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

Chapter 9 | Hashiras

You found a rentable horse and you didn't visit Akaza again. The risk is too high and you really would want to congratulate Tengen before you die.
However Akaza didn't stop putting creepy notes under your front door.

Every morning when you awake the first thing you do is to run to your front door and pray that a) Akaza didn't put a new note there or b) no one else read the note or saw Akaza on your porch.

Until now no neighbours threw suspicious looks at you or reported you at the mayor. Your nightly visit as well as your early trips to your front door seemed to linger unnoticed.

Just this morning there was another note saying: You misunderstood the rules, human. You are to find me not the other way around.

As usual the note got torn apart, dumped in the trash and erased from your memories. The latter is rather a wish than a fact though.

Now you're on horseback to make your way to Oyakata-sama's estate. You're using the direct route hoping that you will be sooner at Oyakata-sama's house than Akaza can notice that you're gone. The worst that could happen is that he follows you somehow and you'd guide him directly to his master's enemy.

Looking back at the luck you've had these past weeks you really shouldn't risk this. But you can't disappoint yourself by listening to your guts because you never do it, obviously. At least not in regard to Akaza.

Taking another route would raise the chances of running into demons anyway. And you really don't want that.

***

The sun rises as you make the steep way up the mountain to Oyakata-sama's house. You left the lent horse in a town in the valley for it wouldn't make it over the slippery stones.
Your legs are sore from riding for so long. Despite the pain you don't regret your decision. Only having to walk up the last piece is a blessing and your horse was quick enough to leave Akaza behind. Fortunately you didn't have a meet and greet with him last night.

By midday you can hear chatter and laughter from Oyakata-sama's place. One laugh definitely belongs to Mitsuri. No one laughs as high pitched as her.
The trees still cover most of the place but you can already spot the chimney.
As you get closer you recognize more voices. There's the Wind Hashira, Sanemi, laughing as if a demon possessed him. And Tanjirou who calls something. Then an answer from Inosuke. Loudest is Zenitsu, crying.
And the true hero of parties, Tengen's best friend, is missing.

You're about to turn to Oyakata-sama's garden gate as someone jumps over it and beams at you as if you were the good news after a terrible accident.
"Y/N, I MISSED YOUUU!", Mitsuri shouts and hugs you tightly. Her boobs press against yours.

You can't stop the smile breaking free. Suddenly relieved you hug Mitsuri back and take in the rosy smell of her hair. Maybe it's because both of you were once trained by the same Hashira but the two of you got along the second you laid eyes on each other. A few weeks ago you simply considered her a good friend of Kyōjurō and a very trustworthy and great person. Now you realize how loyal she is. How she knows exactly what you need. No one understands you like her, no one consoles you like her.

"I missed you too", you muffle into her hair although it's only been two weeks since you last saw her. It feels good to know that you're not alone.

Mitsuri giggles and retreats. Her big eyes sparkle with joy which immediately cures every pain in your body.
"The other Hashiras are already here as well as Tanjirou, Zenitsu and Inosuke. Oyakata-sama wants to start soon", she says and grabs your hand.

You love and hate how she always speaks of you as if you, too, were a part of the Hashiras.
Also, she's the only one doing that.

"I already heard them."

Mitsuri smiles again and pulls you through the garden gate towards Oyakata-sama's house.
The trees vanish and a group of young people appears in front of Oyakata-sama's house. Plain ground mixed with grit into an open area the size of half of his house. Here and there weeds fought their way through the gravel. Tables got placed in a row with dozens of chairs. Oyakata-sama's daughters stand next to a big barrel and share drinks with everyone. Oyakata-sama himself sits on the head of the big table, gently smiling.

As Mitsuri claimed all seven Hashiras left sit around the table and discuss wildly. At least most of them. The Stone Hashira and Serpent Hashira stay silent and watch.
Even Tanjirou and his friends join the discussion by asking questions.

Suddenly you feel exposed. It feels wrong to take a seat on a table where humans sit that killed Upper Moons and comparably strong demons whereas you ...

You shake your head. No toxic thoughts. No mood killer thoughts. Not today.

"Come on", Mitsuri urges and waves at the Hashiras.
"Guys, Y/N's here!", she calls happily and receives a gentle look by the Serpent Hashira.

The star of the party, the Sound Hashira, sits next to Oyakata-sama and holds up his drink in a friendly gesture. His headband is put across his left eye, suggesting that he lost it during the fight. Also his hair pours around his shoulders like silver liquid instead of being put into a bun.

You follow Mitsuri to the grand table and nod at everyone. One place is empty. Between Mitsuri and the Mist Hashira and opposite to the Wind Hashira and Inosuke. Whoever seated the two of them next to each other must be suicidal because even though they shut up now you can feel the rising tension between them. Both have patience as big as a thread.

Oyakata-sama clears his voice.
"Now that we all assembled, I'd like to openly declare the victory of the Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui and his fellows Tanjirou and Nezuko Kamado, Zenitsu and Inosuke. With the help of the Sound Hashira's wives the four demon slayers were able to defeat an Upper Moon and therefore give all of us a new motivation and chance. Take an example in those brave humans but don't push yourself too far. All of you are precious to me and I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for risking your life to save humanity."
Oyakata-sama raises his drink and smiles proudly.
"To all of us!"

You and the others join in.
All eyes are on Tengen Uzui and the boys.
They laugh brightly. Apart from Tengen no one seems to be injured. Only now do you see or rather not see his missing hand.

"I feel honored to spend my last days as a Hashira with all of you guys. Amongst you are talents of unnatural kind and I wish them to be the reason the Upper Moons will fear us. Make sure to kick the Upper Moons' asses!", the Sound Hashira exclaims.

Cheers from the Hashiras. You join in but your throat's closing up. It feels wrong to agree with Tengen although it is the right thing.
On top of that you are shocked that he will retire. Of course it doesn't make sense to continue fighting with missing body parts but that means another Hashira misses. Only seven are left now.

"Let the party begin!!", Inosuke yells and smashes his glass on the table.
For once the Wind Hashira agrees with him by bellowing loudly and pouring the liquid in his glass down his throat as if it was the last time he'd ever get a drink.