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 Fourteen: Face Behind The Mask.

The sun had long set, the flames of lit lanterns were extinguished, and the village appeared to slip into a slumber as the villagers tucked themselves in for the night. Shippo laid upon his bed, tucked beneath his blanket, but he did not rest. His mind was otherwise engaged on other matters entirely, sleep was the furthest thing from his thoughts. He clutched a poster in his small hand, the paper crinkled noisily in the silence of the night. The taunt was a low one and the competition was nothing more than a joke. Even the phony king had to know that Robin was the best archer ever, no contest was needed. Robin could win blind folded, but of course he had to know about the contest to enter it. Someone would have to tell him. He may not even know about it. This could be the way for him to prove himself to the clever hooded hero.

He slipped out from beneath his covers, his younger brothers slept soundly in their beds, and if he was going to find Robin he would need to channel him. Sneaking out unseen or without stirring his siblings would take some amount of skill. Careful not to make any sound, he walked on the pads of his paws; making sure he retracted his claws. Once he reached the window, he spared a glance over his shoulder. The even breathing of his brothers informed him that he was still undiscovered. He pulled himself up unto the ledge and out through the window. He leapt down onto the grass below and found himself under the starry night sky. Filling with pride, he grinned.

He stuffed the event poster into his pocket and set his sights on the forest. Shadows permeated the spaces between the trees and the wind moaned, like a spectre, as it passed through the branches. Shippo swallowed the fear that formed a lump in his throat. Fear would achieve nothing, Robin isn't afraid of the woods, he thrives in them, and so Shippo was determined to face the darkness head on. He drew in a calming breath, steadied his nerves, then trotted off towards the forest line. He disappeared into the night, with only the thought of finding Robin, and maybe wishing he had brought along a lantern.

Shippo had crossed the river a good hour before and had become hopelessly lost. He didn't even know where he was supposed to be looking to find the helpful thief. If he was being honest with himself, he had begun to think he had made a horrible mistake. Who would ever find him way out here? The tears had already begun their journey down his cheeks when he heard a soft thud in the distance. He sniffled and wiped the tears from his face with the back of his hand. He attempted to follow the sound but it constantly seemed to change directions. As his frustration reached its peak. The tears fell freely and his wails of desperation rang out loudly.

Miroku's trained eye was locked on the target in front of him, even in the darkness of night, he wanted to be able to hit the mark unfailingly. He drew back on the bow until the line was taunt, his hands were steady, eyes honed onto the target. As he was about to fire, a cry broke through the quiet reprieve of his training. He lowered his weapon and slipped the arrow back into his quiver. He followed the sound and discovered the young fix kit sitting on a large stone and sobbing. He didn't think to raise his barrier and disguise himself. Shippo would not recognize him, he was far too young to know of Miroku's past. "You're an awful long way from home, kid."

Shippo's head jerked up and he found himself seated in front of a young man, who could very well be his hero for the night. "I know, I just needed to find Robin Hood. Do you know where to find him?" He swiped at the tears again, if Robin was nearby, well Shippo didn't want him to see him crying like a child.

Miroku smiled warmly. "I might, depending on why you need to see him though."

The young boy looked from side to side, as though he was making sure it was safe to speak. "I have to show him this, just to make sure he knows about the Prince's foolish plans for tomorrow." He removed the crumpled poster from his pocket and offered it to Miroku.

The thief's violet eyes beheld the familiar words and they danced with mischief. "Oh, I am sure he is very much aware of this nonsense." Teal eyes were locked onto Miroku, his head tilted to one side; he was curious. "I gotta ask, kid. Why come all the way out here alone, just to deliver that message?"

Shippo contemplated his answer for a moment. "Well, one day I hope to join Robin and be just like him. He's a hero, you know."

The thief tried to hide his grimace. Flattered as he was, the last thing he wanted was for this child to see him as some sort of role model. He did not see himself as someone to strive to be like. Miroku placed his hand atop the boy's head and ruffled his hair playfully. "Look kid, that goal, well, change it. Trust me, you don't want that kind of life for yourself. It's not as glamorous as you think it is."

