Disclaimer: I do not own Kakuriyo bed and breakfast for Spirits. All credit goes to the writer/creators of the show/manga

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Chapter Five

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The master returned to the inn, fury in his veins, and fear in his heart. No one has seen or heard a damn thing! If she was in this realm, she was being hidden well. Not to mention Masami was a dead end, and she was now even more pissed by being accused. However, he wouldn't worry about that just now.

He turned when Ginji called for him. "Ginji? Is there news?"

"Yes!" he replied, stepping aside to reveal Haru.

"Master, I know where your Aoi is. She's being kept by Raiju He held a party that Ami and I attended and Aoi took Ill, but Ami is taking care of her. She doesn't plan on leaving her, until you arrive, Sir."

Anger pulsed through him as Haru spoke. He fought for composure, though he knew he was losing that fight. He could feel the flames warm his flesh. Raiju had her all this time? "What ails her?"

Haru seemed hesitant. He could see that the master was already pissed. "She's been neglected, sir. Ami said it's a flu of some sort, brought on by malnutrition."

The master's jaw clenched. Hos nostrils flared, and he had to try a few times before he could speak. "Ginji, ready a ship. We are going to get her, and god helps anyone who gets in my way!"

"How are you feeling?" Ami asked as she walked into the room Aoi was staying in. Aoi had been in the process of putting on the slip she'd worn under her fancy dress. "You planning on putting that getup back on?"

"No," Aoi chuckled. "I wanted to take the robe off and this was all I could exchange it for. Also, I feel much better, thank you."

"It looks like you've put on a couple pounds too, but you need at least ten more to put me at ease." She walked over to Aoi and felt her forehead. "Still no fever, that's good. Haru is often a lifesaver. His power is remarkable. You wouldn't be on your feet if it wasn't for him."

Aoi nodded. "Where did he get off too? I would like to thank him."

"He'll be back." was all she said. She still called her Ayame because she didn't want to give Raiju the idea that she might be betraying him.

They both looked over when they heard the screams. Someone was yelling and they were pissed.

"Where is she? I want her dead!"

"Come now, Masami. What has she done to deserve that?"

"He still wants her! He won't have me because that human is still alive! Take me to her! I want to rectify that."

"Masami…"

"So help me, Raiju. I will tear this place apart piece by piece if you do not do as I ask." There was an ear-piercing crashing noise that slightly shook the floor.

"We have to get you out of here. Masami isn't playing." Ami said, taking off her cloak and putting it around Aoi. "Listen, I know who you are. The master is on his way for you, so go to the woods." she pointed the woods they could see from the window. "There is a path. Follow it until it forks, then go to the left. You will see a large tree at some point. You will know it because it much bigger than the other trees," She said at Aoi's questioning expression. "Once at the tree, hide in it. Trust me."

"Wait, why not come with me?" Aoi asked as Ami picked her up. She leapt out the window, Aoi in her arms, and sat her down once on the ground.

"I'm going to buy you some time. The moment they know you are missing, they will be all over this place. Aoi, go!"

Aoi did as she was told, and took off to the path in the trees. She looked back long enough to see Ami fly back up to the room she'd been staying in. "Thank you."

She couldn't run the entire time. She was still not back to normal strength but the idea of seeing the master kept her going. How had Ami known who she was? And was that where Haru had gone? To tell the master she was there? How close was he?

She wanted to see him so badly she ached for it. She wanted to see his face and feel the safety of his arms around her. She wanted to breathe him in and be told that everything was okay. She wanted to go home to Tenjin-ya. She wanted to tell him she loved him and that she was hurt he'd sent her away. She wanted answers for that too.

She wanted to see Ginji too. She wanted the comfort of his presence and the calmness of his voice. She wanted to cook in moonflower again with him by her side. She wanted to see everyone else too. God, she wanted to go home!

