Ch 1
(A month after the ceremony in the Southern Lands, told from Aoi's perspective)
It's been a month since the rollercoaster ride the Orio-ya's called a ceremony ended. Ginji goes back and forth from Tenjin-Ya and the southern lands, so I went back to moonflower to keep my promise and pay off my grandfathers debt. During the time in the southern land The Meter and I have gotten closer. Usually he would annoy me with his marital remarks but I am starting to find them endearing.
"Aoi!" Squeals Chibi. "I didn't think we would ever get to come back home!" Chibi is sitting down happily munching on a bowl of cucumbers.
I smile at him and continue chopping up ingredients for the curry I told The Master I was making. It did seem like for a while we would not be coming home, but I did such a good job at Orio-ya that they agreed to let Ginji come back at his free will. But he still returns from time to time to help keep the south safe, it is his job after all being a guardian fox. I flash back to when I was in the Dragon Palace with The Master; I could feel his lips getting closer to mine. It was like time stood still, I didn't want to admit to my growing feelings to The Master but yet it was like he could read my mind. He sensed my hesitation and left a gentle kiss on my forehead. He placed his Kimono jacket on my shoulders and we left.
I don't even care about the debt owed anymore, I just want- my thoughts trailed off.
"Aoi, I brought back some ingredients for you!" Ginji announced while walking into moonflower interrupting my trail of thought.
I looked up, "Thank you Ginji, you didn't have to do that The Master already made a trade bargin with the Southern Land so we could get fresh ingredients for the moonflower." I smiled.
"Oh, but this is a special type of fish that I brought back just for you." He replied slyly.
I cocked an eyebrow in hesitation and accepted the gift."Thank you Ginji" I looked down at the fish he had wrapped up; It was small and round, with scarlet scales. Its eyes were almost popping out of its head!
"It's called Akoudai and it is found deep in the ocean. It is very delicious and will bring good luck to whomever eats it." He replied happily.
I shrugged my shoulders and put it away in the salt box to keep it fresh for later. "Well since you are here do you want to help me finish the curry?" I ask.
Ginji shakes his head in protest. " I would if I had the time but The Master has me going on an errand run in the eastern market. Next time though I promise."
"Ok, I will hold you to it!" I shout as he hurries out.
"Well chibi that leaves you to hel-" I look over and chibi is passed out from a food comma.
This isn't the first time I'm in a rush to finish a dish. I hurry up and get it all done, and just as I am almost done packing it up to keep warm on my walk over to the Inn; Oodanna shows up smiling.
"Hello my beautiful Ogre Bride. Let me take that from you, after all it is a husbands duty to assist his wife." He says as he grabs the hot pot from my hands. Normally I would protest but it was a lot of stuff to carry and I was tired.
"Master why are you not at the Inn? I was just on my way over to bring the curry for everyone." I ask as we start walking towards the inn.
He looks over at me and smiles "I was up on the mountain, thinking about our time in Orio-ya and when I was a fish peddler as a guise to be with you."
"You sure seemed to enjoy it" I retort fondly.
"Ah I did, I'm just glad I was there so nothing bad happened. I do not know what I would do without you here." He replied.
It was a short walk to the inn, everything was lit up beautifully. I sighed with relief, I was happy to be home with The Master and everyone a Tenjin-Ya. As we approach the Inn Oodanna opens the door and waits for me to enter first then follows behind me. We walk to the dinning hall and the place looks empty. I don't even see the Young Hostess lurking around. I follow Oodanna as he places the pot of curry on the table.
"Where is everyone?" I ask looking around as I place the plates on the table.
He looks around nonchalantly and meets my puzzled expression. "They will be here shortly, they had something they wanted to do to welcome you home."
I sit down on the Tatami mat, and start to make Oodanna a plate. He looks at it hungrily. It reminds me of his expression when we returned from Orio-Ya. He only ate enough to survive because he was so worried about me and how I was being treated. I serve him a plate.
"Itadakimasu" he smiles as he takes the plate of food and starts to eat.
An hour passes and nobody else shows up. I look at Oodanna and he sighs. "It was supposed to be a surprise but since everyone hasn't showed up I'm assuming they are going with plan B."
I look at him even more puzzled. He stands up and notices that I haven't ate.
