24. Family
Mistress, look - I'm not alone.
I did as you asked of me, I survived and after countless years I found my family. I found and protected a human child, found a way to communicate with them. Over time, with my help, they became an exterminator of all vile youkai. A village grew around our hut and soon there was a whole community of youkai slayers, helping those in need, just like you had done.
Even when the village was destroyed by a terrible swarm of youkai, the warriors lured away and killed, my charges prevailed. They did battle, suffered and grew stronger through it. And I was always there at my partner's side, diligently and fearlessly fighting for what she found worth fighting for.
Because she was my family. Because she reminded me of you, mistress.
Before I knew a new family grew around me, one not of blood, but of friendship and acceptance. There was a place for anyone of good will in that group, no matter if they were human or youkai. And a hanyou led that family.
Among them even I, a relic of times long passed, felt once again like a cat whose tail was freshly split in two.
Mistress... I'm not alone. I'm not a bitter, aged feline with heart rotten by loneliness. I have a place among them, I have a family, people I can rely on, who appreciate me They came together like four souls of the jewel, but in this case youki and reiki merged in harmony, in eternal bond of comradely, not a timeless battle.
With my new family, mistress, I shall finally see your soul free from your prison.