Miroku and the Magical Coco Beans
Chapter 3 – Rendezvous with Robin
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, chocolate or any fairytales used in this fic.
Miroku and Inuyasha anxiously awaited Kagome's awakening. Everything, their plans, their lives depended on what she said…
Upon arriving for breakfast the queen had informed them of the test she had placed before Kagome, a test that only a true princess could pass. She had placed a pea beneath twenty mattresses and claimed that if Kagome was the princess she claimed to be she would not sleep a single wink. She had then evilly sent them to wait in the great hall, so that they could give her no hints or warning.
The servants who while cleaning had seen the two visitors and later made jokes about how they appeared to be waiting for the world to end. How true they were they would never know.
"We're dead," Inuyasha said the second the maids left. "There is no way Kagome would ever feel a pea under twenty mattresses. I doubt anyone could! The queen must have known this and purposely made the test impossible.
Miroku, who was sitting with his back against the wall, sighed. "We have no other option other than to wait calmly and wait to see the outcome."
"No we don't," Inuyasha retorted. "We could escape!"
"And leave Kagome to die?" Miroku asked.
"Why would I care enough about that wench to sacrifice my life," Inuyasha snapped. "Why do you for that matter? You only met her a couple days ago!"
"I would never leave a lady in harms way," Miroku said softly.
"Well it's nice to know one of you has some decency," Kagome said icily striding into the great hall wearing a beautiful emerald green dress.
"Kagome!" Miroku and Inuyasha exclaimed hurrying to her side.
"What happened?" Miroku asked.
"Well, you'll be happy to know that none of us is going to die," Kagome said slowly and both men heaved sighs of great relief.
"So what happened?" Inuyasha demanded. "Don't tell me that you actually didn't sleep a wink last night because of that pea!"
"Don't be stupid," Kagome scoffed. "Well then again I guess that's hard for someone with a brain the size of a pea. No you see last night when I went to bed I was confronted by a mountain of mattresses. I climbed the ladder to go to sleep automatically knowing this was some sort of test, so as I lay down I waited and I waited expecting someone to come bursting in at any moment. But dawn came and no one entered, I slept after that for a couple hours, but fitfully. That was because the bruises the rain left on my skin hurt too much. So about an hour ago I got up, the only good thing was that my ankle had healed during the night and I was able to dress myself."
"The rain left bruises?" Inuyasha asked.
"Yes, perfectly circular ones. My body doesn't like rain very much for some reason." Kagome explained.
"You were fine when I soaked you in the river though," Inuyasha protested.
"Yes, I know," Kagome sighed. "I don't seem to bruise when taking a bath either, something I've never been able to explain. So anyways the queen entered as I was trying to lace the back of the dress up. My back was exposed and she caught a clear glimpse of the bruises. For a second I thought she was going to have a heart attack she was so shocked and then she hurried over to apologize for what she had done. Upon realizing that she had placed a pea under the mattresses I immediately adapted to her story and complained of how I hadn't gotten any sleep last night and how I had awoken to discover a myriad of circular bruises all over my body."
"Both of which were true," Miroku observed.
"Precisely," Kagome nodded. Turning to Inuyasha she huffed, "see I told you I'd come in useful."
"So when do we get to meet the princess?" Miroku asked eagerly.
"I- I don't know," Kagome faltered. "I didn't ask."
"Figures," Inuyasha muttered.
"Why you- you-" Kagome spluttered. "You ungrateful pig! I came directly here to tell you what happened so your nerves wouldn't destroy you and this is the thanks I get! I haven't even taken the time to eat breakfast!"
"Let's go eat then," Miroku suggested. "We can ask their majesties about the princess over breakfast."
"Sounds good," Kagome smiled pointedly ignoring Inuyasha. "Let's go then."
"I'm going to go inspect the rest of the castle," Inuyasha said. "Now that I'm not distracted I feel something magical in the area and I want to know what it is."
"I'm sorry," Kagome apologized. "I didn't realise I was being a distraction."
