Chapter Text
Kyojuro Rengoku was done for.
Even though "done for" was an understatement. He was left beaten and battered by Uppermoon three. He had lost an eye, broke three ribs, and had broken almost all his fingers on his right hand. There were some other injuries Kocho had listed. He just wasn't paying that much attention.
“You are very lucky to survive, Rengoku-san!” She had chirped in her usual cheery tone after she had listed off the injuries Uppermoon Three inflicted. “The average human wouldn't be able to survive these injuries! You fought hard, Rengoku-san, I'll give you that!”
Rengoku was in a daze, his eye staring ahead while the other side of his face was wrapped up in bandages. His fingers–except his thumb–had splints put onto him. His hair was also matted, with possible dried blood and dirt, his skin probably in the same condition. He had one question repeating in his mind.
Why did Upper Three leave him alive?
Repeating inside of his head like a broken record, he snapped back to present when Kocho had set something down with more force than she probably intended.
Rengoku looked up in confusion. Kocho had this smile on his face, which didn't seem all that genuine to him but held some lengths of certainty. Rengoku had opened his mouth as if he were going to talk, but Kocho raised her hand.
“I wouldn't talk either. Your vocal cords were damaged as well. Upper Three really did a number on you. It was a blessing that Kaname brought the Kakushi as fast as he could. A few minutes sooner, and you would've been dead.” Kocho's tone took on the lighter hilt as she then grabbed a cup filled with water and brought it to his lips.
Rengoku didn't try to talk after she said that, but he did take the water with his left hand and tilted his head back to drink. It was only then that he realized how dry his throat was. Rengoku had drank all the water and returned the cup to Kocho's hand.
Kocho sighed and then observed him once more. “Luckily, you don't need any bandage changes tonight. The blood seemed to have stopped for now. You should be able to talk after a couple of days. As long as you don't talk beforehand.” Kocho picked up something off the ground, and that's when Kyojuro realized.
His sword.
Only that his sword was broken, indefinitely. The blade seemed to have snapped from the hilt, only leaving that intact. His sword guard was also missing. Another family heirloom destroyed. Rengoku was sure the haori hadn't survived either. Even if it did, it was somewhere where he couldn't reach. He was lying in something comfortable, not his slayer uniform. That meant they had changed him and placed his things elsewhere.
Kocho gave him a smile, one that was close to pity. Something that Rengoku didn't need. She sighed. “I meant to give this to your swordsmith.” The insect hashira held it delicately before facing Rengoku. “I'm taking this, just to show your swordsmith. You should have a fully intact sword very soon, Rengoku-san!” And that's when she left.
Rengoku was left with his thoughts when he heard the door click shut. Signaling, he was finally alone. Rengoku laid his head against the pillows, trying not to put pressure onto his healing wounds.
He was in pain. It was dulled slightly by the painkillers that Shinobu had supposedly given him. Upper Three–Akaza, had left him blind in one eye, his left, and damaged vocal cords. He couldn't even hold a sword properly right now. His fingers were very much still broken. Rengoku couldn't ask how long he was out for. It couldn't have been more than a few days, surely.
The lights were bright, almost blinding. He should've requested Kocho to at least turn them down if not off. Rengoku turned to lay on his left, not on the side with the broken ribs. He was sure that Akaza would've put a hole straight through him if the sun didn't interfere. It had risen early, Rengoku was thankful yet disappointed it had risen early. He didn't eliminate the kizuki. One of the closest to Muzan, the fourth strongest demon in the world.
Why did Akaza spare him? He could've easily ended the fight in one hit if he really wanted to. Why did he drag it out, why did he spare Kyojuro and everyone on that train? Surely, there had to be consequences from Muzan if he had failed to kill everyone. He even went after Kamado for no apparent reason.
Rengoku suddenly remembered Akaza had lunged for Kamado like a magnet, no thoughts. He just moved like his body was in command. He had to admit, Kamado and his friends fought honorably. At least they defeated Lower One. Even if that didn't make Rengoku's nerves go away.
