A/N: From the dead flames of dislike for the ending of Jujutsu Kaisen and my mind, which has not rested enough for a day at least, comes this one-shot, a tool if you like, to serve as an excuse for my procrastination.
800 AD, Kyoto
It was autumn in Kyoto, one of the most picturesque time of the year in Kyoto, but Kenjaku was in no mood to admire the sight.
"What do you mean by you reject this marriage?"
Kenjaku was a typical daimyo-class jujutsu user, a lesser clan, but nonetheless of birthright, he was to inherit land after the death of his father. He was tall and had angular features which made him appear fierce and upset most of the time, but he was of a soft-heart and would acquiesce to farmers postponing their tax payments if they really could not pay. Not to mention, he was of a good build, thanks to years of training, and his jujutsu skill was mind-transfer, meaning that he could take over people's bodies. The daimyo lord had accepted his pledge, and if he willed, he could even manipulate the daimyo to give him whatever he wanted, heck, perhaps even the Emperor if he could get close enough. So it was baffling to him why Genji would reject his proposal. They had been close since young, and both their families had accepted that it was only a matter of time, a couple of months in fact, that they consummated the marriage.
Sitting with her feet tucked behind her in the most proper pose across the matcha ceremony table from Kenjaku, and to whom Kenjaku was addressing, was Genji no Tengaku. Her hair was of a dark brown, almost black, and her eyes were deep-set, rare for a Japanese, some say she must have gotten some Sogdian blood in her through her mother's side. She looked right into Kenjaku's eyes, and if one had not known, both of them would have seemed like the perfect couple looking at each other sharing tea in the afternoon sun.
In fact, the more calm Genji seemed, the more upset Kenjaku felt, and his thoughts on how to make Genji his were running so fast, he swore if she had not spoken in the next minute, he would grab her and teach her how to respect her future husband there and then.
Unfortunately or fortunately enough, Genji spoke. "Kenjaku, I hope you understand, I have nothing against you."
"Then why?" Kenjaku pressed, determined to get an answer.
"It is about my jujutsu skill. It woke in me three days ago." Genji calmly replied, lifting the bitter bowl of matcha she had been stirring for an exact number of times to her lips for a sip.
Kenjaku's eyes were glued on her movements, her lips, red, her teeth the perfect shade of black, kissing the edge of the black cup. From his angle, she appeared to be smiling slightly at him.
"It's a ward strengthening skill, I am afraid all my energy and life shall now have to be poured into maintaining the daimyo's wards." She continued calmly, as if her life was not hers, as if she had not just given up everything just so the daimyo could maintain his territory.
The voices in Kenjaku's mind fell silent. If it was the daimyo's order…if he could manipulate the daimyo.
"I could persuade the daimyo to retract the order." Kenjaku said softly.
"You don't understand do you, Kenjaku. These wards, it is more than you and I. The daimyo means to unify the lands. These wards are his means of peaceful conquest." Genji tried to explain to the man in front of her. Her childhood friend, as best as she could.
"No, you don't understand Genji. You know my skill. You don't have to strengthen anything. I can become King, and you, my Queen." Kenjaku almost pleaded.
"I wish you all the best Kenjaku, I know you can continue on even after we pass to the afterlife, but for me, I want to protect my family and everyone I know in Echizen for as long as I live. The Daimyo has already named me Tengen."
Kenjaku could not continue. Genji's words were like a slap to his face and pride. Three rejections and an insult to his transcendental jujutsu skill. Genji can never understand what it means to be able to live forever and be whoever he or she wanted to be.
"I curse you, Genji," Kenjaku continued almost hissing, the quick change in attitude surprising even Genji, who looked up from her cup then, and saw that Kenjaku was serious about cursing her.
"Since you choose to defend these wards for these lowly people rather than rule them with me, I curse you to take on this responsibility for as long as I live!" Kenjaku was mad with anger at that point, and he got up and left the room, smashing the sliding doors with a huge clash as he left the room.
Genji sighed, putting down the match cup.
"If that is what you want, Kenjaku. For my repentance, I accept."
Unbeknownst to both of them, a dark strand of curse energy ran and tied itself around the ankles of both parties, a dead knot. A bind has been made.
Sorry guys, I don't know what came over me. I don't even see Tengen and Kenjaku in the character list. I had wanted to write 1K, but got grossed out by this pairing so much while I was writing I wanted to cry.
I love Gojo, I think I just got so frustrated with the original ending and maybe cause I didn't sleep much and am still procrastinating. Please let me know if this pairing is too disturbing, I'll pull it down. Don't report me please. Thanks
xxoo