Maki and the 'second years'

Back at the domain…

It was his main duty there.

In fact, it was Yua who suggested the notion. Panda didn't know what he would be doing in this new way of life, considering his creator was gone. There was no one left for him but his schoolmates. It was shortly after they held off the council's attack, and shortly after he met Yua Tooru for the second time.

Yua was an interesting woman, although he didn't interact with her the first time around, because Principal Yaga told him not to. But now… he was curious.

"Panda, right?" she asked.

He turned to face her, the last living Tooru and yet, not even he knows everything about her. The council and elders didn't care for her or her clan the least bit, and yet, she speaks respectfully to those around her. "Yes, you're miss Tooru, correct?"

She nodded to him. "I'm… I'm so sorry for your loss." She said.

It surprised him really, the first thing to say to him. Was sympathy for what has happened to Yaga. "It wasn't your doing…"

"No, but it's still painful to lose someone that close to you. I truly am sorry. I wish I got to know Yaga better, but, time didn't permit that. But I was wondering if I could talk with you for a little bit. Run something by you."

Curiosity got the better of him. He nodded and agreed to listen.

Yua explained that they were going to bring in students, and start rebuilding the jujutsu society the way it should be, not under the elders. However, she wants to start this off sooner than later, and mainly to start with a new generation. "We are going to be taking in children from orphanages and other aspects were people will over look them. As such, I want to leave the youngest in your care."

Once more, he froze to the decree. "Me? I'm a curse corpse…" he began to say.

"Yes, but at the same time, you are approachable. I want the children to see you and better understand who we are as sorcerers. At the same time, I think it would be nice to bond with someone as interesting as you. The children will be drawn to you Panda, and I know many will feel far more confortable confiding in you than a stranger like me. Can I leave this task to you?"

He didn't understand her logic or reasoning. However, he agreed.

When the children began to come in, he got all the ones who were five and under. Just as Yua predicted they were fearful of the adults around them. Yet, when their eyes came upon him, they froze in aw. "Whoa… a panda…" he remembered one child whispering.

He was nervous at first, until Yua appeared beside him. "Hello everyone, I know this is a little scary to be in a place like this. So this here is a friend for everyone to talk to and to get to know. Yes, he is a panda. And believe it or not, his name IS Panda. He's a great listener, but also…" she turned and smiled to him. "Say hello" she whispered.

He forced a smile. "Hello everyone…"

The children froze.

They stared at him with wide eyes. "He talks…" one child whispered to another.

"He really talks…" they began to build up in their whispering. Unable to believe the panda before him can speak to them.

"Ahem… Hello everyone, I'm Panda, and as Miss Tooru has said, I am here to help everyone out. If you have any questions about this place, you are more than welcome to ask me. If you have any concerns or are unsure about anything, I'm here for that too."

Since then, he has been the bridge for the young children to this place. Many confided in him, like he was a big stuffed teddy bear. He had a private play room where children would seek him out to talk about their concerns and worries. Panda was actually taken aback a few time when he heard some of the children's stories.

"My brother and I got taken away after mommy fell asleep and never woke up." one little girl told him. "Daddy kept saying it was an accident… daddy ran away and never came back."

Some were just too heartbreaking to recall, but the children left under his care are doing very well. In fact, they love to learn and they still seek him out even as they grow up.

It's been good so far, and yet, he hasn't quite understood this whole thing with the dragons getting involved now.

Not to mention this whole new situation with Sukuna being kept around… alive… and as a pet of all things. And yet… he hasn't felt more at peace!

He still goes out with Togu and Maki for old times sake to hunt down curses, but with the way things are run now, it's a peaceful life he never thought possible. Muta has been instrumental in that, not to mention the Itadoris…

"Panda! Panda!" he snapped out of his train of thoughts as the young students began to approach. "Panda, wanna play with us?"

He smiled warmly to them. "Another time, I have to help a friend, is that okay?" he asked.

