The bells adorning her head piece rang every time she move. Feet clad in socks made thumping noises as the girl continue glide down the floor. Hands swinging, head craning, body twisting. There's no music accompanying this otherwise silent dance. Only the sound of bells echoing across the room as the girl continue to dance under the scrutiny of many.

Heavy white Kimono flutter almost as if it was weightless as the girl continue to dance. Dark red eyes fluttered open, gazing at the night sky above her. The fire that has been lit besides her flickered more and more alive. As if the dance that the girl did appease it for some reason.

Hair dark as night, eyes the color of fire.

"That's it Junko, you're doing a great job" crooned Kyoko-sama softly. "To think you perform this magnificent show under the night sky, ah, you Jujutsu-sorcerers really know how to appease a lady"

Seven year old Junko opened her eyes fully. Red orbs resembling fire lit alive as she made her final pose of this intricate dance that she had learnt since she was five. Sweat matted her back, from the heat of the fire as well as the heavy Kimono around her.

Immediately, a round of applause made it's way to her as the fire roar brighter and brighter almost impossibly so. She almost saw Kyoko-sama figure flickering inside it, smile full of joy as she laugh gleefully and danced around the crimson inferno.

It seems that she's not the only one who saw it, considering the awed gasps and strings of prayer that appeared all around her.

Kyoko-sama is really delighted, she thought, still in the final pose of the dance that she just did. The vague figure of Kyoko-sama flickered out and the fire in front of her burns brighter into the night.

The heat from the fire is uncomfortable and there are sweat running down her face. Though, if Junko was bothered by it, she didn't show it as she continue to stay in the same pose until the fire started to flickered out little by little. When the fire is nothing but a burning amber, the paper lantern around the temple are being lit. A sign that the ceremony is finished.

Junko looked up, dark red eyes peering around the place.

Everyone who is someone in the Jujutsu community once again are being gathered in the main temple. To watch the night ceremony happens. A ceremony dedicated for Kyoko-sama birth.

A ceremony that was lead by Kyoko-sama incarnation herself.

"You did an amazing job Junko" said her father softly, hands resting on her small shoulder as the man guided her to stand. "That last stance- To thonk that Kyoko-sama herself decided to show herself to us…"

"Kyoko-sama is really pleased" nodded Junko. "She's… really happy"

"Is that true?" asked another voice.

Both Junko and her father turned their head towards the source of the voice. There stood Naobito Zen'in, the head of the Zen'in family. He's wearing his yukata properly, different from how she sometimes see when he visited the estate. Besides that, he also looks sober.

"Zen'in-sama" greeted her father with a nod of his head.

Naobito Zen'in bowed down. "Hanabashi-sama" he grunted out. "And Junko-sama" At this, he bowed once again towards where Junko stood.

"Zen'in-sama" greeted Junko too, giving him a shallow bow. After all, it won't look good if someone who has Kyoko-sama latching into her soul to bow to a mere human.

The head od the Zen'in clan stood right up, eyes staying on the two Hanabashi. "I can't help but overhear" he said. "Did Kyoko-sama really found today's ceremony up to her taste?"

Junko let out a small smile at that before she nodded her head. "Yes" she confimed. "Kyoko-sama was really pleased, throughout the ceremony she continuously whispered it to me"

"Hah!" Laughed the head of the Zen'in family loudly. He seems delighted at the news as he look positively brimming. "I feel honored to be the participant of the ceremony then!" he boomed out, a large grin on his face. "Junko-sama, your existence really brought out many good luck"

The girl let out a small laugh at that. "You praised me too much Zen'in-sama" she said. "I am merely a medium between Kyoko-sama and the world"

"Humble too" snorted the older. "You better learn from her, Naoya"

It was then that Junko realized that there's a small child standing behin the head of the Zen'in family head.

Upon being called, Naoya, a child that seems to be around her age appeared. He has a sharp eyes and light hair with dark tips on it. When both of their eyes locked, the child fell into a perfect bow.

"Hanabashi-sama" greeted the child towards Junko's father before he turned towards her. "Junko-sama, it's a pleasure to meet you"

Her father raised an eyebrow. "And this is?"

"One of my son" answered the head of the Zen'in family. "Boy introduce yourself"

The child nodded at his father words before he stepped forward, a polite smile already plastered on his face. "It's an honor to meet both the head of the Hanabashi family and Junko-sama" he said politely. "My name is Naoya Zen'in"

"Naoya Zen'in you say" said father with a nod of his face.

"Yes, Hanabashi-sama" answered the child politely.

"He's the same age as Junko-sama" informed the head of the Zen'in family. "I thought it will be nice if Junko-sama has more friends her age"

Junko found himself nodding her head at that.

