My Silver Protector

Chapter 3

 Metal clangs in my ears. I jerk away from my furry cacoon, instantly feeling the cold seep into my bones.

Fur? I glance beside me in confusion. Ginji stands in a fox form I haven't seen before; much bigger than his normal fox shape and more the size of a wolf.

His nine tails stand on edge as he stares at our visitor. It's the monkey from yesterday, Hideyoshi.

"Ranmaru-sama requests your presence in the dining room," his tone bored, he turns to walk away. Does he not plan to lead us to our destination?

A hand pulls me to my feet. Ginji is back to his usual form. "Follow me. I know where to go." he goes ahead and I follow closely behind.

Through the hallways I can't help but notice the stiffness of the kitsune's shoulders. Ginji is on edge and I'm feeling rather anxious myself.

I have no idea what to expect once we enter those doors but Ginji does. He stops in front of the door and my heart is hammering so hard anyone with supernatural ears can hear it about to burst out of my chest.

Ginji sighs, placing his hand on my shoulder. "Stay close to me."

"I'm planning on it."

He slides the door open and I file in behind him. All eyes seem to gaze in my direction. I can feel their distrust and hatred going straight into my bones.

I keep my gaze on Ginji's back as we continue through, the crowd parting for us. When he abruptly stops, I almost smack into his back. I realize we're in front of Ranmaru.

Gulping, I come to stand by Ginji's side. I'm like the girl awaiting the death sentence but the kitsune looks no worse than I.

"Ginji-sama, how was your first night back in Orio-ya?" the dog god's words are filled with sarcasm.

"Very dark and dank." Ginji's voice is dead serious.

Ranmaru laughs, "Tonight I will make sure your quarters are more agreeable." his eyes travel to me and I freeze in silent horror.

My limbs have completely locked up.

"As for you Aoi-san. You will continue to use the room currently provided for you until further notice."

"Ranmaru-sama, the room is no more than a prison cell," Ginji protests on my behalf. I'm still unable to move let alone have the will and guts to talk back. This ayakashi is downright terrifying. Maybe fluffy but not by any means cuddly.

"The human is no longer your concern. The room she has is fitting of her station. She will stay." Ranmaru snaps in annoyance.

Ginji's ears flatten and I know he's trying to keep himself calm, "Aoi-san doesn't do well with being shut in the dark."

"She'll get over it. The human remains there until I find her a master to serve."

A master? What kind of serving is Ranmaru hinting at? I'm not liking the sound of this.

"She can serve me!" Ginji pleads, his desperation confirms my suspicions that Ranmaru only sees me as a human play toy.

Righteous anger floods me, and only my fear of Ranmaru keeps me silent. That doesn't mean I'm not glaring at the arrogant dog god in question.

How dare he!

Ranmaru barks in another bout of laughter, "Oh dear Ginji. You're much too emotionally involved to be in charge of our little pet." At first I think Ranmaru is going to pat Ginji's shoulder until he pats my head like one would a dog.

So this is how it will be is it? And what does he mean by emotionally involved?

Orio-ya must be completely filled with barbarians!

Ginji digs his nails into his tightly fisted palms but he says nothing. It would be futile anyway. This guy won't back out of his word.

After our chat we are sent out after a bite to eat. Ginji to his new job and I to do some duties as a makeshift maid. My task of the day is to polish the floors of the hotel. I'm pretty sure Ranmaru means every room. If that's the case I won't be done until past midnight.

Gathering my cleaning supplies is the hardest part. Everyone I encounter scatter away or jeer at me. I don't receive any extra help. I'm given an empty bucket and sponge. I find the soap on my own. The well is the biggest challenge but eventually I find that too.

"Welcome to Orio-ya," I mutter to myself as I began to furiously scrub the floor.