My Missing Piece {Uzuren}

47

I think I'm addicted to writing- is that even possible??

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Akaza skirted the edge of the town, keeping to the shadows cast by trees and rooftops. After Rengoku escaped, he'd been forced to flee the forest and seek shade elsewhere, as the younger demon's art had started a forest fire and burnt away all the safe spots. Now he found himself on the edges of Uppermoon One's territory, trying desperately to remain unnoticed. Yes, their sections of Japan were neighboring each other's, but that didn't mean he had to get along with the taller kizuki. No way in hell. His options had been to run in the direction of Kokushibo's turf, or Douma's cult, and Akaza would rather hang himself out to dry in the sun than get caught anywhere near that creep's food storage. Being in the six-eyed demon's area wasn't great, either. Even when he knew he was alone, he could feel eyes on him, watching.

Decaying leaves crunched under his bare feet as he trod across the quiet landscape. I can't believe he got away that easily. In broad daylight, too. He knew what he was doing.

Something had been bugging the uppermoon since Rengoku's escape. Would he have regretted it if the fiery demon had died back there, to his hands? Possibly. But why did he care? He hadn't given killing a second thought for centuries, so why was he questioning himself now?

Akaza sighed, dragging a hand through his short hair. This was a mental dilemma he didn't need to be dealing with. If he wanted to keep Rengoku to himself, he'd just have to lock him up somewhere, like the infinity castle, where there was no possible way out. He was so wrapped up in his head that he didn't notice the footsteps barely ghosting the ground behind him.

"Akaza."

Whipping around at the sound of his superior's voice, Uppermoon Three let out a growl. "What? Pissed I'm in your territory? I've been here for hours, I was starting to think you were too busy fucking Kibutsuji to notice me."

"Do not.. disrespect Master, ..Akaza." Kokushibo glared down at the striped demon. "I have told you.. many times.. to respect the chain of.. command."

"Why should I, if I'm going to kill you eventually? Now I have a fire demon to track down, if you don't mind leaving me alone to do that."

"Fire demon..?"

"A hashira I turned into a demon." Akaza started walking again, trying and failing to put distance between him and Uppermoon One.

"How long have you.. been stalking.. this poor thing?"

"It's not stalking, don't make me sound creepier than I am. And he just escaped earlier today, so.."

"You.. should leave him alone.. you're getting.. distracted."

Master.

"What, Kokushibo?" Muzan's head voice sounded irritated. "If this is about Akaza's pet hashira, I've already told him to leave it be."

It is about that. But the 'pet' escaped today.

"...while the sun is out? Escaped from an uppermoon?"

Yes.

"..."

"This is my business, Kokushibo." Akaza hissed.

"Anything.. in my territory.. is my business."

A message from the demon king echoed in Upper Three's mind. "Akaza, leave the fire demon alone. I will deal with it."

Akaza knew better than to directly talk out against Kibutsuji, so he nodded begrudgingly.

"If I hear from any demon that you've left your territory, I will dispose of you."