The missing conversation from Episode 12

Naoe's indecisiveness was really missing from the anime during the Mirror arc. In the anime, the character was portrayed to be pretty much single-minded in his determination to protect and be with Kagetora. There was none of the mental conflicts that went on in his head.

He wants to be free of his insufferable love for his master and yet panicked when Kagetora's soul was trapped in the mirror, in danger of being taken away from him forever; flew into temper (re: "I want to kill you!" stated at least five times by Naoe) when Ujiteru told him he couldn't bring Saburo back without the other mirror; and became highly distressed when the body still appeared lifeless after Kagetora's soul was released, begging Takaya to return.

Despite all of that he seems to be making poor use of his 'second chance' with Kagetora. The sad thing is, I can understand his reasons. Takaya, at this point, is trying so desperately to understand Naoe's feelings, to help him with his pain even though he doesn't remember a thing about the past. If Naoe were to simply let Takaya know that all he wants is Kagetora's acceptance and acknowledgement of his love for him, Takaya would be more than happy to reciprocate.

But no. After the scene in the boat, when Takaya very earnestly tells Naoe that he wants to help him overcome his pain and suffering, asking him what exactly is it that Naoe expects from him, Naoe shoots him down with a request that both of them know can't be fulfilled. And it's not so much that he truly wants Takaya to cheapen himself and become Naoe's tart as to want to triumph over Kagetora. He basically puts Takaya at a loss for words, substantiating that he is useless and unable to do anything but cause Naoe suffering. Takaya is essentially Kagetora without his 'weapons' and Naoe, completely aware of this, takes full advantage almost as if to compensate for the four hundred years of continuously losing to Kagetora's brilliance.

And Takaya, who is so lost in this chaos, is probably in greater shock and confusion than before. As much as I'm beginning to tire of his "I'm not Kagetora!" rants, I do feel like part of his denial has to do with the fact that he can't give Naoe what he wants. He can't help Naoe because he isn't 'Kagetora'.