Author's Note: I do not own Inuyasha or anything affiliated with it. The rights to it belong solely to their respective owners.
Important Notice: Hello, all of my readers! As usual I thank you all for reading and reviewing my work, and I have something to tell. I have made the choice that instead of writing one story that spans the length of the Inuyasha series, I will be breaking it up into arcs, with this one ending before too long. Again, I thank for your support, and I hope that when the next arc begins you continue to support and read that part as well. (And now, the replies.)
Elfen Children: Well, we shall see won't we? And Miroku is indeed a pervert.
Gry17: I actually have contemplated doing a Yu-Gi-Oh fic, but if so then I was going to do it in the GX universe. Once one of my fics is wrapped up though, I can see about doing it in the original series though if you want. And thank you for the kind words.
Cutepuppy01: You are most welcome, and here's another reply for you. And to answer your question, while Koga isn't on my list of top favorite characters, I do see his love for Kagome to be a source for many plot twists, and so focus on that a lot. Is he your favorite?
The Queen of Water: Rest assured, she will.
PrincessAnime08: I know. Of all the heroes he is probably my least favorite.
LadyEllesmere: Well, here you go.
And now, here is the latest chapter for you all!
Ch.44 A Dangerous Trap
Along the countryside there was yet another nameless village that our group had stopped in, and one of houses was known to have a demon infesting it. Sango currently stood in front of the hut while Kagome knelt behind us, using a fan to blow the smoke from a burning plant into the hut. I was doing the same thing next to her, and we both had cloths wrapped over our mouths. I grimaced; this stuff smelled. "Sango, are you ready?" Kagome asked. "I am. You're doing well so far!' Sango said from the other side of the building. A small crowd had gathered to watch us, and sitting in the middle of them was Inuyasha. He groaned and lied on his back, dazed and nearly unconscious. "Is he also one of the demons?" a villager asked. Shippo shook his head, replying "Inuyasha's nose is really sensitive."
Miroku prepared to help when suddenly he saw a woman near the back of the crowd, looking at him. Miroku looked back, and she walked away. "How beautiful," he mentally remarked, and followed after her. "Hey, Miroku! What are you going?" Shippo called. Before he could hear anything, Sango said "It's coming! Get back!" From beneath the hut a trio of red eyes, glowed, and a demon similar in appearance to a mutated rat leaped forward at Sango. Sango didn't even blink and flicked her Hiraikotsu, crushing it. I ran from around and the hut and said "Did you get it?" before looking down. Not only did the demon looked like a rat, but it was of the same size as well. My jaw dropped. "We went through all of that to kill this thing?" I said in disbelief.
Sango nodded and stood, taking off her mask. "Kagome, it's all right now!" she said. Kagome nodded and took of the cloth over her face, and with the demon gone the villagers gave us their thanks in the form of a large meal. I was currently enjoying a bowl of steamed rice along with Shippo and I gave my fish to Kirara. She mewed and dug in, and I smiled. Inuyasha was still woozy from before, and so Kagome was rubbing his back soothingly. "Huh? Where's Miroku?" Kagome asked, just now noticing that he was gone. "He went after some strange woman," Shippo said. Sango had just walked into the room, and said "What? While we were working?" "Yeah. He probably went to go ask her to bear his child or something," Shippo added.
Sango was shocked and blushing, saying "His child?!" I stopped eating and groaned, rolling my eyes as well. "One of these days that lecher is going to suffer for his actions," I prophesized. At that very moment Miroku stood behind the woman he followed in the middle of a field. "I see. So you are the princess of a very prominent clan," he summarized. "Yes. My clan was destroyed by war, and now I am all that remains. If I am to restore my family, I must bear the child of a strong man," the woman said. "And so you sought me out?" Miroku said, putting a hand on his chin. "You do have exquisite taste," he said, smiling. The woman turned and ran towards the monk, wrapping her arms around him. "Will you heed my request?" she asked. Miroku was silent, and hugged her back.
