dominion

2012

She always feels like an interloper.

The car chauffeuring them abruptly turns onto an off-beaten dirt road, and they are surrounded by wild vegetation and dilapidated buildings. A sense of foreboding creeps along her spine and spreads across her skin as gooseflesh; that apprehension grows; it bites, it claws, it consumes, overcoming all rational. 

She squeezes her eyes shut and hugs herself. Fighting the panic, dread, and nausea that threatens to overwhelm her. Then it's gone, and she keels over, heaving, head between her knees. A soft, callused hand grips her nape, and she goes limp, pushed into a quiet headspace.

Megumi calls it a complex and powerful variation of the Tobari, meant to cloak, intimidate, and discombobulate. 

Outside, the scene has changed from akiya to manicured lawns and distant buildings on the horizon in the Shoin-zukuri and Sukiya-zukuri styles.

She does not belong here but has an open invitation nonetheless. 

---

These ventures are usually for Megumi's benefit.

A space for her to practice, a space where she can explore her abilities unrestrained. 

This place is where Satoru-san was trained, where she discovered the wonders of jujutsu and the destructive force of her power. The grounds still bear the scars of her usage of Blue and manipulation of Infinity. Great depressions in the earth destroyed buildings that are now covered in foliage, blooming despite the overzealous child that brought their reckoning.

To her amateur eyes, they appear evenly matched. But she looks again and thinks of dancing, those practiced movements that become fluid, a seamless, graceful routine that captures their audience. But this isn't a routine, this is instinctive, this is ease, this is assurance. Satoru-san lazily dodges Megumi's blows, sidesteps hers, dances around her, her perennial smile present even as she praises and instructs her. Megumi isn't demoralized; it's as if she expects it, this failure to match her mentor. She continues sparring, flowing through katas Tsumiki thinks she recognizes, but demonstrates the difference between Tsumiki's beginner skills and Megumi's natural acumen. 

This is practice.

A crowd has gathered. Apparently, this is a rare sight. Satoru-san seldom indulges in friendly spars, let alone offers her expertise in jujutsu. Megumi uses this space with her instructors, occasionally receiving oversight from Satoru-san. In those sessions, they do not allow gawkers; it is a wonder that they allow a peanut gallery for this one.

"I didn't believe it." 

"What do you mean you didn't believe? If Gojo-dono says it, believe it."

A conversation happens to the left of her.

"I just didn't expect an omega. Was there ever an omega shikigami conjurer?"  

"Yes, you moron," his companion hisses, "there are."

"Sheesh! I'm just asking!" He complains and then grumbles. "What's so special about her? Gojo-dono should have an alpha student."

"What? Like you?" His companion scoffs.

"No, well, yes. We all know how omegas are." At her side, Himatsu-obaa-san stiffens. "They aren't meant for this, they should just stay in their roles, it'd make everyone-"

Tsumiki's head snaps in their direction, and her forbidding glare greets them. "She has Ten Shadows, you fucking idiot!" She whispers-shouts. "You weaklings wish! You fucking wish!" "Tsumiki!" Her nanny shouts. Tsumiki ignores her, "Now pipe down and watch how it's done!"

Her filthy glare doesn't leave them; she points two fingers at her eyes and then at them. "I'll remember your faces and tell Satoru-san! Better yet, I'll have Megumi sick her demonic-"

"Okay, that's enough, Tsumiki," Himatsu-obaa-san chides. "You'll cause a scene."

Tsumiki flips them off, ignores the offended gasps and murmuring, throws her hair over her shoulder, crosses her arms, and concentrates on center stage.

Satoru-san and Megumi stand opposite on the raised arena. Satoru-san stretches, and Megumi bends low.

Their benefactor raises two fingers and crooks them. "Come."

Megumi suddenly has a giant scythe in her hands. The jūmonji yari Satoru-san gifted her for her tenth birthday. 

The gathered crowd murmurs and then releases alarmed shouts.

Megumi must have summoned a shikigami. From here on out, she will only see what's tangible to her. The unseen world is afoot here, but that's okay. Tsumiki is here to support Megumi. 

Tsumiki is learning that she does not like violence. Her lessons in self-defense are justified and needed; however, wanton displays of savagery are feeding her burgeoning pacifist, but when it comes to her sister, they've got another thing coming.