#tankana is explicitly present

[rubylarkspur22]

That Nezuko death fic was so sad! How about a story about the more positive side of that scenario: Nezuko reuniting with her siblings and parents in the afterlife.

Why, thank you! I never know if my angst writing is going to be considered sad or not(again, hobby not profession), so these kinds of comments always surprise me! Nezuko reuniting with her family, you say? Yeah, I think I can make that happen.

"Nezuko?" At the sound of her mother's voice, Nezuko turned to face her family.

"I feel horrible about leaving him." Nezuko whispered. They were supposed to go home together, after Kibutsuji was gone and Tanjirou was human again. But of course that monster had to strip them both of the only thing they had left; each other.

"I know, dear." her mother sighed as her siblings each wrapped their arms around her. "We all wish we didn't have to leave you two behind."

"But we can still watch over big brother!" Hanako piped up. "Kinda like how he always watched over us!"

"But Kibutsuji--"

"Kibutsuji being gone does not mean we have to stop watching over those who need us." Nezuko whipped around to face her father. "After all, I seem to recall speaking to you a few times. And I never met Kibutsuji Muzan."

"I guess you're right." Nezuko muttered.

"We'll allow ourselves to move on when we're ready." her mother assured her. "Until then, we can watch over Tanjirou. We may not be there physically, but that does not mean we are any less present." Nezuko nodded with a faint smile, resting her arms on Shigeru and Takeo's shoulders.

"I'm sure the others will take good care of him." Nezuko told her family, turning around to see an image of the world of the living. Zenitsu and Kanao were closest to Tanjirou; Zenitsu offering a hug while Kanao held Tanjirou's hand. Yeah, I think he's in good hands. Nezuko thought.

"You made some good friends, Nezuko." her father spoke up. Nezuko turned to him with a smile.

Years Later

Nezuko watched with joyful tears in her eyes as Tanjirou held his and Kanao's newborn daughter. She was happy her brother had found someone to be happy with. She was almost always watching over him from beyond the grave, wanting to make sure he was doing okay. And here he was, happily married and now a father of two beautiful children Nezuko didn't doubt would grow up into wonderful people. "Papa!" As if summoned by Nezuko's thoughts of the newest generation of Kamado children, Tanjirou and Kanao's son toddled into the room with Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Aoi right behind him.

"Have you been good for your aunt and uncles?" Tanjirou asked. The boy nodded before leaning on Tanjirou's arm to get a closer look at the newborn baby. "This is your new baby sister."

"Do you have a name in mind?" Aoi asked as she knelt beside Kanao.

"We have some options, but we haven't decided on one yet." Kanao admitted. Before anyone could say anything else, Zenitsu started yelling. It wasn't in fear, like it used to be; it was in excitement.

"Zenitsu, please keep it down!" Tanjirou exclaimed, placing one hand over the baby's ears and hugging her closer with the arm supporting her. An obvious attempt to block out Zenitsu still very loud yells. Nezuko giggled at the sight, then turned to her newborn niece. She gasped as she noticed what Zenitsu must have been freaking out over.

"Sorry!" Zenitsu squeaked. "But... look!" Tanjirou looked down, seeing the newborn girl's eyes were open. While she certainly inherited her eye colour from her mother, it wasn't hard to tell what side of the family the shape of her eyes were from. Wide and round, just like her father and paternal aunts and uncles.

"I think I know what name I want to give her." Tanjirou chuckled, turning to Kanao. "If you're alright with it, Kanao."

"Whatever name you pick is fine by me." Kanao replied with a smile. Nezuko was almost too enraptured by her niece to hear the name she was given.

"Nezumi." Nezuko turned her attention to Tanjirou, her eyes wide in shock as she processed the name.

"How are we spelling it?" Kanao asked with a knowing smile. Zenitsu grabbed a piece of paper and one of those fancy pens from his pocket, and handed it to Tanjirou. When he finished writing, everyone leaned closer to see what he had written.

禰豆美

Nezuko, despite her best effort, couldn't quite keep back the sob. If she could, she would have hugged Tanjirou. "Are you okay, dear?" her mother asked. Nezuko turned around, wiping away her tears.

"I'm fine." Nezuko turned slightly to Tanjirou again, not missing the nostalgic smile as the others noted the kanji for the newborn baby's name. "I'm great, actually." she added with a smile to the rest of her family. After a moment, she turned back to her friends and new family. She might have been imagining things, but it seemed like little Nezumi's eyes were pretty focused on her. With a shrug, Nezuko waved to her niece. "Hi, Nezumi." Nezuko giggled. "I'm not sure if you can see me, but I'm one of your aunties. It's wonderful to meet you."

"Ah!" Nezumi responded with the best smile a newborn could muster, and Nezuko could practically feel her heart melting at the adorable sight before her. She felt her smile widen upon seeing how much Tanjirou lit up at seeing that tiny, toothless smile.

"You take good care of your papa, okay? Just like I know he's going to take wonderful care of you and your big brother." Nezumi smiled again, and Nezuko nodded. Yeah, these kids are gonna be just fine. she thought before turning to join her parents and younger siblings.