Chapter 1: To Start Over

I strolled along the familiar path in a daze. My large raven colored ears and fluffy tail twitched. My black and blue kimono fluttered in the light breeze. Ever since the jewel reentered my body and disintegrated, I was slowly, agonizingly slowly, turning into a kitsune, a shadow kitsune to be specific. The damned jewel even took away my miko abilities! I could no long become a miko of the village, so I watched over it and protected it from any stray malicious youkai.

I stopped in front of the Goshinboku. Many years have passed; my human friends have died leaving their children or successors. Kirara stayed to be with Sango and Miroku's descendants, to watch over them. Sesshomaru rules the western kingdom with Jaken, his ever loyal servant. Shippo is studying at the Fox Inn I graduated in to learn the basics of my new abilities. Inuyasha disappeared in the northern region to stop the rumored massacres by two supposedly very powerful demons and hasn't returned.

I leaned my forehead against the bald spot in the bark where Inuyasha was once pinned to. 250 years has passed and no letter or sign of return has come from my best friend. I pray to the Goshinboku, even when I'm a wild kistune. Inari-sama had proposed to me a position of being one of her messengers, but to do so would have to change me into a white fox. I did not want to change myself. I did not want to bend to anyone's rule anymore! So, I refused polity, and Inari-sama gave me a pitying look before leaving, saying that her offer still stands.

Small droplets of salty tears dribbled down my moon light skin. I cry for my missing companion, my deceased human friends, and for my own weakness. I want to become stronger, to learn what other abilities I have other than illusions and leaf tricks. Warmth surrounded me as a male of great power embraced me from nowhere. My eyebrows nit when I smell the Goshinboku on him. I opened my previously shut eyes to stare into wood brown eyes. I blinked as he smiled at me sadly and held me tighter. His long moss green, silky hair tickled my nose.

He felt so familiar. I leaned into him, embracing his comfort and warmth. I felt him start to pet my knee long mane of fluffy soft raven hair. I calmed down and actually start to purr when he scratched behind my ears tenderly. I was becoming drowsy.

"Kagome"

His voice was a deep tenor. I liked it, but I pulled away to look at the familiar and unfamiliar man. I nodded for him to continue while rubbing my eyes to stay awake.

"Kagome, do you really wish to become stronger?"

I eyed him warily, but nodded again more firmly. I heard him chuckle. I blushed. I felt like I was a child again.

"You don't have to be so wary around me Kagome. You have known me your whole life, Goshinboku. I am also a lesser God of Time. I can help you start fresh to grow stronger, but I want you to do so further back in time, 2 500 years or so. I, myself, will not be manifested in that time, but it was a slow process. You will be able to live and grow within this time, so will you go?"

I stared into his sad and comforting eyes, but I had already made up my mind.

"Yes, thank you Goshinboku"

I smiled a real smile. It had been 125 years since it had reached my eyes.

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Kagome's age: 266 years old

As of right now and future chapters, I will be stating Kagome's age at the end of each chapters. Enjoy!