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

Chapter 29 | Play along

It doesn't take long to track Akaza down. It's almost like he wants you to find him.

The autumn wind blows through the trees, carrying the crisp scent of fallen leaves and the promise of change. The once-green canopy shimmers with shades of amber, ochre, and bronze, its beauty almost too perfect for the tension crackling in the air.

Beneath your feet, a blanket of leaves rustles softly in the breeze, while the cold air nips at your skin, sending shivers down your spine. The weight of the changing seasons settles over you—just as everything in your life seems to shift, too.

Tanjirou, Zenitsu, and Inosuke stand ahead, their stances ready as they face Akaza. The secluded forest is eerily quiet, the setting moon casting long shadows between the trees. Even the wind seems to hold its breath, as though the world waits for the inevitable clash.

Akaza stands before you, his eyes gleaming with cold amusement as he regards the group. There’s a sense of inevitability about him, like a predator sizing up its prey.

“You’ve finally caught up", Akaza says, his voice smooth and dangerous. “I must say, I didn’t expect you to make it this far.”

It's clearly a lie and the others know it too.

Without another word, the battle begins. Tanjirou lunges forward, katana raised, Zenitsu following with a yell. Inosuke charges headfirst, his boar mask glaring defiantly.

You hold back, hesitating as your heart pounds, each beat a tug-of-war. Part of you wants to rush forward, to stand with your friends, but another part—haunted by Akaza’s voice and the phantom weight of his touch—pins you to the spot. It’s as though his presence has already claimed a part of you, even from a distance. Your movements feel heavy, weighed down by an invisible force.

"Focus!" Tanjirou's shout cuts through your thoughts, snapping you back to reality. But your hesitation lingers, the battlefield blurring around you. Every time Akaza’s gaze flicks to yours, something about it—calm, calculating, almost expectant—unsettles you. You’re not just fighting him; you’re fighting your own heart.

Resolve surges in your chest like a spark catching dry leaves. You draw a deep breath, feeling the familiar fire flicker to life inside you. But this time, it’s different—untamed, raw, as if the autumn air itself fans the flames. The heat surges through your veins, demanding release. It feels so different from when you used to fight demons. How strange that facing Akaza ignites the fire in you instead of suffocating it.

"Y/n, no—!", Tanjirou’s voice calls out, but it’s too late.

With a fierce cry, you dash forward, jump and unleash your attack. "Flame Breathing, third form: Blazing Universe!"

Flames erupt from your blade, roaring with an intensity that lights the entire forest. The air trembles with heat, the fiery glow overwhelming the moonlight.

Akaza stumbles, his usually impenetrable composure cracking as the flames engulf him. His eyes widen—not just in shock, but in something deeper. Respect? Disbelief? For the briefest moment, there’s a flicker of something almost human in his gaze—something you can’t name before it vanishes. But then, with a swift movement, he shakes the fire off, his skin marked by scorch lines and a shallow cut on his cheek.

"You..." Akaza murmurs, his voice low with surprise. "You're stronger than I thought."

You just thought the same.
You managed to hurt an Upper Moon!!

You stand panting, the flames still dancing in the air around you, the power burning hot and sharp in your veins. But the victory feels hollow. The guilt hits you like a wave—you didn’t mean to hurt him like this.

Akaza’s smirk returns, dangerous and challenging. “It seems I underestimated you… But this isn’t over.”

In a blur, he lunges at you, his speed overwhelming. His hand grips your wrist before you can react, pulling you close. His eyes lock onto yours, cold malice mixing with something unreadable.

"Get away from her!" Tanjirou yells, charging forward, katana aimed at Akaza.

Akaza easily dodges Tanjirou’s attack without letting go of you.

You feel Akaza’s breath against your ear, his grip unyielding. Through the fear coursing through you, a strange calm washes over. The emotions you’ve been suppressing bubble to the surface. You can’t deny the connection you feel to him, but you also can’t ignore that he’s the enemy—an enemy who must be stopped.

"I don’t want to fight you," you whisper, your voice trembling. “Please… there’s another way.”

Akaza’s eyes flick to yours, his gaze softening for the briefest second. “Another way?” he repeats, a smirk tugging at his lips. “You still don’t understand. You’re human. You always will be.” His tone shifts, almost contemplative. “But I’m not going to kill you. Not yet.”

As his focus shifts to Tanjirou and the others, you seize the moment. A desperate plan forms in your mind.

"Help me", you whisper so softly only Akaza can hear.

His eyes meet yours, searching for something. Then, with the barest nod, an unspoken plan solidifies between you—a dangerous gamble, fueled by desperation and trust you don’t know if he’s earned.

"This has to be convincing", he murmurs, his grip loosening just enough for you to move subtly. “And you will lose almost everything."

Your heart races.
Akaza spins you around swiftly, his movements precise and pins you to the ground. With the other hand he forms a fist and raises it above your stomach.

“Now scream,” he orders, his voice calm yet commanding. “Make them believe it.”

With that Akaza pounds into the ground next to your stomach, the impact raising dust around you.

You hesitate for a heartbeat, drawing in a sharp breath. Then the scream rips free, raw and guttural, tearing through the quiet forest like an open wound. The sound echoes off the trees, vibrating in your chest and leaving your throat burning, as though your body itself is breaking under the weight of it.

Tanjirou’s face contorts in anguish, his voice breaking as he shouts from a close distance: "Y/n!"

Akaza lifts you off the ground, your body going limp in his grasp, your katana falling to the ground. You force yourself to go still, pretending to succumb to his power. The crunch of leaves beneath his feet as he lowers your "lifeless" form over his shoulder is deafening.

“They’ll believe that you're severely hurt", Akaza mutters, his voice low. “Now we move.”
With that he dashes to safety.

The autumn wind howls through the trees, its cold bite a harsh reminder of what’s to come. With every step Akaza takes, carrying you deeper into the unknown, you can feel the weight of the choices ahead. The end of the year looms like a shadow, but this battle is just the beginning.