[it's definitely a valiant effort, and a clever one, too. if this Kaoru had even a fraction of the paranoia-fueled self preservation that his old self once had, it would absolutely be enough to both dissuade him from visiting, and probably enough for him to drop the topic entirely.

but this Kaoru - he hasn't had the chance to experience what it's like to try standing up for something only to be cut down over and over. he doesn't know what it's truly like to feel as though his life is in genuine danger, like he's been backed into a corner and he will absolutely die this time, this time for sure. because he doesn't know any of this, his emotional reactions are untempered.]

It isn't... safe? Just because we share similar looks, that entire place wouldn't be safe for me to visit? [for how natural and easy his smiles seem to be in this reality, that look of anger and vague disdain still seems at home on his face, like the muscles there have never really forgotten how to move in that way.]

I've heard some things about that clan before; I think that most people have. But I had hoped the stories were... exaggerated. [though he's had his doubts since she first appeared with her request.] For those people to force you into coming to me at all for the reasons that you have, and then to be angry about it - to make things dangerous for you...

[he trails off after that, because he's not entirely sure why the idea of her being mistreated by these people makes him so white-hot angry. sure, he's always (hah) had a streak of empathy, but this goes well beyond it. he really can't stand this idea.]