After a few seconds of hugging there was suddenly a ripping sounds, and two giant mantis claws appeared from the woman's back. Miroku looked away, and sighed. "I should have known that this was all too good to be true," he said. He shoved the woman away and swung, hitting her on the head with his staff. The woman's skin split apart to reveal its true form. "A giant mantis disguised as a woman!" Miroku said. "I devoured the innards of the real princess!" the mantis said, swinging at him. He dodged and jumped onto the demon's forehead, somersaulting and landing behind it. "You picked the wrong fight! Wind Tunnel!" Miroku said, unleashing the void in his hand. The demon hissed as it was drawn in, but then just as its giant claws were sucked in they cut the sides of the Wind Tunnel, nicking it.
Miroku cried out in pain and fell to one knee, clutching his hand after he wrapped it back up. "Damn! My Wind Tunnel was injured!" he muttered. Later that night Miroku came back to the house we were staying at. Kagome, Sango and I were all glaring at him, doing so even while we ate. Said monk leaned next to Inuyasha, whispering "Inuyasha, is it me or have the girls been looking at me rather coldly?" "Probably because of your actions with women," Inuyasha said, downing his entire rice bowl. The three of us were sitting a good five feet away from Miroku, who sighed. "Listen, you may not believe me, but-" he began. "You're right. We won't," I interrupted. "Spare us the lies," Sango said. "No kidding," Kagome added.
Soon after dinner everyone had fallen asleep with the exception of Miroku, who was looking at his right hand. He clenched it and winced in pain. "It still hurts," he said to himself. Unbidden memories came back to him from his youth. "Father!" he had said. Behind him a rather old and rather fat monk said "Miroku, you must not get any closer!" Not listening he kept running, but was caught. The young Miroku struggled, saying "Let go of me, Mushin!" "You will be sucked into your father's Wind Tunnel as well!" Mushin said. In front of them Miroku's father was consumed by light and the sound of rushing wind. Miroku reached out, calling "Father! No!" In the present Miroku opened his eyes, and sighed.
The next morning an old man told us that Miroku had left and wished us well. I frowned, and looked up at the sky. What was that monk doing? Several leagues away Miroku was sitting with his legs crossed while Hachi the raccoon-dog was in his bulbous flying form beneath him. "My father was sucked into his own Wind Tunnel and vanished without a trace. In time, I will most likely meet the same fate," he said. "Miroku, I can see it!" Hachi said. The monk looked forward, seeing a temple before him. In front of the temple was a field of grass with a large crater in the center, about thirty feet in diameter and ten feet deep. Hachi landed next to the crater and changed into his usual form with a puff of smoke. "What is this?" he asked. Miroku looked at the crater, saying "This… is my father's grave."
While Hachi made a prayer to the grave Miroku walked inside the temple, looking around. "Mushin, are you there? It's Miroku!" he called. Eventually came up Mushin, who was sleeping on the floor and using a clay sake jar as a pillow. He wore the same monk's robs as Miroku, albeit less refined and in colors of black and brown. His age showed in the form of a bald head and white eyebrows and mustache, while his nose was a bright red from the sake. Miroku scoffed. "Geez… drunk as usual," he said, before kicking the jar out from under Mushin's head. The old monk's head landed on the ground with a loud thud, and Miroku said "Get up, you old drunkard!" Slowly Mushin awoke, sitting up and looked at Miroku. "Oh, it's you, Miroku. So you're still alive?" he said.
Miroku nodded and knelt before him, saying "Master Mushin, if you continue to drink like this you won't live for much longer." "Did you come all this way to lecture me?" Mushin asked, scratching his chest. "Well, a demon managed to nick the side of my Wind Tunnel. Could you repair it?" Miroku asked. "Let's see…" Mushin said, taking Miroku's hand and looking at it. After a moment of silence, he looked up and said "No good. You're going to de tonight." Miroku gasped and his eyes widened, but then Mushin waved his hand. "Relax. I'm only kidding!" he said. Miroku stared at Mushin for a second, before squinting and thumping the drunk monk on the back of the head. A large lump appeared, and Miroku said "Look, do you want to get sucked in?"
