Chapter Eight - A Night at the Shrine

**Author's Note: I apologize again for taking so long to update. Life likes to throw in some interesting surprises sometimes :P

I do not own Inuyasha.

Sesshomaru eyed this woman suspiciously. If she really was the Priestess, she certainly wasn't dressed for the part. "Why are you not wearing the robes of a Priestess, if you are who you say you are?"

Mitchitsuna's stern features transitioned to a playful smile. Her mannerisms were becoming more and more like the monk's. Sesshomaru didn't like it. The way she carried herself didn't seem becoming of a Miko, of that he was certain.

Mitchitsuna paid no mind to his apparent distrust."Really, shouldn't you be asking me more important questions? You must have a good reason to see me, especially if you're willing to threaten my monk's life in the process." Those words again: "My monk." He wondered why she kept referring to the monk as "her monk", as if he was a possession, but it was no business of his. He did indeed have more important questions to ask.

Sesshomaru sheathed his sword, and the barrier dissipated. The monk wore an ugly expression as he kept his eyes fixed on Sesshomaru. He was obviously expecting a sneak attack. Sesshomaru chose to ignore him; the monk was no longer a concern of his. He shifted his full attention to this so-called Priestess instead. "It was not my intention to face off with "your monk", but his hesitance to take me to you left me with no choice but to draw you to me. So it would seem your powers to detect danger are more astute than I presumed."

The monk looked baffled, though Sesshomaru didn't see it. Rin did, though, and watched as the monk gaped wide-eyed at Sesshomaru, then turned to look at Lady Mitchitsuna. He looked outright offended at Sesshomaru's words, yet the Miko's face didn't show any signs of offense. In fact, the Miko didn't seem to be paying much attention to Sesshomaru at all. Her eyes seemed to be looking right through him--

"Who is that girl standing behind you?" Lady Mitchitsuna inquired. Now it was Sesshomaru's turn to be taken aback. Had she just ignored him?

Rin stepped out from behind Sesshomaru for the first time since the monk had first made his appearance. Before matters got any worse, she thought it might be more helpful if she pleaded her own case before the Priestess. Sesshomaru meant well, but in this situation, her powers of charisma might win over his power to intimidate. She bowed respectfully before the Priestess before introducing herself. "Hello, Lady Mitchitsuna. My name is Rin. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Sesshomaru reached out his hand in an effort to pull Rin back, but stopped himself when he witnessed the Miko's strong reaction to Rin's greeting. "Oh, what a simply charming young lady!" the Miko clapped her hands in delight. "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Rin. You obviously didn't get your manners from this gentleman, did you?" the Priestess made a gesture towards Sesshomaru and Rin smiled.

"My lord is very worried about me, my lady," Rin explained in her most innocent tone. "I've been cursed by a very strong demon. He only wants me to get better."

Lady Mitchitsuna seemed enthralled by Rin's explanation and giggled at how simple it was. "So, you're telling me that this demon is your lord, and he is worried about you because of a curse? Perhaps that might explain his curtness."

Sesshomaru was stunned. This Miko was completely ignoring him and treating him like he wasn't even there. Him, the most powerful demon of the Western Lands. And yet she seemed so fascinated with Rin who was a mere human, and just a child despite her outward appearance. Though he would ordinarily force his presence to be known with his sword, it dawned on him that Rin might be better able to persuade her than he. So he simply stood and watched the spectacle before him, allowing the events unfold. He would only intervene if it was necessary.

"Well then, Rin. If I am to help you, I'll have to get a good look at you first, hmm?" Lady Mitchitsuna approached Rin and reached towards her face. The monk, who had been watching the palaver between the two in silence, made a motion to stop the Priestess. After all, the last person he saw try to touch that girl was now missing a finger. But Sesshomaru didn't flinch as Mitchitsuna examined Rin's face with her hands. Rin remained motionless as the hands touched her forehead, then her cheeks. The hands came to rest on her shoulders, which made Rin a little nervous as it reminded her of the husky man who had restrained her before. But Mitchitsuna didn't seem to notice as she closed her eyes in concentration.

"Tell me," the Priestess said, her brow furrowed in deep thought. "What sort of curse did this demon put on you?"

Rin answered her somewhat timidly as she tried to search for the right words. "Well, umm...you see, I'm not as old as I look. In fact, I'm only seven years old."

The words stung Sesshomaru's ears. Until now, there hadn't been a spoken testament of just how young she really was. But it was better that he was reminded, to reaffirm his desire to cure her. Though he had difficulty accepting it, his impatience in turning her back was due largely in part to the fear that the longer they waited, the more he might not want her to be changed back. And that was simply unacceptable.

