hiatus.

~~~~

You lay on your odd nest in the ramshackle dorm that you now had to call your temporary home. At least that lizard beast had gone through the effort of cleaning out all of the dust and other potential hazards before allowing you inside. Despite these strange creatures and everything you had gone through in the span of a singular evening, your mind was thousands of miles away.

As you lay on your back with your stomach in the air, you couldn't help but rest your hands over that bump that had already been forming up nicely. Despite the strange little feline you had befriended in the forest, as well as that strange Bat Lilia who was in the nest with you, you felt extremely alone. You were cast adrift in a sea of uncertainty and had to contend with these strange creatures on top of keeping yourself safe.

It was early days yet and you knew why your body was going through this exhaustive process, but you were also terrified of potentially losing that tender and new life that was growing within. Even as you rubbed your stomach, listening to the Bat and the little feline next to you sleep peacefully, unease settled over you. Perhaps it was hormones or even something more, but you were still riddled with worry.

What kind of life would your little one have in this insane world? Who could you even ask for assistance with something like this?

If you and your baby were going to survive, you were going to need someone who had even the faintest idea of how to care for a pregnant woman. Question was; where could you find someone like that?

No matter how you looked at the situation, you knew that you were possibly in immense danger. The creatures in the woods and even these beasts themselves could all be extremely dangerous. You simply didn't want to give them a reason to target you further, especially given the fact that you didn't know how these beasts would react to your delicate state. Who could you even tell such a monumental secret to?

All you could do at that point was hope and wish for someone- anyone- who could help you. The alternative was trying to do this completely alone. Your options were more than limited.

~~~~

"...And you are certain?"

"Yes! She is Human by all descriptors! But it is interesting, I am picking up a faint secondary heartbeat within her abdomen. I didn't know Humans had two hearts!"

This made the elder look up sharply from the few items he had been idly packing. He was certainly intending on visiting this strange new Human at some point, already getting a bag together for the chance of seeing the Human. Perhaps that moment had already arrived, especially if what Ortho was saying happened to be accurate.

"Young Ortho, send me those scans, would you?"

"Right away, Papa Hades! Oh, I'm just so excited! Idi-nii has been absolutely thrilled about her! He even agreed to try and leave his dorm room more often so he can see her!"

The elder hummed in response to the happy chirping of the little Shinigami, immediately looking over the scans. Ortho was indeed correct. Deep within your abdomen sat a secondary heartbeat. It was faint and it seemed so small compared to your own heartbeat, but it was certainly present within you.

Could he truly be so fortunate? Had a Human truly fallen right into this world- practically into the elder's grasp, thanks to Ortho- while pregnant?

If it was true- which he intended to verify himself- then that meant the very solution to all of his problems had practically fallen from the sky.

Not only could he learn and study the way a Human body developed their young, but he could finally have relief from the splitting pain and headache that he had as a result of his own addiction. A soothing balm of a Human to ease his agony and even help him bring more Humans into the world. There was no way he was going to pass up such a golden opportunity, and no way he would allow even the smallest form of harm to befall this blessed Human.

"Young Ortho, warn your Headmage that I will be arriving shortly. Such an endangered and special creature as a Human should not be left to the whims of those who don't understand her... Condition."

Ortho was quick to end the call and set to doing as he was asked, leaving the elder to begin packing more intense instruments. Anything a pregnant Human could need was packed away, the elder even calling for his descendants to aid him. They were quick to drop their own tasks and assist, most of them stunned that the elder could even move from his throne, let alone be so serious and lively after centuries of being mostly despondent.

The elder didn't even look at them as he summoned a mirror and shrank his own form down to one that wouldn't be as frightening to the small Human. He understood that a creature so closely linked to death would scare such a soft creature, so he endeavored to make himself appear as harmless as possible. With all of his many items gathered and a quick message to Ortho, the mirror surface began to slowly shimmer and move.

At that point, the sun was barely beginning to crest the horizon as he was prepared to leave. Many of his descendants gathered to aid their elder in carrying his items through the portal. He would need their assistance to get everything set up by the time he reached that soft Human and confirmed what he felt in his heart to already be true.

~•§•~

You slowly woke in the strange giant bed you had been snuggled up in. The small feline Grim gently batting at your nose and purring as he realized you were awake.

"Hooman... I'm hungry."

Something about the little voice compelled you to get up, feeling an almost intense maternal need to feed this little beast and ensure that he was comfortable. Perhaps it was your current condition. Perhaps it was the fact that he seemed so young and small. Whatever the case, you felt like you had to feed the little beast with whatever you could scrounge up.

Before you could really get yourself going, you felt a sudden wave of nausea and had to set the small feline down to rush to your bathroom. Naturally, your morning sickness waited for no one and that meant you would be hunched over and expelling what little remained in your stomach. You fully intended to cook for the little beast, but you had to take care of yourself first.

As you hunched over and retched thanks to your less than settled stomach, someone began pulling back your hair. Their hands were colder than you expected, but you were simply thankful for the help. While you coughed and tried to get your breathing under control, the voice of that Bat sounded in your ears from behind you.

"Goodness! You seemed so chipper last night, (Y/n), have you suddenly fallen ill?"

"It's fine," you groaned out and tried to get up so you could use the meager toothbrush the beast had given you, "I'll be fine in a little bit."

"... (Y/n), I hope you do not take this the wrong way... But are you with young?"

"What?"

You turned to look at the Bat who cocked his head to the side, staring at you in interest. He began to mime as he tried to explain what he meant. His hands coming down in front of his stomach to mime a sizeable bump in front of him.