"Calm down, calm down. I'll stich it up, but I warn you of this. You must not open your Wind Tunnel until it has completely healed," Mushin said. "And if I do?" Miroku asked. "The Wind Tunnel will spread from the nicks in the side and hasten your death," the monk said. He stood and picked up the clay jar, slinging it over his shoulder. "I will gather my medicinal herbs. Now, go and cleanse yourself. God knows you need it," he instructed, walking out. Miroku nodded and retrieved a pair of white robes, changing into them. Next to the temple was a waterfall, and Miroku sat under it in lotus position. "So, that old monk Mushin is the one who raised you?" Hachi asked. "Yes. He taught me everything I know, both the good and the bad," Miroku said. "He's a little rough around the edges, sure, but he seems really kind," Hachi remarked. Miroku smiled. "Yes, I guess you're right," he said.
Back in the village the rest of us were sitting in the main room of the hut, while Shippo and Kirara played in the background. I sighed. "Where in name of the Sacred Jewel did Miroku go to?" I wondered out loud. "Maybe he left you guys were so cold with him," Shippo suggested. Kagome, Sango and I all looked at him, saying "Huh?" Inuyasha scoffed. "Hah! As if Miroku's so sensitive!" he said. "Um… Master Inuyasha?" we heard a voice say, and a familiar person jumped onto Inuyasha's shoulder. "Hey, it's Myoga! Where did you get here?" I asked. "I returned late last night. And when I did couldn't help but notice that the monk was acting strangely," Myoga said. "What do you mean?" Inuyasha asked. "He kept staring at his hand throughout the night, and seemed to be deep in thought. About what, I'm not sure," the flea said.
Kagome walked up to the two of them. "Inuyasha, let's find Miroku," she said. "Huh? Did something happen?" Myoga asked. "Yes but… I'm not sure what," Kagome admitted. I raised an eyebrow. "Okay, and how do you suppose we look for him?" I asked. Kagome fawned, realizing that I had a point. "Well…" she began. "Exactly. Just leave him alone. Finding the Jewel Shards is more important anyway," Inuyasha said, lying back against the wall. Kagome didn't reply, and instead looked outside. What was happening? "Come on, something had to have happened for him to just up and leave like this!" Kagome said. I looked up at her. "You're not going to let this be, are you?" I asked. Kagome shook her head resolutely. I sighed and stood, saying "Okay, let's go look for the lecherous monk with the tongue of silver," I said.
Inuyasha grumbled and stood, and once we left. As we traveled in the direction Miroku had gone, we could hear bird chirping ominously and flying away. "What is this?" Sango asked from atop Kirara. "I don't like it. Inuyasha!" Kagome stated. He drew the Tetsuaiga and leaped forward, slashing through a tree truck. It fell to the ground, and out of its braches flew a Saimyosho. "Naraku's poisonous insects!" Kagome said. "Hiraikotsu!" Sango called, and she threw the massive boomerang. It was just of aim enough that it only cut the insect's wings before flying back, and Sango aimed again. "This time, it's dead!" she said. "Wait!" I called, stopping her. "If Naraku's keeping an eye on us that must mean that something happened to Miroku. Let's follow it!" I suggested.
Inuyasha said "Good idea," and chased after the Saimyosho with the Tetsuaiga in hand. "Okay!" Sango said, and while she followed on Kirara I flapped my wings and flew next to her. "Hey wait!" Kagome said, and pedaled faster to catch up. At the temple Mushin had gathered his herbs and were mixing them, when he noticed that it had turned dark outside. He frowned. "That's odd. It's only the middle of the day," he said. Then two red lights appeared in the shadows of the room, showing the silhouette of a demon. Mushin saw it and dropped the cup, stumbling back. "W-Who are you?!" he demanded. The demon said nothing, and merely held up a pot with a long and thin neck. From it several purple fumes came out, engulfing Mushin. He gasped and struggled, trying to beat the fumes away.
Sometime later he walked towards Miroku's room, which Hachi was standing in front of with his staff. Miroku was resting with his eyes shut, and Mushin walked in to sit beside him. "Did you take your medicine?" he asked. "Yes. I must admit, I'm feeling rather groggy," Miroku said. The old monk placed his palm on the younger one's forehead, saying "Rest now. It'll all be over soon." "I'm counting on it. I don't want to die just yet," Miroku remarked, dozing off. Mushin lifted his hand from Miroku, streams of vapor coming out of his mouth. He chuckled evilly, saying "Just relax. I'll put you at ease soon enough." He reached into robes, and pulled out a cleaver knife. Mushin grunted, and swung down. Miroku's eyes snapped open and he dodged, landing on all fours.
