Seventh Moon

Akaza: A Friendly Competition

[Hi! Thank you for reading, your comments, votes...Also, I know this took a while - a lot of things happening, more bad than good. Reading your lovely comments helped me a lot. I hope all of you guys are alright and hope this story could at least give you smiles. I hope this chapter makes sense, I still feel dizzy lolAnyways, enjoy!]

"Hmmmmm... Ha!" Shinobu-san said, as she loudly clapped her hands. Both Akaza and Kyojuro remained unfazed, staring into each other. After a couple of minutes, Shinobu-san tried again, louder and closer. She sighed in disappointment as none of the two flinched. If it weren't for their chests moving as they breathed, you'd think they died looking into each other's eyes! How morbidly romantic, if that really were the case.

It started out innocently, Kyojuro just trying to be friendly. At least, I think he was chatting up Akaza the way he did. It somehow ended with them having a staring match – and they are both quite competitive. It's been thirty minutes since they started and Shinobu-san has been having fun of her own trying to distract them. I just shook my head at them and tried to leave, but they both whined and asked me to stay and watch.

I could not believe these two were just trying to kill each other a couple of nights ago! Of course, I'm relieved there's no more bloodshed but sitting here and watching them stare at each other was boring. They could at least tease and sass each other!

A sudden gust of wind whistled past, causing me to shiver. "Ah! You blinked, Akaza-san!" Exclaimed Shinobu-san prompting me to walk closer to where they all were. Akaza was flushed, already complaining. "Arrrgghhh! There was a breeze!" Kyojuro just laughed, whole-heartedly so. Then he turned to me and beamed proudly.

"Hey!" Akaza waved his hands, "I demand a rematch!" I couldn't help but giggle – he was almost as flushed as his hair, lips pouty and cheeks puffed. He was almost as cute as a puppy – a very dangerous and deadly puppy. Shinobu-san delightfully clapped her hands together, "why don't you two arm wrestle this time? That's more impressive, right Y/N-san" she suggested with a wink.

"Ah! Yes, please. That's much more exciting." At least that's livelier than just watching them stare at each other. Akaza pumped his fist, laughing confidently as he declared "ah, this is going to be easy!"

"Oho, we'll see. I am a Hashira, after all." Right – human against a demon. A Hashira and a former Demon Moon, an Upper-Rank at that. Still, who knows who'll win? It's just arm-wrestling and Kyojuro was able to hold his own in his fight with Akaza the other night. I mean, yes, I intervened but he was still able – oh!

"Ha! You never stood a chance, Kyojuro!" Akaza jumped up to celebrate, pumping his fists to the sky, and even did a silly little dance that I never imagined I'd ever see him do. Jumping and shaking his hips around like a happy child. He then turned to me and proudly spread open his arms – showing off his win as if I wasn't watching. It was adorable, I can't help but beam back at him.

"Ah! Again! I'll win this time, Akaza." Challenged Kyojuro, prompting Akaza to smugly smile before sitting down to play again. I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise when he bested Kyojuro again. And then again. Of course, both of them didn't know when to give up. That was when I decided to head to the kitchen and help out with dinner, Shinobu-san seemingly floating after me.

"Akaza-san sure is strong, isn't he? He is the Upper-Third of the Demon Moons after all. Oh, he was." I nodded in agreement. Akaza was still strong – at least his raw strength was. "Rengoku-san was quite impressive as well, he lasted thirty seconds in that last one. You know he is really strong even amongst us Slayers." She turned to me, a sly kind of expression taking over her face – as if she was up to no good.