Tanjiro x kanao one shots.

Tankana One-Shot: A Breath of Spring

The sun was setting over the Butterfly Mansion, casting a warm, golden glow across the garden. The wind carried the soft scent of blooming cherry blossoms, their delicate petals swirling in the air like the gentle dance of spring itself. Kanao Tsuyuri, as always, stood quietly, observing the world with her calm, unreadable gaze. She didn't move, didn't speak, only allowed the wind to brush through her dark hair, carrying with it the memories of battles fought and friends lost.

She had grown used to the quiet solitude. It was where she found her strength. But lately, it had felt... different. The silence wasn't as comforting as it used to be, especially since the boy with the fiery determination in his eyes had entered her life.

Tanjiro Kamado.

Kanao's fingers absentmindedly twirled the coin she always carried. That simple object had been the guiding force in her life, making decisions for her when her heart could not. Flip a coin—heads or tails—and the decision would be made. But now, as the coin caught the fading light, she found herself pausing before making the toss.

"Kanao?"

The familiar voice brought her back to the present. She turned, eyes widening slightly, to see Tanjiro standing at the edge of the garden. His bright eyes, always so full of life, softened when they met hers, and his ever-present smile seemed to melt the evening chill."Tanjiro," Kanao greeted quietly, slipping the coin back into her sleeve."Sorry to bother you," Tanjiro said as he walked closer, his hands behind his head, a sheepish look on his face. "I just wanted to say goodbye before I head out on my next mission."Kanao's heart fluttered in her chest. She had known this moment was coming—the time when Tanjiro and his friends would leave again, risking their lives in battles far from the safety of the mansion. But knowing it didn't make it any easier.Tanjiro stopped just a few feet from her, his smile never faltering, though she could see the weight of the world in his eyes. He was always like that, always carrying the burdens of others without complaint.

"I'll be back soon," he added, sensing her hesitation. "And Nezuko will stay here. She really likes the garden."

Kanao nodded. She appreciated his kindness. It was a constant part of who he was. But even with his reassuring words, the coin in her sleeve felt heavier than usual.

"You should be careful," Kanao said softly, almost too softly for him to hear. "The demons... they're getting stronger."

Tanjiro's expression shifted, just for a moment, showing the seriousness that lay beneath his warmth. "I know," he said quietly. "But we're getting stronger, too. And as long as we keep fighting, there's hope."

Hope. That was something Kanao had always struggled with. She had been taught to follow orders, to suppress her emotions, to let chance decide her fate. But ever since she met Tanjiro, that had started to change. The way he fought so passionately, so earnestly—it made her question the world she had known for so long. He had a way of making people believe in something better, even when the odds seemed impossible.

"Can I ask you something, Kanao?" Tanjiro's voice broke through her thoughts once again, and she looked up to find him watching her closely. His eyes, so clear and honest, made her chest tighten.

"Yes?"

He hesitated, as if searching for the right words. "Do you... still use the coin to make decisions? Like you did back then?"

Kanao's fingers instinctively brushed the coin in her sleeve. She had relied on it for so long, ever since she could remember. It had been her guide when she felt lost, her shield when emotions threatened to overwhelm her. But now, standing before Tanjiro, she wasn't sure if it still held the same power.

"I..." Kanao started, her voice faltering.

Tanjiro smiled, the kind that made her feel as though the weight of the world wasn't quite as heavy. "You don't have to answer if you don't want to," he said gently. "I just wondered. You've changed a lot since then, you know?"Kanao's breath caught in her throat. Changed? She had never considered it before, but now, as she stood in the soft light of the setting sun, she realized he was right. She had changed. Slowly, subtly, but undeniably.

It wasn't just the coin that decided things for her anymore.

"Kanao," Tanjiro said, his voice softer now. "I'm not very good with words, but I just wanted you to know... I'm really glad we met. You've helped me so much, even when you didn't know it."Kanao felt her heart skip. Tanjiro had always been kind, but this was different. The way he spoke now, the sincerity in his voice—it stirred something deep inside her that she wasn't used to feeling.

Before she could stop herself, her hand slipped into her sleeve and pulled out the coin. She held it between her fingers, staring down at it as the light glinted off its surface.

She had always let the coin decide. But this time..."Kanao?" Tanjiro asked, tilting his head curiously.Without thinking, Kanao flipped the coin into the air. It spun for what felt like an eternity, catching the last rays of the sun as it danced between them. But just as it was about to fall back into her hand, Kanao reached out and caught it, pressing it tightly to her chest."I don't need it anymore," she whispered, so quietly that only she could hear.

Tanjiro blinked in surprise. "Kanao?"

For the first time in what felt like forever, Kanao made a decision all on her own. She stepped forward, closing the distance between them, and without another word, she gently took his hand in hers. It was a small gesture, but in that moment, it felt like the most important decision she had ever made.

Tanjiro's eyes widened slightly, and then his smile returned—soft, warm, and filled with something deeper than words could express.

Kanao didn't need the coin anymore. She had her answer.