CHAPTER ONE : AKAZA
Part Five : Promises Spoken
FANDOM : Demon Slayer | Yandere | Reverse Isakai
LOVE INTREASTS : Muzan Kibutsuji | Kokushibō | Dōma | Akaza | PLATONIC INTREASTS :
The drive to work drew on longer than ever has.
Every turn felt slow, every honk and shout had my head turning, and every stop at the lights was like a countdown that ticked to zero.
"Just breathe," reminding myself with a whispy voice. Forcing my lungs to do their job, otherwise I'd forget.
My attention kept shifting between the mirrors, searching for someone that wasn't there.
Adjusting the seatbelt, it felt constricting.
At every crossing, I scoured the faces of passing people. Fully expecting to see the pink-haired demon amongst them.
My grip tightened on the stirring wheel, knuckles turning white. "He's at home, he's not here." I told myself, but my nerves felt on fire.
After two days of constant spying; being alone felt wrong.
Pulling up to the gate and swipping my ID, I paid my ticket, pulling in.
Surfing the lanes, I cruised to the staff car park. The unease grew, like thousands, of tiny ants crawling across my skin. It was packed. Cars of all shapes, sizes and brands lined up neatly.
Scanning the lot, the distant hum of the cities heartbeat murmered through the cement.
Spotting a green bulp, I reversed into the empty spot. The green turned red as the bulp flickered and popped.
Shutting the engine down, my eyes found my lap, then to my wrist. Ever since he grabbed it, it's been aching.
My breath hitched as an ugly shade of blue and purple had bled to the surface, blothching my skin.
'Fuck.How the hell am I going to hide this?' I didn't bring my makeup, I didn't think I'd need too.
I pulled the sleeve to my jacket down, covering the mark.
It was unnervingly quiet in the car-park. No music, no running engien, no crackling of tires, slamming of car doors, or the beeping of mashines over head.
Pressing my forhead onto the wheel, I rested my eyes, the memory of Akaza loomed.
How he grabbed me, the way he looked, how he talked. 'He'll be the death of me,' breathing in sharply, I sat up straighter. My stomach churned, "I need to head inside."
Removing the seatbelt, I began gathering my things.
Climbing out from the car and closing the door, the click of the lock echoed too loudly in the empty lot.
Adjesting the strap of my bag, the air felt heavier out here, bitingly suffercating.
My pumps clicked against the pavement, making my way to the side entrance, rhythmic, steady--
Eyes widing, I snapped my head to the right. Staring at the rows of parked cars, I tried to peek through the windows.
Slowly, I stepped closer, 'I thought...' Drifting off, I could have sworn I heard the padding of bare feet.
Gulping, my grip on my bag tightened.
Stepping back, I shook my head, silently cursing myself as I moved faster. Something—someone—was watching me.
The feeling hit suddenly, like a cold hand brushing the back of my neck. My head snapped to and from, weary eyes searching.
But there was nothing. No one. Just my own warped reflection in the windshield and buffered paint.
And that terrified me more.
"Get a grip,” hissing under my breath. I forced out a shaky laugh. "He's not here. He's at home." I told myself.
I bit my lip, somewhere deep inside, I knew he wouldn't stay at home long. Since the first night I met him, and the nights following since. His proven he'd follow me anywhere.
But still, I walked faster, near sprinting as that familair sensation wouldn’t leave.
"I'm just--just freaking myself out over nothing." I continued talking almost quietly to myself. But the crawling awareness of unseen eyes never wavered.
That faint prickle at the base of my skull, it stayed. Growing by the minute, I swore I heard something on the right--then the left, as if something was rushing past.
And even as I reached the side entrance. Even as I entered the building, it burned.
It only stopped when I headed down the hall, heading towards the locker room, away from the windows.
I could finally breath with ease.
Shoving my bag into the small space of the locker, I closed the door, sealing it as I pocketed the key.
I lingered. Pressing my forehead against the cool metal. 'I'm just being paraniod.'
That's what I told myself. Over and over again as I took a deep breath. 'Akaza is at home. He won't come, won't risk being seen.'
Pulling away, I headed out to start my shift.
It was easy to dive headfirst into work again. Burrying any thoughts of that troublesome demon to the back of my mind.
But it was strange, going through something mundain when my life was turned upside-down.
The familiar buzz of conversation, the faint hum of machines, the chatter of coworkers. All of this used to ground me, but now it felt thin, unreal.
With my paper work spread across the table, the aircon blowing cool air into the small office.
"Wow, look at you, you look exhausted.” I perked up at the sound of Nico's voice.
Chuckling faintly, "you have no idea." Setting my pen aside, I kicked out the chair next to me.
Nico plopped down, "Thank you!" Tucking his chair under the table, he leaned closer, staring at the paper in front of me.
"Yeah no, try a couple of days." Forcing out a smile, I didn't elaborate more than that as Nico began to log into the computure.
He slid a chocolate bar across the table. "I heard your Grandma had a fall, how's she feeling?"
Looking down, I smiled, real this time. "Oh boy, you love to spoil me, don't you?"
Nico laughed, "I thought you deserve it!" Grinning, he began typing into the computure.
I turned back to my own paper, writting down a few notes. "She's doing much better now." The lie slipped easily from my lips. I felt a little bad, but it's not like I could tell the truth.
How would I be able to explain? Oh yeah, my grandma didn't have a fall, I'm acutally housing a bloodthirsty monster, from demon slayer!
'That'd go over well...' I mused dryly. Clicking my pen, Nico sighed.
"That's good, I'm glad you're back; it's been such a drag without you." Nico sighed, looking at me from the corner of his eye.
