The thing is, Zen'in Naoya is such a fake person that it instantly made Junko alarmed.
Kyoko-sama seems to share her sentiment because since the arrival of the young Zen'in, the grip she has on Junko's shoulder had grown tighter and tighter. As if, when she hold Junko any less tight, something bad and unfortunate would happen to her.
More protective.
More… guarding.
It was such a red alarm to her that she desperately tried to calm her tone and stopped herself from looking at the young Zen'in with nervousness evident on her eyes. After all, Kyoko-sama never acted like this before. The goddess had never blatantly try to warn Junko about something or someone that may have a less than good objective towards her.
Junko tried to calm herself.
The Zen'in's are one of the most devout believer of Kyoko-sama. They are one of the great family of the Jujutsu community. They will never have hurt you as they held Kyoko-sama and Hanabashis with full of reverence.
Remember you are a Hanabashi. Pure. Divine. Untainted.
She stood above all.
"Junko-sama" said Zen'in-san, a smile ready on his face. It sat unmoving ever since his first arrival in the estate. Maybe he wants to portray the image that he's harmless. That he is nothing but a child wanting to be friends with her. "What mochi flavor do you like best?"
Everyone always have a hidden objective.
"Strawberry" replied Junko after a few beat passed. "I don't mind chocolate too" she added.
"Ah, do you like Daifuku then, Junko-sama?" asked Zen'in san again. The same smile still on his face.
"Yeah, I love it" nodded the girl with a smile.
Their conversation continues in the same way. Junko knows enough to realize that this is nothing but empty pleasantries. That there is no real essence or meaning in this conversation other than trying to waste each other time and possibly build their relationship. And that Zen'in-san is trying his best to kiss up her feet by his words full of flatter and sucking up.
It's not a bad conversation per se. Something that Junko has grown used to ever since she was first introduced to the Jujutsu community. This conversation full of nothing but their desire to be on her good spot. Full of praises and promises that surely will bring delight to her. Not that they need to try that hard. Junko, after all, is an easy girl to please.
"There's a good mochi place near the Zen'in estate" said the male again after sipping his cup of tea. "I could bring you some next time I visit"
"Please do" nodded Junko with a small smile on her face. "Kyoko-sama really likes mochi too"
The other male looked pleased almost immediately. "It's an honor then"
Kyoko-sama hummed at the back of her mind. A sound that sounds pleased and flattered yet still guarded. The hands that has coiled around her shoulder are now enveloping her head. Junko could feel the invisible caress of her across her face.
Cold, she thought almost idly. Really cold.
Today's meeting with the young Zen'in was the product of that previous conversation between her father and the clan head. Introducing the next generation prominent face they said. To gain more relation and bond with your most devout believer they continue.
Junko, for a fact, knows that Zen'in-san is not the heir of the family. Maybe in the future, but who knows. Her father likes to say that the current head of Zen'in is someone that's not pleasant after all. She's not going to be surprised if the older decided that none of his children is worthy the position after his demise.
At the same time, she had heard the talk that Zen'in-san is a prodigy. Someone that stood out amongst his generation of the clan.
Even without the Ten Shadow Technique, maybe he's the one that the clan needed. Considering after the birth of the current head nephew that doesn't have an ounce of cursed energy, her father had said his fear of the Zen'in clan decline.
"Zen'in-san-"
"Please" said Zen'in-san. The same smile still on his face. "Call me Naoya, that's what friends call each other right?"
"Ah, okay Naoya-san" said Junko. "The next time you visit, we should invite Satoru, I think it will be nice"
Naoya-san's smile slipped for a mere second before he nodded his head. "The Gojo heir, yes?"
"Yes" nodded Junko. "I think it will be nice if we all are in a close term with each other"
"Of course" agreed on Naoya-san. "It certainly is will be nice"
"I'm glad then" said Junko. "I greatly enjoy your company today"
"I could say the same to you Junko-sama"
Fake, she thought.
So so fake.
.
"Mother" spoke up Junko one day. "When can I see the outside world?"
Her mother hand who was brushing her hair gently stopped for a bit. As if the question that she just asked startled the older woman. "Why did you ask that Junko-chan?" asked the woman gently. As usual, her voice and touch is full of warmth that it made Junko a bit drowsy.
Maybe this is the so called mother's love. Something more powerful than the strongest force on earth. Something pure yet so selfish. Something, that Junko held tightly inside her life where everything has restriction and rules to follow. A life where she walked upon the cold hallways of the Hanabashi estate with expectations and burdens too heavy for a child to carry. With mother, Junko could be Junko. An eight year old child and not the incarnation of Kyoko-sama.
