The faint chime of bells rang in a soft chorus as her feet dragged across grounds surface. Sword in hand, was dug into the dirt to keep her balance steady and Youko heaved herself back into a standing position. Although her current state of health was more of a HINDERANCE at this point, she still felt a strong obligation and sense of duty to join along on this particular mission.

                             ❝  Oh  ,  that  was  many  years  ago  .  .  .    ❞

when they're working

see this is what you love most. their eyes light up and no one can do it quite like them. whether they are a fighter or a healer. whether they are full of grace and gentle poise, or brute strength and wild energy, you love them when they are at their purest form. raw and unfettered. unadulterated by social cues and careful masks we all wear. when they are just them, trusting their instincts, using their experience, relying on the skills they earned. this is when you heart swells with pride. and you can never decide if you want to interrupt them and draw them into your arms with a hungry, appreciative kiss. or if you could sit there and quietly observe them for hours with more satisfaction than anything physical could bring.

Tagged by: @noircisaint​

" Thank you. ” She replied with a small smile and quiet voice, although still loud enough to hear. Patiently, she waited for the beverage whilst carefully rubbing small circles onto the temple of her head. Truly, it was a bit embarrassing to be seen having a sudden dizzy spell during a short stroll through the corps. For a moment, panic instilled those nearby before Youko was carefully ushered towards the Butterfly Estate. There, she was instructed to stay and rest until her condition had at least stabilized. Originally, a few had voiced their concerns and recommended that she stayed there for a night. However, she declined with the excuse that there was still work that had to be done.

Eyes fluttering partially open upon hearing the desperate plea coming from the boy above her. Youko couldn’t help but cast a pained, yet saddened gaze onto the demon before letting her eyes rest behind a curtain of darkness once more. The pounding in her head only increasing, causing for a small whimper to croak out her lips.

they really had come a long way, hadn’t they? tanjirō sure thought so himself; a hand searching for the familiar touch of polished wood and leather straps, the faint smell of his sister’s sheltered dreams and the certainty that, whatever challenges the future might have in store for them, they were together: nezuko and him. and god—he is so thankful ! so happy for that ! he wants to talk about things like their journey ! he wants to ask the other so many things ! does she feel the same as him? is she happy about her present, is she proud? and he is—( he is, he is, he is ) but—she coughs, and suddenly, worry and fear are the only things in his system as he leans forward and offers a tentative hand on her back, he wonders:

“ ubuyashiki-san? are you okay, ubuyashiki-san? ” genuine concern in the eyes that turn to her, not another thought in his mind other than how difficult it must be to live with something like that, a curse in your blood that weakens you by the day. and he… knows a little about it. from up close. actually, from when his father was still with them and the little forces that he had served him only to sit and stay awake for periods of time; not playing, not enjoying his family like he once did, many years ago. and how he wished he could do something about it ! for a moment, he stops to consider. 

for a moment, until the thought finally comes to him.

“ oh, i know ! ” he assures, certain. an exclamation that comes from the very core of him. “ i wish you hope, ubuyashiki-san ! all there is in the world !  the really, REALLY strong, unbreakable sort ! “ and after a moment, he explains. “ i guess… i really wanted to wish you the longest life you could get, or—the cure you really wanted, but—i think those things depend on too many other factors, you know? but—as long as you have hope, on us, on every demon slayer, even in those moments hope is the hardest things to hold onto, i’m sure your cause will always persevere “

and for the look in his eyes, he believes in it. he truly, absolutely, undeniably, really ( REALLY ) really, believes in it.

There was no uncomfortable air between the two as silence filled in the void for a brief period. Rather, it was a relaxing break from the conversation as the retired slayer waited for the younger to reflect on just how much he’d progressed since the beginning of his journey. There were surely moments within both their pasts in which the two would of wished to do something different, but Youko honestly did hope that one day, once this was all over, that he’d manage to smile at both his accomplishments and troublesome trials. Ah ! Turning her attention back towards him, Youko flashed the boy a small smile in reassurance. “ Though I wish to say I am, that would be lying towards a dear slayer of mine. ” Pausing to catch her breath, she reached out and offered the Kamado a gentle pat along his head; the action itself resembled something akin to a motherly nature in how careful she was being. “ Just as my precious brother grows weak, I too am no acception to this. There may come a day where I become completely mute. ” Perhaps for this very reason, along with her own stubbornness, Youko continues to draw out her sentences until that fateful day comes. Though much serious issues could arise if it ever got that far, she’d rather not bring such matters up for the sake of the slayers: her family. Yet, she’s taken aback by the sudden excitement and words of encouragement that this boy had begun spouting. The words spoken felt as if they radiated the same warmth and energy that the boy seemed to give off within his presence. Truly, it was a gift that Tanjirō had whether he knew this or not. Regardless, they were deeply appreciated and only further proved her point when she had said that he was much too generous for his own good.