Bound by Blood (Preview) (Patreon)

Author’s Notes:

Here's a preview of a story I wanted to write! It's a little different from what I usually write. Let me know what you think!

This story is inspired by the manga/anime Jujutsu Kaisen. But, for the most part, you won’t need any knowledge from that series to understand this story. It will read as its own original story. 

The Gojo estate sat on the outskirts of Kyoto. It was a quieter afternoon than usual. Traditional wooden halls and temples stood behind high walls and carefully trimmed gardens. Inside, elders from both the Gojo and Kurogane clans sat across from each other at a long, low table in a meeting room of the main building in the center of the compound. The air was imbued with a mix of incense and the faint smell of fresh green tea. 

They had already spent nearly an hour discussing pressing matters. Border agreements between their spheres of influence. Shared training schools for younger sorcerers. The trading or loaning of valuable cursed weapons and tools. And not to mention the rising number of more dangerous cursed spirits emerging in Japan. The conversation moved politely but carefully as the rivalry between the two great clans still simmered beneath the surface. 

Finally, the head of the Kurogane delegation leaned forward, folding his hands onto the table. “Enough of the small details. We did not come here only to haggle over who has jurisdiction over the lines we draw on our maps. The curses grow more frequent each month, and special grades are becoming a more common occurrence. Our clans have bled each other for decades over old grudges. It is time we unite the two most powerful clans in Japan at last. Properly.”

The Gojo elders exchanged glances. One of them, a middle-aged woman, shook her head and scoffed. “We tried that three decades ago. It didn’t go so well… A few of our people were cut down along with some of yours, if I recall correctly.”

The head elder, an older man with sharp eyes, raised his hand to silence her. “Unite?” he asked, his voice calm, but curious. “That is something not to be taken lightly… If what you speak is true… What exactly do you have in mind?”

The Kurogane side was silent for a moment. Then one of their senior members spoke, his voice steady but carrying a slightly cautious tone. “A marriage, of course. A formal alliance sealed by blood. Something that cannot be undone.”

A short pause followed. One of the Gojo elders chuckled quietly behind his hand. “Oh? A marriage. Bold. And who exactly would you offer from your side? From what I can remember, there aren’t exactly any notable prospects in your clan worth our time.”

The Kurogane delegation didn’t hesitate. “Garo Kurogane.”

A few of the Gojo elders shifted in their seats and stared blankly for a moment. The older woman on the Gojo side scoffed again as she sipped her tea. “Heh! Garo? That old dog? The man is forty-nine. That’s your best offer to us? Is this some sort of joke?”

The Kurogane head kept a cool head despite her insults. “You jest about Garo’s age, but if you recall, he’s still one of the most formidable sorcerers still alive, no?” That caused the woman to pause. 

The head elder of the Gojo clan arched his brow, intrigued to see where they were going with this. “Hai hai, you are correct. Garo is quite the sorcerer. I’ve known him since he was a young man. But who do you want to wed from us?”

The Kurogane head smiled thinly. He took a sip of tea to clear his throat for the request he was about to make. “In return… We want to pair him with Satori.”

The room went eerily silent for a moment as the words hung in the air. Then several of the Gojo elders burst into a bemused chuckle. The head elder leaned back, folding his arms as an amused smirk pulled at the corner of his mouth. “Satori? Our prized possession? The current holder of the Six Eyes? A bit audacious of you to really think we would hand over the strongest sorcerer of this generation just like that?”

One of the Kurogane elders leaned forward, his expression serious as if they’d expected this reaction. “We understand your hesitation… But consider what Garo brings. He has proven to be a more than capable sorcerer, yes?” Everyone on the Gojo side took a moment to think about it before slowly nodding in agreement. “We’d also like to mention that he has already sired notable children throughout the years. Every one of them has grown into capable cursed users. Strong. Disciplined. You are aware of them: Takeda, Himari, Yamato… All powerful individuals.”

The Gojo elders cautiously contemplated their reasoning. Some murmured to each other while the head elder became even more intrigued. 

