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

Chapter 25 | Blood 🍈

"Feeling any better?", Akaza asks quietly with a soft voice after a while.

"Yes," you manage to reply, the warmth starting to seep through your layers of clothing.
"Thank you."

You lean more into the Upper Moon's warmth, grateful for his unexpected kindness.
Surprisingly, Akaza's body isn't as cold as you thought it would be. No one really knows the body temperature of a demon because no one ever survived touching a demon besides Tanjirou.
However, you expected it to be cold as ice. The more grateful you are for your false assumption. Though Akaza isn't as warm as a human, his body temperature is high enough to warm you up.

The storm outside continues to rage, but inside the cave, you begin to feel a sense of peace and camaraderie.

"Sometimes, I wonder what life would be like without the constant fighting, the constant bloodshed."

Akaza's gaze softens as he listens to your words. For a moment, the fierce demon seems almost human, a glimmer of something like understanding flickering in his eyes.
It's gone a second later.

"I'd be fucking boring", he says bluntly.

You sigh.
"I'm being serious. "

"And so am I. You're talking to the predator, love. Wrong side."

Side.
You gulp. His words remind you of the truth: he's the murderer of your late master. The thought makes you shiver, but you push on, hoping to find some common ground.

"I just want to fulfill my purpose as a demon slayer and then live a peaceful life without bloodshed."

It sounds so wrong to speak about it as if the reason for your purpose weren't Akaza.

Akaza is quiet for a moment.
"You have a strong spirit," he murmurs. "It reminds me of someone I once knew."

Curiosity piqued, you look up at him. "Someone you knew?"

He nods, a distant look in his eyes. "A long time ago. But that's a story for another time. Tell me, why did you become a demon slayer? I wonder since the first time we met."

You don't like getting reminded of your delirious choices. It still bothers you how easily Akaza defeated you in the forest. Though it was your fault for thinking you could do something about him.

You take a deep breath, the memories flooding back. "I come from a long line of demon slayers. My family has always been at the forefront of this fight. My ancestors were renowned for their strength and bravery, much like Rengoku's. In fact, our bloodlines share a distant connection. Our ancestors fought side by side in the past, and their legacy has been passed down through the generations."

Akaza's interest deepens. "Rengoku ... he was a formidable opponent."

Guilt washes over you.

You nod, a sad smile touching your lips. "My family has always held him and his family in high regard. My father used to tell me stories about the great battles they fought together. It inspired me to take up the sword and continue their legacy."

"And your family? Do they still fight?"

A shadow crosses your face. "Most of them have fallen. My parents were killed by demons when I was young. My two older brothers ... they disappeared during a mission. I'm the last of my line now, carrying the weight of our legacy."

Akaza is silent for a moment, his eyes never leaving yours. "That kind of loss... it can either break you or forge you into something unbreakable."

"I want to make sure their sacrifices weren't in vain. And maybe, just maybe, one day I'll find a way to end this cycle of violence", you say softly.

Akaza's expression is unreadable. "Typical human mindset again. Looking to end anything fun", Akaza comments but his usual acerbic tone is gone.

As if eating humans were fun.

When you don't respond to him the demon sighs in a way you never saw before. It looks like there's a heavy weight on his chest. Something like regret crosses his eyes when he murmurs: "It's difficult for someone like me to speak to a human without ... you know ... mentioning our nature."

His words linger in the air, and for a moment, the storm outside seems to quiet, as if the world itself is listening. You lean back against the cave wall, feeling the warmth of the fire and the unexpected solace of Akaza's presence.

"Thank you," you whisper, your eyes meeting his. "For listening."

He gives a small nod, his gaze steady. "Rest now. We both need our strength for what's to come."

As you close your eyes, the storm continues its relentless assault outside, but inside, you feel a flicker of hope-a hope that maybe, just maybe, there is a future where demons and humans can understand each other.