Chapter 2
Disclaimer: I must have set a record for most hits and least reviews. 120 hits and only two reviews. C'mon people, what is this world coming to? Maybe you're all trying to tell me something…well, I will purge ahead as planned…sorry if this bores you to tears.
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Consciousness slowly crept back into Miroku's possession. When he opened his eyes, the world tilted and swam in nauseating loops. Miroku closed his eyes with a moan. Where was he? Where was Sango…? Sango! The memories came flooding back in a maelstrom of confusion. His eyes shot wide open. Attempting to ignore the rolling-down-a-hill-in-a-can feeling, he surveyed his surroundings. He was lying sprawled out on his back on very unforgiving ground. A few trees dotted the horizon and he was waist deep in a slowly flowing river. River…yes, that's right. He had tumbled into an underground river. Smooth move on his part. The river must have carried him out of the cave. And Sango? Had she fallen into the river to be swept away as well?
Miroku turned his neck stiffly. His companion was no where to be seen. She could have washed up anywhere. Miroku cursed himself for his carelessness. But sitting there berating himself wasn't going to find Sango. He sat up slowly. His legs were numb from the cold water and his robes were drenched. After he massaged the life back into his legs, standing up became a surprisingly hard task. His sandals made squelching noises when he walked. He felt somewhat foolish squelching and dripping along. The fringe of trees was the most likely place to start looking.
After traveling a short ways, he reached what turned out to be a small, dense forest. He followed the river into the trees. The moment he entered the forest, his senses were as rigid as the hairs on the back of his neck. It was deadly quiet in the cover of the trees. No birds, no wind, even the steady gurgle of the river seemed to be muted. The sound of his own breathing made Miroku cringe. He kept the prayer beads on his right hand lose. He entered into a small clearing. He stopped. A shape materialized out of the darkness before him.
"Sango!" Miroku breathed a sigh of relief. "Sango, I was worried…" he took a step forward but Sango drew her sword. Before he had time to react, the blade was at his throat. Sango's breath on his neck sent shivers up Miroku's spine. Her blade bit into his skin. Miroku glanced at Sango's face. Her eyes were blank and unfocused. Her hand holding the sword shook slightly as if she was struggling with herself. As if…she was being controlled. Her breath came in pants. Miroku looked into Sango's emotionless eyes. There was no doubt about it. A gasp escaped from Sango's lips.
"Get…away…from me," She whispered through gritted teeth. Miroku would have gladly complied but the sword slicing into his neck was a slight problem. The sword suddenly slipped from Sango's grasp and buried itself in the ground at Miroku's feet. Sango staggered back away from him. The forest surrounding them echoed with a laughter that sent chills racing up and down Miroku's spine.
"Naraku," Miroku uttered under his breath. Without warning, Miroku's hand reached down and pulled Sango's sword from the ground. His feet moved him closer to her. He fought against this strange force that had taken hold of him, but he suddenly found himself standing over Sango, sword raised. Naraku's laugh echoed in his mind. Sweat rolled down Miroku's face as he struggled for control. He wasn't strong enough, he realized in a heart wrenching moment. The sword slashed downward as Miroku cried out.
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Well, I still can't promise you anything except that this next chapter is going to be very long…on my standards, and this whole fic is probably only going to be four chapters long.