"You know, heavy with young? Currently growing a child. Had a seed planted in your stomach that is now turning into a pup of your own-"

"I get it. Yes... I am pregnant. Not far along at all, so the morning sickness sucks. Why?"

"Because that is a wonderful thing! They must be fully Human since you came from a world full of Humans. This is so exciting! A Human hasn't been around for at least 500 years, and a Human pup hasn't been born for even longer!"

You stared at the Bat for a long moment, wondering if he was actually happy or if he was simply saying he was pleased to placate you. Based on the almost frighteningly wide smile on his impish face, you couldn't help but think he was genuinely ecstatic due to this news. The way his eyes flicked down to your stomach made you rest an arm protectively across your waist.

Just because he was happy didn't mean he was harmless.

As you stared at Lilia, a sudden and loud knocking came from the front of the dorm. Grim quickly ran to hold your leg, letting you pick him up as you and Lilia headed down to the door. Lilia took the lead with you walking behind him as the three of you approached the doorway.

Lilia opened the door just enough to peak around the edge before he suddenly threw the door open wide. The Bat was quick to bow deeply, lowering his head completely to whomever it was at the door as you held the small feline in your arms close to you. Standing at the door was an odd creature you didn't recognize from the many beasts you saw the night prior.

The lanky figure had muted blue flesh, an array of black feathers that hung like a boa, blue flames atop their head, and burning yellow eyes. Wrapped around the oddly tall creature was what looked like a shawl comprised of shadows as little sparks of starlight among the shadows. Their face was sorrowful and the dark blue that streaked down the beast's face reminded you of sparkling tears.

"So it is true..." The lanky one spoke with a soft voice much like a whisper, their eyes trailing over you before flicking back up to your face, "greetings, Little One. I am certain you are sick of meeting countless others already, but I simply had to encounter you myself. May I come in?"

You stared at them for a moment with hesitation, wondering what kind of creature this one would be. You had heard of Centaurs, Dragons, and Harpies before, but this one was none of those things. This one was different.

"... If you promise not to hurt me, then yes."

"I swear upon my life and that of my descendants that I am not here to hurt, distress, or otherwise harm you."

"... Fine."

The creature ducked down as they entered the building, standing back up once inside. They towered over you as you took several steps back, using your arms to shield the feline you held, and using the feline to shield your stomach. As if they understood how stressed you were, they hunched their body somewhat so they could look at your more directly.

"I am the one they call Hades, and I have heard quite the interesting tale about you, Little One, but perhaps it would be a sign of good faith to explain my own background to you. You likely already know that your kind- Humanity- is now extinct in this land. There had not been a Human here for half a millennia before your sudden arrival. That last Human lived in my care, as many others did. You could say I was the patron of Humanity before the end, so I had to confirm with my own eyes that you are Human."

"Well, you've done that now. So what is it you want from me?"

Your less than approachable attitude did not dissuade the being standing before you, almost endearing you to the beast. In truth, he had expected you to be standoffish and hostile towards him and any other stranger in your home. That was a characteristic that did not change among species, as all of those with child would defend themselves and their young to the brink of their strength.

"I want to help you, if I may."

"How?"

"There are very few who have encountered Humans, let alone a Human with young growing inside of them. I have enough knowledge and resources to help you bring them safely into this world."

"How did you..?"

The lanky creature smiled at this, their eyes creasing slightly at the edges with the warm and almost affectionate expression. Hades was an unusual creature, especially when compared to your own knowledge of Greek Mythology. This being was an unusual one and seemed to know far more about you than you would like.

"Young Ortho, my descendant, scanned you and picked up the secondary heartbeat within you. There is no shame in needing help, Little One, and I am certain I can aid you in regular development checks and ensure the both of you stay safe. Humans are... Quite coveted... And I am not foolish enough to believe that others will not flock to you and your young."

This revelation seemed to finally catch up to that Crow who had so callously collared you, his glowing eyes fixated on your stomach. Something about this information that you were pregnant seemed to change the way the Crow looked at you, his feathers ruffling to an extreme. Even his walking gait had a kind of excited hop to it as you stared at him cautiously.

"Such a precious little chick growing within..."

The Crow reached out to you and before you could snap at him to back off, the little feline in your arms did it for you. A sharp hiss coming from the soft feline paired with a hasty swipe made the Crow back off with an indignant squawk. At least this little cat-bat beast was willing to guard you from the far too callous Crow.

"Young Crowley, I would suggest you keep your talons off of this Little One and their stomach. We wouldn't want to risk such a precious pair."

The Crow frowned, but nodded hesitantly, conceding to the knowledge of this Hades. The revelation that your infant was growing inside of you caused a rippling reaction for the others present. Trein- who you had met the night before- was clearly interested even more in you as he regarded your stomach curiously, almost trying to see inside of your body to view the infant being held within.

"Headmage, I have concerns allowing (Y/n) to be among the students and common riff-raff here. They are in far too delicate of a state to be thrown to the hormonal beasts that make up the student body."

"What else are we to do with them, then?"

Trein looked from you to the large and lanky Hades before back to Crowley.

"I propose Lord Hades stay and- provided they both agree- care for our (Y/n). Should he deem it appropriate, they may begin to attend classes and socialize. Perhaps there should be several trusted students to be selected as guards, goodness knows how the other students may react to the news of (Y/n)'s condition."

Crowley nodded at this, not even asking you for your thoughts before he agreed with Trein. In your own mistrust of the Crow, you moved closer to the lanky one in an effort to seek some comfort. Hades allowed your approach and seemed to be guarding you as you kept your back to the tall creature to stare untrusting at the others.

What was that saying? The Devil you know versus the one you don't?

