Chapter 10: Breath of Hope: A Never Ending Journey

Inuyasha swan as quickly as he could to reach the bottom of the lake. He knew he could stand another few minutes down there, but as for Sango, well she couldn't wait as long. Her face began to show some urgency, as he looked over to her, like she couldn't last but a few more seconds. He didn't need to lose two people down here. He just worried as to how they were going to make their way back up after they made it to the bottom. Luckily for them both Inuyasha spotted an underwater cave not too far from where they currently were.

They emerged onto the cold clammy stone floor and began to search for their missing companion. After five minutes of searching Sango gasped as she spotted a pale figure on the floor not too far away. Her mind never even stopped to think if someone or something already occupied this space they were intruding in. The lit torches against the cave walls indicated a residence of some kind and the equal distance apart from each one proved this was no one to take lightly. They obviously expected to be receiving a guest or two.

Sango rushed to her lover's side and every bad thought that was possible for one to think sprouted into her mind. Inuyasha hesitated to let her go after he began to sense a demonic presence hiding in the shadows of this godforsaken cave. Though he didn't want his suspicions to be responsible for his companion's death. He couldn't bear to see him go after all they've been though these past couple years. He also couldn't imagine Sango's state of being after the death of the man she planned to marry.

"Oh Miroku…please wake up…" She stared at his still form and shuddered as she noted his lips that began to turn a shade of blue. Not too different from his eyes. She knew immediately something had to be done. She gazed over at Inuyasha and he did the same. They both knew what they had to do. She didn't hesitate for a moment and began the struggle to save his life. It wouldn't be the first time. She held his nose tightly to be cautious of any air escaping and began to blow into his mouth in an attempt to revive their slowly fading friend. Each time Sango finished, Inuyasha followed with chest compressions to empty the water from Miroku's lungs. This process repeated six times before Sango tasted the salty tears fall from her eyes as she tried her hardest to supply him with the life she still managed to keep.

"Just keep trying Sango, we'll get him back I just know…" Fortunately for them both, Inuyasha was cut off by Miroku spitting out the water that was forced into his lungs not minutes before. He didn't seem capable of catching his breath as he laid there, eyes still shut.

"Oh thank Buddha he's alright." She grasped his hand and Inuyasha supported his head on his lap, allowing a more open airway.

"Just breathe deep Miroku, we'll be out of this place soon enough." Inuyasha reassured. Miroku smiled at his friend's kind words.

"I…think I'm…alright now. Gomen…I didn't mean to worry you all." He leaned up a bit only to be grasped by Sango's shaking hands.

"It's our fault Miroku. We should have believed you when you yelled for help. Maybe then we could've prevented this." He smiled and held her tight.

"Can you stand?" Inuyasha stood up and held out his hand.

"I think so." Miroku accepted his help and hoisted himself off of the cold ground. He fell forward, but was gently caught by the half demon.

"Take it easy. I guess you'll need to get your strength back before we have to swim back up."

"Yeah I am a little dizzy af-…" He stopped in mid-sentence, "S-swim back up? Did you say we'd have to swim back up?"

"Well how else do you think we'll get back up?" Inuyasha shivered as the cold began to get to him.

"Maybe there's another way out."

"Miroku?" A strange yet somewhat familiar voice was heard not to far away from where they were standing. Inuyasha sniffed the air to figure out who their visitor was. He smiled and walked over to the new voice.

"Samara…"

"What are you three doing here? Koto could catch you."

"Koto lives here?" Miroku questioned still sitting against the wall.

"He does…we both do. You're lucky he's not here right now. Gosh you all must be freezing to death. We need to get you back to the hut before you catch…"

"ACHOO!"

"…cold…" She sighed and walked over to her frequent patient and handed him a blanket.

"Samara…is there another way out of this place? I mean I can't imagine you swimming out all the time." Sango pointed out.

