Fear

I run with my all, giving everything my legs and lungs can give. The air smells like blood, your blood, and I notice that sharp pain in my chest that I get only when I fear for your life. I'm afraid; no, being afraid is not enough to describe what I'm feeling. I'm terrified of losing you. I've known since long ago that my world crumbles every time I think about not having you with me, and that you may disappear from the life we've built.

I sharpen my senses until I can hear every little animal that gets out of my path, I also hear the blood rushing vertiginously through my body, and the youkai that's with you. I clench my teeth until my jaw hurts and I bent a bit more so that my speed rises, even if that can only give me half a second of time.

Kagome. I think your name, and I repeat it, again and again.

Finally, I reach you. You are on the ground, aiming a tensed arrow in your bow towards a gray humanoid youkai much like an ogre which could very well be three times your size. I notice how your arms tremble and can see the pain in your features.

What has happened?

The demon hurls itself against you, and you shoot the arrow in the moment I gnash its chest with my claws. I hear you shout, half surprised, half afraid, as your arrow has taken with it some strands of my hair. I halt my momentum with all my body's might in order to stay between you and that youkai. I hear you trying to say my name, and then how the effort turns your words into panting. I glance at you sideways, and feel terrified before the amount of blood I see on the ground.

I need to finish this.

I unsheath Tessaiga and throw myself against the youkai, intent on gutting him for hurting you; and I do so.

I kneel before you.

"Kagome." I want to ask you how you are, however I see the huge stain of blood coming from your side and that makes me hold my breath and halt my voice.

"Don't worry." you say, weakly and exhausted. "It's just a scratch."

I start to open your clothes to look at your side, and I find calm when I check that despite having lost that much blood, the wound itself has stopped bleeding.

"It isn't a serious injury, but it's a bit deep." I become aware of my own voice growing weak as every word leaves me. Then, I look at you. "So many times I've told you not to go out alone." I reproach you with a bit more intent.

You smile at me with those shining big eyes, full of tears I don't know if recent, and that suffering of yours hurts me in my chest.

"I won't give you an earful now, you are wounded. Let's go home and I'll do it when you feel better."

I take my kosode off to cover you with it before lifting you on my arms.

"Then I'll have to complain about the pain for many days." You whisper to my ear.

I remain silent for a few steps.

"Kagome, I was incredibly afraid." I confess.

I feel how you sigh on my neck, just before embracing me a bit tighter.

"As was I."

N/A

I've been having a few days in which death has been on my mind as a concept, and wanted to write something with it. At the start, this short story was something very different, but in the end I'm happy with the result.

Thank you for reading, and for keeping me company.

Kisses,

Anyara.

This text is possible thanks to the translation of: Dezart