Chapter Nine: Swim At Your Own Risk

The sun rose the next morning, shining its rays off of the crystal clear lake that sat not too far from the hut. Everyone awoke early that morning hoping for Samara's return. Miroku tried his best to get up and walking, but it was much harder than it sounded. His shoulder was still in great pain and there was nothing any of them could do about it. He was strong though, and did anything he could to be ready by the time Samara came. He wanted to keep his word not only for her sake, but for Sango's too.

"Okay Miroku. Let's just go outside this time." Sango held his waist as he wrapped his arm around her neck. "One step at a time and you've got this.

"This is dumb…it's like learning to walk all over again." He was getting frustrated at his weakness and longed for it all to be over. He stumbled as he walked and his shoulder ached. "Okay I can't do this right now. Can we just sit?" He sat down on the warm grass welcoming the rest.

"Oh Miroku…I wish we would have never done this." Sango kneeled in front of him, taking his hands into hers.

"It's alright Sango this was my decision. Besides it hasn't been twenty-four hours yet. I still have time. We did this around eleven right? So what time is it now?"

"It's almost noon now." She let out a long sigh and let her head sink.

"Oh…well any way let's just go back. I'm sure Inuyasha and Kagome want some company." He smiled at her and carefully eased himself off the ground, with a little help. The two made their way back carefully and as they walked into hut they noticed Samara had already returned.

"Good morning you two." The young slayer smiled as she watched the two awkwardly walk into the room. "How are you feeling Miroku?" Miroku sat down next to the girl so she could check his wound.

"It's a lot better than yesterday, but shouldn't it be gone soon?" He questioned as she pulled down his robe.

"Hmm…well the time varies, but yes it should be finishing soon enough. Koto coming and messing with it didn't help so that may be what prolonged it a while." She removed the bandages from his shoulder to get a better view of the wound. "It's healed very nicely. Sango I recommend you remove these stitches though. After those are out I'm sure you'll be good as new." She smiled once more.

"What about Koto…did he mention anything?" Sango questioned as she did what was requested while Samara continued with her story.

"Koto is very jealous of you Miroku. He wishes for Sango's heart, but thinks he cant have it until you are gone. He hasn't made any sure plans, but he's quite angry." Sango removed the final stitch from his shoulder and the pain seemed to instantly disappear. Miroku's face lit up and Sango just sat wondering why he was smiling.

"Miroku?" She questioned…

He smiled and began to laugh as he picked Sango up and spun her in circles.

"I take it he's feeling better…" Samara giggled as got up to leave.

"Thank you so much Samara." Miroku put Sango down and hugged their new ally. It seemed to last too long as Sango promptly cleared her throat. "Oh sorry Sango…" He moved over to her instead and gave her a hug as well.

"Keh… at least you're better so we can watch our backs. I don't trust this Koto character." Inuyasha walked over, joining their conversation.

"Yeah it is a big relief…" Miroku smiled. It seemed this day brightened his spirits considerably. And that was exactly what he needed right about now. And even though things seemed to be going well, he knew that his guard was not to go down at anytime. It took him too long to get this far.

"So Miroku what do you want to do now that you feel better?" Sango asked as she embraced her healed monk.

"We should go swimming!" Kagome squealed! Everyone looked over at her strangely in response to her enthusiasm. "What? It was just an idea. Wasn't there a lake not too far away?"

"Kagome its winter…well the end of, but still" Miroku blurted out, for no one had the guts to spoil her idea. Though he wouldn't mind swimming with Sango himself.

"But its warm today for some reason… wouldn't it be nice to take advantage of it? Its not like there's snow on the ground anymore.

"You know maybe she's right… I could go for a dip." Sango smiled and continued outside.

"I think it sounds like a great idea Kagome." Miroku smiled at his friend and continued with them to the nearby lake. It was a little after noon so the sun was still high, shining its rays onto the sparkling water.

"Now you boys go over there while we change." Sango said specifically to Miroku.

"Yeah and no peeking!" Kagome added.

"Keh…why would we want to?" Inuyasha boldly stated underneath his breath.

"I heard that! Don't make me do it Inuyasha!"

"O-ok I'm sorry! We'll…we'll uh…" He began.

"We'll turn around Kagome. Come on Inuyasha let's go get changed." Miroku took his friend by his shoulders and led him to the other side of the clearing. The two of them got changed into their "swimsuits" and went back to wait for the girls. They both figured they'd be waiting another ten minutes or so. When they did finally come out both the boys' mouth dropped open. Kagome had given Sango a one-piece bathing suite that she had brought. It was an elegant shade of dark blue and complimented her figure perfectly as did Kagome's. She was wearing the same thing, but instead hers was green.

