Chapter Text
Ash breathing, fourth form. Ember dance.
Kyoichi took a calculated step back as he adjusted his stance in preparation, before launching himself at the two demons standing before him. His sword whistled as a trail of thin, glowing orange light followed the swirling patterns of his strikes. His weapon cleanly sliced through the necks of his opponents, leaving their heads to fall with two almost simultaneous loud thuds against the leaf-covered ground. The trail of his attack faded into visuals of ember fragments blowing away and dying out in the wind.
He huffed a sigh of relief as he flicked the blood off of his sword, ignoring the angry shouts of the demons he beheaded while they themselves faded away. The smell of burnt demon flesh made his nose scrunch in disgust, despite the fact he should be well used to it by now.
Kyoichi slid his weapon into its sheath before dusting the dirt he accumulated during the battle off of his uniform, then turned his head toward the direction he last saw Genya before they split off to fight separate demons. His expression shifted to one of mild displeasure, knowing that him and Genya were probably yet again going to be stuck on a mission together after this one.
He's not sure why, but somehow the two of them have been put on the same mission at least three times in a row so far. The missions themselves were relatively easy, just simple reports of low-level demons. The issue was the fact Kyoichi had to work with Genya and his stupidly loud weapon. He also just didn't like the guy. His first impression of him was during the final selection a while back, and let's just say, they didn't get along that well.
While he's sure that he's changed since then, (he definitely did physically, holy growth spurt) the tension sure hasn't. Also, he's weird. He doesn't eat regularly and Kyoichi swears his injuries just disappear sometimes. He's tried to offer him food, not because they're friends, obviously, but because Kyoichi doesn't want his teammate to collapse from hunger mid-battle. Genya keeps insisting he's imagining things, and that he doesn't need any of the food Kyoichi offers him. It's really irritating and confusing.
Snapping himself out of his annoyed internal dialogue, Kyoichi realized that he was standing in eery silence. There weren't any gunshots or sounds of commotion coming from Genya's direction. His eyebrows furrowed as he focused on the darkness ahead of him, feeling as though something was wrong. His concern carried him toward the silence as he quietly made his way.
He eventually got close enough to make out the figure of his teammate. Though, rather than feeling relief, he felt his heart sink.
Genya looked different.
Not only did Genya's hair appear longer, the ends were now turned yellow. His fingernails extended in a way that was claw-like, and his eyes were pitch black voids with small yellow pupils. Veins were prominently outlined along his face, and he bore a predatory snarl with sharp, pointed canines.
Kyoichi's hand moved to the hilt of his sword as he stared with wide, focused eyes. His expression held a mixture of confusion and utter disbelief. Genya clearly hadn't noticed the other's presence, as he proceeded to kneel down to pick up his apparently fallen gun. Kyoichi took this as a chance to make a move.
Barely seconds later, Kyoichi stood towering over genya, with his sword planted threateningly against the side of his throat.
"I knew there was something off about you." Kyoichi muttered, distrust shining in the demon slayer's glaring eyes.
Genya, on the other hand, was now struck stiff with fear. The blade that was pressed against his neck felt cold and unforgiving, and the piercing stare from Kyoichi made it feel all the more threatening.
"Kyoichi." Genya tried to speak with a serious tone, but it was impossible to hide the clear shake in his voice. He steadily put up both his hands to try and diffuse the danger thrown up on him. "I can explain."
"Then do it." Kyoichi hissed bitterly.
Genya had hoped that Kyoichi would at least move the sword away a little to let him elaborate, but it remained. He couldn't even blame him though, this is an entirely reasonable reaction. Genya could only try to swallow down his fear as he tried to find the right words.
"I eat demons.. so I can temporarily gain their strength." His words were hesitant, having slight pauses between them.
"You.. what?" Kyoichi's eyes narrowed and his expression twisted to a combination of bewilderment and disgust.
"I can't use breathing techniques. Surely you've noticed that..?" Genya raised a nervous eyebrow as he peered over his shoulder.
"I try to avoid looking in your direction as much as possible, so.. no."
".. Okay." Genya's anxious expression dropped momentarily, briefly replaced with one that was unamused and disappointed.
"Though.. that does explain the gun." Kyoichi tilted his head with speculating eyes. The distrust was still clear and prominent. "How do I know I can trust you?"
"I only do this so I can have a better chance at defeating demons." Genya's tone was dead serious. "I promise, I'm still a human."
There was a long pause of silence as Kyoichi pondered his decision.
Eventually, Kyoichi moved his blade back into his sheath. Genya sighed in relief as he slowly stood up, gun in hand. The height difference was honestly comical now, as Genya was much taller than Kyoichi. Though, he felt much smaller just moments ago. He put his gun into his holster as he nervously looked over at his teammate.
And then Kyoichi slammed his fist into his stomach.
"GAH-- What the fuck?!" Genya keeled over.
"Don't keep stupid secrets. I could've killed you." Kyoichi snarled.
"I didn't know how to go about it!" He slightly raised his voice as he tried straightening himself up despite the pain in his abdomen.
"So you decided to wait until I found you like--" Kyoichi gestured to the demonic features all over Genya. "--This!?"
Genya huffed in response, looking to the side with a angry glare. Kyoichi was right, there was no use fighting on this. If anything, he was lucky that he didn't decapitate him on the spot.
"You're insufferable." Kyoichi mumbled sharply under his breath as he rubbed his forehead in frustration. He gave Genya another judgemental glance before turning away and reaching his arm out. From the trees, a kasugai crow flew down and perched safely on his arm. It quietly spoke to Kyoichi out of earshot from Genya.
It was kind of ironic that the ill-tempered Kyoichi had such a soft-spoken crow companion.
After a moment of exchanged conversation, the crow flew towards the sky, ready to guide the two slayers to their next location. "We have another mission. It's not too far from here, you good to go?" Kyoichi peered over at Genya as he spoke, his voice less hostile than before.
Genya only nodded in response. Kyoichi could see that his hair and eyes were slowly fading back to their original shade, so he wouldn't have to worry about the sun doing any damage to his teammate come sunrise. "Good. C'mon." He tilted his head in the direction they were meant to go as he then faced that direction and began walking.
"Wait!" Genya blurted out, making Kyoichi halt. He sighed with a raised eyebrow as he turned back toward him.. again.
"Thanks for.." Genya's face heated slightly from embarrassment, his voice barely above a whisper. "..Hearing me out."
After an awkward beat of silence, Kyoichi turned away again.
"You're welcome." His voice held genuine emotion, though he avoided looking at Genya again entirely. He just remained silent as his feet finally began carrying him in the direction of his crow.
Kyoichi's hand brushed carefully through his hair nervously as his eyes narrowed to hide the softened look in them. He could feel his face reddening from the confusing fluttering in his chest, and he didn't like it one bit. He kept his pace steady to hide his flustered demeanor, but made it a point to stay well ahead of his teammate.
Genya walked with hesitation clear in his footsteps, unsure of what to make of Kyoichi's response. It felt weirdly out of character. Honestly, he expected a jab at his sudden sentimentality. Though, despite the shortness of it, the sincerity in Kyoichi's words was clear.
Genya couldn't help but smile a little bit.