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: "Wolsey's Wilde - William Byrd." 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: First Impressions
Sesshomaru stood in the entryway of his castle with a few of the Elders and Councilmen. Just as the carriage arrived at the gate his brother and royal advisor came to stand beside them. A servant opened the carriage door to reveal three passengers inside.
(*** Woley's Wilde - William Byrd ***)
Stepping out first was the Duke's eldest daughter Kagura. She was dressed in an elegant red and white pin-stripped travel dress. It had a matching corset appropriate for a lady of high society in England at the time. Its skirt was bustled in the back and had lace trimming around the collar and sleeves. Her long black hair was curled and pinned up on the top of her head revealing her slender neck and pointed demon ears. She wore jade earrings and had a matching ladies hat that was decorated in ribbons and feathers. Her skin was snow white and her eyes were ruby red. With her tight corset it exaggerated her breasts and gave her strong hourglass waistline. In her hand was a matching red and white fan and she hid her dainty painted mouth behind it as she looked Sesshomaru up and down with her eyes in approval.
Following behind her was the Duke's second daughter, Kanna. She looked to be about 14 years of age and still hadn't grown fully out of her childish physic. She was not nearly as curvy as her sister and even with her corset her breasts had yet to fully develop or shape her waistline. Her rounded face, like her sisters was snow white and she had dark brown eyes. She had striking silver hair and it was pulled back away from her face and pinned with white rose clips. She was in a white dress and corset with pea sized blue dots on it. Her dress's collar and sleeves were also trimmed with elegant lace and ruffles. Stepping away from the shadow of the carriage she opened her white lace parasol umbrella to keep cool and avoid the sun's rays. Standing next to her sister they made room for their father to step out of the carriage.
The Duke took off his black triangular hat as he bent his head to step out of the carriage door. The hat was decorated with large white feathers and was pinned to the hat by a red broach. His black shoes had a decorative ruffle on the top and was raised with a slight heal. His stockings were white and his black pants were pinched just bellow the knees. He had a long white silk shirt that had a thick red belt over top that made the shirt ruffled under it. A matching red belt went from his right shoulder and crossed over his chest and stomach till it attached at his left hip. Across this belt were three large metals and two broaches with royal seals on them. The shirt's sleeves were ruffled on the end and were trimmed in white lace. He had a black vest that was left open and hung down to his knees. Attached to the vest was a long black cape and was pinned to the vest by a golden chain and red ribbons. His skin was white like his daughters and his black hair was tied in a low ponytail. Looking up from the carriage his red eyes glowed against the shadows making Inuyasha's skin crawl.
Walking up the castle steps they make their way towards them and Sesshomaru and Inuyasha had to hold back their disgust at their overly stated fashion choices. True they were royalty and were dressed appropriate for high society of the time but it was obvious they were dresses to show off their wealth and power. Sesshomaru had watched his soon to be wife, sister-in-law and father-in-law as they had exited the carriage. Kagura was surprisingly very beautiful for a demoness and he thought to himself that maybe this deal could work out after all. However, he wasn't getting himself too overly excited. He had yet to know her and she could be just as selfish and entitled as the other deamoness of high society he knew. Inuyasha on the other hand was highly disappointed. Sure Kanna was cute but he could already tell by her bland expression that she was going to be too serious and boring for him as a mate. He craved companionship and depth, not just a pretty face. They both mentally agreed however that their father-in-law to be was not all he appeared and should precede with caution. Everything about his person screamed deceit and danger.
A page boy then steps forward from the lobby wall and said, "Announcing Lady Kagura Elizabeth Naraku, Lady Kanna Marie Naraku and the Duke of York, Onigumo Phillip Johnston Naraku."
As the Duke and his daughters bowed politely the page boy then said, "And presenting the royal advisors, elders, councilmen and his majesty Prince Inuyasha Manuel Elias Tashio and his royal highness Lord Sesshomaru Javier Fernando Inu no Tashio." As he announced the brothers too bowed in respect but not as low because this was their lands and were of higher authority here.
(xxx end music xxx)
"Welcome. By your early arrival today I am of the understanding that your travels went smoothly?" asked Sesshomaru politely. He really didn't care for small talk but it was impolite to not begin conversing with them as head of the house.
"As yes, thank you for the invitation. We greatly look forward to the young master's celebration. Our trip was uneventful and as good as sailing can be. Thank you ever so much for asking. We left not three days ago and cut through the River Ebro. Beautiful countryside you have here. It made the remainder of the trip much more enjoyable." the Duke replied sweetly.
"Yes, this year's weather has been exceedingly mild. We are sure to have a bountiful harvest in the coming months." Sesshomaru said informatively. He really didn't care for this conversation or the Duke's brown nosing but he was appreciative of his compliments and acknowledgement regarding his lands and hard working crop workers.
"Please, do come in. I am sure you are in need of rest from your long journey. I have prepared rooms for you all." He said as he turned and made his way back into the castle followed by his brother and guests.
"Ah, yes. Much appreciated." Naraku answered as they made their way towards the royal wing.
As they walked Naraku continued to small talk with Sesshomaru and Inuyasha as the sisters followed behind. As they turned into the wing they met Sango who had just finished making the beds and preparing the rooms.