Snorting at that, I shook my head. "I missed you too," as I turned back to my pile of paper.
From there, hours crawled by, slow and uneventful.
I was buried alive in paper work and never-ending tasks; Nico and our other co-workers cracked jokes. Each talking about life, I found myself nodding along to the casual chatter.
Throwing myself into the normalcy that came with it. It felt nice to forget, to pretend that things were like before. Almost.
But as the night wore on, the familair feeling of unease tied itself into knots deep inside my belly.
My eyes kept glancing at the faces of clocks. The one on my wrist, my phone, the clocks on the wall and atop the counter.
With each tick of the hands that dragged, I licked my lips, Akaza's words echoed inside my head: Here… safe. Outside… dangerous.
My fingers tightened on my pencil. 'He's just being rediculous.'
My break came sooner than later.
I melted into the chair, my lunchbox and Kindle sat onto the table. The contents spread out.
My head cocked to gaze out the wide windows of the building. The glass reflected the city street and all it's lights.
I sipped on my coffee, setting it down, I tried to ignore the weight pressing onto my shoulders. People passed the building as the shadows stretched across the pavement.
"Hey (YN), welcome back." Looking away, I stared up, smiling.
"Oh hey Dot--I didn't think you'll be on tonight."
"Well, they called me, Chakra called out." Dot explained, pulling out the chair, she joined me.
Humming, "right let me guess, he's 'sick'," having a scoup of yogurt, I continued. "I bet you he's at the game tonight."
Dot snorted at that. "Maybe. How's your Grandma?"
My smile dimmed as I spoke. "She's alright, much better than yesterday."
Dot didn't say anything after that, her eyes bore into me. I paused, shifting in my chair, "... Uh, Dot? You... okay?"
"Your wrist," she pointed out, her words slow--conserned.
Blinking, I followed her stare at my wrist, and the hand-shapped bruise around it. "Oh yeah, that!" My laugh came out heavy and humorless.
I went to cover it, only to remember, my jacket hung from the back of my chair.
"That was... was an accedent." I whinced at the poorly constructed lie.
Dot's eyes turned steely, sharp as she flickered her gaze to mine. "How did it happen?" The suspision that laced her tone had me covering my wrist.
I struggled to come up with something plausible. "... I--I got it caught when... I was sticking my hand into a jar, and I couldn't get it back out."
"As I said Dot, it was an accedent." I tried to brush it off, but Dot wasn't shaken.
It became awkward after that. The silence heavy as I poked at my food.
Dot then spoke up. "I thought you'd take today off as well." Her tone was damper than before.
I nodded my head; she reached over, taking the cupcake I had.
"Hey! Get you're own, there's more in the staff room!" I huffed, but she took a bite from it. "Hmm, count this as a punishment, for your lies."
Scoffing, I shook my head at her audacity. A humourless laugh slipped out.
"I was going too..." Pausing, Akaza popped into my mind, he was haughting me. "But my aunty stopped by, so at the moment, she's looking after Grandma."
Licking the frosting from her lips. "I see. Well, I hope your grandma feels better."
"Thanks, I hope so--" something shifted.
My head snapped towards the large windowes, almost by instinct. I didn't know what sung out to me. The street was crowded, people passing by, cars rolling onwards as everyone rushed to get home.
Clicking her fingers near my face, "uh, (YN)?" Dot called out, but I paid her no mind.
Staring, there wasn't anything unusual. Until there was.
Because between the passing figures, across the street, half-hidden by the darkness of shadows—I saw him.
He stood perfectly still amonst the crowed. His eyes already locked onto mine through the glass. His presence cut through the crowd like a blade, unmissable.
He wasn’t smiling, his expression was calm, unreadable… but his eyes burned, sharp and unyielding.
My yogurt slipped from my fingers. Clattering onto the table, Dot jumped back from the splatter.
"What the hell--(YN)!" Gasping, Dot rushed to clean the mess.
"Oh my god," I whispered, horrified--I felt my blood freezing over.
He wasn’t even trying to blend in, just standing there, unbothered, watching.
My chest squeezed, compressing down onto my lungs.
My eyes flickered acorss the room; if anyone noticed him—really noticed him—they’d recognize him. The tattoos, the eyes, the aura. He was too unmistakable. Too Akaza.
My body moved before my brain could think better of it. The legs dragged, catching on the edge of the carpet.
I stood up from the chair, my feet carried me right outside and onto the street.
The late night air bit at my skin, but I didn't care. Weaving my way through startled pedestrians and ignoring the honking of passing cars.
Akaza’s gaze followed every movement, steady, unblinking.
My heart pounded in my ears, eyes flicking looking at everyone who stared at Akaza.
My blood raced--spurring me forwards, and as I reached the other side, and closer to him.
I didn’t give him a chance to speak. Snatching his arm, my grip was solid, cold and unyielding.
Dragging him along, we headed to the nearest side-street. He was letting me pull him.
Beneath my hand, I could feel the strength thrumming in his body like a coiled spring.
Anyone else would’ve resisted, pulled away, shouted. He could have planted his feet, grab me--but he didn’t. He followed like a shadow, silent until I shoved him into the mouth of a narrow alley.
The stench of piss and rubbish permiated from within. But I didn't care.
“Are you insane?!” I hissed, shoving his shoulder as he stood there. Staring down at me--calm and collected. But his eyes, they glimmered--he found this amusing.
"I can't beleive you." Fishing out my phone from my pocket. I type furiously into Google's translate.
"You think this to be funny? | これって面白いと思いますか？" The robotic voice echoed off the bricks.
"You can't just waltz around the city, much less follow me to work! People will see you--they'll recongise you! | 街中をぶらぶら歩くなんて無理！ましてや職場までついて行くなんて！みんなあなたを見て、あなただと認識するわよ!"