The children nodded and smiled. "We thought you were alone and asked if you wanted to play, but you are going to see a friend, it's okay. Bye Panda!"

It warmed his core to see the children are being thoughtful of him.

But now he has to check on a friend.

He has wondered what Togu does around here. Somehow, Yua Tooru is very capable of using everyone's talents for the better of everyone around them. He managed to find Togu with his students. He has children who bare a similar technique to him. There were only five of them, and they sat in silence of each other, yet, judging by the movement of their eyes, Panda figured Togu has taught them a different method of communication.

He gave a nod to his students who stood and bowed before Togu. They took their leave as Panda smiled and waved. "Salmon!" he called out.

"Togu, I see you have students now too, don't you?"

'Yes, Suiryu found them.' He explained. 'They have curse speech like me, which is very rare I thought…'

Panda agreed. Togu's clan are known outlaws in jujutsu society because of this technique. In fact, Inumaki's clan was nearly wiped out because of the council! They didn't trust anyone with curse speech, and yet, sometimes the ability manifests in others who are not blood related.

"It's good to see you got students of your own…" Panda said offhandedly, yet he paused suddenly. He smelt the air. "I smell blood…"

Togu froze as Panda followed the scent, but they paused as they realized what was happening. Yuko's water broke. Yuuji was next to her along with Kiyoshi. She was quickly swept away to the hospital ward.

Panda shook his head to it all but smiled. "This place isn't getting any smaller… which is nice…" he said offhandedly.

'It's more than nice, for the past two years, we didn't have to worry about losing anyone… in fact, I think this is the least amount of sorcerers to die in a while… isn't it?' Inumaki asked.

Panda nodded. "It's because of Miss Tooru." Panda said instantly. "Not to mention the others who came back with her. We're not sent into missions or places blind anymore. We know exactly what we are up against and how to defeat it. Before, they just threw us into battle without telling us the greater detail of it."

Inumaki nodded. 'They make sure everyone goes in and returns safely.'

"The council never had such consideration before."

"OI! What are you two jabbering about?"

Panda snickered as he turned to see Maki. "Hey Maki, just reminiscing."

She smirked a little. "Is that so? I doubt there are many good memories out there to recall…" she muttered.

"Well, the fact that we are here now, and safe… that means a lot to me."

She nodded in agreement, but was oddly silent.

'Still nothing from Yuta?' asked Toge.

She shook her head. "I haven't seen him, I've been looking too. Tanso has been kind enough to help me as well… but I haven't seen him since he took care of Yuuji when he was a baby dragon. I just hope he's okay."

"He has Rika, I know he will be." Said Panda. "Besides, we were able to find Noritoshi, I know we can find Yuta sooner than later."

She sighed. "It doesn't really matter at this point either, does it? It's not an urgent matter…"

Panda and Toge paused.

'You think they won't go looking for him since it's not urgent? Have you asked Yua about it?' Toge asked.

"But…"

"This isn't jujutsu tech… Maki… Yuta is someone important to you, right? Speak with Yua about it, something might come up of it."

She appeared conflicted, a part of her wants to look for him, yet, another fears the worst too. Or, what if the council already has and is using him as bait? Panda knows she is feeling these concerns, for he has the same ones.

"It's not important right now… if anything, we need to work on a place for the non jujutsu sorcerers. We think we need to set up a separate operation." She said.

"Oh? Would you leave the domain with them?" asked Panda.

"Nah, we got some students who are taking charge as it is, they keep everyone in line but have expressed interest in moving out. We're not against it, since the council won't think much of them. But at the same time, it's concerning since we can't properly back them if something were to happen."

"That is difficult." Panda mused. "But there has to be a way around it, right? I mean, I noticed something happening a while ago. Geto was training with Naoya recently…"

"On what?" Maki asked with some disgust to her voice.

"I don't know, but it looked weird…"

'Maybe they are training now… should we go look?'

"Not a bad idea Inumaki… let's go see for ourselves."