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 Sixteen: The Winner and His Prize
Inuyasha made sure to keep his head up, a nobleman never looked down at his feet, and was to carry themselves with quiet pride. He ignored the stares and murmurings of the curious villagers as he passed them by. His focus only faltered when he grew close to the food cart and he caught the gaze of the pretty little lady in waiting, who often accompanied Maid Sango. Her brown eyes went wide in surprise as she recognised his face and a soft blush tinted her fair cheeks pink. She broke away from his gaze and if he did not know any better, he would say she appeared ashamed.
He watched for a moment as she turned and said something to the maiden; in his current form he was unable to hear the words spoken. Sango turned her gaze upon him for a moment, but her eyes did not linger long, as she returned her regard to Kagome and nodded her consent. She made her way over to him, head down, and once in front of him she bowed quickly. "First and foremost I hope you will forgive my forwardness." She spoke quietly but formally. She tilted her head upwards, her innocent eyes pierced through him now. With seriousness she pressed on, "I had no notion of your status when I ran into you directly and I shudder to recall how I spoke to you without ceremony. I am embarrassed by my own behavior and sincerely apologise."
She bowed again and Inuyasha mentally berated himself for letting her see him dressed in this manner. He kept all emotion from his face, but did manage to keep some level of softness to his voice. "You need not apologise, I had come here to catch some fresh air, and chose to conceal my noble lineage. It is but a small title, I am no different from you or anyone else for that matter." Taking a lesson in theatrics from Miroku he took up her delicate hand and pressed it to his lips before stating. "Noblewoman or not, I do hope to see you again. Your beauty is undeniable and I would like to know you for the better. If you would allow me the honor."
The flush of her face, the subtle upturn of her soft lips, and the coy way she looked at him. Well, it was truly thrilling. Had he not had to follow through with the plan, he would have happily spent the whole of the day in the company of this fine lady. "Unfortunately we must part, I have orders from my father to meet with the prince of your humble village. It pains me to leave your company, I must admit."
She toyed with the soft raven tendril of hair that had been left loose of her bun to frame her face. "Will you be staying within Nakimoto long?" Her deep brown eyes were filled with a quiet hope and were locked onto his gaze with some intensity.
It pained him to disappoint her, had he been able to promise her a fortnight, he would do so with little inconvenience to himself. Alas, he could be allowed no such enjoyment, at least not at the moment. The stakes would be raised and he had sworn his loyalty to the protection of a dear friend. "I am afraid that I can only promise the afternoon, my father has requested that I depart for home as soon as I am able." Her lips formed into a pout that pierced his heart as swiftly as a sharp dagger. "But grieve not for my departure. I believe I have found my reason for a quick return." This promise earned him a soft smile, one that healed the infliction his heart had received only moments prior.
Playfully she asked, "Will you seek me out when you arrive, sir?"
With all the gallantry he could muster, he promised. "Rest assured that I will not stop until I find you again." He offered a courtly bow, before reluctantly breaking away from her sweet company. He was to instead do his best to get close to that sniveling pathetic prince. It was a less than favorable trade off. Miroku really owed him for this one.
The ominous prince was found seated in an extravagant throne, in a box set up for the royal spectators. There were three other less grand seats, for the noble family that lived within the castle. Hakudoshi was already seated to the right of the prince, his pale eyes scanning the crowd in search of the wanted Robin Hood. The hanyo approached Naraku with as much cordiality as he could muster and keeping any trace of malice from his voice, he addressed the other with a regal civility. "Highness, I pray you would allow me to make myself acquainted with you; it is the wish of my father, Lord Taisho."
Naraku's cold gaze fell upon him with little interest, but he did acknowledge him after a moment's pause. Using his hand, he smoothly gestured for Inuyasha to take the seat that belonged to his white haired advisor. Though Inuyasha could see that the other man wanted to protest, he bowed and did as what was expected of him; follow orders. "Lord Taisho, is your father? I assume you must be his oldest son, Sesshomaru." Though Naraku spoke to him, there was no warmth or kindness in his addresses.
