Blood.

It was all he could see.

But it wasn't normal blood.

It was hers.

Sango was screaming, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Miroku was holding her, glossy eyes fixated on the ground.

Inuyasha could only stand there.

This couldn't be happening.

It couldn't.

Kagome lay, for what seemed like a thousand miles away, blood staining her uniform.

Inuyasha finally seemed to snap.

He screamed her name and ran.

The half-demon held her, not caring as crimson seeped into his kimono.

Her glazed eyes traveled to his, a ghost of a smile dancing on her lips for the last time.

The tears finally escaped, softly pounding onto her cheeks.

He begged her.

Begged her to stay.

He's never experienced anything like this.

The miko's pale hand grazed his cheek.

What was this feeling?

And slowly, as if time was failing to go forward, it fell.

Was this...fear?

A sorrowful, pained roar echoed through the forest.

But wasn't he supposed to be unafraid of anything?

For once in his life, Inuyasha cried for his brother.

Yes, this was fear.

And for once, he came.

The fear of losing her.

Sesshomaru stood over Kagome, Tenseiga raised to strike.

He couldn't lose her.

He swung down, destroying the demon's feeding of the miko's life source.

Besides...

Her eyes slowly opening, flooding Inuyasha's chest with unimaginable relief.

how are you supposed to live without sunshine?