Inuyasha no!

His ears rang with her deafening scream. His knee's buckled beneath him for he never thought he'd ever hear her voice again. Ears standing to attention, his eyes wide he choked on his intake of air as the blue light flew upwards into the night sky. Inuyasha and Kikyo waited with baited breath as the light came to a halt before exploding, its light so bright it made the night turn to day. From the light a body appeared and a bloody curdling scream released as it fell.

His heart stopped. Muscles tensed he launched himself into the air, hell bent on catching the being that was falling. His arms latched around it and his world warmed, becoming whole again. As soon as his feet touched ground his hands fluttered over the pale face.

Kagome…

His hands brushed her raven hair from her face, moving lower to cup her cheek. She was unconscious but she was here. His arms crushed her to his chest and he whined long and low in relief. He didn't care how, all that mattered was she was back. Alive. A light tugging on his outer robe had him looking up, a small growl escaping. Kikyo, looking fearful and shocked, stopped pulling at his robes.

"She'll ge-get cold" she stuttered, her voice crackly from where his hand had almost crushed her windpipe.

It was then he noticed Kagome was completely nude. Ripping his outer rob off he gently laid it over her and began nuzzling against her. Oh Kami, she's here! She's back! Inuyasha's heart soared. His reason for being was back where she was meant to be. By his side.

"Inuyasha, how is this possible?" Kikyo asked quietly, not wanted to face his wrath for the second time tonight.

Her question fell on deaf ears. So consumed with joy over Kagome's return that everything else mattered not. Gently nudging his face against hers, Inuyasha attempted to wake the little Miko. Her head rolled limply to the side. Grasping her shoulders he shook gently, trying to get a response from her. Nothing.

"Kagome? Kagome, open your eyes" he whimpered, fear starting to set in "Come on Kagome, open your eyes, move, do anything just prove to me you're alright."

Again nothing. In an instant he was up and running towards Kaede's. She'd know what was wrong. Leaving behind a shocked Kikyo he ran as fast as he could, all the while trying not to jostle the girl in his arms. His crashing entrance had the old Miko cry out in surprise.

"Inuyasha what are ye doing?" she began, patting the space above her startled heart "Ye gave me such a … Kami, Kagome!"

Moving as fast as her aged body would allow, Kaede brushed a wrinkled hand across the girls face. Her voice shook and tears collected in her eye.

"How?" she breathed, too shocked to say more.

Ignoring her question, Inuyasha whined low again. "She won't wake up"

Humming lightly to herself the old Miko moved to bring her own futon closer to the dying fire. Throwing a few extra logs on to get it going again she turned and motioned for Inuyasha to place the newly revived girl on the mat. As he did, his hand clasped on of her limp ones. It was so cold.

Kaede moved to check the girl over. No wounds, no scars, no bruises. She was perfect. Gazing down lovingly at the girl on the mat the old Miko noticed something. Moving her hand to Kagome's face she let it linger in front of her mouth.

Oh Kami no…

Bowing her head, she pulled her hand back using it to wipe at the few tears that had begun to roll down her cheeks. How on earth was she going to tell Inuyasha?

"What's wrong with her? Why isn't she waking up?" he asked, voice almost childlike.

"Inuyasha, Kagome isn't – she's not-"heaving a shuddering sigh Kaede touched her hand to the back of his "She is not breathing, child"

Horror filled his face as he looked into the peaceful features of his Kagome. Not breathing? But- but she called out to him! When she fell she spoke! How could she not be breathing?

Iie…No! She can't leave me again!

Roughly pulling her into his lap, he shook her almost violently whilst yelling at her, not a care that little Shippo was asleep beside him.

"No! You don't get to come back to me just to leave again! Wake up, dammit!" his eyes burned and his heart felt hollow "Kagome! Kagome!"

Kaede cried silently at his pleas. She could not fathom the damage this would do to the already fragile Hanyou. Kami why must ye continue to torture the poor boy?

A surprised gasp filled the room as chocolate brown eyes flew open. Her body trembled harshlyeven with the warmth from the fire and the robe of the fire rat wrapped around her.

"Kagome! Oh Kami Kagome your alive!" Inuyasha cried, burying his face in the crook of her neck and holding her tightly not caring that his show of affection was before others.

"What have you done?" she whispered in reply, horror rich in her tone before closing her eyes once more.

"Kagome? Kagome!" Inuyasha cried, unable to understand her words.

His cries stopped when he saw two crystalline tears roll down her alabaster white skin. Smoothing his hand across her cheek he used the pad of his thumb to wipe them away. His worries grew as he felt her shake with her silent sobbing. What was wrong with her? Was she in pain?

"Kagome what's wrong?" he asked.

"You have no idea what you've done" she whimpered before going limp.

The fire crackled and popped as another log was placed on the slowly dying embers. Its glow warmed those around it but could do nothing for the sombre mood. Worried golden orbs watched the unconscious girl intensely, looking for any indication that she was still with him. That she was still alive. His senses screamed at him, telling him something was so very wrong with his little Miko. Her body motionless and deathly silent yet her face contorted in pain, her tiny hands fisting every so often in her blanket.

