Twist of time

“Excuse me could to you tell me if a monk named Miroku resides in this village?” Istra asked an elderly woman dressed in the red and white robes of a priestess.
The woman pushed to her feet from where she knelt in a herb garden. “Why yes my child. Why to ye look for him?”
Istra smiled as innocently as possible. “I have a message for him.”
Seemingly satisfied with the answer the priestess nodded. “If ye will follow me I’ll lead ye to where he resides.”
Istra let out the breath she didn’t know she was holding. That was easier than she would of imagined. Smiling, she followed the woman.
The town was small, but the people all seemed very happy, cheerful smiles met the priestess, who Istra learned was named Kaede.
Kaede stopped at a small grouping of three houses on the outside of the village. “The middle one is where Miroku lives and the other two house his friends.”
Istra bowed thanking the priestess sincerely before making her way up to the middle house. Knocking on the frame she waited to see if the monk was home.
She didn’t have long to wait, however, soon the reed mat that covered the doorway opened revealing a handsome man with the most vibrantly violet eyes she had ever seen.
“And what do I owe the pleasure of having such a beautiful woman at my door?” He smirked lifting one brow as he looked Istra over.
“Are you the monk that until recently had a hole in the middle of his hand?” She asked once his gaze made it’s way up to her eyes.
A cocky smile lifted one corner of his mouth, “Why yes my dear lady, and what can I do for you?”
Istra fought the urge to roll her eyes. “My name is Istra and I have been sent here by your mother.”
The cocky smile disappeared as the monk’s jaw dropped, “M-my mother?”
Istra began to reply but was interrupted by an enraged “Miroku!”
Turning instantly, preparing to protect this monk Istra froze as her eyes locked with golden eyes so familiar yet so different. The man had the same white hair as her previous companion as well as the same striking eyes, but that was where the similarities ended. On top of his head perched two pointy little ears that moved to and fro. Istra couldn’t help but note the difference between this man and his older brother. Admittedly, he was handsome, in a rugged manly way; he was just so much different than the other demon.
“Monk why aren’t you ready? Do you want to be late and have Sango kick your ass?”
Miroku cringed at the thought his eyes darting from his friend to the woman standing in front of him. “Inuyasha, can you not see I am busy?”
Inuyasha looked Istra over then huffed. “Whatever,” turning back to Miroku he stepped forward menacingly. “You know we need to meet the girls in order to get to the wedding on time.”
Istra raised one brow to the Monk. “With all do respect Monk, I need to speak with you as soon as possible, it is imperative I give you this message.”
Miroku slid one hand over his face in frustration looking from the beautiful woman to his friend then back. “Can it wait till the wedding is over?”
Istra narrowed a look at him showing she was not pleased. “It can, but I must accompany you. I have been sent here to protect you.”
“P-protect me?”
Inuyasha laughed. “Listen here wench Miroku here doesn’t need your protection, and if you know what’s good for you, you wouldn’t be here when Sango is around, she’s very possessive.”
“Your mated- I mean married?” Istra asked in surprised.
“Oh no, not at all.” Miroku waved a hand blushing slightly.
Turning back to the half demon Istra glared. “Listen here squeaker, I need to do my job and until I deliver my message here I am. I’ve had a rough couple of days and I just had to say goodbye to the sweetest little girl I have ever met so you really don’t want to be telling me what to do right now.”
“Inuyasha!” a woman’s voice called sharply.
Istra was surprised when the half demon’s ears flattened against his head. Turning slowly he watched as a beautiful brunette women strode over to the group a slightly older woman with a deadly look in her eye trailing after.
“What’s wrong with you?” she hissed looking at the half demon, turning brightly to Istra she offered a smile. “Hi, I’m Kagome Tashio.”
Istra couldn’t help smiling back as she curtseyed to the priestess. “Istra MacGawin.”
“I’m sorry for the rude treatment my husband must of given you.” She elbowed the man next to her in the ribs, still maintaining a smile.
Istra waved a hand, “Actually I’m used to it.”
“What do you mean?” the taller woman who had joined the group with Kagome met Istra’s gaze with her clear hazel eyes.
Maintaining eye contact with this seemingly dangerous woman Istra dipped down again. “And you must be the woman, Sango, this monk spoke so highly of.”
Sango raised a brow. “He did, did he?”
Istra nodded. “He did, he was just saying how he couldn’t hear the urgent matter I had to inform him of because he had to meet you beautiful ladies.”
“What? He said Kagome was beautiful?” Inuyasha bellowed moving toward Miroku.
“Hm and what’s wrong with that Inuyasha? I am beautiful aren’t I?” Kagome asked pulling her husband back.
“Yes you are but I’ll be dammed if I let anyone else tell you that!” He bellowed reaching for the monk again.
Istra quickly stepped between the two. “I can not allow you to harm him.” She growled her voice low.
Sango lifted a brow. “Miroku who is this woman?”
Miroku looked at Istra silently asking her permission to divulge that information. After a curt nod he sighed. “She says she has a message from my mother.”
Sango’s eyes widened as she turned toward Istra. “Is that true?”
Istra nodded. “If you don’t have the time for me to give my message, which will take a while, I need to remain close to the monk for his protection.”
“Is he in some sort of danger?” Kagome asked, frowning slightly.
Inuyasha wrapped his arm around her shoulder automatically at the sight of her slight distress.
“Yes, I do believe that if certain people find out about him he will be in very grave danger indeed.” Istra moved closer bringing the circle in tighter. “If you need to be somewhere, by all means proceed, but I cannot leave the monk’s side.” She looked Sango in the eye.
Receiving a nod from the slayer Istra stepped back allowing the monk to take Sango’s arm. Moving to Sango’s other side Istra leaned over and whispered. “Are you the one to be married to him?”
“Yes.” Sango frowned.
“Then I will be needing to give my message to you also.” Istra stated moving to guard the groups back. Turning she scanned the direction in which she came from. For a moment her heart stopped when she saw a flash of white. Only to begin beating again when she saw a flock of white birds fly away. Shaking her thoughts away she wondered why she missed the sour lord so much already.