None of the tales you had read mentioned your true love being assigned to you. You questioned your parents on the matter, and all they could say was that they were silly stories and that this was your responsibility to the family. Even as a young girl, you knew the situation was peculiar; the nauseating sensation you had received was proof enough, but you didn’t argue because you wanted nothing more than to satisfy your family.

The thought of a happy marriage was stripped from you instantly, but that did not rid you of ambitions for other things. There was always something new to hyper-fixate on: your future.

You wanted a job, a career, and a jujutsu sorcerer seemed desirable enough; it was a job. You knew very little about being a shaman, but seeing it as a typical career choice among your family members, it looked more than desirable. You remember running up to your mother and father and mentioning it to them, begging them to teach you, but the only response you got was faces of disgust.

You remember your brother being there, your fraternal twin, beaming with joy when he thought his sister would join him in his studies and training, but that smile was wiped away quickly at your mother’s following words.

“You are a lady, Y/n, and a betrothed one at that. Do you really think it appropriate for a lady such as yourself to run off into battle and come home bloodied and bruised to her husband? Do you think it is fair that your husband would have to come and see that nothing is set for his return after a hard day of work?”

That’s the day you realized that your family was traditional. The woman was meant to cook, clean, and give her clan heirs. The husband was intended to pursue exciting adventures and come home to dinner on the table with a breedable wife at the ready. Nothing more, nothing less. You were a lamb for slaughter. Nevertheless, being the naïve little girl you were, you wanted nothing but to please your family and responded with a weak…

“No, ma’am.”

“Good, I want to hear nothing more of the matter.”

That night, you wept in your pillow, wondering if you’d ever had a choice in your life if you would ever have a choice in your life. From the day you were born, it had seemed that everything had been set out for you—a life plan written by your parents. The situation upset you greatly, and although your mind was not mature enough to think that deeply, you knew you did not like the pang in your heart when your mother addressed you.

The next morning you had seemingly gotten over the situation, going on with your pre-planned life and doing as you were told. Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and months turned into a year. A year had gone by and you still had not met this boy and sometimes you wondered if he was even real or if your parents were just telling you that to keep you in line. Why were you marrying someone who did not exist?

That was until that very afternoon when you unexpectedly caught a glimpse of the boy in question. You didn’t catch much, but he looked of your age and had snow-white hair. You hadn’t seen it yourself, but your mother had commented on his gorgeous blue eyes. Before your presence could be known, your caretaker had ushered you into a different room to continue your studies on etiquette.

For the entirety of that lesson, you could not focus—you were too curious. Who was that boy? What did he truly look like? What was his name? Was he truly the one you were going to marry? You had your suspicions, but you weren’t certain, and you would be damned to ask your parents. If they had wanted you to meet the child, they would have introduced the two of you already, right?

That afternoon, you could not help but be in your head until your brother approached you with a grin. You two loved to be around each other, and any chance you guys got to meet with one another, you both would hop on the opportunity. The young sorcerer would tell you about all the new things he had learned that day despite being told to keep that information out of your reach, the reasoning being that young ladies such as yourself wish not to hear such boyish stories; however, your sibling knew that was not the case for you, that was obvious enough seeing how your face would light up when he told you about his day.

Every story you were told made you desire your own studies in the subject, despite knowing your parents would never allow it. You restrained your urge, settling for what had already been planned. However, life had a different agenda for you.

You were nine when it first occurred…you could not remember what had happened, but what you knew was that you had woken up in the middle of the night, your breath heavy with tears streaming down your face as you had awoken from a nightmare that you could no longer picture. Your room was in complete disarray as if thieves had ransacked it. For a moment, you thought that could have been the case, but then you noticed nothing had been stolen?

It took you a minute, but you eventually noticed your brother standing at your door, a shocked look in his eyes. Your parents were quick to join him before mimicking the same expression. You did not know what was going on, and it caused you to break down unexpectedly. You had no idea why you were crying; everything was just so overwhelming, and you could not help but be upset.

Your parents did not move a muscle, almost as if they were afraid to do so, but not your twin. Without hesitation, seeing your emotional display, your sibling came over and embraced you, trying to calm you down.

“It’s okay, Y/n, you’re okay, I’m right here.”

You managed to calm your beating heart and breathing, your tear ducts now only secreting a couple of tears at a time versus the well before; however, you felt like crying again after looking to see your mother’s disgusted face. You almost let out the emotions again, but that was until you saw your father’s face. The man held no face of disgust yet nor sympathy or pride—his face held intrigue.

You didn’t know whether to be scared or relieved at that moment, so you reassured your brother that you were okay and that he could return to his bedroom. The boy was hesitant upon viewing your puffy features, but once he saw your gentle smile, he caved and allowed you your space. The boy stood, walking toward the door slowly as he looked at you, seeing your smile of reassurance, causing him to smile in return.

Your sibling walked out into the hallway, but not without a second glance at your figure, as if he were making sure that you wouldn’t change your mind, before walking off to his room. Your smile dropped when he vanished from sight, pitifully looking up to your upbringers only to be met with their cold expressions.

“You will not speak a word of this to anyone, you hear me, young lady,” your mother sternly instructed, pointing a firm finger in your direction.

You only nodded, holding back the sobs you were longing to let out. With one last warning glance, your mother made her way to her bedroom with your father; however, her face seemed less cold and almost fearful when she thought you could no longer see her. Did she fear you? You didn’t want that, quite the opposite— you did not want her to fear you; you wanted her to be proud of you. Why was this happening? What was happening?

