sticksandbones IC Inbox

[bluebasketballed]

powers nerfed & gained
❆ - superhuman strength: nerfed to the point he couldn't destroy, like, a building in one hit, but even hakuji as a human could punch people's bones apart so good luck!
❆ - self healing: nerfed from instant to delayed 5-10 minutes.
❆ + conditional sunlight immunity: an enchanted anklet that nullifies the harmful effects of sunlight and sun-based magic so long as he is wearing it.

deaths & resurrection prices
none..... YET

other permanent changes
❆ scarring - november 2025: a solid scar the width of his fist at the crux of his ribcage and at the same height on his back, implying impalement. any sensation to this scar, including pain, is shared with kyojuro.


weasel's note: akaza's handwriting is the very sad and choppy scrawl of a man who barely knows how to write. the netbook is just polite enough to make it legible. i just type it in all lowercase bc i'm too lazy to pick out the spelling/handwriting mistakes. thank u for your understanding. i'm having fun now thx

he lives at the inn, the room next to kyojuro's. his window is boarded up from the inside. it is very dark in there. mentitycave

he lives at the soryu dojo south of the river, in koyuki's old room. he offers unarmed self-defense training at the dojo.


plotting contact: PM // discord @ fuckweasel

Comments

inventory

[bluebasketballed]

❆ knitting needles and yarn

❆ one [1] sealed Private Selection™ premium quality cut of human flesh

Probs like a day or two after their last talk

[tempurahair]

[There is a long moment where Kyojuro can only stare. Some of the scene doesn't make sense — for his mother to be beside his aged brother means that something is wrong. A Blood Demon Art is the most reasonable conclusion, which means the most reasonable action is to strike out. If he can kill the demons before they bewitch him further, it will be all the better.

Predictably, the scene vanishes the second Kyojuro steps into it. Unfortunately for him, he's thrown so much force into the blow — fourth form to handle the multiple targets — that by the time reality sets in, he's already sunk his blade into the tree. The resounding metallic thunk is powerful enough to break the delicate gold sword, sending the blade hurtling deeper into the woods.

He doesn't realize that he'd been roaring his fury until his lungs tell him they're out of breath. He draws in a breath, steady as ever, then grits his teeth as he turns one way, then the other. His family, and the presumed demons, are gone. He is, at least as far as he's aware, entirely alone.

The question is: how long will that last? The gout of flame, the sound of impact, and the snarl from his own throat, were sure to draw something to him.]

[bluebasketballed]

[akaza had done as kyojuro suggested, and found himself a sanctuary to hole up in during the daylight hours. the quiet proved to be a problem when he heard a voice echo through his very core, the same as muzan's would when he disciplined his precious kizuki.

he is a fool, but he also is not. pacing up and down his room the entire day hadn't relieved his deep desire to follow the voice's instructions, even knowing it was just honey luring him to a trap like an insect. it was right, in one aspect he can't deny; his heart is wounded, and he hasn't gotten the reprieve he expected.

after the sun sets, his feet carry him into the trees without his consent. perhaps he would make it all the way to the specified location, if not for that roar. he knows that shout, and every vein in his body is set alight with fury at the mere concept of another harming his prey.

in seconds, he's sprinted across the undergrowth, ready to pummel into dust whatever is picking a fight with kyojuro -- and he skids to a halt when all he finds is the slayer with a broken sword in a tree. his brows pull down as he straightens up.]

Is this some sort of training?

[tempurahair]

[In one moment, he feels nothing. In the next, his senses blaze with the presence of a demon. He whips around, broken sword head aloft as he prepares for the carnival workers to begin their assault. When he finds those golden eyes staring back at him however, a hush falls over his soul.

The last time they spent any time with one another, Kyojuro was close to an open book. This time, the cover of his pages is tightly bound shut. There is no flame when he speaks. His words are nearly as stiff as his shoulders are when he turns partially away from Akaza, moving back toward the Grove.

