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 Six

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Aoi woke and screamed. She jumped away, smacking her head in the wall as she did so. It only took a moment for her to remember the past day and realize this Masami is probably the one from the past.

"How charming," Masami said, still crouched down, looking like a cat ready to attack. "At least she smells nice."

"Good morning, Little Bird. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Aoi said, though her heart felt like it was trying to beat faster than a hummingbird's wings. "What on earth were you doing hunched over me like that?"

"I was checking out the new pet," Masami stood. "She's nothing special, Kitten. Why bring her along?"

"Wait, are you two traveling together?"

"And what's it to you?" Masami pouted as she looked at the master. "I go away for less than two days and you move on?"

"We aren't together like that anymore, Masami."

"Hmph. I know that."

Aoi stood with a stretch. How long had she slept for? It was well into the morning judging by the brightness outside.

"Strange clothing she's sporting too. Did your parents not teach you to dress, or do you use this to lore in the men?" Masami asked.

Aoi looked down at herself and blushed. Yeah, she'd forgotten that she was only wearing a slip under the cloak and she'd used the clock as a blanket last night. She also hated the fear that crept into her. Past or not, Masami freaked her out.

"I've been separated from my fiancée, and my things for that matter." She replied, putting the cloak back over her.

"Don't worry, Little Bird. I plan on taking you into town and buys some clothes for you." Master said with a smile.

"Oh no, that's not necessary!"

"But it is if we plan to travel together. I don't want to draw unwanted attention to us."

"Indeed. The new pet would stand out in those clothes."

"I am not your pet." And she didn't want to travel with her either.

The master put his arm around Aoi. "There's no need to get upset. Masami thinks everyone is beneath her. You must look past that."

Like hell she would. Not that these two would understand. But still, she needed to keep her cool. She jerked away when Masami suddenly drew closer, smelling her.

"You really smell amazing."

"Um, thanks," Aoi replies, though really confused. Why did she keep saying that?

"Masami, you're freaking her out. Why don't you go gather some food?"

"Fine, but only because you asked and I certainly am hungry." She sauntered over to him, kissing him deeply before facing Aoi and winking. "Be back, pet!"

"I'm not your pet," Aoi grumbled, making the master laugh.

"Come on. Let's get going before she returns." He took her hand, leading her out of the cave.

"Wait, we are leaving her?" It wasn't that she objected to the idea. Masami terrified her, but it seemed a little random.

"Masami would eat you alive the moment I had my back turned. Don't worry, she'll likely get mad, go take her anger out on some poor pubs before making he way to find us."

"You have some experience with that?" She asked as he helped her down a small drop off.

"Yes. Masami is a childhood friend. She's good to have around at times, but she's the sort who overstays their welcome. I often end up having to ditch her to get some space."

"I'm surprised she keeps coming back."

He laughed again. "Yes well. I guess you forgive those you love."

"So, you guys are a thing?" Man that hurt some.

"We were once. When we were young you never saw us apart. It had been expected for us to marry. Even we thought it would come to that. She was kind then. Her heart was warm and her smile would bring smiles to those around her. She was like the sun."

"Hard to imagine," Aoi said, looking up when something she couldn't see rustled the leaves.

"Yes, I'm sure it is. Now she's like the dark side of the moon. Cold and dead."

"She seemed lively enough. Are you saying she's actually depressed?"

"I'm saying when you get your heart broken by someone you respect, admire, and trust with everything you have, it changes you."

"What did you do?" She had a hard time imagining he could hurt someone so much.

"It wasn't me. He came into our lives unexpectedly, but it only took a short time for her to fall for him. He'd pretended to be a traveling performer. He was kind, charming. Our entire village fell for the con. He played on people's emotions, and no one, not even me saw it for what it was. Not before it was too late. Ten years he'd lived among us. Ate with us. Slept with us. Celebrated with us. And all that time he played with her. Promised her the world. Showed her a love you couldn't believe was true. Then he pulled the rug under her feet. He'd been using the town for trafficking. Poor woman and child getting sold off for slavery right under our noses. When she confronted him, crying and heartbroken, he laughed in her face and told her she was just something to play with."

Aoi felt sorry for her. She still didn't like her, but this helped make her a little more human. "That's horrible."

