6

Tether

Shizue has always been patient.

Throughout their relationship, Levi stood by his words, and never once did he repeat those words again for her to hear. But it was okay,

As long as she was with him, she knew she was in her own happy place. They made each other feel comforted, loved, and complete. He made feel those things even through the smallest things. It didn't matter if it was as little as  making her breakfast, tucking her to bed whenever she falls asleep doing paperwork, and constantly being on the look out when they beyond the walls. Though Levi never told her, it was okay, because she knew he loved her.

But even with all that, every second of everyday, Levi felt uncertain. As if there was always something pulling him back.

His dark grey orbs observed her figure as Shizue got out from the stables after their long expedition, the moment she met his eyes, it gave him the impression she was still pretty angry at him.

"You're seriously the one who's pissed?" Levi couldn't help but scoff. "You were the one who disobeyed a direct order."

"Yes! Because that order was crap!"  Shizue stopped and faced him directly, he never seen her this vexed before.

"If I hadn't got there, those recruits could've gotten hurt." His jaw clenched.

"And you could've died! " Levi yelled angrily, which made her slowly back away. But this still didn't stop her from saying what she truly felt.

"Levi I get that-"

"No I don't think so." He snapped. "This is what you always do, you think of those damn brats before your own good."

The girl remained silent. Every time they ventured out the walls, Shizue had a very distinct habit of looking after her younger peers. It was something she couldn't ignore so easily. Because everyday she was reminded of her incompetence that cost her her own squad's life. That very day, Shizue promised herself that she will not make that mistake ever again.

"Shizue...."  Levi held her wrist, stopping her from possibly walking away as his mind made its final decision. It was that voice deep in his mind, he tried to silence for so long.

He convinced himself, He always tried to convince himself that that voice was nothing but a meaningless thought.

but now Levi knew, that voice was right.

Everything was bound to end somehow.

"I always knew this isn't gonna work out,"

Shizue grew confused, she retracted her hand a bit harshly. "wait. What are you saying?"

"This duty we have... it's too important."

Shizue didn't want to believe that he was actually about to utter those words.

No. He couldn't be serious. This was just a fight. It was normal for people in a relationship to fight ..., right?

"Levi, don't do this."

"I don't think we should see each other anymore." Levi spoke coldly, she felt her world suddenly crashed before her eyes.

"This is for the both of us, Shizue."

This is wrong, it wasn't supposed to be like this. She continued to convince herself while a million thoughts ran in her head, it wasn't real.

'Was I wrong?'

'Should I have just listened to him?'

'If I followed his orders...

Would he still have thought of this?'

____

The number of unexplained deaths and disappearances in Japan continuously increases due to the result of these cursed spirits. Curses have always existed alongside humanity. They were created when negative cursed energy leaked from non-sorcerers who harbored negative emotions.

Love.

Hate.

Anger.

Frustration.

These curses are invisible into the eyes of non-sorcerers, however, it is possible for a person to see them if that person comes so close to death. Jujutsu sorcerers are responsible for getting rid of these menaces to society, there are two ways to exorcise a curse; one is through manipulation of cursed energy such as cursed techniques, second is through the use of a cursed tool.

Levi always hoped for Shizue to have the best in life. He knew it seems impossible for a miraculous entity to grant her hearts desires in the after life, but he did hope for her to live a peaceful life in paradise. Away from all the problems of the world, the war, anything that could meddle with her tranquility.

But he didn't expect her to be fighting creatures like this in her next life. Yes, she inherited an ability, but it still did not reassure him. He trusts her instincts, her strength, but after everything that happened, he never be too sure. He wasn't gonna let that happen again.

"Why do you think they called us?" Asked Sasha as they all went to climb the stairs that seemed to be an endless journey.

Annie gloomily looks at the ground. "Probably to kill us,"

"Do you have to act like that all the time?" Pieck scowled at Annie. The blonde just shrugged.

"Just being honest."

"You guys, lets not fight." Armin says calmly before his eyes panned at their former vice-captain. "But.., do you have any idea Shizue-san?"

Shizue lazily shrugged as she let out a breath from climbing the stairs.

"I kinda think Annie's right." She glanced at him.

"You're all gonna die, probably." She said, mumbling the last part.

Hanji deadpanned at her. "Can't you even sugar-coat that?"

"Do you guys like getting executed? Well today is your lucky day," Shizue says with enthusiasm.

"That's not what I meant!"

