@kokubyo | this was supposed to be an ask and got too long asdf
finally ashen hands close around wrists that futilely struggle, slamming them into the dirt. it's admirable that even now, saya doesn't show fear. her chest heaves with exertion, face flushed and sweat beading upon her forehead, but still she meets his golden gaze with defiant eyes. akaza's fangs glint in the moonlight, bared in a triumphant grin as her breath fans across his cheeks. caged beneath muscle that doesn't tire, the panther has no means of escape for retaliation.
he can be rid of saya now, put an end to this irritating dance. not that part of akaza hasn't enjoyed the challenge, but she's still a thorn in his side, getting in his way and causing more trouble than he should allow. it would be an insult to spare her now anyway. she fought well -- better than most.
yet akaza does not move to silence the heart he hears hammering away inside that fragile chest. he isn't sure why he hesitates. he won. this is the part where he laments saya wasn't stronger and that she won't become a demon. this is the part where her life ends. were it anyone else, their blood would already be staining his hands. how is saya any different?
her wrists are maneuvered into one hand while the other curls around her throat with the promise of a quick end. her pulse jumps against his thumb. her plum gaze doesn't falter, doesn't break contact, and akaza smiles. " i enjoyed our fight. " his grip grows tighter, lips parting to offer his blood one last time.
color bursts across the night sky in a grand display behind him, and the sound reverberates within his chest like an echoing memory. he grows quiet and still, watching the light dance within saya's eyes. feelings, old and unfamiliar now, stir within upper moon three. he suddenly feels short of breath. it surprises him, causes his brow to furrow and his grip upon saya's neck to loosen.
with disgust and embarrassment threatening to turn his face a new color, akaza slowly realizes he doesn't want to kill saya; he realizes he's fond of her; he realizes her eyes are pretty. it pisses him off.
sighing sharply through his teeth and practically snarling, akaza wrenches her tekko kagi from her hands ( oh, he could bite her for struggling with him still ). he drags saya to her feet then, shoving her away and breaking her weapons in front of her. they fall to the forest floor with a dull clang.
" you can't kill me without a weapon, so run along. " his voice doesn't boom in a shout, nor does it drip with venom. it doesn't compete with the fireworks still exploding overhead; it's level and firm. it's his sour expression that shows how agitated he is. he just wants to be done and rid of her, to have time to rip out the affection blossoming within his breast. " before i change my mind. "
