ANSWERS TO REVIEWS:
Dauntlessofthesea: Haha I guess you did :P
PrincessSohma: Hehe you're very welcome! I enjoy writing these, I have to work a bit on the characters still, but I'm pleased with my progress so far ^.^
Prompt: Slightly altered ending of episode 18!
Rated: K+
Family like Him
"Aoi, are you alright now?" she could feel the gentle caress against her face, the master's clipped fingers tenderly stroking her cheek.
She still couldn't believe he had actually let her clip his claws, as it was such a big part of an ogre's identity, but she was grateful all the same.
She wouldn't have been able to do all this without his help.
"Yeah...it's better now. Thanks for helping me," she smiled up at him, feeling safe with his arms supporting her weight reassuringly, as if she was leaning against a pillar of strength.
He smiled, glad to see she was well, "Of course, I have to support my wife, especially when she needs my help,"
Aoi stared, stared at the expression of openess and affection in the master's gaze, reflected in his gentle way of holding her so close to him.
Perhaps she had been wrong, in her initial impression of him.
No, she had definitely been wrong.
If humans were capable of change, who was to say ayakashi weren't? The Master certainly seemed like the perfect example.
She remembered Ginji describing him as merciless but also an ogre with a big heart, one he respected deeply. She could see why.
Aoi relaxed, slowly allowing her full weight to settle against the Master's ever present hold around her.
"For some reason, I don't even want to correct him like I normally do..." a feeling of peace settled over her, accompanied by the sound of the gently crashing waves and the cheering in the background from the tengus.
Odanna smiled and she returned his smile when she opened her eyes again, "I wonder...what would my life be like? With someone like him by my side? ...With someone like him as...my family?"
An image of Tenjin'ya appeared in her mind's eye, everyone standing at the front, with the Master by her side.
They looked...happy.
Aoi smiled, closing her eyes and settling peacefully against him.
She wasn't sure, but before she completely succumbed to sleep, she swore she heard a tengu ask, "Is your wife alright?"
The master answered him then, "She will be, I'll make sure of it,"
She was dreaming peacefully that night.
Of new recipes and places to visit and food to try.
And of a charming, kind hearted ogre.
PrincessSohma, if you want I could change a few things here or re-write the whole chapter! :)