Work Text:
It had been a long two weeks for the Rengoku family. The once lively estate was now silent. It was slowly crumbling, despite Senjurou's best efforts. The whole place was reeking of cheap alcohol. The head of the family spiraling in his addiction ever more since his son failed to slay the demon who lived nearby.
Some workers had simply fled after the tragedy that had struck the town. Almost 80 people were dead, not by demon hand. Others just lost respect for a drunkard who lived there. While his children were sweet, the man was a nightmare to work with.
In a small room, on a futon, sat Kyoujurou Rengoku. His remaining eye was full of sorrow. His whole body was covered in bandages, and long golden hair cascaded down his back. His usual cheerful demeanor was gone.
He started to shake, his body aching. The tears were sneaking his way, but he wouldn't cry. No matter how heartbroken he was.
He just didn't want to be heard. If his little brother were to hear him cry, the poor boy would worry, But if it was his father who heard him, he would be in trouble.
He was doing his best to not think about what happened. But it was hard. Unfortunately, Kyoujurou had a lot of time recently. He was bedridden since his encounter with the demon. The demon who was wearing the face of his dear friend Hakuji.
Kyoujurou shook his head, but memories were creeping in. The more he tried not to remember, the more he could recall.
How devastated he was when he heard about the massacre so close to his home. The wind on his face and prayers he said. The way he tried to clutch to the hope that Hakuji and his family were okay. Unfortunately, they weren't. The sight of their dead bodies was forever engraved in his brain. He didn't even have time to bury them properly. None of them deserved that. One thing kept him going - Hakuji's body was missing. His friend could be alive.
Young slayer felt then a demon nearby. Of course, it was the demon's fault. He ran and ran. He had to avenge them, to stop the monster who did this. He followed the demon for a day or two, honestly, he no longer could recall. It was all a blur. He simply ran through the forest, ignoring his sore lungs and heart.
But the second he finally catch up with the demon, he could remember clearly. He froze when he spotted the demon. It was a mistake that he knew could cost a life, but he was in too much shock. On the pile of corpses, devouring human flesh, sat his Hakuji.
He was different, but Kyoujurou would recognize him no matter what. He was still wearing his training clothes, the red taking place of the previous white. His hair was now pink, finally matching his eyebrows. The tattoos were adorning his skin stretching from bare feet to pink hair.
They fought, naked fists versus a blade. Slayer only stood a chance because he spent years training with Hakuji, he knew his friend's style. Hakuji didn't remember, Kyoujurou realized when his longest friend asked for his name. The demon introduced himself as Akaza.
"Become a demon, Kyoujurou." Said the monster. Slayer almost won, but in the last second, he hesitated. That second cost him victory.
The worse came when beaten up Kyoujurou returned home. It was his luck that it was his father who found him.
The young man tried to spill his sorrow to his father, he fruitlessly hoped for some comfort. What he got was a punch in the face, the yelling about how he was a disgrace for their ancestors. Thankfully Senjurou intervened then. Kyoujurou was certain, if it wasn't for his brother he would be dead.
The shouting snapped him out of his musings. He slowly and painfully got up. Kyoujurou had a really bad feeling about it.
He was limping down the hallway clutching his side when a loud scream sounded in the estate. He tried to run but almost fall down the pain in his side getting worse. He could bet that he reopened his wounds. When he finally got to the doors, he froze in terror.
His father's room was a mess - like always. It didn't surprise him, but what made the young slayer's blood freeze. His brother was laying on the floor, not moving. Bright red blood poured around him, a long splinter protruding from his side.
He fell on the floor to try and stop bleeding. He pressed on the wound without removing the glass. He was shaking, tears pouring from his eye. The world around him was sping and there was so much blood. Senjurou had fallen, how? The red mark on his face didn't leave much room for interpretation. Poor boy got impaled by laying around a glass shard.
Their father was shouting, not caring. He was too drunk, barely standing.
He knew that his father didn't mean to, it was alcohol speaking not him. But seeing his brother bleeding out broke something inside the young slayer. His father was shouting but he only could hear a buzzing sound. With a shaking hand, Kyoujurou grabbed a bottle.
*
Akaza was enjoying himself, his new life was so fun. Not that he remembered his previous, but being a demon was so beater than being a pathetic human. He was strong now.
The demon was laying on the dojo's floor. He couldn't recall what made him choose this place, but he didn't complain. The sun was almost down. He was buzzing with excitement. The pink-haired man already took care of his hunger, so he would probably wander away looking for strong opponents to fight or maybe.
A wide grin appeared on his face when he got a brilliant idea. He could always look for Kyoujurou. The young slayer was the best opponent he had a pleasure to encounter. The demon had a gut feeling that he would never meet someone so magnificent. There was something about human that made him feel alive.
The sun finally decided to set the demon wasted no time and ran. Akaza didn't have a problem with locating the slayer, after all, he could remember that delicious smell. To his surprise, his instinct led him to a big estate nearby. Now, the demon felt a bit stupid for not looking for a slayer sooner.
The second Akaza stepped into the estate his nose was assaulted by a mix of blood and alcohol. The blood was fresh and it wasn't from one person.
Interested, he ventured inside, following the sound of somebody crying. He arrived in a small room the scene he encountered shook him.
The room was a mess sake mixed with blood. His slayer was sitting on the floor, clutching the smaller body. Next to them lay a body, man's head bashed with a bootle of buzz. There was something familiar about this scene.
"He is going to die." Stated Akaza, kneeling next to the crying slayer. Human started to whine louder. The sound broke what remained of Akaza's heart.
"Are you here to finish me off?" Asked slayer lifting his face up. He looked absolutely miserable. And the demon couldn't blame him.
"Become a demon, Kyoujurou." Before slayer could protest, the demon decided to sweeten the deal. " I could change him two. You still can save him."
Demon smiled widely when the human slowly nodded.