Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story, all rights to the characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
Chapter Three: The Sheriff Of Nakimoto
The mountain trail they trekked was far longer than the one they usually took, but they were less likely to be seen coming in through the mountains. In Inuyasha's opinion, it was also rather helpful that Miroku had connections with the mountain temple monk, Mushin. It was their home away from home and it allowed them to really gauge the experiences of the villagers and get a closer view of Prince Naraku's movements. "Miroku, what are we gonna do when King Hitomi returns? I mean, I don't know if we will be as loved once he does come back." Though the hanyou couldn't see it, the thief's face grew pensive behind his mask as the question washed over him.
"I would be lying if I told you that I have already thought about it. To be completely honest with you, I don't know. Maybe we will just have to move on from Nakimoto and find another village that could use the help of some crafty thieves," he sighed deeply the sound expressed disappointment, "I mean, it is not like there is anything keeping us here."
The hanyou heard it then, the melancholy air that had draped over his last words, and he couldn't help but think that such feelings appeared out of place on the normally optimistic thief. He felt as though he shouldn't stay silent and just let the topic die away. "I suppose you're right. I guess we do live a rather lonely life. How long do you think we can keep this up?" Miroku stopped dead in his tracks and turned to face Inuyasha with a pair of thoughtful eyes.
"And what brings all this up? You have never before shown such concern about our futures?" The hanyou returned the man's look with one equally as thoughtful, it was strange of him to think about such things.
"You aren't wrong. I just meant that you gotta want more outta life. Is this really where you thought you would be at twenty-one?" Miroku's hand came up to his face only to grab and tug the cloth mask down to reveal his confused face. Inuyasha tried to further read the expression on his friend's countenance, but found the task to be beyond his capabilities. He was not left in the dark for long though, Miroku was not one to hide his thoughts from the hanyou.
"You act as though I have accomplished nothing in my life. Are you telling me that what I am doing has served no greater purpose?" He didn't wait for Inuyasha to answer to turn around and continue to make his way towards the mountain temple. Inuyasha exhaled a steady breath as he thought of the best way of forging forward with the conversation.
"You know that's not what I meant. I just always figured you would want to be more than this Robin Hood persona. You always seemed like the type that would marry and settle down to have a family." The hanyou watched on as amusement overtook the thief and a laugh rose into the air and about them.
Miroku turned to him once again, he walked backward now, his attention on Inuyasha but his movements still aimed at their destination. "Do not jest, Inuyasha. It is unbecoming. Who would ever believe that a thief was destined to marry and have a family? The notion alone sounds like the beginnings of a poor joke, indeed." The hanyou could only roll his eyes at Miroku's warm chastisement, the man did not have enough harshness in him to be taken too seriously.
"Well pardon me for believing you to be much more than a thief. I merely happen to know the real you and felt I knew enough to make my very true judgement on your character."
Miroku quirked an eyebrow and responded with genuine curiosity, "And what do you mean by that?"
Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly and replied easily, "I just mean that had your life played out differently, had you not been left to fend for yourself, I know you would have never become the robbing hood." The temple came into view just as Inuyasha had wrapped up putting his opinion into words. The wooden and red structure sprang up on the mountain side, a golden Buddah greeted them at the entrance, and a quiet calm flittered round them.
"Well Inuyasha, it appears we have arrived before we could finish our little chat. I suppose we will have to continue it some other day." Inuyasha was about to contest the calm declaration of his companion, but was stopped by the voice of the kindly monk Mushin.
"Well if it isn't the Robbin' Hood and his faithful friend Blood Hound. Come in, come in and join me for lunch, Miroku and Inuyasha." Miroku had met Mushin a couple years after his father's untimely passing. The monk had caught the young boy pilfering bread and cheese from a little corner store in Nakimoto and wound up paying for the stolen goods. He often times would do his best to keep a close eye on the sneaky child, but it was nearly impossible to keep those quick fingers out of trouble. Over the years of Miroku's childhood, Mushin would take responsibility for the times the boy's mischief was discovered, and would make sure that the people he had stolen from were rightfully compensated. When Miroku had turned sixteen he left Nakimoto, and the monk turned guardian, to train and hone his skills. Once the child thief returned a man of unequalled skill; Mushin found himself paying for his botched crimes no longer He had hoped the stealing had ceased, but he soon discovered that he was just no longer being caught. He had also become a master archer and was well versed in sword fighting and hand-to-hand combat. The three sat down to the meager spread that the monk had placed upon his table and a comfortable conversation commenced. "Have you boys been staying out of trouble?" The question was asked as the monk served the stew he had made earlier that day. Miroku's playful smile returned, to Inuyasha it almost seemed as though he had completely forgotten about the little talk they had shared on the way there.