Akaza blinked, tilting his head like a scolded child. Then his lips curved into that infuriatingly calm smile.
"それでいい." His anwser was short, I stared at him blankly.
"I swear--Akaza," my vocie was clipped as I held my phone up. The mic icon already selected.
He leaned down slightly, his hand brushing my wrist softly, my arm twitched as his eyes then landed onto the bruse he left behind.
Softening--almost guilty, he then spoke into the mic. "彼らにさせてください. | Let them."
I felt as if my head was going to implode.
"Let them? Let them!" My voice rose, skimping just over a whisper. "Akaza, no!" Wrenching my wrist free, the bruse stung painfully as I held back a groan.
I jabbed my finger into his bare chest, waving my other hand around the empty air, I then began typing with both hands.
"Akaza if anyone find out who you are, it'll be trouble for the both of us! | アカザ、もし誰かに知られたら、私たち二人とも困るわよ!"
Akaza didn't look moved by the words. Indifferent as he lifted his hand up again, reaching for my face--I swatted him away.
"Stop it. This isn't a game, this world knows you, and it knows what you are! | やめろ。これはゲームじゃない。この世界は君を知っている。君が何者なのかも知っている!"
That wiped the smile from his face. His brows furrowed, confusion flashing behind his eyes. Slowly, he stepped closer, his voice low as he pressed the mic icon.
"彼らは...私を知っていますか? | They... know me?" His voice came out gentler, unsure.
My fingers trembled, swallowing down on the knot in my throat.
"Yes, many people here know who you are. They know what you've done, what you've become. | ええ、ここにいる多くの人があなたのことを知っています。あなたが何をしてきたか、どうなったか、彼らは知っています."
"If were not careful, if you keep drawing attrention to yourself, we'll both be hunted. | 気をつけないと、あなたが自分自身に注目を集め続けると、私たちは二人とも追われることになります."
At the dead drawl of Googles voice, the words hung heavy in the air.
Akaza froze, the hand near my brused wrist twitched, ghosting the tender flesh. His other hand clenched at his side, his eyes stared at me.
And for a long moment, he said nothing. Then, in halting English, his voice rumbled low.
The words were meant to soothe, but the intensity that flickered in his eyes--a vow. Made my skin crawl.
"Akaza..." my voice wavered.
Protection wasn’t the same as freedom.
Shaking my head quickly, my fingers flew across the screen again.
"If you want to protect me, then you need to stay hidden. No one can know you're here. Promise me that you'll do as I say. | 私を守りたいなら、隠れていなさい。あなたがここにいることは誰にも知られない。私の言うことを必ず聞くと約束して."
He listened, his eyes never retearting from mine. He stepped closer, invading my personal space as I stepped back.
His gaze softened, but not in surrender—in possession. His fingers curled around my wrist. Holding it tenderly, my body stiffened as he drew my arm in.
Closer to his face, his breath fanned my skin, pressing his cheek against my phone as his lips brushed against the bruise.
He whispered, voice thick in Japanese, it was clear and sharp.
Breathing in shakily, I didn't know what he said. However, his words, the way he spoke them. How he held my injured wrist tenderly; the one he hurt, his lips lingering too long as he stared deep into my eyes.
It felt less like a vow of safety, and more like a chain tightening.
Smilingly, it didn't reach my eyes, more nervous than releaved. I hoped it was a promise--beleived it was.
My tongue darted out, "I've got to get back." My voice wavered. Eyes flicking away from him, and back out the ally.
Clearing my throat, I continued talking. "Dot will wonder where I went. She might even come looking."
Akaza's brows furrowed at the news. "Dot?" He spoke the name, more testing as he pressed closer. Filling the gap, and invading my space.
"She's a coworker." I explained, my voice wavered again. I could feel my heart lurching up into my throat. "Co...worker" He repeated.
"Yes, yes. She's a coworker."
Pulling away from my wrist, he leaned down; the heat raidiating from him dwelved into me. Setting every nerve on fire, my lungs faltered as his nose brushed against my cheek, edging close to my neck.
Placing my hand flat onto his chat, I pushed him away. But he didn't budge. Rooted in his spot, my feet shifted back.
"Go home, Akaza, I'll be back soon."
His blue and yellow eyes--colourful pearls of fractured glass, stared up at me. "How soon?"
My smile widened, but my unease remained. 'He really is like a puppy.' Huffing out a laugh, it was thin. "Soon enough." I answered.
"Now, go--before anyone reconsise's you."
But he didn't leave, not yet. Staring at me one last time, he finally stepped back. Retreating as that suffercating warmth went with him.
He still held my wrist, "I... sorry." He murmered his gaze lingering on the bruise he left. Tracing his thumb back and forth.
"Its..." My voice drifted as I tried to pull my arm out again, and this time, he let go. "It's fine."
"You're not exactly great at self-control when it comes to holding back." I excused, holding my hand close to my chest.
Akaza turned his head, his fingers twitching as his jaw set.
"I'll... be seeing you soon, Akaza." Excusing myself, slowly passing him. Reluctant at first, I thought he might just change his mind. But he didn't, I watched from the opening of the ally as he finally moved.
Slinking deeper into the shadows, he dissapeared from view, then came the sound of concrete cracking.
I discovered I could breath again.
Walking back to work in a daze. The confrontation left me trembling, the worst case scenario was avoided. But not the storm that brewed overhead.
As I stepped back inside, Dot was there.
Her stare was hot--she was angry. Her uniform damp as she held a fist full of wipes.
"Where the hell did you vanish off to?" She demanded, her stern tone made me shrink. "You just ran off--left me to clean up your mess!"
