[ .. he doesn't want to die. he doesn't want to die, but he knows that his life doesn't have much worth, either. if that's what it took for tsurumaru.. if he couldn't help himself, or if it's what he needed.. would it be so terrible? the other spirits would go to another saniwa, probably--a better one--and he knows that his family would be cared for. ]

.. I guess I'm like a dog in that way. [ he tucks the end of the strip of fabric around tsurumaru's hand. ] I still love my parents, too, even after what they've done. But that's.. all I can do. [ he lets his hands drop away, curling together as he glances down at his toes. his feet don't even hurt anymore, he thinks. ] I don't.. know how to make things better, I'm not.. smart or strong. All I can do is love you and support you, even if you hurt me.

[ he blinks, distantly alarmed to find that his vision is blurring, and hurriedly lifts a hand to wipe the back of it over his eyes. ] You're so.. [ his breathing hiccups. ] Stop asking stuff like that. I'm not going to give up. Ever. No matter-- No matter what you do or say to me.