I watch him. Whenever he is not looking, my eyes are on him. Occasionally he has caught me watching him. When that happens, he sneers, or crosses his eyes. I do not think he understands how I feel. He must think I am obsessed with him, but it is more than that. I do not love him -yet-, though he is beautiful. The most beautiful youkai in Nadil's army, including Nadil himself. And he is just a child. He has such potential, such power. Does he realize it? His power is caged, like some dangerous beast, and he is only now learning to control it. But it is when he is not paying attention to it that it is strongest. And it is for this that I watch him.

"Yotogi, you're staring at me again. What is it? Do I have something on my face? Some blood, perhaps?"

Yotogi, he calls me. Watcher. I never really thought about it before- he's called me that for a while now. Perhaps my watching him has been more obvious than I thought.

"No, Viaresu. No blood. Your last kill was too neat and efficient to splatter you, although the way you waved your sword around, you could have injured yourself."

"What would you do if I hurt myself?"

What would I do if… How can he ask that? What would I… What would I? I haven't thought of this before. Just one more thing to worry about. Thanks, Viaresu. Oh- I'm staring at him again. I'll pretend I was checking out my arm. Yes, still works. As it has every time I check it. My arm- it is what got me into Nadil's army in the first place, and what keeps me alive. This arm has won me many fights and battles. Yes, I used to be a mighty warrior. But lately all I do is sit around and watch him. And stare at my arm. I know it annoys him. So I'll do it again.

"Yotogi, you're staring at your arm again! I swear, you like your arm more than you like me!"

"Viaresu, never say that! You know I…" Oh, that went well. Smooth, Yotogi, smooth. "… I value you highly." Value… I guess you could call it that. I wish he wouldn't pout at me like that.

"You wouldn't care if I hurt myself. All you care about is your arm. You know it's true- don't deny it."

"Viaresu…"

"In fact, I bet if I died, you'd be happy! You could devote all your time to staring at your arm, instead of having it be a part-time job!"

"Viaresu! This arm means nothing to me! Nothing!" Well, only the second most important thing in my life… but… that's beside the point.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Viaresu. I would give up my arm for you if you wished it. Anything…" Anything to make your eyes sparkle with happiness, to watch them change color as your power strengthens. Yes, you're more powerful when you're angry, but when you're happy… it's so rare. It's beautiful. Smile for me, Viaresu. Be happy. Grow strong. Grow strong enough to leave this place- Nadil's army is no place for you.

"But, Yotogi, Shydeman tied your arm to your life source! He said if you tried to run away by removing your arm, you'd die!"

Ehh… I'd forgotten about that. Yeah- Shydeman didn't want me running away with the arm that Nadil put his power in. And since the arm's useless without a body to attach to, he didn't want me running away without it, either. So he made it so the arm can't leave the castle without his express permission, and if I try to leave without the arm, I die. Nice, Shydeman. Thanks for reminding me, Viaresu. This has truly been a good day.

"Yotogi? I said you'd die!"

"Hm? Oh. Whatever makes you happy. I mean- " Oh… this is really going well. Open mouth, insert foot.

"What? Yotogi, I wouldn't be happy if you died."

"You wouldn't?" Jeez… Do I sound as dumb to him as I sound to myself?

"No, Yotogi-sama. Don't die. I want you to stay here with me." He called me sama! He called me sama! He… he wants me to stay here with him? I would gladly give my life for him, and he's finally starting to realize it. Maybe. Or else he's making fun of me. Again.

"Yotogi-sama…" What! … Bliss… In all the years I've known him, he has never thrown his arms around me like he did just now. And even though he almost immediately broke away and trotted down the hall, the feeling has stayed. I am needed… for the first time in my life, someone needs me. And it is my Viaresu, my beautiful demon child. This settles it. I am getting him out of this place if it costs me my life. Which it most likely will.