It's not what you think. Well, it is what you think, but not for those reasons, not for those reasons at all. I do like you, I like you a lot. But you know this; like is not love. Look at me, look and I'm going to ask you a stupid question. What clan am I from? Inuzuka, ding, ding, ding! House of dogs, barely more than animals. Do you think I have a choice? My instincts are no more sophisticated than my dog's. I'm driven to choose her, because she's a her. I'm driven to choose a female, to find a way to reproduce eventually, find the warmth of a female's pelt. I need a mate as much as I need a lover. And she offers both. And if I could, I'd choose you, for what you've done, for what you do, for what I can't let you do. I'm sorry you feel alone, I'm sorry you want more than what I'm offering, sorry I can't take the world you have.
But there's not much I can do. I don't want to hurt you, you are my friend. You don't want to be my friend, though; you want her place, that she would give you, she has other options, but I can't let you have her spot. I don't want this responsibility, this power to deal pain, I'd never hurt you. I want your blessing, your friendship, we could be brothers, but it's not the same, never will be, never can be. There's no nice way to tell you. I need her love, the give and take; and I need her love, the instincts dominate, but I don't need you. I want you, but if I must, I'll go on without you. I'll take away our chance, but we can give each other friendship. Just throw this dog your world, and I swear I'll bring it back.