She reached where the path forked and went left like she was told. Her feet were already aching due to being bare. How long had it been now? She felt like she'd been walking for a while, but she couldn't be sure.

Was Ami okay? Would they harm her? This thought had her stopping. Should she have run? No, she shouldn't have. This wasn't like her. She wasn't one to leave a friend behind. However…Ami was a Yokai, and she was simply a human. Would she just be in the way if she went back?

"Aoi!"

Aoi turned, seeing nothing at first. For a moment she thought she'd just imagine it. But when he called her name again, she went to the sound. It was the Master! She knew that voice anywhere. "Master!" she called back.

"Master!" she yelled again when she spotted him. The tears came suddenly, but she didn't even care.

They ran to each other, and just when she was a few feet from him, someone grabbed her. "I don't think so, little human."

"Let me go!" Aoi screamed. She looked up, and Master was stopped dead, and when Ginji arrived, he too stopped.

"Masami please."

"Why her? What's so precious about her?"

"Nothing. She means nothing." The master's tone was empty.

Aoi's heart hurt a little. Surely he didn't mean that. He was just saying that so Masami didn't hurt her. Right?

"They why not me? Why can't you love me?"

"Masami, please. We can talk about this. Just let Aoi go."

Masami scoffed. "You are a pathetic liar. If she meant nothing you wouldn't look so frightened. It's been a long time since I'd seen that fear in your eyes. Hmm, let me think…" Masami was quiet for a moment. "Yes. I remember. It was when you learned Katori was going to die."

"Masami, you hurt her, and I will kill you. Make no mistake about it," he growled.

"Yes… I believe you, kitten. But, she would still be dead, would she not.

Aoi watched as he transformed. He still looked like himself, mostly, but he grew taller and his body mass increased. His eyes turned entirely red and his horns elongated as well as his fangs. She felt like she should be afraid, but she couldn't bring herself to feel anything but curious. She'd never seen him like this before.

"Let her go!"

Masami seemed to think about it. Her body trembled and for a moment Aoi wondered if she was afraid.

"Fine," Masami said. "You want me to let her go? To not harm her? I'll grant you your wish!"

The hands that held Aoi grew hot. Masami seemed to be glowing and the air around them swirled, blowing her hair around her face. Suddenly, Aoi felt like the air was sucked out of her lungs as she heard Masami say. "Let's see how she fairs in the times of old!"

She felt as if she were falling as the Master and Ginji both yelled no. Before she could wonder if she was actually falling, the world began to spin, and her lungs burned with the need for air. Just when she thought she would pass out from the lack of oxygen, her lungs filled with air, and she was back on solid ground.

Everything hurt. That was the first thing she was aware of when she'd come to. Her body felt like each bit of her was bruised. When she opened her eyes, she wasn't sure where she was. Not only was she in an open field of some sort, but it was daylight.

"Let's see how she fairs in the times of old."

Those words echoed around her head as she felt a little sick to her stomach. Did that mean what she feared it meant? It wasn't unheard of for a Yokai to have the ability to time travel. Or in this case, send someone through time. She wasn't sure if Masami had that ability, but. Okay, for now, she would operate on that theory. At least until she could prove otherwise. She stood squinting her eyes. The sun was bright for sure.

"What's this?" A deep voice said, making Aoi look behind her.

"She's mine!" Another voice said, causing her to look the other direction.

Oh no, she thought as she got to her feet. She was surrounded by five Ayakashi, and she was almost sure she was dinner.

She ran for it and was brought up short by large hands. "Where do you think you're going?" One of them laughed.

"Hey! I found her first!"

Aoi grunted as she was tossed to the ground. She scrambled away as the two started fighting physically.

Using this distraction to her advantage, she ran for it again, but the Ayakashi were quick to follow.

"Come back! I'm hungry," one of them shouted as even more heavy footsteps Joined them.

How was she ever going to outrun them? Even in full health she wouldn't be able too. She darted into the wooded area, hoping that maybe they were too big to follow, but they simply broke whatever trees were in their way.