"Sorry Dot." I apologise, "I... there was someone I needed to talk to." I explained vaugely. Unable to look her in the eye. "I'll make it up to you, promise."
Her stare softened, stepping closer, she spoke. Gingerly this time, "was it that guy with those tattoo's?"
I tensed up, breath hitching as my heart dropped. 'Shit, she saw him?' Grabbing onto my forearm, my nails dug into my clothes.
"Yeah," my voice came out as a whisper.
Dot's hand reached for mine, placing it on top. "Is that the guy who gave you that bruise?"
My eyes widened, head snapping back to her. "Wha--how? N-no, no! He didn't..." My voice died as I stared into her eyes.
The worry reflected deep, her fingers curled, comforting.
"(YN)," her voice sounded heavy. "I have two kids, and in my fifty-three years, I've lived long enough to know that, that bruise isn't from a jar."
I gulped. Trying to figure out an excuse.
"If he's hurting you, if you're in in any kind of trouble, you can tell me."
I could feel my eyes watering, 'curse you tear-ducts.' Fluttering them away, I looked up at Dot. "I'm fine, really, he didn't--it was... it was an accident."
She didn't look conviced, much less impressed. But she sighed, relenting. "Please, (YN) promise me, if he does anything, anything--"
Cutting her off, I spoke haistily. "Really Dot. I'm fine, he's fine. He's very sweet if you get to know him."
"And I'm sorry about the mess." I apoligised once more as I continued. "So, I'll be seeing you soon, I gotta get back to work."
Pulling away, I rushed back to the table I was sitting at. My food still there, but the dropped tub of yogurt was gone, and the splatter it left behind.
I raced to pack everything back into the box. Throwing it in the fridge, all that I wanted to do was finish work and go back home.
'Then I'll deal with Akaza later.' I kept telling myself that everything will be okay, that he had returned home without being spotted.
Dot's eyes wouldn't leave me as I ran to the elevator. Suspision and worry laced her gaze as I slipped past the crowed that was exiting.
Returning to the fray; I tried to drown my thoughts out with work. I couldn't look Dot in the eye when she passed.
Nico, ever the opportunist, cracked a joke, trying to leaviate the tension. But it only made it bigger.
Carrying a stack of folders, I made my way to the other side of the building.
Coworkers--strangers I haven't talked to, or seen before passed. And as I glanced at the reflection in the window, my stomach dropped, as I scrabled to secure the folders.
'What the--Akaza?' Pressing close to the glass, I could have sworn I saw him. Standing on the otherside of the street, on the rooftop of a shorter building.
When I blinked, his silhouette was gone.
"No. No way..." I whispered. 'He should be at home--I told him to go home.' Shaking my head, I raced off down the hall.
Deluding myself that he had been a good demon and listened. But the more rational part of me knew. He hadn’t gone home.
He lied, once again, and stayed. Watching, hidden, but still out there.
By the time I got home, the sun was already rising. Burning brightly though the tall buildings, the traffic was horrificly congested.
Climbing out from the car, the breeze that welcomed me home was already warm. 'God let me inside before it gets any hotter.'
Dragging my feet, I held onto the railing as I pulled myself up the steps. The clicking of my pumps on concrete echoed in the wind.
'I just want a warm shower, air-con blasting and my bed.' But I couldn't have any of it.
No shower, no air-con and no beautiful bed as I had a demon to chew out.
Fumbling with my bag, I fished out my keys. Murmuring curses as I stuck the metal into the hole and twisted.
The lock clicked, and the door opened with a weak creak.
Sun-light flooded the dark apartment as I shuffled in. Shutting the door behind me, I lifted my head and there he was.
Standing in the center of my living-room, as if he'd been waiting the entire time. His stance was casual, that infuriating calm smile greeted me. As if this was the most natural thing in the world.
For him to be here, waiting dutifully for my return, when we both know, he hadn't stayed.
"What the hell was that?" I demanded, voice low, trembling.
He cocked his head, looking upon me all innocent--when he and I knew damn well what I was talking about.
"I can't believe you!" I hissed, tossing my work bag aside, and towards the others. "I told you to go home, and you didn't."
Stuffing my hand into my pocket, I paused. Then the other, then to the back pockets and my jackets. Dread pooled, then panic rose as my phone wasn't in either.
'Where's my phone--don't tell me I left it at work!' As my mind began to race, it then hit me, my phone was in my work bag.
Inhaling sharply and murmering various curses. I stomped back to the bag, snatching it up and taking out my phone. I dropped it like it meant nothing. Kicking it out of my way.
Google as my partner, my thumbs flew across the screen. "You lied to me, again! | また私に嘘をついたね!" The robotic voice exclaimed flatly.
His expression remained collected--but I could see it, the glimmer within his eyes, it was that same amusement.
My jaw set, my fingers curled tight around the device. 'The audacity.'
Jabbing my finger in his direction, my voice came out scornful. "I'm sorry, but is this funny to you? Becuase I don't think so--you promised me, and you broke it."
At my words, his expression shifted, as if thinking, and after a moment of pause, he approached.
"Did not lie." The words were heavy with his accent as he strung his words together. "Made no promises."
At that, I was baffled, then appalled.
"it vital choice." Akaza then summed up.
"... Vital?" I asked bluntly. "A vital choice?" Echoing his words, I stared. Searching his face for a sembalance of guilt. For anything even remoatly related, but there was none.
Shaking my head, I rubbed my forehead as I looked away from him. "I can't beleive you."
A hallow laugh escaped, I didn't know what I should do. Hit him, scold him, ignore him?