No matter how hard he tried to shake it off, the flame pillar couldn't believe he was here and alive. He made sure to give Kamane sunflower seeds for his quick thinking. Without his Kasugi crow, he would've been dead. He also ingrained in his mind to thank Kocho and the butterfly sisters for treating him. He hoped he wasn't that much of a burden. They had other slayers to take care of as well. Some who were definitely a higher priority than Rengoku. It would hurt more to lose a bundle of slayers over a hashira. No matter how weak or strong they are. Their numbers were shrinking fast.
Rengoku grunted as a pain spiked from where he ribs were. He almost let out a shout of pain when another spark of pain shot through his body. Kyojuro bit his bottom lip as the pain spread throughout his veins. His body shook as the pain didn't ease. After a while, it ended. Kyojuro was finally at ease. Temporarily.
He heard the door open once more. It was Kocho again. She was holding a piece of paper, it seemed. Kyojuro couldn't make it out, she smiled warmly as she made her way towards him.
“Evening again, Rengoku-san! I know I wasn't gone for long, but we have some things to go over before you turn in for the night!” She walked over to his bedside, setting the papers down on the nightstand by his bed.
Rengoku looked at her with confusion, then did his best to gesture for her to get on with it. He still could not talk. Kocho started to him, her usual smile on her face as she began to do what she needed.
If he was honest, his curiosity was piqued. He had to raise his head slightly to observe what she was doing. Kocho seemed to be humming some song that he couldn't lay his finger on. She was organizing something before grabbing a bottle of pills and holding out a cup of water.
“Take these,” Kocho dropped the pills in the palm of his left hand. Rengoku held the pills in his hand. He thinks these were just painkillers.
It'll numb the pain. Rengoku repeated that over and over in his head.
Rengoku took the pills, popped them in his mouth, and took a drink of water. Swallowing them without letting them dissolve in his mouth. He shuddered at the taste and the feel of them sliding down his throat. It hurt.
Kocho then wrote something down quickly before raising her head once more. “I bet you're wondering when you're able to get back on the field!” Rengoku thought she physically read his mind because he was thinking that.
Kocho clapped her hands together. “As long as you take it easy, it should be four weeks before you could go back to your estate! And around three to four months to get back on your feet and learn how to wield a sword again! If you take it easy.” Her voice was light in the kind, sharp way a doctor would usually talk.
Rengoku had to thank her for her hospitality. He had to. If he didn't, he'll never forgive himself.
The pillar lifted his head, doing his best to get his next words out. “T–Thank you, Kocho...” He winced at the sound of his own voice. It was hoarse and gravelly.
Kocho's smile cracked, just enough for Rengoku to notice. She shook her head and ran her eyes over his form for any sign of pain. “Rengoku-san.” Her voice taking on a warning. “I told you to take it easy, now didn't I?” She then turned around.
Rengoku immediately nodded, getting the message. Kocho didn't reprimand him any longer, taking the paper and writing utensils before she walked out of the room, shutting the lights off.
Rengoku noticed he did not get a goodnight. He just thought it was something she regularly did. Rengoku didn't talk to Kocho enough to consider her a friend, but he did know her well enough to consider her a great comrade and well-respected hashira. He admired her work.
Eventually, the flame pillar decided to get some rest, just until morning. Then he could worry about other things. Rengoku laid down on his back, his eye fluttering closed as he fully relaxed.
There was an intense feeling. Rengoku had a feeling that there was someone watching him sleep. He couldn't open his eye. He didn't want to. In fear of scaring the intruder off. Though, he clearly wasn't great at hiding it because there was shuffling and clinking of something close to the feet. Anklets maybe?
Clinking? Rengoku stiffened as he felt the presence lean down. He couldn't move. He was frozen, his breathing becoming heavier. Then the intruder spoke, which made him dizzy.
“I know you're awake, Kyojuro.” A voice, smooth like honey, rumbling from deep in their chest. Hands had grasped his shoulders, and he visibly flinched. “You can't hide from me. I know you're awake.” The stranger repeated, then dug their nails (claws? No, theyre nails.) into his shoulders. “Open that pathetic eye of yours.” The voice now teetering onto a dangerous edge had him shaking. From the voice or the pain–Rengoku was unsure.
