A/N: so, last time I mentioned where you can watch the Holy Pearl on YouTube, and I discovered that those videos have, in fact, been deleted. I found another site, however, and you can watch it at dramanice.

And thanks to so many of you sending me nice reviews, you get TWO chapters this time! Keep 'em coming!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do I own The Holy Pearl.

Chapter 10: Maeve and the Monk

Milo, the captain of the royal guard, ran to the throne room, pausing for a few moments outside the large wooden door to compose himself before pushing them open and bowing respectfully to the men inside.

"Your Majesty, your highness" Milo addressed King Roald and Prince Rhydian, "Forgive the interruption. I have some news regarding the Princess of Eire."

"Yes, what is it? Has she been found?"

"No, your Majesty. We are still looking for her, but her escorts woke up and told us that she wasn't kidnapped. It seems the princess drugged her own guards and ran away. They are recovered now and have already left the palace to search for her."

The King contemplated this for a moment. "I am glad that she was not attacked, however, we will still face dire consequences if she is hurt or killed on Albion soil." He turned to Milo. "Captain, return to your men and continue the search. You will not rest until she is found and brought to the palace safely." Turning to the prince, King Roald grinned. "Do not worry, brother. Your bride will be found soon."

Prince Rhydian only nodded, hiding his displeasure at the King's words.

Far away, in the town of Dalry, Maeve, finally recovered from her injuries and beginning her search for Calisto, had heard rumors of a monster roaming the woods around a small village, and decided to investigate. So far however, the rumors were just that: rumors. She had found no evidence of monsters, just superstitious villagers. Concluding that there was nothing amiss in the village, she had just started leaving when she heard a terrified scream, followed by more yells as villagers raced past her.

"Get out of the way!" Maeve heard someone yell as she ran against the flow of terrified villagers. "Sorry! Move aside! I'm so sorry! Someone help!" Maeve was knocked over by a fleeing old woman, who grabbed at her dress hysterically.

"Druid, save us! It's a demon!"

"Nonsense," Maeve scoffed, brushing the frantic woman aside, "What kind of demon apologizes for its actions?"

The Druid was right; a few moments later, she saw through the fleeing crowd what was causing the disturbance: a young boy in a monk's robe and cap was astride a runaway horse, and was unable to get it under control.

Maeve didn't hesitate. Stepping out of the stallions direct path, she crouched low and leapt high into the air as the horse passed, grabbing the mane as she flipped over the horse and landing gracefully on the other side, startling the horse and applying the right pressure to bring it to a screeching halt. The rider however, was not so lucky, and went flying over the head of the horse, crashing into a fruit stand with a yelp.

"Are you all right?' Maeve asked, offering a hand to the fallen stranger after handing the reins to a nearby villager. The young man jumped to his feet, one hand flying to his cap, and the other waving in protest.

"No, no!" he protested in a high voice, before clearing his throat and recovering his composure. When he spoke again, his voice was much lower. "No, thank you. You have assisted me enough today. Thanks for that thing, with the horse." He stood up straighter and puffed out his chest. "Not that I needed your help, anyway. I would've handled it."

"Of course. You would have handled it right into the river, if I hadn't stopped you." With a curt nod, Maeve spun on her heel and stormed off. She was used to men treating her like they were better than her, but that didn't mean she had to like it.

"Hey! Hey, wait!" the novice called after her, but Maeve ignored him, leaving him standing in the middle of a shattered fruit stand. She didn't notice him pick up the medicine pouch that she had dropped in the confusion.

A few minutes later, Maeve stopped at a bakery, the aroma of fresh bread making her stomach growl. She reached into her money bag to buy a loaf of bread for her journey, but realized immediately that she did not have enough money. Turning away, she was about to leave when she heard a familiar voice call out to her.

"Miss! Hey, miss!"

Maeve rolled her eyes before turning to face the young man she had saved from the runaway horse, who stepped forward and bowed. Maeve noticed that he did not remove his cap, as manners dictated he should. But then again, his bow was sloppy as well. She suspected he hadn't been taught manners yet at whatever abbey he hailed from. Maybe he's not a monk at all, but a farmboy in disguise. This seemed the more likely option.

"What do you want, boy?"

"I wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier. I was still in shock from the experience and forgot my manners. I also wish to thank you for saving me."

"You've done so, now leave me be."

"Please, at least let me buy you dinner. It's the least I can do for the woman who saved my life."

Maeve looked him over, not wanting to say yes, because she didn't know what his intentions were, and because he didn't look like he could afford food for himself, much less a person he'd just met.

"And how do you expect to pay for my dinner?"

"With this," the boy answered, pulling a necklace out of his bag. It dangled in the air between them, the delicate silver chain and blue crystal pendant sparkling in the sunlight.

"Did you steal that?" Maeve asked, aghast.

"No," he answered, sounding almost offended, as he put the necklace away.

"If you didn't steal it, then why do you have a women's necklace?"

"Why to you have a man's satchel?" he retorted, pulling the medicine pouch out from his bag. Maeve snatched it away.

"Where do you get that?"

"You dropped it while you were rescuing me. I was going to give it back." The monk crossed his arms in annoyance, before a mischievous grin lit up his face. "So, the man who gave this to you, are you in love with him?"

"No! And I don't see how it's any of your business how I came to own this satchel, anyway."

"You're right, it is none of my business. I was just trying to make conversation. After all, we might as well get to know each other before we have dinner together."

"Who said we were having dinner together?"

"I did."

"But I never said yes." Unfortunately, Maeve's stomach, as usual, had awful timing, and chose at that moment to growl loudly. The monk smirked, and Maeve groaned inwardly.

"Fine, I'll go to dinner with you." Maeve rubbed her temple, where she could feel a headache coming on. "But don't go getting any strange ideas."

A/N: Any guesses as to the monk's identity?