Title: Tides Against Time

Rating: M (Language, Violence, and Adult Content)

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or the Little Mermaid. All rights should go to Inuyasha Inc. and Disney.

Music: The song I have selected for this chapter is: "Sleep and relaxation Nature Sounds, Crickets Summer Night – Sleep Music." I love to listen to music on YouTube while I read to add to the atmosphere. You are welcome to listen along with my music selection if you want. It is not required. When you see these marks (***) that means to begin to play the selected song. When you see (xxx) this means to stop playing the music. It is important to pay attention to these marking as there is more than one song for this chapter. I do not have credit for these recordings or channels but I think it adds to the story.

Tides Against Time: Return

(*** Sleep and relaxation Nature Sounds, Crickets Summer Night – Sleep Music ***)

The brothers sat on the patio chairs by the lagoon in the center of the courtyard. They had been out there waiting for almost an hour and there was still no sign of them. The moon had already risen high in the sky and they were beginning to wonder if they were even coming back. Normally by now there would have been a gift already left for Sesshomaru to find but even that had not shown up. They both sat in silent anticipation trying desperately not to blink out of fear of missing even the slightest of movement. Earlier that day the brothers had decided that they would give gifts in return and had them hidden in their pant's pocket. Now it was just a waiting game to see if they would come. Another thirty minuets go by and disappointment begins settling on their hearts.

"I do not think they are coming back..." Inuyasha said sadly as he slumped in his chair.

Sesshomaru didn't feel the need to respond for he too was thinking the same. He just continued to sit there in silence listening to the breeze blowing threw the trees and the light chirping of crickets. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees and his chin on his intertwined fingers as he stared at the drain on the wall.

"I wonder why they haven't come? She said she would come back… Maybe she misunderstood... or we scared them away?" Sesshomaru thought to himself.

Inuyasha giving up then stood from his chair and let out a long exhale. He then turned towards the castle and started making his way over to the stairs. He had his hands in his pockets and his ears were lying flat on his head in defeat.

"Come on Sesshomaru, let's go back inside. There ain't comein…" said Inuyasha disappointedly.

Taking one last look at the water and not seeing anything Sesshomaru releases a long exhale out his nose and closes his eyes. He then stands up from his chair and begins walking over to his brother on the stairs. With their backs now turned towards the lagoon they do not see the still water along the lagoon rim begin to lightly ripple. Slowly the ripple grows and then two larger ripples appear from under the water. A trail of small bubbles make their way towards them and the sisters peak their eyes out of the water to check to see if the coast is clear. Seeing the brothers making their way up the stairs away from them they swim up to stones lining the beach near the patio and stairwell. They pull themselves out of the water until their heads, necks, shoulders and arms are showing. The brothers Hearing movement in the water behind them with their demon ears makes them halt in the step and turn around to see two mermaids resting on the patio stones they were just sitting next to.

Their lower bodies and tails were still in the water but their upper bodies were resting on the rocks and their crossed arms made their full breasts push up. The moonlight made the water on their bodies and hair shimmer like diamonds. Their eyes locked with them and the brothers become entranced once again in pools of Safire blue and rich milk chocolate. Seeing their beauty once more the brother's hearts skip a beat and Inuyasha releases a small gasp in surprise.

"Hallo, Sesso-moo-ru" said Kagome.

"E-new-yah-suuh" Kikyo said softly beside her sister.

(*Note: trying to make them have accents because they are learning the language.).

The brother's stood there in shock, not sure if they were dreaming or if they were really there. The sister's seeing the brother's shocked faces and lack of movement begin to grow weary and unsure. Did they misunderstand that they were wanted back? Did they not want them there? Not sure what to do the sisters look at each other with questioning glances and start to retreat back into the water. Seeing them leaving the brothers shake themselves out of the stupor and make their way back down the stairs.

"Kikyo wait!" Inuyasha shouts causing the sisters to look over their shoulders at them.