The Kurogane elder continued. “Garo’s Harmonic Bind technique has shown its worth throughout the years with its ability to manipulate bodily control of anything with a cursed signature. That, paired with Satori’s Six Eyes in the next generation, the heirs would be something neither clan has ever produced before. A near-perfect cursed user.”

He let the words settle as the opposing elders seriously considered what he mentioned. “That bad blood between us has weakened both families long enough. With the rising threat of special-grade curses, this match ends it. Garo is experienced enough to handle Satori’s… lively nature.” He chose his words carefully. “And she is at her peak. Young. Fertile. Ready to carry the future of both clans.”

The Gojo side grew quieter. The amused chuckles had since faded. A few elders exchanged thoughtful looks while the head elder carefully stroked his bearded chin. 

-

Somewhere in an alley behind an old shopping district in Kyoto was taped off, thick, faintly glowing blue blood was splattered across the brick walls and pooled in the cracked pavement. It belonged to a cursed spirit, now reduced to a lifeless corpse, slowly fading into wisps of cursed energy that drifted slowly into the early evening air like smoke. 

Satori stood in the middle of the mess with one hand on her hip while the other hand adjusted her round black glasses. Her long white hair hung loose down her back in her usual black collared jacket. The jacket hugged her lean frame, showing the subtle curve of her waist, while her pleated skirt swayed against the breeze over her elegant legs. Her pale skin remained unblemished by any sweat or blood from the recent battle, and behind the nearly pitch-black tinted glasses she even wore at night hid her striking blue eyes; the mark of the legendary Six Eyes that let her see and channel cursed energy with overwhelming detail. 

She kicked at a chunk of flesh from the cursed spirit, watching it slowly dissolve as she lazily scanned her surroundings. 

A Jujustu higher-up in a crisp suit approached with a clipboard in hand. He had a thoroughly irritated look on his face as per usual whenever he dealt with her. “Tsk… Gojo Satori, you were instructed to handle this spirit quietly, not turn half the shopping center into a battlefield. There were civilians still two blocks away. Things could have easily gotten out of hand.”

Satori waved him off with a lazy flick of her hand, not even bothering to meet his stern gaze. “Hai hai, sensei… It’s dead, isn’t it? And no one got hurt. So, what’s the big deal?”

The man's face tightened, his left eye twitching from the frustration boiling within. “This is the third incident this month where you’ve caused excessive damage. The higher-ups are watching your behavior very closely now.”

She sighed, bored as she pushed her sunglasses up the bridge of her nose. “To be fair, those last two times and today, the buildings were abandoned.”

“And what about the high school?” the man noted as he crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing at Satori with a tense glare. 

Satori froze, then replied with a careless little chuckle. “Right… I think I did them a favor with that one. That section of the school needed to come down anyway. It was all old and creepy. That’s probably why a cursed spirit manifested there.” She hummed to herself while smirking and then nodded, as if concluding that her reasoning made perfect sense. 

The higher-up just stared at her with a dry, fed-up expression. “Satori, you really need to start taking things more seriously. You are the most powerful sorcerer of this generation,” he murmured. He then proceeded to give her an earful about “with great power comes great responsibility.” She groaned and rolled her eyes, but he kept droning on and on; she’s been lectured about this more times than she could count. 

Satori sighed and finally looked at him. “Okay, okay! I get it. I’ll try to be more careful next time. Happy?” 

Before he could reply, a tired-looking woman in her thirties stepped forward. Her name was Aiko; she was Satori’s handler. “Satori. Enough. The Gojo estate just called. You are to return immediately. The elders want to see you.”

Satori groaned, tilting her head back dramatically. “Huh? Of course they do. What is this this time? A lecture about proper conduct? I’ve been behaving.” The higher-up shot her a look. “For the most part,” she added with an innocent smile. 

She shoved her hands into her pockets and started walking to the street toward a discreet black car with dark-tinted windows. Her white hair swayed behind her as she moved. “Fine. Let’s get this over with. I’m starving anyway.”

