Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

Never before had one singular bodily function seemed so necessary. Never before had Inuyasha valued the oxygen in his lungs, the blood pumping through his veins. However, the hourly doses of oxygen given to Courtney were necessary- moments of intense concentration where Inuyasha not only had to concentrate on his breathing, but someone else’s. Their lips met not in intimacy, but in a harsh requirement that fueled her lifeblood.

What had taken Courtney a few hours seemed to take decades to Inuyasha, watching carefully the dying girl in his arms and sprinting to the point of near exhaustion. He could not quit- would not quit until he saw her smile again, hale and healthy. He ran the flat roads through the woods, marveling at the distance run in this morning’s play. But that could not intimidate him. It could not stop him. He felt her weakening- a kiss of life would cure it. Stopping momentarily, he rested as he lowered his mouth to her own, their lips touching in a vivification of energy that sent blood pumping throughout her fading body.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

Finally, she was breathing on her own again. Inuyasha spared no thought for further rest; he jumped up and continued his mad dash to Kaede. His mind ran wild, separated form his jumping and leaping legs that carried his sister to safety. Why had she gone in after the children? What happened to Koga? Was Kagome safe? What had Koga done with Kagome? Was Naraku involved in the fire or were they just unlucky? Inuyasha’s feet pounded the dirt and bark in a series of wild jumps that would send even Kagome shuddering in fright.

Kisses again- Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

 She’s still alive.  

The night air was chill, but even its harsh realities could not touch the dog hanyou, jumping gracefully from tree to tree as if they were both weightless. Winter was coming, mused Inuyasha. Courtney admitted once that she had never seen snow except in pictures. Would she live to see it blanket the earth? The trees here were beautiful in winter- the soft bite of the cold on his feet reminded him how his mother used to watch him play outside the village, laughing, happy to keep his own company. When the village children teased him about his heritage- she opened her arms wide and held him to her heart. Then Izayoi died- and his world collapsed around him. He had been alone before Kikyo, then before Kagome. Despite his love for them, they never could truly understand the emptiness- the loneliness of not belonging anywhere.

Inuyasha found himself chuckling as he ran, remembering the first day he had met Courtney. He had insulted her- showing her the true distinction and loneliness of her predicament. He had been anxious- his outward anger was fear that his fellow outsider would leave him. Sure, Kagome, Miroku, and Sango were misfits. But they were human. Shippo was a fox demon, full-blooded and therefore accepted in their world. But Courtney- while she was a demon, she was the only one of her species in all Japan. A coyote- an animal that most associate with cowardice, puniness, and scavenging. But Courtney refused to live to her stereotype- she was strong-willed, brave, physically strong, and refused to compromise in a world where she didn’t belong. He had grown to respect her immensely over their short period together, taking her under his care and helping her to grow stronger. They were two in a million- against a world where you were one side or the other. Not either? Too bad.

 No! She’s losing strength again. 

Kisses- Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

 Stay with me, Cor. Please. 

Inuyasha even found himself praying. To whom? Any god that would listen, be it this Jesus that Courtney talked about or any of those he knew. He continued his flight to Kaede, the sweat now pouring down his body. Finally, he had some comfort- a dim glow of lantern lights in the distance. He egged his body on, the throbbing in his shoulder from his arrow wound ignored in the race to save his only confidant. He flew into the village, landing deftly in its center before reaching the home of Kaede. “KAEDE!” he cried exasperatingly. “KAEDE, OPEN UP! IT’S INUYASHA.”

“Calm ye down, child!”

A muffled voice came from inside, opening the single bolt that latched the old priestess’s modest dwelling. Kaede shuffled out, holding a lantern inquisitively. She gasped audibly at the sight of Inuyasha and his ward- he was fit to drop and covered in filth from their long imprisonment. She swung the lantern over the girl first, hiding moans of horror that were sure to escape if she was not wary. She looked up despairingly at Inuyasha, tears rimming her eyes. “Aye…is she…is she dead?”

Inuyasha shoved past her into the hut, laying gently her on a tatami that was resting in the center of the small room. He turned weakly to Kaede, dropping to his knees in exhaustion, feeble from days of little food and water and blood loss, united with the miles he had just run. “No, but she will be if you don’t work fast. I’ll tell the story later- all that’s important is that she’s taken care of NOW. I…I…I…” He wavered, trying to steady himself on the floor. After struggling for a few seconds, Inuyasha succumbed to his body and he collapsed, his eyes rolling into his head as his face struck the hard dirt floor with a thud.

