He sighed, and tilted his head back, bumping his mother-in-law's head against his, before snuggling against Ama again, though his hand on Inari's thigh stayed, slowly running up and down her well muscled flank.<em>I ask because I have to, or I become no better than the other gods, merely going by the total count at the end of the year, uncaring about the sacrifices individuals make for them. It might help them stay sane, but it also makes them distant. So I offer more than will be accepted, because otherwise I become what I oppose. And I apologized because I am, once again, watching someone else die for a mistake I made. Last time it was Borval and Jarod. This time, it was your son, which is much worse. Losing a friend I fought and respected is one thing. Losing a brother who I respected is much worse, especially when I have to then tell his mother, and my mate, his sister, that he is dead, is a million times worse</em>