"Yes. It took that sun and turned her into the moon. I did my best to help her. Stayed with her for a long while. But the damage had been done. Now she's selfish and uncaring. Cold to everyone. If she manages to fall in love, she eventually makes up a reason to leave them. Most of the time it's a problem she makes up."

"But you care for her anyway." This wasn't a question.

"I don't care for the woman she's become. I often find her exhausting to be around and she's good at making trouble for me. Were she anyone else, I would have broken ties with her a long time ago. But I remember the woman she used to be. The sun. The kind and caring soul who'd go out of her way to help anyone. That woman might be long gone, but it's that woman I can't seem to break ties with."

Aoi could understand that. Sometimes letting people go wasn't so simple. Her grandfather should be on her shit list for what he did to her. Still, she couldn't help but love him. Couldn't help but hold his memory close to her heart.

She gasped when he suddenly went to her, putting his face just inches from hers, taking her hands in his so she couldn't move away. What on earth?

"That expression," he said softly. "You look so sad for someone you hardly know."

"I can feel sorry for someone I don't know," Aoi replied.

She could feel the warmth on her cheeks as she blushed.

"I find you irresistible." With that statement, he stepped away. "But I'll do my best to resist."

"Thank you," Aoi said a little weakly.

Present time

"Where did you send her?" Master asked, fear and anger making him unable to retreat to his more human form.

"To somewhere in the past. Somewhere where you can't get her!" Masami leaned against the wall to her cell. Tears streamed down her face as she seemingly fell apart.

"Masami, you bring her back, and you do it now or so help me…"

"I…I can't. I'm unsure as to where she ended up."

Master's flames grew with his anger. He was going to lose it. How could she be so careless? "How could you? After everything. After all I've done for you. After putting up with your selfish ways? After it all?"

Masami sank to the floor, no fight left in her. She'd sent Aoi away out of anger. Out of hurt. Now she'd overdone it. She'd seen that look in his eyes before. She'd never received it, but she knew what it means. He was done with her. No longer would he permit her to be by his side.

"Master, does this mean she is lost forever? Ginji asked as he paled.

"It's up to her," Masami said dully. "If Aoi finds someone in the time she's in to send her back here, she can come back."

"But the ancient hidden realm? A human girl surviving it would prove difficult." Ginji spoke as knots formed in his stomach.

Master said nothing as he left the room. Anger rolled off him in waves and he was ready to explode. He couldn't lose her. He couldn't live without knowing she was safe. How had things come to this?

Even worse, it was his fault. He'd brought her here in the first place. She'd been living a semi-normal life before he showed up. He should have let her go when she refused to marry him.

Master looked up at the pinkish-purple sky. "Where are you?" He asked out loud. Please be safe. He said to himself as his eyes watered. Please. Please come back.

After two days of walking and camping, Aoi was ecstatic to run into a hot spring. Well, they'd run into one the day before, but that one would boil the skin right off of her.

She looked over as Master set down his bag and removed his top. He seemed to like to take it off once they finished traveling for the day. She kinda wished he kept it on because his bare chest always made her a little nervous, which she often reminded herself that it was a ridiculous reaction. She's seen men without shirts plenty of times.

Still, he had a body to appreciate. Slim and muscular. She couldn't help but admire the way his muscles undulated as he moved. He certainly looked like he could take care of himself in a conflict.

"I can't wait to get clean!" She said, removing her cloak. She stopped being embarrassed by her slip as of yesterday. It had been way to warm to travel with it on and as long as it was just the master, she couldn't figure out why it mattered.

She turned to face him and was surprised to see him a little red in the cheeks. Was he…blushing? "You have to turn around and promise me you won't look."

He smiled at her devilishly. "Not even a tiny peek?"

"Not if you don't want a black eye," she teased.

"Don't worry." He said, turning away from the water. I promise I won't look." It was a promise he had to keep because if he got one glimpse of her bare flesh there was no saying if he could keep himself from touching her.

He chuckled when he heard her sigh of pleasure. "Keep making noises like that, and I'll end up breaking my promise."

"Oh hush it. It's just nice to take a hot bath. It's been…" she paused now as her past few months had rushed back to her. The past few days she'd been able to keep it at bay, but the reality was, she still hadn't allowed herself to examine how she was feeling with being held prisoner and all that went with it.

"Little bird?" He said, his tone concerned.

Aoi cleared her throat. "It's been a while. That's for sure," she replied, trying to keep her tone light.

