Work Text:
A sharp pain split through his side, a burst of bright light mixed with deep reds gushed onto the open floor. This was it. This was what it was all for.
Kokushibo clenched a fist to his chest.
In the abyss, his heart was no longer barely staggering to keep up with his sharp movements, it was still. Everything was still. So still, so calm.
His insides felt hollow yet his chest felt tight and heavy, and so, the might upper one had fallen, on, Master Muzan must've been shaking his head in disappointment.
He'd had expected his own demise to cause a dramatic reaction, pure enragement, he'd fight his way through hell all over again, just to refine his body, to stretch it to it's utmost of ability, to become as strong, or stronger, than Yoriichi.
But he didn't feel pain. He didn't feel anger. He just bit his lip, accepting his defeat, in the end, all of his hundreds of years would amount to nothing, what was he even fighting for? To be stronger than a man who wasn't even around anymore? His twin.
He had no regrets about his life, he lived a shameless, busy life. He wasn't ashamed to admit his wrong doing, he didn't feel guilty- oh wait.
He did regret something.
One thing, that tugged at the back of his brain like his ponytail, each and every time he got frustrated.
Yoriichi.
He regretted Yoriichi.
He regretted his power, his existence, his birth, he regretted he was born to such a weak, bitter, pathetic brother.
He should have protected Yoriichi, being the older twin, he should've been a role model, yet, even after his demise, pure spite filled him, and he cut Yoriichi down continuously.
Maybe he did feel remorse, for being so evil, for not being strong enough, for not loving him enough, and for once, he acknowledged that, no matter how much training he had done, it would all amount to nothing in the long run.
Yoriichi was so pure of heart, he'd fight through hell and back for his loved ones, he was born favoured by the Gods, it was never Kokushibo's fault for his godlike abilities, the only thing he was at fault for was a betrayal such as his own, in becoming a demon.
A silent tear fell, and a blazing spark burst into a bright flame behind him, closing his eyes mournfully, he accepted his fate, accepted that he must fight through hell and back, as his brother would do for him, in order to reach purgatory.
And, with that pin prick of hope, he pleaded to be forgiven by the Gods, and pleaded to be reborn a better person, by his brother's side once more.
To protect him, to love him, to care for him like he should have, and maybe, just maybe, Yoriichi would forgive him for his crimes against the core.