Aiko quickly followed a step behind her, keeping her voice low. “They sounded serious. Something about an important meeting. You might want to take it seriously for once.”

Satori didn’t answer. She just kept walking with her hands behind her head, though she hid a flicker of irritation in her blue eyes as the sun began to set. Whatever the elders wanted probably wasn’t anything she should fuss over.

-

Satori stood frozen in the middle of the council room with a fresh button-up shirt and simple skirt, her long hair put into a loose bun. 

She repeated the words slowly, her voice flat as if saying them again might make them less real. 

“I’m… to be married…”

The head Gojo elder nodded once. “Yes.”

Satori swallowed hard as she clenched her hands into tight balls, then asked the only question that mattered. 

“To whom exactly?"

The Gojo elders exchanged brief glances in fear of her imminent outburst. The head elder cleared his throat and spoke, his voice calm and final.

“Garo Kurogane.”

Satori gasped. The sound was sharp and involuntary as she gripped her skirt. “G-Garo?” she uttered, her voice cracking with shock. “That old man? The stocky one with the mustache? That Garo?”

No one answered right away. The silence only confirmed everything. 

She anxiously tapped her heel to the wood floor and crossed her arms under her chest. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Are you serious? You want me to marry that old man? Unbelievable!”

The head elder leaned forward slightly. He remained composed despite the rising tension in the air. “It is not a joke, Satori. The decision has been made. This marriage will unite our two great clans and strengthen the bloodline.”

Satori let out a shaky, disbelieving laugh, but there was no humor in it. “Strengthen the bloodline? By handing me over to him like some broodmare? I am the holder of the Six Eyes. I’m supposed to be the next head of the clan, and this is how you treat me? Like I’m some piece of property to be traded away?”

She shook her head and pointed accusingly at the elders; her eyes glowed dangerously. “And I have no say in this at all?”

Another leaned forward and spoke. “I can assure you, you aren’t simply being handed over to the Kurogane clan. You still have your place here. But you are still young, Satori. Nineteen. You don’t fully understand the tricky politics we must tread. We need to make alliances to strengthen our position. Do we need to remind you that your duty comes before personal feelings?”

Satori’s gaze immediately locked onto the elder in a death stare. “Say that again, gramps,” she said flatly, her voice edged with warning. The elder paused, feeling the pressure. 

The head elder intervened before anything could get out of hand. “He meant no harm, Satori. We just want to remind you that this is just the way things are. We have our parts to play for the betterment of the clan.”

Satori pursed her lips, still in disbelief, as she clicked her tongue. “Part to play? So, my part to play is spreading my legs for some Kurogane geezer and pumping out stronger sorcerers for you? That’s what my duty is?”

The head elder sighed and leaned back in his seat. “There’s nothing more to discuss. This is final,” he said, his tone flat and serious.  

Satori’s eyes widened in disbelief. “And what if I refuse?”

The elder held his stern gaze. “Then you would be throwing away everything we have given you. All the privileges, the allowances, the freedom you enjoy. Not to mention how you never face serious consequences for your behavior because of who you are. That protection has limits, Satori. The clan has supported your recklessness for years. Do not test how far that support goes.”

Satori stared at him, her jaw clenching and fists balling. She let out a sharp, bemused laugh that came out shaky. “So that’s it?” she said, her voice rising. “I get to run around exorcising the most dangerous curses in the country, spend the clan’s money, live however I want… and the second you decide I’m useful for something else, you take it all away? Just like that?”

A few of the elders shifted uncomfortably in their seats. They were well aware of just how easily she could have killed everyone in this room if she wanted. Luckily, she wasn’t that insane. 

The head elder simply folded his hands on the table. “You are still young,” he continued calmly, as if that would explain everything. “You think the world revolves around your power and whims. But the clan has responsibilities. And you are a part of it. I know, this may seem… a lot for you. But it is something you have to do. The matter is settled.”

Satori rubbed her temples and shook her head. “Settled? You keep saying that like it’s already done. Ugh, I can’t believe you’re treating me like… like breeding stock!”