The minute they arrived at the high school, Shizue suddenly changed directions and went to her study, Hanji noticed. "Shizue, where are you going? The council is this way."

She looked back at them with the same tired eyes and gestured them to follow her. She unlocked the door and to their surprise, Gojo was already there.

"Hello everyone!"

"The special grade was planted, the council found out about the scouts and tried to kill them,"  Shizue spilled the moment the door closed.

"wait what?"

"So they already tried to kill us, and we didn't even know."

Levi kept silent and watched as Shizue kicked Gojo off her office chair.

"Come on its just a chair!"

"Its expensive,"

"You're so arrogant you know that?" The white-haired scoffed.

"Bite me." Shizue couldn't care less.

Hanji rubbed their temples stressfully while watching the two bicker. How are they still acting like children at a crisis like this?

"Matter at hand please." Hanji called their attention.

Gojo finally composed himself. "Right, well, I don't know how they found out. There are many sorcerers scattered in Tokyo, maybe the word travelled somehow."

Levi crossed his arms and looks at them blankly. "So what now?"

Shizue was swinging her legs and spinning side to side on her chair and enthusiastically fluttered her arms in the air. "Let's just wing it."

Everyone shot their eyes towards the pink haired female who took her chair for another spin. She did not seem to care about the situation they're currently in.

"And... how do you suggest we do that?" Hanji deadpanned at her.

"hmn, dunno." It was Gojo's turn to roll his eyes. "Whatever happens, happen I guess."

"Look, I'm fine dealing with the council about young sorcerers, alright? But they're people from another world -We don't even have any idea how they got here." Gojo said.

"He's right, so Shizue so can you please focus up?" Hanji spoke beside her, but their words only fell on deaf ears as the female stretched her arms up.

"I can pretend I care, but I can't so I won't." Shizue stood up and headed to the door. Sasha and Connie looked at each other in unison before rushing towards the spinning chair and fought, like children for the spot.

Gojo sighed, "I guess, the only advice I can give you is don't let their words get into your head. They're a bunch of old-fashion elderly, no good will come out their mouths I'm sure. We can figure something out-"

"Sensei-" He didn't manage to finish what he was saying when the door suddenly opened, revealing a Panda.

"Oh? Shizue-sensei isn't here. Who are you guys?"

Their jaws just dropped. The panda.... just talked.

Sasha's eyes widen pointing at the bear, Connie beside her had the same exact reaction including Jean. "P-P-Panda."

"woah."

"The panda just talked! Hanji-san are you seeing this?!"

"Yes, yes, we've met."

The panda scratched its head, very peculiar bunch of people. "Where's Shizue-sensei? Also, I think the higher-ups are looking for you."

Gojo and Hanji looked at each other in discomfort. They just hoped Levi would be able to keep his patience. Though Hanji hasn't talked to the council before, based on the colorful words Shizue constantly uttered about them, they kind of figured the kind of people they are.

"Well, good luck."

______

"You didn't see what I saw," Shizue defended. She walked along Gojo and Hanji. "They're not normal."

The white-haired man scratched the back of his nape. "It's not like I don't believe you. Stop being so defensive geez."

"Is it possible he has the same ability as Maki? or maybe To-"

"A-a-ah- I get your point." Gojo cuts her off.

Just then, both Shizue and Gojo glanced at Hanji in unison. That's when they realized the fact that they needed to explain, everything.

"Long story." They waved off. "But, the Ackermans do have a certain ability that renders them powerful when it comes to strength, compared them to a normal person."

Shizue brought her gaze back to the pavement, so her instinct was right. He wasn't ordinary at all. "and speaking of,"

"Shizue, can you be more mellow with the squad?" Hanji pleaded nicely. They were already aware of the girl's unapologetic personality but sometimes, she can't tell when she's being rude.

The pinkette rolled her eyes. "I am kind. I let them stay in my building,"

Hanji deadpanned. "You made Jean and Reiner your errand boys."

"What? Their fast and strong."

"And you made Levi clean the units you owned."

"Yes and he loved it. I don't understand this at all. I've been a saint!" Shizue grew irritated.

"Well..." Gojo unsurely chimed in, his voice came out loud and squeaky.

"That's him disagreeing with you." Hanji wrapped their arm around the pinkette and playfully ruffles her hair.

"Come on, they were once your family. Cut them some slack."