It's a wonder he doesn't speak through gritted teeth.]

It is nothing.

[As he walks, he gives a miserable glance toward his ruined weapon. Something was going to need to be done about that.]

After Bar Log

[tempurahair]

[At Akaza's suggestion, Kyojuro finally decides to head to the sibling shopkeeper, in hopes of finding an acceptable sword. Or, well, that's his consolation prize. But he's heard tale of the strange and wonderful magics that can be woven by the denizens of this town, and so he asks — begs perhaps — for something better.

For his blade to be made whole.

The proper weight of his Nichirin sword has been sorely missed. It takes everything in his power to leave the building before he draws it once more. Black metal turns red once more, and Kyojuro can't help but suck in a breath as he watches it.

A few experimental swings are taken, and followed up with by a faint, downward tug of the lips. His muscles feel strangely tight, and isn't that just a bothersome thought. It will much training for him to reach his former level. He already knows this.

And he knows just where to go to begin the process.

Like always, the tug of his honed senses take Kyojuro to Akaza. It's late enough that the demon has emerged from indoors, now standing at the edge of the woods. He's distracted, and Kyojuro decides to use that to his advantage.

His breath takes the shape of first form, while Kyojuro's body dips downward. There's no doubt in his mind that he's already been detected. He expected as much. Which is why he decides to maintain what little surprise he can. Surely Akaza thinks Kyojuro will go for the head. Which is precisely why he makes a low strike, aimed at Akaza's ankles.]

[bluebasketballed]

[it's true that akaza spends the first hours of the darkness patrolling the boundaries of the town, scanning the forest for any movement besides that of the circusfolk. "distracted" might be a bit of a stretch, given that his attention can be in multiple places at once. but he doesn't react until kyojuro moves in close, both to encourage him and to make it more interesting for himself.

really, the former hashira has been almost friendly with him lately, and he doesn't actually expect an attack to the head -- but he isn't sure what that leaves.

when the sword swings, he feels heat approaching from near the ground. faster than a human can blink, he jumps, tucking his legs close to his torso and whirling around midair to face kyojuro. that manic smile has once again overtaken his face, the cells in his body that scream for battle beginning to sing.]

Kyojuro! You found some nichirin after all!

[tempurahair]

And yet you're worried about keeping me alive! You like it!

[At least he's finally closing his eyes. Shudda fuqup]

Good night, Akaza!

[bluebasketballed]

[kyojuro you're so goddamn lucky this manlet grew a conscience since you died]

[tempurahair]

[It actually takes a fair bit of time for Kyojuro to return to his room. He does a lap around the village — not at a sprint, but more a meandering route that eventually spits him right back out at the inn. He almost doesn't want to go in, doesn't want to be alone with his thoughts. And if there's a true testament to his current turmoil, it's the fact that he bypasses the kitchen without a second glance.

He isn't sure why he doesn't detect Akaza's presence until he's entered the room. Probably some combination of distraction and familiarity. He doesn't have time to really think about that, though. Not when he knows Akaza will demand answers. That he'll have to talk about what's roiling around in his head sooner, rather than later.]

So much for trying to sleep.

[That's probably another hint to Akaza that things didn't go well. Kyojuro's volume is nowhere near what it might usually be.]

[bluebasketballed]

[because the sun has since risen, akaza keeps to a corner of the room that won't see sunlight until the afternoon. thankfully, it's where kyojuro can see him immediately upon entering, so he doesn't startle the man.

his expectation was... not this. he wasn't sure, really, but not this. kyojuro looks downright pathetic. he isn't bleeding, doesn't appear to be in excessive pain... and if he was angry, surely he'd show it, kick akaza out. what the hell...]

What happened? [did the healers turn him away? could that be it?]

After Spin the Bottle

[unheiring]

[Sooo, maybe Luca feels a little bad about chasing the basketball guy off. He'd seemed awfully worked up, and even if Luca doesn't know him personally, he can't help but feel a little concerned about the impression he might have given off.