"What a foolish ambition" muttered Kyoko-sama softly. Junko could feel the goddess hovered over her. "Did he really think someone that doesn't have the Ten Shadows deserves you?"

The girl doesn't really understand what the goddess has said. Though, she recognized the Ten Shadows techniques. A technique that has been passed down the Zen'in clan. Also a technique that hasn't shown up for a long time.

So this generation also doesn't have a Ten Shadow user? She thought briefly before focusing back on the people in front of her.

"I was hoping that we could arrange a play date between the both of them the next time I visited the estate" said Naobito easily. A smile ready on his face. "Despite how important Junko-sama is, I think it will be great if children can still act like children"

At this, her father nodded his head, a thoughtful look on his face. "Of course" nodded the man. "I also would like to see my Junko to act more freely"

"Well, that has been arranged then" grinned the older, "Naoya here is a nice boy Junko-sama, please treat him as if he's a friend"

Junko nodded her head. "Of course Zen'in-sama" she replied, before turning her head towards where Naoya is standing. "I look forward for our friendship Naoya-san"

"I could say the same Junko-sama" answered the boy.

Her father let out a small laugh at that. "We should arrange one with the Gojo clan then" said the man. "Isn't it nice Junko? You have another friend other than your fiancée"

She noted that a dark look crossed over the Zen'in family head at the mention of the Gojo family. Something understandable considering the three great family doesn't always have a great relationship between the three of them. Moreso on the Gojo and Zen'in part. At this point, the only thing that keep the relation between the two family to stay civil is the presence of the Hanabashi.

The relation between the two family too, continue worsened when the Gojo heir was born with the six eyes. Considering the Zen'in doesn't have a Ten Shadow users – even in the main family – that only serve to worsened their relation.

"Well" spoke up Naobito. "I think it's time for us to go" he said.

"It's almost midnight already" nodded her father. "Please give my greeting to the elders Zen'in sama"

"Of course, Hanabashi-sama" bowed the man and his child. "Please also give my greeting towards Saeko-sama"

"Of course" nodded her father, a soft smile on his face. "Then, we'll see you soon Zen'in-sama"

The two male left.

.

"The Zen'in had wanted you to wed one of them" informed her father that night inside the older study.

Junko looked up from where her hand are crossed on her lap towards the man. Marriage is still a foreign concept to her but she could understand it better than when she was five and first met her fiancée.

"Ah" she said softly.

Her father nodded, eyes still staying on the book he's holding. "All three great clans wants a relation with the Hanabashi after all" said the man. "Moreso to the incarnation of Kyoko-sama like you do"

The girl found herself nodding along. She knows that she's important. That her existence is really precious the Jujutsu community. Someone irreplaceable.

She could hear Kyoko-sama nodding along softly at the back of her head. Fully agreeing on what her father is saying.

"No one in the main line of Kamo family is your age so they're not in the competition for long" continue the man. "Both the Gojo and the Zen'in has a boy around your age so the competition between the two clan has become fierce but-" the book on the older hand closed with a loud thud.

"The Gojo heir has the six eyes and no one in the Zen'in has the Ten Shadows" answered Junko, continuing what her father left off.

"That's right" nodded the man, a satisfied smile on his face. "Only the best deserves you after all Junko"

"Only the best" crooned Kyoko-sama, voice undeniably pleased. "The best for my Junko-chan. Only the strongest, the best of the current generation"

Junko wants the goddess to stop chanting, but she does not dare to do so. Instead, she chose to focused on her father form in front of her. Desperately trying to ignore the voice at the back of her head.

"Remember, you are a Hanabashi, Junko" said Father, voice firm. "Not only you are a Hanabashi, you have Kyoko-sama soul in you"

"Yes Father" nodded the girl.

"You are holy my child, divine even" he continue, reaching out to pat the top of the girl head. "And you, my dear, only deserves the best what this world can offer"

Kyoko-sama humming are getting louder and louder. "The best" said the goddess. "Protected, forever inside a cage my dear Junko-chan"

Like a bird. Like something that doesn't have any kind of freedom.

Someone, who has no free will.

"The best, for Kyoko-sama incarnation"

"Yes father"

Somehow, it feel empty.

.

Mother never actually follow through her promise of seeing the outside world together.

Ever since the ceremony – where Junko is the one leading it for the first time – she felt that the walls of the Hanabashi manor has grown taller and taller. The small hope of hers to see the expansive world outside started to diminish day by day. With how her training workload, and the burden of her education, she thinks that the chance of her going out is almost close to zero at this point.

"A princess in a cage" whispered out Kyoko-sama softly. "How fitting" Invisible hands encased around her throat and she knows that it's nothing but her imagination. Nothing but something she thought of, but she feel as if she can't breath.

