There are few things that disrupt an animal's sense of smell more than running water. This had become painfully obvious since the previous afternoon, as Kirara's ability to track Inuyasha and Sango was repeatedly and disastrously hampered by their close proximity to the river. Although Miroku reasoned that the demon hawk could not possibly have carried them too far in the time since they lost track of the creature, hour by hour fell away with no sign of them.
Shortly before dark they had encountered the decapitated remains of the hawk, Sango's sword still lodged in its chest. Kagome retrieved the weapon, and, having no other place to put it, wrapped the blade in a blanket and slid it into her bedroll. On his back Miroku carried Sango's hiraikotsu. Though neither of them said so aloud, as the hours ticked by they both wondered if their friend would ever hold those weapons again.
Real panic finally set in when it became to dark to continue searching. While she had done her best to remain calm throughout the evening, Kagome didn't fare so well once she could no longer use the act of searching as a distraction from the reality of the situation.
Somewhere along the line during her journeys in the feudal era, Kagome had come to realize that it was entirely possible that one or more of her newfound comrades would be killed before everything was said and done. She had told herself time and time again that she was prepared for such an eventuality, but faced with the immediate reality of the situation she found herself unable to maintain any such cool façade. Kagome had spent the night in misery, alternating between fits of crying and periods of sheer mental exhaustion.
Sango had become closer to her than any of her friends in modern times, perhaps because of the intimacy that came with sharing life or death situations with one another so regularly. Inuyasha too had become a central figure in her life, perhaps achieving a greater importance even than her family back home. To lose either of them was a miserable proposition. To lose both in one day was more than she could bear.
Shippo tried to allay her fears, reminding her time and again how formidable their friends were, but by this point she was practically inconsolable. Kagome had eventually managed to collect herself just enough to convince Shippo that she was feeling better just so he wouldn't have the added burden of worrying about her. Eventually the tiny fox was satisfied enough to let her be.
Sometime in the middle of the night, after he thought the others were asleep, Miroku crept down to the riverbank and prayed for their companions. Kagome lay motionless in her bedroll and watched him, fighting to resist the hollow feeling swelling up inside her and silently mouthing prayers of her own. After nearly an hour the monk turned back towards camp, the moonlight falling upon him to reveal the tears glistening on his face. Kagome buried her face in her pillow and sobbed.
****
Inuyasha didn't flinch as the fifth arrow plunged into his chest. With supreme effort he forced himself to take another agonizing step, the arrows that peppered his legs burrowing further into him which every movement. He snarled through clenched fangs, coldly glaring at his attacker. Although they had been pierced more times than he could count, he raised his arms, straining to reach his enemy, aching to dig his claws into her soft flesh.
She smiled coquettishly and raised her bow again. Another arrow whistled through the air and Inuyasha staggered backwards as one of his amber eyes was shut forever. Before he could recover, two more arrows buried themselves in his shoulders. He found his balance and threw himself forward another desperate step, distantly hearing the groan of a bowstring being pulled back.
The arrow was loosed, shrieking murderously as it cut the air, and ran itself hungrily through Inuyasha's throat. He was scarcely aware of the pain, though at last he dropped to one knee.
Much to his surprise, another arrow didn't follow. He tried to rise, his muscles trembling with exertion but ultimately failing. Inuyasha coughed, a gout of blood flying from his lips. For the first time he became aware of the blood filling his lungs with each gurgling breath.
A shadow fell over him. She was standing over him now, another arrow notched and ready. The final shot would be point blank. On her face was a surreally cheerful smile.
Inuyasha smiled back bitterly.
Lunging forward with the last of his strength, he drove his claws into her abdomen. He never felt the arrow bury itself to the fletching in his shoulder. All he felt was his hand sliding hotly through her gut, his claws slicing flesh and organs before breaking through into the sunlight. The stink of her blood swelled up in his senses. She didn't resist him but instead sank to her knees and wrapped her slender arms around his shoulders. After a long moment he felt her heartbeat fall silent.
Exhausted, Inuyasha rested against the corpse as his demon body struggled to heal itself. It was becoming harder and harder to breathe, and soon he realized that he was drowning in his own blood. Regardless of his demon constitution, he needed help or his wounds would likely prove mortal.
With as much strength as he could muster, Inuyasha got his feet under himself and tried to stand, but suddenly the arms around his shoulders tightened. Recoiling in surprise, he found himself on his back with the corpse on top of him. Kagome's dead eyes glared down at him, her impossibly strong hands closing like a vice around his neck.
"I love you, Inuyasha," she gurgled, blood dribbling from the corners of her mouth.
****
Inuyasha cried out in his sleep and Sango awakened with a jolt. Concerned, she reached out and put a hand on his cheek. He was clammy despite the cool morning air, but he seemed to calm a little at her touch. Well aware that even two days ago she never would have had the courage to do so, Sango wrapped her arms around him and pulled him protectively against her.
His body was still taut, as if he were trapped in a nightmare. Sango tenderly combed her hands through his hair, relishing its coldness as it slipped silkily between her fingers. Only after he relaxed in her arms did she kiss him, a light, lingering kiss that seemed all the sweeter because only she would ever know about it.
She turned that thought over her mind for a moment, then, smiling, she pressed her lips gingerly to his ear.
"I love you, Inuyasha," she whispered as quietly as she could, closing her eyes and wishing with all of her heart to dwell in that moment forever.