Seeing them wanting them to come back they return to the rocks were the brothers were now sitting with their feet dangling in the water. Kikyo swims up to Inuyasha and pulls herself up next to him and rests on her crossed arms.

"Hi.. uh.. (Clears voice) K..k. Kikyo." Inuyasha says nervously.

Kikyo leaned into his side making their faces less than a foot away and Inuyasha felt a light kiss of her breath on his skin. He swallowed hard trying to keep himself together. Her eyes stared into his soul as her tail gently sways back and forth under the water to help keep her in her place on the rock.

"Hallo… E-new-yah-suuh" Kikyo said slowly while emphasizing the breaks in his name.

"Damn…" he thought to himself.

It was the sexiest thing he had ever heard and it made his heart beat speed up just a bit and his member start to ache. He was mentally patting himself on the back for changing into baggy sleeping pants before coming down to wait for their arrival. Otherwise he would be embarrassing himself right about now.

Seeing her sister approach Inuyasha to her right Kagome extends her hand once more for Sesshomaru to invite her to his side. Taking hold of her hand in his he gently pulls her to rest between his legs to her surprise. Kagome lays her hands on his biceps and his hands find their way to her petite waistline. Kagome's hair was cascading all over her shoulders, chest and back. It was so long that it covered her breast shells giving the illusion of not wearing anything. Because of how close they were and how long his torso was Kagome was forced to crane her upper body back so she could look up into his face. By do this it revealed her shapely cleavage and slender neck. Her pouty pink lips were slightly parted and Sesshomaru's mouth watered behind his closed lips. He had to force himself once again to keep focus.

"How can this little mermaid have such power over me?" he thought inside his head.

Kagome then pulled back from Sesshomaru a little and pulled a braided seaweed bag off of her shoulders. Reaching inside she pulls the faded blue plant life that had been folded neatly inside. She passes the bag over to Kikyo so she too could give her gift. Looking back at Sesshomaru she sees that he is staring down at the gift in her hands with a curious expression on his brow. Passing it over to Sesshomaru he looks into her eyes once more before hesitantly taking it out of her hands. He then unfolds it to reveal his family's symbol on it making his eyes widen slightly.

Sesshomaru watches as Kagome pulls a green satchel bag that looks to be made of seaweed and kelp leaves. It was twisted and braided together making it strong and durable. Kagome then reaches inside of the bag to pull out a folded piece of blue fabric before pass the bag over to Kikyo. Looking closely at the fabric he can see that it was well worn and had dark stains and little holes on it. Kagome then passes it to him making him look up at her to see her anticipation. Unfolding the fabric he uncovers a yellowed crescent moon sown into it. Looking closer to the fabric he realizes this was one of his family flags, but not just any flag. It was a ship's flag. On one side of the flag were ring holes for string to be strung through. It was made from specific cotton that was durable to blow against rough sea winds. Running his thumb and finger together on one of the darker stains he could feel its grittiness and some rubbed of onto his fingers

"This is… ash?" he whispered to himself.

He then realized what had caused these dark spots and holes and where she had gotten it. Watching his confused expression and hearing him say something, Kagome leans closer to him making Sesshomaru look away from the flag in his lap to Kagome's questioning face.

"Do you not like it?" Kagome asked in mermaid.

Not understanding what she said but seeing her sad expression he quickly realized she thought he didn't like her gift. Laying the flag on the brick next to him he pulls Kagome back into his embrace. Wrapping his arms around her, he gives her a light hug. Feeling the need to show her some of his gratefulness for not only this gift but all other previous gifts including the gift of his life. Her head rested under his chin and he could feel her tiny hands resting on his chest over his shirt. He didn't care that her wet hair and damp body were soaking into his cloths because along with this came her body's heat and fresh smell of the coconut and tropical flowers. It was intoxicating. Relaxing his hold around her Kagome looks up into his eyes and he could see a blush going across her cute freckled nose.

