~Still A Man~
What I do is no one else's concern. How I act is for no one else to worry over. I am a man of few words, but all in all, I am still a man... unnatural creature as I may be.
But honestly, what makes a man? Is it being human? What does being human or youkai have to do with it? I was born of a mother. I am built like a man and have all the workings, thoughts, and functions of any man. Is it the mark on my face or the way my ears taper into a point? Is it my unnaturally dark skin, my fierce violet eyes, or my long claws that make it so I am not a man, but a monster?
Still... consider a moment. I am a man in every respect except for a very select few that make me a youkai man. I am capable of love, though. Isn't the ability to love also what makes a man? I love my friends... my mother... my sister... I love Yaone, and would not give her up for the world.
I am capable of being hurt, both emotionally and physically. I worry about all of my friends... Is that too wrong? Does being the son of Gyu- ma-ou and Ra Setsu Sou make it so I'm not a man?
I know other men feel the same thing as I do when they touch their beloved. Doesn't the fact that I touch Yaone's face and feel warm just watching her smile make me a man? Does what I do make me lose that?
I walk through a town and watch people watching me. I watch them hurry children indoors and whisper that the appearance of such a powerful and dangerous youkai must mean bad fortune, how such an inhuman thing must be a terrible omen.
But for once, I know everyone is wrong. I see it in the face of Hahauei, her visage silent as she remains encased in the stone pillar. I see it in my little sister Ririn's eyes as she glomps onto me, hugging me around the waist and asking how I've been. I see it in my best friend and brother-figure Dokugaku Ji's smile as he encourages me to do what I know is right. I see it in Yaone's gentle actions as she rests her head against my shoulder while she's sleeping or just glances at me through soft saffron eyes.
I see it in everyone I care for, and everyone who cares for me. They know me better than the thousands of staring eyes in towns and villages. They remind me day after day, that whatever happens and no matter what anyone else thinks I am...
I am still a man.
~Owari~
What I do is no one else's concern. How I act is for no one else to worry over. I am a man of few words, but all in all, I am still a man... unnatural creature as I may be.
But honestly, what makes a man? Is it being human? What does being human or youkai have to do with it? I was born of a mother. I am built like a man and have all the workings, thoughts, and functions of any man. Is it the mark on my face or the way my ears taper into a point? Is it my unnaturally dark skin, my fierce violet eyes, or my long claws that make it so I am not a man, but a monster?
Still... consider a moment. I am a man in every respect except for a very select few that make me a youkai man. I am capable of love, though. Isn't the ability to love also what makes a man? I love my friends... my mother... my sister... I love Yaone, and would not give her up for the world.
I am capable of being hurt, both emotionally and physically. I worry about all of my friends... Is that too wrong? Does being the son of Gyu- ma-ou and Ra Setsu Sou make it so I'm not a man?
I know other men feel the same thing as I do when they touch their beloved. Doesn't the fact that I touch Yaone's face and feel warm just watching her smile make me a man? Does what I do make me lose that?
I walk through a town and watch people watching me. I watch them hurry children indoors and whisper that the appearance of such a powerful and dangerous youkai must mean bad fortune, how such an inhuman thing must be a terrible omen.
But for once, I know everyone is wrong. I see it in the face of Hahauei, her visage silent as she remains encased in the stone pillar. I see it in my little sister Ririn's eyes as she glomps onto me, hugging me around the waist and asking how I've been. I see it in my best friend and brother-figure Dokugaku Ji's smile as he encourages me to do what I know is right. I see it in Yaone's gentle actions as she rests her head against my shoulder while she's sleeping or just glances at me through soft saffron eyes.
I see it in everyone I care for, and everyone who cares for me. They know me better than the thousands of staring eyes in towns and villages. They remind me day after day, that whatever happens and no matter what anyone else thinks I am...
I am still a man.
~Owari~