A/N: Hey everyone! I just want to announce that I may not update as regularly as before, since I have exams coming up this week and the next, I wanted to update yesterday but I had to study, I have a bit of time off now so…enjoy! :3

ANSWERS TO REVIEWS:

PrincessSohma: More than one? HA! I have well over 700 ideas stored in my phone alone (at least 25 of them Kakuriyo related) so I think it will still be a while before I decided to end this series of one shots ;)

Cleidescully: You're so very welcome! :3 I'm glad you enjoyed it! I may just write a bit more one shots leaning towards the M rating, but nothing too explicit.

Rito Dey: haha I thought of including more side characters in the mix, so it's not purely Odanna & Aoi…not that I would necessarily mind ^_^

Nure Onna: Oh my god! INSPIRATION STRIKES! I just may write it today if I finished another reader prompt, oh jeez this amazing review section will be the death of me :3

Kiriaki: N-NANI?! (faints dramatically) Oh sweet baby demon don't give me these cuteness induced heart attacks! (hides face) Eh, to be honest, I've written stories (crappy ones) since I was 7, thankfully a few years ago, they turned out half-decent ^ _ ^ Honestly, don't let people talk down to you, if you want to write you can, I also continue to write despite most of my stories being lower than average at best XD.

Shizuku-san: (fights back tears of joy) ….(bows) Honestly, thank you! I always feel so guilty for not updating my other stories, but reading such wonderful reviews always gives me the inspiration and push to write more, just like with the other authors. Heh, I was thinking of adding more characters (but still writing Odanna & Aoi too) in future chapters.

Note: Before I forget, I sometimes post small, mini spoilers for future chapters on any of my other accounts (like Instagram, Tumblr or WeHeartIt more commonly) so if it takes me longer to update, there are probably a few hints for future chapters somewhere! ;) :D

Prompt: Odanna reminiscing about Shiro.

Rated: K

Inspiration for the quote (italics): James T. Kirk's original quote about Spock: "Of my friend, I can only say this…of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most… Human."

A Friendship Past

Of all the souls and wandering spirits I have encountered in my hundred years of life, his was the most…human.

Odanna quietly sipped his drink, herbal tea Aoi had made for him earlier, talking about how he was drinking too often with the other Hachiyo's on their meetings. Not that she knew he always watered down the strong sake they would consume, leaving the other Hachiyo's mildly inebriated, except for Ranmaru, who had usually turned down the "filthy smelling concoctions" from the sweetly smiling ayakashi females handing them out, claiming they would only 'poison' him.

With a small smile, thinking of Aoi, Odanna took another sip, looking at the shogi board in the corner of the room, a fond but old memory resurfacing in his mind.

Shiro had used to bring various board games with him whenever he came to Tenjin'ya to rest from his travels, they usually involved a great deal of drinking and little with actually playing the game, but every once and a while, the man would favor the shogi board over a cup of sake.

Shiro…

Odanna frowned, remembering the last time he'd seen the man alive, a few grey hairs growing on his aging head, a few more wrinkles, but an undying flame of passion always present in his heart and eyes.

"Oh? You're leaving us already? You usually stay for a week,"

"Sorry to disappoint master, but it's time for me to head back,"

Odanna remembered how surprised he had felt at the declaration, coming out of nowhere, unannounced, unexpected.

Typical of Shiro.

"Head back?"

"To the apparent realm, there's something I need to take care of there,"

Odanna had thought back then it had been either gambling debts or even women, but Shiro's answer had taken him aback.

"Oh? Could it be a long lost wife I hadn't heard of or perhaps your gambling debts?"

Shiro had grinned, it was a genuine grin, "Not quite, it's actually a little girl," with a knowing look in his eyes, Shiro waved as he walked away.

"Little girl? Wait, Shiro-"

"You know what to do, don't you? It's been you who told me of her whereabouts in the first place, ogre god," his expression had softened then, a look Odanna had never seen before, it almost seemed fatherly, "I'll forever be in your debt, one I can never hope to repay not even in a hundred lifetimes, should something happen to me, you know what you agreed to,"

Odanna gripped the cup of his tea, his eyes crinkling, "Shiro…" his whisper carried into the dark night, the soft rustling of the trees and the near to silent footsteps of his kamaitachi guards patrolling the area the only sounds picked up by his keen hearing.

The ogre god took another larger sip of the herbal tea, staring down at the little bit of liquid that remained, thinking of another memory.

This one was always dark, filled with darkness save for the interruptions of white flashing across the sky and the booming sounds accompanied with thunder.

"Don't worry, you don't have to be scared any longer,"

Odanna closed his eyes, reminiscing.

"It's me who owes a debt to you this time Shiro, one I can never hope to repay in kind," his gaze softened when he opened his eyes again and there was a soft knock on his door, "Yes?" he already knew who it was.

Balancing a small tray in one hand, Aoi stepped inside and closed the door, walking over towards him and seating herself opposite of him, closer than usual, but still so far away, "I figured you must be hungry, so I fixed us a quick snack," Aoi smiled brightly, as she always did at the prospect of food and handed him a small dish of two rice balls, a small bowl of soup with a chicken-smelling base and a fruit mitsumame.

Odanna smiled, a delightful twinkle in his eyes at the small but colorful and no doubt delicious food in front of him, "Now I feel spoiled," he took the offered meal with a big grin.

Aoi smiled back, "Hush," before grabbing her own onigiri and starting to eat.

"These taste delicious, you should permanently include them in Moonflower's menu, they will no doubt attract many more curious customers willing to try our food," Odanna was chewing happily on his onigiri, his heart warming at the delicious taste and the soft, small smile on Aoi's face.

"You say that about all of my food, master," Aoi giggled, shaking her head.

The master innkeeper smiled warmly, his gaze fixed upon her, "That's because I enjoy anything you cook, Aoi,"

He could see his intense gaze made her flustered and he couldn't help but chuckle, feeling the smallest twinge of satisfaction, "For an ogre ayakashi, you sure know your way with words, don't you?" Aoi giggled and he chuckled.

"I'm hurt, do you think so lowly of my kind as to say that?" He rose a brow curiously.

Aoi quickly shook her head, "No, no! Of course not! Master, stop putting words into my mouth!"

He laughed at her hurried apologies, watching her with a fond smile and a too fast beating heart.

Shiro…thank you.

Thanks for reading! :3