Doku's hands do remain in fists at his side as Gojyo wails on him for a bit. A small smirk comes to his mouth after he realizes it's the shove that really hurt the most. How else can he prove that Gojyo doesn't have all of the facts yet, without risking his life. He bitterly thinks about how Sharak or Hakkai would probably have better ideas, but they have the benefit of distance. They don't know how long it took bearing all manner of other pain before he finally had to make that fateful, fatal decision to spare Gojyo's life in exchange for his mother's.

"I'm not denying it," he finally admits, albeit a bit gruffer even than normal while he tries to get his wind back. Yes, she was their mother, but she'd become more to Doku while being less deserving of the title to Gojyo and he couldn't volunteer any of that information, so he just agrees by omission to her being 'our mother.' "I do have regrets about that night..." He raises his eyes to meet Gojyo's. "But knowing what I know now? I'd still make the same decision."

Which is... sort of what he'd had to come to terms with at the damn parade. For all that he hated about that night, there wasn't another way out. She'd acted too quickly for him to talk sense into her or flee with Gojyo, never mind how many times he'd tried talking sense into her before... along with every other placation he'd tried. She'd snapped. He'd tried. He'd done everything a young youkai of little means could.