Kagome woke with a stuttering gasp, feeling the faded echo of a pierced lung. Then she opened her eyes. _What the actual fuck...?_ Everything was in deep focus, sharp in the middle but faded on the edges. Every grain of the wood surrounding her could be seen, even the small scuffs from her school shoes made by climbing up the well. She blinked twice and tried to recall how she ended up at the bottom of the well. Looking up, she noticed she was on her side, too. It wasn't until she smelled a sickly coppery scent that Kagome remembered her recent death.
_When I find that no good, bastard hanyou and his zombie whore, I'm gonna lose my fucking mind!_
_ **OOOOOOOOO. No wonder Midnight wasn't brought in. Somebody's already got a temper, huh Missy?**_
** **Kagome looked around swiftly, wondering if she had finally lost her mind, only to come nose to snout with _a friggen PANTHER?! WHAT?!_ Taking a deep breath, Kagome did what she's always done in (_COMPLETELY UNBELIEVABLE) _situations like this; she began to talk to herself:
"Okay, Kagome. Let's go through this slowly. Maybe then, all this will start to make some kinda sense, right? Okay." Here, she took a deep, cleansing breath in hopes of a modicum of relaxation. "One: I definitely died today. Wait, today? Was it today? Cuz a lot of time coulda passed and I'd have no idea... Well, it was the middle of the night then... But I can't tell what time it is now and even if I could, who's to say a couple days haven't passed? But grandpa would've checked if- ANYWAY! I DIED! Okay, so two: I'm somehow magically breathing right now, so... Not death is pretty okay... Um... Three: there's a weird, green-eyed panther crammed in this tiny-ass well with me and it hasn't eaten me yet. Four: it may be able to talk, but it's also equally probably - or more probable, even - that I have lost my mother-loving mind. Is that all? Well, there's also the super-sight and stuff but I think I'll come back to that later and-"
**Are you quite done yet?**
** **"Yep, that panther just talked to me," Kagome muttered. Then, louder, she addressed it, "Uh, hello random jungle creature. My name's Kagome and I have no idea what's going on right now. Pleased to meet you. Also, could you explain why the hell you're here and why I haven't been eaten yet? That'd be great, thanks."
** OOOOOO. You're a smart-ass too. Fun.**
"Actually, sarcasm is a coping mechanism. I just died and woke up in a glorified ditch two feet away from a carnivorous predator that talks. You'll understand my trepidation."
** Well, at least you're intelligent. Or, at least, you own a thesaurus.**
"Yeah, uh, can we get to the explaining part? Cuz I'm about thirty seconds away form losing my shit."
** Oh, yes, of course. My name is Li. I am here as a special representative of Bastet and your Kami. It is nice to meet you, Higurashi Kagome, and I hope to build a beautiful relationship with you over the next few months.**
Kagome flinched and opened her mouth to voice an objection.
** If you'll be so kind as to allow me to explain first and ask questions later, I'd be much obliged, thank you.**
Kagome shut her mouth.
** Good. Now, as I said, I am a representative of the gods and also your guardian for the foreseeable future. As you said before, you died yesterday. Bastet sent me to revive you as one of her warriors before your soul was taken. You are familiar with comic books, yes?**
Kagome nodded.
** The character, Catwoman. Think of yourself as a true version of this character. Except you will not become a criminal. My mistress saw great promise in your soul and she sent me to cultivate that promise into tangible magnificence. Therefore, I shall train you for the next few months, until you are ready to face your destiny. Any questions?**
Kagome thought for awhile. "Well, I'm gonna assume I've not just lost my mind and all that is true, okay? Just makes my life easier. I just don't understand one thing. What do the kami have to do with all of this?"
** Oh, yes, excellent question. Well when Bastet noticed you, she went to your Kami with an appeal to save your soul. You see, she could have just brought you back herself, but since you are a Shinto priestess, a great portion of your soul belongs only to the Kami. They blessed you with the power, so she could not preserve without their blessing, you see? But instead of just giving my mistress the blessing, they got involved also.**
Kagome raised a brow, intrigued.
** Now, usually, when Bastet chooses her warriors, she sends a small cat, unnoticeable and unobtrusive, or just recruits any cat in the immediate vicinity like your cat, Buyo. But the Kami didn't want that. They said you needed training, as a warrior and as a priestess, so they asked my mistress to find a strong soul to send in a host of their making. I was a legendary warrior in my first and fifth life and a healer in all, so I was chosen while the Kami crafted this body of a demon panther.**
It wasn't until then that Kagome's sensitive eyes noticed the deep purple markings on the panther's rich black fur that told of it's demon heritage. "Huh. That's pretty awesome. So, in this new life, I get to keep my reiki, yes?"
** Yes. With some added boosts, but we'll talk about those later. You will also notice some distinctly feline capabilities like your eyesight and balance.**
"So I won't be a klutz anymore?"
** No, you will not.**
"Okay, so when does this 'training' begin?"
** After you bathe, rest, and explain the situation to your family.**
Kagome cheered at the bathing part, then sobered quickly when Li brought up her family. "I have to tell my family I died?"
**Yes. Your honesty is a rare virtue and your family is a major support pillar in your upbringing. I am told that lying to them would be detrimental to our progress and your recovery.**
"Recovery? I'm fine. All my wounds are gone..."
**Emotionally, child. While you may not have loved the fool any longer, you still trusted him. Do not attempt to lie to me.**
"Wow," Kagome said, scuffing her feet in the dirt. "You really did your homework."
** Yes, I did. Now get to climbing. No more procrastination. You must explain what happened to your family first before rest.**
"Okay." So, Kagome, climbed up the well and walked slowly up the steps to her home, Li trotting behind her all the way. Before opening the door, she took a deep breath. "I'm home!"
"Kagome!"
_**Author's note: I own absolutely nothing but the (weird) plot and the occasional OC! And if I was making money off this, I wouldn't eat so much instant ramen, no matter what Naruto says. Reviews feed my rapidly dying soul, so I'd appreciate them!**_
**_Also, I know I need to finish Fun in the Sun, but I just couldn't help myself. Don't hate me!_**