Every Beat || Tankana

XII

CHAPTER 12: Train Of Doubts

The night had turned sour as the stars hid behind thick sheets of grey clouds. Soon after they covered the town and roared a great thunder, the rain was upon the Water Hashira.

The crying sky left him unfazed as he walked through the streets, his pace was slow as his hair slowly collected every drop of rain that fell on his troubled head. The smile that was a usual resident on his face has left, what replaced it is a blank stare atypical to the Pillar.

Kanao had never seen him as more than just her comrade; He was just another friend, he thought. Although there was nothing wrong with being friends with the Flower Hashira. He enjoyed her company and appreciated her support for him.

But his heart... defeat weighs it down at the thought. It feels so heavy that he drags it across the floor

The rain followed suit, the pitter-patters growing more aggressive as they hit the earth. His vision became foggy from the mist and his thoughts were a mess, but he tried his best to keep his head straight and eyes ahead of the road. His focus failed him though; he blindly stalked down the path, despite reaching the gates of the butterfly mansion.

"Tanjirou!" screamed after him. The heavy rain muffled the sound but he heard. He stopped in his tracks, realizing his mistake. He slowly turned back and saw a hazy silhouette of what seemed to be Zenitsu peeking out of the gates. The Thunder Hashira continued to scream at him to get out of the rain. He knows he should, yet oddly enough, he couldn't will himself to.

"Are you deaf?!"

He flinched, blinking the rain from his lashes, finally seeing Zenitsu who was now in front of him. "What's gotten into you?! Get inside!" the blonde ordered.

Although cold, they stayed outside in the front porch, just waiting until they were no longer dripping wet instead of waiting inside. Aoi would definitely scold them if they did.

There was a long silence between them; the sound of rain was the only noise that made up for the quiet gaps. Zenitsu ruffled his hair, trying to get rid of the water between his locks. Tanjirou stood, staring blankly at the grieving heavens.

"You've been such an airhead these couple of months." Zenitsu started. "Genya told me you couldn't focus at all when you two were partnered and even got yourself injured." Tanjirou pursed his lips at the reminder. Zenitsu examined his friend's face, searching for a reaction.

He's been worried lately. Tanjirou put on a smile everyday, but lately those smiles became less genuine. Even Inosuke noticed, making an effort to give him the best acorn he could find just to cheer the Water Pillar up. Zenitsu took a deep breath.

"Tanjirou... Is there something you're not telling us?" as soon as he asked, Tanjirou's mind immediately raced he could practically hear them.

It was not distinct, especially under the rain. But he knew that his friend was on edge.

That was enough for Zenitsu to let it go. He didn't really like forcing thoughts out of people, and Tanjirou's face made it clear that he was not prepared to talk about it. The blonde lowered his head, and with a sigh, he fastened his sword on his waist and stared through the rain.

"You should dry up a little and wait for the rain to calm down before going on patrol." he instructed, but Tanjirou remained silent. Zenitsu looked at Tanjirou's crestfallen face, eyes on the ground as if avoiding his. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Realizing that there was nothing he could say, he patted Tanjirou's shoulder goodbye and left.

He did just what he was told. He waited until he was dry enough before proceeding with his patrol, but the rain poured on. Then, he remembered he hadn't had the chance to visit Inosuke, so he decided he would check on his friend first. He mentally noted that after, he'll find Nezuko and go to patrol his assigned region. Maybe then the rain would subside.