Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story, all rights to the characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
The Robbin' Hood.
Chapter 1: And So They Met
Inuyasha had made his first appearance in the village of Nakimoto at the young age of fifteen. Having been the illegitment son of Toga 'Inu No' Taisho, he lived with his ailing mother until her untimely passing, and first met his father after he had sent for him when the news of Izayoi's death reached him. The hanyo walked behind his father and older brother, disguised in his human form, all the while feeling like he didn't quite belong. Spring had brought the forest surroundings into full bloom, birds sang softly, and the smell of rain still lingered from the day before. "Inuyasha, do try to keep up, we haven't got all day." The hanyo sighed quietly and picked up the pace, obliging to his father's request with no protest. He watched with idle curiosity as a rather impressive home came into view.
The home was situated near the far end of the forest, trees sprang up around the structure, which only seemed to give it a protected facade. The sun broke through the lush green leaves of the trees causing the light to appear emerald in color. Inuyasha would have taken more notice to the house itself, had he not been so focused on the boy standing before it's gates. The hanyou wasn't the only one to take notice of the stranger as he was pulled from his thoughts by his father's authoritative voice. "You there, boy. What business do you have here?"
The boy in question turned to them with complete calm and a cheery smile spread over his face. "Business? I have none. I was merely admiring this beautiful estate. I am obligated to believe it belongs to you, sir." He bowed in greeting and his clever eyes landed on each one, as if to acknowledge them all in turn.
The father's invading gaze roamed his face and skepticism blanked his features harshly. "I do not choose to believe that you have come all this way to admire the home of another.
"If the boy had been insulted by the youkai's insinuations, he showed no sign. "Well sir, then you would be right. I was in search of a few kind samaritans that would being willing to spare some change to someone in need." Inuyasha observed the look on the great dog demon's face as it softened, he said no more, instead he reached into his pocket and gave the boy a small offering. It was taken with genuine gratitude, but the exchange annoyed Sesshomaru.
"Father, must you be so foolish. The boy has every opportunity to make his own way. A beggar deserves nothing." The eldest son made his way for the gate as his booming voice demanded that the boy step aside. The stranger that had been oddly calm until this point visibly started and dropped the gold coins that he had just received for the youkai gentleman.
He dropped to his knees at Sesshomaru's feet and scurried to pick up the items he had dropped. "My apologies sir, I'll be on my way as soon as I gather this up." Sesshomaru merely scoffed before he walked around him to make his way up to the house. Toga followed suit, but Inuyasha remained behind to help the boy pick up the little bit of money that had fallen to the ground.
"Sorry about my brother. Don't take it personally, he treats everyone like that. I'm Inuyasha, by the way." The hanyo found himself making eye contact with the boy, who seemed more amused than afraid or upset.
"One has their ways of getting even and I'm Miroku." Inuyasha couldn't help but to wonder how Miroku could have gotten even with his older brother, unless mildly annoying him was his act of revenge. Miroku straightened out and placed his hands behind his head; looking up at the the sky and sighing contentedly. "I wonder when he will realise..." The thought seemed to trail off. Who was this kid? Before Inuyasha could ask any questions, the front door to the house came swinging open, and Sesshomaru stood on the porch, positively glowering.
"Do you really think you can steal from me? Return my wallet at once." Miroku returned the look, his as innocent as a new found fawn.
"You flatter me. Do you really think someone like me could steal from a youkai as clever as you? I think not." His elder brother stuttered indignantly, slightly taken aback by the quick response.
"Of course you couldn't. I must have dropped it." He spun around proudly and headed back into the house.
And although the boy had quickly changed the mind of Sesshomaru, Inuyasha still had his suspicions, and he couldn't help but to ask. "It was you, wasn't it? You stole his money." Miroku merely smiled again and that was enough of an answer for the hanyou.
"Care to join me for lunch, Inuyasha? I happened to come into some spare funds and it's not as much fun to eat alone." Inuyasha blinked in disbelief, he couldn't understand how this young boy could fool his older brother.
