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Maki wasn’t entirely sure where she was. Her body was in pain and it felt like she was melting. She had felt like this for quite a while and she wasn’t sure when it would stop. She was in some type of dreamlike state. Maki could hear muffled voices that she couldn’t distinguish well, but she could tell there were at least 8 different voices she has counted since she’s been stuck in this dreamlike state. It was hard to tell how much time had passed. In this dreamlike state she couldn’t move much and when she tried to move it hurt so much. It also felt like she was tied down. She was present at a beach. It was dark, but she could make out her surroundings well enough to tell she was at the beach. It was hot and she could tell she was sweating. She was so close to the water, but she couldn’t make it there.
She was stuck in this state in agony.
Would she ever be able to leave? Maki wasn’t sure herself. She was so tired, but she couldn’t fall asleep. The state she was in wouldn’t let her. This had to be the end of her life. The last thing she felt before falling into this state was being burned alive.
At this rate she was stuck here forever. It felt like forever. Maki had to be dead. She wouldn’t be able to see her friends again. She wouldn’t be able to see Mai again. Maki didn’t want to leave her in a world like this alone. She already left her when she left the clan to better herself and so she could build a better place for Mai. She can’t do that if she’s dead.
‘I’m sorry Mai.’
She wanted to speak, but she couldn’t. It brought so much pain. Maki couldn’t even tell she was crying until she couldn’t see due to all of the tears. Maybe this is what she deserved. Maki was a terrible sister even if she meant well. She tore Mai down when in reality she just wanted to help her. She was an idiot. Maki knew for sure that the Zenin clan will certainly be happy with her death. She couldn’t say the same for the people around her. Mai was a different story and she wasn’t sure how Mai would respond to her death. She would think she would be sad, but also quite angry at who knows. She just hopes the people around her are able to help her grieve the lost of the twin sister who brought her more pain than love in the last year or so even if she didn’t want it that way.
All the second years had a very unbreakable bond. She wasn’t even sure if her other second years made it out alive, but she really hoped so. If it meant they were alive it was going to be okay. She felt the same way with Mai. Maki wasn’t sure if Panda could even cry, but he would be very sad over her death. Yuta cherished his friends and she knew he would be devastated over her death. He already lost someone close to him already and now he lost her. At this point she was jumping to conclusions, but she had nothing else to think of. To her it felt like she was already dead. Inumaki would also be heartbroken. It was a shame she was leaving them behind in such a shitty world.
For the first years she could stand them. They reminded her of all of the second years when they first met each other and grew on each other. They were certainly more chaotic, but they found comfort in each other. That was what mattered. The only first year she was close with was Nobara. Maki knew Nobara looked up to her and that always left a smile on her face. They used to hang out quite a lot, if you count training besides the normal hangouts. Even with being Megumi’s aunt they weren’t the closest, but they could bond over Zenin clan related things even if Megumi wasn’t as deep as she was in the clan. They shared respect between each other. She wasn’t close with Itadori, but she could tell he was truly an amazing person.
If she could tell them all something now it would be to not worry about her and to tell Mai she was sorry.
Maki continued to listen to the muffled voices, the burning of fire, and the smell of smoke. With time it got worse. She couldn’t hear the voices anymore, but now she was choking due to the smoke. This must have been her end. She couldn’t keep her eyes open anymore. She was also consumed by the sand around her. Her lungs filled with sand and smoke.
She was greeted with darkness, which also felt like forever. She was then greeted with the ceiling of a hospital room and the smell of alcohol. What she could confirm was that she was definitely not dead now.
————
When Mai had been given the news of Maki’s condition she was with Miwa and Momo in the living room of their dorms. They were all cleared to return to the dorms and they didn’t feel like leaving each other’s sides. Even if they weren’t apart of the incident as much as others were they were still a bit traumatized from it. They lost friends, lovers, classmates, and fellow colleagues they respected.
Utahime had entered the room to find the group of girls comforting each other through the experience. The small group of girls looked over to their teacher, each giving a mix of happiness and confusion.
“Sorry, girls. I apologize for disturbing this as of right now, but I need to talk to Mai. Don’t worry none of you are not going on missions for at least a week or so. Please take this time to recover physically and mentally.”
They all nodded collectively as Mai got up from the couch she was sitting on. She gave Miwa and Momo a nod just to calm their nerves. Mai would be fine, it's not like their teacher could tell her something that would break her.
Turns out she was completely wrong.
Utahime led her to a private room so they could talk. The door was closed behind them right away.
“Mai, has the Zenin clan been in touch with you as of recently?”
“No, why would they even want to be in touch with me? They certainly do not like me.”
“Okay, Mai. I think you want to sit down for this one.”
