Simple understanding [INOTAN]

Where do we go from here?

Tanjiro hadn't been doing well. Ever since Rengoku died, he had kept more and more to himself. Working himself to the point of exhaustion, to the point where he would barely acknowledge his friends existences.
Zenitsu seemed to take the hint and withdrew from trying to pull Tanjiro out. He still did his best to offer snacks and remind him to take breaks, but he didn't want to overstep.
Inosuke was the complete opposite. He hadn't even noticed Tanjiro's indifference, he thought they had just been focusing on getting stronger. That's all he could think to do as well after Rengoku.
He kept encouraging Tanjiro, going with him to train every second he could and focused on getting stronger. He wasn't sure what else to do anymore.

Today was the same, they were running laps in the butterfly mansion's training area. Today was the first day Inosuke started to grasp how distant Tanjiro was becoming.
Inosuke jogged steadily and was right next to Tanjiro,
"Oi, Monjiro, I bet I could beat you in a race,"
No answer,
"I could beat anyone in a race really, even that demon from the train-"
Tanjiro sped up. Did he accept the invitation to race? There can't have been any other reason,
"I didn't expect you to cheat," Inosuke scoffed as he caught up with Tanjiro, "I would too if I was racing myself though, how else would you win,"
He sped up more, breaking into a full sprint. This took Inosuke by surprise, but he welcomed the challenge. He caught up again but before he could utter a word, Tanjiro's breathing changed and he shot forwards faster than he'd ever seen. Inosuke kept running and kept nearly catching up, but Tanjiro just kept going. Normally he'd have said something or slowed down. He would've said something,
"Monjiro, I can't win if you cheat-"
A drop of liquid fell from Tanjiro's face as he suddenly stopped. It must've been sweat, what would he be crying about?
"Tanjira?" Inosuke tilted his head, becoming slightly concerned,
"Boys, we made lunch. Take a break for a bit!" Aoi called from the door, Zenitsu standing next to her staring at Tanjiro with a look Inosuke didn't recognise. It wasn't fear, contempt maybe? Inosuke relaxed his stance and walked in for the food. Zenitsu and Aoi followed behind. Tanjiro stood, breathing heavily as rain started to fall.

"Inosuke, this one isn't yours!" Zenitsu complained as he took a rice ball from his plate and put it back on Tanjiro's,
"No one else is eating it, it's free!"
Aoi walked over and took Tanjiro's plate,
"Just because he's late for lunch again, doesn't mean you can eat it,"
"Who's late?" Inosuke asked, genuinely confused,
"Tanjiro," Aoi replied as she set down the plate on the side. She turned to see Inosuke deep in thought,
"Your friend! The guy you just trained with!"
"Oh! How was I meant to know that was his food??"
"I didn't put it in front of you,"
"You might as well have, it was right there!" Inosuke gestured to the empty space at the table. Normally arguments would be shut down quickly, but with Tanjiro's absence becoming more and more frequent, they'd often carry on until they tired themselves out,
"Well-" Aoi opened her mouth to complain, when a lightning bolt struck outside, making everyone jump. They both turned to look at Zenitsu, but he liked just as shocked as they were,
"Is Tanjiro still out in that?" He asked softly, mostly to himself. Inosuke stood up and stretched, he picked up the rice ball from Tanjiro's plate,
"Inosuke-" Aoi started,
"I'm going to take it to him and bribe him in for the rest of his food. I won't bother bringing the whole plate and letting it get soaked," Inosuke replied slightly softer than usual as he stepped outside.
"I think the rest of our training should be inside," Zenitsu said as he turned to Aoi. But she didn't hear him. She had already left the dining area to clean. Zenitsu sat by himself for a bit and sighed,
"At least it's quiet,"

"Monjiro? Uh- Tonjeeri??" Inosuke called as he walked through the rain. It had started to pour a lot heavier so it obstructed his vision a lot,
"I brought your lunch, you should come inside and eat the rest before SOMEONE accidentally does it for you,"
He couldn't hear if anyone replied. He squinted and looked around as much as he could, he just caught a slight movement in a bush as he looked to the left. He pounced on it without giving it any thought,
"Ow- Inosuke!" Tanjiro looked at him and for the first time, he looked genuinely mad at him. This rattled him a bit so he quickly got off of his soaked friend,
"Your lunch-" Inosuke started,
"I don't need it. Ask Aoi to save me some dinner later. I have training to do,"
"You can at least eat this so I don't get in trouble for eating it myself,"
"Just tell them I ate it-"
"They'll know" Inosuke interrupted. He knew he could eat it himself and lie, but he hadn't realised how little he'd seen Tanjiro and actually got to talk with him recently. He wanted to drag the moment out,
"They'll know because I eat messy and it'll be all over me, so you should just eat it to spare me,"
Tanjiro stared at Inosuke, his gaze softened and he took the rice ball,
"Fine. Tell Aoi I say thank you,"
"I will"
They sat in silence while Tanjiro ate. The rain still falling heavily all around them. It was quite relaxing once you got over the cold,
"Ta-" Inosuke turned back to Tanjiro, but he was surprised to see him slowly falling down towards him. He was shivering and soaked, only a few bites taken out of his rice ball. Inosuke put his hand on his shoulder and gently nudged him, Tanjiro was sleeping? Inosuke looked around to see if there was shelter, but he couldn't see any. He scratched his head and sighed, might as well force him to rest before he goes god mode again. He gently picked him up bridal style, ignoring the rice ball that fell out of Tanjiro's limp hand and on to the wet grass. He could always ask Aoi for a new one.