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 Seven
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It was dark, too dark, and it smelt the way her room at Raiju's castle smelt. She opened her eyes and to her horror, she was back there, in the horrible room. The smell of the salty ocean drifting in making her dizzy with fear.
How? How did she end up here? Had she been dreaming? Oh god. She was still here. Still in hell and no one knew. Would she be stuck here forever? Would they ever know? Would she ever be saved?
Shaky, she stood, trying to accept her fate. How had that been a dream? It all seemed so real. She could still feel the warmth of the master. She'd really thought she got out, and while she was in the past, she had at least been with the master. She was at least safe. She had felt so safe
A sob escaped her throat as despair overtook her, making her limbs heavy with fear. It was like she was being sucked down by gravity that was stronger than usual.
The door behind her opened, and as she turned to look, her heart thudded painfully against her chest. He stood there, that grin in place, his eyes greedy with need. He was going to take her. Put his hands on her. His fingers would be digging into her flesh with greedy desire that would bruise, burn, and hurt.
"Please, no more!" She cried as she fell to the floor. "I can't take it anymore. Please. Please."
He came for her anyway, jerking her up by the arm painfully, uncaring if he left marks or broke bones. "You're mine. And my flesh is all you will know until you die."
"No! Please don't. I can't. Please!"
"Little bird, wake up now. Come one. Come back to me."
"Please no!" She cried as she jerked awake, jumping from the chair she'd fallen sleep in. She fell to the ground, her legs heavy with fear. She scooted away some until her sleepy brain caught up with her.
"Easy, you here. Your safe." His tone was soothing.
Her unsure eyes landed on him as she tried to rid herself of the fear. As the fear lifted, homesickness took its place. The feeling was overwhelming to the point of madness.
"I wanna go home!" She cried like a child who was gone from that parents far too long. She buried her face in her hands but continued to speak with a shaky voice. "I wanna go home! I want my master. I want my Ginji. I want Moonflower. I want my bed. I want." The sob cut off her rambling. "I wanna go home."
"You're breaking my heart," he said, gathering her into his arms. She grabbed onto him like her life depended on it. "I will get you home make no mistake about that."
He sat with her in his lap, holding her as she shook. "Your freezing," he said, forming a small fire in his hand.
She watched it dance in his hand, that familiar fire making her relax some. She'd been irrational before. So afraid that this had been a dream. "It's beautiful," she said with a sigh, settling into him. The anxiety slowly faded as he held her.
He blushed some. She'd said it with such sweetness. He kissed her forehead with a chuckle. "You flatter me."
"I'm sorry about earlier. I thought…" she closed her eyes, wishing she could just forget it all. "He hurt me. For days and days. I thought I'd die there. I thought." She thought she'd never feel kindness again.
"I will protect you. Whoever hurt you will not do so as long as you are by my side."
She believed him. She knew if the master of her time knew where she was he'd come for her too.
What happened to Raiju? Surly master wouldn't let him get away with what he had done. And Masami? Would he allow her to walk away without reprimand?
"I feel so stupid," she said a little while later. "I truly am sorry."
"No need. I got to hold you, and I've wanted to do that all day."
She blushed. They had reached town just as the sun started setting. He treated her to a real meal, which she ate with gusto, then brought her to get clothes. It was so nice to be rid of that slip once and for all.
They'd stopped at this cute little inn, though apparently, they were only staying here for the night.
She stood, wandering over to the window. The night sky seemed so dark tonight. Possibly due to the moon being new. Still, the street below was lit and she watched for a while as people hurried off to get home.
She looked over when he joined her, pulling her close to his side. "Are you okay?"
She smiled some. "Yeah, I'm okay." Truly she was. Now that the dream faded and her nerves calmed.
"Good. Let's go to bed. We have a long day tomorrow."
She smiled, following him back to the futon. Before, she's insisted they have separate blankets, but after that dream, she found herself sliding under his. She didn't want to sleep apart from him. Not if that dream planned on making a return.