I'd like to just do all three, but as he shifted his weight, leaning closer; it hit me. He was acting as if I was a child. And he--as the adult was indulging my little tantrum.
"Unbeleiveable." I uttered, utterly aghaust.
Akaza remained quiet, watching, his expression now unreadable.
"We need to set some ground rules Akaza. | 基本的なルールをいくつか決める必要がある、アカザ." I typed furiously into the phone.
"You can't just follow me around. Not out in the city, becuase this can't keep happening. | 私を尾行するのは無理。街中でもだめよ。こんなことがずっと続くわけがないから."
"And certainly not dressed like--well. You! | そして、あなたのような服装は絶対にダメです!" After every sentance that was spoke, I wrote a new one, the mecanical voice lacked the passion, but the message was clear.
His brows pinched, glacing down at himself, as though he didn't see the problem.
I bit back a groan, running my fingers through my hair. "Akaza, you're not--" Pausing, I tried to think of a way to explain it.
Rubbing my face with vigour, I continued. "You don't blend in. Everyone will notice you, and it'll only be a matter of time before someone finds out."
He blinked, my words going from one ear, and out the other.
'Oh my God,' bemoaning. I threw my hand up. "Fine, fine." I muttered under my breath.
Hitting play, Google translated my words. "You need to blend in. We need to change your look. Your clothes, everything needs to be differnet. | 周囲に溶け込む必要があります。見た目を変える必要があります。服装も、全てが違います."
Akaza's head snapped up, his eyes locking onto mine--and at first, his jaw tightened. The corner of his mouth gave a faint twitch.
He didn't enjoy the idea--his whole body spelt it out.
"No." Was his direct anwser.
"Well, to bad Akaza. You don't have a choice." I snapped back, growing rather fed-up by his lack of coroperation.
His brows furrowed at those words, his stare turning hard. "No." He repeated, frowning.
Our eyes locked onto the other.
"I don't think you realise you're circumstances Akaza." I growled. "This world, it may be similar to yours, but the rules? Utterly different." I laid out flatly.
His posture remained stead-fast, tense in a way that was chilling, unreadable. His indifference had the fraying rope snap.
"Take this seriously, Akaza!" My wrist throabbed with how hard my fingers curled around my phone. "If you mess up, get caught? You're not going to be able to just--walk away. Much less fight your way out!"
His eyes sharpened, at the promise of violance, at the prospect of a fight. "I can."
"No, you can't." I was quick with my rebuttal. My voice wavered. "You don't get it, if you can't blend in..." I found it hard to say it. He couldn't possibly stand against our weapons and technology.
But I spat it out anyways, the fight dying like embers, "you'll die."
The silence hung heavy between the two of us. And for a long, suffocating moment, Akaza didn't speak. He looked genuinely... insulted.
His jaw clenched, eyes blazing with something dangerous, deeply wounded. The tension in the room died, and what took it's place, indescribable as his expression darkened.
He opened his mouth, only to close it, then he spoke. "I can. I will." His voice was low, rough around the edges. Pressing his palm hard against his chest, he took a large step forwards.
Stepping back, my pulse spiked as he enclosed on me.
"Aka--" I began, but his name died in my mouth.
"You... home." His hand clamped down onto my shoulder, holding me in place. His painted fingers pressed firmly into my chest. "You, mine. Protect."
Then turning his fingers to his own chest. His next breath came sharp, strained as I discovered--I couldn't breathe. "No one to stop me."
My blood burned in my viens, pumped full of rising adrenalin. The muscle in my chest kicked against my ribs, causing them to ache.
I couldn't move, I couldn't scream.
The room was heavy, dense--riddled with this weight so thick, like gas filling the room. My throat started to swell, as if the air between us was toxic.
Akaza face was split, fury and something far more alarming showed--possession. It unshadowed those inhuman eyes, making them glow faintly in the dim apartment.
His chest fluttered, rising and falling from restrained breaths. The hand that sat on my shoulder pressed down harder. His fingers curling as I bit back the whimper.
I've never seen him like this, not from the show, the manga or after it.
No longer calm, no longer collected--but cracked.
My stomach felt hollow, as if someone had sliced me open and gutted it. A frightening thought crossed my mind.
'One move.' One wrong move, and he may as well shatter.
My lips trembled as I forced them to move. "Akaza..." speaking his name softly, my voice broke, pain slipping though.
I pooled all my will power into relaxing, my trembling hand rose. I didn't know if this was the right approach, or even the correct one.
However, it's the only one I could think of.
I was reluctant, slow--waiting for a way out, for Akaza to stop me. But he didn't. He just watched, and then he spoke.
"You think... I die?" his own voice wavered, stretched thin, he spoke slowly. Testing.
My reaching hand faltered, hesitating, I nodded once. "Yes," my voice was just over a whisper. "If you don't take this seriously, you will."
For a heartbeat too long, he said nothing. His eyes set, fingers flexing as my knees bowed under the pain. And then, he exhaled through his nose--short, sharp.
My hand latched onto his haori as I anwsered. "I hope I am," blinking back the tears. I continued, "but this world isn't yours, Akaza. You don't know what it can do."
He frowned, brows knitting together as his eyes--the shattered peices of glass reflected his conflict.
But something else resided inside. Another thing I've never seen in him. It was fear. A desprate uncertanty as he looked at me, he didn't know whether to pull me in, or push me away.
But if I didn't move fast, I may very well kiss something fundemental goodbye--my life.
Releasing his haori, I rose my hand again, the tips of my fingers feather-brushed his lower jaw.
"I know..." I began. My eyes flickered from his, but returned just as fast. "You want to protect me, to keep me safe. And this world--my world. Isn't easy for you to adjust too."