"That depends, Mushin. Does not getting caught count as staying out of trouble? One must know the details before they can give an acceptable answer." The concerned look of a parent washed over the old monk's face, Inuyasha easily recognized it, but if Miroku did he pretended not to notice.
"Come now, be serious for once, Miroku. Must you always give an old man such a hard time?" Miroku laughed heartily at the man's remark and Mushin's eyes danced with an amusement of their own. Inuyasha couldn't help but to revel in the warmth of the place. Although Mirdori Wood was their home, this place felt much closer to how he felt when he lived with his mother all those years ago. Miroku's voice brought the hanyou back to the present.
"I am not attempting to give you a hard time, my good friend, I merely only save you the hours of worry that my activities are sure to cause." The hanyou leaned back against a nearby wall, he ate his meal in silence, and watched on as the scene unfolded around him.
"I should not be surprised that you are up you same old tricks. I, at least, pray that you have dialed back on your risky hobby now that Prince Naraku has taken reign." The monk's question only had Inuyasha laughing out loud and his outburst earned him a rather scolding glance from his partner in crime.
"You crack me up, Mushin. If anything, this crazy bastard has only upped the ante of his little escapades. You wouldn't believe what happened yesterday, we pulled off a heist on..." Before Inuyasha could finish his tale, he received a swift elbow to the ribs. Miroku cleared his throat loudly and a stern sidelong glance met Inuyasha's amused one. The hanyou couldn't supress his smile which only made the thief's face become even sterner.
"Why must you try to exaggerate our quiet daily lives, Inuyasha? We are but simple thieves whose crimes have been wrongfully trumped up." Mushin listened with a quiet skepticism, his disbelief was clearly etched on his aged face.
"Oh Miroku, what have you gotten yourself into this time?" Miroku sighed softly, the sterness left his face and was replaced with a soft smile.
"I am only in the same trouble I have always been in. No need to worry yourself with such trivial matters. I will only be in true danger if I am caught and there is little chance of that." If the old monk wanted to rebuke Miroku, he chose not to, instead the three returned their attention back to their meals, wholly unaware of what was taking place in the village below.
The sheriff of Nakimoto, Bankotsu, made his way through the village. It was the day for him to gather the taxes for Prince Naraku and as soon as he turned onto the main path the villagers quietly returned to their homes. It was a rather pointless act, he would still gather the gold from each and every cottage, and return with every bit Naraku had demanded him to collect. To be honest, he did not mind that his very presense struck fear into anyone that placed eyes upon him, as he actually revelled in it. He stopped at the first door and knocked loudly. It took but a few moments for the door to creak open and from the small crack peered an older gentleman. Bankotsu puffed out his chest, placed his fists firmly on his hips, and spoke out in an autoritative tone. "Open up old man. It's tax day. So hurry up and hand over the gold and I'll be out of your hair in no time."
Totosai opened the door, his look was rather pitiful, and this tactic wasn't something that Bankotsu hadn't seen before; yet he would allow him to play it out. "Ah come on now, Sheriff. Have some mercy on a poor old man. If I pay these taxes, well I won't have nothin' to pay for my rations. You wouldn't want an old man to starve, now would ya?" As sad as the story was, it made no difference. Everyone had to pay their taxes, even the old and poor.
"You know I can't make a single exception. You are no more special than anyone else 'round here. So just hand it over without making a fuss, we don't need to do this the hard way." The old swordsmith sighed aloud, it was no use fighting againt the whim and greed of the phony King, Naraku.
"Alright, alright. I'll get your darn gold. I don't understand how you can be so content with robbin' us blind."
Just the very word had the sheriff seething. How dare this lowly villager even make the thought of that no good thief cross his mind. "The only thief 'round here is that no good Robin Hood. It'll be me that makes sure he pays for his crimes against the King." He snatched the gold from the old man with a quick flash of rage. Then he stormed away from the house with a poor attitude. In his moment of rage, he upped the taxes by one silver coin. It would help relieve some of his anger and would put Prince Naraku in a better mood as well. The man had been in a furious state ever since the Hood and his unruly companions had made off with his trunk off gold. He left the miserable villagers in a much worse mindset than he had found them in, but his mood had improved considerably. He whistled cheerily as he made his way towards the last stop of his day, the Temple. The sun shone brightly before him, but he left clouds of grey in his wake.
(AN) I had so much fun writing these first few chapters. I actually had all of them written before the move, but had no time to post them with all the packing keeping me busy. I am the worst at updating, so I really apperciate anybody who takes the time to read my stories and patiently wait for my updates. Please review, the smallest comment can seriously make my whole day and constructive criticism is welcomed.