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“I knew I'd find you here.”
Zenitsu's ears perked at the familiar cheery voice of Tanjiro, yet he doesn't turn around, as if he already saw—heard him coming. His hands play diligently on the Koto, each finger plucking the strings with precision, creating a melodious rythm as petals of Sakura gently fall on the ground.
“How's your mission, Tanjiro.” Asked Zenitsu, calm and tranquil, a far cry from the coward he once was, a change Tanjiro is still getting used to ever since they both became pillars.
“About as well as it could go. I managed to defeat the demon with a bit of ease.” Tanjiro chuckled as he approached the thunder hashira, sitting right beside him. His eyes watched intently, the way Zenitsu's fingers pluck the strings with precise ease, playing a wonderous song which resonated throughout the Sakura trees surrounding the sun estate.
“I haven't seen you play that before.” Commented the sun hashira. Zenitsu opened his eyes, gazing out the vast expanse of cherry blossoms planted all across Tanjiro's estate.
“It's.. a new instrument I'm trying out. I'm still learning, though.” Zenitsu shyly admitted as he stopped playing. He brought his hands down to his lap, clasping them together.
“Learning?” Tanjiro was shocked, a statement he wasn't expecting considering the expertise Zenitsu showed just now. The burgundy haired pillar shook his head, placing a hand on Zenitsu's shoulder, leaning towards him. “You're STILL learning?! You're much more better than the Koto players I've heard during my last mission on red light district!” Shouted Tanjiro, his voice a little too high, causing Zenitsu a bit of discomfort.
Tanjiro immediately notices and pulls away. “S-Sorry!” Tanjiro exclaims, his cheeks burning from embarrassment as he looked away.
Zenitsu gave Tanjiro a lighthearted chuckle, seemingly amused by the sun hashira's sudden display of embarrassment and shyness. “Oh Tanjiro.. you're still the same as you were when we were teens.” Zenitsu commented, placing a hand on his chest as he broke out a fit of laughter.
The sun hashira's face softened as he shook his head. He looks over at the laughing thunder hashira, taking in Zenitsu's form. How that long blonde hair billowed in the breeze, how sweet his smile is, how he looked amidst Sakura leaves falling on him. Times has changed them for better, or for worst, yet there are things that remains the same. “I can't say the same thing for you, Zenitsu.” Tanjiro muttered, letting a small giggle leave his mouth before sighing.
Zenitsu's laugher stopped. He opened his eyes, and saw how solemn Tanjiro has looked. Zenitsu's face softened, looking at Tanjiro with a warm smile. He took the tsumas off his fingertips as he reached a hand towards Tanjiro's face, placing a palm on his cheek which made the sun hashira flinch. “I know. But you know, time doesn't stand still. We have to adapt to the change if we want to get anywhere in life. That's why I gave up the old me and changed my ways. I wanted to be better than the coward I was back then.” Zenitsu explained, his voice soft and gentle, one that soothes Tanjiro just being able to listen to it.
“No.. it's not that I.. want the old you back. It's just, so much has changed since we, Kanao, and Inosuke became Hashiras. And...- I'm proud that we're all able to get as far as we are now. Even though we...”
“Failed to defeat Muzan?” Zenitsu finished. Tanjiro lowered his head, his lips quivering. “Yeah...” Muttered the sun hashira. Zenitsu took a deep breath, pulling Tanjiro towards him in a comforting embrace. “I know. It's.. difficult, but it is what it is. All we can do is press on.”
“But they all died for nothing!” Tanjiro exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Zenitsu, his body trembled as tears sting his eyes. “They... everyone, Lady Tamayo, Giyuu, Sanemi, the other hashiras.. their sacrifice was all in vain! A-and I feel like it's.. my fault for not trying harder. I... I should've...”
Zenitsu pulled away, his hands gripping Tanjiro's shoulders. “Don't say that! The hashira's, they all didn't die for nothing. We got close to defeating Muzan because of their help and sacrifices. Just because he managed to slip away, doesn't mean it's your fault that he did. It wasn't. You hear me?” Zenitsu scolded.
Tanjiro sniffled, wiping off his tears with the sleeves of his haori. “I'm sorry.. I'm sorry, Zenitsu...” Tanjiro croaked, leaning against the thunder hashira. Zenitsu sighed, wrapping his arms once more around the sun pillar. “You don't have to be sorry for anything, Tanjiro.” Zenitsu whispered, tightening his embrace around him.
“Just don't blame yourself for something you weren't in control of, alright?” The thunder hashira placed a hand on Tanjiro's head, his fingers intertwining with the burgundy locks. “Yeah.. of course.” Tanjiro breathed out a shaky sigh, the corners of his lips tugged into a small smile. “You really have matured, huh.” Tanjiro looked up at Zenitsu, who's looking down at him with a soft and tender expression.
“Come here.” Zenitsu pulled Tanjiro's face closer to his, their lips locking against one another in a beautifully passionate kiss.
Both Hashiras closed their eyes, their mouths moved against eachother. Each hungry for the taste of both of their lips on one another. Zenitsu's hands travelled down to Tanjiro's waist, pulling him on his lap while Tanjiro wrapped his arms around the thunder hashira's neck, pulling him closer, as if afraid that if he lets go, he'll loose Zenitsu as well.
Their moment was beautiful as cherry blossom leaves fall around them, the crisp breeze moving their long hairs abreast of the current, the rays of the sun filtering through the canopy of flowering branches, their shadows casting onto the two lovers.
...
“Well, seems that you two are having the moment of your lives.” A sudden, calm and feminine voice interrupted both Zenitsu and Tanjiro's passionate moment. They both immediately pulled away from eachother. They both turned their heads towards the source of the voice.
“Ah.. Kanao..” Tanjiro stammered as he got off Zenitsu. “Hello there.” Zenitsu awkwardly smiled.
Kanao, the flower hashira smiled at both of them. “Oyakata-sama has called you both in for a meeting. He has a mission tasked for both of you.” She said.
Tanjiro and Zenitsu looked at eachother, both disappointedly sighed as they both stood up from the gras. “We'll be there shortly.” Tanjiro smiled as Zenitsu picked up his Koto.
Kanao nodded, before walking off.
“Well, so much for wanting to have a moment.” Zenitsu let out an exasperated sigh.
Tanjiro looked at him, cracking out a soft, playful chuckle. “Fret not. We can have our moment, and many other moments after we do our mission.” Zenitsu looked at Tanjiro and laughed.
“Well, let's go.”