My Silver Protector

Chapter 7

I stare at the sparkling contract in between us and Raiju-sama. Ginji holds a golden plume in his right hand. What disturbs me is the red ink dripping off the nib. Is it even ink?

I try my best not to shutter where I sit beside the kitsune, feeling the thunder god's eyes on me.

This contract states I am no longer a human slave belonging to Raiju but to Ginji. Still a slave in Orio-ya but at least to a different master. I don't think I'll be anything else while I'm in this land. I find it odd that Ranmaru is not here as a witness but maybe that's why I'm sitting here. I think I'd rather be anywhere but here but I'm more than thankful I'm not sitting on the other side. Raiju-sama won't do anything to me in front of Ginji. He would not dare. I dare him to even try.

It seemed like it was over before it even started much to my relief. Raiju-sama didn't waste time on pleasantries. He gave me a smirk before he left and I bristled.

A low animalistic growl beside me confirms Ginji saw him. The sound sends the hair on my arms to stand.

"Ranmaru-sama will be here to speak of the contract." It wasn't an announcement but more of a statement, like Ginji knew this was definite. He stands up, pulling me up with him. He's facing me and the sadness in his blue eyes hurts to look upon. "I don't care what that contract says, Aoi-san. You do not belong to me. You aren't my slave. Only in writing."

But I do belong to him. I want to tell him. Heart and soul. I don't care what it says on the paper.

I love this ayakashi and I don't think I could ever bear to be separated from him. Not now... not after what we've been through. No matter what happens today, tomorrow or next week. I know one thing; I can't be separated from Ginji.

"I don't care about the contract, Ginji-san." I thread my fingers into his. "I worry what the outcome of it will cost us. Cost you."

Ginji frowns. "If I have to I will plead to Ranmaru-sama to let you go back to Tenjin-ya—"

"No!" I panic, realizing what he's planning. "I can't go back without you!"

"Aoi-san."

I pull out of his grasp and wrap my arms around myself. I tremble at just the thought of being taken away from him. My feelings are so frightening and intense. I've never felt so strong for one person in my entire life.

"I can't let you stay in Orio-ya. Every day is a danger to you. The ayakashi are not kind to you." Before I can snatch away from him, Ginji pulls my sleeve up to reveal my most recent bruises. Some are from the servants but most are Raiju-sama's handiwork.

Ginji's long-nailed fingers caress each and everyone. "There is no telling how many you hide under your kimono.

I close my eyes. "I don't care. I won't leave you behind." My eyes fill with tears. If I look at him, I will cry. "I can't."

"Oh, Aoi-san, what am I going to do with you?" Ginji draws me against him in an embrace.

"Don't make me leave," I whisper.

"Sometimes we are forced to do things we don't like." His breath tickles the top of my head.

I shake my head.

"I only want what's best for you." The words are too soft but I hear them.

"No, Ginji. No." My stubborn tears seep from my closed lids and saturate his robes.

Ginji raises my face. "You mustn't cry, sweet one." He catches a tear upon his finger. "Every tear rips a piece of my heart away."

I open my eyes. "Then please don't force me to leave without you."

Ginji sighs with resignation. "I will request Ranmaru-sama's pardon of me. Without the title of Young Master I'm simply a guest now." He furrows his brows. So many emotions swirl around in those blue eyes. Worry, hope, sadness and his adoration for me.

"Thank you."

Ginji gives me a smile. "Stop worrying now. You look exhausted."

I don't realize until now I'm depending solely on Ginji to keep me on my feet. My cheeks flame up despite after all the kisses and caresses between us.

"Rest for now. You can worry later." My feet are swept out from under me and I can't help the little squeak that comes out.

Ginji sits me down to unroll a futon. I barely miss him. He guides me into it covering me with a robe that smells just like him. "Sleep now, Aoi-san." A ball of blue lights the room in a soft glow where Ginji sends it into a nearby lantern. He knows me so well.

My eyes grow heavy but I don't want to close them. If I do, he might leave.

The kitsune sits down by the window to my right. An unspoken word that he's not leaving me.

I've had a horrible lack of sleep since arriving in Orio-ya. The weight of exhaustion pulls me down hard.

A sudden noise rouses me from a deep dreamless sleep. I blink in confusion at the unfamiliar surroundings. Recent memories slowly flood my foggy brain and I jerk upright. Ignoring my sore muscles that protest my sudden movement.

The spot under the window is vacant. I didn't expect Ginji to still be there, but I was disappointed all the same. The blue flame still flickers inside the lantern. I stare at it for a moment, feeling as mesmerized by it as I do its owner. Speaking of said owner, I look around the room for him. I spot him by the rice paper sliding doors. I almost called out to him but stopped myself at once. He's speaking with Ranmaru-sama and it looks to be a very heated conversation.

"I can't look over this, Ginji-san." Ranmaru is angry. I can tell by the way his ears are laid back but so are Ginji's. It's an alpha male vibe I'm feeling and I don't care for it, deciding to keep to my side of the room. If they know I'm awake, they don't react.

"I couldn't let him continue his abuse of her." Ginji defends himself.

Ranmaru sighs, raking his hand over his face. "I knew you were too emotionally involved. How could you do this behind my back? Is a frail little human worth your title as Young Master and the honor of Orio-ya?" The dog god narrows his eyes. "They won't take kindly to you for choosing the wench over them. You've put Aoi-san in more peril by becoming her master."

Ginji grits his teeth. "Send us back to Tenjin-ya. There's nothing left here for me. Raiju-sama can take---"

"Stop it!" Ranmaru's eyes flash dangerously. "What about me? Am I nothing to you now? We were once close---brothers. You would choose this human over your brother?"

Ginji stares him directly in the eyes. "I'm sorry. She's my most precious person."

"And what of Odanna-sama? You've claimed his bride. He may not allow you back after your betrayal."

"I will figure it out when we get there." Ginji is determined.

Ranmaru-sama crosses his arms. "I can't allow you to leave yet. There are certain things to be put in order."

"That's fair." Ginji visibly relaxes. They do, including me. The horrible situation of only hours ago is already being resolved. It seemed too good to be true.

Now I just needed to survive the rest of my time in Orio-ya with the least amount of bruises. Most likely only possible if I stuck close to Ginji but that would be unrealistic. He clearly still had business to do in the Inn. They had to be done before we're allowed to leave.

I relax against the futon, watching Ranmaru leave. Ginji faced the door, deep in thought. He was worried about the future; just as much as I was.