“What did you do?” Suzume spun around to face Kaito.

He leaned against the doorway to the shrine. “I think you should be asking yourself that question, Kazue.”

“Don’t call me Kazue!” She snarled.

I wish he would decide on a personality and stick with it.

“Why would I stop when you make that adorable face whenever I call you by your old name?”  He winked at her as he flicked his hand in her direction to indicate said face.

Suzume scowled at him. Even when he was acting out of character he was infuriating.

“Miss, who are you talking to...?” The old woman spoke up.

Suzume turned back around to look at her.  She’s got to be joking. How can she not see him? He’s a head taller than me, at least. Suzume glanced between the old woman and back to Kaito. The old woman’s brow was furrowed and she kept glancing in Kaito’s direction, but just past him out to the road beyond.

“Him.” She pointed at Kaito. “He’s standing right there.” She jabbed with her finger for emphasis.

The old woman’s frown deepened as she shook her head. “There’s no one there.”

Suzume’s eyes widened and she turned back towards Kaito. He was examining his nails and raised a brow at her when she gave him a questioning look.  She can’t see him? Why? Does it have something to do with this spell?

“Maybe you’ve had too much sun.” The old woman said though her expression was wary and she kept her distance from Suzume. Great, now this old lady thinks I’m crazy, Suzume thought. “I need to head back to the village and tell the villagers. They’ll be upset that the shrine has been disturbed. We’ll also need to find out how to bring the god back.  The forest god is the one who blesses or crops and brings the rain. If he is gone then that would mean disaster for the village.” The old woman was wringing her hands and tears gathered along her lashes.

Kaito was sniggering behind Suzume. Suzume balled her hands into fists at her side and did her best to pretend to be interested in what the old woman was saying. She even nodded a few times as the old woman continued to babble about the importance of the god to the village. How much more can she say about this god? What I don’t understand is how a statue just up and walked away.  There’s some strange things going around here and I’m not sure I want to stick around to figure out what.

Suzume glanced at Kaito. He was strolling around the shrine room now. He stood behind the old woman and was mocking her as she spoke speaking in a fake old woman voice. She snorted then covered her mouth. The old woman didn’t notice and continued on with her monologue. This has to mean the god is behind the spell. It’s the only logical explanation.

“It would mean a lot if you could help,” the old woman finished and Suzume realized she had not been paying attention for most of her long winded speech.

“Sure.” Suzume said without thinking, just so she wouldn’t be caught not paying attention. It was Kaito’s fault, really. If he hadn’t been mocking the old woman, Suzume would have been able to focus.  

The old woman smiled and took Suzume’s hands in her own. It seemed the old woman had gotten over her concerns about Suzume’s sanity. The old woman shook Suzume’s hands violently. She’s surprising strong for someone that has to be pushing a hundred.  

“Thank you so much. I know you’ll be able to find the god,” The old woman beamed. The tears she’d be about to shed were falling down her cheeks.

Suzume’s mouth dropped open. When did she agree to look for this wayward god? Oh that’s right, when grandma here took too long spitting out her request. Suzume sighed.

The old woman had already grabbed her basket and was shuffling down the pathway back towards the village. Suzume watched her go, at a lost for what to do next.  Well I guess I needed to find this god anyway. I just don’t like being obligated to someone else.

“You’re very generous to help those villagers; Kazue was like that too. She was always looking out for others.” Kaito had snuck up behind Suzume and had his arms wrapped around her waist. His lips brushed against her neck and the feel of his mouth so close to her flesh sent a shiver down her spine.

Stop it. Don’t be lulled by his sweet words. She broke free of his grasp and faced him, with her hands on her hips.

“Let’s get a couple things straight here. I am not Kazue. I am not helping these people out of the goodness of my heart. I am doing this because I need to find that god to have him remove the spell that’s on you. And I need you to explain why that old woman couldn’t see you!”

He barked a laugh. “That’s simple, because she doesn’t have any spiritual power.”

It was Suzume’s turn to raise a skeptical brow. “But everyone at the shrine could see you...”

“And they were all priestesses. Unlike you, many of them were chosen for their powers, not as a punishment from their father.”

She glared daggers at him. “How do you know that? I never told you why I was at the temple.”

He laughed again. “I heard things while we were there. I know that you mother was found in bed with another man and she was exiled for it. I know that your father also disowned you and all of your siblings that he had with your mother.”

Suzume crossed her arms over her chest. She didn’t like the idea of Kaito knowing more about him than she knew about him. “You shouldn’t pry into my personal business.” She snapped at him before spinning away to face the empty pedestal where the god’s idol had once sat. A long acorn lay there. It would have been funny if she wasn’t frustrated.

Kaito came over and leaned against the pedestal in front of Suzume’s line of sight. “I know more about you than you know about yourself, Suzume.”

Her back grew rigid and she recoiled. He called me by my given name. He’s never done that before. Not without mocking me, anyway. “Or so you say.” She brushed off his apparent affection. It was all a trick anyway. “How do we find this missing god then?”

“Who said I was going to help you?” He sat down on the pedestal with his legs crossed.

“Why wouldn’t you? You’ve already declared your devotion to me –even though you keep disappearing and playing tricks on me as usual.” She made a sweeping arm motion as she spoke.

He chuckled. “This is who I am. I’m a dragon, it’s in my nature to be a trickster.” He jumped down from the pedestal and took a step closer to her. “It doesn’t change the way I feel about you, though.” He brushed her cheek with his thumb and for a split second she leaned into his touch letting herself get lost in his warm hands.  Why do you have to be so confusing?