And as I began to speak, I spoke faster.
"It's strange and unfamiliar, your world is full of--of violance. Swords, teeth and claws. But this world, isn't. A-and you feel lost, and confused. But--"
My hand shot to the back of his neck, tangling in his hair. With a firm hold, I pulled his head down.
His eyes widened as his other hand gripped onto my upper arm.
"I'm here. I'll help you, Akaza. You don't need to do this alone, you don't have to fight." Our breath mingled, mixing as I contined rambling.
"Becuase I know you're strong." Slower this time, I made my voice tender. Even as my heart was hammering in my throat.
"I know that, however, I'm not." My tone waved at that confession. It didn't just hit him, it weighed like a chain on me.
"I'm weak. I can't fight--not with fists or feet, or blood-arts, and I can't heal like you, Akaza. I'm human, I can and will die."
Fear. It was an emotion I was becoming aquainted with, but it still overwhelmed me, as I stared in horror.
'It seems that was the wrong thing to say.' Becuase Akaza stopped breathing. His eyes were cold--glazed over, empty as that once desprate expression, wiped.
It was like staring at a living corpse. I was scared to speak his name, wherever he went, I didn't want to see him return.
But something else sparked. Anger, confusion. Not at him, not exactly.
'What happened to you?' I could only ask. For this man, I couldn't see the Akaza I knew.
He who was a powerful demon, he never acted this way in the show. Cling to something so weak, pethetic--he should ignore me. Scoff at my exsistance. And yet, here he was.
An unexpecting shell of his former self. 'But do I really know him?' A voice whispered faintly in the back of my mind.
I froze; forced back to the precsence as I staggered backwards.
Both his palms were planted on my jaw. Caging, unrelenting, his fingers were spread wide, curling into my skin.
His body pressed against mine, drawing me in, as if he was trying to mold himself to me.
That blank look, was gone. Replaced by a feaverish desperation--forced to watch, he shook his head.
"そんなことは許さない。死なせない。君は私のものだ。完全に私のものだ。二度と、二度と行かせはしない." His japanses came out fast, indignent and crazed.
I lacked the knowlage to understand what he said. But I had to keep talking. This moment teetered on a knife's edge, and it was pointing in the wrong direction.
"But I won't die. Not if you listen to me." My voice was near desprate as I felt his grip tightening. "This is a lot to ask, I know it is... but you have to hide."
His grip never faltered, nor did that freanzied look in his eyes fade. "If you want to stay. Here, at home--my home. You need to adapt." I pushed.
I could feel his laiboured breathing fan my face. His hold possessive, ever watching, his heat was overwhelming. Frizzling my nerves, he spoke again.
"I protect you. Kill all body. No matter what. You. Mine." It was a harsh whispered promise, a vow that sent a shiver across my entire body.
Rubbing my thumb back and forth under his eye. I smiled, wonky and short.
"Akaza, don't. So long as no one finds out, then we'll be safe." I promised, speaking under a hushed whisper, as if there were others listening.
His hold felt like a gallows noose as his expression faltered.
Softening just enough, I could see the knife shifting.
"Why do you think I'm telling you all this? Why I'm pushing so hard for you to blend in? Just think as to why I'm... upset with you when you lie."
His eyes flickered, just a moment, confliction.
"I can't help if you don't tell me the truth, I can't trust you if you break every promise you make. It makes me question, do you not trust me?"
At that, Akaza's gaze dropped to the floor, a moment of sanity. Understanding, guilt.
He moved one of his hands from my jaw. Resting it flat against his chest again. “I… not lie,” he murmured haltingly. “Stay… to protect.”
"Akaza, that's not how I saw it." I uttered, tentivily. "I told you to go home, you--I thought you promised me that you would. But you didn't. It doesn't matter if your intentions were noble or not, the fact is, you scared me."
That seemed to reach him more than anything else had. His posture eased slightly, and so did his grip.
His voice dipped low. “No scare. Never.”
The intensity in his tone made it hard to swallow. It wasn't reassuring--but I could tell it was sincere. At least, in his own distorted way.
"Then prove it." My voice cracked, "prove to me that you'll listen. That you'll blend in, hide."
Guiding his head, I made him look at me. "Promise, promise me that you'll try, Akaza."
He stared for a long, unblinking moment, almost captivated. He exhaled, nodding his head once. "Promise."
I could finaly breath, the tension in my chest slipped away--only barely. But it was enough, "Thank you." I tenderly said, a cautious smile arose to my lips.
“We’ll figure this out. Together. But you have to trust me, okay?” I mumurmered, loud enough for him to hear.
Akaza’s gaze lingered on me—too long, too intense. Then he nodded once more, murmuring just as softly as I did. “Trust… you.”
Wrapping my arm around his waist, I drew him into a hug. My chin resting on his shoulder, I could smell my shampoo in his hair. "We will make this work." I promised.
I could feel how ridged he became, frozen in my hold, his arms twicthed. Muscles taught--fighting back an urge unspoken.
Sniffling, I didn't know if he understood the meaning of trust. At least, not in the way I did. But, right now, it was enough.
It seems he came to a desion as his arms moved. Reluctant, his hands hovered around my waist, not quiet pressing, he was still unsure.
I pulled away, huffing out a weak chuckle. I brushed a lose strand of hair out from my face. "Sorry, I must stink."
Stepping away from him, Akaza looked pained--like a puppy whose favourite toy was snatched.
I shuffled towards the kicthen, leaving my phone on the counter.
"I... I think I'll go for a shower now." With a parting look, I shook my head, making my way down the hall. Pretending not to notice the way his eyes trailed after.
I was honestly more exhausted than before. Slipping into my bedroom, I quickly shut the door behind me. Locking it, my back pressed against the wood.