"I have to correct you, highness, but I am his youngest son, Inuyasha. I am, unfortunately, not nearly as consequential as my elder brother, as my mother's family had been overthrown during a war." He forced a smile that wouldn't fool most people, but someone this apathetic could never wish to see through such a facade.
Grinning perfidiously, he enlightened his guest to the day's festivities. "Well, you have found a most exciting day for your visit. An archery competition and very likely a most desired execution, you shall be rather entertained. Would you not agree?"
He pushed down his anger and fears, keeping the false smile on his face without even a trace of his true feelings. "I do love a good show of sportsmanship, but I will be quite frank with you and admit that I do not find much enjoyment in the death of another life; even if said life is a criminal."
Naraku didn't give much of a reaction to the hanyo's honest confession, as far as he was concerned, no one could take away his joy of seeing the pesky thief beg for mercy before falling at his command. "I see, but it must be done. His crimes have become nothing short of treachery against me and he must be dealt with accordingly."
Playing dumb, Inuyasha asked with complete innocence. "But you already have your criminal imprisoned. Is that not punishment enough?"
The prince clenched his fist tightly, the color drained from his knuckles, and he was unable to keep the sneer from his face. "He has not yet been captured, but I do hope to draw him out today and beat him at his own game. Robin Hood's blood shall be spilled before sun down today."
Before Inuyasha could ask anymore questions, the guard's sounded the beginning of the tournament, with the shrill sound of horns. The contestants had begun to form a small crowd before the targets and Inuyasha noticed that as a strange face, Miroku had immediately drawn the eye of the very man he hoped to evade. As the entertainment was to commence Maid Sango and the lovely Kagome took their respective seats.
The villager's grew more interested in the sport once the worst archer's had slowly been weeded out. The final round was down to the sheriff and strangely enough, a simple farmer. A farmer with a keen eye, steady hand, and an excellent shot. He had not missed a single shot and was the favorite to take the win.
On his final shot, Bankotsu had a nearly perfect bullseye, but his arrow had struck the target a little to the left of the center. With some arrogance he told the humble farmer, "Let's see you do better than that. That is damn near centered."
Miroku eyed the target and smiled sheepishly. "I'll do my best, sheriff, but you might have me beat." Setting his bow, he pulled back the arrow, and though he could have made this shot in the dark, he gave himself more time to aim before he fired. It sliced through the air with a quick whiz and before his competition could blink, the arrow hit the painted wood with a resounding thud.
One of the guards approached Miroku and with unnerving calm, he took him by the wrist and raised the limb above his head. The farmer had been declared the winner. The palace guard inquired if the man would like to meet the Prince Naraku and claim his prize from the graceful Maid Sango. Grinning happily, Miroku replied jovially, "Why of course, sir, 'tis what I came for."
Miroku was presented to Naraku and with some impatience the prince spoke. "Congratulations on your fine win. You have a talent which should be celebrated. Your name, good sir. Who are you?" He held his breath now, to keep himself from panting in some urgent expectation.
Without any kind of hesitation, Miroku answered in an easy manner. "Why, you can call me Miyatsu, your majesty." He gave a theatrical, if not courtly, bow. If one did not know better, they could believe that this farmer respected the man in his throne.
Sango stared at the winner with intense curiosity, she did not recognise this man, and he is not the Robin she had pictured. Looks aside, what truly bothered her was the name. She had heard it somewhere before, she was sure of it, and yet she could not remember when nor where. She looked closer and was confused. This man had sandy brown hair and deep brown eyes. No earrings dangled from his ears nor did he carry that charming confidence she had come to expect from the hooded thief. So who was he or more importantly who was Robin Hood?