He said nothing as she sat beside him, snuggling in under his blanket. He smiled as he pulled her to him, and breathed her in. She was so warm, and he hated that soon he would be without her. Soon, she would slip away.
But for now, she was here and he wanted to enjoy it. He couldn't understand his liking her. Not that she was unlikeable, but it was strange how taken he was by a woman he'd never met before. From the moment he laid eyes on her. Something in him just screamed that she was important. He held her closer as he thought about it. She was important and letting her go felt impossible.
Shock. She was shocked to find herself at Tenjin-Ya. To be fair, this wasn't nearly as large or elegant as the Tenjin-ya of her time, but there was no mistaking the main building. She knew these walls anywhere. She knew it's layout, it's design.
"Mitsuhide, I'm delighted to see you've returned."
Aoi watched a stunningly beautiful blond woman walked over and placed a little kiss square on the mouth. Way? Why was she always having to watch beautiful women kiss him?
"You've brought a friend! Welcome," she said, giving Aoi the same treatment she'd given the master. A kiss right on the mouth.
"Um, thanks," Aoi said with flushed cheeks. She wasn't into women, but that didn't mean the situation didn't make her a little embarrassed.
"I'm Ougon-douji. And I hope you enjoy your stay. Mi please give Mitsuhide his favorite room, and inform all employees of his arrival. He is a VIP."
That's right, Aoi reminded herself. Ougon-douji had been the master of Tenjin-ya before the master, but hadn't he told her he'd started to build this place before Katori got sick? Maybe Ougon-douji bought it from him and finished it. And didn't Ougon-douji usually look like a little girl? That's why she didn't realize who she was at first.
Aoi followed the master as they were lead to their room. It was, she noted, the suite he lived in back in her time.
"This is our most extravagant room. We do hope you enjoy your stay." With that, the Yokai bowed out.
Aoi looked around a smile on her face. She couldn't help but feel giddy with being in a familiar place. She nearly cried with the feeling. She was home. Maybe not in the right time, but this, for now, was close enough.
"Little Bird, are you unhappy with this place?" He didn't understand the expression on her face. She seemed conflicted, though, there was a hint of a smile.
"No. I mean," she added quickly. "This place is fine. I'm just happy to be indoors." She looked at him, grinning. "I like this room."
"As do I." He would keep that he'd built it to himself.
She wandered to the window, looking out. The view was a bit different, but it too had some familiar shapes to it. "So, Ougon-douji. Old girlfriend?" She felt silly asking, but it kinda just slipped out.
He laughed so suddenly it startled her for a moment. "Oh no. Never. She's a business partner and nothing more. She kisses everyone, as you witnessed."
"Right," Aoi said, looking away, blushing.
"Did it bother you? Her kissing me?" Master asked as he drew closer to her. That pleased him very much.
"Not at all," she replied turning only to find him very close. "Mitsuhide?" She added as he took her chin in his fingers. He was going to kiss her and she couldn't find the words to make him stop. She didn't want to.
He did kiss her, but it wasn't with the fiery passion that he'd taken place in that cave, or in the woods, but with a gentle intimacy that somehow seemed even more intense.
Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him even closer to him. She didn't want to stop kissing him. She wanted more, but too soon her rational thinking returned. She found herself pulling away. "We can't." How hot was it that he was panting? He wanted her too.
"I know," he said, putting his forehead on hers.
A knock on the door broke the sexual tension. "Pardon me, sir. I have the clothes you asked for."
"Ah, yes. Thank you," he said, taking the clothes from the girl.
"I think this will suit you fine."
She eyed the clothes. "But you already bought me an outfit?"
"Yes, but I liked these patterns as well, so I had them delivered here for you. Just accept them because there is no take backsies."
Somethings never changed, Aoi thought as she put on the kimono. This one was more heavily printed then the ones he got her in her time, but the purples were beautiful and suited her well enough. When she returned to the main room, the look in his eyes told her he approved.
"I'm a fool," he informed her as she put the other one on the table where her slip and cloak sat. "That kimono suits you, as I knew it would, but your previous attire gave me an idea of what you'd look like naked."
