When Snow Falls | Tanjiro x Kanao | {Completed}

Chapter 12 - I'm Not Stupid

Kanao didn't know whether to call that trip to the diner a success or a catastrophe. Everytime she thought about how Mitsuri had said that, her face flushed and her blood boiled. Honestly, Kanae was such a lying gossip sometimes! Her hatred of Tanjiro was not thawed by time seemingly. In fact, it appeared that his return had fired it up again into a blaze of loathing and concern for her younger sister.

Kanao wasn't a child anymore. While she's been mad, she knew now that hating the man beside her was a losing game, and a rather unnecessary one as well. What was the point of trying to force yourself to hate someone you couldn't help but love?

Glancing at Tanjiro, she saw him gazing out to sea, apparently deep in thought. He often was, these days. So much had changed about him, yet stayed the same. Kanao found he was more pessimistic, more wary, more introverted. That wasn't the Tanjiro she remembered, who was all bright smiles and laughter, surrounded by friends and family. Now, it took a real effort to coax a smile out of him.

That didn't mean she did not love him. Whoever he was, whoever he'd become, she loved him anyway. But she missed the sweet youth, full of energy and a hope for the world. Some of the light had been quenched from those beautiful eyes.

Things had changed about him physically as well. Kanao had noticed it before, but tonight was the night she'd confirmed the suspicion. It would explain some of his habits and behaviours. Like the gloves he always wore. Her eyes found the tough leather, under which was a hand so unnaturally hard, that it had started her that evening when she'd first noticed it.

How would she approach the question, though? All evening, Kanao had tried to subtly take hold of that hand, to gage his reaction. Everytime he realised, Tanjiro immediately pulled away, as if from the bite of a snake.

It made her heart ache. How she wished she'd known sooner. He could have told her - she didn't mind it. Not at all. But, it appeared to be something he was deeply ashamed over.

Desperately did she want to let him know how much of a hero he was. That the scars made him courageous, not foolish.

Around them, the ocean waves swished softly under the rough wooden boards they strolled along. Tanjiro had always loved the sea and they'd come here often before that night in the snow.

It was autumn. Kanao put her hand out, and grabbed one of the red leaves that blew out from the shore, toward them. The wind on their backs was neither strong, nor gentle. Kanao was glad she put her hair up. Strands of it were already in her face.

Beyond them, a glorious twilight fell. The sun had gone to sleep, leaving only the glimmerings of orange light behind. Stars peaked out from behind the blanket of darkness above, wondering yet if it was time to show their faces.

Slowly, Kanao put her hand in Tanjiro's. To see his reaction, of course. Not because she wanted to hold his hand.

Tanjiro started, and snatched his hand away. Those eyes met hers, and his face flushed in embarrassment. Kanao watched as he fumbled for words.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to...you just startled me-" he said, looking around and not meeting her gaze.

"Tan," she said, gently.

He tensed.

"Yes?"

"What happened to your arm?" She asked. Out of all the war veterans she'd met, most of them liked it when someone was straight forward.

Tanjiro chewed the edge of his lip, considering her for a moment. His arm was held protectively to his chest. Kanao didn't move, didn't speak. Let him answer on his own time.