Inuyasha just snorted and walked past them.
"Jerk," Kagome muttered. "I'm surprised my sister didn't kill him."
"I think you should try not to bicker quite as much," Miroku sighed heavily.
"What was that Miroku?" Kagome growled menacingly.
"Nothing! I- I uh…I just thought maybe it would be a good ideas if you and Inuyasha didn't fight as much…he's your body guard after all," Miroku said hurriedly taking a step back. "It wouldn't look very good!"
Kagome lowered her fist and glared at him. Miroku took another step back after she continued to glare at him. He was just beginning to wonder if maybe she was changing her mind about beating him when she smiled and nodded. "I can't promise anything other than I'll try."
"That's all I could ask for," Miroku said returning her smile. "Now let's go eat. I couldn't eat anything this morning I was so scared."
"I have to meet with her majesty in half an hour for more dress fittings," Kagome said allowing him to lead the way. "But until then I'll sit and have breakfast with you."
"Sounds wonderful," Miroku said. "What more could I ask for than to sit and eat supper with such beauty."
Kagome poked him with her finger for that comment and took great delight in watching him yelp at the sudden heat.
XOXOXOXOXO
After Kagome left and he had finished his breakfast Miroku searched his mind for what he should do with this time. What exactly did princes do in their spare time?
After a few moments of racking his brain Miroku settled on going for a horseback ride. "Excuse me," he said approaching a maid carrying a platter of fresh buns. "Where are the-" he stopped short when he saw just how adorable and innocent looking the girl was. He grinned like a child who just found a cake left unattended on a windowsill. "I beg your pardon miss. I was so tongue tied as a result of your beauty I had no idea just what I was saying. What I really wanted to ask is," he knelt down and took her free hand in his, "would you do me the honour of bearing my child?"
The girl gaped at him and then after a moment giggled. "Oh Prince Miroku, you're such a charmer. If you wanted another bun you simply had to ask."
Miroku raised an eyebrow at her response but accepted another bun and watched with a heavy heart as the girl walked off offering her lovely buns to all those eating.
Finding his own way to the courtyard Miroku paused to admire all the lovely maidens walking to and fro. If he hadn't set his heart on winning the princess's hand there certainly would have been a lot of opportunity here! All those poor lovely maidens must be feeling neglected and without any real men around he would be a great hit!
"Are you looking for someone your highness?" a boy asked carrying a large bucket of grain.
"I'm looking for the stables," Miroku replied.
"Oh, would you like me to show you where they are?" the lad asked. "I was just going there myself."
"Thank you," Miroku said and followed the boy. "So as you must know I arrived last night." The youth nodded. "And I have heard rumours of a princess of legendary beauty residing within the castle. Is this true?"
"Aye sir," the boy grunted placing the bucket down and pausing a moment to rest his arms. "She's defiantly pretty enough, when she's not trying to kill you or make you feel like crying."
"Kill me?" Miroku echoed.
"Yes, you didn't hear it from me my lord, but the lady Sango has the temper of a tiger and a tongue as sharp as any blade." The boy paused and then picked his bucket up again and added as an afterthought. "Well at least she did before she stopped talking."
"So I take it she's intelligent?" Miroku asked glad he had started to ask questions. The boy was serving as a great source of information.
"Very much so prince Miroku. It is said that her wit makes her sharp tongue poisonous. She's not mean or cruel however; simply honest."
"Oh."
"She may have a fighter's spirit, but she can be exceptionally kind when she chooses. Two years ago she saved my sister from being trampled by a horse in the royal parade and then came to visit bringing with her toys for my sister to play with while she recovered from her broken arm."
"How old is your sister?" Miroku asked pleasantly.
"Seven in a few months sir," the boy replied. "She would sit for hours on end and tell my sister stories and sing to her."
"She sings beautifully I'm told."
"Like a nightingale!" the boy said passionately. "Princess Sango's voice is more beautiful than any other woman's alive! She tends to start singing around sunset, it will make you cry but you should come to the courtyard just so you may hear her. Her tower overlooks the courtyard so you can hear her the best from there."
