The soft golden light of the setting sun cast long shadows through the cracks in the stone walls, creating an atmosphere of quiet serenity. Yūka, the newly awakened princess of the ancient kingdom, sat quietly beside Tanjiro, her dark eyes wide with curiosity and confusion. Though she couldn't yet communicate with the group, there was a sense of calm about her presence, as though she was slowly adjusting to the world she had been thrust into after centuries of silence.
Tanjiro watched her carefully, his heart beating a little faster than usual as he studied her delicate features. There was a quiet strength in Yūka, but also a sadness—a loneliness that seemed to linger in her gaze, as though she carried the weight of the ancient kingdom's downfall on her shoulders.
Nezuko, sitting close by, hummed softly, her eyes kind as she watched Yūka. Though they had only just met, Nezuko sensed that Yūka had a gentle spirit, and she felt a strange kinship with her. Both of them had been caught between worlds—Nezuko as a demon, and Yūka as a princess from a time long forgotten.
Gon and Killua, on the other hand, were busy examining the murals on the walls, trying to piece together the clues that Yūka had gestured toward earlier. The ancient kingdom's secrets were hidden in these walls, and they knew that unlocking those secrets was the key to mastering the true breathing techniques.
Killua, always sharp, turned to Tanjiro as he ran his hand over one of the engravings. "It's clear that Yūka knows more about the breathing techniques than anyone alive today. But until we can communicate with her, it's going to be difficult to figure out exactly how the ancient warriors used their power."
Tanjiro nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I know. But I can feel it… She's important. She's connected to the breathing techniques in a way that goes beyond just knowledge. It's like the power itself is a part of her."
Gon, who had been studying another section of the mural, chimed in with his usual enthusiasm. "We'll figure it out! She seems like she's already starting to understand a little bit of what we're saying, right? It won't take long before we can really talk to her."
Tanjiro glanced at Yūka, who was watching them quietly. She didn't speak, but there was a glimmer of understanding in her eyes, as though she was beginning to grasp the rhythm of their speech, even if the words were still unfamiliar.
He smiled softly at her, trying to convey warmth and reassurance. "We'll help you, Yūka," he said gently, even though he knew she couldn't yet understand his words. "You're not alone anymore."
Yūka's gaze lingered on him for a moment, her dark eyes searching his face as though trying to understand his meaning. There was something in her expression—something fragile, yet determined. She was adjusting to this new world, but there was a deep well of knowledge and pain within her, and Tanjiro could feel it.
Nezuko, ever sensitive to emotions, reached out and gently placed her hand on Yūka's, offering a small smile. Yūka blinked in surprise but didn't pull away. Slowly, a soft, tentative smile spread across her face in return.
For the first time since she had awakened, Yūka seemed to relax.
The Ancient Dialect
That evening, as the group sat around a small fire in the courtyard of the ancient ruins, they began discussing how they could help Yūka learn their language. The soft crackle of the fire filled the air, and the warm glow illuminated their faces as they shared ideas.
"We'll have to teach her slowly," Killua said, his tone thoughtful as he stared into the flames. "She's been asleep for centuries, so the language she knows is probably completely different from ours. It's going to take time."
Tanjiro nodded in agreement. "We can start with simple words—things like names, places, and basic actions. If we're patient, she'll start picking it up."
Gon, ever the optimist, smiled brightly. "I bet she's already understanding some of what we're saying! She's really smart, you can tell."
Yūka, sitting a little apart from the group, watched them as they spoke, her expression calm but curious. She couldn't yet understand their words, but she was beginning to recognize the patterns in their speech. The way they communicated with one another fascinated her, and though she was still hesitant to approach them directly, she was trying to learn.
Tanjiro, noticing her interest, decided to take the first step. He smiled warmly at her and pointed to himself. "Tanjiro," he said clearly, making sure to speak slowly.
Yūka blinked, her gaze following his gesture. She hesitated for a moment, but then, in a soft voice, she repeated the word. "Tan…jiro."
Tanjiro's heart skipped a beat. It was the first time she had spoken his name. He grinned, feeling a wave of excitement and relief. "That's right! Tanjiro."
Gon, catching on quickly, pointed to himself with a bright smile. "I'm Gon!" he said enthusiastically.
Yūka tilted her head slightly, her eyes thoughtful as she studied him. "Gon…" she repeated softly, her voice melodic and careful, as though testing the unfamiliar word on her tongue.
Killua smirked, crossing his arms. "And I'm Killua."
"Killua…" Yūka echoed, her dark eyes flickering with understanding as she began to connect the sounds to their faces.
