Tanjiro x kanao one shots.

Tankana One-Shot: After the Storm

The evening sun hung low on the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the Butterfly Mansion. The war was over. Muzan had been defeated, and the world, for the first time in what felt like ages, was quiet. But even in this newfound peace, Tanjiro Kamado still carried the weight of everything they had endured.

He stood on the porch, gazing out at the garden, where the flowers swayed gently in the breeze. It was a beautiful sight, one he hadn't appreciated enough during the chaos of battle. But now, in the quiet aftermath, it was all he could focus on.

His body ached, the scars from the final battle still fresh, but it wasn't the physical pain that lingered the most—it was the memories. The faces of the fallen flashed before his eyes, the friends and comrades they had lost. But amid all the sorrow, there was something, or rather someone, that made the weight bearable.

Kanao.

She was sitting by the pond, her figure outlined by the soft orange light of the setting sun. Her usually neat braid had loosened slightly, the strands of her hair catching the light as they fluttered in the breeze. Tanjiro watched her, feeling that familiar warmth in his chest—a mix of gratitude and affection that had only grown stronger since the war.

Tanjiro's POV:

She looks so peaceful now, like a flower after a storm. It's strange to think about how much we've both changed. The Kanao I first met was quiet, reserved, always holding back her emotions. And me? I was full of desperation, fighting to save Nezuko, fighting to protect everyone I could.

But now, here we are. The battle is over. We made it through.

I take a deep breath and walk toward her, the soft sound of my footsteps catching her attention. She turns to look at me, and I can see the tiredness in her eyes—like mine, it's a weariness that runs deeper than just physical exhaustion.

When I sit beside her, she doesn't say anything. But that's okay. We've never needed words to communicate. The silence between us has always been comfortable, filled with a quiet understanding that's grown over time.

I glance at her, taking in the soft lines of her face, the way her lips curve ever so slightly when she's thinking. I reach out, my fingers brushing against hers gently. She doesn't pull away; instead, she intertwines her fingers with mine.

"How are you feeling?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

She looks at me for a moment, her expression calm, but I can see the layers beneath it. She tilts her head slightly, thinking before answering, as she always does.

"Tired," she says softly, her voice carrying the weight of everything we've been through. "But... relieved. It's over."

I nod, understanding exactly what she means. There's still so much healing to be done, both inside and out, but for now, knowing that the fight is behind us is enough.

Kanao's POV:

When I look at Tanjiro, I can see how much he's been carrying. His eyes are always so kind, so full of life, but now they carry a depth that wasn't there before. I wonder if he knows just how much he's given all of us—how much hope he's brought, not only to me but to everyone who fought alongside him.

I squeeze his hand gently, hoping he can feel what I can't quite say. Words have always been difficult for me, but Tanjiro seems to understand me in a way no one else does.

"I'm glad we're here," I say quietly, my gaze shifting back to the pond. "I'm glad... you're here."

He looks at me, and for a moment, I see a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Maybe it's because I don't often speak first, but there are things I want him to know—things I can't keep inside anymore.

Tanjiro's POV:

When Kanao says she's glad I'm here, I feel a lump form in my throat. It's not just the words; it's the way she says them, so full of quiet sincerity. She's been through so much—lost so much—and yet, here she is, standing strong. I don't know how she does it, but I admire her strength more than she'll ever know.

I look down at our hands, our fingers still intertwined, and something inside me stirs. I've been holding back my feelings for a while, afraid that maybe it wasn't the right time, or that she wasn't ready. But after everything we've been through, I don't want to wait any longer.

"Kanao," I say, my voice steady but filled with emotion. "I need to tell you something."

She turns to face me, her eyes curious but calm. I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words, but in the end, it's not that complicated.

"I love you," I say, my heart pounding in my chest. "I've loved you for a long time now. And... I don't know what the future holds, but I know I want you in it. Always."

For a moment, Kanao just stares at me, her expression unreadable. My heart feels like it's stuck in my throat, but then, slowly, a small smile spreads across her lips—a real smile, the kind that lights up her entire face.

Kanao's POV:

He loves me. I hear his words, and for a moment, I'm overwhelmed by the emotions that flood through me. Tanjiro has always been kind, always been someone I admired, but hearing him say those words... it's more than I ever expected.

I feel my chest tighten, not with fear, but with something warm and steady. I've never been good with emotions, never good at expressing what's in my heart, but with him, it feels different. It feels safe.

I take a deep breath and look into his eyes, feeling my own heart race. "I love you too, Tanjiro," I say softly, the words coming easier than I thought they would. "I've loved you for a long time."

His smile is so full of warmth and relief, and when he leans in, pressing his forehead gently against mine, I feel like everything that's been heavy inside me is finally lifting.

Tanjiro's POV:

Hearing her say those words back—those words I've been longing to hear—fills me with a sense of peace I can't describe. I rest my forehead against hers, closing my eyes for a moment as I savor this feeling. We've been through so much, and there's still a long road ahead, but with Kanao by my side, I know we can face anything.

I pull her into a gentle hug, feeling her warmth against me, and for the first time since the war, I feel like everything is going to be okay.

The sun continues to set, casting the world in a golden glow, and as we sit there together, hand in hand, I know that whatever comes next, we'll face it together.