Unable to fool the intruder any longer, he forced his eye to open and peer at the newcomer.
Gold met Yellow. The kanji branding their irses. Upper Three bled into them. Rengoku couldn't see any other features in the dark, but he knew exactly who this was.
“A–Akaza,” He forced out, his voice strained and hoarse as he managed to get that cursed name off his tongue.
The demon smiled, showing off his impressive fangs that Rengoku had stared too long at. “That's my name, Kyojuro.” It purred, the dangerous tone now fully evaporated, now taking on amusement and... something else he can't quite name.
Rengoku shivered. Kocho told him to take it easy, but he couldn't just leave it. He attempted to reach for something that wasn't attached to his hip. His sword. Kocho had confiscated it, so she could take it back to the swordsmith village. Kyojuro now suddenly wished he went with her, despite the pain.
He was about to just reach out and grab something to throw at the damned demon's head, but something caught his wrist. A grab that was equally gentle but also firm. Akaza squeezed as if testing his limits. When Kyojuro winced, Akaza had let go, as if he had been burned.
“Did you miss me, Kyojuro?” Akaza cooed, as if he was fond of Kyojuro. The latter didn't say a word, staring at Akaza with newly found disgust. Akaza's smile fell into something mimicking a frown.
“Ah, don't worry about talking, Kyojuro! I'm just here to pay you a visit.” Akaza's hand released his wrist and fell to his side. “I made quite the damage on you, huh?” An attempt at humor, Rengoku didn't know how to take that.
Rengoku just sat there, his body frozen, but his mind ran a million miles per second. His eyes drifted down to the demon's hands. Those wretched hands. Those very hands that landed all those hits on him. The hands dared to look soft to touch.
He couldn't deny that Akaza had a boyish sense to him. If it was either from personality, his desire to get stronger, or his features themselves, Rengoku occasionally wondered how old was Akaza exactly when he turned. He couldn't be older than eighteen, he guessed.
Then Akaza leaned forward, his eyes locking onto his bandage covered eye. With the curiosity of a poorly behaved puppy, Akaza reached out to unravel the bandages.
Rengoku reacted immediately, shoving Akaza's hand away as he did. Upper Three frowned, drawing his hand back. In which Rengoku only now noticed that his fingers lacked claws the usual demons had. He supposed they would get in the way of making a fist. Why was Akaza the most human looking demon he had ever seen?
“I just want a peek. Is it gone?” Akaza reached up again, and this time, the pillar allowed him to. Just so the demon doesn't lash out and kill him for real.
Rengoku was hesitant to answer before he let out a dry, “Y–Yeah...”
Talking hurt. It made his voice sound hoarse and scratchy with the feeling of dehydration if he didn't take a break. Rengoku hated it. Why did Akaza leave him this way instead of killing him off. He would be less of a burden.
Akaza let out a thoughtful noise before he reached out again and placed a finger on the bandages on his left eye. Rengoku flinched at the sudden pressure, but this time, the demon didn't let up.
Akaxa pressed before his finger dipped under the layer of bandages. He seemed to be treating Rengoku with delicacy as he unbandaged his wound, setting them aside.
What lay underneath was dried blood, right under his eye. The eye was forced shut, sensitive to the air probably. He looked rough, beaten, and put out of commission. Akaza almost felt bad. Almost. The demon merely sat back on his legs, putting his hands neatly on his own thighs.
“A real shame to see you in such a state, Kyojuro.” Kyojuro didn't know when, but Akaza had moved from standing beside him to merely sitting by him on the mattress. “You should become a demon, spare yourself from this hell.” Akaza's tone was suddenly light and sultry. As if trying to convince him to turn.
Rengoku didn't–couldn't speak. His mind was elsewhere, somewhere distant. That didn't satisfy the demon as his expression shifted from amused to something unreadable. That made Kyojuro squirm from where he laid. If he couldn't read Akaza's facial expressions, he wouldn't know how unpredictable he was going to get.
