Disclaimer: I do not own Rumiko Takahashi's Inuyasha. I claim no rights to the characters and any plots associated with the story. The story the little mermaid is currently public domain and I have taken creative license with it in order to make it fit my ideas. If you like the plot line or style please feel free to play with it I only ask you give me some semblance of credit.
The girl looked up longingly from the waves. The ship drifted choppily over the stirring water while it's inhabitants rallied on. The sounds and shapes she saw made her wish she was up there too. The people seemed to flit around swimming in the air. 'How do they do that?' she wondered, wishing she could do the same.
She began to drift into a daydream until she noticed a figure coming closer to her edge of the railing so she sunk lower into the abyss. As she looked up she gazed upon one of the most handsome things she'd ever seen. He appeared to be young like her, but his hair was as silver as the ball of ice in the sky. Almost like her father, but he didn't appear to be as ancient. She studied his chiseled features with pale blue markings and his piercing gold eyes. The same gold as the things she found in the water ships deep below the surface.
She rose slightly from the waves to get a better look and all of the sudden their eyes met. His brow furrowed very slightly and he leaned further down. Unthinkingly the girl rose hoping to make contact before a sound from behind the creature startled her. She sunk below the waves again but not before giving one last glance to the creature above her. She dove just far enough that she could see and hear without it be reciprocated.
She watched as a creature younger looking than her creature walked up and stood next to him, speaking in a rough voice. "Sess, you aught to get back, don't want to be mistaken for a mermaid". The younger creature cackled while her creature just stood and seemed to slide a cold mask on. "Brother of the two of us, you are more likely mistaken to be a female. I do not cackle like you do, dog". The younger creature straitened and seemed to growl, but her creature seemed unaffected.
With one passing look back to the water, he slowly walked away from the railing. The girl watched as the younger creature threw a glance at her land, and then followed her creature inwards. The girl sighed remembering what the younger creature said. 'Sess, I must meet him, this must be my calling" she thought, and with a quick flit of her tail she dove further into the life water.
The girl swam until she saw the familiar reef formation and she slowed, swishing her fin to create more bubbles. The tiny colorful fish swarmed around her as she giggled.
They rushed against her and some lightly sucked on her skin. She shooed the off as she swam further into an opening in the reef made of colorful coral. Once inside she swam into the school she lived in. Various fish flitted around while her friends and subjects busied themselves with tasks.
As she passed each fish bowed their heads in acknowledgement and she smiled at them. Used to this treatment she swam faster with her little pack of fish following behind.
When she reached the largest piece of coral she swam through a large opening that had been created with gnashing teeth. When she had been just a guppie, her sister had told her stories of how the great white shark that her father had tamed chewed slowly at the coral until the hole was big enough and then promptly died. It had always made her cry whereas everyone else laughed.
She never understood why the shark had to die. But her sister just smiled and told her she was naïve and didn't understand the balance of life. She knew know that sharks were her biggest danger, yet in all of her encounters they had never harmed her. Not to say she didn't fear them.
Two lifecycles ago her sister had been badly wounded by a rock shark that had been angered by a human. She had to beach and had not been seen since. The girl sighed and continued her search. She hoped to find her father before he made any announcements. Today was to be her first beached day. Every year after a fish in her school turned fifteen life cycles the fish had to beach in order to find their purpose.
Some stayed on land, others returned with mates. The force of the sea decided the fate of its inhabitants, and sometimes the pull was stronger for others. After a fish was sent up they were required to return for three suns, so to inform the school of their purpose.
It helped protect the school as more of her school rises to the surface. This allowed each person to find his or her fate without the danger or confusion that the air world brought.
The girl swam up to a wide collection of coral and saw her father sitting on a polished rock in the middle of the room. In front of him lounged a Ôcto, his personal assistor.
"Father, I have come from the surface, I believe it is my time to beach". The man turned and his long silver hair floated around him. His bead swerved and bobbed as her opened his mouth to speak.
"Rin are you sure this is your time? You only celebrated two moons ago, perhaps you should wait a bit longer". Rin shook her head but didn't respond. She knew he wanted only for her to be safe, but when each fish felt their calling, it was their duty to respond.
He sighed and flipped himself upright. With a sad nod he headed to a small box that had been taken from an air world's ship. From within it her took a small vial and a necklace.
She trembled as she recognized the objects, each person in her family had used these very objects and now she had found time in her favor.
"The vial is of water essence, once you beach you must only but take a sip and you shan't need to touch water again. This necklace is to allow you to walk and function as what you should know now is man, human is what they call themselves". Rin nodded taking the necklace and securing it around her gills.
"Know this my daughter. As you take your first step as a human you will notice changes. This necklace helps to change your body but it can only do so much. You will have markings on your back and feet that signify your breeding. Should this necklace be removed you will become yourself split. Humans do not life this form, and will try to kill you if they see it. But they aren't your only concern. You must be weary of demons. For thousands of life cycles our kind has been their natural mates.
They find us irresistible, and if you are not careful they will court you with abandon. This necklace will help you but only so much. In the presence of royal blood it will cease to work and you must be prepared to handle them on your own. Do you understand?"
He took her hand in his and stared into her eyes searching for the answer. "Yes father I am, I will be careful and I will return when I know of my purpose." He nodded and lightly pecked her forehead. "Then you have my blessing and may the essence guide you."
A/N: SO as promised this is a rewrite of my series. I guess I had thought so much about avoiding the little mermaid that I lost my connection to the plot that I have in mind. Anyways, I might have components similar to the story but then again I might not. I hope that everyone likes it, and I welcome constructive criticism. I know that your probably just going to read and run, lord knows I do, but if you have a moment please take a second to review so I know what you think. You never know it might help me change the story completely! Expect the next chapter within the week, and if anyone is interested in betaing, please message me with a link to your profile! Have a wonderful day/night!