A/N: Okay, so thank goodness the technical glitch has been fixed. I planned on updating this on Sunday, but as you can see, I wasn't able too. And do not fear, looking back at the reviews I see how much of a let down the last chapter was, but this is the chapter you were expecting.

Speak

Chapter 9: Poolside Laughter

Inuyasha and Miroku waited by the pool for the girls' return. The dark-haired boy had one of his mischievous grins on his face and kept glancing at the doorway Sango and Kagome would make their appearance. Inuyasha, knowing his friend's lecherous thoughts, hit him upside the head.

"Ow!" he yelped, instantly rubbing the offended area. "What was that for?" The half-demon grunted and folded his t-shirt before putting it aside. Miroku glared at him and did the same, showing off their toned muscles and tight abs.

Sango walked through the archway to find the boys glancing in opposite directions with their arms crossed. She giggled at the sight. "Don't kill each other now." This immediately alerted them to her presence and they whipped their heads around to see who laughed at them.

As expected, the lecher's mouth dropped. He would have been staring like a deranged idiot if it was any beautiful woman standing before him in a two-piece bathing suit. The brunette blushed and glowered at him, quite used to his stares whenever the trio went for a swim. "Watch yourself, Miroku," she warned before glancing behind her to see Kagome hadn't followed. She sighed. "Come on, Kags, you look great." When her words were met with silence, the anger dissipated from Sango's face, replaced by confusion and a friendly smile. "Hold on, you guys, I'll go get her." She vanished around the corner inside the house.

Inuyasha and Miroku exchanged a curious glance. "Is it really that bad?" Miroku asked, only receiving a glare in response. He winced under Inuyasha's heated gaze and turned his attention back to the doorway.

After a few moments of mumbled words from Sango's pep talk, the girls emerged. Kagome wore a scowl on her face and a small blush of embarrassment dusted her cheeks. "Its alright," Sango whispered to her, giving her words of encouragement. "You look amazing."

When they reached the grass outside, the brunette pulled the silent girl up beside her so she could be seen. Miroku's eyes widened a fraction before he remembered Sango's words and his face faded into indifference. "My goodness, Kagome. You must stop hiding your beauty under such baggy clothing. You look absolutely stunning!" he complimented, while taking her hands in his and smiling.

"Miroku," Sango cautioned, her gaze flaring as he immediately dropped Kagome's hands and backed up to the edge of the pool.

"My dear," he said, thinking of some excuse to get him out of the mess.

She fisted her hands at her sides and stalked towards him, smiling wickedly at the plan forming in her mind. "Save it," she spat, before throwing all her strength into her hands and pushed him into the pool. She put her arms up to block herself from the sprays of water that came from his splash, laughing lightly at the pay back for his bad habits.

"Sango!" Miroku yelled in annoyance, grabbing the attention of both Inuyasha and Kagome, who had been too preoccupied staring at one another. Their faces turned crimson as they whipped their gazes away from each other and concentrated on Sango and Miroku's predicament.

"That's what ya get, lecher!" the half-demon yelled with a smirk, crossing his arms. He had noticed the scars and burns Sango spoke of that littered Kagome's pale skin. He knew what it was like to be stared at and teased because of his family background. His childhood was not the best, filled with hatred and taunting from other kids about his half-demon blood. So he held back his gruff comments he would usually say, knowing it would only cause Kagome tears. He was no good at handling girls when they were crying.

Thats when he heard it. The most beautiful sound ever to grace his ears. His amber eyes followed the direction his ears swiveled to see Kagome clutching her stomach with one hand and her other hand was over her mouth, trying to conceal the smile underneath.

When she calmed her giggles, Inuyasha spoke up, still in a daze. "Kagome ... did you ... did you just laugh?" All eyes turned to her as crimson flushed her cheeks with embarrassment.

Sango, shocked at the sound of her voice, saw she was uncomfortable and used this opportunity to play a trick on her half-demon friend. "Hey, Kags," she called, jogging to stand by her new friend. She whispered a few words into Kagome's ear, making sure to steer clear of Inuyasha's keen sense of hearing. The silent girl blushed and looked at her, shaking her head furiously at the plan Sango had thought up. "Come on," she begged quietly. "I never get to do anything like this and he won't expect it coming from you."

