Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story, all rights to the characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
Chapter Four: A Heist in the Night.
The table had been cleared, there was a fire in the fireplace, and three men gathered 'round to warm their hands near the blaze. The thieves had changed into the garb of the average villager, which only fooled the old monk into believing that they had changed their ways. "I dare say, that nights like these are always best shared with old friends. Don't you agree, my boy?" Miroku smiled, the old man had such a jovial and warmhearted manner, it made the place feel like home.
"I could not agree more. There is nothing worth having if one cannot share it with friends." The hanyou eyed his partner carefully. Miroku spoke of friends, but he truly didn't have many, aside from himself, the old monk, and Koga. Miroku didn't speak of any other connections. Sure, plenty of people loved the robbing hood, but the villagers that were grateful to the man could hardly be called his friends. Inuyasha had forgotten to keep his expression neutral and he hadn't noticed that the monk and his partner had turned their attention on him during his pondering. The pair exchanged curious glances, before Miroku cleared his throat, and asked a question with a steady voice.
"Is something weighing heavily on you, Yash?" The hanyou was broken from his thoughts as quickly as they had drifted into his mind.
"I assure you that nothing is bothering me, I was merely thinking, nothing more nothing less." The conversation may have continued, but a sharp knock on the door had rather suddenly put an end to it. Monk Mushin left the main room, only one person would call on the monk so late in the afternoon, Sheriff Bankotsu.
The sheriff stood at the door, as he attempted his most intimidating pose, and put a deep scowl onto his stern face. When the door opened to him, he spoke out harshly, "I am glad to find you in monk, I have come to collect the taxes for his majesty King Naraku." Mushin narrowed his eyes at the man before him, his friendliness faded quickly whenever Bankotsu paid him a visit.
"You know that whatever money I receive is used for the upkeep of the temple. King Hitomi never taxed the temple." The sheriff puffed out his chest then pushed his way into the temple aggressively.
"King Naraku gives no special treatment, you will pay taxes the same as everyone else."
The monk sputtered indignantly and in desperation responded, "This place runs on the generous donations from the villagers. I simply do not have the gold to give. I would have to give you everything I've saved up and this beautiful place would fall into ruin." A manic laugh echoed throughout the halls of the temple and had received the attention of the monk's two visitors. Miroku and Inuyasha had managed to make their way towards the main hall of the temple just in time to hear the sheriff's cold retort.
"That is of no concern to the King. It seems to me like the villagers need to be a bit more charitable. Pay up or you'll be thrown in jail, just like anyone else who doesn't pay their taxes to the King." The hanyou risked a glance over at his usually cheerful companion, Inuyasha was surprised to see the seething anger that burned in those violet eyes. The silence between them was heavy, while the pair watched the monk give over every last piece of gold in his possession to the greedy sheriff. Inuyasha shivered slightly as he watched the rage fade and a crafty smile spread across his friend's face.
The thief turned to the hanyou, mischief danced in his eyes, and he spoke briefly, "I believe it's time for Robin Hood to make his appearence. You with me?" At this point it mattered not whether or not Inuyasha was in complete agreement with Miroku's plans. His loyalty would not allow him to let his partner go on a single mission alone, someone had to watch after the man, and he had given that task to himself.
"You know I am."
Miroku replied with a smile, "Excellent. We will take back that gold long before he ever gets back to the castle. Let's get ready. We've no time to lose." The two slipped back into the shadows and returned to their quarters to prepare for the late night heist.
Inuyasha had joined Miroku while he pulled on his red fire rat, Miroku was nearly ready himself, only the mask he usually wore was in his hand. "Yo, Miroku." He waited until he had the thief's attention before he continued. "Are you sure this is a good idea? It's not like you to move in on the sheriff without the whole team present. Aren't you afraid that you could be unmasked if we aren't careful?" Inuyasha watched intently as many different emotions flashed across the man's calm face and suddenly came to a stop with a cocky smile in place.
