LADY AOKI || JUJUTSU KAISEN

二十六, festival of the dead

Things were happening way too quickly.

From the bounty hunters' attack, to her time spent in captivity with the doctor, to meeting the rising generation of new sorcerers and even having the opportunity to recover and continue her path as a student, she'd hardly had a moment to rest and recollect herself.

It seemed almost too good, how smoothly everything picked up. She made friends, shared smiles and laughter for the first time in years, and while the higher-ups kept her under a small radar, she regained a sense of inner peace, a little bit of the humanity she'd lost before fate drew her back into the outside world. 

Though by now, at summer's end, she faced yet another dilemma: home.

The Obon festival was due to take place in about a week, it was a time of gathering for families to honour their ancestors. As important as this was, Anzu hadn't even spared a thought about returning until now. How was a whole other question as well.

Guarded by the impenetrable forest, Aokigahara was her ancestral home, the estate was buried deep within the mountains and painstakingly difficult to reach on foot. Anzu grew up on stories of how the walls were embedded with seals to ward off bad curses, and to conceal itself from unwanted visitors. It was over seven hundred years old, standing strong through history's wars and disasters. As long as the spirit of the forest lived, so will they, was what her father used to say.

'That didn't stop Kamo's soldiers from getting in though.' Anzu recalled bitterly, remembering the front gates lying at her feet, trampled to splinters. 

The school would be emptied of people during those three days, the staff and students sent home to celebrate with their families. 

"Lanterns are lit and cast over still water, the flames are said to guide our ancestors home when the festival is done." Anzu was saying now. "We danced and played games, and mother and I would help the servants prepare offerings for the shrine so they could go home earlier and be with their families."

"My brothers and I would fold our own lanterns!" Miwa added excitedly, she sat cross-legged from Anzu. 

"Do you miss your brothers?" Anzu asked a little too quietly.

"Of course I do, even if I don't see them that often anymore, that just makes the time we get together more precious right?" Miwa smiled gently. The two girls hung out in the courtyard, where the Tokyo second years did some afternoon training while the first years departed on an assignment earlier that morning. "Oh, Mechamaru!"

The blue-haired teen waved to him as he stepped out of the main building and returned the gesture. "Miwa, we're getting ready to leave now. You should go pack your bags."

"Already? I can't believe it's already been two weeks." Miwa sighed and turned to Anzu with a regretful smile. "Man, that sucks. You should come to Kyoto when you have time! Celebrate the festival with us!"

"I'd like that." Anzu smiled to her turned back as she watched them leave.

"Anzu!" Maki's voice called to her. "Do you wanna head out with us tonight?"

"Out?" Her expression stilled. The Zenin girl strode across the field, her brows slick with sweat and her face flushed. Inumaki and Panda tailed her closely.

"Out." Maki repeated with a smirk. "We figured you probably haven't seen what the cities are like, with the higher-ups leashing you within school parameters, but we can talk to Gojo and see if we can borrow you for a couple hours. There's also something I want you to help me check out."

"Bonito flakes." Inumaki nodded excitedly. 

Anzu giggled. "Okay, where are we going?"

"Have you ever been to a night market?" Panda grinned.