His pillow was sliced in two and his shoulder was injured, but he was still alive. "Oh? So you're still awake?" Mushin said, standing. "Who… who are you?" Miroku said. "I am known as the Demon Worm Charmer. Naraku has promised me a Sacred Jewel Shard if I killed you," the monk said, standing. Miroku stood, saying "Naraku?" But then he fell back down, and Mushin chuckled. "It's too late. The medicine I gave you has numbed you entire body. Soon you won't be able to move at all," he said. He raised his cleaver again, and said "Now, go and rest in peace!" Miroku dodged again and slammed into the door, breaking through it. Hachi cried out in surprise, calling "Master Miroku!" "Hachi… my staff!" Miroku said. The tanuki handed it to him, and he used it to block Mushin's attack.
Fumes began to leak from Mushin's mouth, and Hachi said "Ka-boom!" He held his paws together and created a burst of smoke, enveloping all three of them. When it faded he and Miroku were gone. "You won't escape!" Mushin called. Hachi ran with Miroku on his back, trying to get away. "Hachi, go and save yourself!" Miroku said. "No way!" Hachi said, and tried to run faster. "Look… The demons are gathering," Miroku said. Hachi looked back as well, and saw countless orbs of light fly towards them. Within the light they could see the faces of demons, ready to spring forward. "If you stay with me, you'll die!" Miroku said, shoving himself off of Hachi and falling to the ground. The tanuki stopped, saying "Master Miroku!" "Just go! I can hold them of until the medicine fades!" Miroku insisted. "But…!" Hachi said.
"Just go!" Miroku yelled. Hachi hesitated, before saying "Okay." Miroku turned back to the demon horde, wining in pain. Hachi transformed and flew away, but even as he did he looked back. "He may talk big, but there's no way he can handle it alone! Inuyasha must be close by," he said to himself. Then a low buzzing reached his ears, and he looked to see a swam of Saimyosho fly after him. Hachi screamed and flew as fast as possible, even with the insects surrounding him along the way. The one insect not with the, the one with the injured wings, kept flying even as Inuyasha and the rest of us followed it. "This thing is our only clue, so we can't lose it!" Inuyasha reminded us. The rest of us nodded, but then Shippo looked up from being on my shoulder to point at the sky.
"Look! More insects!" he said. We looked up to see Hachi descend towards us, still screaming. "Help!" he yelled, and crashed to the ground. Inuyasha jumped up at the insects, calling "Iron-Reaver Soul Stealer!" He swung and destroyed several of the insects, while I drew my swords. I focused until both of them burst into flames, and called "Take this! Flame Wave!" I swung both swords and sent out two waves of fire, hitting the mass of insects and exploding. Over a dozen fell to the ground, kicking around wildly as they burned. "Everyone, hurry and get on! Master Miroku's in trouble!" Hachi said. We all nodded and Kirara changed into her smaller form, being caught by Sango. We climbed on and Hachi rose back into the air, flying back.
"So Miroku is in danger after all!" Kagome said. "Yes, and to make matters worse he can't use his Wind Tunnel!" Hachi said. "Why's that?" I asked. "The sides of it got nicked when he sucked in a giant mantis, and the monk Mushin said that if he used it again before it healed it would only grow size!" the tanuki explained. We passed over a line of trees and came to the temple, which was surrounding in orbs of light. The orbs changed into a massive horde of demons, and Hachi gasped as they flew at us. I stood and held my swords, while Sango grasped her Hiraikotsu while Inuyasha drew the Tetsuaiga. Despite not wanting to Hachi dived into the thick of the demons, and I sent out another Flame Wave attack. "I am not… wasting my time… staying here!" Inuyasha said, slashing and cutting through the demons.
"Same here!" I said, stabbing one that came too close. We had to keep going. As much as the thought of it left a bad taste in my mouth, we had to save Miroku.
Oh dear. Can our heroes save Miroku from this predicament and make it out alive? We'll find out next chapter!
Please review! If you flame me Liam Neeson will look for you, he will find you, and he will kill you. (I'm just kidding... or am I?)