“I-I won't become a demon.” Kyojuro spit out, his expression twisting into a scowl as the demon dared to ask that very questioned before he beat Kyojuro into a pulp.
Akaza's lips twitched as if he was fighting a grin. He leaned forward, getting into Rengoku's personal space. “When can you start holding a sword again, Kyojuro?” His tone held something that Kyojuro could not decipher. Promptly ignoring his previous words. Akaza had positioned his body so that he was hovering slightly over the injured man. The only thing holding him up were his palms pressed against the soft surface. Each of his hands was on one side of Rengoku's head, leaning above him.
Kyojuro couldn't bring himself to speak for the second time in this short meeting. His throat felt dry, and no words came out of his mouth no matter how hard he tried. One hand, his left, came up to push at the demon's chest. Which felt firm to the touch. Rengoku faltered at that simple thought.
Akaza shot him a grin, all teeth, showing off his sharp incisors as he flashed them at Kyojuro. The hashira shuddered when he saw them.
“Something wrong, Kyojuro?” Akaza all but purred, his expression now feigning concern. “Are you breaking out in a fever? You're warm all of a sudden.” The demon eventually spared him the torture, climbing off him with ease.
Rengoku sat up instantly. He needed to say something. At least. He couldn't let the demon go without saying a word.
Kyojuro bit the inside of his cheek as he weighed the pros and cons of talking to the creature in front of him. Then he sucked it up and forced something out.
“W-ah... what...are- you doing...here?” Rengoku nearly coughed after finishing that sentence. It put too much strain on his body and vocal cords that were still healing.
However, Akaza did not complain. Instead, he looked endeared by that question alone. Akaza was quick to stand once more, on Kyojuro's right when he drifted his eyes up and down Kyojuro's form, then stopped right back at his face.
Akaza reached out a hand, and three ink-dipped fingers landed onto his chest, right above his heart. His heart rate spiked, either with fear or unwanted excitement. Rengoku sucked in a breath, deciding not to entertain Akaza by letting him know he was affected by this.
The demon seemed to take his time in answering his previous question before he leaned in close, their nose brushing together. Rengoku did not have the willpower to back away.
“To fight you again, Kyojuro.” Akaza gave him his answer, then backed away as quickly as he came. “You were magnificent. A beautiful fighter. Even if you were lacking in some categories.” Akaza pressed a finger into his chest, making Kyojuro wince.
Rengoku was really confused. Akaza injured him severely even though he wanted to fight him again? What was wrong with him? Was there some hidden meaning that Kyojuro did not understand? He was sure he didn't get another tone from his words, Akaza seemed truthful.
Kyojuro swallowed, Akaza's intentions flooded his mind, wondering what he really wanted. Akaza stood there in crisp silence. He didn't breathe. He didn't speak nor move. Even if Rengoku wasn't looking at him, the movement that came from Akaza was obvious. The clinking of his anklets was the obvious part.
“W-Why...?” Kyojuro choked out. Akaza didn't give him an answer straight away, just staring right into Kyojuro's own eye, which made him squirm.
Then Akaza clicked his tongue after a while, backing off temporarily. “Because I want to see you fight.” Akaza paused then added; “Even if you won't fight the same way ever again.”
Kyojuro didn't react to his words. He knew it was true. With the amount of injuries he sufficed, he won't fight like he did with two eyes intact. Akaza smiled once more, satisfied that Kyojuro had seen his point. Somewhat.
When Kyojuro did not reply for a second time, Akaza scoffed and turned to the window. “See you later, Kyojuro.” The demon cooed before pushing himself up and out the window.
Later. Not tomorrow.
Rengoku couldn't shake that thought off, Akaza was lurking around for God knows how long. And he got past the wisteria trees. It wasn't like he thought it was strong enough to keep every demon away. Just reroute them. Akaza didn't seem affected by them, but Kyojuro could smell them on him.