How can she not have a heartbeat? She's here, talking and moving before my very eyes! His heart clenched as he breathed in deeply. She had no scent either. His addled brain just couldn't wrap around the concept of it all. He sighed deeply, again, as he ran his hand through a mane of raven hair. He scowled slightly as her words rang through his mind. She seemed horrified at being back. What did she mean I don't know what I've done? Sure I hadn't meant to but I'm just so glad she's alive, that she's with me.

A light rustle broke his thoughts. Looking up he saw that Kikyo had returned to the hut her cheeks damp and stained from tears. Shame swelled within him and he averted his gaze. How could he bare to look at her? Bare to see the marks left behind by his hand? Keeping his focus on Kagome he was surprised to see her move to sit beside the younger girl.

"It is good to see you again, Kagome." Kikyo quietly voiced, smoothing the hair from the girls face, a small timid smile on her lips. Pulling her hand back to her lap, Kikyo spoke gently to her sister "Kaede, rest. It has been a long day. I will watch over everyone." Her voice quiet yet firm, there would be no refusals.

Both watched as the elderly Miko hesitated, seeing the state her sister was in but eventually said her goodnights before pulling out a spare futon from a chest by the wall and bedding down for the second time that night. Keeping her gaze to the floor, Kikyo briefly checked the still slumbering Kit. His fever still raging she smoothed some more of the concoction her sister had made earlier over his forehead. Wiping her hands on a scrap piece of cloth, she then busied herself by poking the fire. Inuyasha was no fool, he knew when he was being ignored and he couldn't blame her. His ears drooped lower as he caught sight of the angry red hand print around her throat, already turning a slight shade of purple from bruising. Fisting his hands tightly, he cared not when his claws dug into the soft flesh of his palm or the strong scent of blood emanating from his hand.

I ruin everything I touch he thought despairingly.

As though she could feel his pain Kagome stirred, her groan filling the small room. Instantly aware, Inuyasha held her hand and called out to her.

"Kagome?"

Her eyes fluttered open slowly. As she took in her surroundings her eyes filled with tears. Panicking the Hanyou leaned over and stared straight into her face.

"What's the matter? Does anything hurt?" he asked, words rushed with worry.

Moving to sit, Kagome brought her hand before her face, clenching and opening her hand a few times before letting it drop limply into her lap. His hand moved to push her unruly hair behind her ear only to snap it back as if he'd been burnt as she cringed. Surprised at her reaction, Kikyo bent forward so as to look into Kagome's anguished face.

"Hello Kagome" she started, with an easy smile "I must say I am glad to see you once again."

"You shouldn't be." Kagome croaked "You shouldn't be glad at all."

Looking to Inuyasha for help, Kikyo frowned at his helpless features. Nodding her head in Kagome's direction she mouthed 'talk to her'.

"Ain't you glad to be back?" he asked quietly, almost whispered for he feared her answer. And he was right to do so.

"Glad? No, Inuyasha I am not glad to be back! You have no idea what you have done!" she cried, making him shrink backwards, his face paling whilst waking Kaede at the same time "People will suffer, they're going to die all because you couldn't do the one thing I asked you not to do! I begged you not to use to Jewel, I told you I was not destined to live!"

"What was I meant to do, hey? I couldn't go on without you! I won't!" he replied hotly before embracing her fiercely and crushing her to his chest "Why can't you see how much I need you?" he whimpered, pleading with her.

Pushing against him, Kagome cried harder, tears streaming. "Your needs do not outweigh those of hundreds, Inuyasha! That is how many will die by bringing me back! Hundreds!" Moving to stand she gave a pained cry as her legs gave out beneath her.

"Kagome!" Kikyo, Kaede and Inuyasha cried in unison.

"Naze…Why couldn't you just let me be…" Kagome whimpered before sobbing.

"That is enough. The poor girl has been through enough." Kaede ordered, stepping to the door and holding the mat open "Inuyasha, be it best ye leave for a while, give her space to catch her bearings."

"Hell no! I ain't leaving Kagome for shit!"

"Inuyasha!" Kikyo warned, but it went unheard.

The Hanyou growled low and moved closer to Kagome, set on staying and ensuring she didn't leave him again. But her plea froze him. She wanted him to leave.

"Just go… I can't look at you right now."

Pain flashed within his orbs as he stared shell shocked at Kagome, who refused to look at him. The pain grew and he clambered to his feet before running from the hut. He continued running until he came to the Goshinboku, where he jumped into the branches. Fisting his robes he breathed hard, his heart constricting painfully as he tried so hard to keep the tears at bay. But it was useless. Bashing his skull into the trunk of the giant tree, he gave a heart wrenching cry. He thought he knew pain but nothing compared to her rejection. He barely kept himself alive after she died but this? This was a whole new level of pain.

Kagome was in no better shape, face buried in her hands she heaved long, hard sobs. Never before having had to comfort someone, Kikyo was at a loss. She awkwardly patted Kagome's back until the girl wrapped her arms around her waist.