Sinking into it, the cool surface kissed my flushed back.
'I survived.' The thought wasn't at all from relief. But from worry, becuase I knew. He hadn't calmed down, he'd only contained it.
Akaza's eyes trailed after (YN)--slow and unblinking. Watching as she slip into a room that he wasn't privey too.
His fingers twitched at the sound of the lock.
Breathing in sharply, he didn't shift, didn't sway or move from that spot for a long while.
Not as the appartment fell into its usual silence. Not when he heared her shuffling, or when the water in that contraption she call a 'shower' sputtered to life.
His ears easily picked up on all the strange sounds of (YN)'s world.
The hum of electricity, the groaning of old pipes, those pesky humans who dwelled down below them.
And those strange, moving beasts. Their cries, that bellowed all through out the day, and long into the night.
Moving, he stepped forwards, one foot after the other; even the wood beneith his feet was strange.
He found himself at your door once more. Glaring at the wood, hallow and feeble, it mocked him.
The argument replayed in his mind. Each word cutting deeper than it should have.
Her words, the way she spoke them, as if already resigned to the fact. He clenched his fists. The thought that she, of all people, could believe him weak.
She knew him, yet had little faith in his abilities. She's the reason he's here. That day, in the fortress, then in those woods. He felt her for the first time. That presence--warm, loving, homely.
And yet, here she is, telling him he'll die here.
That stung more than any blade had. But beneath the sting, beneath the flash of wounded pride, came something quieter.
He hadn't meant to lose control. Not like that, not in front of her. He had meant to surpress his ire. Burry it deep--locked away under civility and restraint.
For (YN) didn't understand--couldn't see what it took for him to hold it back. To strangle those ugly urges down until he couldn't breath.
That hunger. The instinct to claim, to keep her. The need for violance. He was starving himself, all for her--for (YN). Everyday he craved a battle that left nothing but rubble.
It had always been who he was. Long before waking in this strange world, and it always will be.
Clenching his fists, those damn words kept haughting him.
You'll die. You'll die. You'll die.
Everything that he pushed down, drowned in the inchor of his master, lurched. Just for a heartbeat--the truth shone.
And it frightened her. He could tell, from the sound of her blood, to the erratic beating of her heart. He knew; that picture, he couldn't wipe it from his mind.
(YN)'s eyes--the striking colour of (EC), it was wide and uncertain. Glossy from unshed tears, and her face. The terror, it made his chest twist painfully.
Worse than any stabbing, worst than any punishment. He hated it. dispiased that fear, more than anything he's hated in his life. More than he hated weakness.
And that look, it made him feel weak.
“バカ,” he muttered to himself, quietly enough that the word almost vanished in the air.
Leaning forwards, he pressed his forehead against the door. Resting his arm on the hallow wood.
His nose flared with each breathe; he could smell her, the entire apartment smelt of her. But beyond this door, it was the strongest; and he wanted to forget himself in it.
It would be easy, like tearing paper to rid this barrier. He could punch, rip it from the hinges, all so he could finaly remove the walls between them.
Gazing at the floor. The anger faded to a low, simmering ache.
He would do better, could do better, had to.
Akaza didn't want (YN) to fear him. Didn't want her to think of him as dangerous, or even compare him to what he is, a demon. He knew, the longer she beleived that he was, then the wider the distance will become.
And distance was unacceptable.
'もっと良くしましょう. もっと良くなりましょう.' Akaza affirmed, he will do it. Vowing it; he could be patient. He had to be patient.
From now on, he would control it--the outbursts, the sharpness, even his presence. He'll grip the raines, and clamp that leash tight around his own throat.
Drown it all, shove it into a box and lock that door. He'll hide when she tells him to. Change what he can too appease her worries. And step back when she needed space.
He will exist quietly in (YN)'s world, like a ghost, he'll huaght this place. All until she forgets.
Forgets he was something to fear, a monster who craves flesh and chaos. Until everything in this room is coated in his precsence.
He will be her all. Be her's until he has convinced her, through action that he isn't dangerous.
Because once she's stopped fearing him, (YN) wouldn’t run. And when she won't run, she'll stay. With him. Forever.
Cracking a smile; he wouldn't deny the deranged glint in his eye.
He lifted his head away from the door, eyes half-lidded.
'安全にしますよ.' He'll protect her. He'll be her savour from danger, from others, from anything that would take her from him.
If this world wanted to threaten (YN), it would have to go through him first.
And unlike what she thinks, he'll win.
He'll do as (YN) says, blend in. Hide--he can do that and more. For her. Only her.
Staring at the doors white paint, "あなたは私を捨てたりしない。二度と。決して." He spoke absolutely, steady as he closed his eyes.
"守る. 必ず." That was his promise, to her, to himself, to anyone who threatened the peace. "たとえそれが自分自身からのものであったとしても."
Leaning against the sink, steam clung to the mirror. Softening my reflection into a blur. The whisy clouds were being imbided into the fan that whined at every turn.
Shivering, I was cold. The heat from the shower slipped away with every dropplet of water.
Wipping the steam away with my palm, I watched as my own face came into focus.
I was pale, almost grey looking. Not the sickly kind, but a drawn out exhaustion that had settled deep into my skin.
The fluorescent light overhead was too harsh, too bright. It made the shadows that hung heavy under my eyes deeper.
Sighing, my lips twitched into a faint smile. 'I look like the cript-keeper.' Laughing, it was devoid of humour. It was empty.
Coming closer to my own relection, I leaned onto the sink, tilting my head slightly, I paused. My eyes widened as I spotted them.
