delicious Junko-chan" whispered Kyoko-sama when Junko saw the mochi ice cream served in front of her. "Can I get a taste?"
"I think you can't eat this Kyoko-sama" Junko would answer, staring at the dish in front of her. "Should I asked the elders?"
It always starts with simple commentary. Small whispers of encouragement, small teasing tilt on her tone. Kyoko-sama loves to talk, from meaningless and mundane things to something that Junko can't process with her child mind.
"That servant hair is crooked, i bet she was having fun with that one gardener" Laughed the woman on her ear when Junko watched one of the servants walked passed the hallways. Three year old Junko doesn't even understand what kind of fun that servant girl could be up to.
Maybe they're playing hide and seek? Or catch? Junko's hair seems to always be in a mess every time she played those games.
"You better kill him Junko-chan" Crooned the spirit one time when Junko heard her nanny spreading bad rumors about her behind her back.
She didn't even understand what kill is at that time. Hell, Junko still can't even fathom why her nanny decided to talk about her behind her back. Killing, is a concept foreign to her at that time. That there is an act that could end someone life in a swift kind of action.
The elders had said that Kyoko-sama is a god. The god of Jujutsu that all sorceress pray to. She is someone holy and untainted. The peak pinnacle of how someone can reach in their lifetime. A woman that is divine and pure and can't be touched by mere mortals like them.
Junko would like to disagree.
Because the Kyoko-sama that keeps whispering softly in her ear is probably someone so tainted by the bad of this world. She laughed at someone misery, she encouraged sinning, she is unlike what the elders always said with reverence. A far cry from the pure woman that people likes to said.
Kyoko-sama that has latched into Junko very soul, is a woman that has been deprived of everything all her life. The spirit had once said to her that she sacrificed everything to the jujutsu world. That she was left nothing but a shell of herself.
That the woman, that keep whispering the most traitorous thing inside of Junko head, is not the embodiment of good and sacred as the elders like to say.
Kyoko-sama is the embodiment of everything this world had deprived her off. Of wicked hearts and wicked smile.
Junko is terrified of Kyoko-sama.
"Papa, what is kill?"
Her father stopped writing. The large table in front of him looks larger than usual with stacks of paper that is taller than her three year old self. The man looks surprised, or haunted. As if the thing that her daughter had just said is something so terrifying – maybe it is, she's not sure.
"Junko" he said slowly, eyes looking at her with something. "Where did you heard that word?" asked the man.
Junko blinked. Large eyes full of confusion. "Kyoko-sama" she replied, voice soft and innocent. "She said that i should kill"
The man eyes widened.
"Who?" Asked her father.
"The nanny" said Junko.
"I see" replied the older. "If that's what Kyoko-sama wish then..."
Junko never saw her nanny again.
She learns that the Jujutsu community is a devout believer of Kyoko-sama.
They worshipped every words she ever spoke, worship every writings and texts by the divine being. The Hanabashis, as the direct descendants of the woman, boasted many artifacts that had been used or blessed by the woman.
As the sole link to Kyoko-sama, the Jujutsu community began worshipping her.
Ever since she could remember, no one ever looked her straight in the eyes. Even her father, always focused on the spot between her eyebrows or something behind her. As if he's not worthy to see his own daughter straight in the eyes.
People would always bow down every time she pass. Whispers of blessing and prayers will always follow her every where. That her very existence, is not something they are worthy to gaze upon.
"Aren't they cute?" Crooned Kyoko-sama in her ear. Junko could feel Kyoko-sama combs her hair gently, as if the girl is her daughter – or maybe a pet. "Falling to the ground full of reverence when a mere kid walked passed them" the tone she's using is full of mockery and ridicule as another bout of servant bows down.
Junko ignored her, still continue walking through the garden.
"Junko-chan" continue Kyoko-sama with a tinkling laugh. "My cute and sweet Junko-chan, aren't you curious why i latched into you?"
"No" she whispered softly, dark red eyes gazing downwards. "I don't want to know Kyoko-sama"
She could feel invisible hand caressing the apple of her cheek. The voice that she had gone familiar with began whispering softly on her ear. "My sweet sweet Junko-Chan" said the spirit. "This world doesn't deserve you"
Her mother is a beautiful woman with dark brown hair and pine green eyes.
Sometimes, Junko wished she have the color of her mother eyes instead this blood red eyes of hers. Her mother eyes seems to always sparkled with mischief, with something delightful under it. Like the forest surrounding the estate that would always give Junko a sense of clarity. Maybe that's why her mother is warm. That she feels so comfortable to be on the woman side.
Junko's own eyes reflected old age and boundless knowledge. It reflected blood and past glory. Of the Jujutsu community past wars and victory. It is something that the elders praised upon and other men revered for. It is, something that many praised to be beautiful.
It is the color of Kyoko-sama's eyes, not Junko's.
"Mother" she called out, grip tightening on the older woman pale pink yukata. "Your eyes are really pretty"
Mother laughed, eyes crinkling with warmth. There are lines around the woman eyes that father always said to be an indicator if someone smile so much in their life. "My sweet Junko" called out the woman lovingly, hands wrapped around her cheeks. "I could say the same to you"
It was different from how Kyoko-Sama's invisible hands caressed her cheeks. To start with, it's always cold. She could feel a chill running down her spine every time Kyoko-sama cradled her cheek. The way the god held her as if the older has many plans for her. As if, Junko doesn't know anything about the world and Kyoko-sama will take advantage of her naivety. It scares her sometimes. The endless void that seems to appear on her vision whenever Kyoko-sama appeared.
Mother's though, mother makes Junko calm and sated. The way Mother caress her is so full of warmth and love that the girl can't help to want more. To bask more in this safe haven that her mother had created for her.
"Mother's eyes is like the forest" continue the child. "Like- like the trees outside of the manor!"
The older woman pinched her cheeks. "And" Started the woman. "When did you sneaked out to know that hm?"
"Hehe" laughed Junko. "The cook shows me pictures! It was pretty"
"They are don't they?" Said the woman gently. "Maybe when the weather is not that cold anymore, we could explore the outside world together?"
"Really?" asked Junko. "You promise?"
Mother grinned. "Pinkly promise, Junko-chan"
They intertwined their pinky.
The next spring, under a cherry blossom tree, eyes the color of blood met eyes the color of the sky.