Title: The Heart of the Nile: Returning Home
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and all credit for the anime should be directed to the Inuyasha corp and author.
Rate: M – Mature language, violence, and adult content in various chapters.
While reading: I recommend listening to Egyptian Music mix (this is not my channel but I love the mix and I think it add a great atmosphere while reading).
The Heart of the Nile: Returning Home
Inuyasha awoke to the soft strokes of his canapé bed's curtains gently blowing in the breeze and the early rays of the sun kissing his face. He sat up on his bed that was located in the captain's quarters of the boat. He and his men had been sailing the sea for almost three years in searching for a great treasure. Looking out his window he sees the open water of the Mediterranean Sea on one side of the boat and the approaching coastline of the Nile River on the other.
"Finally, almost home." Inuyasha said as he began to dress for the return to the palace where he would be meeting his brother the Pharaoh to report about his trip.
He pulled on a white loincloth made of fine cotton. It went to his knees and he tied it off around his waist with a golden sash with ties that laid down the front. He washed his face in a water basin and reapplied his kohl eye paint around his eyes. He extended the wings on the corners making the golden color of his eyes pop against his lightly tanned skin. He then picked up his necklace, which was laden with green, blue, and yellow stones and clasped it behind his neck. Walking out the door he slipped on his woven sandals, put on his golden crown with ivory dog-ears, and hoisted his sword along the golden ties around his waist. Once on the deck of the ship he walked over to the coastline side of the boat and was approached by his commanding officer Musa of the Royal Navy.
"Prince Inuhotep!" Musa shouted while approaching him. "Good morning, Sir! We are approaching the port and should be docked within the hour," said Musa as he bowed and placed his right hand over his heart in greeting before rising.
"About damn time Musa! We've been on this trip for three long years and I'm ready to be home and be done with this whole thing! I am not getting back on a boat for a very long time if I have any say in it. " Inuyasha jarred.
"Yes Sir," Musa chuckled. "After these three years of friendship it would be nice to at least have you come visit us. I do hope you would grace my men and I by your presence every bloom moon. With the lands in peace and the coastline secured it would be fun to have you aboard for another game of senet and drinks."
Inuyasha leaned on the railing of the boat. Crossing his arms in a relaxed pose he side glanced Musa with a toothy smirk. "Yeah, that would be nice. I promise I'll come and visit after I get everything settled with my brother." Inuyasha replaced his smirk for a scowl as he said, "Who knows how long he'll work me once I show him the map. I sure hope this treasure is worth all this trouble."
"Very true Sir," Musa replied. "Well, I best get the ship prepared to land. It was a pleasure sailing with you Sir. Till we meet again," as he bowed and walked towards the stern of the ship to start giving out orders.
Inuyasha looked back at the coastline of the Nile. He could slightly make out the outline of the city walls and the statues of the gods at the gate welcoming them home. Past the walls he could see the top of the palace and the houses of his people. Walking back to his quarters to wait out the remainder of the trip he pulled out a wooden box from out of the floorboards under his bed. Opening the box he unrolled the map he found after 3 years of dead ends, crisscrossing the Mediterranean Sea, going through deserts, abandoned caves, sunken ships, pirates and thieves. All for a map supposedly with the last location of the hidden treasure his father desperately longed for.
Hearing cheering from the port he quickly put the map back into the box grabbed his bag with his remaining personal items and returned to the deck of the ship. Once on deck he saw a massive crowd to welcome them home. Towards the back of the crowd was a platform occupied by his brother, 3 priests, 5 elders, 6 dancing concubines and the most beautiful women his eyes had ever beheld awaiting the deck for the men to depart their long awaited return.
"Kikyo..." he whispered into the wind. Her knee length raven hair was crowned by a golden band with blue wings adorn just above her ears. She was dressed in a white cotton dress with cream chiffon over top. Golden snake bracelets were around both upper arms and golden sandals on her feet made her shimmer with the warmth of the late morning sun. Once the plank was dropped Inuyasha ran off the boat into Kikyo's awaiting arms. Another cheer erupted from the crowd as they watched their Prince passionately kissed his beloved wife in a loving embrace.
"Oh Inuyasha, I've missed you so much!" Kikyo cried as she looked into her beloved husband's eyes. Inuyasha looked down into the rich brown eyes of the women he cherished above all else as a tear ran down her rose dusted cheek. He brushed his thumb gingerly across it removing the tear as he went.
"I'm sorry I took so long to return to you, my love. We ran into some complications that delayed our return. There was not a day that went by I did not think of you," Inuyasha said softly before kissing her gently again. Turning his attention back to the platform Inuyasha interwove his fingers with Kikyo's and approached his brother and king.
"At last you return little brother, I hope your journey was well worth it," Pharaoh Sesshothumote said while rising from his chair and meeting his brother on the platform. Inuyasha bowed with his hand over his heart.
"My Lord Pharaoh and older brother, your men sailed long and hard. We encountered many hardships along the way but your men prevailed in their task," Inuyasha said while rising back up to look into his brothers eyes before handing him the wooden box.
Raising a silver eyebrow at Inuyasha, Sesshomaru took the box and said, "Come, we have much to discuss. We will meet in the papyrus wing. Tonight we will have a great feast in honor of your success and safe return." Pulling Kikyo behind him Inuyasha followed his bother as they all climbed aboard a golden chariot in rout to the palace. For tonight there was much to prepare and celebrate for the future of the empire.