It takes some searching to find the room — namely finding where the blond man that had "accompanied" him. From there it's a matter of knocking on the doors nearby. Luca gets the feeling that his new "friend" won't be terribly far away.

He doesn't come with anything. He'd thought about bringing food but... he gets the feeling that wouldn't be terribly well received.]

[bluebasketballed]

[... well, luca certainly does catch him in his room. akaza can tell it's the bartender without even opening the door. for a moment, he debates not even answering... that whole thing was awkward and humiliating and what exactly did he mean by that and ugh.

fine, he walks over and opens the door with a forced neutral face. his room is dark as fuck, only the ambient lighting of the hall illuminating anything. the window is boarded up from the inside, and the sheet from the bed is a makeshift curtain pulled over most of it.

"what do you want" is too rude, "can i help you" is too generous. help.]

... Hello?

After Akaza's Gift

[tempurahair]

[Less than 24 hours after the plant was set at Kyojuro's door, Akaza will hear a sound outside his own. It's late enough in the day that the sun his well outside of the hallway, which means the slayer is... largely certain that the demon will be moving around soon.

Really, he'd thought about returning the favor — dropping his gift and running. Unfortunately, this all takes a touch of explanation. And so Kyojuro finds himself with a box braced on one hip, while he uses his free hand to knock at the door. After a moment, he adds:]

It is safe out here!

[bluebasketballed]

[the hesitation he had to answer the bartender guy earlier? gone. for kyojuro, that door opens in about half a second, regardless of where akaza was in the room to begin with.

... box.]

What is that about?

Still During Bedrest Times

[tempurahair]

[Is Kyojuro still supposed to be on bedrest? Arguably, yes. The problem is that he's hungry, you see. And while he can detect Akaza's presence nearby, he's certainly not within shouting distance. Besides, after several days of favors, he's beginning to feel a little guilty relying on so many people.

Besides, what's a walk down to the kitchen going to hurt. He'll simply run (no, walk, Joshua would be cross if he ran) down to the kitchen, grab a few (hundred) things to eat, and be back before anyone is any wiser!

It's a foolproof plan! Certainly nothing will go wrong here.]

[bluebasketballed]

[that would all be well and good, except for the fact that the moment kyojuro enters the kitchen, he'll see a familiar pink head over the stove. there's various paper-wrapped packages on the counter, and a giant pot of rice cooking on the stove. at least today, it looks like he has the right ratio of water to rice?

his face is not so pleasant, though. when he turns around, it's with bared teeth. he nods sharply to the nearest chair.]

Sit.

Late October//Early November

[tempurahair]

[Kyojuro has made no secret of his ramped up training of late. Though he did strain himself a bit more than recommended while in Roseroot, by and large he came out of the city relatively unscathed. The wounds from the circus have all but healed up (thanks in no small part to the Aloe that he tends to near religiously, he's sure), and even the scar on his chest feels significantly less bothersome.


After roughly a week of basic training and conditioning, though, Kyojuro feels like he's finally ready for a proper challenge. Which is why, the second the moon goes down, he's tapping on Akaza's door, shifting back and forth on his feet from unspent energy. His fighting spirit is running both high and hot, but in a way that begets a challenge, rather than a reaction to a threat.]

Akaza! It is time!

[bluebasketballed]

[naturally, akaza recognizes the approaching footsteps long before they arrive, and he's already standing to meet them. a shudder runs up his spine before the flaring spirit even registers on his compass, and he can't so much as restrain the too-wide, fanged smile on his face when he whips the door open.]

You're ready? Tonight? You promise? [he probably shouldn't be quite so excited for the chance to beat the shit out of each other, but the least he can do is make sure kyojuro is able-bodied first. it wouldn't do to upset his wounds. yet even as he asks, akaza's eyes dart behind him, to the exterior door already opened to the courtyard. he's ready to go the moment kyojuro gives him the okay.]

After Shinobu

[tempurahair]

[Kyojuro does not immediately go to Akaza. He lingers with Shinobu for however long he can. Whether she falls asleep or sends him away, though, he will eventually depart the clinic. At first he is listless, jogging around the Grove as he tries to sort his thoughts out. Perhaps some part of him wonders if someone else might yet appear in the woods.

But eventually, he allows his senses to drift outward. It doesn't take long until he finds the shiver of a demonic presence. His body gravitates toward, unconsciously or otherwise. Does he realize he's covered in both shed and coughed up blood? Maybe not.

Oh well.]

[bluebasketballed]

[kyojuro hadn't been at home, last akaza checked, so he figures the next best thing is waiting just north of the river, where he'll see the man should he head back this way.

it takes a while, but the labor bears fruit. akaza smells the insect breather's blood just as he sees kyojuro approach, and although her scent is different, it still startles him to catch at the same time. he hurries to kyojuro, looking him over and breathing in deep as if searching for wounds of his own, and only settles himself when he's satisfied that kyojuro is uninjured.

he reaches for the man in concern, out of a desire to comfort, but... catches himself. this slayer is the angriest yet. would she have made kyojuro realize that he'd crossed a line with akaza...? the idea of causing him shame makes akaza retract his hand and avert his eyes.]

... I see you've met your friend. Are her wounds being tended to?

[tempurahair]

[Is it days that pass? Or simply hours? Does it really matter, in a place that no longer experiences light? The point is, eventually, wherever Akaza has hunkered down or made his stand, a crow begins flying overhead. Its cawing undoubtedly attracts more woodcrawlers, likely a problem considering the fact that he drops a rolled piece of paper for Akaza.]

It is not the demon in you that causes me such grief, but the humanity you wish to prove, despite all detriment.

[Take of that what you will, Akaza! Respond, traipse to his door, what have you.]

1/2

[bluebasketballed]

[as soon as he's aware of kaname's presence above, akaza finds himself stricken with relief and a new wave of rage simultaneously. nonetheless, between squishing bugs, he makes the effort to pick up and read the note.

there's a long moment before he crumples the paper in his hand and shoots a glare at the bird, waving it off. kyojuro isn't getting a written response from him, and akaza doesn't follow the crow back to the inn.]

2/2

[bluebasketballed]

[he stays out, crushing whatever iris-borne creatures still lurk in the area. when there's finally a lull, akaza is... really, far too covered in gore to feel good about entering the inn whatsoever. at least, not before he takes a dunk in the bathhouse.

... being unable to shapeshift and clean his clothes that way is its own can of woodcrawlers, but he'd rather drag in some relatively clean water than guts, so... caution: wet floor, from the main inn door all the way up the stairs to kyojuro's room. mr. wet rat himself doesn't bother knocking, so much as posting up outside the door as he had when they'd first arrived.

if kyojuro really wants to talk, he'll let akaza in.]

on what is presumably valentine's day

[lilyberation]

( wherever akaza has been staying, at some point this day there's a gift waiting- two, actually! both are soft blankets, but one is a large plush quilt with pinks and blues and the other is a knit blanket of a soft green color.

it smells of lilies. )

screaming crying etc

[bluebasketballed]

[akaza has zero context for any modern holidays, so the gift is entirely unexpected. and disregarding the unnatural stint in roseroot, he hasn't slept a day in a few hundred years. even so, of course he knows what a blanket is, he just hasn't had any reason to need or use one in forever. now he suddenly has two.

the quilt has the intended effect of drawing him in immediately, and he wraps it around his shoulders without needing to even think about it. the green one he holds close to himself and breathes in, which tells him beyond a doubt whom his benefactor is. between the familiar colors of one and the familiar scent of the other, the comfort they provide runs far deeper than his skin, to his very core. and yet, despite all of this, his eyes sting.

lily had only just tried to explain to him the concept of "cozy." all at once, akaza understands.]