♡ Kryptonite ● Akaza x Reader ●

Chapter 1: "Not afraid"

Y/N POV:

I was sitting in a forest, near to the city in which I just finished off some low ranked demons and was meditating on a big rock. I found this clearing in the woods as I wandered around this area the day before entering the town. Due to the wetness in the air the grass beneath me was a little bit moist. Sparkling water droplets covering each blade of grass. The moon was full this night, causing the water to shine like many diamonds. It looked magical, like a fairy forest. The trees on all sides were huge and allowed no beam of light inside, like a shelter for all the demons who wandered around before I slaughtered every single one of them. This place was truly a paradise for the creatures living in the night. My thoughts wandered around this place because of its beauty and the deadly side for every normal human entering.

The cool midnight air hitting my body, causing little goosebumps over my skin. Although it was a little bit cold it refreshed my senses and cleared my mind. The sounds of crickets and rustling leaves became a hush lullaby in the back of my head. The light breeze of the wind hitting my completely still figure and earning a movement of my hair. It swings lightly with the motion of the air around me. The loose strands tickled my face underneath my mask in the process. This mask was a present from a former teacher of mine, it is like a lucky charm.

I was meditating some time now, my mind and body in unison like every time. My breathing steady and calm in complete concentration. My breathing method was very energy draining and because of that fact I constantly try to improve lung volume and my whole endurance. Meditating adds to my normal training and helps to reach my goal of becoming a Hashira someday. I already reached the rank Tsuchinoe and let me mention it was a very hard way. My way was given since I was born in a long-time family of demon slayers. It was not the life I wanted but the pressure and expectations my parents set on me to continue the family business were heavy on my shoulders as their only child. They tried to have children for a long time, but it seemed like it just wasn't meant to be. My mother had two miscarriages and went through a lot of pain. Then like a wonder she became pregnant again despite the doubts her doctors had outspoken. Then nine months later I was born. An angel sent from the heavens like they would call it. If I had a word in this, I would have wanted to stay in this so-called heaven and not have to fight for the lives of others and myself. Since my birth I struggled to find my spot in this cruel word. My body wasn't that of a fighter, it was rather weak and meager. The weakness was caused by a medical condition I was suffering since day one. My lungs didn't work properly, the condition I am suffering from is called pulmonary emphysema. Which just means that my air sacs are partially destroyed and now prevent from completely filling my lung with air. Nevertheless, my parents pushed me to reach the goals they set for me and forced me to work against my own body. I learned a breathing method and achieved to enhance my lung volume but that success didn't heal my vulnerable self completely. I can work on my illness, but it will always be a part of me and stand in my way.

Today wasn't my day. I was very distracted during the meditation at the thought of my parents and their way to force me into this way of live. Sure, I could just quit on being a demon slayer and run away, but who would save the unknowing? I just never wanted to know about this darkness in the world and just life like everybody, not expecting such a danger hiding in the night.

I let out a long and exhausted sight to calm my thoughts and go back to meditate again. Everything became quiet in my brain, and I could focus. At first, I wanted to focus on my surroundings and better my perception. In a fight in the night, it is always important to rely on other senses too. The eyes will not always tell you the position or the next move of an enemy. Now even though my eyes were closed I could detect the whirring bugs, the slow and steady movements of the nature around me the trees, bushes, and the grass. A light crack in this even and continuing sounds would tell me a nearing danger if there was even any in this peaceful place. But the appearance may be deceptive.