"I'll keep that in mind," Miroku said softly.
"Well here we are," the boy said as the stable came into view. "The royal stables, if you're looking for a good horse my lord ask for Shadow."
"I will," Miroku promised as the boy ran off to feed his charges. '
"Can I help you?" a large man asked rubbing the sweat off his hands and face with a towel.
"Yes I was looking to go for a ride and the horse named Shadow came highly recommended so I was wondering if he was available," Miroku replied.
"Yep he's free," the man said. "I'll have someone saddle him up for you my lord," the man said disappearing back into the stable and returning a few minutes later leading a large black horse by the reins. "Here he is your highness. I hope you have a pleasant ride."
"I'm sure I will," Miroku said mounting the horse with surprising ease. He galloped off and was thankful that his father had taught him to ride a horse when he was little and that his body still remembered.
The boy had been right, Shadow was an excellent horse, and Miroku reflected on what he had learned as he slowed the horse down to a more reasonable pace. He had assumed that the princess would be demure and shy but now he had found out that contrary to this before the death of her brother she had been the exact opposite. He had believed that it had been her emotional weakness that had lead to her devastation at the death of her brother. If she was half as determined as the boy said she was convincing her to speak might be more difficult than he had anticipated. He would have to make sure he was in the courtyard when she started to….
Screams erupted from the road ahead of him and he broke into a gallop. He arrived to see a figure on horseback fleeing from what was the obvious scene of a robbery. Not pausing to slow down to help those nobles that had been robbed he pursued the thief into the forest. After five minutes of following the person who was dressed in green Miroku had to concede that the thief was a better horse rider. He was just beginning to feel Shadow tiring when the rider jumped a log that lay in the middle of the path and his horse not expecting the obstacle reared in panic depositing Miroku quite painfully on his rear.
Miroku groaned as he got to his feet leaning on a tree for support. He looked around in bewilderment. He had been so absorbed in following the thief he had lost track of where he was and how to get out of the forest. "Oh well," Miroku sighed, "might as well carry on." Taking Shadows reins he began to walk in the direction he had last seen the thief.
"Well that's what you get for trying to be chivalrous," Miroku muttered rubbing his aching backside woefully. "Hopefully I'll find the road soon and not spend to long wandering here in this forest."
XOXOXOXOXOX
Half an hour Miroku was still lost and was next to positive that somewhere he heard running water. "Where there's water there is hope," he said quoting the old proverb. So he plopped himself down and closed his eyes so he could accurately figure out where the sound was coming from. Only after he was positive he knew which direction the water was did Miroku stand and begin to travel in that direction. And sure enough minutes later he arrived at a waterfall.
Looking at the clear waters Miroku decided to take a swim; the water looked extremely inviting to someone as sweaty as himself. Taking the rich but extremely heavy and hot clothing off Miroku dove into the water. He splashed around lazily for a while until he tired and sat down on a large rock just beneath the surface of the water and scrubbed himself clean of the dirt still remaining from the previous night. After he deemed he was clean enough, Miroku debated about getting out and returning to the castle.
Sighing he thought, "I probably should. I'm still lost and who knows how much longer I'll have to spend wandering around until I find the palace."
Just then he heard the familiar sound of a galloping horse and a distinctly female laugh. Realising this was not a good thing, well it wouldn't be if he got caught, Miroku sank soundlessly into the water and swam quietly over to the shadow of the waterfall to wait and see what happened. He watched as the bandit he had been pursuing climbed down from her mount and took the pins confining her hair out letting hair the same colour of the mysterious substance known as chocolate flow down to the middle of her back.
Miroku froze, he knew that face! Well not that face exactly but he had met someone that could only be a relative of hers. Of course it had been more than a year ago but he was still able to recall sharing his meal with a younger male version of that face! Maybe if he followed her home he could get the boy to introduce him to his lovely sister!