"Nothing" she replied, fiddling with her finger a bit due to the sudden nervousness that started to bubble on her throat. The sound of the cicadas outside could be heard from the opened sliding door right in front of them. The night sky could be seen with a full moon hanging from it. "I'm just curious" she continued.
The older hummed. "Is that so?" she asked as she continue to comb through her hair. The motion are soothing yet it doesn't put Junko's calming mind at ease.
She always has a lot of questions. About the outside world, about her future duties. There are a lot if things that she didn't know from living the sheltered life of the Hanabashi family's princess. It started to make her nervous and afraid for the future.
With how limited her knowledge is, can she fulfill everyone's expectations? Can she do her duty as Kyoko-sama's vessel?
It was a small seed of uncertainty that started to grow more and more inside of her. Like an insistent parasite that kept gnawing into herself.
"Yeah" replied the girl after a moment passed. "I was talking to Satoru and Naoya-san, and I thought it will be nice if I could walked around outside… or maybe just outside of the estate gates" she continue unsurely.
It was silent after that, as if her mother was contemplating what she should say to diminish her desire to go out or just to assure her that she doesn't need to know about the outside world. Junko is not surprised by it. She didn't expect anything after all. Knowing full well that her desire is nothing but a futile dream.
"Maybe when you're older Junko-chan" said her mother finally, putting the comb she's been using to brush her hair on the side. "When you're older, more mature, and more equipped to defend yourself, maybe then"
"When?" asked Junko again.
"Hmmm" hummed her mother again as she turned Junko around. Junko is getting a bit too big to stay on her lap but she will be never too old for a cuddle with her. "When you're taller than me maybe?"
Junko pouted. "But you're so tall mother!"
"Or maybe it's because you're just too small" teased the woman, eyes crinkling full of amusement. "You're just too small and cute Junko-chan, i'm afraid that you will be stolen from us"
"I will never be stolen!" huffed out Junko. "I'll grow taller than you mother! As fast as I can!"
Her mother laughed at that. It sounds like bells and it brought another onslaught of warmth towards Junko. "Don't grow up too fast my dear" said the woman. "I will be sad if you become a woman too fast"
.
The first time she saw a curse with her own eyes is one week after her conversation with Zen'in Naoya.
It should've surprised he more that it took such a long time for her to see a curse for the first time. After all, she was raised in the very heart of the Jujutsu community. She saw prominent sorcerers – famed for their feats or family lineage – walking the halls of her home everyday.
Junko knows what a curse is. Know their history, know the reason why curses existed. Knows what they stood for. Knows that curse are evil spirits that sorcerers wished to eradicate. Knows, that she share the same bloodline with the sorcerers that has sealed the greatest curse of all time.
She knows all kind of information to know about those wretched things.
Still, the first time she saw one was when she was eight.
She has been protected deep inside the Hanabashi estate after all. Hidden and cherished like a precious family treasure so that an inch of her hair will never be hurt.
So it took her by surprise when a curse managed to appear in front of her.
She has been sitting in one of the rooms doing her calligraphy homework when the sound of a footsteps could be heard by the garden. The sliding door that connected the room and the porch has been left opened, allowing her to gaze at the source of the voice.
That sound instantly alarmed Junko as she immediately tightened her hold on the brush she's holding. After all, all the servants in the Hanabashi estate never made any sound when they're walking. They all have been thought to act invisible, to make sure that their presence didn't bother their masters.
The sound of the footsteps are heavy. Heavier than what a human should have. Slower, and heavier.
"Kyoko-sama" she whispered out, head snapped up in alarm and dark red eyes staring at the garden in front of her. "Kyoko-sama" she said again, more hurried and frantic.
Kyoko-sama didn't respond.
Why didn't she respond?
Her heart grow anxious as a sound rumble through the air. A sound that a human can't possibly make. A throaty and deep voice appeared in a slow drawl that sends shiver crawling up her spine. No, that's certainly not a sound that a human would make. A human, can't possibly make this shiver inducing sound.
It was also then, that she sees it.
A monstrosity stepped into her vision. The thing is a tall creature the color of mud with a hunched back that made it's step swagger all around the place. Instead of two eyes, she was greeted with two dark hole. Darker than the night with a trail of blood spilling out of it as if it's been crying.