You became overwhelmed, and in mere seconds, your liquid emotion appeared. You sobbed aloud before realizing you could stir the others in the home, quickly reaching for your pillow to stifle the sound.

Why could you not have been blessed like your brother, endowed with the features of a boy? He did not have an arranged marriage, he did not have to attend etiquette lessons, and he did not have to fear disappointing anybody. Everyone was proud of him solely because he was a boy. You could not think of any other reason; he was a boy, and that made him blessed, blessed enough to not elicit such a reaction from your upbringers.

That following morning, you treated the situation like nothing had happened, even though it lingered in your mind. Even if you wanted to talk about the matter or express your distraughtness from what happened, today was not the day to do so. Your family was having a "get-together," for lack of a better term. Your clan had branched out to multiple areas of the world. On every quarter and special occasion, they would come to your home to be in the presence of one another, informing each other of endeavors and discussing political matters that you would only understand later in life. However, there was one thing you understood about...

Your marriage.

Given past gatherings you had attended, it is the pinnacle of conversation. You were being married into the strongest clan, which followed by marrying the entirety of the family into the clan, meaning that your successful unity was vital for the gain of your family name. You were happy to do it so as long as you could satisfy those you considered loved ones. Even if you were unwilling to sacrifice that decision, you had no real say– you were only nine.

But why focus on that dreary subject when that was not what excited you about these gatherings? Your aunt was coming this time, and from what she told you previously, she had a surprise in store for you. To say that you had a strong relationship with her would be an understatement; if not for the fact that she had business in another continent, the two of you would be tied at the hip. You remember a moment when strangers believed you were mother and daughter from how the two of you interacted. She seemed to be the only one in the family, aside from your twin, who did not seem to care about your marital circumstance– she cared about you and your well-being.

The day could not have gone by any slower as you fiddled in anticipation of the nightly activities you were about to initiate. When the time finally came, you quickly prepared for the occasion. People began trickling in slowly, but as time went on, it was as if the floodgates had opened. People poured in; some people you recognized, and others you didn't. They were the least of your problems. You were looking for your aunt, but she had yet to show up in your line of sight; however, there was a glimpse of someone who had caught your attention, but you were quick to brush it off when you heard footsteps behind you. Before you could react, you were lifted from the ground with a yelp of surprise before being pulled into an embrace.

"There is my, Little Munchki- oh my goodness you’re getting too big for this!" The familiar voice huffed, still putting you in a better position to withstand your newfound weight from growing so much.

You could not help but laugh and return her embrace, "I missed you, Aunty!"

She pulled away for a moment, touching her forehead to yours.

"I missed you too, Y/n."

Your innocent eyes looked around the room, making sure no prying ears were around before motioning yourself toward your aunt's ears, your voice in a low whisper.

"What is the surprise?"

The woman chuckled, putting you back on the ground. She was still crouching down to your level to whisper in turn.

"Now, it would not be much of a surprise if I revealed it just yet. Just be patient, and all will be revealed in due time."

You sighed in disappointment, only to get your hair ruffled by the older lady. There was an attempt to hold your frown, but your stoic expression could only last for so long before bursting out laughing from the light touches of fingers rapidly attacking your midsection. Your aunt always knew how to put a smile on your face.

"Y/n!"

The moment stopped instantly as your mother approached, your sister standing close at her side. You hardly ever acknowledged the younger girl as she was not very present in your life. If your brother was a rare occurrence to interact with, your little sister was in your presence once in a blue moon. You had nothing against the girl as she was delightful to be around when you were in each others vacinity, but you hardly knew her and could not figure out how to talk to her.

"Stop that unladylike behavior; it is not very becoming, especially with the important company this evening."

You tilted your head, confused, as nothing seemed different from past occasions. You looked at your sister for hints but noticed that her typical, pleasant nature was replaced by a gloom you could not name. Was she alright? Had something happened? Maybe she was just not feeling well. A stomach bug, perhaps?

Before you could even speak to the little girl to ask if she was okay, you paused in advance, hearing your mother's tone change from the stern woman she was to someone you hardly recognized.

"Gojo-sama! I am so glad you were able to make it to this occasion. I hope everything has been comfortable for you."

Her voice was so high-pitched it hurt your ears to listen. The frequency was that of a dog whistle. You were relieved when it was over, only to hear your sister follow in turn with her even pitchier voice.

"Hello, Gojo-san! I'm (L/n) Akiko, but you can call me Akiko."

Her eyes were so bright they could put the stars to shame. Did she know this boy? No, certainly not; she only just introduced herself. Maybe he was important; his dad seemed influential.

You had expected the boy to be polite in turn, but he only “tsked” before rolling his eyes, looking up at his father and mother as if begging to leave. You were scowling in your mind at his behavior, but you dared not show it in fear of punishment. It would displease your family if you returned such impolite actions to the young male.

"Is this her, the one you have been informing me of? She is quite beautiful." The man smiled, silently greeting himself to Akiko.

"Oh, uh no, Gojo-sama. That is my youngest child, though only by a couple years. This is her, our pride and joy, Y/n."

You could see her hold back an expression when elaborating on you as the pride and joy, but you could not tell why. You didn’t think much of it, thinking it not of importance. Maybe she just swallowed a bug or smelt something off.

"Oh, dear...." The man stared at you in shock. You could not tell if it was bad or good shock, and it was starting to scare you. Out of panic, you bowed, afraid that you were showing impoliteness by not offering a greeting. It was silent, causing you more anxiety, before the man chuckled softly.

"Oh, my dear, there is no need for such formalities now. I apologize for staring; it was rude of me. I was only stunned by your striking beauty."

