Day 10: Missing each other
Pairing(s): Tanjiro Kamado x Gn!Reader
Divider Creds (in order): @/strangergraphics, @/andromeda-graphics
It had been a few days since you, Tanjiro, and the rest of the gang began Hashira training. Things were going well for him, but you couldn’t say the same for yourself.
Ever since that first mission together, over a year ago, the two of you had been inseparable. From the mission at Mt.Natagumo to the Mugen Train and beyond, it was hard to believe how much of an impact Tanjiro had made on your life. You didn’t fully realize it until you found yourself lying awake at night, thinking about him.
Your thoughts kept drifting to him. You wondered what he was doing, how his training was going, and whether he was alright, even though he wasn’t that far away. You even asked around to find out which Hashira he was training under, hoping to visit him– a visit that never ended up happening time and time again despite your promise to yourself each time.
Today, you began training under the Love Hashira, Ms. Kanroji, and after a bit of snooping around, you found out that Tanjiro had started his training with the Stone Hashira. The news left you feeling glad that he was no longer being subjected to borderline torture. On top of your schedules not lining up, after working with so many of the other Hashira already, you were exhausted and more than ready to see Tanjiro again.
Luckily for you, Ms. Kanroji was kind and so ecstatic at your mention of wanting to see Tanjiro that she encouraged you to go meet him, even at the expense of your training time. You planned to stop by during hours when Tanjiro wasn’t busy and maybe even pay him a visit during his rest time if push came to shove.
After checking in with your sources and with Ms. Kanroji once again for reassurance, you set off on your quest to see Tanjiro.
The morning air was cool, and a gentle breeze brushed past you as the sun began to rise. You adjusted the small pack on your shoulder, careful not to crush the bundle of sweet treats you’d stayed up late baking. They were simple rice cakes and pastries, including some of the few flavors you knew Tanjiro liked. It was your own way of saying you liked missed him, even if you couldn’t say it outright.
The path to the Stone Hashira’s training ground wasn’t easy. You followed narrow dirt trails that twisted through tall trees, with the sound of rushing water echoing nearby. Each step brought back memories of past missions: the rustle of Tanjiro’s haori beside you, his quiet encouragement whenever you grew tired. You smiled at the memories, even though they made your chest ache a little.
‘Knowing him, he’s probably overworking himself again,’ a thought you couldn’t stop yourself from thinking. You could almost hear his voice, bright and earnest, that’s just how much you found yourself missing him.
By the time you reached the edge of Gyomei Himejima’s training area, the sun was already high. You could hear the distant sound of others who were training here: sounds of agony if you will. From behind a cluster of trees, you looked out at the training grounds. You didn’t see anything particularly remarkable, until you did.
You spotted Tanjiro almost instantly. Even from far away, there was no mistaking him. He was sitting beside a massive boulder, his chest rising and falling heavily as he caught his breath. His sword was nowhere to be seen, and sweat glistened on his forehead.
For a moment, you froze. You’d imagined this reunion over and over, but now that he was right there, you couldn’t seem to move. Then Tanjiro looked up, eyes scanning the area absently, until they landed on you.
His expression lit up instantly. “[your name]!”
You didn’t even realize you’d started running until you were already halfway there. The world seemed to blur, the exhaustion of the hike forgotten as your feet carried you straight to him. Before you could think twice, you threw your arms around him, nearly knocking him back.
“I missed you,” you blurted out, your voice muffled against his shoulder.
Tanjiro stiffened in surprise at first, then relaxed with a soft laugh. When you pulled back, you realized what you’d just said and your face heated up instantly. “I, uh– sorry, that was…”
He smiled, his cheeks tinged pink. “No, it’s okay,” he said quietly. “I missed you too.”
The warmth of his voice was enough to make your heart stumble and the two of you were blushing like a couple of idiots. You handed him the small cloth bundle you’d carried all this way, trying to change the subject. “I made these for you. Ms. Kanroji said I should bring something nice if I was going to interrupt your training." What a total lie.
Tanjiro’s eyes widened slightly as he unwrapped it. “You made these yourself? They smell amazing!” He looked back up at you, his smile as bright as ever. “Thank you, [your name]. I really appreciate it.”
You sat beside him as he tried one, the two of you taking in the quiet moment between the sounds of distant training. For the first time in days, you felt your shoulders relax.
That evening, after the other trainees finished up for the day, you and Tanjiro decided to take a walk through the nearby woods. The air had cooled, and the sky was painted in shades of violet and soft gold as fireflies began to flicker with light. You walked side by side in comfortable silence for a while, the crunch of leaves underfoot the only sound between you two.
“It feels like forever since we’ve had time to just talk,” Tanjiro said eventually, glancing at you with a gentle smile.
You nodded. “Training’s been… intense. Ms. Kanroji’s nice, though. She’s got so much energy it’s hard to keep up with her.”
Tanjiro chuckled. “That sounds like her. Mr. Himejima’s the opposite. He’s calm, though his teaching is a bit… not what I’m used to.” He sighs.
You smiled faintly. “Sounds like you’ve been learning a lot.”
“I have,” he said, his eyes softening. “But I still have a long way to go. We all do.”
You both fell silent again, listening to the quiet noises of crickets and the gentle rustle of the trees. The moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting a pale silver shadow across his face. It was peaceful and so different from the chaos of training or the constant danger of missions.
After a moment, you spoke, your voice barely above a whisper. “I really did miss you, you know.”
Tanjiro looked at you, his expression unreadable at first. Then his features softened. “I missed you too. A lot.”
You looked away, feeling your cheeks warm again. “It just feels weird not having you around. I kept wondering if you were doing alright, if you were pushing yourself too hard again.”
He let out a soft laugh. “You’ve been worrying too much.”
“Maybe,” you replied with a small smile, “but it’s because I care.”
He shook his head, still smiling, then reached out and gently took your hand. His touch was warm and a little hesitant, the rough calluses of his hands pressing softly against your skin, as if he wasn’t sure he was allowed to hold on, but luckily he didn’t let go.
“I’m okay,” he said softly. “I promise. And it means a lot that you’re worried about me.”
You squeezed his hand lightly, unsure how to respond.
Tanjiro maintained his soft gaze, his smile not wavering once. You both kept walking like that, hand in hand, neither of you needing to say much more. The stars had come out fully now, scattered across the sky like glitter. The path ahead led back toward the training grounds, where you could spot a few boulders in the distance, and the waterfall's noise at full blast.
When you reached the edge of the clearing, Tanjiro finally stopped. “You should get some rest,” he said, turning toward you. “It’s been a long day.”
You nodded, though part of you didn’t want to go just yet. “Yeah… I just wanted to see you. I’m glad I did.”
Tanjiro’s smile softened again. “Me too.” He hesitated for a second, then added quietly, “Thank you for coming all this way.”
You shrugged, trying to play it off even as your heart raced. “What are friends for?”
A look of shock flashed across his face, then he gave you a knowing look, one that lingered for just a second too long before he finally let go of your hand. “Good night, [your name].’
You watched him walk ahead. As you went your separate ways, a small smile tugged at your lips. The exhaustion of the past few days felt left you, and was replaced with something warmer.
You walked back to where you were stationed and one thought kept repeating in your mind.