It mouth gaped open, showing uneven and jagged teeth as it began to mumble everything yet nothing with that throathy voice that it has emitted.
Junko could feel her breath hitched, the brush on her hand immediately fell into the floor.
The creature seems to notice her presence as it slowly turned it's head towards where Junko sat.
Their eyes locked and it only took that monster another second to lunged into her in a roar of monstrosity. Junko herself screeched, flinging her body sideways and knocking into the drawers just to avoid the creature attack.
"Kyoko-sama!" yelled out Junko frantically. "Kyoko-sama what's-"
She didn't get to finish her words because from the rubble of the now destroyed hallway, the creature stood up. It head are craned back as he stared upwards, mouth still gaping open and emitting those disturbing sound.
"Oh my god" breathed out the girl, a hint of tear spilling out of the corner of her eyes. "By the gods, what is-"
"A cursed spirit" said Kyoko-sama finally and Junko has never felt more relieved to hear the goddess voice. "Such a surprise"
"That's-" said the girl, wide eyes still staring at the creature that is now twitching in place. "That's a curse?"
"You are right my dear" said the goddess. "Your first time right?"
Junko was about to respond but whatever she was about to say stopped as she ducked her head from the onslaught of the creature attack.
Where are the sorcerers? She can't help but asked. The Hanabashi estate are protected by many capable sorcerers. Moreso ever since the existence of Junko appeared in this world. She had always see sorcerers wandering around the ground of the estate. Why didn't they rushed here!?
She had been taught the history of the Jujutsu community until every single detail. She had been taught the way a devout believer of Kyoko-sama should behave. She had been taught every single prayer, every single songs dedicated to Kyoko-sama, every single ceremonial ceremony.
Junko is only eight years old and she had learnt many things in life. Unfortunately, that does not included fighting.
The girl screams as the curse went towards her once again. She ran outside of the porch. Her kimono only missing an inch from the curse grabbing hands before the girl managed to ran towards the garde. Breath heavy, and eyes frantic as she tried to search for someone. Anyone that could fight this cursed spirit.
"Junko-chan" said Kyoko-sama. "Be calm"
"I can't Kyoko-sama!" Yelled out. Junko, eyes dripping with unshed tears. "I- I'm-"
She's scared.
She's so scared of her life right now.
Scared that she will die. Scared that he had failed all the expectations put into her because she had died too early. Scared that the Jujutsu community once again lose one of their valued asset – the very incarnation of their god. Scared that she won't ever seen the people that she cherished so much.
A lot of burden and unreal expectations may have been put into Junko's shoulder. But in the end of the day, Junko is merely an eight year old that has grown up too fast. Merely a child that has been forcibly put into the world of adults without much spot. Someone, that has been thrusted into the spotlight too early and too sudden.
Junko is scared of a lot of things.
Despite of what everyone thought of her, Junko is not Kyoko-sama. Junko is a child.
A child.
She continue to ran. Her footsteps is desperate as her eyes still frantically search around the garden for someone. Junko could hear the curse keep following her, closer and closer towards her.
No, she thought. No no no no no-
"Junko-chan" whispered out Kyoko-sama. Invisible hands tugging her long dark locks. "Listen to me"
"Kyoko-sama!" yelled out Junko before she turned her head for a bit, wanting to take a peek of the curse that has been chasing her. "Kyoko-sama please-"
"Do you see that room Junko-chan?" asked the goddess as her hands began cupping Junko's cheek before aligning her head towards the room she had meant. In front of her, is a porch that connected to one of the room inside the estate.
"Yes!"
"Get in there my dear"
Junko didn't question that order. After all, between Junko – an eight year old child – and Kyoko-sama – a sorcerer so great her status has been elevated to a god – the latter knows more about curses and ways to exorcises it.
The girl immediately climbed towards the porch, sliding the sliding door open before she closes it. She immediately went into one corner of the room, hidden between big cupboards and sat there with her knees touching her chest.
Her hand immediately met together, forming into a prayer as she began chanting every single prayers that she had memorized every since she was young – younger than she is now. It was also then, that Junko realized that she was shaking and her sight are blurry from the tears that kept pouring out of her eyes.
There must be a reason why Kyoko-sama guided here. Junko refused to believe that the reason why Kyoko-sama guided here is for her to meet her death. She should be safe. She should-
BANG!
The sliding door burst open and Junko closes her eyes from the onslaught of rubble that's hurling towards her.
