@domunobu But *because* he's always been an errand boy, he doesn't believe anyone could like him just as he is. It makes more sense to him that Toramaru wants to keep him around because he's useful. Lifelong low self-esteem will do that to you.
Why did I not know that this was a manga? I loved the anime.
Edit: Oh wait, I did know, and didn't want to read it because of the change in the first chapter/episode. Damn.