Unbound ♰ Kny x Fem!Reader

𝐱𝐯. Promises We Never Kept

Anger blazed in Akaza's eyes. "What did you just call me?" he spat, threateningly taking a few steps closer to Y/N. "You sure are brave for a newly appointed Demon Slayer."

All happiness from the newly uncovered truth immediately disintegrated, smile wiped completely off her face.

Real life returned in painful clarity.

The girl's heart thundered in her chest as she took a few sharp breaths in, trying her best to avoid eye contact with the engraved yellow eyes piercing through her confidence. The demeaning ideas began to echo in her mind, yelling at her to run, to hide, to never make an appearance again in this wretched castle of infinity. It isn't worth it, fighting with the Upper Rank that just killed Rengoku.

But that was exactly what I had done for years on end, she realized, pushing the painful thoughts of the Hashira out of her mind, promising to return to it soon. Running.

Running from possibility. Running from fears. All because she was afraid.

Running from change, believing that it wasn't possible.

But when she stopped running, things became different. Armed with a blade of stars, the only remainder of her family, she had joined the corps. She had fought a battle. She had met people. She had discovered, realized, experienced, and blown dust off the memories of the past. She had came this far.

That was change.

The girl regained her composure and stood her ground bravely, looking the demon in his narrowed eyes. "Hakuji."

"Akaza," Nakime warned as the demon gave her an agitated glance that said quite plainly 'can you get rid of this idiot?'. "You're not to kill her."

"And who said so?" Akaza seethed.

"Lord Kibutsuji," the Biwa demon replied without an ounce of hesitation. "I suggest you leave, if you cannot control your anger at the mention of your previous life."

Akaza stormed out of the room.

Y/N glanced carefully at Nakime. "I'm gonna follow him," she remarked.

Nakime frowned. "If you get killed, we will all be punished. Watch your words, little girl."

I'm not a little girl anymore.

She nodded solemnly and ran outside without a word.

Nighttime was normally chilly, and a crisp breeze rustled the leaves of a few nearby bushes. Deep, obvious footsteps were punched into the wet mud, which, when followed, led to a furious Akaza whacking the bark of a poor tree into bits.

He let out a sigh when he saw her first. Perhaps it was one of annoyance. Perhaps it was just him giving up and deciding to cooperate. She hoped that it was the latter.

"Why the hell are you following me? What do you want?" he muttered, voice a dangerous whisper. "Listen, just because I and Nakime were the ones to bring you to this castle doesn't mean that we like you. We feel no emotion for any of you pathetic people. We feel no emotion for anyone."

"You felt emotion for my brother. He was your friend. You said you would miss him, despite not helping him get back to the Demon Slayer agency at the beginning." Y/N shot back.

Akaza's eyes widened. His hands, balled into fists, slowly loosened, allowing the anger that contorted his face melt into surprise.

"...Brother?" he murmured. "The—"

"—demon slayer," Y/N finished.

"You're his sibling?"

"He never mentioned me?"