i need to sleep, not think, in bed

[insaneneko]

As I lay in bed I pondered the prick-ness of Naoe at the end of book 1 and came to the sad conclusion that he was just being himself (yeah, obvious, but painful). His voice is very much Naoe, just less worn down by the years and at this point very wary of Kagetora. But I can't help but want to spork him when he dismisses Kagetora's resentment and his turning into a vengeful spirit as ugly to behold and pathetic. And what about HIM? He turned into a vengeful spirit after being assassinated!! And HE was filled with worldly chagrin that he was killed before he was able to really accomplish anything, solidify the power and influence he had, etc, etc. At least Kagetora was just filled with anger at what he perceived to be betrayal by Kagekatsu and Echigo. >_<

Naoe is so full of himself, thinking it his duty is to continue to protect Kagekatsu from the shadows from the oh-so-dangerous Kagetora who must be carefully watched. He's just so detached from it all. In the meantime, Kagetora is fighting with the great guilt and sense of responsibility he can't help but feel when he sees all the destruction and harm he wrought as a vengeful spirit. Right now Kagetora is 10000% more sympathetic than Naoe...what made him such a bastard later on? I guess it's all the years of crap. Naoe was already a bastard so he couldn't get worse?

I had to laugh at Kenshin's conversation with Naoe similar to the one he had with Kagetora. Naoe's true form is a caged wild beast? As if we didn't know that all too well. *grins*

One disturbing thing about this is just how unambiguously good and loving Kenshin is portrayed. I don't CARE what his motives were, what he does (or more like doesn't do) to Kagetora in the main storyline pisses me off. Especially since we're shoved more of Kagetora's "I will follow you anywhere Father" adoration in our faces.