"Does he treat you right? Your master?" This wasn't the first time she'd given him the impression that something horrible had happened to her.

"Yes. He can be a little rough around the edges when you first meet him, but he's very kind. A little like you." She laughed to herself.

"I'm not sure I like being compared to your betrothed." He didn't like it one bit. What was it about this girl? Why did he feel so strongly to be with her? And not just to have her flesh, but he wanted to know her. To know everything about her.

Aoi laughed. "I'll try to keep that in mind." She paused a moment, hesitant. She'd wanted to ask since back in the cave, but she was unsure she should. However calling him master would be strange at this point, and she couldn't keep calling him, hey. "What's your name?"

"Mitsuhide," he replied. She was almost surprised by the ease of it.

"Mitsuhide." She liked it. It was a bit of a mouthful, but it suited him well. "May I call you Hide?"

"If you wish."

She smiled. "I do. Thank you, Hide."

"Why does that please you so, Little Bird?" She sounded delighted to know his name.

"It just does."

He heard her take a deep breath before going under the water. She came up, the water splashing around her.

"You ever going to come out of there?" He wondered out loud.

"Yes, yes. I'm just enjoying it while I can."

There was a moment's pause and then she screamed. Without thought, he went to her and stopped dead. She was out of that water, looking down at a leach spirit with horror. That was the first thing his eyes saw. The second was the scars on her back.

She'd been whipped. There was no doubt about that. And from the look of the fresh scars, it wasn't too terribly long ago. Not to mention he got a proper look at her naked form. She was too thin, and the scars on her back were accompanied by faded bruises.

Anger made his blood boil as he went to her. He pulled the leech off before meeting her eyes. "Little bird."

Aoi's brows pulled together. Why had he said it with such sadness? "What's wrong?" The sorrow in his eyes turned to burning anger. "Are you mad at me?"

"You best answer me honestly. Did you're master give you those scars?"

She flushed. In her momentary horror of the leech, she'd forgotten about her scars. Hell, she'd forgotten she was naked. She wanted to die from embarrassment. "No. He would never."

"You swear it to me?"

She was a little breathless. She'd never seen such raw emotion from him before. He'd always been so guarded. Careful to only allow whatever emotion he wanted to share to show. Sure, she'd seen hints of emotions he didn't want her to see, but nothing like this. She wanted to reach out to him, but her hands were busy covering herself. "I swear it. He would never."

"Who?"

"I don't know his name. Where are you going?" She asked as he stood.

"A walk. Don't wander off." He was too upset to stay idle. He needed to walk off his anger. He felt the urge to murder whoever did that to her. No woman, human, or otherwise ever deserved such harsh treatment. Ever.

Later he watched her, a smile on his face. She was sitting on her knees, the strap to that ridiculously thin dress she wore was hanging over her shoulder, and her hair was loose, cascading down. She watched the fire, seemingly content.

She'd been so happy when he'd informed her he had a brush. She looked so happy that it seemed odd. How could something so minor as a hairbrush bring that much joy? But she did seem delighted to have her hair tangle-free.

However, he could tell she was sad. Though she smiled, there seemed to be a dark shadow lingering over her. Something she'd kept from her story of how she ended up here. The part that included those scars.

At first, he assumed she was unhappy with having to marry her master. Yet she really seemed happy enough about that. She never said any bad thing about him and always smiled when he brought him up. So maybe that wasn't it at all.

Maybe she had a bad life in the apparent realm, so marrying her master was like he saved her. Maybe.

He was jealous of this master of hers. Her smile made his heart flutter and her laugh was contagious. When she looked at him, it was always with earnest. She was just pure good.

He'd known someone like that once. Not to say they were one in the same. Just that they shared a goodness about them.

"Are you okay?" Little bird asked, making him look her way. She'd moved closer to him, and was watching him with a worried expression.

"Don't look at me like that. It makes it impossible for me not to kiss you." With that, he leaned over and placed a quick kiss on her lips.

She blinked and god didn't it make him hard every time that blush pinkened her cheeks. At this point, she was going to kill him out of sexual frustration alone.

"Well I can't help how I looked," she replied, but she didn't pull away. "You just looked unhappy, so I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"You're here. How can I not be okay?"

She smiled. "Well don't get attached to me. Remember…"

"Yes," he said, dragging out the word as annoyance built. "You're taken." Didn't those words really piss him off?