She pulled away. No good could come of falling for his charms. “We’re never going to get anything done if you keep falling into this romantic melancholy all the time,” she snapped to hide her own desire.

“Melancholy’s a pretty big word for you. I’m impressed.”

“Shut up.” She growled. “Tell me, where would a forest god go if he was not in his shrine?”

Kaito pressed his finger to his chin and tapped it. “Well what do we know about him?”

“Well, he’s a god.”

“Or the villagers perceive him as a god. As you remember, not all gods are really what they claim.” He smiled at her showing all his white teeth. She looked away, ignoring the way his smile made her feel. This needs to stop before I turn into an emotional mess like in the spider dream. Now that would be a nightmare.

“OK. So he’s a god, or god-like creature.” Suzume amended. Kaito preened as if she were talking about him.He ran his hand over his hair, which was styled in a sleek topknot. Damn former ‘god’.  Suzume rolled her eyes. “The old woman said he controlled the crops and the rain, so he must have some sort of control over the elements. I also think he can grant wishes.”

Kaito snorted. “Do you know how many immortals claim that very thing?”

“Since I haven’t met many, I’ll have to go with an ‘I don’t know,’” Suzume deadpanned. He may act like he loved her but he was still a condescending jerk.

He ignored her quip and continued. “Let’s just say, a lot. Granting wishes is not something just any immortal could do, not really. A lot of them like to pretend they can –like giving a farmer gold that turns into dirt a week later and things like that. A true wish can only be granted by a very powerful god. I’ll tell you right now, this village is way too small for something that powerful to be watching over it. Most of these villagers just get something they call a god and pray to. Sometimes immortals will take up residence and eat the offerings, listen to the prayers then leave. There are hardly any real gods living in shrines. My guess,” he picked up the acorn from the pedestal and rolled it around in his hand. “We have a thief who stole an empty idol.”

“Why would they do something like that?” Suzume asked. “What would be the point?”

Kaito shrugged. “There’s lots of different reasons, but most likely because they thought it would be funny. My gold coin is on it being a Fox.” He flung the acorn into the air and caught it again.

“You mean those little furry things?” Suzume held her hands together to indicate the size of said creature.

Kaito patted her on the head. “No, this wouldn’t be an ordinary wild fox. This creature would have a human form –most likely with ears and a tail. When a human without spiritual powers saw it, they would only see a regular fox but for someone like you or me, we would see the creature’s true form.”

“How did you figure all of that out just from an acorn?” Suzume asked with a puzzled expression.

“Because the culprit is behind you,” he motioned with his hand and Suzume glanced over her shoulder.

A woman with auburn hair down to her waist and matching ears poking out of the top of her skull stood outside the shrine. She had red lips and long lashes. She wore a robe hitched up to her hip, revealing a long leg.

“Well, long time no see, Dragon,” The Fox woman said. “I’m disappointed that you would jump to the conclusion that I am the one who stole the idol.”

She sauntered over and brushed past Suzume, bumping her and almost causing Suzume to lurch forward.

“Hey,” Suzume snapped. “Who do you think you are coming in here and interrupting?”

The fox woman was pressed against Kaito; he seemed amused. The fox woman rested one hand on his chest as she turned back and looked at Suzume as if she was just noticing Suzume for the first time.

“I felt something coming from this shrine last night and came to investigate.” She gave Suzume an innocent smile. “It was a bonus to discover my dragon here as well.” She purred.

Suzume scowled at her.

“Rin, what are you doing in this region?” Kaito’s voice wasn’t harsh necessarily but not affection either.

Rin nuzzled into his chest. “I heard about your resurrection and I came looking for you.” She looked up at him bating her long lashes. “Why didn’t you come get me the moment you awoke?” She pouted.

Suzume thought she was going to be sick. Who was this tramp and why was she practically throwing herself at Kaito? Why do I care?  

“I hate to interupt your reunion but I need to find whoever stole this idol so I can reserve this spell that has Kaito acting...”

“Like he’s in love with you?” Rin asked.

Suzume glared at her. “How do you know?”

“Because I’ve been listening while you two bickered.” She grinned. “I can help you break the spell and find the idol.”

Suzume sized her up. Rin stood with a hand on her hip and her body turned to give Kaito the best view of her curves. Suzume hated her, she decided.

“We don’t need your help, come on, Kaito,” Suzume said as she motioned with her hand.

Rin pulled a face and then a slow smile spread her features. What is she smiling about?  

Suzume turned to walk out but as she did, Kaito stopped her with a word. “Wait,” he said.

Suzume was opening her mouth to argue when he gave her a quelling look. The thunder clouds were in his eyes again. The tell-tale prickle of her powers raced over her skin and she clamped her mouth shut. She wasn’t going to argue with him when he was in a mood. She had seen what he did to that spider.

Rin was watching the exchange smiling to herself when Kaito turned back to her.  “What did you see?”

Rin shot Suzume a smug look accompanied by a triumphant grin. “Last night, there was a bright light in the shrine and when I came to investigate, there was a little bald man sitting there.” She pointed at the pedestal where the idol had previously sat.

“Are you saying the idol came to life?”

She shook her head. “I’m saying something unleashed the immortal that was inside that idol.”

They both turned and looked at Suzume who threw her hands up. “Well don’t look at me.”

A/N: What do you all think of Rin? I couldn't resist adding in a Fox, the temptation was too great. I just had to take a moment to also thank everyone who has been voting and commenting. I never in my wildest dreams thought this story would do as well as it has. P&D has alreadt surpassed 1k votes and it's only on the 17th chapter. Thank you, thank you, thank you all!