“Why?”
“It’s about your sister.”
“Why would I care about her?”
In reality Mai cared deeply for her sister. She didn’t hate her. She simply hated that she left. They had different ideals and there wasn’t a way for them to live in harmony together without one being either jealous or uncomfortable. Thinking about it, why would she need to sit down with Maki? Wait, wasn’t she a part of the incident as well? Shit.
“Mai, I know you care for your sister. I don’t know much of what has happened, but I can tell you what I know. Your sister is not in a good state. The unregistered special grade curse that Gojo had been speaking of had burned your sister nearly to death. From all I’ve heard is that your sister is currently in surgery and has been for a while since there’s so much damage to her. I have a ticket for you if you would like to go visit her. If not, that's fine. I won’t dictate you to see her if you don’t want to. They’re saying they don’t know if she’s going to make it or not.”
Mai didn’t even say a word, but she accepted the ticket. She needed time to process what she had just heard, but she also needed to see Maki. She wiped the tears that kept pouring out of her eyes and she tried to keep her composure strong, but it didn’t last long. As soon as Miwa and Momo hugged her she broke down to even more tears. She didn’t have anything to say. All she knew was that she needed to see her. This was the start of her one of many breakdowns.
Mai found herself at the hospital Maki was located 9 hours later. Miwa and Momo decided to join her. When she got to the floor where Maki’s room was she was greeted with multiple people she recognized sitting in the waiting room. Panda and Yuta were there waiting for any updates on their friends. Inumaki was also on the same floor as Maki. Mai approached the duo, her eyes were still red from crying. She didn’t need to say anything as Yuta already spoke,
“They’re not letting anyone in besides family. Her room is over there. She got out of surgery a few hours ago.”
Mai only nodded. A nurse was there to escort her to her sister’s hospital room. She left Miwa and Momo with Panda and Yuta. She was given an update on Maki’s condition. Maki was now stable and the surgery was a success. She was warned that she will have terrible scars throughout her whole body. Mai wouldn’t be able to recognize her in this state. Her legs were barely burned so there wouldn’t be as terrible scars located there compared to her arms, face, and torso. Maki was also in a coma and they weren’t exactly sure if she would wake up. The Zenin clan had been given notice of her status, but they did not care. The care of Maki’s condition was now set on Mai, her twin sister. She didn’t know about this.
When Mai finally entered the room and had taken a look at Maki herself it made her want to cry again. The nurse was right, she couldn’t even tell that it was her sister. Maki was covered up in bandages, some of which needed to be changed already due to blood soaking them. One of her eyes was bandaged. Mai was told that the eye would be just fine, it just needed to heal. Her hair was burned and cut. She assumed that they cut it during the surgery. Mai took the seat next to the hospital bed.
“Maki, there’s so much I have to say to you. I don’t know when you’ll wake up, but I really hope you do.”
Mai paused, taking the time to just stare at Maki. Tears were already falling down her face.
“Why did you have to put me in the situation of making that decision? How would you know to even trust me that way? Our relationship has been rocky and I always said I hated you. Heh. I guess you know deep down I didn’t, but still why would you do this to me? How am I supposed to decide if I should let you go or not?”
Mai’s head hung low and her fingernails dug into her hands.
“It should’ve been me in this situation. You shouldn’t be in a hospital bed fighting for your life. Even if I wasn’t there I still feel guilty. Please don’t leave me. I would rather have the terrible relationship we have now instead of you being dead. I know it’s going to happen one day, but it can’t be any time soon. Please use that stubbornness and sometimes selfishness to make it through this.”
Mai took a deep breath. She couldn’t afford another mental breakdown right now.
“Everyone is worried about you. I don’t know your friends well, but they seem nice. I’m happy you have people to support you. Maybe once you wake up we can plan something with th-“
Mai cut herself off. What was she thinking. She can’t just waltz back into her life because of this injury plus she didn’t know what would happen once Maki woke up. If she ever woke up. She watched Maki’s chest go up and down with each breath. She kept checking since she was afraid she would lose her.
“You know I love you, right? Deep down you have to know. If you do end up losing this battle I just hope you really know that because I don’t want my big sister to die thinking she was hated by her twin sister. You at least deserve that peace.”
Mai sat in silence for a while in her thoughts. When more visitors were allowed, that was when Maki’s friends along with hers had joined her in the room. Mai could tell they were having a hard time digesting Maki’s state. Even Miwa and Momo had a hard time. Some took a seat while some just stood. Mai sat in the chair with her legs up in a ball. She mostly hid her face to hide that she was still crying.
