I had spent days training. Days that I sought only to defeat my brother: my kin. Looking back only now do I truly how selfish I had been. The true purpose of preparing for battle had been lost the longer I thought of defeating the likes of one thought to be superior to me. However, I forgot those I had tried to protect: the humans. You have known me long enough now to know my motives. But I am compelled to tell my story to you anyways. I am writing this before I leave this world to save my true love and my son. When I am gone, please remember me and read this time and time again so this tale will never be lost and in time, pass it down to my two sons so they might know what it means to protect dear ones and the stakes that come with it. They must go through what I did. Brother against brother. One powerful sword against another. But when that time arrives, you must not tell them what is to come. However, I must warn you; this is for your eyes only. I trust no one to keep it secret but you.
You know how our brother lost himself seeking for the power he loves so much and his obsession to gain it. But are you aware of how I stopped him? I assume not since we battled in a secluded cave. Now I will tell it to the best of my ability. First we stared, daring each other to make the first move. We were there for what seemed like hours. Although I admit I did itch to move, brother made the first move. His impatience had finally gotten the better of him I suppose. After our swords clashed, we fought. However, we did not speak. Frustrated of the situation I presume. All that was heard were the weapons as they hit each other with intense aggression. Occasionally one of us would get cut up, but there was no real progress. Both of us had underestimated the other and greatly paid for it. However, since strength was not enough, our brother tried to pierce me with cruel words of hatred and his smirk of arrogance.
"How does it feel? To know that you are only second best. That you will never surpass me." He said to me. The words hurt, but they did not faze me. I kept silent, pondering on his words. Were they just said to taunt me? Most certainly. But were they true? Well, I told myself only time would tell. Somehow, his words turned into my motivation. He had never gotten to know me, so he had no idea how I became angry. This was how, and he soon figured this out. I became stronger. The anger had helped me, but it still was not enough. I needed something else; something to push me off the edge. Growing in fear, brother tried again to hurt me.
"You think you're special? You can't protect your special humans, no one can!" When he said this, it hit me. The reason I was doing this was not to prove my self-worth, but to protect the defenseless. If I couldn't, then who could? Who would be willing to defend the 'useless' humans. I was the only one. I would be the only one able to save them. Finally, it was not anger or power that helped me defeat him: it was the love of mankind and the need to protect them. That is the greatest strength. However, not all was a triumph that day. After all, I did lose a brother, granted a lunatic, but still my brother. But I believe in order to care for someone, you must have some sorrow to keep the fear of losing someone close to you alive. That is my philosophy. That is what my sons must learn in time. What I have planned for them. Please, keep this wish alive.
Your brother,
Inu no Taisho