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Zenitsu was worried.
For the last four missions, Tanjirou, very deliberately and very obviously avoided going to the Butterfly Estate for treatment.
He always stirred them towards the nearest Wisteria Crest House, even when the Butterfly Estate had been even closer half of those times.
And he never before was bothered to walk a little more to get to the Estate.
On the fifth time it happened, Zenitsu was sure.
On the sixth, Tanjirou broke his arm.
“Maybe we should go to Shinobu-san for that.” he suggested.
“We shouldn't bother her for a broken arm. There are a lot of doctors who can heal it.” Tanjirou replied in clipped tones.
Zenitsu's ears though picked on how sad he sounded.
Surprisingly enough, Inosuke was quiet.
Zenitsu and him followed as Tanjirou turned in the opposite direction from the Butterfly Estate.
xxxx
Tanjirou frowned, cradling his broken arm, as he walked away from the path that could have taken them to the Butterfly Estate and…Shinobu-san.
He knew he was being childish.
He was the eldest son, he should be able to face…this.
He can fight demons.
So why the thought of seeing Shinobu-san made him freeze?
It's not like he can't be polite.
But if he saw Shinobu-san again…He may be the eldest son, but he wouldn't manage to keep his feelings locked away.
He didn't want her to think he was trying to pressure her. He had accepted her choice.
They reached a Wisteria Crest House and the people there prepared a room and food for them, calling a doctor to have a look at his arm.
He would be out of commission for a month.
“I am so sorry for the trouble.” he bowed to the man who let them in.
“Do not worry, young man. Stay as long as you need.”
“You two do good on your mission.” he smiled to his friends the next morning, when the crow arrived for Zenitsu and Inosuke.
The two didn't return that night, but Zenitsu said word that they were given a second assignment right after the first.
Tanjirou wished them good luck.
During the nights he sat on the engawa, Nezuko sleeping on his lap, and looking at the stars.
He would often shake his head, preventing that memory from resurfacing.
Failing each time.
He was sitting on the Butterfly Estate's rooftop, as he was used to do to meditate, after the end of the day.
That night he was making up his mind about telling Shinobu-san something important.
“What has you looking so serious and nervous tonight, Tanjirou-kun?” her voice came softly, near his ear.
Tanjirou stiffened, stifling his cry of surprise.
“Shinobu-san!” he exclaimed quietly.
“Good evening.”
“Good evening.” he replied stiffly.
The Insect Pillar sat near him.
Tanjirou turned to look at the stars.
“So? What is bothering you?”
“I like someone and I am talking myself into telling them.” he said seriously.
“Oh? Do I know them?”
“Yes.”
“Is it someone currently in the Estate?”
“Yes.”
“Let's see…Is it Kanao?”
“No.” Tanjirou shook his head.
“Aoi, then?”
“Neither.”
“Not one of your companions?”
“Not Zenitsu, neither Inosuke.”
“Well, that leaves only my little aides, Tanjirou-kun, and I cannot simply allow this.”
Tanjirou turned to look at Shinobu-san.
“I like you, Shinobu-san.” he said, a blush appearing on his cheeks.
Shinobu-san looked shocked at that.
Then she turned away.
“I cannot return your feelings, Tanjirou-kun.” she said quietly.
Tanjirou nodded once.
“I understand.” he replied as quietly.
He could tell that this pained Shinobu-san, her scent was a mix of so many emotions, despair being the more prominent one.
He nodded once more, making his mind; his presence would only be a source of pain to the Insect Pillar, reminding her of this – he knew it would be for him.
(A part of him was scared she would treat him normally, as if this never happened, as if it didn't matter to her – just another love confession in a line of love confessions, if Zenitsu is to be believed.)
(A part of him was relieved she didn't see him off the next day.)
And so, here he was, avoiding seeing the one person he wanted to see more than anything after saving Nezuko.
Tanjirou sighed, running his fingers through Nezuko's hair.
“You would be very disappointed in your big brother Nezuko. Our younger siblings, our parents and ancestors, watching over us from heaven must already be.” he said, “And I am not acting like the eldest son at all. I am being very childish, am I not?” he sighed, looking at the stars again, “Yes, childish, indeed.”
He gathered Nezuko and laid her down on her futon, laying down near her.
'Please, forgive me for failing you so badly.' was his final thought, before he fell asleep. He isn't certain to whom the thought is aimed.
Two days later, he was given permission to take on missions again, and thanking the people at the Wisteria Crest House, Tanjirou was on his way to find Zenitsu and Inosuke.
“Caaww! Head to the Butterfly Estate! Head to the Butterfly Estate!” Tennouji called, landing on his shoulder.