The girl turned to look at the waterfall and smiled contently. "The notorious Robin Hood strikes again," she laughed turning to pat her horse's nose. "Thank you girl, if it weren't for you that noble might have caught me and then we'd be in trouble."
Her horse affectionately butted her hand and Miroku would have given anything to trade places with it. To have the lovely lady pat his nose that way, to have such beauty, such strength thanking him: heaven. Looking at her closely Miroku wondered how he could have ever mistaken her for a man, the curves, the body, were defiantly that of a woman, and an extremely beautiful one at that! Her eyes were a rich brown and her voice was lovely. "I'm in love!" Miroku thought rapturously. "She is even lovelier than Lady Kagome."
"Well Gypsy," the girl murmured sadly. "I guess I should clean up and head home." Very slowly she began to take her clothes off and Miroku craned his neck forward trying to get a better view. But just as she was almost finished his stupid horse suddenly decided to whinny. The girl shrieked and whirled around and sure enough she was able to spy Shadow tied up to a tree a few yards away along with a neat little pile of Miroku's clothes.
"Damn you Shadow," Miroku muttered. "Damn, damn, damn, damn."
The girl very quickly then buttoned her outfit up and walked boldly up to the pile of clothes and grabbed them. "Alright I know you're here somewhere! Show yourself or be prepared to walk back to wherever you live naked!"
Miroku debated his options briefly and then made a large splash with his arm. "I would come out lovely lady but I fear I have no clothes on and I might um startle you," he called from his hiding spot.
He saw her glower at the shadows where he was hiding and then unceremoniously dropped his clothes. "Alright I've left your clothes here but I'm taking your horse so you can't run away."
"Fair enough," Miroku called and waited for her to untie his horse and turn her back. Very quickly he swam over and climbed out of the water dried himself with the cape and got dressed spreading the cape in the sunlight to dry. Giving his tunic a quick tug and making sure he hadn't missed any buttons he said, "Alright you can turn around now miss."
The girl whirled around and before Miroku could blink slapped him with all the force she could muster. Miroku blinked once or twice and lifted his hand up to touch his stinging cheek. He had been slapped numerous times by women but none had hurt as much as this one, however that wasn't the real reason he reached up to touch it. This was the first time his love had touched him, and regardless of the fact that she had slapped him it still felt heavenly.
"That's for being a pervert," she said coldly. "Just what did you think you were doing!"
"Umm watching a lovely maiden about to go for a swim?" Miroku replied innocently.
The girl's jaw dropped and then she turned lovely shade of pink. "You have the audacity to admit that!" she shrieked angrily. "You really are perverted!"
"Miroku actually," he said smiling and bowing slightly.
"What?" the girl asked.
"My name's Miroku, not perverted," he winked, "though I don't deny the charge either." He gently took the chocolate eyed maiden's hand and brought it to his lips. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss…"
"Let go of me!" she yelled jerking her hand away from his. "Why should I introduce myself to someone who just admitted to being a peeping Tom…Midoku..or whatever your name is!"
"It's Miroku and I guess I'll just have to call you Robin Hood then," Miroku replied with a shrug. The girl paled noticeably and took a step back. "Oh there's no need to be afraid I won't tell.
"Why wouldn't you," the girl asked unable to hide the tremble in her voice.
"Because I have no idea who Robin Hood is," Miroku laughed. "I just overheard you call yourself that."
The girl took a few shallow breaths and then said, "you're not from around here are you?"
"No," Miroku admitted. "I'm travelling from Beltaine with my sister."
"Beltaine?" the girl said raising one beautiful eyebrow. "I've never heard of that kingdom."
"Not many people have," Miroku said struggling to remember what Kagome had said the previous night. "We live within a secluded mountain pass which causing many of the prominent map makers to overlook us. Since it is so difficult to leave our castle not many people can boast of coming from such a prosperous kingdom."
"Oh."
"Here, come sit with me while I wait for my cape to dry," Miroku said lying down and patting the grass beside him. Very tentatively the girl nodded and sat down tucking her legs underneath her.
