Chapter Text
Kokushibo has been aware of that cult that worships his brother for centuries now.
It started when he was still human, reaching the age of twenty-four. Back then it was just a small group of very devoted and grateful people who Yoriichi saved from demons. But humans have a way of escalating things, and that group kept getting larger and larger even after Yoriichi died.
By the time four centuries passed, Yoriichi had become a legend amongst them, a tale they told amongst themselves and passed down to the next generation. What started out as a group of people wishing to show their gratitude, evolved into a cult that saw the man who lived centuries ago as a Saint, as a saviour sent by Amaterasu-sama herself.
He did nothing about the cult. He saw no reason to. The cult was a mere group of humans worshipping a dead man, they had no connections to the Demon Slayer Corp. Even Muzan saw no reason to waste time on it.
Kokushibo stared at the forest ahead of him, trying to avoid letting his attention go to him.
"Why won't you look at me?"
Kokushibo's hands tightened into fists.
"Do you really hate me that much, brother?"
"Yes I do." Kokushibo snapped at the air.
He was quiet for a moment. Then a cold and clammy hand settled on his shoulder. It's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there, it's not there—
"I'm still buried in the mud, brother, with centipedes and little ants."
"Shut up." Kokushibo shook off the hand and started walking. It did nothing to help.
"They found me, brother."
That got Kokushibo to halt, and he allowed himself to turn around and stare at Yoriichi. "What?"
Yoriichi tilted his head, the rotting and decaying skin and muscle letting out a sickening sound with the movement. Maggots danced accross his skin, eating away at the wounds."They dug up most of the remains you buried." Yoriichi's form distorted and one of his seperated hands floated up, as if to reach for Kokushibo, but halted and went back. Blood started pour from Yoriichi's torso, dripping down to the forest ground until it threatened to drown Kokushibo—and then vanished. "They're trying to drag me back from my rest, brother."
"You're trying to mess with me." Kokushibo forced out and looked away from his brother. "I don't care what that cult does."
"...You really do hate me, then."
"Of course I do. I told you so two minutes ago." Kokushibo continued walking.
"Why do you hate me?"
Kokushibo didn't answer. He walked and walked and walked until Yoriichi's voice faded away once more. Then he stops and swings his blade at a nearby tree, cutting up the next few kilometres of the forest into ribbons.
Yoriichi really has a way of bringing out unwanted emotions out of him. Even years after his death, Yoriichi still remains.
It was infuriating.
Espechially when that damned cult kept reaching out to him like he was one of them. The only reason he keeps the members who stumble upon him alive is because he can't be bothered, he has better things to worry about.
Doesn't make it easier though.
"Kokushibo-sama!" An unfamiliar voice called out, but Kokushibo knew that it was another cultist.
"How many times do I have to tell you lot that I want nothing to do with your cult?" Kokushibo turned to look at the approaching cultist.
The human paid no mind to his words, instead smiling widely. "We found him." The cultist said with a tranquil expression. "He has returned. Isn't that wonderful?"
"What?" Kokushibo stiffened.
"He's back!" The human jumped excitedly. "We found him, in a new form and unaware of the truth of his nature. He's safe now, under our protection."
Kokushibo stares at the human for a moment. While most would tremble in fear of his appearance, the cultists don't. All because of their foolish devotion to the memory of a dead man.
There's no way.
Another Yoriichi can't have been born.
These idiots took someone unrelated and someone who resembled the vague descriptions of Yoriichi the founders of the cult left behind. Delightful.
Kokushibo said nothing and turned around. He has better things to do.
"Wait, Kokushibo-sama! Would you not like to see him?" The cultist calls out after him. "It really is him! We can tell!"
It isn't. It can't be.
Whoever these fools have dragged into their cult is not Yoriichi.
It can't be.
As Kokushibo walked away, the cultist stared silently at his retreating form. The stories they heard from the Elders about Kokushibo are vague and vary a lot. They always assumed that the reason for why Kokushibo wanted nothing to do with them was because he didn't take the death of his brother and their saviour very well.
But they know the child they found is their saviour. The child now safely residing in their care is their saviour's reincarnation.
The boy is unaware of his true nature, ignorant to what his soul is made of.
That's fine. They'll teach him and protect him until he can remember.
"Sachiko-san." The familiar voice of one of the Elders was heard.
Sachiko whirled around to look at the Elder, smiling softly. "Hikage-sama."
The Elder smiled. "How did Kokushibo-sama react to the news?"
"Ah, my deepest apologies, Hikage-sama, but I don't think he recieved them well..." Sachiko muttered, ashamed. "He walked away without saying anything."
"That's alright." The Elder shook his head. "It must be quite the shock, to hear of his brother's return so suddenly. Give him time."
Sachiko smiled in relief and nodded. "Of course. Thank you for your kindness, Hikage-sama."
"Do not thank me, child. Thank Amaterasu-sama for allowing Her Son to return to our world."
Sachiko nodded. "It is truly a blessing to live in the time where He has returned."
It truly was.