InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Long, Stout, and Sharpeye - A Fairy Tale ❯ And Sharpeye ( Chapter 5 )

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Don’t own any of the characters appearing within my little story.

A/N: Thanks to all who have reviewed! It’s great to see reviews and helps me know that you are enjoying it! I am so pleased to already have so many. I know of many very good stories that go without getting more than five reviews, so I am quite thrilled to have nine already!(mm.org) Thanks again to all!! :D

Also, thanks for being so patient with me, I had some trouble writing this chapter and then, of course, life, school and work got in the way as well. But don’t fear, the next chapter(s?) shouldn’t be so hard, but if they are, just know I’m not abandoning : )


Chapter 5

True to his word, Inuyasha had everyone awake and quickly packing their few belongings at the first light of dawn. They said their quick goodbyes to Kaede, Shippo and Sango promising to visit again soon and Inuyasha just grunting his thanks for the room and board, eager to move on their way.

Once on the road the three travelers quickly slipped into a sense of comfortable ease amongst themselves, with Shippo doling out stories of his lively adventures and travels while Sango (who had heard most of them before) and Inuyasha listened intently to them.

They walked on for sometime and it wasn’t until the sun was well into the sky, indicating it was near mid day that Sango suggested that they might stop and rest for a time.

Inuyasha was about to argue, but remembered that although she was quite tough and strong, she was still a human. And even Shippo was huffing a little in exertion, and Inuyasha surmised that his vast weight must actually weigh something despite what he said. Besides, they had made fairly good time. They could clearly see the castle ahead of them now and Inuyasha figured it would be no more than two days walk.

So Inuyasha agreed, and they headed off their trail to settle in a clearing near a small wooded area.

They had just settled into the soft grass when Shippo’s stomach gave a loud grumble and he suggested that they get something to eat. Inuyasha immediately sprinted off into the woods, glad to have something to do besides sit.

He was not long in finding a rabbit (he had passed on a small fox that had come his way, taking into account Shippo’s feelings) and was on his way back when he stumbled upon a man resting not far from where they themselves had decided to rest.

Dressed in deep purple monks robes and carrying a walking staff, he was a most peculiar site. Though by far the strangest thing about him was the fact that his two eyes were covered by blinkers. Surely the man could not even see out of them, yet he was travelling alone?

‘Perhaps he was blind? And therefore lost?’

Whatever the reason Inuyasha simply couldn’t leave him alone and practically helpless.

“Oi! You there, Monk! Do you need assistance?”

The monk turned to face Inuyasha, his eyebrows raising slightly before replying.

“No, my Liege, I am not in need of any assistance. I am quite capable on my own, thank you for your concern.”

Inuyasha was surprised by the formality he had used as well as the fact that he had refused his assistance.

‘why would he not receive my help? Is he perhaps waiting for someone?’

“Unless,” The monks voice broke the silence, “you possibly have some food you could share? I have not yet eaten lunch and would kindly appreciate any food you had to offer…”

“Of course. I have food here and was just returning to my two travelling companions to cook it. Please, join us.” Inuyasha offered as he walked over to help guide the disabled man to where Sango and Shippo waited.

Upon entering the clearing, guiding the man by the arm, Inuyasha realised that he must have walked around in a half circle, as he was entering the clearing from behind Sango and Shippo.

Not wishing to startle them with the stranger, disabled as he was, he thought to leave the man behind, and go round and mention that another would be joining them for lunch.

“Sango, Shippo, there was a blind man not far from here who looked like he needed help, I offered and he asked for food, so I invited him to join us for lu…”

He was rudely interrupted by a resounding ‘smack’, as Sango whirled in her seat to slap the man who stood behind her.

The man instantly rubbed his abused cheek. Muttering something about a ‘curse’ and not being able to see, and it being an accident.

All the while Sango just grumbled, glaring evilly.

Not sure as to what had just happened to make the usually rational Sango lash out so at the poor man, Inuyasha was about to ask when Shippo too jumped from his seat and slapped the man, though this time it was heartily on the back.

“Miroku! Old friend! How are you? You’re looking well, but I’ve always said that that red on your cheek suits you!” He chuckled jovially at the man before him.

Inuyasha stared bewildered. It seemed that the three knew each other?

But no one was cluing him in, and it was starting to piss him off!

“HEY!” he yelled, suddenly having everyone’s attention. “Would anyone mind telling me what’s going on?!”

“Inuyasha, this is our third companion, Miroku.” Sango explained.

‘Third companion?’ He remembered the mention of Miroku’s name briefly at lady Kaede’s home.

‘So he must have an ability as well?’ This was getting out of control. Just how many of them were there?