Naraku smiled now, not in a joyful way, but in a sadistic one instead. "Well, Miyatsu, come allow me to declare you the winner." He took up an unsheathed sword as the cruel smile spread even wider on his otherwise harsh face.
Miroku eyed him suspiciously, but was able to keep the humor in his voice. "You wouldn't happen to have a sheath to put that sharp blade in, would ya?" Though he preferred to keep the distance between him and the prince, he took a couple steps forward to keep up the bit.
"I have no plans to take your head, unless I have some reason to. Have you some reason to give? Besides all that, you must be aware that I cannot dub you the best with a sheathed sword, it's against tradition." The question appeared harmless, but the tone in his voice did give some cause for concern.
Closing the gap, Miroku stood before his enemy, and assured him whole-heartedly, "Of course not, highness." He kneeled before him and forced himself to keep his breath even, as to not give himself away. Naraku raised the sword and gently laid it upon his right shoulder.
"I, Prince Naraku, dub thee, Miyastsu, the greatest archer in Nakimoto." Lifting the sword as he spoke to place the blade upon his left shoulder. His keen eyes made out the haze of a barrier as his weapon disrupted its flow. His eyes flashed dangerously, without a second's hesitation he had attacked.
Miroku had been prepared for such a betrayal from his faux host; as the blade came back down the third time, with deadly force, he expanded the reach of his barrier. As the assault crackled against his safeguard, he made sure to look up with mock surprise, his innocent confusion rather convincing. But to his genuine surprise, the blow was enough to shatter the barrier that protected not only his life but identity. The impact of his spiritual shield breaking caused a sort of powerful burst that sent him flying backwards. A clumsy backflip had been employed to allow him to stick the landing, in a less than ideal way. His hands were in front of himself and though his feet hit the ground first, he had slid and wound up on his knees. He was probably a bit scraped and bruised, but otherwise unharmed.
The crowd held bated breaths, confused and curious about the farmer. The one whose very image became distorted and shifted right before their very eyes. His sandy brown hair had gone black, he appeared younger, slimmer, and somehow taller. They stared at his form, eager to see the face hidden behind those dark bangs.
Naraku demanded from his throne. "Raise your head, Robin Hood, let me look upon your face."
Breathing hard, the thief stared at his own hands, before slowly closing his eyes. The village was about to see their hero and he could not help but worry about their disappointment. Sango would never see him the same after today, she may hate him forever if she feels as though he had deceived her. Nonetheless, he could avoid the inevitable no longer, so he opened his eyes, and raised his head. "Robin Hood?", he asked with feigned confusion. "I have told you, majesty, that my name is Miyatsu."
With a lazy flick of the wrist, he motioned for the sheriff and the palace guards to seize the culprit. Roughly, four large men took hold of Miroku's arms, he winced but didn't fight them, even allowed the sheriff to bound his hands tightly with rope. Inuyasha fought the instinct to jump into action, but shifted uncomfortably in his seat when Bankotsu took him by the hair and forcibly brought him before Naraku, and shoved him down onto his knees. Sango had remained in her chair, a shocked expression on her face, and fear behind her brown eyes.
Rising from his throne, the prince left the cover of his box, to stand before his prisoner. "Do you take me for a fool, Robin."
"A fool? No, your majesty." He played his role well now, but he knew it may not be enough. "I am but a farmer from a poor village in the mountains. My crops failed to grow and I had to take a job as a travelling merchant. My ailing mother needs someone to care for her." His innocent act had not seemed to sway Naraku in his favor at all, he still glowered down at him, but he pressed forward. "I only entered this tournament today in hopes of a monetary prize as well. I seem to have been mistaken."
In a fit of anger, Naraku struck the thief with a firm open hand. The slap cracked on his cheek, harshly. When those violet eyes turned back towards him, the sight of the blood delighted the cruel royal. "You lie. If that were true you would have had no need to hide your true face behind a barrier of magic and illusion."