As much as she wanted to break free from the brunette, she couldn't. Especially not with those puppy-pleading eyes. She'll surely deny it, but Shizue had a soft spot for Hanji, they had that effect on her, and to be fair, this was the person who brought her cake and cleaned her apartment every chance they got. They got me.

Shizue rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Fine, I'll be nice geez just get off me. I'm gonna go to the cafeteria." She said gruffly before walking away.

"You gotta teach me how to do that Hanji!" The brunette laughed boastfully, as if they just tamed a wild bear.

"Years of practice my friend. Years of practice!"

______

Levi always thought that titans were the worst thing in the world. He was wrong. His patience were put to the brink upon meeting the higher ups. Though they explained what really happened, it seemed as though their minds were already set on how to deal with them, and there was no point in talking.

If it were like back in their world, this even would've already caused chaos. There people saw them as a threat, more specifically, the Ackermans.

The elders grew weary of the presence they possessed, it wasn't normal. Far from ordinary. It was best to get rid of them before it becomes a problem in the future.

He tried his best to keep it together. He couldn't do anything even if he wanted to, because it could possibly affect Shizue. Luckily, the final decision was put to hold, but they had to stay in the headquarters for the remaining days to keep an eye on them.

A certain man with mixed black and mint colored hair suddenly appears on their vision. They couldn't careless about his presence, but he was blocking their way.

"Well, well, if it isn't the foreigners from another land." A smirk appears on his lips as he scanned the crew.

"How do you know us?" Jean questioned, he wasn't the only annoyed by his presence.

"Words spread like wildfire in the jujutsu community. Oh that's right, you outlanders know nothing of it." Mikasa glared at the mint haired man. As if he knew exactly what to say to get in their nerves.

Levi held his arm out the moment she took a close step. They cannot afford to cause a fight.

The man stepped towards the closest ravenette. She had the built of a nice woman and could possibly pass as a model especially she had a beautiful lucious long hair.

"Say, since there's nothing to bring you back in your word, why don't you become my slave hm? You'd be perfect for the role." The man said while twirling strands of her raven hair. Reiner furrowed his brows at the man.

"Get away you creep." Pieck swatted his hands off her hair before she was pulled behind by Reiner.

"Can you leave them alone, Naoya?" They turned around and saw the pink haired female who had another cigarette lit between her lips, the look on her eyes were darker than usual.

Naoya had simply nothing to do in Jujutsu tech aside from meeting the council, he was on his way when something interesting caught his eye. But he never expected her to show up.

His smirk grew wider. "Oh look, its the reject of the Kamo clan."

The others couldn't help but glare at the man because of the insult thrown at her.

Shizue only ignored his words. "I won't repeat myself." Her gaze hardened.

"Oh! I get it, you're the sorcerer harbouring them!" Naoya laughed mockingly. It was very interesting, the Shizue he knew only did what that benefits her. He was sure he might've just found a weakness.

"Damn, you grew soft. Yamada." Naoya mocked. Although Shizue was used to his remarks and over the line insults, he never failed to make her blood boil. She didn't want to lose her cool and let him get in her head.

"Let me guess, you're building an army to destroy the Kamo clan for taking your brother. Ain't that right?" Shizue's patience disipated into thin air, a dark red pole-arm materialized in her hands-- she was surprised when it suddenly vanished.

Naoya's eyes widened when all of a sudden, the ravenette man appeared right in front of him pointing the sharp pole-arm directly at his throat.

"You should really know how to stop talking." Levi spoke darkly.

He really got the nerve to bad mouth Shizue, infront of him.

Naoya couldn't move. It was as if his body refused to listen to him. Naoya could understand the aura that this man possessed. It was dark, terrifying, and reminded him of his worst fear.

Just who the hell is this guy...?!

______

"I must say I had a hard time believing you wanted to talk to me,"

"Levi." Gojo smirked at the person in front of him. The ravenette man only glanced at him blankly before pushing himself off the wall.

"I don't want Shizue knowing about this conversation." Gojo mentally agreed. If she ever found out about this, it could end up badly, for both of them.

"But first-"

Levi tossed something from his pocket which Gojo easily caught. It was an old rectangular box, at first he didn't know what it was. That was until, he felt the immense cursed energy surrounding the object.

"I asked Hanji to take us back to the ship when they took us around the city, and I found that." He had no idea what it was, but he never noticed it was there before.

Gojo opened the vintage-looking box and found an object wrapped in a talisman. It was one of Sukuna's cursed fingers.