Nezuko, who had been silently watching, placed her hand on her chest and hummed softly, gesturing to herself. Yūka's gaze lingered on Nezuko for a moment, and a faint smile crossed her lips.
"Ne…zu…ko," she said, her voice even softer now, but filled with warmth.
Tanjiro felt his chest tighten with emotion. It was a small step, but it was progress. Yūka was beginning to understand them, little by little.
"She's learning fast," Killua said, impressed. "We'll have her speaking our language in no time."
Gon nodded eagerly. "Yeah! And once we can communicate, we'll be able to learn everything she knows about the breathing techniques!"
But as the fire crackled softly in the background, Tanjiro couldn't help but wonder what Yūka's full story was. She was more than just a princess from the ancient kingdom—she had lived through a time of great power and tragedy. She had seen the rise and fall of a civilization that had mastered the true breathing techniques, and now, she carried the burden of that lost knowledge.
What had she seen? What had she experienced in the final days of the kingdom?
Tanjiro glanced at Yūka, his heart filled with both curiosity and concern. He could sense the pain she carried, even if she couldn't yet express it. And as much as he wanted to learn about the breathing techniques, he also wanted to help her heal.
"Yūka…" he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "We'll figure this out together."
The Forgotten Memories
As the night wore on and the fire burned low, the group decided to rest for the evening. Nezuko, ever protective of her brother, curled up close to Tanjiro, her presence a comforting reminder of their bond. Gon and Killua, though still alert, allowed themselves to relax for a while, sitting against the stone walls of the courtyard.
Yūka, however, remained awake. She sat quietly, her gaze fixed on the distant stars that twinkled above them. Though the world around her had changed, the sky was still the same—a reminder of the time she had once known, and the kingdom that had been lost.
Memories flickered in her mind, hazy and fragmented. She remembered the grand halls of the palace, the echoing footsteps of her father—the Forgotten King—who had once ruled with pride and strength. She remembered the warriors who had trained in the art of breathing techniques, their bodies honed by centuries of discipline and mastery. She remembered the power that had flowed through the kingdom like a river, feeding their strength and sustaining their people.
But she also remembered the darkness.
The curse that had been placed upon the royal bloodline by the god they had angered. The slow, creeping corruption that had claimed her father and turned him into the monster they had fought. The whispers of despair as the kingdom fell into ruin, and the breath of life itself was tainted by the curse.
And then, there was nothing.
Yūka closed her eyes, her heart heavy with the weight of those memories. She had been trapped in that cocoon for centuries, waiting for the day when she would awaken. Waiting for the day when she could help set things right.
But now that she was awake, the world was so different. The language, the people, even the way they used the breathing techniques—it was all new to her. And yet, there was something comforting about this group. Tanjiro, in particular, radiated a warmth and kindness that she hadn't felt in so long. His presence soothed the ache in her chest, and she found herself drawn to him in ways she didn't fully understand.
He reminded her of someone—someone from long ago. But the memory was too faint to grasp.
As she sat in silence, Yūka glanced at Tanjiro, who had fallen into a peaceful sleep beside Nezuko. His face was relaxed, and the soft rise and fall of his chest as he breathed reminded her of the warriors from her time—their strength, their dedication.
He was different, though. Kinder. More human.
And as Yūka watched him sleep, she made a silent vow. She would help him. She would teach him the true breathing techniques, and she would do everything in her power to help him defeat the curse that had plagued her kingdom for so long.
She would not let history repeat itself.
The Path Forward
The next morning, as the sun rose over the ancient ruins, the group prepared to continue their journey. Tanjiro, Gon, Killua, and Nezuko knew that with Yūka by their side, they had a chance to uncover the full extent of the breathing techniques and bring that knowledge back to the Demon Slayer Corps. But the road ahead would not be easy.
As they gathered their belongings and prepared to move on, Yūka stood close to Tanjiro, her eyes focused and determined. Though she couldn't yet communicate fully, there was a quiet strength in her presence—a determination that mirrored Tanjiro's own.
Tanjiro smiled at her, his heart swelling with a mixture of excitement and protectiveness. "We'll figure this out, Yūka," he said softly, even though he knew she couldn't fully understand. "Together."
Yūka nodded, her eyes meeting his. And though no words were exchanged, the connection between them deepened, an unspoken bond that promised trust, understanding, and something more.
As the group set off toward their next destination, the ancient kingdom's secrets still lingering in their minds, they knew that Yūka's presence was the key to unlocking the full potential of the breathing techniques—and to defeating the curse of demons once and for all.
But with every step they took, they also knew that more challenges awaited them.
The past was not done with them yet.