Okay, that made her flush. "Oh stop." She said, shaking her head.
"Why don't we go out? I have some business in the town."
" Sounds good to me. As long as we can get something to eat while we are out."
He chuckled. "Deal."
The town was so different she wouldn't have known it was Gintin if she hadn't just been to Tenjin-ya. Well, she supposed there were a few landmarks that were the same, but still.
She couldn't say what his business was, because she often had to wait outside the room at the few places they stopped, but she enjoyed being here.
Master, took her hand as they made their way back to Tenjin-Ya. She was going to protest, but honestly, it was comforting to be touched by his gentle hands. After what Raiju did to her, she almost ached for tenderness. Besides, it seemed like a moot point after everything they've done.
"I have a privet place I'd like to show you."
She allows him to guide her and though there was no path, she was sure he was taking her up the mountain to the location of his favorite place. Once she spotted the hot springs, she was sure of it.
"Careful, those are too hot for humans."
"Okay," she replied, though she already knew that.
She stopped when she saw the building, standing where it always was. She really felt as though she would cry. She wanted to run inside just to feel a little closer to Master.
"I built this up here a long time ago. Technically, it belongs to Ougon-douji but I never told her it was here, so she hadn't discovered it yet."
She stepped inside as he opened the doors. Even on the inside, it looked basically the same. "I love this."
"As do I." He said as he sat.
Aoi walked around the space, smiling. How could she not smile? She looked down when she kicked something and when she picked up the clothing, she realized the red stain was blood.
"Who died in here?" She asked, mostly joking.
"I nearly did."
Aoi looked at him. "Wait, really?"
He nodded and told her how he'd gotten onto a fight with a fellow Ogre. He'd been stabbed and came here to recover. There wasn't much to the story, but it made her feel a little sick.
"Sometimes I wonder why I didn't just die," he said as he stood, going over to the open doors and starring out.
"What?"
"I'm just not very attached to life. Sometimes I just question why I should live. I've lost so much and no one would miss me. It's not that I want to die. Not really. But living gets to be a bother at times."
"Don't you ever say that!" Aoi snapped. It was more due to fear than actual anger.
He looked at her, surprised. "I've upset you?"
"You would be missed if you died. So don't think like that."
"Oh? And who would miss me?"
"Someone is out there waiting. That person would miss you."
He chucked. "Oh? You think so?" Did she know from experience? Was she from the future like he suspected?
"I know so. I know the future and I assure you the woman who's waiting for you would be lost if she doesn't get the chance to meet you, and she's not alone. Others are counting on you, so don't you dare think your life isn't worth living."
"You're a seer?"
"Something like that." She blushed now as her words caught up to her. "I'd be grateful if you just kept that to yourself." She didn't need that kind of thing to get spread around. It might cause trouble.
"Interesting. I see my words have upset you. I'm sorry. I assure you I do not intend on dying. It was just the musings of a foolish man."
He was surprised when she went to him, resting her head on his back and Clutching his kimono. "Just don't think you're nothing. Because to the people you will meet, you're everything."
"Are you crying, Little bird?"
"No." She said, not lifting her face from his back. "I yawned."
He chuckled. "You're sweet. Thank you for your tears." He turned, placing a swift kiss on her lips.
She reddened and turned her head down. "I really shouldn't let you kiss me," she whispered. But she wanted him too.
"He wouldn't like it?"
"Would you like it? If I were yours and traveling with a man who kept kissing me?"
"Little Bird, the idea of you going off to be with some man doesn't sit well with me and you're not even mine. So yes, it would."
Aoi smiled some. It was a bit funny that he was technically jealous of himself. "Well, there's your answer."
She stretched as she wandered away from him. She had to put some distance between them.
"This woman in my future, how will I know when I find her?"
She looked at him, and all the playfulness has left his face. "You'll know."
He took her hand. "When we get you to your fiancée, I'm going to have a hard time letting you go."