Kyojuro deemed that Akaza wouldn't return for quite some time. Though, he was slightly suspicious of how Kocho did not react to his presence. Did Akaza find a way to turn off his demonic presence? Rengoku realized that even he didn't know Akaza was there. Not until he heard faint movement. So, Akaza had the ability to tone down his demonic aura.
Rengoku let out a shaky sigh. He had to sleep for now, then he'll tell Kocho in the morning and figure out this situation then. Kyojuro had to get some sleep. He didn't know if Akaza was still lingering, if he could sense him or not. Unfortunately, Akaza had to be good at many things.
Akaza did not return. He didn't return for a long time. Kyojuro was confident the Upper Moon had fallen. Rengoku was eventually dispatched to go back home after his lengthy stay in the butterfly mansion.
He hated to be a burden, but now he was an even bigger burden to his brother and father. Rengoku hated that. Senjuro already had to take care of their father. He would hate to bother him even more.
Rengoku was in his room. His ribs had healed somewhat, so he was able to ease up on the bandages. Kocho had also told him that he could take off the bandage on his eye if he wanted. He refused. He couldn't stand it out in the open. It throbbed and burned, so he insisted for it to stay on. Kocho had left him alone about that.
He was resting, or so he thought. There was a knock on the shoji doors that connected from his room to the hallway. Rengoku sat up faster than he would like, putting pressure on his ribs. The pillar hissed in pain, but he managed to muster up a response to the knock.
“Come in–!” His voice sounded less strained, his vocal cords had healed enough for him to talk.
Who walked through the shoji was his little brother, Senjuro. He had this expression of something borderlining pity. He also held a tray that possibly contained his dinner. Ah, right. He had missed dinner because he failed to get up in time.
Senjuro set the tray down, giving Kyojuro a sheepish smile. “Hi, Aniki. You missed dinner,” Senjuro informed him, Kyojuro looked down at the bowl of sweet potato miso soup that Kyojuro almost drooled at. Saliva pooling in his mouth as if he hadn't eaten in ages. Personally, the sweet potato miso soup, one of his favorites. Senjuro knew that as well. Kyojuro found it impressive that Senjuro could read him quite well.
He spent his entire life around Kyojuro anyway, so he wasn't that surprised. “Thank you, Senjuro!” Rengoku took the tray with a smile.
Rengoku felt the flare of a demonic presence that made him freeze. A demonic presence and killing intent. Kyojuro looked up towards the shoji doors that led to outside, then back towards his little brother.
He decided not to entertain the very irritated demon that was only a few feet away. He smiled at his brother but did not take a bite of his food yet. “How was Father? Did he come out for dinner as well?” He asked.
Senjuro let out a laugh, something close to embarrassment, Kyojuro couldn't tell. Senjuro looked down, putting his hands on his thighs.
“Ah well... No, he stayed in his room.” Senjuro informed, then bit the bottom of his lip, contemplating if he should tell Kyojuro something. In the end, he didn't. “I left it by his room, though. So, we should see if he'll eat soon.” Senjuro said, his eyes falling back towards where the open shoji was.
Kyojuro let out a thoughtful hum. It was interesting to know that his father, a former pillar, had fallen so low. Kyojuro only masked it with a smile, afraid to scare his brother anymore. “I see! Hopefully, he eats and takes care of himself! I'm getting quite worried!” Kyojuro barked a laugh, and Senjuro let out a small one in return.
"I know, Aniki. I'll make sure he eats something." Senjure assured, sending another polite smile his way before gathering himself and retreating out of his room.
Kyojuro gave a small wave before double-checking that Senjuro was really gone. He liked to linger sometimes. Just to make sure he ate. Kyojuro deemed it safe before he stood abruptly and stormed over to the shoji doors. He slammed them open, and Akaza tumbled in, surprise written all over his face before the demon masked it once more.
The hashira looked at the demon who was pathetically on the floor, which almost made his lips quirk up into a smile at the sight. He shut that thought down immediately.
