Golden.

Chapter One: My life stuck in time.

By Acediaau

My backpack weighing heavily on my shoulders, fingernails clung deeply into the mildew clad rock wall of the old Bone Eaters Well. My senses still on fire from traveling though the crystalline blue, time traveling magic which enveloped and consumed me each time I traveled to the past. My home away from home.

I was no longer the 15-year-old girl who fell through time, whose heart was light with laughter and love – ignorant to the perils of the past. No, I was now 28 – thirteen years traveling through to the past had taken its toll on both my mind and body.

Long since was the days of the Shinkon No Tama, I had begun residing as a part time shrine maiden Kaede's small village by Inuyasha's forest. I could still feel the jewels energy, radiating deep within me like that small voice in the back of your head telling you there is danger. That was all that was left of the all-powerful jewel I could feel anymore. My fingers reached the worn wood lip of the well, I hoisted my leg over as if I was mounting a very awkward horse and caught my breath. 13 years and we still had yet to get some sort of ladder for that thing. I threw my other leg over, my feet landing softly in the lush green grass of the Waring States Era as soon as my feet touched earth, my aura expanded analyzing everything within a 30-kilometer radius. No Inuyasha. He was supposed to meet me here at noon. I picked up pace and headed to my hut on the outer west rim of the village, right next to Inuyasha's forest – it was far enough from the village that I had quiet, but close enough to maintain the barrier. As I walked, I kept pulsing my aura, its greedy pink fingers grasping for something, anything which could point me in the direction of Inuyasha.

Petty demons. Petty demons. Fox. Petty demons. Rabbit. Still no Inuyasha.

My hut was up ahead, it was small and modest, only the basics and enough to keep me warm at night and to be honest that is all I wanted. I walked past my small herb patch which I used to treat the village ailments, and maintain my own personal supply. Some days I wish this was my permanent position in life, however the past nor the future would not have it. After the Shinkon No Tama, things were never the same, Naraku: our greatest foe was gone but Feudal Japan was faced with a new foe, the war amongst lords.

From all the cardinal directions war between the Demon Lords broke out – fighting for dominance and territory. Inuyasha was called to fight beside Sesshomaru once again, and this time he was not fused to a timeless tree by his soul mate. Inuyasha understood his role, and he had great pride working alongside Sesshomaru in the battles. However, these pointless clashes left the Lords at a stale mate, catching innocent civilians – both human and demons – in the cross fire. Like all war...pointless.

When the final battle was over with Naraku and the Shinon No Tama was no more, the well did not close, still providing me with access to the past. I was bound by obligation to my Grandfather to take up the mantel as Shrine Maiden and protector of the portal to the past. As he was growing weak and feeble, the future demanded more of my time and I only was given small slips of time to come back and tend to the past. Nurse the wounds of the battle field for short periods of time and to ensure my village was safe. My kids were tucked away within the safety of the village, I would not see them in harm's way – even if it was almost killing me juggling the two time periods.

Souta had gone off to University to study Business, he did not wish for the life of tending to the Shrine, and to be honest I could not blame him. He had so much of his life ahead of him, for me, I was not afforded those opportunities. My time in the past had destroyed my chances of attending university as my grades were poor, so it was decided that I would be the one to inherit the Higarashi Shrine since Grandfather was now past his time. My mother, the blessing she was, stayed on as the Shrine Keeper to make sure that things were tended to while I was away in the past – and bless her. We could never see the shrine in another's hand with all the secrets which it held.

I pushed aside my tatami door covering and placed my overstuffed backpack next to my straw bed. This was no Tokyo, but it was home. I lit a candle near my wash plate and began to strip, peeling the modern era from my skin as it was something dirty and casting it aside. I reached across to my side dresser which one of the village carpenters kindly crafted for me, retrieving my crisp white Hoari I pulled it gently over my white bra – one of the modern kindnesses I indulged in while I was here, quickly pulling my bright red Hakamas over my freshly shaven legs, I made a hop for the entrance of my hut. I could hear Shippo and Rin approaching, followed by an aura which was all too familiar.

"Mumma," Small voices cried in the near distance and my heart raced. I was so excited to see them it was almost overwhelming.

