Author's Note: Here's a tiny ficlet I wrote MONTHS ago, courtesy of an anonymous Tumblr prompt: "Hang on. You're gonna be okay. Keep breathing." I considered adding it to Tied Together since it is InuKag, because decided it was more fitting here. Because angst. ^^"

Originally posted on Tumblr: Sept. 24, 2018

Posted here: Mar. 1, 2019

Setting: Canon-verse

Characters: InuKag

Words: 397

Rated: T

Genre: Angst


Close Call

"Hang on. You're gonna be okay. Keep breathing."

An invisible hand grips her throat. She opens her mouth to speak, but doesn't make a sound. Something is pressing against her neck. Something wet and warm and sticky. She can't breathe. She can't feel anything, except the pain. So much pain...

"Inuyasha, she needs medical help right away!"

"I know that, stupid!"

"Do you think you can take her through the well?"

Disembodied voices echo around her, muffled in her ears. White spots speckle her vision. Shadows loom around her. She imagines they are spirits of the netherworld, coming for her departing soul.

"No! You mustn't move her! She'll lose too much blood!"

"What else can we do, bitch?! I've been to her world on the other side! I know they can help her!"

"But what if it'll be too late?"

Someone or something lifts her up. Despite the pain, she feels secured and comforted in the stranger's embrace. Who is it? An angel? The Grim Reaper? Who can say?

"I'll make sure it won't be too late. I promised to protect her. I promised."

More shadows, blurred images. The rushing air is forcing itself down her throat, though it burns with every intake. She takes labored breaths now, vaguely aware of the alien sound echoing in her stuffed ears. The arms holding her close are strong and familiar. Are you God? Who are you? She wants to ask, but cannot.

"Please, Kagome. Please, don't die on me. I will save you, I swear it!"

A bright flash. Then the world turns black.

She opens her eyes. A pure white ceiling with fluorescent lighting. Stiff thin sheets. Strange beeping sounds. Painfully, she turns her head. Even without a mirror on hand, she can tell that her neck is wrapped in gauze or some sort of bandaging material. Sitting next to her, perched on a chair, is a vision of red and silver.

She blinks. Her vision clears. She smiles. It hurts to move her lips, but she has to call out to him.

"In-Inuyasha..."

He jerks awake and jumps out of his chair. Grabs her hand. Kisses the palm fiercely and takes a shuddering breath. Their eyes meet.

"You... you're alright. You're alright."

She caresses his face.

"Thank you, Inuyasha. You saved me, again."

He says nothing. Only leans in and kisses her, his tears staining her cheeks.