“What happened?” he asked worried.
“Zenitsu and Inosuke were badly hurt! Head to the Butterfly Estate!” his crow flew off.
Tanjirou drew a deep breath, worry and apprehension warring inside him.
'I can do this! My friends need me.' he thought.
With a determined look on his face, he turned towards the place he was apprehensive to return to.
xxxx
Kochou Shinobu was a lot of things to a lot of different people. A big sister, a Demon Slayer Pillar, a caretaker, a doctor… She'd admit only this once to be a nuisance to Tomioka-san, only because the man was so infuriatingly expressionless.
But she wasn't stupid.
“I like you, Shinobu-san.”
She had known, of course she had. How could she not?
Tanjirou was very careful and discreet in his affections, but she could tell he was always, always, extra careful and attentive and caring towards her. Always ready to answer to her every beck and call, please her every whim, bear her teasing with mirth.
But she couldn't. No matter how she wished she could.
Because she was a poisoned fruit, rotting from the inside out, and Tanjirou deserved the world.
She would die, either by Upper Moon Two, or from all the wisteria poison coursing through her veins.
So she broke his heart, in order to not kill his soul down the short line that was her future.
But when a month and a half goes by, with no Tanjirou appearing for even minor scrapes, Shinobu is starting to worry. The only reason she has yet to go searching for him is that no crow came to inform of his death.
There is a palpable tension in the Butterfly Estate.
Everyone had picked on how awkward she was when Tanjirou left last time, avoiding saying goodbye, but still watching him leave.
Aoi even wondered if Tanjirou and his two friends had finally learnt to take better care of themselves and that was why they hadn't turned up on their doorstep in so long.
It was a great surprise to see Zenitsu and Inosuke arrive, but really worrying how a certain earring-wearing, demon-carrying Slayer was so obviously not with them.
Zenitsu made a bee-line straight to her, as Inosuke demanded food.
“Shinobu-san, I won't ask what happened between you and Tanjirou, but I want to ask you to talk to him. He has been avoiding to come here, always visiting a Wisteria Crest House whenever he was hurt. He broke his arm on our last mission. He should be healed by the day after tomorrow.” the blonde slayer said, “And whenever your name comes up, he has the same heart-wrenchingly sorrowful sound like you right now. So, please…!”
The Insect Pillar sighed.
“It's more than likely that part of the reason he avoids coming here is his consideration towards me.” she said, “And part of it is him being hurt.” she looked out of her window, “I want to talk to him, as well, but I don't want to force him, either.”
“So what are we going to do?”
“For the first time, I do not know, Zenitsu-kun.”
Zenitsu nodded once, a determined look in his eyes.
She was sure that would end really well or really badly.
xxxx
If Shinobu-san didn't know what to do, then he and Inosuke would have to come up with a plan – and fast.
“We need to get Tanjirou to come here. In a way he won't be able to avoid.”
“We knock him out.” Inosuke said.
“Only a demon could knock out cold that hard-headed stubbornness.” Zenitsu deadpanned, “And you are not a demon.”
“We break his legs and carry him here.”
“If you wish to be sent away from the Demon Slayer Corps and have your swords taken from you…” the blonde man shrugged.
“Then what do you suggest, Monitsu?” Inosuke huffed.
“Tell him you're both gravely injured and he needs to come see you.” a voice huffed from behind them.
The two turned to find Aoi-san and the girls staring at them.
“That…would actually work.” Zenitsu stammered through his scare.
“You are trying to get Tanjirou-san and Shinobu-sama to talk again, aren't you?” Aoi asked.
“Yes.” Zenitsu nodded his head, “I talked to Shinobu-san already, but…”
“It's no good, we know.” Sumi-chan said sadly.
“We tried already.” Kiyo-chan explained.
“She's been so sad…” Naho-chan said worriedly.
“Even Kanao tried to get her to talk, to at least tell us what was wrong. We thought Tanjirou-san hurt her, but he looked just as devastated when he left.” Aoi-san said.
“And Tanjirou-san is too kind.” Kiyo-chan said.
Naho and Sumi nodded.
Zenitsu looked thoughtful.
“You don't suppose they…” he started, before stopping himself, “No, no way, right?”
“What?”
“Do you think they, you know, confessed to like each other but one of them said 'no'?” he wondered, “Because they seem to be heartbroken, more than anything.”
“Should we interfere if that's the case?”
“I don't want to see Tanjirou sad and I am pretty sure you don't like seeing Shinobu-san like that either. They need to talk again, to at least be able to move on.” Zenitsu explained, “If they keep this up, one day they'll get hurt too badly.”
“What if they just need time?”
