Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Inuyasha, all rights belong to the creator, Rumiko Takahasi. I also lay no claim on the creation of Robin Hood.

Chapter Thirteen: The Obvious Target.

The royal vassal's barefeet padded against the hardwood floor of the palace in a rapid rhythm. A wide grin almost seemed to split his face, the malice shone in his lavender eyes, and his breath came forth in quick puffs. Prince Naraku would be delighted by the news he carried with him, for it may just be the keys to drawing out their elusive criminal. He broke through the double doors of the throne room. It crashed into the walls with an ear splitting bang and earned him the scathing look from the temperamental prince. "Milord, I have made a rather favorable discovery, one that you will hail as most valuable."

Naraku spared Hakudoshi a quizzical look, his interest piqued by the small nugget of information given to him. His voice remained stoic when he asked, "And will you have me beg or shall you just come out with it? You know how I hate to play guessing games." The prince's hand moved in a gesture dismissively, but his face belied his nonchalance, he was eager to learn what his vassal had obtained.

His white haired accomplice smiled again and said, "I have just come from Maid Sango's chambers and I have heard her speak of some intriguing truths. She is smitten with the thief and she is rather determined to uncover the source of his trickery. She believes him to be one man." He lowered his voice to a whisper, for he only wanted Naraku to hear what he was to say next. "And some time ago, I even heard her admit to stealing a kiss from Robin himself, she is very much in love with him, highness." Naraku leaned back into his throne, his hands came together, fingertips meeting in front of him. He appeared to be absorbing the information given to him and calculating how best to employ it for his own benefit.

Hakudoshi had made him aware of his niece's feelings for the thief, but what he did not know was rather Robin shared her affections. Could such a lowlife love someone other than himself? He seemed far too selfish to be able to give even feelings to another person. After all, he did steal to satisfy his own greed. Matter-of-factly the prince spoke, "This could prove to be the advantage needed to lure out Robin Hood. If I cannot persuade him with matters of the heart, I am sure I can trap him by using his very pride against him." His highness stood and elegantly sauntered across the room. He only stopped when he came to the window. A grin slowly twisted the features of his face into something even Hakudoshi could not describe. He watched the villagers as they lived their lives down below, unaware of the eyes that watched them closely.

A plan had begun to take shape in his mind, one that he hoped would bring the people back into his good graces, and put a stop to their faith in Robin. If he wanted the adoration of the villagers, he would first have to shatter the illusion of their so-called hero. The thief was, after all, just a man. A man that could be killed and done away with. He cast a glance over his shoulder, "Hakudoshi, take this down."

Inuyasha and Miroku fished in the river near the outskirts of the village. Over the babble of the water the hanyou could hear the distant hustle and bustle of the villagers. "Sounds like there's some excitement in Nakimoto. People actually sound rather joyful today." Miroku pulled in his line, bringing another catch to the surface. Sometimes Inuyasha couldn't help but wonder if there was nothing he wasn't good at.

He finally did offer his response to Inuyasha's declaration, "A cause for celebration? What is Naraku up to now?"

Inuyasha stared at his unmoved line and sighed. "There's only one way to find out. How does an impromptu visit to Nakimoto sound? It's not like I'll be missing out on the big catch of the day." He pulled in his line and tossed his pole to the side in frustration. He ignored the knowing grin on the thief's face and he made no attempt at explaining himself.

"You're right. This isn't a good spot for fishing at all, may as well pack it in and call it a day." He put the lid on the basket of his spoils and avoided making eye contact with the hanyou as he did so. Was that an act of mercy or pity? Inuyasha didn't want to ask. So what if the man did everything with a skilled hand, he was good at things too. Not everyone had a knack for fishing. Miroku tied the basket closed and lowered it back into the water to keep what they caught fresh until they could return for it. "Let's head over and get some answers, without drawing too much attention to ourselves. Preferably anyway." He grinned again, he knew as well as Inuyasha that they drew attention to themselves everywhere they went. Came with the territory of a career criminal.

After a short trek through the woods, the pair broke from the treeline and into the village. The dirt roads were alive with the clatter of hooves and the cries of squeaky cart wheels. Villagers clutched flyers and spoke excitedly between each other. Kaede held a poster in her hands as well, but she eyed it pensively and spoke to no one else about its contents. Miroku approached her cautiously, it would be their first meeting since she had discovered the truth. "Lady Kaede, one cannot help but be curious as to the delight the villagers revel in. Perhaps Naraku has lowered those blasted taxes?"