She took a step forward, causing some of the elders to flinch in their seats. “You could have at least given me the dignity of telling me before you decided. I’m the strongest sorcerer of this generation. And this is how you repay me for that?”

The room remained quiet. None of the elders rose to argue or comfort her. Satori stood there, her chest heaving with frustration and anger. She turned sharply on her heel, her white hair whipping behind her. 

“Fine,” she muttered as she paced toward the door. “Don’t expect me to smile and make things easy.”

She slammed the sliding door shut behind her, the sound echoing through the hall. 

-

After weeks of fruitless bickering and arguing with the elders about her forced arrangement, Satori knelt stiffly at the low wooden table in one of the older minka-style rooms of the Gojo estate. The courtyard house had sliding paper doors that opened onto a quiet garden. But this evening, the air was tense. Soft lantern lights flicked across the tatami mats. Her usual casual clothes were gone, replaced by a simple dark kimono that the elders insisted she wear for the occasion. She kept her hair loose, falling down her back in elegant waves.

Satori let out an annoyed breath as she raised her arms to observe herself. “This thing is ridiculous,” she muttered. 

One of the elders, an older woman named Kiyomi, sat beside her. “It’s proper attire for such an important meeting, Satori,” she whispered, pushing Satori’s arms back to her lap and adjusting the fold on her kimono. “Try to show respect tonight. The Kurogane delegation and your future spouse will be here any moment.”

Satori rolled her eyes. “Respect? I’m being sold off to some man I’ve never met before. Not to mention he’s old enough to be my dad.”

Kiyomi clicked her tongue, but before she could reply, the sliding door opened softly. 

Three stern Kurogane elders in dark traditional robes entered first. Then, Garo Kurogane stepped in behind them.

Satori lifted her gaze and finally got a proper look at the man they wanted her to marry. 

He was stocky and powerfully built, broad across the shoulders with dense muscles earned from decades of exorcising curses. Years of rich meals and fine sake had added a comfortable, indulgent softness around his middle, rounding his belly and thickening his waist. But despite that, it made him feel heavier and more solid. His hair was neatly slicked back, almost entirely silver now, with faint streaks of black remaining. A well-groomed, prominent mustache sat above his mouth. His eyes were sharp under heavy eyebrows, calm on the surface but lingering. 

Garo strode over also in a traditional dark robe and lowered himself onto the cushion across from her. His deep voice rumbled softly as he finally settled. “Hm, Gojo Satori. A pleasure to finally meet you.”

Satori didn’t bow. She simply stared at him and took in his heavy presence. Her Six Eyes took in the steady, controlled flow of cursed energy emanating from him. Her eyes widened slightly, surprised at how powerful he felt. 

Blinking, she tilted her head and spoke. “Mm, so you’re the lucky winner they picked for me. Garo Kurogane. An old man shopping for teenage brides. How charming.”

“You’re a young woman, Satori. Show some respect!” Kiyomi hissed at Satori under her breath as she landed a stiff nudge to her arm. 

“Hah, no offense taken,” Garo replied with a bellowing chuckle. “I can take a joke.”

“It wasn’t a joke,” she murmured flatly. Kiyomi nudged her again, harder this time. 

His sharp eyes moved over her slowly, racing the line of her neck and the way the dark kimono sat against her curves and slender frame. A small, satisfied smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Satori noticed his gaze linger a moment too long and blushed slightly.

“You are even more striking than they say,” he said smoothly, his tone measured and cordial. “I’m honored to be taking your hand.”

Satori’s fingers tightened around her kimono under the table. She forced a mocking smile, though her blue eyes burned with irritation. “Honor, huh? Of course I am. You should feel honored.”

Kiyomi shot her another warning side eye.

Garo chuckled again. He leaned forward just slightly with a polite posture. “I prefer to think of this as the beginning of a beneficial union,” he replied calmly. “One that benefits our clans. As well as both of us.”

Satori arched a brow at his words. “What is that supposed to mean?”

Garo offered no more elaboration and just smiled. 