His comment caused you to become flustered, unable to come up with a coherent reply. You stood there like a deer in headlights, but your aunt gave you a slight nudge before you could go off and embrace yourself any further. You looked up at her only to see her clear her throat and flick her eyes toward the man who had made such a nice comment. Questions lingered in her mind momentarily before catching on to her hint.

"Thank you for the kind praise, Gojo-sama." You responded bashfully before bowing again.

Cough "introduce yourself" cough

"M-my name is (L/n) (Y/n), but you may call me (Y/n) if you would like." The introduction was spouted out so quickly you could hardly believe anyone could understand what you said.

You heard a soft laugh, but this time, it was not the man but the mother standing beside the boy. You looked at her and noticed she was a lovely lady. If God were a woman, you were sure that woman looked like God. She was absolutely stunning.

"Now, that was a very ecstatic introduction; I believe it is only fair that you give one in return, don't you think, Satoru."

The boy seemed surprised, looking up at his mother as if she had betrayed him. She only responded with an expression that urged him to continue with his greeting.

"Hi, I am Gojo Satoru, but it's best to call me Satoru." He did not seem panicky but rather bored. It was as if he could not loath anything more than to speak with you.

The woman sighed, shrugging her shoulders as it seemed that was the best she would get from her son.

"Well, seeing the young lady marrying our little man is certainly a delight."

The world seemed to freeze for not just you but for Satoru as well. This was the boy you were supposed to marry?! But he was so...tactless. He was nothing like your mother had described him. She claimed he would be like the prince charming from your old books, but it seems that was all a ploy to make him seem somewhat desirable to you, not that it really worked; however, it did make the impact of the circumstance lighter for you.

This is not what you had expected, and he seemed to feel the same way.

Before anyone could say anything, you heard your father call out to the family.

"If I can get everyone's attention to my sister, she has an announcement she wants to make."

The room set eyes on your aunt, but even she seemed taken aback but it left as quickly as it came, collecting her composure and smiling.

"Yes, first off, I would like to thank my brother for hosting this occasion. It is always lovely to be surrounded by familiar faces. I wanted to announce that I am pregnant, and for the sake of my family, I will be staying here in Kyoto."

The room filled with surprised gasps before erupting into a symphony of cheers and congratulations. You were also excited, but then you wondered if that was your aunt's surprise. Surely not. She made it seem so secretive. You lightly tugged on her clothing, giving her an inquisitive look, but she only responded with her index finger to her lips. Being the cooperative niece you were, you only nodded.

You watched as everyone crowded toward your aunt, well, almost everyone. You noticed your mother did not seem to be joining in on the celebration, nor did your father, though unlike your mother, your father did not seem unhappy but somewhat nervous. Your family truly confused you. As much as you wanted to enjoy the evening with your aunt, you did not want to deal with the overwhelming crowd around her, so you spotted your brother and ran toward him, opting to play with him, seeing that everyone was preoccupied. You had expected your sister to join, but it looked like she had rather be glued to your mother's side instead of playing with the two of you. You shrugged it off and enjoyed the rest of your evening.

The night had died, and everyone went home except for your aunt, as arrangements were made for her to stay at the estate. You said your goodbyes to the family before returning to the Gojo family. It felt tense as their son kept staring at you as if you had grown a third eye in the middle of your forehead, but his mother quickly stopped the behavior before gesturing for him to properly say goodbye. You both bowed and bid farewell before watching the adults do the same. Both parties seemed rather pleased, and you wondered why. Maybe it had something to do with your betrothal, but it was not like it was any surprise, was it?

"Psst"

You turned to see your aunt, gesturing you to follow her into a nearby hallway. No one was paying attention to your presence, so you quietly slipped out of the conversation that hadn't even involved you in the first place and snuck into the gardens with your relative.

"Are you going to show me the surprise now?"

"Patience, patience, my dear," she laughed, "The short answer is yes, but you need to give me a moment."

"But I-"

"No talking back, missy; now close your eyes."

"Wh-"

"Ah, ah, ah, no questions, and close your eyes. No. Peaking."

You followed her instructions this time, closing your eyes and folding your hands in your lap. It only took a few seconds before you felt something shoved into your palms. The best way you could describe it was that the trinket was cold and hard. It had some texture, but it was not overly lumpy.

"Now, open them."

You opened your lids and looked down to your lap, revealing a delicate-looking ring nestled in your hands. It was beautiful, and the jewels that adorned it even more so.

"Is this my engagement ring?"

Your aunt laughed, "No, sweety, it's just a family heirloom. Passed down from my mother and her mother before her."

"It's beautiful," you stared at it in awe, running your finger across the delicate item.

"In exchange for this ring, I want you to make me a promise."

"Okay!"

"Now, don't be so hasty, little one, I haven't even told you what it is yet."

You nodded in response, waiting to hear her following words.

"When this baby is born, I want you to treat and care for her as her older sister. You will love and protect her just as I protect and love you. Promise me you will do this for her.

"But she would be my cousin. How can I love her and protect her like my sister? Is it even a girl?"

"Boy, aren't you inquisitive," your relative chuckled.

"Whatever you would do for your brother, do for her? I don't know if it is a girl yet, but something tells me this child will be. So, do you promise?"

You paused for a moment, thinking over her words before making eye contact with the woman and nodding your head.

"I promise."

She smiled, hugging you before pulling away, looking at the ring.

"Why did you think it was an engagement ring?" she asked amusingly.

"Well, I met the Gojo boy for the first time today, and I thought that this ring was supposed to...I don't know, show that we're going to be married."

