DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inuyasha or any related characters. The story and art is property of the great Rumiko Takahashi. This fan fiction is for entertainment purposes only, and in no way will be used for my betterment. I wrote this because I admire the owner's work and wish to daydream about the characters.

does a little dance Whoot people! Chapter ten! Sorry it took me so long. I sort of wandered off the face of the earth for a little while. Glad to see that my story is still being read. Let's see. At the time of posting this, You make me breathe has fallen from being on the first page of Miroku/Sango stories to being on the 21. SSAMD was on 20. If you're a reader of Sango's son, then expect a new chapter in a few days after this, a weak at most. I know that this chapter is short, but I need it to be in order to not spoil the next chapter. On a random note, my roommate finds Miroku…. Interesting….

nreep

YOU MAKE ME BREATHE

Chapter 10: Barriers

The first step was going to be the hardest. Sango and Miroku had to find a way out from behind the fall, hopefully without having to swim too much. With Miroku's arm broken, not to mention his bruised side, he wouldn't be able to swim well enough to escape from the pull of the falling water. And Sango wasn't sure how well she'd handle it despite having gaining back most of her strength.

Like a raven fascinated by a small scrap of shining metal the monk and demon slayer stood at the lip of the cave. Not a word was spoken between the two as they watched the curtain of water that barred them from exiting.

Sango sighed, her head feeling heavy and lost. She rested it on Miroku's shoulder. Miroku arched a brow, but did nothing else, which was much appreciated on her half.

"How are we going to get out of this one?" Sango asked.

"The two of us have been in worse situations then this. We'll figure something out," came the usual carefree response from Miroku. And as usual, behind the smile he put on, he was actually quite worried. Not so much on his half, but for Sango. If he died, who would make sure that she got the care that she needed?

His thirst returned Miroku headed over to the pool of water to sedate himself, leaving Sango to stare ahead. He listened to her rambling on about the pickles that they, along with Inuyasha and Kagome, had gotten into in the past, and how at least back then the others were nearby… Using his good hand to scoop up some water Miroku noticed something.

"Houshi-sama?" Sango inquired.

Miroku didn't seem to have heard her for he stared at the water, and then at his right hand. He dipped his hand into the pool again and shook off the excess water, now staring at his gloved appendage.

"Houshi-sama?" Sango repeated, coming over. Why was he staring at his cursed hand? Her mind instantly went to the worst possible outcome. Could it be the kazaana was going to swallow him whole, and she as well?

"The wind's blowing," Miroku, said, grabbing a hold of Sango's hand, getting her fingers damp. It took her several moments to realize that the side of them that faced away from the waterfall felt cooler. She looked at Miroku and was granted one of his most sincere smiles. "If we go that way we might find a way out."

Sango nodded her head in understanding. If the wind was blowing from the other end of the cave, there had to be some sort of opening. With any luck it would be one big enough that they could squeeze through.

"I'll lead," the monk said, heading towards the portion of the cave that they hadn't looked at before. Sango followed behind him like she was his puppy. What looked like a dead end actually had a small crack in it. The two looked at each other with identical smiles. The nightmare was almost over. All they had to do now was get through this tunnel and to a village…

Miroku, though not large and bulky, found it difficult to fit into the crack. He had to duck down and turn slightly sidewise just to get in. From what he could feel, it didn't get much better further ahead. Still, it was a better escape from the cave then going out the way they came in, cramped or not. It was a good thing he could deal with tight spaces. Sango followed him in, and the two made their way to the other end.

It was black as pitch, but it was easy going. There was no risk of getting lost. All they had to do was keep moving the way they were. If Miroku bumped into Sango, he knew he was heading the way they came from, and if she felt herself falling away from him, she knew the same thing. Each shuffle step didn't quite echo, but seemed to be amplified and distorted. The fabric of their clothing ruffled louder as they got closer to the end, and it felt as if an invisible hand was forcing them backwards. Sango grabbed a hold of Miroku's robe, trying not to get blown away. She could not see how strained his face was as they pushed forwards.

"I keep thinking that there's going to be a pit someplace, or that the floor will cave in on us," he shouted to be heard over a new type of roaring, earning himself a coughing fit, and scaring her half to death. Sango's head started buzzing again. Just when she thought she'd gotten use to noise…

"What?" Sango asked, realizing that he wouldn't be able to hear her even if she shouted at the top of her lungs. The sound was so loud now that it blocked out any sound she could make.

Every ounce of his strength was put in an effort to keep moving forwards. The source of the wind was just further ahead. It felt like the two had been walking for an eternity now. Surely whatever was causing such powerful wind was powerful. There wasn't a way it could have traveled a long distance without dying down to nothing if it was just a gentle breeze. The tunnel was still dark, and Miroku wondered if perhaps there was a storm outside. He didn't sense any sort of demon.