Sango continued. “He often travels with us when we travel together, but indeed none of us have seen each other in awhile. I’m not sure where he came from now, but when we parted he was headed to the south, something, I believe about exorcising a spirit for some duke or something, Miroku?”

“Yes, yes, though it turned out to be nothing but the wind and some silly superstitions planted in the old fools head. However, if you ever run into him, do not tell him so. I stayed with him for well over a week ‘exorcising’ that spirit of his, and he would most assuredly have me thrown into prison to learn there never was one.”

“Miroku!” Sango scolded. “You should have learned by now not to take advantage of people and cheat them so! How many times has it gotten you into trouble? But you still persist! You have some actual abilities that would be of use to you, but instead you decide to take the easy way and swindle people!…..”

Sango continued on in her tirade, jumping up from her position and beginning to pace, until once again, the clearing was echoing around the sound a hand ever so forcefully meeting a cheek.

“Miroku!” Sango seethed.

“Ah, Lady Sango, do forgive me. You know it is this curse of mine, I cannot see so clearly sometimes and of course, often I accidentally... bump into… things I should not have….”

“Save it Miroku! That doesn’t work on me. Or do you forget that I know you can see perfectly well despite those stupid blinkers!”

“Lady Sango, that is the problem. I can always see only too well, and sometimes it messes with my head and I cannot make out what I am seeing. Besides have you ever tried to navigate while looking through a pair of blinkers? It is not so easy to judge your surroundings as you might think…”

Inuyasha would have been shocked at this banter and the realisation that the man could indeed see clearly through the solid coverings over his eyes had this not already happened two other times in the last few days.

However, the constant noise of the bickering duo was hurting his ears. And the smell of cooked rabbit met his nose.

“Hey, if you two are nearly finished, I think Shippo has finished cooking the food, and I suggest that if either of you are hungry, you get over there before it’s all gone.”

Shippo, who had seen the couple fight so many times he recited it almost word for word to himself in his head as they argued, had turned his attentions elsewhere - namely, to the rabbit and was instantly salivating over the prospect of eating it. He grabbed the rabbit and set himself to cooking it up.

They ate quietly - or at least Sango was quiet. Miroku and Shippo talked almost incessantly, while Inuyasha just listened hopelessly, not believing it to be possible to get a word in. That is until they were nearly finished eating and there was a sudden lull in the conversation, and Inuyasha could finally ask what he had been pondering for sometime now.

“So Miroku,” he addressed the monk. “You can see quite clearly through those blinkers - why do you wear them? What purpose do they serve, if not to cover your sight?”

“Ah, but that is indeed what they do! You see, as you may have heard me mention earlier, I can see only to well through these blinkers. But if I were to take them off, then I could see through other things, once my vision is no longer hindered.”

Miroku paused here, looking for the shock he usually saw clearly displayed on the faces of those who heard this story. However, this time he saw only mild surprise and curiosity.


“Inuyasha, you do not seem surprised, but perhaps you do not understand. You see I can clearly see through brick walls. I can see into, if not all the way through mountains, and your castle doors are of no security against my gaze, if I remove the blinkers. And indeed, should I do so and choose to stare at an object for sometime, it will burst into flame or if it cannot, it will crumble into dust.” He finished grandly, believing that now Inuyasha would be impressed.

Inuyasha was impressed, but not overly surprised. He simply nodded, contemplating the information.

Miroku was slightly taken aback.

“Inuyasha, I am most nonplused by your lack of surprise at my tale. While most who hear my tale are shocked you seem not at all. Might I inquire as to why you are taking this so in stride?”

Inuyasha glanced at the monk, then and Sango and Shippo. He once more recounted his tale for the monk, and all of the strange and magical things he had encountered since starting out, including Sango and Shippo.

Miroku only smiled at the tale.

“Ah of course. Shippo’s vast girth is enough to perhaps drown out my own story, and the Lady Sango is by far something so fascinating and lovely as to make everything else seem commonplace and mundane.”

Sango blushed at the compliment while Inuyasha once again fell into his monosyllabic answer of grunting.

Once they had finished their conversation and the meal was well over, the four stood, and looked as though they would part ways.

Miroku had said nothing of joining them on their journey after Inuyasha told of their plans, and Inuyasha had not invited.

That was that.

That is, until Shippo, eternally clueless as to the awkwardness of a situation and eternally a boy at heart, grabbed Miroku’s staff and threatened he would not return it until Miroku agreed to travel with them.

Miroku instantly took to chasing him, but was unsuccessful in catching him or retrieving his walking stick.

He conceded after landing face first in the dirt and the now four companions headed out once more.