She looked up and met his gaze with a concerned one of her own. "We are not nearly as fortunate. The prince has graciously planned a festival in honor of his people, to celebrate our generosity. But I sense something wicked in his actions." Miroku reached out to take the poster and she drew it away with some alarm. She held it to her chest protectively. "I think you should return to camp and forget about his nonsense, I implore you to."

Inuyasha and Miroku exchanged confused glances, before the latter offered the old woman a reassuring smile. "Do not be ridiculous. I do not fear that phony King."

With some hesitation she blurted out bluntly, "And perhaps you should fear more than you do. Some games you should not play and this is one of them." By then she clutched the poster so tightly that it had crumpled between her fingers.

"Calm yourself, Kaede. And do explain why you have gotten yourself so worked up."

Tears brimmed her sage eyes, as she looked at the man she had watched grow from a young and precocious little lad. Why couldn't have Robin been the older gent she had once seen him to be. She cared not about that thief, but this one, well he was different. This Robin was actually Miroku. "I know you and well, I forbid you from entering the tournament. That's that, no arguments from you."

Inuyasha stifled a chuckle behind his clawed fingers and cleared his throat when Miroku gave him the look. "Kaede, please explain. I have no recollection of any tournament."

With some exasperation she shoved the poster against his chest. "That tournament, if you must know, but it matters not; I have forbidden you from entering."

Miroku gazed down at the paper that was now in his grasp and his eyebrows raised in understanding. But it was his blasted cocky smile that screamed silently at the old woman. "A tournament to crown the best archer, and the tempting prize of a kiss from Maid Sango. Well played, Naraku, well played indeed."

Inuyasha snatched the paper from Miroku and crumpled it into a ball before tossing it down and stomping it into the dirt. "No way. It's a trap and you know it."

Miroku met Inuyasha's steely stare with an amused one of his own. "Of course I know it. I'm no fool, but I cannot let down the villagers nor do I want to miss the opportunity to outsmart his majesty. This could be fun, besides I can't just hand the title of best archer to that bumbling sheriff. Now can I?"

The hanyou fought down the urge to slap the foolishness out of his companion. "Your ego will be your downfall. You know that, don't you?"

Miroku chuckled, he knew Inuyasha well, and he noticed the anger in his dark eyes. "You worry far too much, friend. Do you have such little faith in me? That I could be caught by the likes of the sheriff or Prince Naraku?"

With some irritation Inuyasha firmly placed his hands on Miroku's shoulders. "Listen to me carefully. This was planned to draw you out, they will be ready for you, the trap has been laid. Before you always had the element of surprise, but this time is different and as soon as you win the tournament, the target will be on you. You may as well paint a bullseye on your back."

The hanyou wasn't entirely incorrect, but Miroku did have his reputation to maintain. "If I don't go, then I'll be letting down the people of Nakimoto. We are their symbol of hope, they will be expecting me to show up and win. Followed by the romantic gesture of claiming my prize and of course making my daring escape. Robin could do no less, you know."

Inuyasha shook his head fervently. "No. No no no. This is absolutely insane. I will hear no more about this nonsense. We will not be attending this festival." He continued to shake his head, even when Miroku grinned in a cocky manner.

"You knew I was crazy from the day you joined me. You know I have no intention of changing. Either I go alone or with my trusty hound. How will you have it?"

The 'hound' in question tossed his hands into the air in exasperation, before he paced about for a moment mumbling obscenities under his breath. He turned on his heel and practically bellowed. "Damn you." He lowered his voice though, careful to not draw more attention to them. "You know I can't let you do this alone. I suppose I have no choice, someone has to be there, in case you get yourself in trouble."

Although Miroku knew the acceptance was begrudgingly made, he smiled in spite of himself. "I knew I could count on you, friend. Tonight we make plans, for tomorrow we take that prince down a peg or two."

(A/N: It has been far too long since I last uploaded, my sincerest apologies to the readers following my story. When I started writing this, I had a job where I had the same three consecutive days off, but with the job I have now my schedule is not set. I also caught covid and was sick for about four days, still recovering my sense of taste. I have also been working on a new story with far more mature themes, I won't be posting that one until it's finished and only if I'm happy with the outcome. But anyway, leave a review. Let me know if you're still enjoying this or what you like most about it. Who's your favorite character and why?)