“Inuyasha!” cried Kaede in alarm. However, when she checked his pulse, he was only unconscious. She turned her attention then to Courtney, and unwrapped the red kimono top covering her- only to recoil in horror. The 3rd degree burns she had suffered in the fire were bleeding for the rough journey, pus edging the open muscle that shined wetly in the open air. Her entire back was in shambles along with her arms, less serious burns scattered over the backs of her legs. Kaede touched Courtney’s forehead- the only thing not remotely injured. Her forehead was searing! The infection had set into her blood. Kaede moved quickly. She grabbed a jar of a poultice, spreading it over the external injuries to prevent further bacteria and encourage skin growth where it had been burned completely off. After wrapping her in fresh linen, Kaede then ground some herbs together and mixed it with almost-boiling water. Taking care to let the herbs steep, she dipped her fingers into the bowl, praying an ancient healing chant. She opened Courtney’s mouth and poured the concoction down her throat, stroking it to encourage the swallowing muscles to spread it to her system.  When she felt her swallow, Kaede dropped to her knees, reciting chant after chant of healing, sweating from the fervency of her prayer. There was nothing more she could do for the young coyote demon except hope- and pray.

~-~

Through the dark night, Koga ran faster than he had before- he imagined loosely that if he jumped, he could even take off and fly. The jewel shards in his legs prevented him from feeling most of the exhaustion and pain he knew he must be experiencing. He ignored Kagome’s begging that he stop for a rest- finally she grew quiet and slept in the care of his arms.

His mind was racing as fast as his legs, quiet reflection gone from him as he ran for his life. Images flashed through his vision- the moonlit creek and the grace of Courtney’s body. The first time he pinned her down when they met- his hand stroking her soft red-brown hair. Her lips brushing his cheek after she woke up. Her amber eyes filled with sorrow and insecurity. Her ruined skin, coated in filth and ash. His eyes filled with tears once more, but he brushed them away. Now was not the time for sorrow- now was the time for action.

Koga had always been this way- it was what made him great among the wolves, earning the respect of the pack and of his foes. There was no time for strategy in his eyes- simply effective action. Aesthetics were not important; emotions were a luxury that could not overtake practicality. His courtship of Kagome was one of practicality- it pissed off the mutt, she was a smart woman, and she could help Koga find and kill Naraku, gaining the use of the Shikon No Tama for himself. His accidental engagement to Ayame was also practical- a political marriage.  

But Courtney- he bit his tongue, tasting blood as he remembered her face- she was unplanned. Impractical- a coyote partner of the great wolf demon leader? But she was beautiful and wild- stubborn as a rock but as glittering as a diamond. How he longed to feel her touch again- that wonderful weakness she showed before him when the entire world seemed miles away. The moon shone overhead, and as Koga ran he fought off the instinct to howl at the moon- howl her name to the heavens to plead to the gods. His heart went out to the moon when he saw her name in the stars as he ran home- where his heart was.

~-~

It was near dawn when Koga arrived at the village, the edging of pink on the horizon a source of apprehension. What had he said to Inuyasha about her death?

(Flashback)

(End Flashback)

He lingered at the door, gritting his teeth and rubbing his forehead on the doorframe. He could smell her- her scent was tainted by the strong scent of incense and herbal remedies, but it was still there- that sweet, woodsy smell her that he loved. He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. What if he walked in there- and she was gone? An empty body held no love for him- her soul would be long gone, her amber eyes blank and glassy. He could- he could see her when he closed his eyes.  Could he handle that? To see her- no longer herself. Dead.

Koga looked up towards the moon, watching it shine into the dark sky. He could run- marry Ayame and move into the mountains. Get away from the valleys and the creeks- away from her memory and the short time they had spent. He could leave Kagome here and just get away from all of it- he couldn’t see her die like this. Not here.

But her scent beckoned to him- and he remembered the moonlit creek. He couldn’t leave her- she was his now. He was hers. If she died- if she was dead- then he died too. He would face down Naraku alone, and fight until both he and that bastard were gone from this world. His wolves would be safe- and he would be with her forevermore.

Koga squeezed his eyes together, his heart pumping as he opened Kaede’s door softly. He opened them slowly, hesitant- fearful at what he would find. What he saw nearly made him drop Kagome-