“It's been a month and a half and they don't seem to be getting over it, if their falling out was what they both wanted.”
“Kentarou needs to talk to Shinobu.” Inosuke said with authority.
“So, emergency summons to our gravely injured selves it is then.” Zenitsu nodded.
“And then, what?”
“We lock them in a room and we all guard all possible exits. Is Kanao here?”
“At the backyard.” Aoi replied, “I'll tell her.”
“Okay. We can do this.” Zenitsu sighed.
xxxx
And so, Tanjirou arrived at the Butterfly Estate.
“Tanjirou-san!” Kiyo-chan called, clearly distressed.
“Kiyo-chan, what happened?” he kneeled beside her.
“Please, you have to come. Quickly!” she tagged at his hand.
All he could get out of her and her scent was the sense of urgency, so he allowed her to lead, as his own worry climbed to even greater heights.
At the same time, Kanao was pushing Shinobu towards a room.
“Seriously, Kanao. What are you doing?” Shinobu asked, mostly amused at her little sister's antics.
“Surprise.” was the only word Kanao managed to say, clearly trying too hard not to pull her coin, which would make her lose her timing.
“Oh?” the Insect Pillar sounded curious, “You and the girls are up to something, then?”
“Sister.”
At the door, Kanao looked at Shinobu, asking her to enter herself and not make her push her in.
Chuckling softly, Shinobu walked inside.
“Okay, I'll play along.” she said.
“Please, at least tell me, are they alright?” a voice said from the other door, as Kiyo opened it.
“Here.” the little girl said.
Tanjirou walked in.
Both doors closed at the same time. Zenitsu's head appeared from a window.
“You two are going to sit here and talk things out because you are both idiots and have worried us all too much!” he huffed.
And then he vanished.
Tanjirou and Shinobu stared at each other, then looked away.
“How are you?” Shinobu asked, softly, “I heard you broke your arm.”
“It's…better.” Tanjirou mumbled, “And you, Shinobu-san? Are you well?”
Suddenly, something crashed into his arms, that went around the body automatically, holding it close.
“I'm sorry.” came the muffled voice of Shinobu-san, “I am so sorry. I broke your heart.” she said, fisting his haori in her hands, “But I missed you.”
“I missed Shinobu-san as well.” Tanjirou sighed.
“I don't have the right to ask you to come back, Tanjirou-kun. But…”
“Shinobu-san. No matter what happens, or how much time passes, you can always ask me anything. There is no way I could deny you. Ever.” he said kindly, “Because I like Shinobu-san and I always will.”
Shinobu pressed her face harder into his chest.
“I like Tanjirou-kun, too. But I am scared I will cause you so much more heartache if I return your feelings.”
“It's ok. 'Cause even if I lose you, I would still have our memories together and the hope I might find you in the next life.” he said quietly, “And if you lose me, you'll still have our memories together and hope to find me in the next life.”
“You will lose me, Tanjirou-kun. Are you sure you want this?”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Are you still willing to face the heartbreak of losing me?”
“I would have the honor of loving you first.”
Shinobu, looking away, reached for his hand.
Tanjirou held it tight.
“I promise to make you happy. For the amount of time we still have.” he promised.
“I promise to give you many good memories.” Shinobu replied.
With a smile, Tanjirou rested his forehead against Shinobu's, before they kissed.
xxxx
Zenitsu, Inosuke and the girls sighed in relief, when Tanjirou and Shinobu came out of the room holding hands, visibly in better spirits than before getting locked inside.
“So…did you two talk things over? Are you…?” he asked, worry seeping through his voice.
He might be able to tell by their sounds that things had smoothed over, but that didn't mean they couldn't still be avoiding the Estate like the demons avoid the sun.
“Yes. We talked.” Tanjirou smiled softly, “And we decided, in the time we have, to make each other happy.”
There was a moment of silence.
“Oh, thank goodness.” Zenitsu sighed in relief, deflating in his seat, as all the tension left his body.
“Zenitsu…you knew?” Tanjirou asked.
“We all knew, Tanjirou-san.” Aoi-san spoke up.
“Eh?!”
“I am sorry to say, but neither you nor Shinobu-sama were very discreet about how you felt about each other.”
Tanjirou rubbed the back of his head, embarrassed.
“I am sorry for the trouble.” he said.
“It's fine, so long you two are happy.” Aoi-san sighed.
Tanjirou looked at Shinobu. She looked back at him. They smiled.
“We are. We will be.” the Insect Pillar said.
“In this life and the next one.” the young Slayer continued.
Their friends looked at each other, before erupting in joyful cries, swarming the new couple and closing them in a group hug.