"Do you truly believe that I spent my childhood in a monastery and learned nothing? Have you ever wondered why there has been no solid description of me? Do you actually believe not a single villager would give me away when their freedom is the reward?" The hanyou's bewildered expression was answer enough. It was obvious that he had never thought about it before. Miroku put on his mask and slipped out the window, as not to worry the old monk, and Inuyasha followed closely behind. Once they were in the cover of the trees, Inuyasha pressed further.
"What do you mean, man? What's your trick?" Miroku sighed softly, even though he and the half demon were good friends, the thief still had his secrets.
"When I went away all those years ago, I took my monk training and mixed it with illusionary magic, it doesn't work on you because you know me, I hadn't been using it when you and your family happened upon me all those years ago. I actually hadn't quite mastered it by then." This response only managed to make Inuyasha even more curious.
"Mastered what?" Miroku could not repress his smile, even though the hanyou could not see it.
"I was able to mix my barrier with an illusion spell, when I have it up, people see what they expect to see. I am what they thought I should be. Anything may be altered, my age, height, voice, hair color, or eye color. I am who they thought I would be. This is why I do not hide my face from the villagers but I do from Naraku. I want them to believe that they see the truth as well because I want Naraku to believe that I can be found out." Silence settled around them when the cheerful sounds of whistling drifted into the forest around them; the sheriff was nearby now. Bankotsu made his way down the dirt road, the gold coins jingled at his side, and he continued with his jaunty tune. He was wholly unaware of the danger that followed him closely and paid little attention to his surroundings. This was in the thieves favor, it was always easier to take from an arrogant target, and the sheriff radiated arrogance. Inuyasha could smell the scent of excitement and he could read it in the eyes of the robbing hood. Without a moments hesitation, Miroku set his bow and aimed his arrow. With a sure hand he fired, the arrow whizzed through the air, and struck the gold bag in the sheriff's hand. The sack was ripped from his relaxed grip, the arrow carried it away, until it struck a nearby tree. Miroku nodded at Inuyasha, which sent the hanyou into action.
In a flash of red and white, the gold was snatched away from the tree, and was taken into the shadows of the dense forest. Bankotsu was frozen in disbelief, but once the realisation hit him he called out loudly. "BLOOD HOUND!" He moved to follow after the hanyou, but a hooded figure cut him off.
"I am afraid that I cannot allow you to go any further. I do hope you understand." His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, that was at his hip, and in swift movements he had drawn it from it's sheath. "Will you take it sheriff, a chance to capture the robbing hood himself?" His question quickly received the response he wanted, Bankotsu drew a weapon of his own and faced off against the thief. Inuyasha hadn't gotten far when he could hear the melody of steel against steel. He could almost see each and every move that the hooded thief would make. The sheriff didn't stand a chance, like himself, Miroku had worked hard to perfect his skills and put them to good use. Inuyasha reached the place where he was to wait for Miroku to return, he sighed aloud before he took a seat beneath a tree. Meanwhile, Miroku was keeping the annoyed sheriff on his toes. Metallic blades slashed through the air, the clangs echoed through the trees, and only stopped when an attack was blocked and the sheriff and thief came face to face. "Well now sheriff, I always thought you would be a bit more of a challenge. Sadly, I am not much impressed. Your swordsmanship is lacking a bit." He leapt back and watched with amusement as the anger covered his features.
"You won't be thinking that for long, you no good thief." He moved to charge but Miroku disappeared into the branches of a tree.
"I hate to disappoint, but I have lost interest in this little game and besides, I have what I came here for. I really must be going, but a bid you farewell, sheriff." In his rage, Bankotsu set his bow, and blindly fired an arrow. It cut through the air, before it whizzed past the thief, grazing his arm as it did so. Miroku hissed through his teeth and gingerly touched at the small wound on his arm. His fingertips made contact with warm blood, he drew back and examined his fingers carefully. It was just dumb luck, he had been grazed by chance, it wasn't as though he was losing his touch. Without a second thought the hooded figure retreated into the shadows. Inuyasha could smell him before his arrival and much to the hanyou's surprise, he had picked up the scent of blood. He got to his feet in hurried motions and made for the direction of the scent and as soon as the man came into view Inuyasha voiced his worry.