Faint, but there. Only now starting to show, blooming a light blue, they appeared along my jaw and on my shoulder.
Shakily, my fingers traced the marks gingerly, the skin tender to the touch.
I stared at the finger-print dot's that framed my jaw. Then to the handprint on my shoulder, each a mark of Akaza's barely restrained strength.
Leaning back, I held onto the edges of the sink until my knuckles turned white. I felt sick, my stomach bounding in knots and fliping inside-out.
"God..." My voice trembled as it came out so quiet, it was swept up with the fan.
'How am I going to cover this?' I couldn't help but wonder, it was bad enough that Dot noticed. There's no way she won't say something about the new ones.
The whispering got louder in my head; my doubts, my worries
Biting down on my lip, I came to realise. This wasn’t sustainable.
I could call in to work tomorrow. Say my grandma had another fall--it's worked before. But then Darren might ask for details, maybe even documentation.
'I can't risk it,' the last thing I needed was more questions. About me, about Akaza, about these blasted bruises that he's left on me.
"That idiot." Breathing shakily, I dipped my head down, staring at the sink. "Let's hope my make-up skills are that good."
Looking back to the mirror. I nodded my head, 'I can do this.' It's simple, just some colour correcter, foundation and concealer to blend it all out.
I can make it work. Hide it all under a mask of normalcy.
But as I stared at my own relection, it felt wrong--like the image inside was someone else entirely. I tried to crack a smile, just a simple, happy grin. But it just seems broken.
Tipping my head down, staring at the drain, 'just pretend. Just, be normal.'
Pulling one of the towels from the rack, I dried and dressed myself in my pyjama's quickly.
Slipping out from the bathroom, and stepping into my bedroom. My back pressed against the door, closing as it faintly clicked.
My hands found their way to my face, dragging down as the weight in my chest never eased, it remained. Steady, but hanging from a fraying rope.
'I'm so tired,' my stomach rumbled, a reminder that I had yet to eat breakfast. The last time I tasted food was on my break; if you could even call it a break.
My head turned, staring at the door, I made no move to open it. Just the thought of stepping out there, in that dark hall and still living room filled me with dread.
The silence on the other side didn't help either.
'He's out there,' my hand cupped my wrist. The first bruise he gave me as I casted my head to the floor.
Biting my lip, I cursed him once again. "Idiot."
I didn't want to face him. Didn't want to see him. Not right now, not for a while. I could feel it. The heaviness in the air, his presnce through the walls. Threatening to infultrait the only grace of privacy I have left in this place.
It wasn't hard to remember the promise he made. Not to scare me again. But I was already bracing myself for the worst. I didn't trust the quiet. Not tonight, properly not for a long time.
So I shuffled forwards, turning the light off and retreating to my bed. Slipping beneath my blankets and curling up to my side. Coiling my arms around the pillow, as if it'd keep me grounded.
And for a while, I stared at the window. The drawn curtains that blocked out most of the sun. Only a golden rim of light leaked through the gaps.
My fingers curled, face digging in deeper and then, after all that has happened, my world flipped again.
'What am I even doing?' Biting my lip, the thought was louder than any shout, because the reality was, I didn't know what I was doing.
I was just some stupid, clueless girl; housing a man-eating monster, who could very well kill hundreds, if not thousands.
He could do it tonight. Tomorrow night--any night. At any point in time if he really wanted to, and I'm acting as if everything is fine? Peachy even!
And now, all of a sudden, I'm responsibe! For him, for me, for the safty of my entire world.
'What can I do? I'm only human. I'm--I'm not a demon, not some chosen few, and I'm certainly not equipped to deal with this?!' Becuase I had nothing. I could do nothing, but stumble around like a new-born fawn.
This--him, he's beyond my depth. It foregose all logic, all reason for him to be here. Exsisting, in the flesh, to breathe, to touch. All of him is real--as real as I am.
Shuddering--I wish I was crazy, going mad from something! It'd ruin my life, but at least I could handle that, I knew where to go from there.
But this? How was I meant to figure out how he got here? How was I going to send him back? What am I going to do when he kills someone?
'Why me? Why out of everyone in the world, why is it me?' With a shaky breathe; it was the strangeness of it all.
The fear that's been chewing away at me for three days now. All my unanswered questions, speculations, worries--and I'm meant to just, what? Except it all, to continue living like this?
And the exhaustion, God. I can barely function with those constant whispers.
'What if I fail? What if I've doomed my world?' The quiet horror of realizing there were no instructions for this. No guide, no manual, no youtube tutorial for housing a demon!
Sniffling, how can I protect myself--from him, from others, from a world that's always watching?
'How can I get him to understnd when he's ignoring me?' When the first whimper slipped from my lips, the damn broke, and my cries flooded free.
'How can I trust him when he lies to me?'
'How can I be certian that he'll tell me the truth?'
'What will I do when he's discovered?'
And before I realised it, for the first time, in a long time, I wepted.
My sobs came muffled into the pillow, I truely realised, how little I felt. How powerless I am.
I didn't want this. This burdan. This responsibility.
It was too dangerous to let him go. For him, for me, for everyone.
It wasn't just him going on a rampage through the streets that worried me to bits. It's the normal, ordinary people reconised him, and concluded that he was, the real Akaza. There'd be no way to explain, to reason, to hide.
"What am I meant to do?" My voice cracked, horse. Broken as the question vanished into the dark. Unanswered.
But beyond my door, the apartment remained quiet. However, I knew--I couldn't shake the feeling that he heared me.
Every soft, helpless sound, he heard it. Listening as a part of me cracked in my own way.
CHAPTER ONE : Akaza -> CHAPTER TWO : Part 04 : Fracture in the Calm | One Missing
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