Her heart squeezed. The way he looked at her made it hard to breathe. "It won't be goodbye. I'm sure we'll run into each other's paths again."
"I hope so." He kissed her knuckles. "Now, why don't we head back? It'll be dark soon." And if he kept her here secluded from everyone, he might not be able to ever let her leave. It was simply crazy how much he wanted her. How much he needed to be close to her.
It hurt to admit, but he didn't even feel this way with Katori. Well, not this soon. He felt this for her after a while, and by the time she died he'd been head over heels for her, but this was so quick. She captured his heart the moment her eyes met his.
He rubbed at his chest as the pain of losing her settled into him once more. He'd told himself he'd never fall again. He would never make plans or settle down. He'd even sold the inn to Ougon-douji due to these plans.
He looked at the human woman who'd fallen into his lap. He hadn't planned on ever falling in love again. Not even feeling for someone again. It was too much pain when you lose someone you loved, but he hadn't counted on her.
Little Bird had a smile that made him instantly happy. He wished she would smile more, but understood she'd been through a lot. She wouldn't tell him what or who, but he knew by the marks on her that it was unpleasant. Still, after everything she'd been through, she smiled.
No. He hadn't been counting on her, and there was something about her that made him yearn to touch. To take. To protect. Mine. That was the word he thought of when he saw her. Mine.
And yet, he knew from the moment he saw her that she would leave. Somehow he knew she would be untouchable for him. That's part of the reason he called her Little Bird. To remind himself that she was going to fly away.
"This is beautiful," Aoi said, taking in the view in front of her. The next day, he'd dragged her higher up the mountain, the trip took hours, but as she stood there looking at the valleys below, it was worth it.
"Yes. I thought you might like it."
Aoi sat beside him. "Do you regret selling the inn?" On their way up, he'd unexpectedly told her about Katori and the inn. She'd heard the story before but was happy to listen again.
"That's quite the privet question to ask." He chucked. "No. I don't think I do."
Aoi leaned back on her heads, closing her eyes as the sun warmed her face. "I've missed the sun."
"You didn't get enough of it these past few days?"
He wasn't wrong. She'd been exposed to the sun a lot the past few days, but the months she'd spent lock away in the castle still made her feel cold. She hated it. Hated that just the thought of it chilled her.
"What are you thinking of? What displeases you when you retreat within yourself?"
She blinked as she looked at him. She hadn't realized she had allowed her mind to wonder. "Nothing really."
"Please don't lie to me. You may tell me to mind my own business, but I don't like liars."
Aoi pulled her knees up to her chest feeling a little too exposed. "I've just been through something scary recently and I'm still trying to be okay with it."
He inched closer to her because he could hear her voice quiver some as she spoke. "You have nothing to fear as long as you're with me."
She smiled. "I know that."
"Do you?" He replied cockily.
"Yes, I do. But don't go getting a big head over it."
"I wouldn't dream of doing that," he laughed, sounding a little more like the master she knew.
She sighed as the turmoil inside her turned. She wanted to go home. To see the master of her time and Ginji. Everyone else. But she could help but worry about the fact that the master had sent her away. She tried to tell herself it was because of Masami, but could she really be sure?
The master could have anyone he wanted. Woman all over the hidden realm wanted him, and he really was a catch. If she put aside the fact that he'd agreed to marry her because she was collateral.
"Answer me this. If Katori was still here, what would be a reason you'd send her away?"
He looked at her, curiosity coloring his face. What was she getting at here? "I wouldn't. If she were here, I'd keep her close to me."
"Right, but under what circumstances might you give her up? For what reasons?"
She looked confused he mused. Sad and a little hurt. Had someone she thought loved her send her away? "I guess if I thought by sending her away I could save her, then I might send her away. If her life were at risk, and by sending her away she'd be spared. Yeah. I'd send her away. Maybe I'd send her away if I thought she was unhappy, but that's not as likely. Maybe I'm far too selfish, but I'd want to find a way to make her happy with me."
See! Maybe the master did send her away because of Masami. If this one would do it, she was sure the him of her time would too.