“What are you doing?!” Kyojuro hissed out, grabbed the demons bicep, and forced him to stand upwards. Akaza let out a hiss, that killing intent that Kyojuro sensed earlier disappeared completely. He felt conflicted because that meant that Akaza had no killing intent towards him. But why? He was a hashira, Akaza was a demon. Both ordered to kill one another.
Akaza swatted at Kyojuro's hands, eventually forcing the pillar to release his hold on him “I'm visiting you. What does it look like?” The demon growled out, dusting off his pants as if they were dirty. They weren't. They were white as snow. Kyojuro seriously wondered about the upkeep he had to do for them to maintain that way.
Kyojuro immediately shook his head. “You know what I mean!” He exclaimed, but Akaza feigned innocence, tilting his head like a curious kitten one might say. Rengoku nearly growled, but he held his composure. “You had killing intent, now it's suddenly gone!”
Akaza looked at Kyojuro in genuine confusion before it dawned on him. “The smaller one. His fighting spirit was so weak that I could hardly sense it!” He jabbed a finger in Kyojuro's general direction, the latter sneered in response.
Kyojuro was close to just taking out his sword and slice his head off his shoulders already. Rengoku did not know why he didn't just do it already. Sparing both of them the trouble. “Keep your vile tendencies away from my family.” Kyojuro snarled, baring his blunt teeth.
Akaza did not say a word. He grinned at Kyojuro before taking a step forward. “Don't worry about it, Kyojuro. I won't lay a finger on a hair on that weak boy's head.” The demon nearly purred, something that sounded close to the feline-like sound but nothing exact. Could Akaza not sense his father's "fighting spirit".
He supposed that Shinjuro had lost that years ago. But shouldn't Akaza still be able to sense it?
The flame pillar couldn't believe Akaza's words. He didn't want to, and he certainly did not want the demon near his family for any second longer. Kyojuro let out a breath he failed to know he was holding before lifting his head to look at Akaza again. The demon seemed mildly amused and looked as if he were waiting for something.
“What do you want–” he was about to groan in annoyance before he was very rudely interrupted.
“Become a demon, Kyojuro.” Was that inevitable question. Kyojuro easily lapsed into silence, staring at Akaza as if he suddenly grew two heads.
Kyojuro then snapped out of it, a smile easing onto his features so well it looked natural. “My answer is still no, Akaza! It will never change!” Rengoku exclaimed.
The demon spared him a glance. “We'll see,” Akaza then retreated to look around his room, hoping to find something interesting and worth seeing.
Rengoku frowned at the demon's words. Akaza was lucky that Kaname failed to show up tonight. Senjuro had informed him that the crow had temporarily stayed at the Ubuyashiki mansion. He was glad his companion had found somewhere to stay and was not lost. Even though that was rare for a kasugai crow.
Kyojuro ended up following Akaza, his eyes burning into the back of the demons skull. If Akaza noticed the staring, he clearly didn't point it out, just observing the room. His eyes lingered on his sword that was put up against the wall. Then Akaza turned to face him again.
“Are you healed?” Akaza questioned, tilting his head. That expression made Kyojuro weak in his knees, but he masked it with a forced smile.
Rengoku shook his head. “You can't tell? I'm still not able to pick up my sword for a couple of days.” He reminded, moving closer to where his sword was perched.
There was a moment of silence, and Akaza watched Kyojuro with another unreadable expression. It made Kyojuro almost sweat with nervousness.
The demon moved closer, his eyes stuck on the bandages around his torso, secure but not too tight. Something so his ribs would heal. Akaza hummed and then stepped right into Kyojuro's personal space, again. Akaza really had no sense of it, did he?
His hand shot out and gripped his yukuta, his golden eyes flicked over his injured person, his lips lifting into a grin.
“Red suits you, Kyojuro.” He preened, Kyojuro attempted to wiggle out of his hold without making his injuries worse. Akaza then gripped his clothing tighter, his fingers digging into the fabric. “I can't wait to fight you again.”
Eventually, Kyojuro managed to worm his way out of Akaza's hold and slapped his hands away. Kyojuro adjusted his yukuta and glared at the demon.