She was about to really panic when someone grabbed her, once again stopping her from escaping. "Easy there." A familiar voice said.

Aoi looked at him, eyes wide with surprise. She was certain this was the master. But she was now also certain she was no longer in her time.

The heavy steps that had been chasing her all stopped. "She's mine!" One of them shouted, causing rounds of "no she's mine" from its fellow mates.

"Actually friends, this human is mine, and I dare say, I would have to hurt anyone who tried to take her from me." The master held up a fireball as a wicked grin crossed his face. "You dare to test me?"

Apparently, they didn't dare as they turned and left with grumbling. She was amazed at this seeing how they were twice the master's size and more of them. However, she was thankful they feared him.

"Um, thank you," she said, feeling shy. He had her tucked into his side, her feet dangling from the ground. "You can let me go now."

"Let you go?" He replied devilishly. "Did you not hear what I said? You're mine."

She glared at him before she realized he had no idea who she was. "Excuse me?"

Master chuckled as he took her chin in his fingers. "How adorable, you glared at me as though you aren't afraid."

"I'm not afraid of you, now let me go!" He was much too close to her and she hated that her cheeks were flushed due to the close contact.

"If I let you go, do you promise not to run?"

"Yeah, sure," she replied, surprised by this request. She thanked him when he released her.

He studied her, making her self-conscious. "What? Is there something in my hair?" She asked, reaching up.

"No, you just remind me of someone." He said these words softly. Sadly.

Aoi drew closer without realizing it. "Thank you for saving me."

"Yes, I did save you, but my generosity doesn't come for free little bird."

"What? Little bird?" Wait, that's what she was worried about?

"Saw you fall from the sky. Tell me, how is it you survived that?" He drew in close, putting his nose to her neck and breathing her in.

"Excuse you!" She said, batting him away. She felt her body respond, which surprised her. "And I haven't a clue what you are talking about." Did she actually fall from the sky? She did have the sensation of falling.

The master laughed. "In any case, you owe me, and since I'm not yet sure what your payment will be, you shall stay by my side until I decide how you will repay me."

"Well, you're cocky," Aoi said as she followed him. "But since I'm not currently busy, I see no reason to not travel with you." In fact, she would be lost if he hadn't come along. Besides, this master might not know who she is, but that didn't stop her from feeling overwhelmingly happy she was with him.

Somehow she had to figure out how far in the past she was sent too. Did he yet own the inn? Was he with Katori? Or maybe he hadn't met her yet. However, the time she was in wasn't as important as how she was going to get back to the present.

"So…where do you live?" She asked trying to sound as natural as possible.

"Wherever I decide to put my head down." He replied with a smile.

Okay, so maybe he doesn't have the inn yet. "You travel?"

"Yes. I would hate to be held down in any one place. What about you, little bird? How do you come to be in the hidden realm?"

Well, I was kidnapped by an Ogre who thought I would marry him because my stupid grandfather thought he could use me to repay a debt. And that was only the beginning of my problems, she thought to herself. "I'm not sure, to be honest."

He grabbed her, pulling her to him. "Don't look so worried, Little Bird. I won't let anything happen to you. After all, you still owe a debt."

She pushed away from him. "Oh please. I'm perfectly fine."

Actually, she was tired, hungry, and a sore, but she wasn't going to mention those things.

"You're a feisty one. I like that." He took her hand as they proceeded. "I've made camp just up ahead." He laughed when her stomach growled and loved the way the blush painted her cheeks pink. "I have food too."

"Shut up," she replied turning away. She couldn't make her stomach not growl. It wasn't her fault. "What? She asked when he chuckled. She missed that sound. The sound of his laughter.

"I figured you would take your hand away. You surprise me."

"Yeah, well you wouldn't let it go anyway, would you?" That was her response, but really, she needed his touch. She was trying not to fall apart.