"I still don't trust you but I'll sit a while," she said.
Turning his face to the sun Miroku let the heat flow through him. "If only sunlight could warm the heart as easily as if does the face."
"Queen Cecily the fourth."
"So you're not just a beautiful bandit but an intelligent beautiful bandit as well," Miroku smiled. "You don't need to answer but I was wondering why you stole from those nobles?"
The girl's eyes narrowed slightly and then she sighed. "I don't know why I'm bothering to explain myself to you but then again I've never been found out before…They don't need the money, that's why. They live in luxury eating the finest foods and with the money they possess at this very second they could live the rest of their lives in the exact same way yet they're so greedy they want more. So they tax the poor farmer's to death so they can hold extravagant parties every month, so their empty headed daughters can buy new dresses for every single day they're alive because heaven forbid they wear the same dress twice. The poor need the money more than they do."
"What makes you think its okay to steal their money though," Miroku asked playing the devil's advocate. "What makes you think you have the right to take it for yourself?"
"I don't take it for myself though," the girl replied. "I give it to those who do need it keeping none of it for myself. I don't need the money."
Miroku's eyes snapped open at that and he sat up to look at her. "You mean," he said slowly. "That you place your neck on the line to steal the money and then you don't even keep it? You give it away to the poor?"
The girl didn't respond.
"So you've done this more than once?"
She nodded.
"How long for?"
"Robin Hood's been around for about five years now," she replied evenly.
"Five years!" Miroku exclaimed. "And you haven't been caught yet!" He let out a laugh. "The sheriffs must just hate you! I presume then there's a reward for you? How much for"
The girl nodded again very slowly. "Why do you want to know? Are you having second thoughts about turning me in?"
"No," Miroku laughed again running his hand through his hair. "I respect you too much for that now. Curiosity is all."
"You respect me?" the girl said in surprise. "But you're a noble aren't you?"
"I guess you could say that," Miroku replied evasively noticing how she had scooted closer as she said that and that her lovely rear was within reaching distance. "I most defiantly respect someone as brave and beautiful as you."
"Pervert!" she shrieked jumping up and stomping on his hand. "Maybe you should try that line when you're not trying to grope me!" With a huff she walked over to her horse and neatly leaped into the saddle and within seconds was gone.
"Wait," Miroku called out leaping up to dash after her. "I'm sorry! Please don't leave. I'm promise to behave! Please I don't know your name! Or even where you live!"
"Thank heavens for that small miracle" she called over her shoulder disappearing this time for good.
"Robin!" Miroku called. "Come back!" But she didn't listen and so he reluctantly returned to Shadow and his cape. Deeming his cape dry enough he put it on and climbed up on Shadow. "Ouch," Miroku hissed when he tried to grab the reins. Shaking the hand the girl had stomped on he said. "I forgot to add strong and cruel."
XOXOXOXOXOX
By the time Miroku made it back to the castle the sun was just beginning to set. Leading his horse to the stable he was surprised to see so many servants just standing still many still carrying basket of laundry or food. Every single one had his or her eyes on what he had discovered to be the "princess's tower".
"Oh yeah," Miroku murmured to himself. "I forgot all about the princess." Not bothering to summon the horse master Miroku lead Shadow into an empty stall and began to brush him down.
He felt something very close to guilt as he thought about how he hadn't even once thought of the princess since he had met that girl Robin. She was like no other women he had even met and no matter how he tried to forget her he simply couldn't. Everything she had said seemed to have been branded in his brain, impossible to just forget. He was sure that the princess was lovely and he was just as positive that she had a beautiful voice but was she someone he could spend the rest of his life with? Robin…now her he could live with and never want for anything.
Sighing Miroku pictured what life would be like married to such a wonderful women. He and Robin would live in the forest, in a tree house or a camp; he hadn't decided which yet. They would have six or seven children to help them in their 'charity work', preferably three or four boys who took after him with and older sister so when they were little Sango could have someone help her out and then the youngest would be a girl, sweet as honey and innocent enough for the boys to have to look after and for him to dote upon as a father.
