The Difference A Year Makes by witchy_woman

Chapter 1

It really is amazing the difference a year can make. In just one year’s time my life went from ideal and pretty perfect to a flaming shambles.

One year ago I was the happiest woman in the feudal era. I had finished my training as a miko and put my powers to use helping anyone and everyone. I traveled offering aid in nice weather or when I was needed and even when I stayed put in Edo people came from all over to see me. Me.

I was FINALLY being courted by Inuyasha. I had been in love with him since I was fifteen and left the future forever for him. We were courting officially and I was sewing my wedding dress. He brought me green cloth that was the color of my old school uniform so I could have miko robes that were unique to me and not the same as Kikyo. I have always hated being compared to her or reminding him of her.

I had a village that was home and seemed to care for me and accept me. Edo was home and reminded me of those old-time sitcom neighborhoods were everyone is friends with everyone and they all know and look out for each other. I had the cutest house that Inuyasha built me near the well.

 All and all, everything was perfect as far as I was concerned. But that was last year.

This year I am homeless. The village hates me, so much so in fact they burned down my house. I am NOT getting married or mated. Inuyasha and I are not just over, we are in ‘never were’ territory. No one wants my help as a miko. I have actually been shunned by most of the priests, priestesses and monks I’ve met.

Miroku and Sango are the only ones who don’t hate me. I suppose I could go live in the slayer village with them, but that would just bring trouble to them and I don’t want that.

Yeah. A year can totally change everything. I was happy and safe and secure. Now, not so much. My protector is NOT my protector anymore. In fact, I am the protector now and boy does my beautiful green miko garb show it. My clothes are torn and ripped and filthy. I still can’t figure out how to get bloodstains out in this era. I need a bath and some time to really heal all the bruises and scrapes I am covered with.

So now here I am, battered, bruised, tired, homeless, and gritty. I am exhausted and alone. Well, not alone exactly. The guards are here. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention I am standing in Sesshomaru’s palace, under arrest for crap I didn’t do with two small hanyou pups in my arms?

“Miko, you will answer this Sesshoomaru’s questions. You are charged with treason, theft and murder of a royal of the West. What have you to say for yourself?”

“I am innocent.” Could this get any worse?

“Is that not tessaiga at your hip? If you are not a thief then how did you come by it? My hanyou half-brother would never give it away nor would he abandon his village yet you have his sword and he is nowhere to be found. The village says you are responsible. I will ask you once. If you did not murder him, then where is my brother?”

“That is such a long story Se…er…I mean Lord Sesshomaru.”

“Hn. Enough games wench. You WILL answer these charges. NOW!” his growl reverberated through the chamber.

My right arm got warm and an awful smell assaulted my nose. Great, I guess it can get worse. Baby shit. I held my right arm up and motioned with my head to the pup held on that side.

“THIS is Inuyasha.” All eyes went to the little hanyou pup in red with a poopie diaper and white triangular ears. He turned his little face to the great daiyoukai and began to wail, his big gold eyes filling with tears. This of course got the little girl on my left to start.

“Explain.”

I sighed. This was going to be a long night. I sat on the floor and began to change Yasha right there on his fancy marble floor as I told him about my crazy year from hell.

Author's Note: So I've been kicking this plunny around a while and thought to give it a shot. Reviews are appreciated. Notes, thoughts and suggestions are great. Constructive critism is apprecited when done nicely. Be gentle, I'm sensitive. ;)