She couldn't sleep. She was too busy worrying about the master to sleep. Not the one now, but the one in her own time. Was he okay? Would he know what happened to her? If so, was he trying to get her back? Did Masami even know to what point in time she sent her back to?

Aoi shook her head. No. She couldn't count on those in the future to get her back. Not because she didn't think they'd want too, but she couldn't be sure they'd know how. So it was something she'd have to do.

Masami was out of the question. Obviously, she'd know how to do it but something told her that Masami wouldn't be the right person to ask. She would have to fine a bender of time elsewhere.

She hadn't a clue where to look, but master, or Hide, was taking her to a village. Maybe she could ask around there.

She'd have to be careful though. Something told her that she shouldn't tell the master who she really was. She didn't know what kind of impact it might have on the future, and she didn't want to risk changing more then she might already have.

Aoi turned, facing him. If she wanted too, she could reach out and easily touch his face, but she fought the urge too. He was really handsome. She'd always thought so, but I'm this moment she ached to touch him.

She ached for the him that know her. The master who looked at her with admiration and affection. The master of this time looked at her with lustful eyes. She didn't totally hate it. In fact, it kinda made her feel wanted. And not in that sickening way Raiju wanted her.

No, don't go there.

Mitsuhide. She smiled as she thought of his name. Would he be upset to find she now knew it? It always seemed like some big mystery. Though she'd never really asked, had she?

Would he send her away again once she returned? This thought had her feeling uneasy. She couldn't decide why he'd sent her away in the first place. And what would she be going home to? Would Raiju be able to get his hands on her again? That thought put fear into her heart.

She couldn't do that again. She couldn't handle going back there. No, she didn't think the master would let that happen again. He hadn't known about it the first time.

"Little Bird?" Master's voice said softly, calling her attention.

"Yes?"

"Why are you afraid?"

Wait, he could tell she was afraid? "I…" How to answer him? She couldn't tell him the truth. Not really. It would reveal too much. "I'm just unsure how things will go when I get back to the master. I guess I was thinking about it too hard."

He moved closer to her, pulling her to him. "Do not worry. I have you for now, and you have nothing to fear."

Maybe she should have pulled away, but his warmth was too he'd to pull away from. Instead, she cuddled into him. "Thank you."

She held on to him, soaking in the feeling of safety. She had to fight back tears. She'd wanted to be in his arms for so long. This was a comfort she needed more then she'd realized. She cried as she clung to him.

"Little Bird?" He said with alarm.

"I'm sorry, she replied. "I'm just."Just what? Emotional? Exhausted? Finally feeling like she can breathe for the first time in a long time? "Can I just hold you?"

He held her as close as he could. "Stay like this for as long as you need." His chest felt heavy as she cried. Clearly, she'd been treated with carelessness and harmful hands. She would carry those scars with her forever. Who had done that to her? Why had it been done? What horrors had she endured?

She breathed him in, realizing he smelt the same. That odd scent that she couldn't really identify. It was warm and spicey, and undoubtfully unique to him. It was funny that such a thing should comfort her, but it did. "I'm sorry. I'm not usually clingy."

He kissed her forehead. "I do not mind it."

She smiled. "I don't mind it either."

She found herself looking up at him as his fingers turned her chin up. The way he looked at her made her tummy flutter. Had the master of her time ever looked at her with such lust? She reached up, brushing his hair out of his face. However, that touch wasn't enough.

She kissed him, deeply, once again that fire in her burning hot. She wanted him so bad it amazed her. He responded in kind, shifting so that she was under him, and his hand making its way up her thigh.

She was so warm under him, and her arousal was intoxicating. She wanted him, there was no mistaking that. His hand found her center, making her gasp with pleasure. She was hot and ready, but he wouldn't enter her. Not yet.

Aoi lost herself in the pleasure his hands brought her. She moved against his hand, demanding more as he drove her closer to orgasm. Yes, god yes she wanted this. Needed this. Needed to feel the pleasure sex was supposed to bring. She closed her eyes, as she cried out. Yes, she was so close!

The thunder was so loud she screamed. Her heart pounded in her chest with fear now as she grabbed onto him. Had he found her? Was he here to take her away? Wait…Why would the Raiju of this time be after her? And surely the one from her time wouldn't come all the way to the past for her.

