Bits and Pieces (Jujutsu Kaisen AU)

Chapter 1-8

Afterlife: Shika

"Good morning, afterlife!!" Tatsuko yelled.

The stadium roared with excitement. I stood in the booth behind Tatsuko as she was addressing the crowd. Her wings spread wide as the snow made her right wing nearly invisible, and her left brighter than ever. The last seven days held seven grand events. the first was a competition. It was an all-out war between the last 600 players. I looked at Tatsuko as she spoke some more.

"The first of the last seven days of the year! When alive, it was always the first day anyone cared about. Or the making of a new era. But here! We celebrate the last seven days. For those who've chosen their birthdays, relish in these moments of whatever age you are. And for those who choose their deathdays. Celebrate how many years you've been here! Let the first event begin!"

The crowd roared, and with the noise, Tatsuko turned back to me slightly.

"You're going to love this." She stated.

I tilted my head as I lightly glared at her. Love what? I didn't love a lot of things. In fact, I didn't love anything.

"I'd like to start things off a little differently." Tatsuko grinned.

She pointed across the booth towards the entrance on the other side of the stadium. The iron gate slowly opened. From my seat, I could sense Tatsuko's large grin. I couldn't remember the last time I saw her this happy. I was uneasy, a sinking feeling in my stomach. I didn't like this.

"A very courageous contender came to me early today. Brave, weak, and frankly not that bright." Tatsuko stated, addressing the crowd. The tone in her voice made it seem like she was addressing me, though. "So instead of the usually all-out war. I decided to have a certain one v one."

My gaze left Tatsuko and towards the arena where the gate had opened. A woman walked through the gate and stood at the center of the arena. I got to my feet standing by Tatsuki's side. I shouldn't have been surprised. I knew she'd be here but for Tatsuko to have Juri here of all places. She wasn't just going to talk or make a simple fight. If I knew Tatsuko, then she'd make this match a..

"This battle. Is a deathmatch." Tatsuko stated.

The crowd cheered as a response. I looked at the sidelines, looking through the stands at the people. I spotted Hideshi in the first row of the stands, with Suguru by his side. Both worried beyond belief.

Tatsuko firmly placed her feet on the railing, standing proud as she looked down at Juri. "Your opponent. Will be me."

Shock filled the crowd. Even I felt my heart sank. I had never seen Tatsuko fight. And for her to agree to a battle like this. What did Juri offer to convince her. Her life, her freedom? Was any of that worth it for her son?

Tatsuko leaped from the booth landing in the arena. She snapped her fingers, signaling the start of the battle. Juri took out a kitchen knife while Tatsuko grinned at her. It was a deathmatch, but Tatsuko couldn't die, at least not to the hands of someone without a technique. Tatsuko crossed her arms over her chest as her wings spread wide. Several feathers sprang from her wings, and, like knives, they shoot at Juri quick and precisely. Juri coughed up blood, as the feathers peirce her skin and impaled her against the wall of the arena behind her. She was losing blood quickly from the many holes in her body.

"Mother!!" Suguru yelled from the stands.

Juri looked at her son, her vision becoming weak as she glanced at the sidelines

"You poor thing. It's admirable to fight for someone, but it means nothing if you can't even land a single hit." Tatsuko grinned. "Don't worry. I'll put you out of your misery."