"Wow…" Was all Miroku said.

"Yeah." Inuyasha agreed.

"Well what are you two waiting for come on! Last one in is Naraku's slave!"

The group promptly jumped into the water, surprised at how warm it was. Each of them sighed and continued to relax for a brief moment. After a bit of silence Kagome spoke up.

"Oh come on guys this is boring! Let's have some fun!" She turned and splashed Inuyasha in the face. He grumbled, smiled, and willing returned the favor. The two giggled as they were now thoroughly soaked.

"Hey where'd Miroku go?" Sango asked scanning the lake.

"I dunno maybe he got…" Kagome was cut off be a shriek coming from her friend.

"EEEEE!" Sango screamed as she felt someone grab her ankle seemingly attempting to pull her under. She seemed to panic a bit before the culprit emerged giggling immensely. Miroku emerged laughing hysterically as he watched her settle down a bit.

"That wasn't funny you lecherous monk!" She took him by the head and shoved him under the water, with no chance of breath. He immediately came back up spitting out the water that had entered his mouth.

"You're lethal!" He swam a few yards away from her to prevent another attack. She smiled at him and went over to Inuyasha and Kagome. Miroku decided to relax for the rest for their stay while the rest of the group enjoyed themselves in their own way. None of them seemed to be able to touch the bottom of the sparkling lake, but that didn't prove to be a problem. All of them were skilled fighters and apparently good swimmers too. Every once in a while Kagome could be seen clinging to Inuyasha as her legs became tired. He didn't mind though. Meanwhile, Miroku laid in the water with his eyes closed and his body completely relaxed. He felt as though he would fall asleep before he felt something playing with his foot.

"Sango that's not funny I already got you with that trick." He said calmly, eyes still shut.

"What's not funny Miroku? I'm all the way over here." Sango said, being a few yards away from the monk.

"What?" He immediately sat up, but not before he felt himself being pulled under once more.

"S-Sango.. Inuyasha! Help!"

"Stop messing around Miroku, I'm not falling for one of your stupid pranks again." She turned ignoring him. Completely unaware that he was in fact, not kidding.

"Yeah Miroku it gets kind of old." Inuyasha snorted.

"I'm…not…kidding!" His head bobbed in and out of the water before he was completely pulled under.

"Miroku?" She said quietly at first. Miroku!" She screamed, as everything became silent. She continued to shout his name before he appeared above the water once more.

"Miroku!" She began swimming over to him.

"Some…something is pulling…me under!" His head continued to dip in and out of the water as something gripped his leg and refused to let go.

"Miroku hold tight! I'm coming!" Inuyasha yelled to his friend as he too swam as fast as he could. Before he could reach him, his head submerged under once more, but this time he didn't come back up. Inuyasha tried to dive under but found nothing. It seemed what ever had him took him under too fast. In a way this was a good thing. That way he wouldn't run out of breath before he got to wherever it was taking him….hopefully.

"Did you see him?" Sango frantically asked. Oh how she wished that Miroku would come back up smiling and admitting it was just a joke. But she knew no such thing would happen.

"I couldn't find him. They went too quick. But don't worry Sango we'll find him. Kagome can you go back to the hut in case Samara comes. You should tell her everything so maybe she can help. Until then, Sango, you're coming with me and we'll go save Miroku's butt…again."

"Fine, but please be careful, both of you." They both nodded and continue under the water.

"Better take a deep breath, I don't know how far down this goes." Sango hesitantly nodded and took his hand so they wouldn't be separated.

"Let's go.

Miroku was slowly pulled down to the bottom of the lake. He didn't know how far he had gone, but he hoped it would end soon. Oh how he wished he would've gotten a better breath. For a moment he thought he saw someone reach out to save him, but it wasn't so. He wanted so much just to yell out to them, but decided against it. His mind was probably playing tricks on him anyway. It wouldn't be the first time. Hopefully someone would come for him soon, for his lungs began to burn from the pressure of not receiving any air. He kept playing over and over in his mind.

'What if they forget about me? What if they don't come? I can't leave Sango. I care too much for her and this place is too dangerous for her. I can't leave her.'

All this and more went through his mind. He couldn't help it any longer. Water entered his mouth and his world went black as his body still continued to plummet the dark waters below.