"You're shaking like a leaf, little bird." He held her to him because she was now sobbing. "Little bird? Are you afraid of storms?"

"Don't." she had to pause because her throat was tight. She felt cold with fear. She was going to tell him not to let Raiju take her, but she couldn't say that without explaining. Besides, it was likely just a storm.

"Don't worry," he shifted so they were both sitting and she was in his lap. "I will hold you until you ask me to let you go."

She was embarrassed. She could hardly look at him the next day. For one, she had let him get way too far with her. She hadn't meant too, but she couldn't seem to stop herself. She'd thought after everything, sex would be hard for her, but when it came to him? She glanced over as he leaned over the water, splashing it on his bare torso to clean. She wanted him. No. Needed him. It was crazy the need she felt for him.

She was also embarrassed by her fear of the thunder. He must have found her silly. How could she explain that? She supposed maybe she could tell him about what her mother had done. Would that be giving too much away? Yeah, maybe it was better to just dodge the question if it ever came up.

"We should hit the town today. I suspect they might avoid us, so if they do, don't be alarmed. They might attack too. But worry not, I won't let anything happen to you."

She looked at him with curiosity. "Why would they attack you?"

He seemed hesitant to answer. He made the task of putting his robe back on a long one. "I've recently done things I can't say I'm proud of. I took out anger on people who did nothing wrong."

"Well. There's time to make things right." She replied after a moment. She had a million questions, but she decided it wasn't really her place to ask. She'd ask the one from her time if she ever really wanted to know.

"You think so?" He asked, seemingly lost in thought.

"You can't change what you did, but your actions from here on out will go a long way in restoring your name." Wow, that sounded cheesy, but he gave her a small smile, so maybe it helped him.

"You're sweet, Little Bird. Thank you."

She turned away, blushing some. "You're welcome."

"I'm going to go gather some food before we head out. Don't go anywhere, okay?"

"Yeah. Sure. I'll just wash up myself." As if to prove to him she meant it, she knelt by the water.

Once done, she stood, cocking her head slightly when she saw them. She wasn't sure what they were though. Curious, she stood, taking a few steps closer, but once she got close enough to almost make out its form, the thing disappeared and reappeared a few feet from her.

"Wait, I won't hurt you," she said, once again trying to approach it, but with the same results.

Hmm. She turned to leave it be when she heard it. The master calling her name. "Master?" She called out, walking toward the sound.

She paused a moment, listening for him. Had she been hearing things? She had a fleeting thought that she shouldn't be leaving camp, but her feet moved on their own. She was no longer in control.

"Aoi," Ginji's voice said, pushing the thought from her completely. Had they come for her?

She stopped when her path before her blurred. The scenery shifted, and it looked like she was at the beach. A woman stood before her and when she turned around, there was no mistaking who she was. Princess Iso!

"How curious," Princess Iso said with puzzled eyes.

"Don't look," the master's voice came as darkness fell over Aoi's eyes.

She jumped some, feeling as if she was being jerked back to reality. The master held her so her back was pressed against his chest, and his hand covered her eyes. "What? What happened?"

"Don't look at them," he said again, making her move with him as they slowly walked backward.

After a while of walking, he uncovered her eyes and she felt a bit odd. She had a vague memory of leaving camp but felt as though she had little choice. When she looked at the master she was surprised by the look on his face.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You are a surprising human. Most spirits can't see the time fairies, and even if they can, it's just for a fleeting moment. And yet you? They had you because you can see them. They no doubt we're going to lead you to your death."

Her skin prickled at the thought. "I didn't even realize I followed them. I saw it, and I know I moved to get a better look, but after that, it all became a little hazy."

"You are a curious one," he said as he looked her over. Was she from a different time? There are only three kinds of people who can see them. Powerful yokai, and even then it's just glimpses, yokai who can manipulate time, and those who have traveled through it. She was human, so that left him with one conclusion. And given her outfit?

He wouldn't ask though. It wasn't his place and he didn't think she would tell him the truth anyway. So what did this mean about her master? Was he made up? Or was he real, but back on her time?

"You okay?" She asked, worry in her pretty eyes.

"Yes. Come one. I want to be in town by nightfall."

She smiled and fell into step beside him. Sleeping under a roof would be nice. She was never one for sleeping outdoors. Not to mention she couldn't wait to have real clothes!

…..

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