"Muchas gracias, Kagome. This is very special." Sesshomaru said making Kagome blush even more.

Kagome bashfully nodded her head yes in response and brought her hair over to one shoulder, ringing it in her hands nervously. With her shoulder now exposed it was then Sesshomaru saw strange white and light pink marks on her arm. Taking hold of her arm in his hand he brings it closer to him to examine, however by doing this it causes Kagome to slightly hiss in pain. Seeing her pain filled expression he quickly lets go of her arm and looks into her eyes apologetically. Although Kikyo healed the wound Kagome still had some nerve pain that was slowly working its way out of her system. Seeing her lightly smile back in response to his concern he then gingerly lifts her arm back into his hand and lightly runs his finger over the lines. Having them up close he sees small tares in the scars and that they were evenly spaced out in a pattern. Looking at the pattern and the shape of the cuts he could tell that it was a bite-mark, a big bite-mark. Looking back at Kagome he points to her arm and asks,

"What made this?"

Kagome seeing him point to her scars realizes he wants to know what happened. Not knowing how to say it she opens her mouth and snaps her teeth together twice. Her teeth crunch together like a paraná making a clicking sound. Sesshomaru shakes his head yes in understanding before continuing.

"Yes, I know it was a bite but what bit you?" he said pointing back to her scar.

Kagome not knowing how to explain her story begins looking for anything to help. Seeing a stick on the grass behind him she dips it into the water and draws the shape of a boat on the rock. Pointing to the flag next to his side Sesshomaru gathers that she must have gotten it from his family's ship. Nodding his head for her to continue Kagome then draws the shape of a fish with pointed fin on the top. Kagome then extended her hands to emphasize that it was a big fish. Sesshomaru recognizes the shape of the fish to be a shark and he stared at the wound. Seeing the wider cuts he realized this shark had to have been a monster. Kagome points to Kikyo then herself before dragging the stick in sporadic circles all over the ship letting him know that they were chased. Seeing him shake his head yes in understanding she then swims over to a tree near the lagoon and breaks off a small branch. Kikyo seeing her sister swim away follows after her to find out what she was doing.

"Kagome, what are you doing? Do we need to leave?" she asked.

"No, Sesshomaru wanted to know what happened to my arm so I'm trying to explain it. Can you pretend to be the shark for me?"

"You want me… to act as the shark…" asked Kikyo dryly.

"Please! It would make this so much easier." Kagome begged.

"Fine… but you owe me." Kikyo said crossing her arms.

The brother's watched as the sister's argued in the water. Not understanding what was happening Inuyasha inches closer to his brother.

"Do you know what's going on?" asked Inuyasha.

"Kagome was telling me how she got her shark bite on her arm." Said Sesshomaru making Inuyasha snap his head to look at Kagome.

"Well shit! How did I not see that before? Those teeth marks are huge!" shouted Inuyasha.

"That is because it was not there yesterday. I would have remembered seeing them and I held her in my arms and she did not flinch away in pain, like just now. I do not understand how that big of a wound would heal so fast." said Sesshomaru.

"Kikyo healed my hands yesterday… Maybe Kagome can do it too? It's not like we have a mermaid handbook lying around to tell us." said Inuyasha sarcastically.

"Indeed." Said Sesshomaru.

The sisters then stopped arguing and began reenacting their story. Kikyo chased Kagome around the lagoon before Kagome brought the branch out in front of her. Kagome yelled her war cry before charging at her sister with the branch in hand. Kikyo used her arms to use as the "mouth" of the shark and opened them wide before closing them shut over Kagome's arm. Kagome then ripped her arm out from the shark's mouth and "stabbed" Kikyo in the side. Kikyo taking the sword under her arm pretended to slowly die before sinking into the water.

"Well damn Kagome!" shouted Inuyasha. "I can't believe you killed that thing!"