“You need to go, Akaza.” Kyojuro insisted, glaring back up at the cursed figure in front of him. Akaza just raised his hands in mock surrender. “You can't stay here–” as Kyojuro was about to usher Akaza out, the shoji was slammed open, revealing a taller frame, with familiar blonde hair with red tips. Same as Kyojuro. He had a rougher look to him, angrier eyes and some scruff of a beard.
Kyojuro froze. Normally, his father wouldn't get up in any circumstance unless it was to protect his family. Kyojuro's eyes fell to the sword that was in his father's hand. His grip on it was tight, preparing to swing even in his drunken stupor.
Shinjuro's eyes widened as he took in the sight. There was no demon. The presence had suddenly vanished. His eyes landed onto the black haired male standing right next to his son.
“Kyojuro... who is that.” His voice was rough sounding and scratchy, as if he just woke up. Which he possibly had.
The pillar instantly whirled around to face the other. Akaza? In the same clothes that Akaza wore. His haori down to his momohiki pants. The young man couldn't have been older than eighteen. His tattoos had vanished from his face, arms, and torso. Black hair had replaced the fuchsia pink, and blue crystalline eyes that were mixed with gold, framed by pale pink eyelashes, stared back at him. It reminded him of fireworks.
Kyojuro blinked in bewilderment before he tugged Akaza closer, looping an arm around him. “This is... uh...”
“Hakuji Soyama, sir.” Akaza–or Hakuji, thankfully interrupted. Akaza did not know where he had gotten that name. It just came to him like a moth attracted to a flame.
Shinjuro looked in suspicion, but thankfully, his grip loosened on the sword. “Right... what is your relationship with my son?” He didn't sound accusing, just wary. Kyojuro glanced at Akaza before clearing his throat.
“He's a fellow slayer, father! He had heard what happened to me after my encounter with Upper Three and wanted to see if I was doing alright!” The lie slipped past his tongue, Kyojuro internally winced, he hated lying with every fiber of his being. Akaza curtly nodded at his words. That was kind of true.
Shinjuro looked between the two boys again before eventually stepping back. “Be careful. I sensed a strong demonic presence.” Shinjuro scratched under his chin before he retreated out into the hallway, shutting the shoji door behind him.
The breath Kyojuro let out after his father left was something akin to a sigh. The pillar turned to face the demon. He also noticed that the kanji seemed to be completely gone. “Akaza?” He questioned, as if the demon was not still in his body.
Akaza looked back at Kyojuro, an eyebrow raised as he silently asked what he wanted. Kyojuro grabbed the demons shoulders and shook him, not too roughly but enough to make the demon come to his senses.
“Why didn't you tell me you could do that?!” Kyojuro hissed, removing his hands from his shoulders as he glared at Akaza.
The kizuki merely shrugged,his expression now screaming bored. “I just didn't think it was necessary.” Akaza said as if that explained literally everything he just did!
Kyojuro was about to punch Akaza straight in the face. If he was able to, he composed himself quickly. “Who's Hakuji?” Changing the subject to something else rather than the fact that Akaza could hide his appearance and demonic presence well.
It didn't go unnoticed that Akaza visably stiffened at his words, looking anywhere but the pillar. “I don't know. Some name I came up with.” Ink bled into his skin once more, his eyes turning more gold as the kanji wrote itself into his irses.
The hashira wasn't convinced, looking at Akaza with suspicion. Black faded into pink as Akaza glared right back at him. “I don't believe you,” He accused, and rightfully so. That name couldn't be just a coincidence.
Turning around to head back outside, Akaza did not say anything else to Kyojuro momentarily. “See you later, Kyojuro.” Akaza then promptly exited his room and out to nothingness.
Kyojuro stood there, conflicted. He just wandered who Hakuji was. Was Hakuji the same demon who nearly punched a hole straight through him?
His now missing eye throbbed at the memory. Kyojuro hissed in pain and then laid himself onto his futon, closing his eye, and he'll ask Akaza, who Hakuji was the next time they met.