"No there is another way. But I don't know how you all made it down here. No one has been down here in ages. Come on let's get out of here. She guided them all up the many steps that they all hoped led to the exit. They took it slow so Miroku could catch his breath every one in a while. His face still seemed pale, as they all needed to be warmed up. Once they made it to the top of the dark cavern, Samara simply pointed to a door to their left. Sango opened it slightly and was overjoyed to feel the sun's warmth bathe her face. She let Miroku step out first so they could begin their journey back. Miroku smiled for a moment, but it immediately faded as he felt a tight grip on his neck.

"Miroku!" Sango shouted and ran the rest of the way outside to try and break the grip of his captor.

"Let go of him!." Inuyasha too ran out the door. Samara already knew who is was and was hesitant to tell him to let go in fear of her own life. Sango gasped when she saw the person who held Miroku tight.

"K-Koto?" Sango stammered. "Koto let him go what are you doing?" Sango tried her best to play the innocent one, like she had no idea what was going on.

"I…am tired of you…" Miroku said the best he could and brought his one good hand to try and loosen Koto's. Koto smiled and grabbed Miroku's still healing wrist. Miroku tried to hold in the pain, but it was useless.

"On the contrary Miroku…I…am tired of you…" He punched him in the face and let him hit the ground.

"Miroku!" Sango went immediately to his side.

"Don't worry Sango, I'm just fine." Miroku stood up and stared into the eyes of the evil man that had been causing them pain all along. "Move." He said in his deepest tone. "Move out of my way and let us leave."

"And why do you think I'll let you go so easily?" He smirked.

"Koto please?" Sango held his hand and looked up into his dark brown eyes. "Let us go home."

"Get off of me wretched girl!" He yelled and threw her to the ground.

"You don't touch her!" Miroku swung his fist as Koto's face, but Koto easily blocked and punched him back, sending him to the ground beside Sango.

"Alright I'm tired of this." Inuyasha spoke up. He drew his sword and stepped up to Koto, pointing it at his neck. "Get the hell out of our way or lose this disgusted thing that is so conveniently attached to your shoulders. Understand?" Koto smirked and moved to the side. By this time Miroku and Sango had both picked themselves up.

"Listen to me monk. If you all don't leave, I'll have your head. And of not that…I'll takes hers instead got it?"

"You will never lay one hand on her…" Miroku began to shout in all his anger.

"Come on Miroku just ignore him and let's go." Sango wrapped her arm around him and urged him to go back. He easily complied with her wished and glared at Koto one more time before they all traveled back.

"You have 'till sunrise and you all must be gone!" Koto shouted to their backs.

The three made it back to the hut easily enough and saw that Kagome was overjoyed to see Miroku up and well. After all, she had expected the worst. The sun had began to set, sending chills down everyone's backs, as they still had not changed out of their soaking swim suits.

"Oh Miroku I'm so glad you're alright!" She ran over to the man and hugged him tightly, but noticed him shivering. "Oh Miroku! You must be freezing. Come on guys lets get warmed up. Kagome smiled and instead ran over to Inuyasha and held his arm. In a way this decreased his anger at the moment. He just wanted to sleep, as did they all. Sango laid Miroku down on the only futon and sat close to him, stroking his damp hair while they waited for Kagome to retrieve their clothes.

"Here you go guys." Kagome handed each of them the clothes she had washed while they were gone. Sango let Miroku go change into his purple robe while she changed into her more comfortable kimono. She walked back in after she had finished to find that Miroku was already almost asleep against the wall. She walked over to him and puled up his sleeve to reveal his wounded wrist. Her touch made him wake up a bit to see what she was doing. She unwound the bandages and revealed his purplish toned and swollen wrist. She grimaced a bit and picked up the new bandaging she had got. As she began to wrap it up again, Miroku leaned over and kissed her forehead. She stopped and looked up at him. He smiled and kissed her again on the lips. To the side Inuyasha scoffed, but was stopped by Kagome's soft hand. Sango concluded her treatment and returned the favor, but backed away.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing…you just have a little bit of a fever is all."

"Oh…is that all? It'll be fine." He leaned back against the wall and brought her to sit between his legs and lay her head against his chest. They sat a while before they fell asleep. Kagome smiled at Inuyasha and she too leaned against him to go to sleep. They had all had a hard day and wished for a little bit of rest before they left in the morning.