Hearing Inuyasha's outburst the sisters giggle and make their way back towards them. Taking Kagome back into his arms Sesshomaru runs his fingers lightly over her scar. He did not like the idea of her being attached by such a beast. Not only that but she risked her life and could have possibly died. What made it worse is he would have had no idea if she had died or where to find her if she were in danger. His inner beast moved to the forefront of his mind and Sesshomaru was over run with possessiveness and the need to comfort her. He then leans forward and places a kiss on each scar. His feathery light kisses cause goose bumps to appear on her skin and she takes in a gasp and closes her eyes in bliss. She had never been touched by a male in such a way before and it was making her stomach do summersaults. He kisses his way down her arm until grazing over her knuckles. His strong amber eyes pierce into hers while he went causing her to forget to breath momentarily. Sesshomaru then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a golden hair comb. The comb had pink and blue butterflies on it and embedded in their wings were tiny diamonds. Seeing her confusion on what it was he takes a section of her hair behind her crown and situates the comb to lie to where her finned ear and slender neck were exposed. It suited her perfectly.

Feeling it under her fingers as it laid in her hair a smile breaks out on her face. She wraps her arms around his neck and says in mermaid,

"Thank you so much Sesshomaru! I will cherish it always."

Seeing the sun begin to lighten the sky once more, Sesshomaru returns her embrace and closes his eyes enjoying her touch while it lasted. Kagome reluctantly pulls away after seeing the sky lighten as well and brings her hand up to cup his cheek.

"Hasta luego… Kagome."

"Ha..stah… looo. yeh..go?" Kagome repeated.

"Si… hasta luego." Sesshomaru said while pointing to the drain but keeping his hold around her, not wanting to let go.

Kagome looking over at the drain and felt him tighten his hold slightly, realized he was telling her goodbye. With her hand still on his cheek she rubbed her thumb gingerly over his strips before leaning in and whispering goodbye once more. She then lightly kissed under his chin then and then slipped into the water, disappearing from his sight.

(Inuyasha/Kikyo View)

Kikyo sees her sister pass her the seaweed bag and she reaches in and pulls out the sea foam green hand mirror with pink flowers and gold trim painted on it. Inuyasha's eyes widen when he sees the weathered mirror. All of his mother's makeup and vanity items were the same design and she had once told him that she had lost her mirror to the sea the night their ship went down. Taking the gift from Kikyo's extended hands their fingers lightly touch on accident and an electric shock sparks between them making them both snap their heads up to look at each other and gasp lightly. They realize they both had experienced the same thing and cautiously Inuyasha reached his hand out again and takes hold of Kikyo's hand in his. A warm hum spreads up their arms and throughout their whole bodies.

Bringing her closer without separating their hands Inuyasha reaches into his pocket and pulls out two seashells he had tied together with string. Inside the cup of one of the shells was red lip paint. Seeing her confused face on what it was Inuyasha dips his clawed finger into the paint and brings his other hand under Kikyo's chin to hold it still. He then looks into Kikyo's confused eyes before bringing his focus onto her lips. He begins painting them and gets lost in the smooth texture and firmness beneath his fingertip. Finishing painting her lips Kikyo pursed her lips together and felt the strange paint spread across them. Her full lips were now rose red and had a light shine to them. She watched as Inuyasha stared at her mouth and began to lean forward in a trance. Not knowing what to do she panics and swims away from his kiss just in time. Inuyasha just blinks his eyes and sits there in confusion on what had just happened. Turning his gaze to were Kikyo had left him he sees her arguing with Kagome. Thinking he missed something important he goes over to his brother.