A pout formed on the child's lips and he looked up at Miroku under lowered brows. "But Robin gave me his bow, so I could learn to be just like him." He looked down at his hand that nervously toyed at the hem of his tunic. "I would not want to let him down. He might be disappointed in me."

Miroku lowered himself to be on the same level as the kit, a warm smile on his face. "I could see why Robin is fond of you, but he would never be disappointed in you for avoiding a life of crime. It's lonely out there, kid. Doing what Robin does keeps him from settling down, no family, no real home, and few trusted companions." Shippo's innocent stare was unwavering, he had his full attention. "I can promise you, that he would not want you to say goodbye to your family and friends, all for the trade of the threat of the gallows. But, being a master archer comes in handy for anyone, especially for the oldest son."

Shippo swallowed hard, he hadn't thought about being a wanted fugitive, nor the thought of facing the hangman's noose. "So he doesn't want me to join him in his escapades? How do you know that? Do you know Robin?"

He knew it was best to distance himself from his alias, but he also knew he needed to set this kid on the better path, the one pointed away from himself. "I'm familiar with him. We've met on occasion during my travels." Sighing more to himself, hopeful that Shippo wouldn't tell anyone about this conversation, he pushed on. "Robin wasn't always seen as a hero, for the better part of his early life, his thievery was seen as a problem. Villagers wanted him gone, they wanted to see the young boy locked up, but his guardian kept him out of trouble by paying for the things he took."

The fox yokai's curiosity only grew with each piece of information, he devoured every word like a starving pauper. "What happened to him after that?"

Miroku's smile was sad, he hated to relive his darkest years. "Well, one day he had to leave his home village because he knew nobody truly wanted him there. So he left and taught himself to live off the land and not depend on what he used to take to survive. He returned though and his home village needed his skills. The thief they once despised is now their hero."

Shippo gasped, his large teal eyes growing ever wider in wonder. "Robin is from Nakimoto?"

Miroku raised a single finger to his lips and the child quieted. "That's a secret though. You mustn't tell a single soul. For fear of Naraku learning too much and discovering who Robin really is."

Miroku watched as the boy chewed on one of his finger nails, he could see the gears turning in the young mind. "What are you doing out here though?" Teal eyes locked onto the quiver full of arrows, suspicion altered his innocent face suddenly.

With well practiced nonchalance Miroku replied. "Oh, my story isn't half so interesting. I'm merely a travelling merchant, selling my wares along the way."

"But the arrows."

Miroku smiled in an easy way. "As I said archery is a very useful skill. Perfect for hunting." He straightened back to an upright standing position and offered the boy his hand. "It is late. How about I help you find your way back to the village."

Shippo was relieved that he wasn't forced to ask the stranger for help. "Do you really think you can? Because I lost my way a long time ago."

With confidence he reassured the child. "I know I can. Nothing to it at all." Shippo took his hand before he allowed himself to be led back towards the village. He was a bit nervous to put his trust in a stranger, but there was something oddly familiar about the man. Something that made him comfortable and gave him a sense of security. This man would do him no harm, he was sure of it.

Shippo was quiet until they reached the river, they were close now, and a single question burned on his tongue. "Who are you? What is your name?"

Miroku halted for a split moment, a bit taken aback by the query. "My name is of little consequence. Think no more of such a trifle, I am of no importance."

This was a strange response to Shippo, most people had no problems giving their name. "I was just curious. You have a name, don't ya?"

He chuckled, "Of course I do." He could not think of a reason to not give it, but luckily the trees gave way and the Kitsune hut was in sight. "We have come to the end of our journey, You're home at last." He gestured towards the home and Shippo averted his gaze in the direction given to him.

The stranger pointed out the very hut he lived in, but had never been there before. "How did you know which one was mine?" His voice shook some, but Miroku could not tell if it was from fear or not.

"Lucky guess, I assure you." He mentally kicked himself for not being more careful, this boy was rather perceptive. "Now, no more nightly trips into the forest, it's not safe. Get inside now and get some sleep, Shippo."