The head Gojo elder then entered the room. He slowly strode over to the table and knelt on the cushion next to Satori. The older man then cleared his throat to ease whatever tension lingered in the room.

The discussion dragged on for another hour. The elders mostly talked about the ceremony. It was settled that the wedding would be held at a private shrine on neutral ground between the two clan territories. It would be small but very formal, with only high-ranking members from both families present. 

Satori sat through it all in silence, her attention averted to her lap. She could feel Garo’s watchful gaze. Every time she snuck a glance at him, she’d quickly look away. There was something about the way he looked at her that made her feel uneasy. She wasn’t just some random girl. She was Gojo Satori, the strongest living sorcerer in Japan. Any man would feel outmatched by her. But not Garo. His eyes had a confident glint to them, as if he were eager to tame her or something. 

Normally, Satori wouldn’t be so shaken. But her heart began to pound in her chest the longer he stared. She tried to ignore everything around her. Her jaw was tight, and she let out an occasional scoff when they mentioned “duty” or “the future of the clans.” She offered no input. What was the point?

As the discussions continued, she found herself looking at him more. Garo was so much older than her. She didn’t even know what to expect from him. She assumed he’d be the conservative type, given his age. Her stomach sank thinking about it. That meant no more late-night outings. No more doing whatever she pleased. And now there was the expectation of pleasing her future husband and producing heirs. Satori’s head spun. 

This was a nightmare.

-

In the time leading up to the wedding, the Gojo elders insisted on preparation. Satori spent several humiliating afternoons in a private room with two older female attendants and Kiyomi, learning the basics of how to be a proper wife since she wasn’t exactly traditional. 

They taught her how to serve tea gracefully, how to speak softly and deferentially in public, how to kneel correctly beside her husband, and even the expected etiquette for her fateful wedding night. Every lesson felt like an attack on her very independence as a young woman. 

Satori sat through it all with her arms crossed and a permanent scowl on her face. She debated on several occasions whether it was worth it to just run away and live the life of a renegade sorcerer. Although that idea was quickly shut down because of the idea of living on edge, being hunted to the ends of the earth by her own clan was a bit much for her liking.

“This is ridiculous,” she complained for the tenth time, sitting on a low stool, legs crossed, slapping away an attendant’s hands as they tried to adjust her slouched posture. “I’m to be the head of the clan, and you’re teaching me how to pour tea and bow my head like an obedient doll? I can exorcise special-grade curses, but suddenly I need a lesson on how to be a good wife.”

Kiyomi sighed patiently. She heard this rant about twenty times now. “Satori… It is a tradition. You will be representing the Gojo clan as Garo’s wife. A certain level of decorum is expected.”

“Decorum?” Satori scoffed, throwing her hands up. “I’m nineteen. I shouldn’t even be thinking about any of this. At least give me the courtesy of living my life before I get shoved into this. Or at least let me choose someone! This whole thing is insane. All of it. I can’t believe I’m being forced to marry some old man I barely know.”

The attendants shared nervous glances but continued their instructions. Satori groaned and slumped forward. 

“I know this isn’t… ideal,” Kiyomi said gently as she brushed Satori’s elegant white hair. “But believe it or not, all this is meant to make things easier. If you show respect for your husband…”

“Don’t call him that,” Satori hissed, cutting her off. 

“Future husband,” Kiyomi corrected softly. “He will show respect back. A relationship built on that can prove to be very fruitful, Satori.”

“Tsk… It still doesn’t make things better,” Satori murmured. 

Kiyomi gave a slight nod. “I understand… But please, at least try to make an effort. It will only make things easier. I was in a very similar position when I was your age. I hated the idea of marrying a man I didn’t even know. But I was given the same advice I’m giving you now… Of course, it was a little shaky at the beginning. But in time, that mutual respect turned into something more. And we’ve been happily together for over twenty years now with three beautiful children.”

Satori glanced at her from the corner of her eye, though this time her eyes lacked that sharp disdain she had been displaying through them all day. The way Kiyomi put it made her whole predicament sound a bit better. However, she was still overwhelmed by everything.

