Words: 500

Time: Present Era

Mrs. Higurashi wiped away the sweat of her brow and sighed. The fungus that had decided to attack the roots of the Goshinboku refused to leave, despite how many products were used to try.

Apparently, digging and placing fungus-killer right between the knotty twists was now her only choice. So she dug, careful not to harm the poor Tree that was suffering its first disease in, according to gramps, decades.

It wasn't so bad, after all. Working kept her busy, and that meant she couldn't spend time thinking of how miserable she felt while missing Kagome.

It had been three years since she returned to Inuyasha's arms once and for all. She knew it was the right thing to do, but letting her go so far away from her protective embrace had been, by far, the hardest thing she had done.

She suck in a shaky breath and swore to herself not to cry.

Her daughter was happy. Gone, but happy. The rest didn't matter.

A loud thud startled her, and she wondered if she had hit a root with her shovel. A second later, she realized, the sound had been rather metallic.

Carefully, her glove-covered hands set the dark earth aside, and something, that with less dirt on should have been golden, greeted her.

She had to pull, since two roots hugged the box tightly. After applying quite a lot of strength, she managed to set the chest free, although she fell back on her butt doing so.

She looked down at her little treasure coffer, and discovered it was dented where the roots had grown pressing against it.

Considering the cleaning of the muddy surface could wait, she took off her gloves and flipped open the pressure lock.

She tilted her head at the sight. Inside, an odd bag greeted her. It smelled terrible, like salt, humidity, and rot. Taking in a deep breath through her mouth and putting on a glove again to explore the contents, she realized there was something in it.

Deciding she better was careful, the woman stood up and made her way into the house, setting her newly found treasure on the table over a washcloth she would surely launder later.

She cleaned the golden surface with a napkin, and gasped when she discovered the most exquisite carvings on the pure gold face.

After scrubbing the outside, she set to work on the inside. Carefully she took the pouch, which was big enough to carry a large book in it, and emptied it on the table.

A tightly wrapped linen package appeared, and after unpacking it, another layer of cotton showed itself.

Yet again, she got rid of the fabric, and discovered the heavy wooden box. She sighed; exasperated… this had to be a joke!

She opened the dark cherry wood rectangle not-so-gently, but immediately recovered her composure, which was replaced by curiosity, which soon made room for her to a shriek.

Piled and stocked, several pieces of rice paper held Kagome's handwriting.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Why, hello, dear reader! This is my first attempt on perfect drabbles. These should (unless this humble non-native English writer goes insane) be 500 words letters of Kagome to her family, which relate what was of her as time went by for her in the feudal era.

Stay tuned for quick updates! The plan is also to post a letter (or reaction) once a week. I'll see you around!