You heard the woman sigh, taking the ring from your palm and examining it. "Well, I am pretty sure an engagement ring is supposed to fit your first try, and from the looks of this one, it might take you a couple of years to grow into it." She paused a hesitance in her eye, before bringing her attention back to you. "Do you want to be married, Y/n?"

Her question was confusing, and you were not sure if you could give the correct answer, so you said what you had been saying for years, though you never understood the reasoning for this question.

"Yes, it will make everyone happy, so I am happy."

"Well, what if everyone else's opinion did not matter? Do you still think you would want to get married?

Your aunt had expected a hesitance, but you were all too quick to respond with:

"Yes."

"Would you still want to get married with Satoru?"

That was a better question; it made your heart race and caused you to sweat. You did not understand this reaction, but it was unpleasant.

"I don't know."

Another sigh.

"Y/n, I-" another moment of hesitance, "I know you feel like you need to marry Satoru to make everyone happy, but I do not want you to think of it that way. I want you to marry him out of necessity. Not for everyone else but yourself. You do not have to love him, but you need to rely on him because, in the end, you will be looking out for one another. Who knows, maybe you will grow to like him, maybe not as a lover but as a friend. For your sake, I want you to make me one more promise. Promise me you will marry him, not for everyone else, but for your safety."

You had no idea what she was talking about, but the desperation in her eyes scared you. It was as if she knew something you did not. You had so many questions, but you refrained. Your aunt had never asked anything of you until this day, and unlike everyone else, she cared about your well-being and everyone else's other than herself—her previous request proved that.

"I promise."

Another hug before leaving the garden. Hands were held as she brought you to your room for bed. Tonight would be a blissful night, a restful night, and you could not wait to indulge in it.

"AHHHHHHHH"

Another nightmare.

You awoke to your belongings on the floor, the state of your room appearing as if a tornado had blown through it. Tears were streaming down your face, and before you could adequately think, you began to feel around the bed. Feeling cold metal, you quickly grabbed the ring you had been sleeping with under your pillow, clutching it to your chest.

Your brother was the first to arrive, clinging to you the moment he reached your bed. He petted your hair and tried soothing you with words of reassurance. This was the second night in a row. Why was this happening? You just wished it would not happen again. Your parents could be seen at your doorway, standing there motionless as they looked at the state of your personal dwelling area. Then they looked at you with fear. It frightened you all the more; however, you found a sliver of comfort when your aunt pushed herself into the room, pausing momentarily at the condition. But it only lasted a second as she focused on you.

She quickly pulled you into her chest, keeping in mind your brother as she also brought him into the embrace. She held you close as soft sobs left your throat. She soothingly shushed you as she rocked you in her embrace. She let go of your form once your cries subsided into sniffles and choked apologies.

"Do not ever apologize for this. It is not your fault," the woman said, wiping the stray years from your cheek and offering a warm smile. "Would you like me to stay the night with you?"

You were ready to say yes, but you caught a glance at your parent's disapproving expressions.

"No, I am alright."

"Y/n, this is the second time this has happened; it would be good for Aunty to stay. I could stay, too."

"What do you mean second time?"

Your brother looked at your aunt, opening his mouth to speak before being interrupted by your mother.

"This episode happened the previous night. It was nothing but a nightmare."

"Nothing but a-" Your aunt swallowed her words before looking at you. "Try to settle back into bed, and I'll be back to stay the night with you."

"But I-"

"Do not worry; your brother can stay with you. Just try going back to sleep for now."

You did not argue, and neither did your twin. He pulled you down onto the mattress and held you close as he tried the comforting methods your aunt had performed. You would be lying if you said it was not working. You tried to force yourself to stay awake in fear of having another terror, in fear of harming your twin, but it only took a few minutes until you fell back into slumber

You woke up from the feeling of a parched throat. You found yourself wanting to move from your spot, but your brother clung to you even tighter the moment you tried. You sighed, turning your head to look at your nightstand only to be pleasantly surprised by the glass of water sitting there, but where did it come fro-

"Why wouldn't you say something?! Everyone was here tonight. There was plenty of support. Fucking Christ, I WAS HERE!"

"Your crude language is not very becoming of you, but if you must know, it was no one's concern...especially you; we handled the situation."

"None of my concern?! Do you need a reminder of why it is my concern, or would you rather spare your pride? Last time I checked, you only came into this family when you married my brother, so you have no right to tell me this is not my concern."

"Look, there is nothing we can do but suppress it. We'll start giving her sedatives so she can sleep through these episodes."

"You have to be kidding me! You're going to drug her?! I might have a better idea; why don't you teach her how to control it?!"

"You do not know the damage it will cause if she goes around with this unstable ability."

"The only reason it is unstable is because you two have been focusing on ONE of the children. Would it really be so bad to just have her train with him? Did you guys go broke or something and are not telling anyone?"

"How dare you! We are financially stable."

"I love how you would rather feel insulted by your financial status than the actual problem at hand. Also, how cute it is to use the word we. When did you start contributing?"

"I'm the one who was able to set her up with the Gojo boy."

"How so, sister?"

"I talked to a few people. Originally, the Zenin wanted her, but the Gojo clan swopped in when that child was born with a deal that we could not refuse."

"You sold her?!"

"Gods, no! I made it known that we were looking for a suitor. I did not expect anyone to throw money at me. The Zenin certainly did, but the Gojo clan gave a better offer: a chance to sit at their table and have at least someone in this family bear the name of a Gojo."

"Well, I highly doubt they will be pleased once they figure out that you planned to let this fester."

"They won't find out because we don't plan to show or tell them of this situation. As I said, we will suppress these unpredictable abilities and be done with the matter. It should be easy enough; she is young and unaware of these episodes."