They started an incline that was proving difficult for her. She felt silly for getting so tired over such a small incline. However she supposed after everything she'd been through these past few months, she couldn't really be surprised. Phew, it was getting warm.

At least this happened after Ami had helped get her most of her health back. She might be dead now if it wasn't for her. Not to mention she got her out of the castle when Masami was on a warpath.

She had been so close to seeing the master again. Well, she did see him, but she wanted to be in his arms again. She wanted to strangle him too. How dare he send her away like she meant nothing!

"She means nothing to me."

She shook her head as his words echoed in her head. No. He didn't mean them. Right? He'd only said those words in hopes Masami wouldn't hurt her. At least, she hoped.

Okay, she wasn't feeling so great now. How much longer did they have to go? She blinked as her vision blurred. Oh man, she was feeling like she was going to be sick. Did her fever come back?

"Whoa, easy there," the master said as his arm caught her around the waist.

"Sorry," Aoi said, trying to regain her balance, but she lost consciousness instead.

He swept her up into his arms, shifting some so her head rested on his shoulder. "What a strange woman you are. You fall from the sky, speak to me in a way most wouldn't dare, have no idea how you came to be here, and pushed yourself entirely too far." He admired that. There was something about this human that made him want to keep her safe. How strange.

She would like to believe that she was always brave during the months Raiju had her, but the truth was, she was often terrified. She'd been hungry and cold. Thunder was a constant thing and you'd think she'd get used to it, but in truth, there were many nights she cried herself to sleep. The nights she didn't she was simply too exhausted to even keep her eyes open.

She had to fight to stay strong in front of Raiju. She hated she was just his toy. Something for him to play with when he was board and eventually use to piss off the master. She was just a pawn in his sick and twisted games.

She shouldn't have been surprised that he knew Masami. The two were like two peas in a pod. Or at least she believed them to be. Masami was probably the reason Raiju knew where she was when he kidnapped her.

But why? If she wanted her away from the master, she was. She had already been in the apparent realm. She was as far away as she could be. Unless she had seen the master the day of her friend's wedding. Is that why? Had he been looking in on her, and that displeased Masami?

If she were operating on that theory, then is Masami why the master sent her away? She'd wondered before, and it made sense. Everything went downhill the moment Masami walked into her life.

As thoughts like this continued to run through her mind, she became aware of the sound and smell of fire. Her eyelids felt heavy as she tried to force them open.

"Little Bird? Are you waking up?"

Her eyes flew open now and had she not been against a wall she might have jerked back. His face was inches from hers

. "What?" She asked due to confusion. How did she get in here? What was this, a cave?

"You passed out on our way up here. So I carried you the rest of the way." He pressed his forehead to hers but moved before she could protest. "Still no fever. That's a good thing."

Aoi couldn't stop the blush from hitting her cheeks. She wasn't used to him being so casual with her, and he was currently shirtless.

"What happened to your clothes?"

"It started raining while I was getting food. Here," he said, handing her a cup with some kind of liquid in it. "It won't taste the best, but it will help with making you feel better. And if you can keep that down, I'll share the meat."

Aoi eyed the meat that was being cooked over the fire. Her mouth watered while her stomach growled. Without a word, she downed the contents of the cup. She recognized a couple of the flavors.

"Are you a herbologist?" She knew he really wasn't, but she was trying to determine what time she was in. He had told her about Katori, so she wondered if he'd met her yet, or maybe they were still traveling together?

"No, I'm not. I traveled with one for a while. She taught me how to make the medication you took."

"You go your separate ways?" She wanted to smack herself as the words popped out of her mouth. You idiot! Clearly, this was after she passed.

"She passed away." The words were whispered as his eyes looked away from her.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

They were quiet for a while. Both of them watching the fire. She wanted to apologize for bringing it up, but the apology seemed stuck in her throat.

Finally, the meat was down and Aoi ate like a starving beast. Well, she did her best not to eat exactly like a beast, but she's been starved.

