[ he shakes his head again, firm, hands clenching white-knuckled in his shirt. ] Our lives are short, but there are many humans who've done wonderful things in the world. And there are those that-- that inspire generations of people after them to do great things.

[ he's not one of them, of course, but he's fine with that. as long as he can help others, see that his family is cared-for, give his spirits what they need from him--if anything--then he can be satisfied with that.

it's different for tsurumaru, though. how many masters has he seen die..? how much has he lost? he's lived almost a thousand years now, of course opening himself up for more hurt would be unappealing.

he hesitates, then uncurls his hands again, lifting them to gently curl his fingers around tsurumaru's, bringing them together and covering them with his own-- almost protective. ]

I love them--I love you--just.. because I do. There's no rhyme or reason to it. Maybe someone else wouldn't. [ narrow shoulders lift in a small shrug. ] You don't have to return it, you don't even have to like it. It's yours anyway.