[Ever since coming here, he hasn't had a single person to lean on, mentally or physically. It's true that he's already fond of the other Shinsengumi here, and he's making several new friends, but for someone who has been so heavily dependent on people he loves ever since he was nine, it's still incredibly hard to adjust. No good-natured laughter and kindly advice, no sharp nagging and pointed looks, no deadpan voice full of quiet wisdom and insight, no bright eyes and eager chatter... no strong arms and steady hands and brilliant mind and shoulders that carry the entire world-

The point is that right now, he really needs to be supported.

He nods slowly as Kashuu speaks, trying to imagine what his other sword might be like, but coming up with nothing because how can you conceptualize a part of yourself as separate? Yamato no Kami Yasusada, the actual physical blade, is here with him right now. But that's not the same thing, and he can't help wishing that he'll come here too.] You were there before and he was there after. I owe you both parts of my life - I'm sorry for his sake that the part of my life he inherited has been so... difficult.

But there's nothing that changes how important you two were, you know. Only how well I handled it, really.