His mouth fell agape. "How did you know my name? You never asked and I never told you. Who are you, mister?"

"Ah," Thinking as quickly as he could, he placed one finger on the side of his nose, in an all too familiar gesture for the boy. "You don't expect me to reveal all of my secrets. There's no fun in giving up all of the mystery. Now is there?"

Shippo had heard something like this before, but before he could ask, the man turned away and slipped back into the forest. He watched as the stranger gave one wave over his shoulder, but as the figure disappeared Shippo murmured a single name. "Robin Hood."

By the time Miroku reached the camp, Inuyasha and Koga had a fire going, with a pot of stew heating over the flames. The wolf yokai spared a glance at the thief as he sat down on a nearby tree stump. Koga stirred the contents of the pot and casually asked, "You get your training time in?"

Miroku stared at the fire as the flames licked at the pot and embers leapt from the kindling; only to float away like fireflies in the night air. He remained quiet for some time, as though he didn't hear the question at all. After a moment's pause, he seemed to find his way back into the moment. He blinked and violet eyes met concerned blue ones and he replied. "Yes. My training went well tonight." He sighed and reached into his pocket and pulled out the poster that Shippo had left with him.

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow, but Miroku's distance made more sense to him now, something was on his mind that needed his attention. "Are you worried about tomorrow or do you have a foolproof plan?"

Miroku looked down and read the words one last time, before feeding the paper to the flames. "Foolproof plan? No. I have no such thing. Honestly, there is the glaring probability that I will be arrested tomorrow." The poster was nothing but ash, but Miroku still stared at what remained of it. An unreadable emotion altered his usually cheerful countenance. "But, I cannot allow that fear to stop me, not when I have so much to prove."

Inuyasha and Koga exchanged glances. The hanyou turned his attention to the charming crook. "You have nothing to prove to the villagers, they know what kind of person you are."

Miroku's sardonic laugh confused Inuyasha. "I must disagree, but I'm only proving myself to myself. For once I want to do something for others that doesn't directly benefit me. I am tired of being selfish. So I will be at the tournament tomorrow and I will win, because I don't want to let them down. I want to be the brave hero they have built me up to be."

The hanyou was tired of hearing the thief's rhetoric. "Stop. You are not selfish. Ever since you got back here, you have done nothing but give back. Your past doesn't change that. You were a child trying to survive. Maybe you made some mistakes back then, but you have grown and learned. Stop tearing yourself down."

"Inuyasha, you do not understand," exasperation crept into his voice. "I knew what I was doing. I used my skills to be seen as someone I'm not. I wanted people to like me. I gave the spoils I stole to gain something in return."

"Hogwash." The response came with no hesitation. "If you did all this for notoriety, then you would have never disguised yourself. If you walked into the village undisguised no one would thank you for your heroics. You would never have been concerned with letting anyone down for just being you and not Robin. You are one of the most selfless people I know. And if I hear you ever saying otherwise again, well, I'll knock your lights out."

Koga tried to stifle his laughter, the friendship between the other two always amused him. "Sorry Miroku, but I have to agree with Inuyasha. You are the furthest thing from selfish, truly you are."

Miroku sighed, he feigned being too tired to argue, but being honest with himself he wanted to accept their kind words; wanted to believe them. "Fine. I won't say otherwise, but we better make some sort of plan for tomorrow and a backup plan for the very real chance of me getting caught. I'll be honest with you, the gallows disagree with me."

(A/N: Hello faithful readers, first of all I would like to thank everyone that has stayed with me this far. I know I am terrible at updating regularly, but I do have a lot of other responsibilities outside of writing and I am dealing with a lot in my personal life. I don't often have enough free time to write as much as I would like to, but I really do appreciate those of you that have been patiently waiting for my sporadic updates. Please leave a review, follow me or favorite the story. I love to read your feedback, it makes my whole day when someone takes the time to review. Stick with me, I will be finishing this story. Until next time.)