"You poor thing. When was the last time you ate something?"

"I'm not sure," she answered honestly. She wasn't sure how long she'd been here. How long she'd been passed out for. How long had she been in the woods back in her own time. Hell, she was all turned around.

The master moved to her, licking the juice from the meat that had dripped down from the side of her mouth. "Tasty."

Aoi was surprised as she leaned away from him. "What are you doing?"

The master smiled. "Have I upset you?"

No. He'd surprised her. She wasn't used to this kind of attention from him. At least not this brazenly. The master form her time was better mannered for sure.

"It's just." She stopped because he stood, leaning over her so that his face was inches from hers. Her breath caught and her heart fluttered. She couldn't decide if she wanted him to kiss her or not.

"You make it impossible to not want to kiss you, Little Bird." With that, he took her mouth with his.

Aoi thought she'd fight him off, but she found herself kissing him back with urgency. Her arms went around his neck. There was no fear here. He was being a little forward, but she wanted it. Wanted him. The feeling nearly made her want to cry. It was nice to desire touch instead of fear it.

Their contact was broken for only a moment when he lifted her up against the wall, getting his hips between her legs. She felt flushed all over as her body responded to his.

"Wait," she panted as one of his hands found her breast. Jesus this was getting out of hand quick. "Wait," she said again as his lips caressed her neck.

"Yes?" He replied, his voice deep and sexy with lust.

"We can't," she breathed, needing to tell them both. She was surprised just how ready for him she seemed to be. After the months of abuse? Why was she so ready for him?

"And why is that? I know your body wants too."

As her breathing calmed and her head cleared some from the sexed-up fog, she shook her head. Shit. How could she explain this? She wanted him, that was clear to both of them, but she didn't want this to happen for the first time with the past him. It felt like cheating.

"I'm…Getting married."

"Hmm?" He replied, moving so he could see her face better. "Is that why you're in the hidden realm?"

"Yes. I've been promised a powerful Yokai and I don't think he'd be okay if my virtue isn't intact." Okay, that sounded a little dumb even to her.

"Oh? And what's this Yokai's name?"

"I don't know, actually. I just call him master."

"Hmph," was all he said he drew away from her.

She felt cold without his warmth and wished he'd come back, but that would be sending mixed messages and she needed to keep him at arm's length. She didn't think she could really trust either of them.

"Do you want to marry him?"

Aoi looked over at a brooding master. How should she answer that? She didn't want to tell him anything that could impact their future. She was scared of what running I to him now was doing. "It's complicated."

He looked at her, his crimson eyes made more brilliant by the light of the fire. "I'm oddly jealous, Little Bird."

Aoi laughed before she could stop herself. The irony got to her.

"Is something funny?" He asked.

Aoi shook her head, unable to stop smiling. "Nothing at all. I'm sorry for laughing."

"Where is he now? Your husband to be?"

"I don't know. I'm afraid I got lost. I'm not sure how I got here."

"Well then. It's my duty to escort you until you find him."

"I thought I was staying with you because you saved my life?" Aoi countered playfully.

"Worry not, little bird. I'll find a way for you to repay me." He gave her a wink.

"Thank you." She said, meaning it.

"You're welcome." He replied. Besides. He might just have to fight this master of hers. Something about her made him not want to let her go.

"Oh," He said, shifting. "Give me your feet."

"What? Why?" She did as he asked as she spoke. She watched as he pulled out a container of some kid. He used his fingers to scoop out the contents. It was a cream of some kind, and he rubbed them on her cut up feet.

She closed her eyes and nearly moaned. She hadn't realized just how much her feet were hurting.

"I noticed them earlier. Why aren't you wearing shoes?"

"I lost them."

He laughed, not that she could blame him. "Oh, Little Bird. What would you have done if you hadn't run into me?"

"I have no clue," She replied honestly. Really, she had no clue what she would do had he not come along.

...

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D