"Just teach her how to use and control it!"

"IT ISN'T FIT FOR A WOMAN OF THE STATUS SHE IS GOING TO ACHIEVE!"

"Excuse me..."

"Trust me, if I had a say, I would have had my younger one marry into the Gojo clan, but that girl was born first, and we had already accepted the offer."

"So because you married her off, you aren't going to let her fulfill her potential?!"

"Enough! I am tired of this bickering. The damage has been done, and we will all live with it. I wish to rest and move on with our lives. Besides, it is not good for the baby for you to be getting all riled up, my sister."

"Do not start acting like you're the clan head; that has yet to happen. As a matter of fact, didn't Father refuse to give you the title? Do not start getting cocky, brother. The man is still alive whether we like it or not, and if he finds out about your little secret, he'll damn you for it."

"..."

"Well, it is a good thing he'll never find out."

The room went silent, and you could hear something break. Footsteps began to approach your door, and because you were afraid of getting caught, you closed your eyes and pretended to sleep. The door opened, and you felt the bed shift as your aunt slowly settled onto the mattress.

"Cowards," she muttered.

Silence lingered for a few minutes before feeling fingers running along your scalp. The woman hummed a familiar tune while scratching your scalp. The song seemed familiar, but you could not recall where or when you heard it last. Where had you listened to this song?

It was a calming hum, but it did not stop the feeling deep in your chest and the rush of your mind from what you had overheard.

You initially thought your gender was a curse, and in a way, it was; however, there were plenty of females in your family who served their ambitions without the fear of submission, and your aunt was one of them. You were being held behind because of that arrogant and impolite boy who attended the gathering. Your marriage was a curse, restraining you from your most substantial potential. At this moment, you detested that you were getting married, despite your previous beliefs and fantasies of such an occasion, especially because, of all people, it was Gojo Satoru. His name was like a curse on your future, but as much as you wanted to hate him for it, you had to recognize he was just as much a victim as you. There was no intention to retaliate against the arrangements made because, as reluctant as you were, you still wanted to please those you cared for. The promise you made to your aunt playing a prominent factor. You would instead be ostracized than to disappoint the woman you looked up to.

However, as you drifted back into sleep, you had a pent-up emotion you could not name. For your sanity, you whispered something in your mind that you would never think to say aloud and did not truly mean. You were a kid struggling to manage this burning feeling, so instead of lashing out, you pinned it on something...or rather, someone.

I hate Gojo Satoru.

You held the gray pelt in your hands. It was soft and weighted in your steely grip. There was a lump in your throat and a nauseated stir within your stomach as you assessed what you thought was the crime scene. Your own boat where your blubbery friend trusted you.

Complacency killed your friend.

Oh, the poor thing.

"Lass, it's a bonnie day fer fishin'!" Johnny called from the shoreline.

He was all boyish grin, teeth straight and blue eyes bright as he stood on the shoreline. Your heart clenched at the sight. Your human friend, the one you had undeniably become more attached to throughout the weeks of getting to know him, surely wouldn't take out the one main thing he knew made you excited to go out on the water. Right?

God, your head was spinning from the mixed emotions running through your head.

You stashed the pelt back where you found it, standing up to greet him. It was evident your stance was a bit standoffish, but Johnny either was oblivious or was wary of asking. It was hard to tell what he was thinking for a man who typically wore his heart on his sleeve.

The unpredictable nature of him made you stiffen. Maybe if it got too overwhelming, you could just throw him off the boat and make him swim back.

A small bit of delight crept into your body as you thought about it.

"Want to go towards the island today?" You asked, feigning friendliness. The thought of the pelt sitting in the foundational structure of your boat made bitterness rise as you blinked at him innocently.

The island was several miles out. Too far for Johnny to swim back comfortably, but not far enough for him not to be saved. No, they'd link his death to you instantly. The whole village knew of your camaraderie by now, as Johnny had accompanied you to sell your fish multiple times now.

"Sure, lass," Johnmy smiled thoughtfully, and a flash of guilt stirred in your gut. Were you mentally incriminating an innocent man? You hoped he was innocent. You didn't want to lose another friend. Not one you were sweet on.

So with that, you were off, Johnny yapping away about his sisters back home while you listened. You had to admit, he sounded like a good brother. Attentive, prasing, proud.

When you asked if you could meet them one day, trying to be civil despite the malice corrupting your bones, Johnny grew quiet for a moment. A flash of something washed over him before he gripped the side of the boat.

"They're far away, lass. It's hard to get them tae come out."

Another tick in your already suspicious nature. First, he spoke of them like he saw them yesterday. Now they were too far. You tilted your head in confusion, biting your lip as you failed to respond.

But the thought of the pelt just nagged at you more and more. And by the time you made it to your chosen fishing spot, you were twisting your fingers with contemplation.

"Saw a ripple over there," Johnny spoke as he pointed a little bit behind where you were sitting. "Maybe yer friend finally wants tae meet me."

"It's not him," your words were clipped. Vague. You cursed Johnny for not understanding your implications as if he should’ve read your mind.

"Never say never, bon," Johnny once again acted like your indifference didn't exist. He didn't seem stressed in the slightest, not even questioning if you were alright.

Johnny situated the fishing gear like it was second nature now. You had taught him all he needed to know, though you still wondered if he was lying about how inadequate he actually was when he first met you. He had a very sharp eye and good instincts.

You went along with the charade for a little. Between the both of you, you brought in enough fish to last you a couple of weeks, hopefully. It was good you had a solid reputation with the merchants because you could always predict what you would be paid in exchange for your fish. You were reliable throughout your small village.

