The Nex Step

Requested by a friend on another site. TanKana and ZeniNezu post-ending married and with a family of their own.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. The OCs belongs to my friend. This story I do own it.

Several years have passed since Muzan's defeat. Tanjirou and Kanao had married themselves just eight years after all the events. It was a lovely wedding, the remaining people and friends assisted. Kanao would've loved to have both Shinobu and Kanae in her wedding, but sadly they were gone. Tanjirou would've loved to have his family there as well, the smile of his mother telling him he was so proud, and his fallen younger siblings to cheer and giggle, happy for him.

But the day before the wedding all fallen loved ones, had appeared in their dreams, telling them they were so happy for them and that they still were with them, inside their hearts. Both Tanjirou and Kanao teared up, both from happiness and little sadness, but they have each other to support and to love for as long they lived.

Tanjirou had adapted to only having one arm to do most of the stuff, when he couldn't he could count with his beautiful wife's help. During that time, Nezuko and Zenitsu had also gotten married, but they already had a daughter, named Nezumi who resembled Nezuko in every aspect possible. Their daughter was eight years old, and such a beauty. Tanjirou played the uncle role pretty great, he loved his little niece and viceversa. Everyone else thought, that the first Kamado sibling to ever have kids would be Tanjirou, but Nezuko was who was first.

Giyuu had also played the role of overprotective uncle as well, the little girl loved braiding his hair and making him play with her, something the man couldn't ever say no to and despite denying it, he loved playing with his niece, even with only one arm he could. Despite the big threat being gone and the demons disappearing, the slightly-retired Water Hashira had promised to keep an eye around, for Tanjirou, Kanao, Nezuko, Zenitsu and Nezumi. He was slightly-retired, since there was no more threat, but still keep his position and his blade.

"You're going to be a father, Tanjirou-kun!"

Those seven words rang inside Tanjirou's head, as he dropped the chopsticks of his one hand, gasping and widening his eyes big. Kanao had come back from a check up and had told the news.

"W-what?" Tanjirou quickly stood and hurried over to his wife and took her hands in his one hand, looking at her in the eyes. "My dearest, is this true?" At Kanao's nod, the man sniffled and picked his wife in one arm twirling her around as he laughed and teared up of joy. "Oh Kanao, how wonderful!" He kissed her forehead.

"I'm as happy as you are, anata." Kanao took to calling her husband anata after being married to him. And she had taken to be more expressive and more talkative, Tanjirou had helped her believe in herself and to choose with the heart.

"This is so wonderful. We're going to be parents!" Tanjirou kept cheering and laughing. "We have to tell the others the amazing news, Kanao-chan." He kissed her cheek and set her down, taking her hand. Kanao nodded and they both went to gather rest to tell the news.

"Hey, O-Nii-chan! How is all going for you both?" Nezuko asked, as she stood besides Zenitsu and having their daughter in her arms. Giyuu was there as well, quiet as usual but looking over, and so was Inosuke who was eating like a pig as he usually did.

Tanjirou smiled. "Everyone. Kanao and I have some news to tell you." At this, everyone looked intrigued and curious. "We're gonna be parents!"

A whoop of cheers was heard, everyone cheering and congratulating the two.

"O-Nii-chan, that's wonderful! Congrats, to the both you." Nezuko was the first to congratulate them.

"Yes, congratulations, Tanjirou. You're a father now!" Zenitsu cheered. The blond had become more mature after marrying Nezuko and having a daughter, no more childishness was with him. Although, sometimes he did show his childish side, which amused Nezuko.

"Gonpachiro, don't forget the dinner of celebration!" Inosuke whooped, and thumbs up.

"Congratulations, Tanjirou and Kanao." Giyuu nodded in their direction, a small soft smile to them, then crouched and scooped up Nezumi when she demanded being put down to her mother and she ran over to him, held secure in his one arm.

"Thank you guys. Thank you all for showing your happiness to us." Tanjirou smiled brightly, rubbing his thumbs on Kanao's wrist and bringing her closer.

When the day, Tanjirou and Kanao's baby came around, it was a pretty hectic day, first getting out of bed and taking Kanao to the hospital wing to be there until the baby was ready to be born. Having panic episodes on the way, and many other little incidents that were better not to be told.

When the first contraction occured and Kanao's scream was heard, Tanjirou lost it, he wasn't allowed inside and had to be held down by Giyuu outside.

"Tanjirou, it's okay. She's okay. It's normal for her to start screaming, a birth is painful." Giyuu said oddly knowingly of it.

"B-but she's in pain, Tomioka-san!" Tanjirou complained.

"She'll be fine."

Just then, they heard a baby crying. Tanjirou gasped, trying to get inside but was stopped by Giyuu again.

"Tanjirou you must wait until you're allowed inside. You cannot just barge in."

Tanjirou sighed, he was absolutely worried about his wife and child. But his wait was no long, when Aoi walked out with a smile.

"Tanjirou, you can in now."

And so he did. He raced inside. "Kanao! A-are you okay..." Tanjirou forced himself quiet, when he saw his wife laying on her bed and holding two bundles in blue and pink blankets. "K-Kanao..."

Kanao weakly and exhausted from giving birth, held her twins and looked over to her husband. "Tanjirou-kun, come meet your children." She said softly and her husband walked inside to her side and watched the innocent faced of his newborns.

"They're...they're perfect, my lovely. You did a good job." Tanjirou praised and kissed her forehead, looking at the babies.

"Have you thought on a name for the boy? I have already chosen one for the girl. Shinobu. Kamado Shinobu." Kanao said softly, she wanted to honor her sister one last time and what better way to name her child as her.

Tanjirou carefully and gently held their son in his one arm, looking at him, so innocent and warm. He thought on possible names for boys. And he came into one suggestion and convinced that it would be a good name and way to honor this certain fallen Hashira, he nodded.

"Yes, I have. Kyoujurou. Kamado Kyoujurou." He replied and lightly kissed his son's forehead.

Kanao smiled softly, holding newly named little baby Shinobu to her chest. "Kamado twins. Kyoujurou and Shinobu."

"Our little ones..."

And so the others were allowed to come in and they all got moved by the twins' gentle aura of innocense.

"They're adorable, O-Nii-chan." Nezuko nodded, looking at her niece and nephew, while Nezumi peered over from being on her father's shoulders and giggled.

"So tiny and cute!"

"You were just the same as their age, Nezu." Zenitsu said softly to his daughter and nodded, he was so happy for his friend. Giyuu was watching from a distance by the corner.

"Those two are destinated to be great people when they get older..." The Water Hashira commented, watching the family with the new born babies.

This was a request. Feel free to PM if you want one. I may not get to them ASAP, because I also have my life and other works to finish and update. This was for my friend.