Tanjiro x kanao one shots.

Tankana one-Shot: Whispers of the Heart

The sun was sinking behind the mountains, casting a gentle orange glow over the Butterfly Mansion. The air was cool with the early evening breeze, carrying the scent of freshly bloomed flowers. The quiet of the place always made Kanao feel at peace, yet tonight, there was something different in the air—an anticipation that she couldn't quite place.

Kanao Tsuyuri sat in the courtyard, staring at the koi pond. The water rippled as the fish swam, their movements calm and soothing. She was trying to focus on the quiet, on the familiar comfort it brought her. But her mind kept wandering, and she found herself absentmindedly flipping her coin between her fingers.

"Kanao!"

The voice made her freeze for a moment. She knew that voice, warm and full of life. Her heart skipped as she turned around to see Tanjiro Kamado approaching her with his ever-earnest smile, his hand raised in a friendly wave.

"Tanjiro," she whispered under her breath, quickly tucking the coin back into her sleeve.

"Sorry if I startled you," Tanjiro said with a chuckle as he came closer. "I was looking for you. Nezuko and I just got back from a mission, and I wanted to see how you were."

Kanao felt her chest tighten at the sight of him. His presence had always been different—his kindness and warmth seemed to draw her in, making her feel things she didn't quite understand. She nodded slightly in response, unsure of how to put her thoughts into words.

Tanjiro sat down beside her, his legs crossed as he glanced out at the pond. "It's beautiful here, isn't it?" he said, his voice soft as he watched the koi fish swimming lazily through the water. "I can see why you like it."

Kanao nodded again. She did like it, but now she found herself unable to focus on the pond. All she could think about was Tanjiro, sitting so close to her, his presence calming and comforting in a way that was both familiar and strange.

A few moments passed in comfortable silence before Tanjiro turned to her with a smile. "How have you been, Kanao? I've been worried. You seem quieter than usual lately."

Quieter? Kanao blinked. She had always been quiet, but she supposed Tanjiro could see through that now. He had a way of noticing things about her, things that others missed.

"I've... been fine," she said softly, her voice almost a whisper. "Just thinking."

"Thinking? About what?" Tanjiro asked, tilting his head slightly, his brown eyes filled with curiosity.

Kanao hesitated. Could she really tell him what she had been thinking about? How her thoughts always seemed to circle back to him, how her chest felt tight whenever he smiled at her? How she had started to wonder what her feelings for him truly meant?

"...About the future," she said at last, though it wasn't the whole truth.

Tanjiro's gaze softened. "The future, huh?" He glanced up at the sky, where the first stars were beginning to appear. "I've been thinking about that too. I want to keep fighting, to protect everyone I care about. But... I also want to find peace. For Nezuko, for all of us."

He paused, then looked at her with a kind, almost shy expression. "And I want to make sure you're happy, too."

Kanao felt her heart skip again. His words were so simple, but they carried a weight that made her feel as though her whole world had shifted. He cared about her happiness. He always had.

"Tanjiro..." she began, her voice trembling slightly. She didn't know what to say, but she wanted to say something—anything to let him know what was going on inside her heart.

Before she could find the words, Tanjiro leaned forward, his eyes filled with that familiar determination she had come to admire so much. "Kanao, can I ask you something?"

She nodded, her breath catching in her throat.

"I've been wondering... ever since that time we fought together. When you flipped that coin to make your decision." He hesitated for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts. "Do you still do that? Rely on the coin to decide things for you?"

Kanao's fingers instinctively touched the edge of her sleeve, where the coin rested. The habit had been with her for so long, but lately... she hadn't needed it as much. Not when it came to Tanjiro.

"No," she said softly, surprising herself with the certainty in her voice. "Not anymore."

Tanjiro's eyes lit up, his smile widening as if her answer had brought him some deep relief. "That's good," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "I'm glad you're trusting yourself more."

Kanao's heart was racing now, and she felt a strange sense of urgency building within her. She had to tell him. She had to say what had been weighing on her mind for so long.

"Tanjiro," she said, her voice trembling slightly as she forced herself to meet his gaze. "I... I don't know how to explain it, but... you've changed me. Ever since we met, I've started to feel things I don't understand."

Tanjiro blinked in surprise, his expression softening as he listened intently. "Kanao..."

"I don't need the coin anymore because... you're here," she continued, her words rushing out now. "You make me feel safe. You make me feel like... I can be myself."

For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Kanao held her breath, waiting for his response. She wasn't used to speaking her heart like this—wasn't used to opening herself up.

Then, Tanjiro reached out and gently took her hand in his. His touch was warm, steady, and it sent a wave of calm through her.

"Kanao," he said softly, his voice filled with emotion. "I don't know what to say, except... I feel the same way."

Kanao's eyes widened, her heart soaring. He felt the same?

"I've never been good at talking about my feelings," Tanjiro continued with a sheepish smile, his thumb gently brushing against her hand. "But being around you... it makes everything feel right. You're always so strong, and I admire you so much. I don't know what the future holds, but I want you to be a part of it. I want us to face it together."

Kanao felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She hadn't expected this—not this kind of honesty, this kind of closeness. She squeezed his hand, her heart full as she looked at him.

"I want that too," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Tanjiro smiled, his eyes shining with warmth and understanding. "Then it's settled," he said softly. "No more coins. No more doubts. We'll face everything together, no matter what."

And for the first time in a long while, Kanao smiled—a real, heartfelt smile.