Lady Mitchitsuna was awestruck by Rin's words and didn't seem to try very hard to conceal her surprise. Sesshomaru took notice of this immediately. So did the monk, though he remained silent.

"So, onto those important questions I must ask you," Sesshomaru said. "Now that you know her ailment, can it be reversed?"

The Priestess stood gaping as the color was drained from her face, but then shook her head as if coming out of a daze and nodded weakly. "Y-yes, yes of course it can."

"You don't sound so sure," Sesshomaru remarked. "Is this task out of your realm, or is it not?"

The Priestess broke her gaze on Rin to cast Sesshomaru an angry look. "Yes, you impertinent demon! I said yes...but my spiritual powers have been exhausted for the day." Her eyes darted towards the monk for but a moment then turned back to Sesshomaru. The monk, seeming to understand her cue, quickly walked to her side and took her hand in his.

"Oh yes, my lady. I tried to tell this demon to wait until the morning but he simply would not hear of it. My poor lady, you must be very tired after all of your trials today." The Priestess leaned on the monk for support and rose a weary hand to her forehead. Sesshomaru thought it looked staged. Just what was this "Priestess" hiding?

"This matter cannot wait until morning," Sesshomaru said. "Just what sort of trials would exhaust such a supposedly "powerful" Miko?"

"Do you want her help, or not?" the monk snarled. Sesshomaru took note of the drastic change in the monk's demeanor. So much for the happy-go-lucky act.

The Miko's face looked drained of energy as she regarded Sesshomaru once more. "Really, demon--"

"Sesshomaru," Rin interrupted her. "His name is Lord Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru didn't stifle his surprise as he looked at Rin. So, she was defending his honor as a demon lord, was she? Though he didn't smile, he felt a certain pride at her quickness to defend him. If the situation was a bit different, there would be no question in the minds of these two suspicious mortals that he was a powerful lord. But it pleased him nonetheless to witness her loyalty to him.

Mitchitsuna's eyes darted from Rin to Sesshomaru as she recollected her thoughts. "--Lord Sesshomaru. There is no harm in waiting until the morning. The curse on Rin is a strong one, and it will require a great deal of power. If you want my help, I suggest you wait until the morning. Or would you prefer I risk her personal safety at the expense of only a few hours time?"

Rin looked over her shoulder at Sesshomaru. Her large, almond-colored eyes seemed to plead with him, "wait until morning". He swallowed hard as he stared at her. Aside from expressing his anger at having almost lost her earlier, he had been making it a point to not make direct eye contact. But now that he did, he found himself almost helpless to argue against her. Her eyes were so innocent, so beautiful-- "Helpless." This was not a word he would commonly use to describe himself.

Sesshomaru turned his back on Rin, partly out of frustration, and partly to escape the strange feeling forming in his chest. His decision had been made for him. "No, I do not wish to risk her safety. Very well then. We shall wait until morning. I am curious to see these "powers"of yours in action."

His words were intended as a jab at the Priestess, whom he still did not entirely trust. But, he reminded himself, she was the best chance he had. Mitchitsuna made a sour face, but said nothing in response. Sesshomaru didn't see it nor did he care. Now he wanted a moment to himself, a moment to collect himself before tomorrow morning's events. A moment to erase Rin's womanish features out of his mind and remind himself that this was indeed for the best.

But that moment was not yet to come.

Lady Mitchitsuna turned her attention to Rin, who was still looking over her shoulder at Sesshomaru. She seemed to be lost in a trance. The Miko observed Rin's behavior towards him. 'She does seem quite taken with him, doesn't she?' she thought. Rin's signs were easy to read. The way she defended him, the way she looked at him now. And the fact that she seemed so eager to wait until the morning to be transformed back into her prior self...almost as if she was stalling for time. The Miko thought she understood quite clearly what Rin's true desires were; she didn't want to be transformed back.

'But what of the demon, this "Lord Sesshomaru"?' Mitchitsuna pondered as she peered at Sesshomaru, who still had his back turned on her and Rin. Indeed, he was much more difficult to read, and quite a cantankerous cuss at that. She found the pairing quite odd, this cold demon and this sweet, naïve child. But that must mean there was something about Rin that compelled him to keep her company. He seemed almost too eager to transform her back...was it denial? It was difficult to say. But Mitchitsuna thought it was so.

