𝕃𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕚𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 // Akaza x reader (+18)

Chapter 4 | Anxiety

It's been a week since you were humiliated in the worst way possible. A week to reflect on your own mistakes and weaknesses. Akaza by now knows what kind of breathing you are using but you know nothing particular about his set of skills.

The only way to find out is by challenging him again and survive. You know it's stupid and extremely risky but you can't live with the shame he put on you and your master. He has to pay and you will be the one claiming his death.

Even though you're eager to find his trail you have more important things to do. Or at least Oyakata-sama says so. A demon was sighted in a town, two days from your home. To find your way back into your life Oyakata-sama deemed you worthy of taking over the mission. You're grateful for his decision thus you can prove that Rengoku chose the right student.

Fortunately that's not the only news. Another upper moon was allegedly found and is to be exorcised by the sound Hashira and his new students, including Tanjirou. Those students were the ones accompanying Rengoku into the Infinity Train where he found his end. Hopefully those kids don't bring misfortune even though Tanjirou is the purest being in this world.
It unsettles you that there will soon be another fight between a Hashira and an upper moon. Rengoku wouldn't want bis best friend to die the same way he did : Without being able to defeat the upper moon.

All you can do from your position is to wish them luck and strength. They will need much of both.

***

You travel for two whole days through the heat of the summer sun and the suffocating warmth of the night. Your uniform sticks to your body, drained in sweat. The weight of your katana grows with every step you take. Despite this you don't slow down. The exhaustion and concentration needed for the walk are great distractions. Your mind is too focused on enduring the heat to think about failure.

As the sun begins to spill its molten gold along the horizon a breeze of wind dances through your hair. You sigh happily and enjoy the sudden coolness caressing your face.

Thanks to the long sleeves you didn't catch a sun burn on your body. Only your face feels hot which is why the wind really is a blessing.

In the near distance ignite the lights of a village. Your goal. How wonderful to not spend another night melting while trying to sleep with your uniform still on.

You begin to walk again and cross the endless grass field. Every minute the sky gets darker and the heat settles enough to not sound like a dying old man.

A sudden motivation racks through you as you enjoy the sunset. Only a few hours left and you'll be able to fight again. And win. That's the most important thing. You can't await the relief.

Humming a melody you just made up you continue your journey to the village. By now you can see its people like dots. Your belly begins to alert and your mouth waters at the thought of dinner.

In your mind you list the dishes you could devour now. It conjures a smile on your dry lips.

The one true thing you and your master had in common was the love for food and especially for good dishes. You always were ashamed of the extent of food you could consume without talking to anyone. Until you met Rengoku. He was worse than you. Even in dangerous, life threatening situations he would continue to finish his dish before facing the problem.
The restaurants of every town or city the two of you visited opened their doors widely when the owners noticed your arrival.
Fortunately Hashiras get a lot of food for free due to their duty. Hence you always accompanied the flame Hashira for dinner out of house.

You chuckle but stop as you notice how weird this must be looking. In case anyone would be hiding in the grass.

The village is about ten more minutes from now. Your surroundings get dark as the sun eventually drowns. Naturally your eyes are schooled. Although the lights of the village do not yet reach you you can perfectly see what's in front of you.

Or at least you thought so.

A loud thoud shatters the sounds of the nature. Everything gets still and silent. Even the wind stops playing with the grass. Somewhere is the terrified squeaking of a mouse and birds scatter from the ground.

You shiver.
A familiar coldness locks your feet in place in synchrony with a feeling you've never witnessed before. It's not the common dread or respect when encountering a stronger opponent. It's anxiety that creeps through your veins and turns your limbs into stone, locking you in place. Gooseflesh explodes all over you body as well as sweat. The sweat of fear.

The grass swishes behind you. Immediately your heartbeat speeds up and drums in your ears.

Your lips quiver as you squeeze your eyes shut to fight the anxiety.
It's just a demon, just a demon. It's fine. Calm down. Calm down.
With risen neck hair and trembling fingers you force yourself to peer over your shoulder with a heartbeat that is very concerning.

The vastness of green stares back at you.

The wind is still swishing the grass gently with its fingertips.
You hesitate.
Is Akaza hiding or did you make his arrival up? Was the silence made up? The lack of wind?

You gulp and clasp your sweating hands together. This shouldn't be happening. You can't get insane now. You need to focus on your duty and not let the fear play tricks on your mind.

Another moment passes but no predator or demon shows itself.

You take a deep breath.
Your legs begin to move again and you scream internally at your mind to stop this bullshit. It doesn't help defeating a demon to hear and feel hallucinations.

You catch yourself hoping that the demon will be weak and burn with embarrassment.
If Rengoku would see you like this ...

You shake your head and fix your eyes on the growing village. Tonight a demon will die if it shows itself. Tonight you'll win back your pride and reputation. Mitsuri got over your master's death so you will, too. You're a demon slayer. A defender of the humans and the nightmare of the evil.

You won't be defeated. The village will be saved as will your confidence. And you'll ignore the shaking of your fingers.