The Cost of Pride~ Kokushibo x F! Reader (Completed)

Confrontation

That night, you were brought to the Butterfly Mansion for Shinobu to take care of your injuries. Of course, you received a scolding from Shinobu, so you weren't off the hook. As Shinobu was finishing wrapping your arm with bandages, you tilted your head to take a look at her. "I'm sorry for causing you trouble, Shinobu-san."

You apologized with a smile even though you felt like you burdened her because you were reckless in battle. "You have nothing to apologize for, [name]. I know how much Tomioka cares for you. I care for you as well, so you need to watch for yourself. He would be distraught if the only person who liked him dies."

In response, you said nothing. You didn't bother telling her what was on your mind because you didn't want others to worry about you. You knew Giyuu would report to Oyakata-sama concerning the situation. You had to know what Kokushibo was talking about because when you fought him, it felt familiar. Shinobu noticed your silence as if you were in your train of thought.

"[name]-chan. Is there something on your mind?"

She asked, tilting her head to the side, patiently waiting for your answer. Even when you were Giyuu's Tsuguko, she cared about you because you were her friend. For as long as she could remember, she noticed how your eyes always expressed sadness even when you smiled as bright as the sun. She was sure that everyone noticed how you would always stare at the moon with longing as if you were waiting for something.

"There's nothing on my mind right now. I don't know why I feel sad when I'm happy. I'm sure you've noticed I always stare at the moon. For some odd reason, I go to a clearing and stare at the moon as if I miss it? I sound crazy to you, huh?"

You asked, laughing at yourself because of how crazy you might've sound to Shinobu. In response, she gave you a gentle smile before patting your head as she stood up from her seat. "I don't think you're crazy. You feel like the moon gives you comfort, so I don't think you're crazy. Now rest up. I'll check on you in the morning."

With that, she took her leave and left you alone, giving you some time to think. After hearing the door close, you slowly got up from your bed to stand in front of a window beside your bed, staring at the moon as you placed your hand on the glass.

"Why do I want to find him?"

You mumbled, placing your hand over your chest to hear your heartbeat. You didn't understand why you felt like there was a connection between you and that man, but it was no coincidence that he knew where you were. He said that you were a reincarnation of someone, but you didn't know who. No matter how many questions you had, you debated seeking answers to your questions.

You knew this was going to be a stupid idea, and it was. Deep down, there was a feeling of longing and sadness that you felt when you fought him. A heavy sigh left your lips, rolling your eyes before laying back down on your bed to get some rest.

"This has got to be the stupidest idea I have ever come up with."

~•~

Three days passed since your encounter with the Upper Moon. When you thought the coast was clear, you quietly got off your bed and grabbed a blanket, putting it around your shoulders to find the Upper Moon. You snuck out of the Butterfly Mansion under the cover of darkness, a feeling guiding you through the woods once you left the headquarters. As you walked, there was not one sound that you heard from the forest.

As you shoved several leaves away from your view in the forest circling the field, you noticed a man sitting there on the grass staring at the moon. What you detected was the same sound coming from him when you met the Upper Moon three days ago. This time, he didn't bother trying to attack you, nor try to speak to you either. You slowly began to walk towards him, keeping a safe distance from him just in case if he attempted to attack you.

"How did you find this place?"

Kokushibo asked, sensing your presence as soon as you stepped foot into the clearing where he shared memories with another. In his hand, he held the same azure hairpin he gave to you years ago. "I don't know. Something led me here." You responded. You felt stupid that you didn't bring your sword to defend yourself. Then again, he didn't show any signs of aggression towards you. You finally made it to the Upper Moon before sitting down a few feet away from him to look at the moon.

"The moon is beautiful, isn't it? I think it's prettier than the sun itself."

Kokushibo didn't say anything in response. Instead, he was surprised to hear your comment. Even when he used to be the Moon Breather four hundred years ago, no one admired his breath style except for his brother, who was the opposite. Hearing you say that the moon was beautiful made him smile faintly at the memory he shared under the moon and come to this clearing to admire it.

"Three days ago, you spared my life. Why?"

You believed it was necessary to confront him because he must've had a purpose to spare you if he wasn't going to kill you. It was challenging to understand what was on his mind because he had a blank stare similar to Giyuu, except he wasn't your superior at all.

"You reminded me of someone a long time ago. That is the only reason why I spared you."

His reason didn't please you. He kept calling you Moriko, so you wanted to know who that was. You then remembered he was an Upper Moon and could kill you in an instant if he wanted to, so you stayed silent and continued to admire the moon. "You mentioned someone named Moriko. Was she important to you?"

You asked, looking over to the demon, detecting a sad noise coming from him. In response, he nodded and looked over to you to see if you thought of him as a disgusting monster. When he saw there was only curiosity in your expression, a small sight left his lips.

"Moriko was someone important to me. She was a demon slayer, and I loved her. Long ago, I killed her because I loved power more."

~~~