Tanjiro x kanao one shots.

Tankana One-Shot: Under the Plum Tree

The sky was painted with hues of pink and gold as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the courtyard of the Butterfly Mansion. Tanjiro Kamado stood in the shade of a large plum tree, gazing at the scene in front of him—a sight that never failed to make his heart swell with warmth. Kanao was sitting on the stone bench nearby, a soft breeze playing with the loose strands of her hair. She was quiet, as she often was, but her presence alone was enough to fill the air with a peaceful calm.

Tanjiro sighed, a small smile tugging at his lips. He was never really good at staying still, always on edge with a restless energy that came from years of fighting and training. But with Kanao, moments like these were easy—just being by her side, even in silence, brought him a sense of peace he hadn't known he needed.

He watched her for a moment longer before finally stepping forward, the sound of his sandals crunching softly against the gravel. Kanao glanced up at him, her eyes meeting his with that quiet intensity he had come to love. She didn't say anything, but the small, almost imperceptible smile on her lips was enough to tell him she was glad he was there.

"Kanao," Tanjiro began, his voice soft as he moved to sit beside her on the bench. "I was thinking we could watch the sunset together."

Kanao nodded slightly, her eyes turning back toward the horizon, where the sun was beginning to dip below the mountains. She didn't speak much, but Tanjiro had learned to read the subtle language of her expressions. The way her eyes softened as she looked out at the sky told him everything he needed to know.

For a few moments, they sat in comfortable silence, the only sounds being the soft rustling of the trees and the occasional chirping of birds as they settled down for the night. Tanjiro took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh, floral scent of the evening air. His hand, almost instinctively, reached out to gently take Kanao's, his fingers brushing against hers before he entwined them together. Her hand was warm and delicate in his, and he couldn't help but marvel at how natural it felt to be this close to her.

"You know," he said after a moment, glancing at her from the corner of his eye, "I never thought I'd have moments like this, where everything just... feels right."

Kanao tilted her head slightly, looking at him with quiet curiosity. Tanjiro squeezed her hand a little tighter, feeling a surge of affection as he continued.

"There was a time when I wasn't sure if I'd ever feel peace again," he said, his voice a little quieter now. "After everything with Nezuko and the demons... I thought all I'd ever do was fight." He paused, his gaze softening. "But being here, with you... it makes me realize there's more to life than that. There's more to look forward to."

Kanao didn't say anything right away, but her grip on his hand tightened ever so slightly, and Tanjiro felt his heart skip a beat. She might not always express her emotions with words, but Tanjiro had learned that actions spoke louder for her. And right now, that small gesture spoke volumes.

"I feel the same," Kanao finally whispered, her voice barely audible but full of meaning. "When I'm with you, I feel like... I can breathe easier."

Tanjiro's chest tightened at her words. He turned toward her fully now, his hand still holding hers as he leaned in a little closer. "Kanao... you've always been so strong. You've been through so much, but you never let it break you. That's something I admire so much about you."

She looked down for a moment, as if a bit shy, but Tanjiro could see the faint blush coloring her cheeks. It made his heart flutter—seeing her so vulnerable yet so composed at the same time.

"You've helped me more than you realize," Kanao said softly, her eyes lifting to meet his again. "You've made me believe in things I didn't think were possible... like happiness. Like love."

Tanjiro's breath caught in his throat. He had always known Kanao wasn't one to share her feelings easily, but when she did... it was like opening a door into her heart. And every time she let him in, it felt like the world slowed down, and all that mattered was being with her.

Without thinking, Tanjiro lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of her fingers. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned in just a little closer, her shoulder brushing against his.

"I don't know what the future holds," Tanjiro said, his voice soft but filled with quiet determination. "But I know one thing for sure—I want you to be part of it. Always."

Kanao looked at him for a long moment, her eyes searching his face as if trying to find the right words to say. But then, without a word, she leaned forward, closing the distance between them. Her lips brushed softly against his in a tender kiss, and Tanjiro felt his heart swell with emotion. It wasn't the first time they had kissed, but every time felt new, like a quiet promise shared between them.

When they pulled apart, Kanao rested her forehead against his, her breath warm against his skin. "I want that too," she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath.

Tanjiro smiled, his heart full. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a gentle embrace as they sat there beneath the plum tree, the world fading away around them. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sky into a deep blue twilight, but neither of them moved. In that moment, everything was perfect.

And Tanjiro knew, with absolute certainty, that as long as Kanao was by his side, everything would be okay.