Tears long ago dried out, Kagome sat staring blankly into the small fire within the elder Miko's hut. No sound escaped her lips, no movement from her body. She was like a stone statue. The two Miko beside her exchanged worried glances between them. Sure, it was a blessing from above that their beloved Kagome was back from the dead but this was not how they had envisioned it. Kaede sighed deeply, her heart pained for those within her life. Could nothing ever be simple? Her remaining eye took in the scene before her and again her heart clenched painfully. How cruel the Kami were.

Tis like they have reversed roles. My dear sister is now of the living and our little Kagome is now of the dead. After everything she has sacrificed, to subject Kagome to such a resurrection is the ultimate punishment. For now she is more so than ever like Kikyo once was.

Rubbing her wrinkled hands together in an attempt to spread warmth throughout them, the old Miko coughed lightly gaining her sisters attention.

"What is it, Kaede?" Kikyo asked, her voice still scratchy from Inuyasha's earlier treatment.

"I suggest we keep this from Sango for tonight" she began, earning Kikyo's surprised glance "There has been enough surprises for tonight and this old woman's heart can take no more commotion."

Nodding her head, Kikyo stole a glance at the still motionless Kagome. She understood her sisters meaning well. Tonight had been very surprising. Although herself and Sango had never been close, after Kagome's death the two were the furthest things from comrades. The Taijiya could barely stand to be in the same village as Kikyo, let alone be welcomed into their home to tell them of the news. Kaede was too old to make the trip to the Houshi and Taijiya's hut on the outskirts of the village, leaving only herself to go there. But to see her newly revived sister only to see that she was not alive in the real sense could very well push Sango over the edge. Kami knew she had lost enough people in her life.

She had hoped that the mention of Sango would cause a reaction of any sort within Kagome but like the hour or so that Inuyasha had fled, the girl was almost comatose. Not even seeing her poor little Shippo had made the little Miko come out from within herself. Thinking of the Kit, Kikyo stood and made her way to the other side of the hut to the various pots that lined the wall. Picking up the newest concoction, she returned to the child side.

He is still so hot came her worried thought as she placed a cool hand to his forehead then applying the medicinal paste across his sweat soaked skin.Perhaps…

"Kagome? Kagome, can you hear me?" Kikyo called gently "I could really use your knowledge on how to help Shippo. I fear I am at a loss." She continued, hoping that she could reach the girls motherly instincts she seemed to have for the small Kitsune.

"It will not work, Kikyo. Kagome is deep within herself." Kaede sighed sadly.

"It needs to. Only she can help Shippo. I feel it will do her good also." Kikyo whimpered in response.

Scooping Shippo into her arms, she shuffled into the corner where her reincarnation sat. Biting her lower lip softly, Kikyo carefully placed the sleeping child into Kagome's lap, moving her dead weight arms around him to ensure he did not fall. Her eyes widened when she saw how Kagome's fingers flexed around Shippo's tiny body. A blink. Two. And her face became alive, confusion written in her features.

Shippo…

Turning her head slowly, Kagome looked into her lost child's face. With it her own crumpled as she took in his gaunt face, sunken eyes and sickly coloured skin.

"Wha-what's wrong with h-him?" she stuttered, unable to form coherent thoughts.

Pleased with Kagome's reaction Kikyo could have smiled but quickly lost the will to as she explained how badly Shippo had taken Kagome's death. Tears sprung to chocolate eyes as her heart broke. Her sweet baby was like this because of her. Oh how she hated herself. Truly and deeply hated herself. Raising him to her chest she hugged him tightly.

"Gomen, Shippo, forgive me!" came her defeated cry as her body shook with her silent tears.

The two Miko watched with heavy hearts as they watch the girl break again before them. Lowering her head in shame, Kikyo cursed her inability to nurse Shippo back to health. If she was even half the woman Kagome was, she was positive that little Shippo would have been back to normal by now. However, because she was not, she had to watch as another suffered her mistakes. She was tired of hurting people.

So consumed in their sorrow, neither saw how Kagome's body began to glow a soft pink. Within seconds the glow faded and all were stunned when a tiny voice rang out.

"Mama…You came back to me." Came a hushed voice.

"Shippo!" Kagome cried, as her head rose in surprise "Oh Shippo you're alright!"

"Mama!" the boy cried, fisting his tiny clawed hands into Inuyasha's robe that was securely wrapped around her body whilst he sobbed heavily.

Kaede smiled lovingly. Just having Kagome back a few hours and already those around her were healing. This was the power the small girl had. Now if only she could heal the broken heart of their Hanyou then all would be as it was.

"Tis good to hear ye again, child. Ye gave us quite the scare."

But her words fell on deaf ears as the Kitsune boy buried himself as much as possible into his mother's chest. Fear that if he let go, she would disappear again.

"It's alright, Shippo. I'm not going anywhere." Kagome hushed, reading his desperate thoughts.

"How? How are you back?" he asked, amazement coating his voice.

Kagome smiled sadly, brushing his bangs from his face with care and love only a mother could possess. Shaking her head she kissed his brow and told him how it did not matter how she was back, only that she was. Happy with her answer, Shippo snuggled into her arms a contented smile that had not been seen for months on his lips.

Mama…

Kikyo watched with a breaking heart at the two. Oh how she longed for the love they so clearly shared. Even just a fraction would be enough! Even now, with a living body and a full life ahead of her, Kikyo could admit she was still jealous of Kagome. For she always had what the former Miko wanted. The love of another. Rising to her feet, she poked the fire gently and headed to the back of the hut, rolling out another mat and collecting spare blankets from the chest in the corner.

"It's late. I think all need a good nights rest. Tomorrow is to be a big day."

Nodding in agreement, Kaede struggled to her feel, her bones popping and cracking in protest. Moving to her mat, the old woman bedded down for the night and was soon asleep. She was no spring chicken and a day's work on top of a broken night's sleep was too much for her. Thinking Kagome would want to sleep with Shippo, Kikyo moved the spare mat next to the Kitsune's, leaving a pile of blankets on top.

"I won't be needing that." Kagome whispered, taking care not to wake the now slumbering child.

"Kagome?"

"You know as well as I do that I need to find Inuyasha " She continued, her words hushed and pained "As much as I wish I could stay, we need to figure out a way to undo this. It was not meant to be and the damage caused because of his wish will make it all for naught."

"You know he will not give you up." Kikyo whispered back, pain reflected in her own words. How she wish they were not true. How she wished Inuyasha could love her as much as he loved her reincarnation.

"I know."

"Then you also know he will do everything in his power to keep you with him."

"Because of his wish he will need all the power he has." Kagome snapped, her voice anguished.

Brows crashing together in confusion, Kikyo asked why. The answer she got made her blood turn cold and her heart stop dead in her chest. Eyes wide all she could do was shake her head in denial.

"It's true. By wishing that I never died, I never killed Naraku. When I came back, so did he."