By the time Johnny pulled in the net for the last time, you couldn’t take it anymore. You couldn’t go a night, tossing and turning and wondering if your acceptance of help got your sea friend killed. You would rather throw Johnny overboard now, then let him give the slip on land.

"Someone killed my seal," you spoke, indirect at first. Maybe Johnny would confess without you having to point fingers or pry him apart.

Johnny faltered for the first time all day. "What makes ye say tha'?" He asked.

"Found his pelt," You felt that lump in your throat again.

"Did ye hold it?" Johnny asked, and you tilted your head in confusion. What did that have to do with anything? But he seemed oddly focused on that detail, as a subtle smile worked its way onto his face.

No, this wasn’t a happy situation.

"Course I did," you spoke with caution. "Pried it from between two boards on this ship."

You stood up and went to the familiar spot, pulling the pelt from its confines. It felt as heavy as it did earlier, reality crushing you as you stared at it for a moment. You sat there for a moment before Johnny cleared his throat.

You sat down again, pelt in your lap as Johnny watched you. You would feel disgusting if you were sitting in front of the poacher, his dirty laundry displayed in this manner.

"Lass, ye said he was killed?" Johnny realised you weren't going to speak, so he did it himself.

"Pretty obvious. It was stashed on my boat," you said tensely, eyes narrowing.

"Aye. But there's no blood. Disnae even look like it was attached tae anythin'," Johnny pointed out.

Your words died in your throat as you looked down. He was right. It was oddly clean for it apparently being ripped off your friend. There was a small mud streak on the dark gray, but otherwise, it was a clean pelt. Now, you were wracking your brain for more answers.

"Crime scene too clean, bon," Johnny said. "How do ye even ken this is yer lad's coat?"

"It's the same markings," you frowned. "Noticed them all the time. The spots on his belly when he was sunbathing on this boat. I know it's him."

Johnny's eyes caught the fading light, and you could see them glinting. That smile grew just slightly more. God, was he proud of upheaving your life like this? Frustration grew until you looked him dead in the eye.

"Did you kill him?" You asked. No more vagueness in hopes he confessed himself. You were going to have to ask directly.

Johnny huffed out an incredulous laugh, "Oh, bon. It's sweet yer so protective of yer friend, but ye got the wrong idea."

Your eyes narrowed further, "Explain."

Johnny beamed, the slightest hint of nerves now showing for the first time today.

“Abandoned, Selling As Is” was what the advertisement had read. No one else had wanted the plot of land hours away from civilization. For you, though, it was perfect. Somewhere to start over, to be alone and relearn who you are.

The rooms still held the previous owner’s belongings. Everything had been left untouched as if they just vanished one day. All men, you assumed, just from the sparse decor and the clothes left behind. Military, maybe, from how the beds were made with their sheets tucked into hospital corners. Paranoid loners, possibly even doomsday preppers, was another guess you made after discovering a gun safe hidden behind a false wall under the stairs.

It was almost a game, once a day trying a hand full of combinations to see if any worked. Something mindless to fill an unoccupied moment of time. That’s when you really started going through the papers and books left behind. Looking for any clues at what the code might be. A notepad left on the small hallway table is where you scribbled down all the combinations that hadn’t worked, in a meager attempt to not repeat yourself. A small mystery to add a little life to your loneliness.

At night is when things really come to life this far out into the wilderness. In the early days of owning the property, before you were able to get the satellite internet set up, you’d spend the evenings watching and listening on the back porch. Deer were the most common, using the wide open expanse of a backyard as a place to graze in the evenings. Owls silently swooping down on field mice before retreating to the trees once more. Coyotes, crickets, and night birds made a symphony of nature most nights.

The most exciting were the wolves. You could always hear them howling in the distance, calling to one another. They weren’t like the coyotes that cackled over one another in attempt to sound larger or more numerous than they actually were. These were direct calls and responses. Their vocalizations sounding almost melancholy, as if they were yearning for something that seemed just out of reach.

It was a quiet night when you finally decided to respond to their calls. The evening had been spent making supply lists for your trek into the nearest town in the morning. A large cooler had been thrown into the bed of your truck to store items intended for the refrigerator and deep freezer.

You sat on the tailgate, listening to the night song that seemed to encapsulate the peaceful valley you now owned. A celebratory drink held in one hand and a small, proud smile graces your lips. Your house was starting to feel like a real home and that was definitely worth celebrating.

The wolves that you had grown fond of, yet had never seen, were starting up. Your favorite night song. A melody that you could listen to for hours. One you had listened to for hours.

Four. You could make out four distinct calls at this point. Two were more vocal than others, their tones more playful. One was definitely the pack leader. His call the first and last each night, like a command or an order. And one was rarely heard, usually only short responses and never as loud as the others. But the valley always carried their calls to you, teaching you their voices. They were faceless friends in your solitude.

So you call out into the night. The long howl a poor imitation of theirs, straining your vocal cords.

The night grows still. All goes quiet. As the silence passes for a beat, then another, your smile slowly falters and fades. A pang of disappointment and a small bubble of guilt at interrupting their conversation.

All animals, even fierce predators, could be skittish. You worried that your call had scared them off, ruining your chances of ever spotting them. With a hop you jump off the tailgate, slamming it shut in frustration. Heavy feet stomping all the way onto the porch and inside. You could only hope they hadn’t heard your foolishness and that something else has quieted them.

The night remains silent as you crawl into bed. The night song ending early and sewing sadness into your dreams.

But they had heard you.

Your distinctly human howling calling to a dormant part of their minds. They remembered themselves. They remembered their life in the valley. They remembered the house where their human lives were lived.