No, she thought, eyes wide open as she stared at the monstrosity that stood in front of her. NO NO NO NO-
"KkeEEuuK" rasped out the curse as it began slowly march into her.
Junko plastered closer and closer towards the wall behind her as she began crying more and more. This is her end, she thought. This is the end of Hanabashi Junko-
Her train of thought was broken when the sound of something falling into the ground pierced through the air.
Slowly, she turned her gaze towards the cupboard besides her. It door is now opened as if someone forcefully opened it's hinges. The cupboard, that if she was not mistaken, was sealed previously now was wide open and in front of it, is a golden staff laying on the ground.
Huh? Thought Junko almost frantically. What-
"Take it Junko-chan" interrupted Kyoko-sama.
She immediately took it, cradling it close to her chest.
"Kyoko-sama?" she voiced out, eyes still staring at the curse that is now has stopped just in front of her.
"Do you want to kill it?" asked the goddess. "To eradicate this world from those cursed beings"
"Of- of course!" Yelled out the girl. "I want to live!"
"That's good then" crooned the goddess. "Follow my lead then, Junko-chan"
Junko nodded her head frantically, completely giving the goddess her trust. Kyoko-sama seems to be amused by it as she could immediately feel the amusement that the goddess now radiating.
If it's any other day, Junko would have thought first why Kyoko-sama seems amused. Why the goddess took a long time before she finally helped her. But now, Junko doesn't think about anything else. After all, there's a curse standing right in front of her. A curse that's ready to maul her any given time.
"Hold the staff Junko-chan, and pour your cursed energy into it"
With a shaking hand, the girl thrusted the staff forward and try to pour her cursed energy into it.
A cursed energy is a power that came from negative emotion. Not everyone has the power to control it and usually, you can't train to have a cursed energy. You need to born with it. That's the reason why Jujutsu sorcerers are so scarce. Why it's so hard to fight off curses that grow each year with their limited man power.
Junko has been born in the Jujutsu community most prominent household. A household that is divine, pure, and untainted. They are sorcerers that share the same blood as the very woman who put an end to Ryomen Sukuna. They are the Hanabashis. She is a Hanabashi and Junko is proud of it.
She lived in a world full of curses and evil spirits. She was born right in the central of the community with burden and expectations immediately thrusted into her when she didn't even learnt how to walk yet.
Many stared at her with eyes full of reverence. Many, thought her as something beyond human. Someone that deserve to stood right above all of them.
Junko, was someone that was born for greatness.
Almost immediately, she felt a surge of power exploded into her and pouring right into the staff she's holding. A fire like aura in the color of blue and think dark edges appeared on her hand before it enveloped the golden staff she's holding. Said staff started to bent. Large hoop like rings that adorned the top part of the staff clinging together loudly before a string made from cursed energy connected the top and bottom part of the now bow like staff.
Her breath hitches as she stared at the bow she's holding.
Kyoko-sama hummed, sounding pleased. "That's good" she whispered out. "I know you have learned about Kyudo Junko-chan, now show it your prowess in that art"
A few month ago, her father had taught her Kyudo or the martial arts of archery. The older had told her that it was the traditional martial art that every priestess of Kyoko-sama should learn. With Junko fate of becoming the next head priestess, of course that now fall into her to master the art of Kyudo.
Her learning Kyudo is almost like a fish in water. She had immediately excelled in it. Her father had been proud and her mother had cried tears of joy. Junko even overheard that she should showcased it to other clan head when they come for a visit.
Without further ado, Junko stood up and did her usual stance when she practiced Kyudo. She's still trembling and she tried her best to stop it. Her gaze locked towards the curse in front of her and she breathe out a calming breath.
She poured out another cursed energy into he other hand and an arrow like cursed energy manifested right into it.
It doesn't take her long before she pull the string of the bow with practiced hand and she finally has the strength to stared at the cursed spirit right in front of her without trembling.
"Say it Junko-Chan" whispered out Kyoko-sama as her invisible hands enveloped Junko's own. "Your prayer full of reverence"
"Revered mother of all sorcerers" started out Junko, voice even and the tinge of fear slowly dissipate as she began chanting the prayer that she had held close to her heart. "The greatest one, the mightiest one, and the one and only beacon of hope amidst the darkness that has enveloped this world. With this prayer, I beg of you-" she stopped.
Kyoko-sama hummed, pleased as she now feel the goddess hand cradling her cheeks.
"-Please, lend me your power"
Junko released the arrow.
.