It's late afternoon when Kagome steps out of the well house, and she follows the gradually fading light to the Goshinboku.

No matter when she is, the tree is a steadfast comfort.

Craning her neck back, she tracks the golden glow painting the ancient bark up into canopy of changing leaves. It's bigger here in her time, and yet this one—the one she grew up with—is almost less familiar now than the one in the past.

Strange how that happens.

"You're back!"

Her mother's voice rouses a smile, and Kagome turns as she approaches. "For a couple days."