No one slept that night. They should have. It was much better to go into battle well-rested. But instead of curling up in their beds and building their much-needed strength, the camp was occupied digging graves and huddling together for comfort as much as for warmth. Just before the sun rose over the forest below them, the warriors who were left gathered to be counted.
There were only twelve.
Inuyasha surveyed the group grimly. Seven wolves including Kouga, a lion demon with wild hair, three humans including Kagome, and Inuyasha himself. They all looked exhausted. Kagome especially was pale, wan and jumpy. Her eyes had a look that he had seen on many caged demons before. She felt trapped. She felt scared.
He wanted to rub her back, tuck her into bed, and tell her to wait a little more, rest a little more, prepare a little more. He would do it, too, if she even once complained or showed any sign of changing course. Unfortunately, she seemed to be more determined now than ever. Her desire to fight was what kept her going, and Inuyasha couldn't say that he blamed her. When he closed his eyes, he saw himself wrenching Naraku's head clean off and digging his claws right into the bastard's evil eyes and slimy smirk. He wanted the fight as badly as she did. He just wished he could guarantee that she'd be safe when it was all over.
Mechanically, Kagome laid out the pictures of the guards again. "There are twelve of us and twelve of them. We could each take a guard, but that may take too long and give Naraku warning. I say we split the group in half. Six of us will take on guards, and six of us will take on Naraku. I'll be in the latter group. Does anyone else have a preference of assignment?"
"I'm with you," Inuyasha and Kouga replied automatically. Then they exchanged a look.
"I'm with you, too," declared Sango.
"And where Sango goes, I go," Miroku interjected. Sango half-heartedly rolled her eyes but actually looked relieved.
Another wolf, a female, volunteered as well, and the rest of the fighters picked up a couple pictures from the stack and tiredly looked at the schedules again.
Inuyasha looked at Kagome. Her eyes were a little glazed, but she stood suddenly. "Five minutes," she said. "Be ready to go." Then she marched back to her hut.
He caught up with her midway and matched her stride easily. In the last week, his worry had caused him to study her constantly and stick to her closely, so her pace was as familiar to him as his own. Actually, she had a few different paces. The one she was keeping now let him know that she wanted to appear brave, but the wrinkle between her eyebrows let him know that she wasn't feeling that way. He would coax her to talk about it, but her crossed arms told him that she wouldn't. So instead he walked with her silently until they were inside the hut. Then he lingered by the door, leaning against its frame.
Kagome walked further inside and picked up the backpack he had stuffed full of things from her room. After some shuffling, she withdrew a necklace with a rounded white orb and solemnly attached it around her neck. He didn't ask, but she explained anyway. "It was a gift from my mother. It makes me feel like she's with me in this. Supporting me, and..." She cut off awkwardly and looked away, clearly fighting tears. When she looked back, it was evident that she hadn't won the fight. "Inuyasha...?" she started, her voice lifting uncertainly.
She didn't need to finish. Inuyasha was next to her again in an instant, wrapping his arms around her and crushing her to him. She returned the gesture, gripping him tightly and allowing herself one small sob. They stayed that way for one still moment, then she pushed away, hastily wiping her eyes.
"It's going to be ok," he said, wishing he could mean it.
"Sure," she said, obviously unconvinced.
There wasn't really anything else to be said. Before long, they both returned to the door of the hut and looked out for a moment. The sun had finally burst over the horizon, spreading deep gold and orange streaks above the forest. The other fighters waiting for them were merely silhouettes against its brilliance, but they stood tall and squared their shoulders when they saw that the time had arrived. Inuyasha felt and heard Kagome take a deep breath next to him then step forward. He stepped forward as well.
He couldn't help it, but he felt a thrill of excitement. For days there had been nothing but misery and worry. Now, finally, there would be action. Before this day was over, he'd be able to at last take out the aggression he'd bottled up on the one person who deserved it. Before this day was over, he'd be able to feel the satisfaction of flesh shredding beneath his claws.
Before this day was over, Naraku would die.