Mitchitsuna smiled to herself as she took Rin's chin softly in her hand and turned it to face her. "Well then, dear Rin. You look like you haven't eaten in some time. Before I retire, I would be honored if you and your Lord had a meal with me-"

Sesshomaru turned sharply to face her even before she finished her sentence. "No. We decline your offer. We will meet you here tomorrow-"

"Now, that's not very polite, is it?" Mitchitsuna interrupted, her fingers still gripping Rin's chin. Rin looked stymied but didn't show any signs of discomfort. "You speak for Rin as if she has no wishes of her own. Why don't you let her decide?"

Sesshomaru opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. He was literally rendered speechless. As much as he wanted to protest, he knew she was right. He didn't even remember the last time Rin had a full meal. Because he did not need to eat nearly as often as humans, he often forgot Rin's needs. Cursed Priestess. It was almost as if she was trying to force them to stay in the village.

Mitchitsuna withdrew her hand from Rin's face and gave her an assuring look. Rin swallowed before speaking in a hushed voice.

"What...what sort of food do you have?"

The Miko smiled gently. "Oh, we have the basics, nothing fancy. Rice balls, three varieties of soup and five or more types of fish, steamed squid, noodles..." the Priestess allowed her voice to trail off and didn't look surprised as Rin involuntarily licked her lips.

Rin looked at Sesshomaru once more. He immediately regretted turning to face her again.

"Lord Sesshomaru...would it be all right? I mean, if you didn't mind? I'm...I'm really hungry..."

Those pleading eyes again. He was beginning to think they'd haunt him forever.

"Fine. You should replenish your strength. After that, we leave."

Mitchitsuna beamed with a large smile. The monk raised the corner of his mouth in a feeble attempt at a smile. Sesshomaru found it somewhat comical how easily the monk had smiled before, but now it was forced, contrived. He doubted the monk was thrilled to be sharing a meal with the demon who tried to kill him moments ago.

"Splendid!" the Priestess proclaimed. "We shall dine together in the shrine. Of course, it will take some time to prepare. Rin, won't you accompany me for a bit? I would like to learn more of how this "curse" came to be. Ryoma," she addressed the monk by his name for the first time, "would mind escorting our "friend" to the main hall?"

Ryoma looked surprised as his eyes darted from the Miko to Sesshomaru, who was undoubtedly not his friend. "Oh, but...but My Lady-"

Sesshomaru interrupted him. "I have no interest in spending more time than what is necessary with this monk." Ryoma nodded in agreement.

"I see," Lady Mitchitsuna said, disappointed. "Well in that case, I'm sure the villagers have many questions they'd like to ask you. Feel free to spend some time with them, I will have Ryoma alert you when dinner is ready."

Sesshomaru looked around him and saw a mob of onlookers that had probably been circled around him this entire time, he simply hadn't cared to notice. Among the faces in the crowd were a couple of street performers he had seen earlier with their faces dripping with sweat and runny makeup as they stared him down, as well as several very plump, unpleasant-looking women eying him as if he was their next meal. A baby that was being held by its mother released its bowels into its cloth diaper right at that moment. The stench was overpowering to his demon senses.

"Show me the main hall," Sesshomaru said with an air of repugnance before turning away from the crowd.

Mitchitsuna nodded to Ryoma, who sighed and rolled his eyes in defeat. "This way, then," he said non-emphatically as he gestured towards the shrine. Sesshomaru seemed to ignore him completely as he walked past him in the direction of the shrine. Ryoma looked more relieved by this than offended, and followed several steps behind him. The two were a good distance away before Mitchitsuna invited Rin to accompany her.

"Well then, child," the Miko regarded Rin with a pleasant tone, "since you are my guest tonight, I think it's only fitting that I help you get gussied up for dinner, hmm?"

Rin tilted her head much like a puppy, not understanding the Miko's words. "Gussied...up?" she repeated slowly, narrowing her eyes in confusion. Her perplexed expression was replaced by that of surprise as lady Mitchitsuna grabbed her hand and began pulling her towards the shrine, out of earshot of the two men ahead.

"You'll understand soon. It will be fun, I promise." Rin walked hurriedly to keep up with the Miko's steps and decided it was better to not ask questions. Lady Mitchitsuna was obviously in a hurry, though she didn't understand why.

As Lady Mitchitsuna lead Rin by the hand, she allowed her smile to momentarily slip into that of a concerned frown. 'If only I had a moment to myself, a moment to think!' she sighed. As the window to her private quarters in the shrine came into view, she only hoped that her plan would work. She quickly re-donned her mask and grinned back at Rin, who was plodding clumsily behind her in an effort to keep up with her. "My private quarters are just ahead," Lady Mitchitsuna said reassuringly. 'Of course the plan will work,' a corner of Mitchitsuna's conscience responded to her self-doubting thoughts, 'It's only a matter a matter of time.'