azure. mk

03.

Azure reclined gracefully upon the soft bed of grass, the blades of green beneath her yielding gently to her form. The breeze was light, causing the grass to sway in a slow motion. Her eyes glimmered with an almost luminous glow as they caught the sun's gleaming rays.

Her fingers, nimble and graceful, moved to pluck a small, delicate flower from beside her. It was a vibrant burst of color amidst the greenery, and she admired its simplicity. She ran the stem between her fingers, twisting it gently until the flower's stem curled in perfect alignment with others she had found. Slowly, and precisely, she tied the ends together, forming a simple flower bracelet. Her gaze shifted upward as she attached it to her wrist, admiring the small creation. For a moment, she wondered idly whether she should make another one for Douma. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips, but she quickly dismissed the thought, focusing instead on the beauty of her creation.

Her gaze drifted upward, where a flock of birds had taken flight, soaring above her. She watched them with a quiet longing, captivated by the idea of freedom that seemed to radiate from their movements. The air was thick with the quiet hum of nature's noise. The way they flew, unburdened by the weight of the world, was a thought that stayed with her. What would it be like to be so light, so unchained from everything? To soar, unrestrained, without fear, without limitation? Azure found herself lost in that thought as the birds disappeared into the blue sky, their small forms becoming distant specks.

As the sunlight began to fade into the soft hues of evening, her eyelids fluttered, heavy with the weight of the peaceful quietness. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she let herself succumb to the pull of sleep, her body sinking further into the comfort of the grass. Her breaths slowed, synchronized with the gentle sway of the field around her, the sounds of nature soothing her into a deep and tranquil slumber.

--

A loud mutter of curses shattered the peace of the forest. The air seemed to tighten with the tension that followed as a figure moved hurriedly through the dense trees, his steps heavy with agitation. He muttered under his breath, the sharp sound of his sword's hilt scraping against the ground. His eyes, narrowed and focused, scanned the forest as he stalked forward, unaware of the figure lying just beyond the trees, hidden in plain sight.

As he neared the edge of the forest, his eyes flickered towards the field, where Azure rested. His gaze narrowed at the sight of her, her body lying so still among the wildflowers.

"Demon?" The thought crossed his mind, cold and immediate, like a whisper on the wind. His hand moved instinctively to the hilt of his sword, and with a swift, practiced motion, he unsheathed it, his fingers tightening around the handle.

He took a single step forward, eyes never leaving the figure lying on the ground. And then, without hesitation, he lunged—his dual blades raised high, ready to strike down the creature that he knew he had to kill.

SLASH

The sound of the blade cutting through the air was deafening in the stillness of the forest. Azure's body jerked as the katana found its mark, the sharp edge slicing through her shoulder. The pain was immediate, a searing ache that ran deep into her flesh. Instinctively, she reached for the wound, a soft gasp escaping her lips. The blood stained her pale skin, a stark contrast against the warmth of the setting sun.

Her eyes snapped open, her body instinctively shifting away from the blow. The world around her seemed to slow, and her gaze locked onto the figure before her. The man, masked and still, stood poised to strike again. But in that brief moment, hesitation gripped him, an almost imperceptible pause that gave her just enough time to react.

Without a word, Azure leaped to her feet, her body moving with fluid grace, the pain momentarily forgotten in the rush of adrenaline. Her nails, elongated into sharp claws, dug into the earth as she propelled herself forward, her eyes glowing faintly with intensity.

Her claws met his arm with a sharp snap, her nails slicing through the fabric of his sleeves, leaving dark streaks of blood in their wake. He grunted in response, but the strike was quick, too quick for him to fully counter. He shifted, adjusting the angle of his katana, and in the next instant, the blade was aimed directly at her neck.

Azure's eyes widened with the shift in momentum, but she didn't falter. With a fluid motion, she parried the blow, her claws meeting the steel with a resounding clash. She ducked, narrowly avoiding a second strike, and with a swift roll, she found herself back on her feet, eyes never leaving her opponent.

The masked figure swung once more, this time with a diagonal strike. Azure was ready. She met the blade with her nails, deflecting the blow with practiced precision. She could feel the weariness creeping into her limbs, her body protesting with each move. The battle was gruelling, both of them relentless, each strike met with another.

With a sudden shift, Azure sprinted forward, her movements blurring as she closed the distance between them. In an instant, she collided with his chest, headbutting him with a force that sent shockwaves through her body. His grip faltered as he staggered backward, dazed by the unexpected impact.

Before he could regain his balance, she struck again, this time with a final blow. Her head collided with his mask, sending the man crashing to the ground, unconscious before he even hit the earth.

Azure stood over him, her chest heaving with the exertion, a sigh of relief escaping her lips. She looked down at the man, noticing the blood that now stained her dress. She grumbled, wiping the crimson stain from her sleeve, wondering whether Muzan had been keeping an eye on her. If he had been, he surely would have intervened. But no, he had let her handle it, as he always did.

With a quiet curiosity, Azure bent down and peeled the mask from the man's face. Beneath it, a strikingly beautiful face was revealed, one that she couldn't help but admire. The man's features were delicate, almost feminine, with long eyelashes, perfectly shaped eyebrows, and a small mouth. His dark hair cascaded down his back, thick and unruly, with tips that faded into a vibrant blue. She couldn't help but stare in awe at his beauty.

The sun had begun its descent, casting the sky in hues of orange and purple. She glanced at the man, a thought flickering in her mind.

With a sudden decision, she grabbed him by the arms and dragged him toward the edge of the field. His mask and katanas were slung over her shoulder as she carried him deeper into the forest, moving towards the quiet sanctuary she had discovered not long ago.

There, nestled among the trees, was a quaint cabin, its wooden walls adorned with vibrant flowers that seemed to bloom just for her. A smile tugged at her lips as she quickened her pace, eager to reach the place where she could tend to her unexpected guest.

She swung the door open and gently laid the unconscious man on her makeshift bed, adjusting his limbs with a tenderness that seemed at odds with the violence of their encounter. As she worked, she couldn't help but wince at the wounds she had inflicted on him, but there had been no other choice. Self-defense.

Azure moved to the kitchen, gathering bandages and herbal ointments she had prepared in advance. The faint scent of lavender and rosemary filled the room as she returned to the man's side, carefully applying the ointment to his wounds. The soft touch of her hands was a stark contrast to the intensity of their earlier struggle, and as she finished, she found herself almost reluctant to leave him.

With a soft sigh, she turned to prepare a meal, her mind wandering to the events of the day. Her life, it seemed, was anything but predictable. But that was fine by her. The quiet moments, like the one she was about to share with the mysterious man, were enough. For now, they were all she needed.

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