Kagome seemed to think about it for a few minutes, her stronghold wavering under Sango's pleading gaze. Finally, she sighed and nodded her head slightly. "Yes!" Sango shouted, fisting her hand into the air and grabbing the boys' attention. Kagome smiled, glad to see her friend so happy, and turned her eyes to the curious half-demon near the edge of the pool.

He gulped at the michevious look in her eyes and the shy smile upon her lips. "Kagome ... ?" he spoke, questioning the way she walked seductively towards him, causing his feet to move backwards and skim the edge of the pool. He could feel her breath on his skin as she came closer, smiling up at him innocently, and clasping her hands behind her back. His face reddened as he stood there, confused by her antics. Suddenly, quicker then his gaze could follow, her hands appeared and gave him a soft shove, sending him off balance and falling into the watery depths of the pool.

A yell came from Inuyasha's lips, cut off by a big splash as he dove underwater. Kagome and Sango stared down at the boys in the pool, both of them smirking in victory.

"Oh, it's on," Miroku hollered as he climbed out of the pool. Sango watched him slowly step towards her, an evil glint in his eyes and a grin on his lips.

Recognition dawned on her face. "No, wait, Miroku. I was only kidding!" She waved her arms frantically before turning around and trying to evade his grasp. He was too quick, though, and grabbed her from behind, slinging her over his shoulder.

"Ladies first," he said, stepping closer to the edge of the pool. Sango scratched and pounded against his back, trying to clutch onto something, but was to no avail. He somehow managed to stay free from her grip and put his hands around her waist. The brunette panicked, pleading with him as she glanced beneath her at the pool, but he showed no mercy and threw her into the watery depths.

Sango's shriek pierced the sky, followed by a big splash, splattering Miroku and the side of the pool. Kagome giggled softly at her friend's predicament and turned her attention away to be met with Inuyasha's amber eyes. He had an evil grin on his face and she immediately knew what he was planning. Throwing her hands up in the air and taking a few steps back, she tried the same tactic Sango had. But when she saw waving her hands wasn't getting her anywhere, she opted for running around him.

This took the half-demon by surprise, but he quickly caught on. "So, that's how its gonna be?" He began to chase her, but only allowed himself to get an arm's length away before slowing down. Kagome ran around the edge of the pool, careful not to slip on the wet pavement. After a few moments, Inuyasha easily caught up to her and grabbed her by the waist while he slowed to a stop. She dangled in his arms as he smirked, walking over to the edge of the pool.

Pushing her arms against his thigh, she tried desperately to keep herself out of the water, but it had little effect. He rolled his eyes and threw her in, giving her no time to fight back. A splash sounded and Sango swam over to her friend, laughing in spite of being beaten. "Are you okay, Kags?" she asked as the dark-haired girl surfaced and spit out a mouthful of water. She received a smile in return and laughed, before a wave crashed into her, courtesy of Miroku and Inuyasha's cannon balls.

"Miroku!" she yelled, smiling at the man as he swam towards her. "Lay off already! You won, you won!" He laughed and wrapped his arms around her waist, not minding that she struggled relentlessly against his grip.

"My dear," he said, holding her close to his chest. "I always win, because you love me too much to let me lose." She glared at him, but he only chuckled, releasing her and dipping underwater, swimming the length of the pool.

"Oh, you ... !" Sango growled, unable to come up with a decent threat. "One of these days, Miroku, one of these days ... "

The foursome continued to joke around and swim until the sun turned golden as it set in the horizon. Sango finally called it quits and climbed out of the pool. She walked over to a nearby table and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around her athletic frame and squeezing the water out of her hair. Kagome quickly followed with a smile. Ever since their shopping trip earlier that day, the girls had steadily grown closer and appeared as if they had been best friends forever. Sango threw her a towel and they began to dry off before proceeding indoors.

"Hold on," Inuyasha called, dunking Miroku's head underwater and quickly leaping out of the pool, leaving the lecher behind.

Miroku surfaced and spit out a mouthful of water, watching as they walked inside. "Hey! Wait for me!" he shouted, scrambling out of the water after them. He seized a towel and ran inside to catch up with his so called friends.

A/N: I hope that chapter was much more eventful and exciting then the last one. I'm sorry for taking so long, but if you read the author's note up top, it was out of my control. Hope you liked and please review.

New poll up!