"I was part of a river. Until it was filled in for apartment buildings years ago," Haku replied matter-of-factly. He resented the loss of his home and purpose, certainly, but he wouldn't let it show. "I didn't really guard it - you could say I exist because it did. I was there to make sure the water moved, but I couldn't interfere when humans changed things."
He rubbed at his face. This, too, was hard for him to explain. Kami had to be content with just watching and letting things happen. Humans were used to fighting to protect what was theirs.
"Does that make sense? Some translate kami as 'gods.' We don't have the same power, but I suppose we watch over things in the same way."