InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Double Vision ❯ Chapter 22 ( Chapter 21 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Miroku woke up first, with the worst hangover of his life. He never woke up before Inuyasha, but this morning, it appeared they had both slept in. He managed to sit up, and poked his friend in the side. Inuyasha opened his eyes, which were so bloodshot they matched his fire-rat robe. Somehow they had ended up in a private guest room, but Miroku had been too bombed to remember much about last night, other than being surprised at how fun Bank and Jak were, when they weren’t working for Naraku. “Hey, Inuyasha, he began. Inuyasha just gave him an evil look. “Don’t tell me you’ve got a hangover. You NEVER get a hangover.”

“Well, I’ve got one this morning.” Inuyasha looked disturbed. “Jakotsu didn’t try anything with me last night, did he?”

“I have to tell, you Inuyasha. I never thought I’d see the day you went for the guys.”

“Kiss my ass, monk.”

“I would, since you ask so nice, but I’d hate to make your old friend jealous.” Just then, the old innkeeper came through the door with a pot of tea and two cups.

“Morning, boys. How are you both faring today?” Miroku and Inuyasha both scowled. “So, once you get up and attem, how bout you check the inn for evil spirits. Work off your bar bill.” He winked.

“Say, old man, you look kind of like my wife’s grandfather. What’s your name?” asked Inuyasha.

“Just call me grandpa, sonny.” Inuyasha gulped.

Miroku made a point of poking into every nook and cranny of the inn. Though the preponderance of his exorcisms were for show, in a building of this size he almost always found at least one room with a dark shadow lurking in a hidden corner. But today he felt nothing. Strangely, he wasn’t even picking up on Inuyasha’s demonic aura. Ever the showman, he performed his exorcism with a flourish of robes and the dramatic pasting up of sutras. He actually went a little overboard, due to his confusion over not detecting anything at all. Grandpa appeared impressed, and even made them an intriguing offer.

“You boys have done such a fine job, if you are willing to stay for a few days, I’m sure I can line up some more work for you.” The exterminators thought this was a great idea. There was probably quite a bit of work in a town this size, but it was hard to gain the trust of the locals, and usually they moved from town to village to hamlet on a daily basis. It would be sheer luxury to stay in the same place for several nights. They agreed to head into town, Inuyasha to find a present for Rin, and Miroku to buy candy for his kids, and maybe a little weapon for Sango, if he could find something amusing. Inuyasha’s ears were twitching as they made their way from stall to stall, fingering luxurious fabrics and jeweled trinkets, discussing the merits of this sweetmeat or that nougat. Inuyasha felt a stab of regret when the candy made him think of all the pocky and candy and chewing gum Kagome brought back through the well. Much as he loved Rin, he couldn’t help but think that those were the good old days. He thought of how great Kagome was with kids. With how much she loved him, there was no way Kagome would have any children of her own, now. She would never go to another man. Maybe she’d like to help Rin out when she had her little pup.

Inuyasha found the perfect jeweled comb for Rin’s ebony hair, and Miroku picked up a bundle of candy and an exceptionally well-balanced throwing knife for Sango. He hoped the gift would cheer her up. She had been pretty depressed lately. Shopping had been fun, and the pair had enjoyed themselves immensely, flirting with women and haggling spiritedly to get the best deals. Inuyasha’s ears were still ringing with the constant, low-level humming and banging. There must be a large smithy in this town. On their way back to the inn, Miroku drew Inuyasha aside near a low, stone wall. “Do the ‘blades of blood’.”

Inuyasha looked at his companion as if he were crazy. “You want me to do the ‘blades of blood’ here? For what? Do you just want to see me bleed, you creep?”

“I have a good reason, Inuyasha. Just do it.” So Inuyasha gouged himself with his claws, flinging his blood against the side of the wall.

“Blades of Blood!!!!!” Passersby stared shamelessly at the spectacle. The blood that spattered the wall was just that. Blood. “Hey, Miroku, how’d you know my ‘blades of blood’ wouldn’t work? That attack ALWAYS works!”

“I don’t know, my friend, I just don’t know.”

They had wandered quite a ways while shopping, and by the time they made their way back to the inn evening was coming on fast. The air was redolent with the scent of rich, roasted meat. They were met at the door by Grandpa, who looked very pleased with himself. “Well, my lads, I’ve found what should turn out to be quite a nice job for you.”

“What is it, Grandfather?” asked Miroku, respectfully. He always did respect a well-paying commission.

“A rich and beautiful princess needs you boys’ help.” Inuyasha and Miroku exchanged glances.

“How beautiful?” asked Miroku.

“Fuck that. How rich, Grandpa?” asked Inuyasha.

“Very rich and very beautiful. She has asked to speak with the monk tomorrow, and you, Inuyasha, some time later. She indicated that she had two different assignments, one well suited to each of you.”