"But how did you?" Inuyasha had no need to finish the question, Miroku seemed to know exactly what he was asking.
"You have to have a quick mind and even quicker hands." Inuyasha only grew even more intrigued.
"Do you make a habit of stealing from others?" Miroku's face became animated, the amusement only all too readable.
"Only from those that have the means. So are you coming with me or not?" The hanyou was curious and he did want to learn more about the strange and clever boy. He glanced back at the house with uncertainty and the feeling of not belonging returned.
"I don't know if I should. This is my first day after all." Inuyasha took a step back, the way Miroku's eyes narrowed made him uneasy, it was as though he was reading him.
"I see, so that's why you seem so uncomfortably out of place. You're more like me than you are them. Interesting." Inuyasha wanted to be insulted, but found that he couldn't be.
"I suppose you are right. I was raised by my mother and grew up in a home with little wealth." The boy crammed the coins he had gotten into a small pouch that was attached to his hip.
"I was raised by my father for ten years, was orphaned, and have taken care of myself ever since." Inuyasha's face remained unconvinced, he knew he would only fall into trouble if he followed the boy.
"I better stay. I did just arrive here after all, maybe I will come to fit in perfectly."
Miroku didn't seem to believe the hanyou's decree, but he offered another smile, nonetheless. "Suit yourself, Inuyasha, but come and find me once you're done playing the role of a nobleman and I'll teach you all the tricks of the trade." Miroku took his leave with those parting words, Inuyasha watched him until the trees concealed his receding figure. He finally decided to join his family in the house but he couldn't seem to get his thoughts off of the thieving village boy.
Six years later
The village of Nakimoto had fallen deep into poverty after King Hitomi Kagewaki had departed for an important crusade and forced him into leaving his younger brother, Prince Naraku Kagewaki, in charge of his people. In his greed Prince Naraku began to unfairly tax the people of all the money he could and his cruelty affected the once cheerful village dreadfully. Only one hope remained to the people of Nakimoto and the hope came in the form of the Robbin' Hood and his trusty team of robbers. These men were the brave heroes that had enough courage to take back what the Prince had wrongfully acquired. And those very men were in the process of pulling off another risky heist.
Naraku's flashy caravans paraded up the paths of Nakimoto, his very presence weighed heavily upon the villagers. Inuyasha watched the guards that walked in front of and behind the Prince's litter, as a look of frustration settled over his features. "I swear, Miroku, it's as though your plans continue to become crazier with each heist." Miroku waved off the insinuation with a dismissive gesture of his hand and the determination never left his intense eyes.
"We will not be getting another chance like this again any time soon. One must always snag the best opportunities when presented them. Can't you be as agreeable as Koga for once." Inuyasha glanced over at the wolf youkai that was mentioned and rolled his amber eyes at him.
"And what did you say this time to encourage this behavior?" Koga shrugged and his calm face was devoid of fear or worry.
"I told him it was crazy, but that I was in. Nothing more, nothing less." These two would wind up being the death of him, not that he could complain, it was his own choice to take Miroku up on his offer all those years ago. Had he actually used his better judgement, he would have remained in the home of his father, but alas Miroku's words had wormed their way into his thoughts nearly constantly.
"Alright. Let's do something crazy," Inuyasha declared begrudgingly. Miroku grinned at his companion before he sprung into action. He pulled himself into the branches of a tree and set his arrow in the bow. He aimed carefully, his shot as sure as his quick working wit and hands. He pulled back and let the arrow fly. It whizzed through the air, cutting through the space silently, and finally struck one of the wooded handles that was used to carry a heavy truck full of gold. The trunk dropped to the ground as the gold coins rattled noisily in their wooden encasement. The villagers began to watch on with excited curiosity, while the guards eyed the surroundings in search of the clever thief and his group of troublesome men. One by one the guards were incapacitated by sure fired arrows, they groaned in pain, but would make a full recovery of the minor wounds. In a flash of red and white the trunk was swept away.