"Aoi, why have you not eaten?" He says disapprovingly. "I can hear your stomach growl."
I look down and hold my stomach and hope it silences soon. "The cook can only eat their food when everyone else has eaten." I squeak.
Oodanna chuckles, "Thats my wife for you, thinking of everyone else before herself. You will make a great mother to our children someday."
I blush, Why would he say something so embarrassing like that? I shake my head to try and get some composure back. I didn't even notice he was next to me holding a plate of curry.
"Here eat." He said while warming the curry with his Ogre fire. I nod my head and dig in. After I get done eating he takes our plates into the kitchen before I can stop him. He comes back in and holds out his hand. I grab it and stand up.
"Come follow me, I have something to show you." He says leading me outside. I follow, and we head towards the hot springs, the path light up by the moonlight. We arrive at the hot springs and see the water is purple.
"Wow!" I exclaim. "Its so beautiful!" The water is as purple as my eyes and looks so inviting. I look over at Oodanna to see that he has a towel and a clean pair of clothes for me.
"Normally the springs would be much too hot for you, but I cast a spell on them to cool so you could enjoy them and relax. You work so hard for us all here at Tinjin-Ya and you deserve a break." He says as he places the towel on a nearby rock.
"Thank you Master!" I start to slip my kimono off and stop. "No looking." I scold.
"I will leave and give you your privacy my love. I will be within earshot if you need me." He promises as he kisses my forehead.
Once he leaves I disrobe and get in. It feels so warm, I can feel it right down to my bones. It instantly relaxes me, and I sit there with my thoughts staring up at the moon.
I wonder if this is what everyone was gone doing, preparing this for me just so I could relax and unwind. The water feels like it has some healing properties in it, I may get a good nights sleep tonight.
I must have been in the water for about 30 mins and I hear Oodanna speak.
"Don't fall asleep in there my wife, I do not think you would want me to snatch you out while you are indecent." He calls to me.
"I won't!" I call back. I sit there a little longer my mind going back to the precious moments we shared in the southern land. I find myself smiling. It may not be so bad being an Ogres Wife after all.
The next day.
I feel warm and safe, for the first time in a long time. I curl under the blankets and nuzzle my face into my pillow smiling. I lie there for a minute thinking about the wonderful night I had with Oodanna. After the hot spring we went back and stayed up late talking about what we missed about our time in the southern land. He said he missed the private mornings we had together and that he wants to help me prepare dishes more often.
"Good morning my love." Whispers Oodanna as he brushes my hair from my face.
I shoot up and look around. I was lying in bed next to Oodanna. I jumped out of bed still clutching my blankets.
"M-master?!" I squeak, "What are you doing in my bed?"
He sits up with his sly smirk and says, "Don't worry my love, nothing indecent took place. You got so tired staying up so late and fell asleep in my arms."
"Why did you stick around if I fell asleep? What would the others say if they saw?" I whispered, embarrassed by the thought of sleeping next to someone who I wasn't married to.
"I couldn't bring myself to be away from my beautiful wife, you looked so peaceful sleeping in my arms." He said lovingly.
I stand up and leave the room, we are at the Inn. Thats right, after we returned he insisted that I stay here so someone could keep an eye on me so I wouldn't get taken again. I look around at my surroundings and notice we are in Oodanna's room. It is as big as Moonflower, and is very lavish looking. Tatami mats cover the floor, and there is a great big window that overlooks all of Tenjin-Ya. I suddenly find myself looking out the window. I remember when I was first brought to Tenjin-Ya, I wouldn't be caught dead in The Masters quarters. But that was before he saved my life many times and I got to know him better. It feels like home, and thats the first time in a long time I felt this way.
"What are you smiling about my love?" Oodanna ponders as he makes his way towards me. He places his hands on my shoulders and rests his chin on my head.
I shake my head, "Nothing important." I turn around and look at him, his dark red eyes looked calm and sincere. His jet black hair tousled lightly around his horns. Was this the man I am supposed to marry? Did grandpa do this because he knew I would be happy and well taken care of? He leaned in before I knew it his lips met mine and I wasn't repulsed or embarrassed. I kissed him back, my heart was pounding fast.
(Thanks for reading more to come, I just love Aoi x Oodanna ships and there aren't many around)