Chapter Text
Epilogue
I went to the ocean. I played in the sand with my grandchildren - Yoriichi’s daughter, the firstborn, and then his son, born six years after. I traveled by airplane to the mainland. I went to the big cities. I saw Mt. Fuji. Kagura and I took my granddaughter to the plays, the concerts, the shows. My grandson taught me all about outer space, read his books to me, and drew me pictures of life on other planets. I saw my nieces and nephew grow up and have their own children. I saw the Hashibira twins grow up and have their own children. The found family stayed together, just like we always knew we would. They made growing old all the better. And, most importantly, I was happy. It took a long time, but I found happiness again. I found it when I watched Yoriichi and Kagura become wise parents. I found it when I held both my grandchildren’s hands. I found it when they came up to me and asked countless times, Grandma Kanao, tell us about Grandpa Tanjiro. So, I filled their hearts with the memory of a man they grew to adore, even though they had never met him. In doing so, he stayed alive. And, I lived to be an old woman surrounded by family, love, and peace.
Now, I’m standing here at a bridge. I look around. It appears as if I’m in a meadow, and there’s a river cutting through the middle. The bridge arches over the river, innocent and inviting. I’m not sure what to do, but I feel calm. I realize that my vision is clear again, in both eyes, one hundred percent. I look at my reflection in the water, and I look as I did when I was in my twenties. My hair is up in its hairpin, like old times. I put my hand in the water. It’s cool and refreshing.
“Kanao?” calls a voice.
It’s coming from the other side of the river. It’s a sweet voice, one I definitely remember, but haven’t heard in a long time. Two figures are approaching the bridge now, two women, both in colorful kimonos. I stand up and gaze at them as they come closer. I know them, but it can’t be.
“Kanao!” they call out to me again.
I find my voice. “Master? I mean, Shinobu? Kanae?”
The two of them approach from the other side of the bridge, smiling. I gasp and smile back. I don’t even think twice about running across the bridge to meet them. They gather me into their arms.
“Oh, Kanao,” Kanae sings. “We're so happy to see you!”
“You did so well,” adds Shinobu. “We’ve both been watching you, and we’re proud of you, little sister.”
“I can’t believe it!” I exclaim happily. “It’s been so long. Why are you here?”
“Why wouldn’t we welcome our younger sister to this world?” smiles Kanae.
“Is this place what I think it is?” I ask them.
“This place can be whatever you want it to be,” explains Shinobu. “There’s no limit to how far it goes.”
“There’s much more to find. See for yourself,” says Kanae.
“All right,” I say. “It’s beautiful here.”
Shinobu takes me by the shoulders.
“That all being said, if I were you, I’d go look at that sakura tree over there first.”
She points at a brilliant pink tree in the distance. It looks just like the tree at the Butterfly Mansion. I smile from ear to ear. Of course, that’s where they want me to go. It’s almost like I’m drawn to it.
I turn to them again. “Are you coming, too?”
“We’ll see you again later,” Kanae says. “Go explore! You’ll find there’s lots of places to go here, and lots of people to see.”
I’m still not sure what to make of this world, but I head over to the tree. I look behind me. Kanae and Shinobu aren’t following. For now, I walk to the tree. As I get closer, I realize that it’s a lot bigger than it looked from near the bridge. The trunk is wide and its branches stretch out like an umbrella, creating a pink cover. I stand admiring the tree, enjoying the breeze through my hair. The pink petals scatter in the wind, and I can’t help but laugh. It’s peaceful and comforting. It brings back memories.
I’m startled by a footstep. I turn around, but no one’s there. It’s coming from behind the tree trunk. Someone else is here, but I sense no harm. Everything around me is peaceful. But, I’m confused, so I decide to stand and wait. I watch as a figure appears from behind the tree trunk.
His hand appears first, gently running his fingers through the leaves and flowers. Then, the rest of him follows. He is young, like he's in his twenties again. The shirt he wears is his favorite, with the green and black checkered pattern. The gentle breeze ruffles his gorgeous hair, the sun bouncing off the red highlights. He turns his head towards me, and he’s smiling. The brightness is back in both of his deep red eyes. He locks my gaze, and for a moment, the two of us just stand facing each other. His smile spreads into a grin over his handsome face, then he speaks.
“Hey, there.”
It can’t be the world after. If it’s truly the world after, then I should feel no heartbeat. Yet, it’s beating in my chest with the force of a thousand drums. My voice explodes, loud and strong, as tears burst from my eyes.
“TANJIRO!!!”
I throw myself into his embrace so hard that he stumbles backwards, and he squeezes me back with both arms. His body is still warm. His hold is exactly the same as I remember, strong and sturdy, and indescribably loving. He feels alive. I can feel his strength, his muscles, and the tension on every last inch of his skin. I cry into his shoulder, and he strokes my hair. Nothing has changed at all.
“My love,” he whispers to me. “I missed you.”
“I missed you so much!” I sob. “But, I felt you always. I felt you watching over me.”
“I did watch you. And, Kanao, I am so proud of you.”
“I’m proud of myself, too,” I sniffle.
“What did you think?” he asks. “What was it like out there in the world?”
“It was beautiful,” I reply.
“I’m glad you got to experience it.”
“I’m glad I did, too,” I tell him. “Although, I never stopped thinking about you.”
“And, I never stopped thinking about you.”
He holds me even closer to him. Everything about him is love. He looks at me, and his smile isn’t sad anymore. It is peace, it is joy. He caresses my cheeks with his smooth hands, and I can’t stop staring into his eyes.
“Let’s go home,” he says. “There are people I want you to meet.”
I think for a minute, then gasp.
“You mean… your parents? Your siblings? You really found them again?”
“Yes,” he answers with a big grin. “They’ve all been waiting for you. They can’t wait to meet their big brother’s beloved wife.”
“And, what about all our friends from the Demon Slayer Corps?”
“They’re close by. We’ll see them, too.”
“And… did you ever meet Tsugikuni?”
“I did. I gave him Yoriichi’s message.”
“What did he say?”
“He nodded. That was it. But, he smelled very appreciative.”
We both laugh. For the world after, there is so much life.
“We’ll see everyone we know, and the rest of the family will join us eventually,” Tanjiro goes on. “We’ll all be together again, just like I promised.”
“Because true love never dies,” I breathe.
“That’s right.”
I run my fingers through that hair of his. It’s still soft, it’s still thick and wonderful. I am still wearing my rings on my finger, and he is still wearing his. I can hold both of his hands now, and he can hold both of mine. His earrings blow in the wind, and they make a delicate sound. I am glad to see them on him again. I know what his love feels like. This is all real. If this is the rest of eternity, then I’m not afraid. No matter how long time lasts, it will all be beautiful. I bring myself even closer to his face. It is like holding and looking into the sun. He is here, and so am I.
“I love you, Tanjiro,” I whisper.
“I love you, too, Kanao Kamado.”
I reach up and pull his face close. His lips are still soft and he still tastes the same way. I still can’t believe he is mine. I still can’t believe that I’m wrapped up in him again. It all happens in the same beat, our hearts as one again. I can kiss him as long as I want to. I am excited to meet his parents and siblings, and I can’t wait to see our friends. But, I will also gladly stay here under this tree forever in his arms, against his lips. There is no end to the possibilities, to the people we will meet, and the places we will go together. I can’t imagine anyone else I want to share eternity with. Tanjiro is the love of my life.
And, now, he is the love of my forever.
THE END