The prince exited his comfortable litter, and bellowed, "You fools! How dare you allow for such a treasonous theft. On your feet men, I demand that you retrieve the royal gold." Just as Naraku was about to re-enter his caravan, a whirlwind whisked towards him, and in an instant his means of transportation splintered into pieces. The prince silently glowered, his rage seethed inwardly, and his attention returned to his guards. "I want that Robbing Hood caught. Triple the bounty on him and his team. I want them hung for these heinous crimes. Capture the Robbing Hood, Blood Hound, and The Howling Wolf, before I hang you in their stead!" The villagers all refused to even look in the direction of their prince, they had no desire of allowing him to see their happy smiles. Only Sir Hakudoshi remained with Naraku, the others parted to treat their wounds, and return to the search for the evasive thief.
Miroku casually made his way through the village, making his drop of the gold to the poor people of Nakimoto, and spreading the wealth he had suddenly come into. He placed one of the small sacks into the hands of a poor old woman, which earned him a smile of gratitude, as the woman placed a hand on his arm. "Oh bless ye, Robin. You have no idea what hope you bring to us people." Miroku returned the smile with a charming one of his own and patted the woman's hand.
"Think nothing of it Keade, I am merely returning what is rightfully yours." He turned to leave and rejoined Inuyasha, who had remained outside the house, and the hanyou could still hear the soft chorus of bless ye's that followed behind him. "We've only got the Kitsune family left and then it's back to Midori Wood Forest for us." As the pair approached the cozy cottage, the cheery sounds of a birthday celebration reached their ears. Inside a widowed mother and her brood of fox kits, joined together to celebrate Shippo's ninth year. The two entered the home and sheer excitement lit up the children's faces.
"Momma, look there. It's Robin Hood paying a visit on my birthday," Shippo said excitedly. "Did you know, Robin? Did you?" Miroku thought it best to play along, he didn't have it in him to disappoint the boy.
"I do know of the most important days in this village and I dare say that today is rather high on that list." His smile only grew larger, which should have been nearly impossible.
"Did you hear that, momma? Did you? He knew about my birthday and came to visit."
While the boy bragged to his siblings about the importance of his birthday, Miroku placed the small sack of gold in the mother's hands. "I do hope this will ease your struggles, Mrs Kitsune." The woman's gratitude was obvious as she swiped a happy tear from her eye.
"You do good work, Robin, you truly do. I don't know how we will ever repay you."
Miroku merely responded with a smile, "No repayment necessary. I ask for nothing in return but your silence on what I look like without my hood and mask."
Shippo circled the thief in delight, only one question burst from his lips. "Did you get me a gift, Robin?"
Miroku winked at the boy and produced one of his many bows with a single arrow. "You don't really think I would forget, do you?" The other children gathered round their brother in awe of the gift.
"Wow. Thank you Mr Robin Hood. Is that really your name, Robin?"
Miroku lowered himself to the boys level and tapped the side of his own nose with a crafty smile playing on his lips. "Ah now, you know that someone like me has to have his secrets, they call me Robin Hood, because I am the Robbing Hood. But, if you get to be as good as me with that bow, I may let you in on that little secret." Determination hardened Shippo's young face as his innocent steely stare locked with Miroku's.
"Oh I can do that, Robin, just you watch. Momma, I'm gonna go out outside and practice my skills." With that he raced outside, with his sibling following closely behind.
(AN) I apologise profusely for not updating my stories in recent months. I'm still having issues with my laptop and am in the process of saving up for a new one. I moved to a different city at the end of July, got a job, and had to wait for us to get wifi before I could post. I will try and write when I can and when I can get my computer to actually power on. Keep an eye out for other stories, I will attempt to work on them in the coming weeks. For now please enjoy my take on Robin Hood Inuyasha style. Please leave a review, favorite, or follow.