My eyes prickled as Ash leaned in and kiss me. A particulary loud snore came from the cave, and the lump in the corner rolled toward us suspiciously.
A pair of glowing spheres rose from each of the bodies on the ground, pulsing softly as they drifted into the air. As Suki watched, the two globes of light climbed steadily into the sky, circling each other in a graceful, almost excited dance, and floated away toward the clouds.
People have gone mad with too much knowledge.
Catalysts always burn brightly, and your light shines unlike any I’ve seen before.
Do not believe this impossible, or it will be.
Combat doesn’t have to be with swords.” Ash walked back to the bed, drawing his blade and examining the gleaming length. “Emotions can be deadly weapons, and knowing your enemy’s breaking point can be key to winning a battle.
All you’re telling me is I won’t betray my friends or family. If that’s a weakness, it’s one I want.
It is very hard to be human, little fox. Even the humans themselves don’t do a great job of it. The mortal world is full of hatred, betrayal, sadness and death. Most yokai and kami alike find that it is too much for them. Everything the humans think they value – love, honor, empathy, compassion – we yokai need nothing of those, especially when they so often lead to suffering and despair.
Now you understand. Your tie to this world had nothing to do with the vengeance, or anger, or justice. It is not revenge that keeps you here, but longing. Love.” He shook his head. “The most dangerous of human emotions.
Fear, my sensei had taught me, was simply the body’s aversion to pain and suffering.
Okay,” he said cheerfully, and raised both hands in a hopeless gesture. “Now we’re lost.
And absolute power can corrupt even the purest of hearts. Such is the folly of men.
Why are you crying? This isn’t the end. Death isn’t goodbye forever.
Remember, you’ll never be alone. No one is ever truly gone.
I understood now what it meant to sacrifice everything, to give your life to protect not only the ones you loved, but their world and what they cared for, as well.
Stop calling me Hakaimono. My name is Kage Tatsumi, and I am no longer yours to command.
I’ll be your strength,” I told her softly. “Let me be your weapon, the blade that cuts through your enemies. I can do that much, at least. Strength isn’t the only key to winning a battle. You told me that yourself, remember? You have other ways to fight, Yumeko.
I trust you.” The words were a whisper into my soul. The tips of her thumbs brushed my cheek, unbearably tender, and I closed my eyes against the softness. “Oni or human, it doesn’t matter how your appearance changes. Your soul is still the same.
Just don’t go off without me peacock. We want this to be a good poem, after all.
Fear was the first thing that had been purged from my body; the most dangerous emotion of all.
Her desires are mine. Her wishes are mine. Should even the world stand against her, my blade will be at her side. And should it fail to protect her, let my own existence be forfeit.” – Ash.