Miroku was so wrapped up in his daydreams that at first he didn't even hear the princess start singing. Whirling around at the beautiful sound Miroku quickly grabbed Shadow a bucket of food and returned to the courtyard.
Covering his eyes Miroku looked up trying to catch a glimpse at the princess. "Excuse me," he said turning to the man beside him.
"Shhh!" the man hissed and returned his gaze to the tower.
Shrugging the man's rudeness off Miroku returned his gaze to the tower as well.
The princess's sweet voice seemed to fill every nook and cranny of the palace and Miroku much to his surprise soon felt tears sliding down his cheeks.
"Carry my voice to him
Tell him right away
Hurry, come here
Feel the unseen power
I want you to believe in it.
The continuation of the dream is
singing a melody to tomorrow
Carry my voice to him
Tell him right away
Hurry, come here
You hear the mysterious beat
that's reminiscent of days gone by, don't you?
Linking distant memories,
now the story begins.
Words I couldn't say
are spilling out into my hands 1
Whenever I turn the pages
of the diary to my heart, I realize
you were always there by my side
Carry my voice to him
Tell him right away
Hurry, come here
Feel the slight fever rising in my heart;
You knew, didn't you?
The continuation of the dream is
singing a melody to tomorrow"
By the time the song had finished Miroku had forgotten all about Robin. He had to help this maiden, there was no question in his mind. Miroku had never heard a song so full of sorrow and how he felt after listening to her song must pale in comparison to the pain the princess was feeling, the way a daisy pales in comparison to a rose.
Hastily he wiped the tears from his eyes and made his way back to his rooms where he changed hastily for supper. He had made up his mind, he would somehow make the princess happy again and once he had won her hand he would decline and marry Robin.
Walking briskly after he got directions because he realized he was slightly late Miroku opened the door to the banquet hall and almost ran into Kagome.
"Miroku!" she hissed. "Get in hear this instant. The princess is about to arrive! I was just coming to look for you…for like the hundredth and first time!"
They hurriedly made their way to their seats while Kagome whispered information rapidly to him. "I told their majesties of your intent to win the princess's hand earlier this afternoon so they prepared a ball to introduce you to her. Thank heaven's you're looking presentable because if not I would have had to kill you! So they'll announce the rules of the contest and then I can't remember what's happening next."
"Thank you Kagome," Miroku said out of the corner of his mouth as he sat down turning his attention to where the princess would appear. Strangely he felt eerily calm, "I have no plans however of-"
He froze as the princess entered and began to descend the grand staircase in a stunning dress of pink silk.
"Announcing her highness the Princess Sango," a page called from the door.
Miroku's eyes remained glued on the princess as she stepped off the staircase to go greet her parents. She was gorgeous, she was elegant, she was everything he had ever dreamed of.
She was…Robin.
To be continued…
Author's Note: hey y'all! Srry for the long time it's takin me to update I've been working non-stop at Stampede for the past couple days! Well I hope you all like and if so please review it'll help keep me motivated throughout the summer cuz if no one reviews well…now that school's out let's just say there are plenty of fun things to do…SO REVIEW PREEEEETTY PREEEETTTTTTTTTYYYYYYY please. Toodles for now. Oh yeah and the song I used it was sung by Tomoyo from Cardcaptor Sakura but sadly I can't remember what it's called. Sorry!
IMPORTANT: hey everyone I'm looking for a beta reader cuz I'm horrible at editing my own work. Requirements are as follows 1) must be 16 or older 2) must be fluent in English with a good grasp of grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. 3) Must not have to take weeks and weeks to edit (for the rest of the summer I'd be pretty lienient however and give you some slack just cuz it is summer after all) and 4) Must be willing to do a trial chapter for me to see how good you are at editing.
So if your interested please e-mail me at shamanic(underscore)destiny(at)hotmail(dot)com