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

Chapter 18 | Singing blades

The procedure continues for the whole night. Akaza strikes you somewhere between your chest and your abdomen and you withstand him most of the time. Just as he said.

Every victory makes the training more fun.
You get the feeling that Akaza is having fun, too, given the grin on his face.

Now and then you glance at his teeth - the pointed ones - and realize that it isn't normal to stand so close to them without actually fighting.
Those teeth are some demon slayer's last thing they see before they die.

Akaza's strikes are hard but not painful. Just enough to remind you with bruises about all the times you won. A nice little gimmick.

Akaza even ends the training earlier. Thus, you can have more of the day.
"I assume you prefer the sun over the moon", he explains when he sees your confused expression.

You feel charmed by his care but his next sentence ruins it.

"Plus I have a few things to do. I don't yet know whether tomorrow night's training will take part."

Your shoulders slump slightly.
"How will you let me know?"

Akaza shrugs with his shoulders.
"Go to the clearing and see if I'll be there", he suggests with disinterest in his voice.

Is he kidding?

"Do I look like I've got nothing better to do than wait for you to show up?", you ask in disbelief.

Akaza crosses his arms and lifts his chin in a provoking way.
"Go on. Tell me what you have to do. Are you on a mission? Wait no you're on a break which is why we're here in the first place."

You glare at the demon and hold back the insults. Suddenly you remember Doma and that deal you made... It will be easy to fulfill your conditions once you're strong enough.
Akaza will find his end by the end of the year.

"Wll then, see you tomorrow or not", you say and leave the dōjō.

***

The next morning you wake up early. By early you mean 12 pm. And the cause is not the lovely singing of birds or the smell of freshly baked bread or the feeling of being well rested.
No, it's an aggressive knocking on your door that won't stop even as you try your best to fake not being at home by hiding under your blanket.

With a get-the-fuck-off expression you open the door. Your face lights up a second later. A sunflower-patterned haori catches your attention. None other than your favorite smith and the very smith that made your katana stands in front of you.

"Hotaru", you sigh and bow your head in respect.

The masked smith doesn't wear his usual headwear today. His dark hair looms around his mask down to his collarbones.
A moment later you realize the reason for the missing hat.
It's raining. Enough to destroy his straw hat.

The smith doesn't yet greet you but storms into your house without asking.

He throws his head hapazardly from left to right. His mask almost falls off.

"Can I help-"

"Where is it? Your nichirin blade. The love and passion of my crafting. Where is it?", Hotaru shouts with terror in his voice.

"Over there", you say and point at the corner of the room.

The smith jumps to the weapon like a cricket and unsheathes it.
The dull blade doesn't even mirror the tears that seem to flow out of Hotaru's mask's eyes.

"I heard about your late master's death. And I feel sorry for you but my work has nothing to do with it. How are you gonna avenge him with a blade like that?!", Hotaru murmurs and falls to his knees theatrically.

You say nothing for a moment.
When you heard the news that your smith would come over you expected it to be more ... pleasant. 

"I'm on a break", you explain.

Hotaru's mask stares at you.
"This blade isn't. You can take a break. This weapon can take a break. But what you're doing to it isn't a break. It's pushing away. It's ignoring.  A predator needs to get fed in order to stay strong. Of course it also needs a break after a fight but it will continue eating, won't it? Feed your goddamn katana or I'll take it back with me", the smith threatens.

You gulp and fight the tears of embarrassment threatening to expose you once more.
Hotaru is known for his obsession with his work and for the love he puts  into it. Just as he is known for his temper when he feels unappreciated.
And he is right about his feelings.

"Is this what you came here for?", you ask after a moment of unsettling silence.

What else did you expect? He's a smith. He won't come along to have a little chit chat about your favorite color or the fact that cicadas are annoying as hell.

Hotaru rises from his knees. Although he isn't very tall you feel somewhat weak and small right now. It feels like Hotaru is unreachable.

"Yes", he sighs and continues with a firm voice, "my children sing to me. I have it in my guts when one isn't satisfied. And this one ma'am-"
He pauses and stares into your soul with his wooden eyes.
"This one has gone completely quiet."

The news drops like a boulder into a silent pond. Your belly contracts and your chest feels heavy. So does your tongue.

"I'm sorry", you whisper.

Your fingers begin to hurt. Only then do you realize that you tangled them the whole time in a very uncomfortable way.

"Don't apologize to me!", the smith exclaims loudly ,"I want you to breathe life into my blade again. Then I'll accept the apology. "

You hesitate. Both of you know what kind of job you need to do in order to fulfill this task. Plus both of you know that you can't refuse. You will have to go on missions again sooner or later. And now it looks like the former.

"Okay I'll try", you utter with a lowered gaze. 

"No you'll do it."
With a softer voice Hotaru continues.
"Again I'm really sorry for your loss. I liked the Flame Hashira a lot. As his potential Tsugoku you need to stop draining in your grief and self doubt. Avenge him. Avenge us!"

"Yes, I promise", you say mildly.

"Great. That's the spirit. Now get your ass out of your pyjamas and make that blade sing like an heavenly choir", the smith commands and makes his way to the door.
His hand is on the door handle when you take a step into his direction.

"Er- Hotaru?"

The smith turns towards you.
"Yes?", he asks with a kind voice.

"Thanks for dropping by."