"Why do you ask?"
She shrugged. "No reason really." She would just have to take comfort in his answer. She won't really know until she gets back.
"Little bird, will you promise me something?"
"That depends on what it is,"
"Will you say goodbye? Before you leave I mean. I feel as though you will up and leave at any moment."
She smiled. "I promise not to leave without saying goodbye."
She laughed as the approached the inn. He'd been telling her some stories from when he was younger and she had to admit, she was sorry to have missed seeing him in action. She'd known he was a bit of a mischievous child, but he'd never actually shared the stories with her before.
"I like it when you laugh. And you don't do it nearly often enough."
This statement surprised her. She'd always considered herself a happy person. That was before Raiju took her hostage. Actually, she supposed she'd lost some of her smiles when she'd been sent back to the apparent realm.
"Well, you gave me a reason to. Thank you."
"Mitsuhide," Ougon-douji said as she approached them. "I would like a word, if I may?"
"Certainly, Little Bird, why don't you wait for me in our room?"
"Sure, she replied, waving as he left. She felt suddenly alone, which made her smile some. She'd get that feeling in her time too. After spending time with him, once he left, she always felt the absents.
She turned, gasping when he caught her eye. He had walked outside, but she ran after him. "Ginji!" She cried, forgetting herself. She threw her arms around him. "I've missed you!"
"I'm sorry, but who are you?" He looked at her, baffled.
She froze before pulling away. She felt silly as she wiped at the fallen tears. "I'm sorry. I was…"
"Ginji," a woman said, making them both look over. "Would you be a dear and go get us checked in? I know this young lady and would like to speak with her."
Wait, that's Princess Iso!
"Yes, Princess, but miss, you have to let go of my sleeve," Ginji said, looking at Aoi.
Embarrassed, she let go of his sleeve. "I'm sorry. I hadn't realized."
He smiled that wonderful smile of his. "No worries, Miss."
"You are quite a far way from home, Aoi Tsubaki."
Aoi gasped in surprise before remembering. "That's right! You can see the future."
"Yes, I can. I have to admit, I'm surprised to see you at this time. Someone has interfered with what's meant to be."
"Can you send me back? To my time?"
"I usually do not mettle in time. It's a dangerous game to play, however, I'm willing to make an exception for you, Aoi."
"Not that I'm complaining, but why?"
"I can see the future." princess Iso looped her arm in Aoi's and started walking. "You have been kind to my Ginji, and I know how much you will mean to him. Clearly, he means a lot to you."
Aoi smiled. "He's the best, really."
Princess Iso laughed. "Yes, though he isn't who you're in love with."
"I wouldn't say that I'm not in love with him. Ginji his really important to me. Without him, my family is incomplete. But, I think I'm really in love with the master."
"I know." She smiled gently.
"How does time work? I'm worried I might have messed things up. When I got here, I ended up meeting the master and I've tried to be careful, but what if I've completely changed the future?"
"It is true that time can be influenced by the choices we make. Each choice changes the fabric ever so slightly. If one goes back in time to change their path, they can indeed change parts of that fabric, however, some parts are simply unchangeable. Destiny isn't someone to mess with, and she will get her way."
"Meaning?" Aoi asked, unsure she understood.
"Meaning that while small changes can be made, if it's meant to be, nothing can change it."
"So when I go back to my future, I might notice small changes, but nothing too big?"
"You might not notice any changes at all. As you said, you've done your best not to give away the future. I can't see anything in the future that I haven't always seen. So, I think you've done a fine job." She would make sure the master of this time wouldn't remember much, but there was no need to tell Aoi that.
"Now then, why don't we get you back to where you belong."
"Wait!" Aoi pulled away. "I have to say goodbye to the master before I go."
Princess Iso nodded. "I'll give you an hour. You can meet me where your Moonflower will stand in the future."
With that, she walked away, leaving Aoi feeling excited and nervous. She was going home! But first, she had to leave Mitsuhide behind.
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I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Reviews and comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks :D