Four
Sango's hunch was right, the berries were the reason for the Rin that stood before them. The demons' lair loomed ahead of the group, a large crack in face of a rocky hill. All around them, the berries flourished in their bushes, inviting the hungry to come take a bite. The girl continued to lead the demon slayers forward, fully aware of how the demonesses were lurking in the shadows of the cave.
"Why have one human, when you can have four," The Black Widows laughed. Not only would they have a meal fit for royalty, there would plenty leftover.
"Rin, we must leave immediately," Miroku borderline begged the child.
Sango touched the monk's shoulder, "Let's just play along for now. Perhaps we will be the ones to defeat the legendary Black Widows and finally put an end to their curse."
The group slowly walked through the crack in the hill and stood in what appeared to be an audience hall - with the demons now sitting on a raised platform surrounded by crystal clear water. They were beautiful, almost human-like - until you saw their reflections. In reality they were large goblin-like creatures, covered in slime, fur, and human hair - likely stolen from previous prey. The demons rose from their seats and with each step they took, the trio took a heavy breath. Despite the facade their 'beauty' forms showed, they were far from slim.
"Welcome," the first demoness's voice was little more than a hiss, "So glad the child brought you."
Sango cautiously replied, "What do you want with us?"
"In due time, woman. Though I imagine you already know," the second demoness chimed in.
Within seconds each party was arming for the fight. Sango and Kohaku readied their weapons whilst Miroku pulled various sutras from his sleeve. On the other side, the demons shed their fake forms to allow the real ones to move more freely. Their teeth and talons extended to their true length and their bodies began to ooze miasma. Luckily both Sango's Hiraikotsu and Kohaku's Kusarigama were reinforced to dispel the toxic fumes. With each successful attack upon the demonessess, they wailed from the cuts and burns. Yet they never backed down; instead moving forward to corner the young girl and slayers. The fight could not have lasted more than ten minutes, but to Rin especially, it felt like an eternity. By the end, each party was struggling to breath - Sango having the most trouble out of them all.
The demons were visibly tired like the humans, but a dark smile still creept along their faces - almost as if they had won. Then suddenly, a cry rang out in the tense air. In the blink of an eye, Rin was being held by Kohaku. His hand sitting his sickle on her throat.
"Kohaku!" Sango gasped having immediately turned once she heard the girl's scream.
"Oh, did you think you had won?" The demoness' terrible cackle boomed across the room, "Idiot slayer. Your beloved little brother ate some of our wonderfully tempting berries too."
The remaining demon piped in, "So, what will you do now? Stop the boy?" Her fist clenched as the other spoke, causing his sickle to draw blood from Rin's neck, "Or us?"
Without a second thought, the couple ran to the two children causing the demons to let out another laugh. Within moments, they were gone. All that remained was a thinning trail of blood as their wounds had already begun to heal.
"Kohaku! Kohaku, snap out of it!" Miroku and Sango border lined violently shaking the boy.
"What happened?" He looked down at his weapon, "I didn't hurt anyone...did I!"
Sango looked at Rin who lightly rubbed the blood off her neck, "It's okay now...it's okay." Her face quickly turned stern, "How could you eat the berries! I told you not to!"
"...I had already eaten some before lunch."
"Well, at least you're safe now," Miroku ruffled the boy's hair, "You too, Rin."
The girl silently followed the group, ashamed of how she knowingly led them into the trap.
"It's okay, Rin," Sango called out in a motherly voice, "You did not mean us any harm. It was the demonesses controlling you. But, since they were still badly hurt, I'd be surprised if they didn't release their grasp on you to heal."
"Rin knows...but Rin feels horrible. Rin sorry for tricking you."
Kohaku stopped walking to let the girl catch up to him, "Hey, Rin. How about you come with us?"
"Rin does not want to go back to Kaede-sama's village. Rin wants to be strong," the fire in her eyes slowly returned.
"What do you mean? Besides, why aren't you with Sesshomaru?" Miroku too lagged behind so he could enter the conversation before Sango noticed.
However, when the girl began to cry, it immediately caught the woman's attention, "What have you two done to make her cry!"
"Nothing," the two stammered.
"Sesshomaru-sama left Rin behind in Kaede-sama's village. Rin just wants to be strong like Sesshomaru-sama."
"But there's nothing wrong with that! There must have been another reason. How about this, we'll go to Kaede's village to speak with her," Sango extended her hand towards Rin, "But, if you do not want to stay, you can come with us."
"Promise?"
"Promise," and Rin clasped her hand with hers.