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Bee-uty & the Beast

Kraen

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Chapter Five

"My Lord," inquired Oda as he attempted to keep up with Gai's frustrated gait. "I can't help but sense that you are angered?"

Gai clenched and released his fists a few times to regain his composure. His earlier discussion with Makoto had put him in a fowl mood. "I'm sorry, Oda. I wasn't trying to be rude."

"Have the stresses of a lordship begun to weigh on you already, My Lord?"

Gai gave Oda a half grin, "I just have a few things on my mind."

"Ah, then may I suggest a visit to the hot springs?"

"Hot Springs?" inquired Gai with a lighter voice.

"Oh yes, in the lower confines of the mansion; all natural and very relaxing."

Gai scratched his chin in consideration. He adored hot springs, believing them to be the perfect remedy for the pains of hard training. "Do I have time?"

"Of course, My Lord. You have all the time in the world."

He couldn't help but smile at the opportunity; but it quickly faded as he considered his partner. "I probably shouldn't. I'm sure Hani is expecting me to return soon."

"Nonsense, My Lord. I will fetch her after I have shown you the way."

Gai's smile returned, "Excellent! What are we waiting for?"

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To say the hot springs were impressive would be a vast understatement. It was actually a large cavern under the foundation of the mansion. The distance between the water's surface and the ceiling was at least two stories. There were parts of the water that were only three feet deep and others that were so deep, you would run out of air before you reached the bottom. A series of hand lit lamps hung from various stalagmites, irradiating a soft glow over the glistening surfaces.

Gai relaxed in one of the alcoves, enjoying the warming sensation over his body. The ribs he had cracked were no longer bound and had started to heal nicely. 'This water should help,' he thought. 'By tomorrow, I should be as good as new.'

Just as he felt relaxed enough to fall asleep, a familiar voice called to him from the doorway. "My Lord?" said Oda. "I have brought Madam. Are you decent?"

Gai jumped out of the water and rushed to grab a towel. "I'm ready, Oda," he called, quickly covering his indecency.

Oda stepped aside to let Hani enter the room. She entered confidently at first, but once she got a good look of her surroundings, she immediately froze.

"Isn't this great?" called Gai. "A natural hot spring cavern. These things are so rare these days. I couldn't believe it when Oda told me, but here it is … Hani, are you alright?" he asked as he noticed her fearful expression.

She looked like a deer caught in the sights of an archer's bow. Her hands clung white knuckled on her kimono and her breath was short and shuddered. Once Gai closed the space between them, he could see her visibly shaking. He placed his hands firmly on her shoulders as if to hold her still. "Hani, what is wrong?"

She didn't respond, but continued to stare wide-eyed over the water.

He gave her a stern shake, "Hani!" This seemed to bring her to her senses as her eyes turned to his.

She stared at him silently for a moment before speaking in a faint voice, "Get me out of here."

He hesitated slightly before realizing she was unable to move on her own. Without a second thought, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and put another behind her knees picking her up easily and carrying her out the doorway.

"My goodness!" squeaked Oda. "Has she taken ill?"

"I don't know," frowned Gai. He held her tightly to his chest, not worrying about getting her expensive kimono wet. He wasn't going to put her down till she had regained her breath and stopped her shaking.

"I'll go fetch some water!" said Oda as he hurried up the stairs to the mansion.

Still holding her, Gai looked around and found a sauna bench. He squeezed her tightly as he sat down, and then set her up in his lap like a child. He placed his free hand on the side of her cheek, turned her face to his and looked deep into her eyes. "Just breathe," he chanted. Within seconds, his mantra seemed to reach her and her breathing steadied; soon after, her body relaxed and her shaking ceased.

She blinked a few times -- her senses returning.

"Hey," he said, relieved that she was coming around. But it wasn't until he had spoken that Hani had realized her situation. She quickly jumped to her feet and retreated a few steps.

"Hani?" asked Gai, his confusion building.

Oda hurried down the stairs with a glass of ice water and looked cautiously between the two. Hani was clearly going out of her way to not look Gai in the face and Gai was clearly perplexed in the whole situation.

"Oda, please take me back to my room," asked Hani in a small voice.

"Hani, wait – " said Gai.

"Oda, please!" begged Hani as she ran up the stairs, tears welling in her eyes.

The servant looked flabbergasted at Gai, then after Hani's fleeing form and then back to Gai. He quickly ran down, handed the glass to Gai and then chased after the woman.

Gai stared at the glass like it was an alien object and then looked about the room like he had just appeared in a foreign world. 'What the hell just happened?' he thought.

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Thank you, for reading!