Maybe this really is her fate. To be trapped inside the estate of her family. Unaware about the happening of the outside world. Blissfully naïve about how the world works and all the possibilities as well as chances it can offer. To be the princess of the Hanabashi family until the end of time.

(Kyoko-sama incarnation. Someone holy, holier than any other person that has stepped into this very earth.)

It was a shame, but Junko doesn't feel disappointed for so long. After all, she doesn't know how the outside world look like. Doesn't know what kind of things she should expect when she finally stepped outside of this ornate cage of hers.

The only things she knows about the outside world are from the stories the servant in the Hanabashi estate told her or from picture books that she could found In the library. Sometimes the picture books and the story feel terribly fake. As if they sugarcoated the truth so that Junko has a idealistic view about them. To make Junko want to explore the vast vast world.

"The world outside are horrible and mean Junko-chan" crooned out Kyoko-sama. The goddess hands could be felt tangling through her hair softly. It's cold and sometimes Junko feel as if Kyoko-sama will snapped her head off of her shoulder. "It's better if you stay here my dear child" A hand on her cheek. "Protected" another on her eyes, as if it was covering it. "Caged"

Like an animal, she almost thought. Something without of it's own will. Forever entrapped inside a cage where everyone can fawn on her.

And, even though she can't step outside, that doesn't mean that no one can go inside the Hanabashi estate. Doesn't mean that she doesn't see anyone besides her family or the servants working inside the estatae. In fact, ever since that ceremony, she had seen more people than before.

The three head of the three big Jujutsu family had become almost a frequent visitor. Her father always called her every time any of those men came. Asking her to have a small chat with them for a bit.

They're always terribly formal to her. It should look funny to other to see these three men who are the head of the Jujutsu community biggest family to bow down and talked politely to a mere child that's not even ten. But everyone who seen them also knows that the child is a Hanabashi. That that child is the one that ha Kyoko-sama spirit latched into her.

(Hanabashi Junko. Kyoko-sama's incarnation.)

Her father had said that it was best for her to make relations with the three big family. After all, they are the most devout believer of Kyoko-sama even in the religious Jujutsu community. To know that the girl that has Kyoko-sama spirit latched into her to be in a good term with them will definitely boost other sorcerers belief on the goddess.

Besides that, her engagement with the Gojo heir also made her relation with the big family seems good.

Ever since she first saw the young Gojo heir, their encounter had significantly increased. It's not uncommon to see the other child every two weeks or every week at this point. Inside her really sheltered and closed off upbringing, Gojo Satoru is the closest thing to a friend that she has.

But that doesn't mean that he's not a brat.

"Did you steal my mochi!?" screeched out Junko, hands holding the now empty plate that previously held mochis in various color.

In front of her, Gojo Satoru, looks falsely innocent as he lounged back. "Nah" he denied, despite the very obvious chocolate powder on his cheeks that she definitely knows previously was on her mochi.

"Don't lie to me" she said, narrowing her eyes. "Did you finish yours?"

"You're really uptight" said the boy. "Did Kyoko-sama made you this uptight?"

"Don't blame Kyoko-sama on everything!"

Satoru laughed loudly at that, as if the situation is amusing. Junko though, is in the middle of a distressing situation.

"It's just a mochi" said Satoru. "Just asked the servants to bring you more"

Junko shot him a look. "That's not the point" she huffed out, putting the empty plate back on the floor between the two of them.

They're alone sitting on the porch of one of the room inside the Hanabashi estate. The Koi pond in front of them made a soft splashing sound as the both of them continue to converse between the two of them.

"Yesterday I went to this ice cream store" said Satoru, head tilted back towards the sky. "It was really really good" he continue.

"Bring me some next time" answered Junko.

"Don't wanna"

"Jerk"

Only his kind of conversation with Satoru made Junko desperately want to know about the outside world. Who can blame her really? Every time the boy come he always regaled her tale about all kinds of sweet shop he found, or all the amusing things he saw when he took a walk outside.

Maybe it's because he's the wielder of six eyes. Maybe it's because Satoru possessed the Gojo clan cursed technique. But the boy had always been more free than her. Had always has more chance to spread his wings and explored the world outside despite being the precious heir of the Gojo clan.

How nice, thought Junko idly, sipping her tea quietly.

"Your Father didn't forbid you to go out?" she found herself asking.

Satoru shot her a look. "Psh" he dismissed with a wave of his hand. "As if that guy can order me to do anything"

"It's only polite to do so" reprimanded Junko. This guy is really rude. Not only to Kyoko-sama but to his family too.

"Rules are made to be broken anyway" shrugged off Satoru without a care. "Anyways I always sneaked out even when I was forbidden to do so"

That made Junko stop.

"You're… not afraid?" she asked.

The outside world seems scary to her. With her not knowing anything about it. It always been a vague concept. Something that is more of an imagination than something realistic to her.

She doesn't know what to expect. Doesn't know all the dangers that could happen when she stepped outside. Doesn't know, how tainted and wicked the outside world is. Too afraid to let herself think, or to listen to the whispers of Kyoko-sama that always reminded her of the world unknown to her.

"Afraid of what?" asked Satoru, raising an eyebrow before an easy grin appeared on his face. "I can see everything after all" At this, he tapped the corner of his eyes, reminding her once again of those sky blue orbs that held the power coveted by many.

"You're really confident then" said Junko, staring at the boy in front of her.

"Why shouldn't i?" asked Satoru. "I'm strong"

Junko scoffed. "You're a child" Like me, she wants to add but stayed silent otherwise.

"A valuable child" reminded the other. "Belief me when I say this, but with how much they value you, you can get away with more things that you actually think" he said. "If you stop being so serious" added the male.

Junko resisted the urge to hit him.

"This boy is a bad influence to you Junko-chan" whispered the goddess. "I advise you to stay away from him"

"Kyoko-sama thinks you're a bad influence" informed Junko promptly.

Satoru barked out a laugh at that. "Heh, being reprimanded by a literal goddess, that's new" snickered the boy, amusement dripping on his tone.

"Don't sound so proud" warned Junko with narrowed eyes. "It's best if you don't displease Kyoko-sama"

"I don't really care though"

This time, Junko follow her urge and his Satoru by his arm. Well, more like try to, considering the boy immediately evade her attack without much fuss.

He merely snickered, eyes full of amusement. "I can see anything, remember?" said the boy, eyes crinkling. "That kind of attack won't affect me"

"Jerk" hissed out Junko, crossing her hands together on her lap once again. The proper position that had been taught to her since she was a child. "You will face a divine retribution soon"

"Ooh, I'm so scared" drawled out the boy. "I'm curious, what kind of retribution will it be? Cause I'm-"

SPLASH!

The koi inside of the koi pond in front of them jumped, making a loud sound as well as a big splash around it. Unfortunately – or fortunately – the spot where Satoru is sitting on is directly in front of it. Making the boy face being a front row seat of the splash and successfully wetting it in the process.

Junko stared, wide eyed as the boy stopped what he was going to say, blankly staring forward.

A couple of second passed in complete silence before Junko broke out into a loud laugh. Stomach hurting from how loud she was being. It certainly is not proper. It certainly defied all kind of etiquettes that has been implemented to her since she was a baby.

But the situation in front of her is so comical that she can't help but let out the completely undignified laugh.

Satoru wiped his face with sleeve of his yukata. "Yeah yeah" laugh all you want" said the boy. "What kind of coincidence is this!?"

"I told you" said Junko, giggles escaping her. "You will face a divine retribution"

The glare he shot her is almost poisonous as he slid down the porch to dry his now wet sleeve.

"Heh" laughed the girl, still can't control her laugh as she closed her eyes in an attempt to do so. "I've been saying that you need to show more respect to Kyoko-sama, finally you got your own divine-"

SPLASH!

Junko immediately stopped, feeling her face grown wet by-

Water.

Opening her eyes immediately, she swivled her head to stare at Satoru who is now crouching right in front of the koi pond. The sleeve of his yukata are being rolled up and on his hands are a scoop of water.

Did he-

"Did you just splash me!?" she yelled out, frantically wiping her face with her own kimono.

This time, it was Satoru's turn to let put a loud laugh. "Your face!" he wheezed out. "You look stupid!"

"This means war you jerk!"

That's how the servants found them sometime later. Clothes completely wet and dishelved hair completely matting down their forehead. The porch they were sitting on before will be completely wet and the utensils they were using – glasses, plate – were used to scoop out water before throwing it towards each other.

The both of them will be fussed by them while being chided about their behavior. That this kind of activities does not fit the heir of the Gojo family of Kyoko-sama incarnation. That this is below them and they need to learn more about something proper and certainly, not childish.

While all of that were going on, the servants didn't notice the large smile adorning both Gojo Satoru and Hanabashi Junko face.

For the first time in a long while, the both of the look like a child their age. Not someone who was burdened by the expectations for them. Not someone who was burdened by the ties that they have for their future duty.

At that moment, bot Gojo Satoru and Hanabashi Junko look like a child.

.

When it's time for the Gojo heir to go home, he had pulled her by the sleeve and whisper to her ear.

"I'll show you the outside world" he said, a cheeky smile on his face.

Junko let out a wide smile. "Yeah" she breathed out.

She hopes that this time is not a mere empty promise.

.