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

[tempurahair]

[The grip that takes hold of Akaza's hand is firm, a reminder of Kyojuro's own strength. It is not a threat, however, but a promise. He will get stronger, though not to defeat Akaza. He will get stronger because he wants to — to stand by his side and protect those within this village together.

Determination makes his heart beat all the stronger. Or at least that's what he thinks it is.]

I knew from the moment I met him, he would be incredible. His sword may not have changed color, but he possessed a strength of will that was unlike any other. [When he laughs, it's almost wry sounding.] To think I thought I would have anything to teach him. No, Kamado was more than capable of finding his strength on his own.

[And without any hatred... Kyojuro can only shake his head in sheer amazement.]

It must have been a sight to behold.

[bluebasketballed]

[even in his current state, far from his best, kyojuro's power, physical and mental, shines through. he doesn't shy away from touching akaza, and doesn't think to hold back when he does. no, this isn't what the demon pictured all that time ago. it's far better.]

Don't doubt yourself. It was clear to me that he held you in the highest regard.

[akaza closes his eyes and winces as if in pain. then his face eases, and for a moment, he appears almost peaceful.]

You protected the younger generation so that they could surpass the previous, and in turn, protect the rest of humanity.

[his hand squeezes kyojuro's firmly before he releases it and looks up at him again.]

He was magnificent.

[tempurahair]

[It is all he could ever want. Despite his weakness, his doubt — despite the words of his own father — Kyojuro had left his mark. Even if he was not there in those final moments, he could still feel a sense of pride. His words had, apparently, struck true. Tanjiro had set his heart ablaze, and the world would be changed as a result.]

Thank you. For telling me that.

[The absence of Akaza's hand feels... almost like a loss. He glances down at where their fingers had only just been connected, briefly curious about the thought, before tucking it away like everything else. He settles back down once more, arms carefully wrapped about his chest.]

Whatever happened in those final moments, I am glad his kindness was able to reach you. Even if I am having to eat my words, in the end. [Kyojuro Rengoku doesn't smirk by nature, but gods does he come close in that moment.] I think I quite like you, you see.

[bluebasketballed]

[oh, that look on his face is priceless. akaza laughs, and the sound of it is distinctly human.

it may be a bit forward of him to take his own seat on the bed, but akaza has never been one to understand personal space. to be fair, he isn't right next to kyojuro, but around the corner of the bed. in arm's reach, but not overly friendly.]

I won't claim to understand why [dude he literally just explained to you why like 20 minutes ago] but even so, I'm glad to make the cut.

You were right, you know, beside the train. Strength is not only physical. I didn't understand it then, but I've come to quite appreciate that strength of character that you and Tanjiro both share. Maybe as you nurse and then retrain your body, I can do the same for my spirit.

[tempurahair]

[Akaza moves, and Kyojuro's posture adjusts accordingly. It's a gesture without a thought behind it, no different than a planet orbiting a sun. The rigidity of a Hashira swiftly melts away, becoming all loose limbs and casual posture. Never mind the loose, if slightly amused, grin that he offers Akaza.]

Would you like for me to repeat my speech earlier? I admit, I spoke from the heart, so I may not remember all of the words.

[Amusement bleeds into something more thoughtful. A hum escapes Kyojuro. The mere concept warms him in a way he doesn't dare to consider, much less name.]

Seems we have much to teach one another then. Though I admit, your task is a much more difficult one! Finding something to fight for to the last breath is a difficult task. [He lifts a brow.] Shall we make it a challenge, then? The first to reach their destination is the winner!

[bluebasketballed]

That won't be necessary.

[the way it made his eyes sting isn't something akaza wants to repeat, even if the words themselves were kind. he isn't ready for that kind of vulnerability.]

That doesn't seem very fair to you. You have a strict timeline that will last a while, and I could make up a reason on the spot just to win immediately!

[tempurahair]

You wouldn't do that! You have become an honorable man, haven't you? And even if not, I do know you love your challenges. You will face me head on!

[Punctuated, of course, by that ever boisterous laugh.]

We are meant to challenge each other to greater heights, no? So why not a wager?

[bluebasketballed]

[that ridiculous laugh only makes the smirk on akaza's face widen. admittedly, it helps that it isn't aimed directly into his face or ears.]

You're right about the latter, at least. I don't even need a wager, but I'll hear you out.

[tempurahair]

[He blinks once.

Then twice.

And promptly bursts into ever louder laughter.]

To be honest, I didn't think this far ahead!

[bluebasketballed]

[ugh. only akaza's battle-crazed laugh could rival that, but this comes close.

so long as they're joking around...]

Winner gets to take a bite out of the loser?

[tempurahair]

[Buffering.

Buffering.

Buffer-]

BWAHAHAHA, it's a deal! I quite look forward to seeing how you taste, Akaza!

gag

[bluebasketballed]

🏳️‍🌈?

[bluebasketballed]

You believe in me so little? How hurtful, Kyojuro, truly!

[tempurahair]

Oh, fear not! I do believe in you and your abilities! I just believe in myself that much more! Until you learn to set your heart ablaze, you will not be able to compete on my level!

[bluebasketballed]

[and he's laughing again. this one does have that special little manic touch.]

What does that even mean?

[tempurahair]

[Once the laughter subsides, Kyojuro actually sobers in the slightest. If he's serious about guiding Akaza on this little journey, then dispensing actual advice might not be a terrible idea. Or at least, as "actual" as any advice Kyojuro can give.]

It means telling your heart to carry on, even when your mind insists you are not enough. Time waits not for a troubled mind. You must move forward, always. [And knowing that Akaza might surely argue back, or tease in that little way of his, he adds:] I said much the same to Kamado before I passed on. And I suspect those words are what carried him onward to face you.

[bluebasketballed]

[on the contrary, because kyojuro responds earnestly, so too does akaza listen. he can't even argue, because... it's true. the world, the passage of time... the little concerns of humans, or even demons, mean absolutely nothing to these forces.]

I guess I'll just have to learn, then. [his smile fades, regardless of whether kyojuro can see it in their positions.] I wasn't very good at that, before -- even if I had a good teacher, then, too. Hopefully, I can do better this time around.

[tempurahair]

[Oh, no. Kyojuro absolutely shifted enough to be able to watch Akaza's face. They're talking as equals, after all. He won't disrespect the open honesty by offering only his shoulder in response.]

You will. It may take time. I suspect you will get beaten down more than once along the way. [Not that he hasn't been already but. You know. Point.] But you will find a way. You are far too determined, not to.

[And there it is, another stray feather to pluck. Kyojuro pauses, briefly doubting if it's the right time, or perhaps too soon to press the matter. He settles, in the end, to leave the ball in Akaza's court.]

Your teacher. Will you tell me about him one day?

[bluebasketballed]

[tanjiro aside, akaza... hakuji was no stranger to getting beaten down on the path to improvement. and kyojuro is right -- he's too stubborn to give up.

out of the corner of his eye, akaza appraises kyojuro. the man has been very open with him, and very understanding today in particular. they've laughed together, praised one another. could it really hurt...?]

I can, if you'd like.

[tempurahair]

[Kyojuro leans forward, elbows bracing on his knees. He rests his chin in his palms, likewise studying his companion. There's no tension in that form, at the very least. It's a good sign, but...]

The decision is yours, Akaza. Call it your first test of spirit — listening to yourself and knowing what you truly want.

[bluebasketballed]

[well, that isn't very fair of kyojuro! making it into a challenge... that said, akaza doesn't feel pressured. it came up naturally, and... when he thinks about it, talking about the people he lost will ensure that he isn't the only one who remembers and honors them, all these years later.

he looks straight ahead, not specifically to avoid kyojuro, but because he can still see it in his mind.]

I was... about Tanjiro's age. Already branded a criminal, living on the streets, picking fights everywhere I went. I usually won, but -- Master Soyama probably saved my life by beating my ass and dragging me to his dojo. Violence was the only language I understood, and he taught me how to channel it into bettering myself instead of looking for trouble.

[tempurahair]

[Kyojuro always has an intense gaze, no one is surprised by this. But man, does it get all the worse when he's actively listening, hanging on to every word of a story he wasn't sure he'd ever get to hear. He can't say he's surprised to know that Akaza was always a hellion, but that doesn't keep his heart from aching. To be so young...]

I often forget how privileged my own upbringing was. I cannot imagine the circumstance that would lead you to such a life at that age. [He doesn't say it as an attempt to pry, only an observation.] This Master Soyama seems a good man. Talented at that.

I take it that whatever raw skills you possessed were honed to precision by him?

[bluebasketballed]

[despite himself, akaza finds his lips pulling into a smirk.]

Now you understand why I said I'd still have beaten your face in.

[he nods, holding a hand out and flexing it into and out of a fist.]

After that first asskicking, he let me set my own pace. Didn't push me, but didn't go easy on me when I was too stubborn to quit. Even with all the adults I'd beaten down, it took me a couple of years to get one hit on him.

... You would've liked each other, I think.

[tempurahair]

Maybe you would have!

[His eyes dance with both mirth and a challenge. It was hard to say if there could ever be a fair fight between the two of them, but Kyojuro likes the idea of it all the same. With all the demonic bluster out of the way, Kyojuro could readily admit that there was much to be learned from the other man.]


I admit, it's difficult to imagine you ever struggling to land a blow. [But they all started somewhere, didn't they? Kyojuro was very much the same once.] I think you are right, though. I would have very much enjoyed getting to know the man.

[He pauses, sifting through his memories for a long moment, before returning to the present.]

Now that I think of it, I don't recall ever coming across the name Soyama in my years. Did he ever take on any other students?

[bluebasketballed]

[akaza is sure kyojuro could have put up a good fight with hakuji. even as hard as he'd trained, he wasn't a demon slayer, never learned a breathing technique. it's interesting to think about -- how things would go if akaza wasn't leagues above a human's power.

the hand he flexed falls to his knees, gripping hard at the fabric of his pants.] The neighboring kenjutsu dojo coveted his land, and chased away prospective students for some years. After that, we'd gotten a few.

[his jaw tightens. it is getting more difficult to talk about.]

You wouldn't have heard it. My master died the day before I became a demon. I don't know what happened to the others at our dojo.