“What is wrong Rin?” Sesshomaru asked after hearing the fifth sigh in the last half hour.
“My lord Sesshomaru, I’m worried about Istra, what if she gets hurt and no one is there to help her?”
“She is more than able to take care of herself Rin.”
“Do you…” Rin paused looking back at the path to the village. “Do you think I’ll ever see her again?”
Sesshomaru turned to tell her no, but the words froze as he looked into her expressive brown eyes. “I don’t know Rin.”
Rin nodded, her tiny features drawn in a look of determination. “I’ll see her again my lord.” She whispered as she closed her eyes.
Sesshomaru pulled the blankets over her more fully before leaving the clearing. “Ah-Un, protect her.”

The wedding of Akitoki Hojo to a woman he had change her name to Kagome was an interesting one to say the least. It was shorter than any that Istra had ever attended and was over before she knew it. Soon the group was sharing awkward glances and trying to get away. Istra stayed with the monk all through the ceremony and after, vigilantly looking for any threat that might befall him. Much to her surprise the demon slayer also remained at the monk’s side.
Tilting her head to the side Istra watched the slayer carefully. She seemed more than competent and would probably be of much help.
‘He could of done worse.’ She looked around at the groups of gawking women. ‘Much worse’.
The priestess, Kagome seemed well loved and smiled brightly even as she had to keep nudging her husband to keep him from saying the wrong thing. “How could they be related?” she muttered. Turning once again to scan the woods beyond the town. Moving out of the firelight she held a hand up, reaching for a thread of magic that connected to all the threads surrounding the village. Nothing. She smiled happily before moving back to keep an eye on the monk.
“I think it’s time we left.” Kagome spoke quietly as the groom made his way over toward them. A low growl rumbled out of Inuyasha. Istra lifted an eyebrow in question toward the monk and demon slayer. Both shook their head, the monk taking the slayers arm and offering his other to Istra. “I agree with Kagome’s idea, I am more than ready to hear the message Lady Istra brings.”
Catching Sango’s look of warning Istra passed up the monk’s arm in favor of waiting for Kagome.
“Inuyasha! Get Shippo! It is way to late for him to be out!” The young woman was tough when need be as she glared at her husband. Pointing she directed the half demon to a little fox demon who was clinging precariously from the groom's pant leg. “Shippo!!!” Kagome yelled. “I know he’s your subject but it’s time for you to go now!”
Istra smiled as the fox demon was pried off Hojo’s shoulder by his tail. “Inuyasha!” Kagome’s voice warned as the half demon raised a fist to the smaller demon. “Go put him to bed!”
Sighing, Kagome turned around dropping her frown for a cheery smile immediately. “Sorry about that.”
Istra just shrugged taking up walking with the younger woman. “How long have you been married to Inuyasha?”
A dreamy look entered Kagome’s eyes. “Oh, I guess it’s a year now.”
“You seem very happy.” Istra commented. “Do your families get along well?”
Kagome laughed. “They’ve never met, if they did.” She waved her hand in front of her face. “I couldn’t even imagine what would happen.”
“How interesting.” Istra smiled.
Kagome nodded. “Yeah, it is a pretty crazy story I’ll have to tell you sometime.”
“I’d love that,” Istra sighed looking ahead at the monk. “I really don’t want to do this.”
To her surprise Kagome patted her forearm where it rested on the hilt of her sword. “I’ll be alright, crazy things happen to this group all the time. What’s one more.”
Looking over at the priestess thoughtfully, Istra nodded. “You know he is very lucky to have friends that are that supportive. I just hope I can trust you all.” She looked pointedly after Inuyasha.
Kagome burst out laughing. “Why do you think I sent him away?”