“Hm, but was your future husband an old man like mine?” she asked, her voice flat. 

Kiyomi hid a small chuckle. “Well, not really. He was only a few years older… But these are different circumstances, Satori. You’re not exactly a normal girl.”

“Psh, you got that right,” Satori grumbled. 

“I figure this might be better, actually,” Kiyomi continued. That earned a bewildered look from Satori. 

“Huh? How exactly is that better?”

“Let’s just say, older men are… experienced,” Kiyomi elaborated. “They tend to already know what they want. They aren’t childish or naive. So yes, maybe a bit better.”

Satori pursed her lips and leered at her suspiciously. “Are you just saying that to make me feel better?”

Kiyomi shook her head. “Of course not… Well, maybe a little since you’re being so stubborn.”

Satori dramatically tilted her head up to the ceiling and groaned. “Ugh… You’re the worst.”

“Now now,” Kiyomi hummed, clapping her hands twice. “Time to practice how to address your future husband.”

“Again?” Satori complained.

“Yes, again.”

-

Three weeks later, the wedding took place in the early morning in a temple atop the mountains.

Rows of stone lanterns lit the small ceremony, giving off a warm glow that illuminated the ancient wooden beams and carefully raked gravel. Only the high-ranking family members and a handful of trusted attendants were present from both clans. 

Satori knelt beside Garo at the altar, dressed in a pristine white shiromuku kimono that flowed around her like snow. Her long white hair was pinned up in an elaborate traditional style, a few loose strands framing her face. Her striking blue eyes remained locked on her lap, occasionally nervously glancing at her surroundings.

She still knew nothing about the man kneeling next to her. After their single brief meeting, there had been no further conversations, no shared meals, no time spent together at all. The elders had kept them apart, treating the entire engagement like a business transaction. Now here she was, on the verge of being married to a man twice her age. 

The priest droned on, reciting words of union and harmony. Satori barely heard any of it. Her mind kept looping back to the same thought: “I’m actually getting married. To him. And I don’t even know him.”

When it was time for vows, Garo spoke first. His deep, rumbling voice remained calm and measured as he faced her. 

“I, Kurogane Garo, take you, Gojo Satori, as my wife. I vow to honor this union and the alliance between our two great clans.”

His dark eyes lingered on her face with a polite gesture, though she could feel something more beneath his gaze. 

Then it was her turn. 

Satori’s hands trembled slightly in her lap as she forced the words out. Her voice came out soft and almost mechanical. 

“I… Gojo Satori… take you, Kurogane Garo, as my husband. I vow… to honor you and the alliance between our clans…”

She couldn’t bring herself to say any more. She simply bowed her head slightly.

The priest continued with the san-san-kudo ritual. Three times three sips of sake from the nested cups, sealing the marriage. Satori drank slowly, barely tasting the liquid. Every sip felt heavier than the last as she got closer to what was to come. 

When the ceremony drew to its close, the priest nodded toward them. 

“You may now seal the union with a kiss.”

Satori’s stomach sank. She turned to Garo, her body stiff. He leaned in slowly, broad frame shifting closer. He took her chin with his hand with surprising care and leaned in. 

For the first time, she saw his face up close. Her heart raced as he moved closer. Her hand instinctively balled up, ready to punch him in the stomach.

Before she could do anything foolish, he pressed his lips to hers in a slow, deliberate kiss. It wasn’t rough, but it was possessive. The kiss was warm, heavy, and lingered just long enough to make her pulse race. It was so unfamiliar and intimate. She felt his mustache brush against her skin, and she smelled the faint scent of sake on his breath. 

When he finally pulled back, Satori was left frozen, her pale cheeks flushed a deep pink. She quickly looked away as her heart pounded. 

This is real. This just happened.

Garo spoke to her quietly, his words only meant for her ears. “It is done, Satori. You are my wife now.”

She didn’t answer. She simply sat there in her white shiromuku, staring at her lap. She could only nod, not knowing how to respond. “Y-yes… Garo… I- I am your wife now.”