Miroku took a moment to turn his face and wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth onto his shoulder. He returned his gaze to Naraku and spoke in a bewildered sort of fashion. "A barrier? I know not what you mean, your highness, I have used no sort of trickery."
"If I am to believe you, then what do you think caused you to be forced back so violently. Answer me that, knave."
Without pause a reply came, "I thought it was but the blow from your sword."
He signaled to two other nearby guards, their wordless command was swiftly carried out. A noose was fashioned to a tree and prepared without any qualms. With an icy cold demeanor the prince spoke thus, "I, Prince Naraku, find you, Robin Hood, guilty of crimes against the royal family. For the defiant act of treachery, I hereby sentence you to death. For these crimes, this sentence will be carried out presently."
The villagers, who had been silent, had now been brought into a thunderous cacophony of discourse. If Robin were to be slain, who would protect them from the greed of the prince? Inuyasha wanted to move, wanted to protect his friend, but didn't want to ruin the plan with his impulsiveness. He had to put his trust into him and Koga. Yet he clenched his fist so tightly, that he could feel his nails bite into his flesh, and the warm ooze of blood as he broke the skin.
Naraku dismissed his guards with one final command, "Kill him."
Bankotsu grinned and as he led the thief to the makeshift gallows he whispered in his ear, "Oh how I have waited for this."
Miroku only closed his eyes and allowed himself to be led forward, for if Koga missed, he would have no choice but to accept his fate.
Time slowed to a crawl, the crowd fell silent as they grieved the loss of their hero, but in that silence a thud broke through. A lonely arrow was now centered in one of the unused targets and as Naraku turned he found himself staring at a hooded figure clad in head to foot in black. Robin Hood stood upon the castle walls, another arrow ready in the bow. Once released it cut through the air and struck the royal crown, sending it toppling from atop the wearer's head. Naraku's face reddened with fury, stammering, he demanded answers. "If you are here, then who the hell is that, pray tell?!"
Miroku answered snarkily. "Well, I reckon that is the Robin Hood you accused me of being. Care to let me loose now?"
"No, I have cause to believe that you are still a member of Robin's little crew." He switched his attention to another. "Don't just stand there, you absolute waste, get the other one!"
A sort of chaos ensued, the crowd began to aid in the escape of Robin Hood. A tripped guard here, a misplaced cane, accidental collisions. It ended with one final piece of magic, a screen of smoke, a lost Robin Hood, and one escaped prisoner. All that had been left behind was cut rope, some hope, and a secret letter left in the hand of one fair maiden. Inuyasha leaned back in his seat and declared, "Why, you were right, Prince Naraku, I did choose a favorable day for my visit. You really do know how to put on a show."
The hanyo stuck around for a couple more hours, to aid in the search for the criminals, and it appeared he had done well to keep any suspicion from befalling himself. Without any luck of finding a trail or trace, Inuyasha departed for home to return to his father.
Meanwhile Sango was in her chambers, rereading the letter for the tenth time. In it, written in his hand was as follows:
Sango, I know you must feel deceived by me, but I had not the intention of your falling for Robin. If you are not too angry with me and want to talk, meet me by the river at midnight. Come alone or with your lady in waiting, but make sure you are not followed. Yours truly, Miroku.
It was but a short message, but it confirmed her concerns. Miroku was Robin Hood and Naraku wanted nothing less but to see him hang. Midnight would come soon enough and then she could have some answers.
((A/N: I give you an update that isn't a year in the waiting. I hope this one will be enjoyable to all who read it. Although it may not seem like it, I have loved retelling this classic tale and putting my own spin on it. Hopefully I can tie it up in five or so more chapters. Huge thanks to tinemelk for their multiple reviews, you're awesome, and I'm happy to know how much you like my little story. From here on out I promise to thank anyone, by username, who leaves me a review. It means so much to me to hear from you all. Much love and thanks. Until next update I bid you ado.))