"Shippo! Rin!" I exclaimed almost falling head first from my hut whist tying off my Hakamas trying to get presentable, my feet bare and my hair a mess. I tried to straighten myself with a now 21-year-old Rin clinging to my side and an equally taller Shippo crash tackling into my chest. They were still my children no matter how old they become.

"We missed you so much Mumma! Why do you have to leave for so long?" Shippo cried as he buried his nose into the nook of my neck – it was a demon thing.

"I've only been gone for a few weeks Shippo,"I paused, "Do you know where Inuyasha is? He was suppose to meet me?" I asked, looking up to the sliver haired demon now standing in front of us, it was as if my question was answered as soon as I looked up. He had been called off to battle. Sesshomaru looked stoic as ever, his liquid gold eyes half cast, his pale skin as beautiful as the first day I had seen him and his sliver hair flowed around him as the winds fingers played with his tresses.

"Lord Sesshomaru, it is a pleasure to see you again." I stated giving him a slight bow, I did the best I could with two kids clinging to me with dear life. He should have of been on the battle front near the North-West boarder, before I left that is where he latest skirmishes had broken out.

"Miko, you have been gone for far too long." He stated as a matter of fact. I had been away for too long, but my Grandfather had taken a turn for the worse, however, I would never disclose that. A slight frown pulled at my lips.

"Lord Sesshomaru brought Rin a new kimono Mumma! Look, isn't it pretty!?" My attention was brought to a grinning Rin, in a pretty white kimono with red sakara blossoms similar to the ones clad on Lord Sesshomaru's Hoari. It was odd she picked up calling me Mumma like Shippo after all these years. I kinda just rolled with it. That and the talking in 3rd person which I am assuming she picked up from the stoic demon lord. This were different for her. No expectation, she could live freely as she wished. I really appreciated this – Rin could be Rin, a beacon of innocence.

"Oh Rin, it's beautiful! You should be thankful to m'lord, he's very gracious to give you such a gift." I paused, "You look very beautiful in it." I stated, my free hand reaching to cup her cheek, she was getting more beautiful by the day. Her skin clear and rosy, her hair glossy and her figure was starting to fill out. She would be attracting suitors from all around the lands soon.

My attention diverted to the stoic Lord in front of us. It was odd to have him turn up in my village, my barrier was strong enough to be painful to someone of his caliber, the only demons allowed access to the village was Inuyasha and Shippo and that was only due to the wards which they had to carry with them at all times within the walls for safety.

"What brings you to the village Lord Sesshomaru?" I queried, peeling the kids off my side so I could approach the demon Lord. His eyes met mine, and I swear I saw emotion. Something was not right.

"This one requires your assistance." He stated, his voice cold and emotionless.

"Okay, just let me get ready. I only just got back." He just nodded and I bounded towards my hut for the rest of my equipment. I slipped on my Geta and tied my quiver and arrows to my back. I packed numerous herbs and sutras in my hip pack and sprinted out the door grabbing my bow on the way out.

"Mumma are you leaving already?" Shippo asked, he and Rin looked up at me with sadness in their eyes.

"Yes my loves, I promise I will be back as soon as possible. Lord Sesshomaru requires my assistance and as you know, we are in a time of war. Please look after the village while I'm gone." I gripped Shippo into a hug and pulled away with a kiss on the cheek and cupped Rin's face and kissed her on the forehead. "I promise I will be back soon," I whispered as I ran off towards the already walking Lord. As I approached I could see the barrier lightly crackling around him, trying to push him away from the village.

As we passed through the barrier, I put my hand out to grab the arm of his Hakama.

"M'Lord," I paused as he peered back at me, "What is this about?" I queried. The children were no longer around, he could talk openly with me now.

"This one needs your assistance on the front lines," he paused, "A Miko is of great merit in a war against demons – particularly one with your strength." I peered down at his hand, it was red from the barrier burns. I was a little impressed I was not going to lie, but that was beside the point.

"So your desire is to use a vessel of the Kami to fight your war?" I spat, letting go of his Hakama is disgust.

"Precisely." He stated and walked off.

I followed.

A/N:

WOAHZER – I hope I didn't bore you guys to death. I'm really trying to get back into writing and I had an idea for a mad story – so just tolerate me just for a bit – I do promise smutty lemons in the near future. BUT WITH WHO!?

Whuahaha.

Any who, Ace out! I will attempt to get a chapter out each week.

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