Not much conversation was made. Mai have them a rundown on Maki’s condition. She even told Miwa and Momo that they could go home if they wanted. She didn’t want to burden them with her pain, but they insisted they would stay. Panda updated everyone on the state of everyone else they knew. Nobara was currently not in the best state as of now. They were sure they could save her, but it wasn’t looking good. Inumaki was alright now, but he lost an arm. Itadori and Megumi video called them to wish everyone well. It was best that Itadori hid himself for now and Megumi was helping for now.
Mai never left the hospital room. She was always there and waiting for any update on Maki’s condition. She had hope. Hours earlier she felt Maki’s hand twitch as she held it. She really hoped this was a good omen. Maki had to wake up soon. So far it has been about 4 days. She only left the room when she needed to use the bathroom and when to change. Yuta was kind enough to bring her some of Maki’s clothes to wear. It did feel weird to be wearing her clothing, but in this state it felt comforting.
Most of Maki’s friends stayed for a little bit before leaving Mai alone once again with her thoughts. Miwa and Momo stayed for longer, but they went on their way after some time.
Seven days into Mai being by Maki’s side 24/7 is when Maki wakes up. Mai was the only one in the room. When she saw it her eyes widened and it officially confirmed in her brain that Maki was up when she heard her groan. Mai jumped out of her seat and approached Maki. Without even thinking she wrapped her arms around her, which received a painful groan.
“Shit sorry! I’m just really glad you’re awake.”
“….Mai?”
Maki was still disoriented from waking up and her throat was also dry. Mai noticed this and took the opportunity to give Maki water through a straw. She took it away once Maki was done. Putting the cup down, she faced her sister once again but with her arms crossed.
“Why would you put me in that position? One I was worried sick and how am I supposed to make that decision of cutting you off of life support if you didn’t wake up?”
“Heh. I’m surprised you came.”
“Why wouldn’t I come? Of course I would come. Just because we’re not on the best terms doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.”
Maki chuckled before responding,
“I knew it plus I also knew mother and father wouldn’t care if anything were to happen to me.”
“Ugh.”
“So how bad is it? I feel like shit.”
“You look like shit.”
“Geez thanks.”
“You asked. Anyways, the doctors say you’ll be able to see out of your eye again soon and that you’ll have a lot of scarring.”
“I figured that much, but it’s a surprise about my eye.”
“What do you last remember?”
“Well, it was very painful and that’s all I felt while I was out. Just to give you a heads up I couldn’t decipher what anyone was saying while I was out. All I heard was muffled noises. So if you were sappy I didn’t understand at all.”
Silence grew over them for a little bit. Mai ended up adjusting the bed for her so she could sit up. Mai took her seat back shortly after. Maki did take note Mai was wearing her clothing, but she chose to not say anything.
“I’m sorry.”
Maki looked confused. Why was Mai apologizing?
“For what?”
“I don’t really know, I just feel like I should.”
“Mai, stop it. There’s nothing you could have done.”
“I still feel so shitty about it.”
“Well, I’m glad you care.”
“Duh. Also let’s get this conversation over with before it’s too late. You are not leaving this bed and hospital until you’re better. You’re so stubborn and I hate that about you especially when you got injured when we were younger.”
“What? Are you my mom?”
“Ew gross don’t even associate me with her.”
“Sorry, low blow.”
A wave of chuckling came from both of them.
“I know something like this should have not brought us closer together again, but I want my big sister back in my life. I still hate that you left me behind, but I miss you as well.”
“And I thought that it was the other way around when it came to near death experiences. If it makes you feel any better I thought I was dead and I really wanted to say goodbye to you.”
Mai scoffed,
“Are you going to die on me now?”
“Nope, I just wanted to let you know. Also the answer to what you said, yes I want you back in my life too. You’re the only family member that knows what I go through if that makes sense.”
“Yeah yeah I get it. Twin things.”
“I didn’t want to mention it earlier, but now I want to poke fun at you. Are you enjoying wearing my clothes.”
“Stop it right there. You act like I packed anything when I heard what happened.”
“Well if it happened to you I would have packed things.”
“Don’t have to throw shade at me I know I’m the inferior twin.”
“Stop that.”
“Stop what?”
“You’re better at things than me and I’m better at other things than you. We’re twins. We’re not supposed to put down each other.”
“Tell that to ourselves not that long ago.”
“Well, times have changed.”
Mai took a deep breath.
“Maki. Please don’t leave me again.”
“I promise. We’re sisters after all.”
“Should I tell your friends that you’re up?”
“Not yet, I want to enjoy this moment before we go back to how things usually are to an extent.”
“Yeah. Next time don’t get burned alive.”
“You act like I wanted that.”
“I was joking.”
“I know, Mai. I know.”