A/N: Wow, sorry. This is really short. I've been busy with my other story, though...
Chapter 12
Sango held Tetsusaiga trembling in the air for a long moment. Taking very careful aim for this single chance at a shot, she heaved the rusty sword like a javelin. It arced, its point gently creating a perfect parabola through the air.
The half-demon extended his right arm to kill this black-haired, beautiful, yet utterly despicable human. His claws were almost at her flesh when suddenly he stumbled to a halt. Puzzlement filled his angry, red and blue eyes. He looked down, hand slowly lowering to his side.
A length of rusted steel jutted from his chest.
In his peripheral vision he saw his target being hastily pulled off to the side, but the sword piercing him held the rest of his attention. He fell to his knees, still staring at the steel, which, he knew distantly, was somehow of great consequence. He looked up and saw Miroku, Sango, Shippo, Kagome, and Kirara all gazing at him. Anyone else still left alive was long gone.
He cocked his head, alien features puckering in confusion ill-suited to that face. The colors were all so vivid, so surreal. He saw nothing for a moment but their faces. Whatever lied behind them was obscured by soft, billowing white clouds. Then he felt something strange happening to his fingertips.
Eyes widening in horror, he lifted his hands, palms up, fingers curled. His powerful claws receded before his eyes. The purple marks on his cheekbones faded. With dismay, he felt his fangs shrink back up over his lower lip. His eyes lost their look of savage hunger, giving way to one of alarm and dread. The red and blue colors eased away, returning to white and yellow.
He swayed, the blood draining from his face. Slowly, he began to fall forward.
"Inuyasha!" Kagome breathed in relief next to his ear. She must have caught him.
Pain filled his golden eyes. He knew he wouldn't be able to stay with her. He was a half-breed. Still, it was nice to be held, even if it was only a lie.
A few sensations were clear. He could keenly feel the arrowheads embedded underneath his skin. The edges of his own sword were sharp in his chest. His arm, back, and feet pounded. Inuyasha looked up at her where he kneeled, sitting back on his heels. He whispered, his voice ringing, "Pull it out." His eyes were agonized.
Kagome's own eyes widened and she looked around. "Sango," she cried, "pull out Tetsusaiga!"
He felt like he was missing key details as Sango's voice came gently from behind him. "Okay." He felt her wrap her hand around the hilt and tug on the sword. His skin caught, tearing jaggedly, on the nicks and rough edges of the blade. He moaned.
The white clouds rapidly overtook his vision, and he knew no more.