"You're bleeding. What happened? Are you badly injured?" Miroku chuckled warmly, his voice returned the hanyou's worries with reassurances.
"It's nothing but a flesh wound. A mere scratch. I assure you that I will make a full recovery."
This did little to put the hanyou at ease, the thief could still see the concern that was etched into his friend's features. "See? This is getting too risky. If that old sheriff is improving his aim, well you either need to be more careful or stop all this nonsense altogether." Miroku tried to pacify his partner's unwarranted worry.
"Do not be silly, old friend, t'was nothing but a bit of dumb luck. He fired blindly and managed to harm me very little. Now let us return to the temple, we shall redistribute the gold tomorrow morning, and speak of this matter no further. As I have assured you that I am fine." Inuyasha eyed Miroku skeptically, but finally agreed to his request, it was but a graze afterall.
"Alright, but I still want you to be more careful?"
"Yes yes, of course I shall."
Later that night, Inuyasha was laid upon his bed, and though he wanted to sleep, he could not seem to keep his eyes closed. He could hear the voices of the old monk and Miroku from the room beyond his and his listened intensely. "I really do wish you would stop with this reckless behavior, Miroku." There was a short bit of silence before Miroku returned the old man's statement.
"I got back your temples donations and only got a small cut as a parting gift. It was hardly reckless." The thump of heavy footfalls moved back and forth across the room.
"So that's all that happened this time. What happens when your luck runs out and something serious comes of it?" Had Inuyasha been in the room, he would have noticed that Miroku had begun to grow pale and that his breath had grown short.
"It's not luck, Mushin, it's skill. I could only hope you would have more faith in me. Now please, let us put the matter to rest, I have grown tired and wish to sleep." He had placed the last of his disguise into a trunk, just as the room had begun to spin.
"Miroku, my boy do you feel alright? You look unwell." Inuyasha waited for Miroku to give a witty reply, but none came. Instead there was a loud thump and the sound of the old monk's worried voice. "Miroku?! Inuyasha! Come quickly, something is wrong with Miroku!" The hanyou leapt out of his bed and made a beeline for the room next to his. Once there he found Miroku on the floor with Monk Mushin on his knees at his side. Inuyasha rushed in and nearly pushed the old man to the floor in his haste to reach the thief.
"Miroku? Do you hear me? Pray answer me." He came to slowly, his breathing was still short, and perspiration wetted his brow.
"I do not know what came over me. If I can have but a moment, I am sure I can set myself right." He tried to smile but found himself wincing instead. Inuyasha only grew more concerned, this wasn't like Miroku at all, the guy rarely felt ill. Then it dawned on him, the graze. The hanyou quickly ripped the sleeve away from his injured arm and removed the bandage in swift movements.
"Good heavens Inuyasha, what are you on about?" Although Miroku wanted to sound firm, his weak voice did little to give the wanted effect.
"Shut up, would ya? I need to see your wound." It was as the hanyou feared, the purple spider web like discoloration was the answer to his concerns. "Poison dipped arrows." The monk knew these markings all too well.
"Saimyosho, the insects of hell. This is one hell of a poison. You need to fetch, Keade, Inuyasha. Right away." Even in the haze the poison put him under, Miroku made a sound in protest.
"Are you two completely bonkers? She cannot see me like this, she will want to know why I was hit with the arrow." The hanyou stared at him incredulously.
"I don't give a damn about all that. I refuse to sit here and let you die. Just put up that barrier of yours 'Robin Hood' and have her see what she wants to see." Miroku sputtered for a moment, the plan was not one he cared for all that much.
"I do not know if I will be able to keep it up in a weakened state."
Inuyasha replied without missing a beat, "Well then, I better get moving." He transformed into his demon form and helped Miroku into his bed. "You hang in there, I will be back before you know it." Before Miroku could protest any further, Inuyasha slipped out into the stillness of the night, and made his way towards Keade's place.
(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.