After sitting next to his brother on the bricks lining the lagoon he learns of Kagome being bitten by a shark. They then watch the mermaids reenact their adventure of killing the shark and to say Inuyasha was impressed was an understatement. Kagome was one tough cookie! The mermaids then returned to their sides. Kikyo pulled herself out of the water to sit next to Inuyasha on the bricks. Her red tail glistened in the moonlight making Inuyasha want to touch it again and he begins to reach his hand out but stops once he realizes what he was about to do. See him hesitate Kikyo takes hold of his hand in her's and guides it to her tail. With his hand under hers they pet her tail together. It was soft as velvet and a smooth a silk like he remembered. Kikyo began to take her hand away from Inuyasha's but his fingers caught hers and he began to interweave his with hers. Kikyo blushed at the intimacy of their hands and bashfully looked up into Inuyasha's warm gaze. They were focused intensely in hers but had softness to their edges. Inuyasha then broke away their gaze and reached into his pocket, pulling out his mother's mirror Kikyo had recovered for him he holds it out to her and says,

"Muchas gracias Kikyo. I believe you found my mother's lost mirror. She would have loved to have seen it one last time."

Seeing her confused look and her slight tilt of her head Inuyasha gathers his courage and leans over and kisses her cheek making her "eep" in surprise." Her face turns bright red and her eyes grew large as she looked at him. Inuyasha's own cheeks grew warm and his ears went back on his head in shyness.

"Muh muh chas…Gr…ass.e..yes?" Kikyo repeated almost with a stutter, still slightly in shock of receiving a peck on the cheek.

"Si… muchas gracias." He said back quietly.

Kikyo then sees the sun begin to lighten the sky and sees her sister saying her goodbyes to Sesshomaru. Looking down at their still intertwined fingers she looks from the corner of her eye to see that Inuyasha was looking at the mirror in his other hand. Taking a deep breath she musters her courage and quickly turns and leans forward kissing his cheek almost at the corner of his mouth leaving a perfect red lip print on his face. When she leaned back she sees that Inuyasha was a stiff as a board, ears standing at attention on the top of his head and his eyes were wide looking out at the water in shock. She watched as his cheeks turned bright red before his amber eyes turned to look at her twinkling. Seeing his embarrassment and happiness she releases a giggle making him smile slightly and lightly squeeze their hands. Bring them to his lips he then kisses her hand. Squeezing his hand still wrapped around hers she slips into the water. Looking at him and seeing his sad face she gives him a soft smile before slowly untangling their fingers and letting go of his hand, disappearing from his view.

The brothers just sat there together with their feet dangling in the water as they watched the sun continue to rise. After a few minuets Sesshomaru looks over to his brother to see red outlines of a woman's lips on his cheek. Raising an eyebrow Sesshomaru brings his hand up to his cheek and says,

"Inuyasha… you have a something on your cheek."

Inuyasha hearing his name looks over to his brother to see him pointing at his own cheek but telling him he has something on his cheek. Inuyasha brings his fingers up to the spot Sesshomaru is pointing at to find something wet and oily. Pulling his fingers back he discovers red paint.

"Gah!" he shouts as he realizes what it is and begins to frantically wipe his cheek with his sleeve.

Sesshomaru just smirks at his brother's childish response to a single kiss. Seeing this Inuyasha tells him to shut up and they once again make their way up the stairs to begin another day. Now that they knew their mermaids would be returning again the anxiety and stress of the unknown lifted off of their shoulder's making them almost have a pep in their step. Soon day turned into night, one week turns into two and soon the demons and the mermaids have bonded together for an entire month. Over that time they slowly learning each other's language and grow closer together as friends. However they were beginning to reach three major road blockers. One, Inuyasha's birthday celebration was coming bringing with it more people into the castle. Making it risky to have the mermaids come and visit. Two, both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's fiancés would be coming with their father the Duke and three, mating season was in full swing and both Kikyo and Kagome were running out of excuses to give to pestering suitors or their father.

(End of Chapter 5)

(What will happen with these road blockers? Will the sisters be able to continue to visit the demon brothers? What all has been happening at home behind the sisters backs? Only time will tell! Be sure to follow my story to find out! More chapters soon! Thanks again for reading. Be sure to leave a review to let me know what you are thinking so far! Love your feedback!)