"Are the rooms ready for our guests?" asked Sesshomaru as he approached the bowing Sango beside the hallway wall.
"The rooms are ready my Lord. I hope they are to your liking." Sango said as she remained in her bow. "Is there anything else you would like me to do to make your guests more comfortable?"
Sesshomaru turned to look at his guests to see if they required anything else. Kagura stepping forward then and said, "Would you bring up hot water to the bathing chambers? I would like to freshen up before supper."
"Yes, I too would like a bath." replied Kanna quietly from behind her sister.
Sesshomaru then turned to look at the Duke to see if he as well required a bath.
"Never mind me. I will take one in the morning." replied Naraku.
"Hn, very well. Please have the servants in the furnace room prepare water for two baths." Sesshomaru commanded to Sango.
"Yes, my Lord. Do the Ladies require any assistance with their baths? I can find some ladies to help them." asked Sango politely.
"Yes, both my sister and I will need help with our gowns and bathing." Kagura said.
"As you wish my Lady." Sango said as she bowed and excused herself from the wing.
The group then continued making their way towards their rooms. Looking down the hall there was a door at the very end leading into Sesshomaru's room. It was centered in the middle like the head of the table. To the right of the door was meant to be the future Lady of the castle. This just so happened to be the room Kagome was staying in. To the left of Sesshomaru's room was Inuyasha's. To Inuyasha's left was for his future mate's and it is where Kanna would be staying. Just like Sesshomaru's balcony, Inuyasha's connected to hers. To the left of Kanna's room is were the Duke would be staying. The room across the hall from Kanna's and to the right of the future Lady of the castle is where Kagura would be staying since the room she was meant to be staying in was currently preoccupied. However, she didn't know that.
Sesshomaru was showing Nuraku his room while Inuyasha was helping bring Kanna's things into hers when Kagura walked towards the room she assumed was meant for her. Reaching the door she places her hand on the nob and tries to turn it but it wont budge. Trying again and pushing the door with her shoulder thinking it might be stuck but no matter how hard she tries and wiggles the nob it does not open. As she was about to try again with a little more force Inuyasha comes out of Kanna's room and quickly steps in.
"Uh… sorry we forgot to tell you that your room is right here." Inuyasha said as he opened the door to the right and tried to come up with an excuse. "We have a… uh a cousin! Who is staying with us and uh… arrived unexpectedly and needed that room."
"Why are they staying in the future Lady of the Castle's room? Surely they knew that we were coming and that I would be in need of my room?" Kagura said cross just as Sesshomaru and Naraku stepped out of the room across the hall to her right.
"Our "cousin" is in very poor health and is rendered bedridden at the moment. Because of this they cannot travel far and it is easier for them to be closer to my bedchambers. When I am not performing my duties around the castle it make it easier for us so to spend time together. It also allows me to maintain privacy between family since I have access to that room. The room next door is nearly identical. I do apologize for the inconvenience. However, do avoid going into rooms unannounced. Besides, I never said that was your room just yet. Please try to remember that." Sesshomaru finished before his brother said anything foolish.
How could they both have been so careless! They could not be too upset at Kagura and her trying to get into the room. By contract it legally was hers and she, more than anyone had a right to be upset that another was staying in there. Lucky for them whoever was on the other side of that room must have locked it or it was locked on accident when someone closed it behind them. Either way it being locked saved them both a lot of grief. Now that the brothers thought about it they didn't even feel any aura's or sounds coming out of the room. Was it possible it was empty and they were back on the patio or was Daija doing some unknown barrier to protect his Princess?
"Oh! Well… then I guess I can understand that. Pardon my rudeness on behalf of your cousin and my forwardness." Kagura quickly responded to cover her tracks. She did not want her future mate to think poorly of her. "I do hope for a quick recovery."
"As do we." replied Inuyasha solemnly while making his ears lay back against his head.
"If that is all, I must return to my duties. Please make yourselves comfortable. Dinner will be served an hour before sunset. Enjoy your stay." Sesshomaru said as his guests bowed to him before turning away and making his way out of the wing.
The Duke and his two daughters then began unpacking their things in their rooms just as Sango returned with two male servants caring heavy buckets filled with hot water. Seeing this as Inuyasha's ticket to leave he slips down the hall, out of sight and out of mind. Making his way down the hall he stops to make sure the coast was clean before he pulls back a curtain on the wall. Placing the curtain back in place he then makes his way down a hidden staircase and when he reaches the bottom he pushes on a heavy wooden door. The door opens up into the courtyard and was covered over with vines. Fixing the vines back over the door to hide it once more he then makes his way across the courtyard, up the stairs leading to Sesshomaru's room, across his balcony and knocks on Kagome's door. Peering in one of the windows he see's Kagome sitting on the bed as Daija makes his way towards the door to open it.
"You got some kind of cloaking spell or barrier around this room Daija?" asked Inuyasha said as Daija opened the door allowing him to step inside.
"Yes, I heard voices coming down the hall and knew it to be Lady Kagura. Realizing what room we are in I quickly slipped over to the door and clocked it and placed a barrier around the room. Good thing I did or we would have had quite the predicament." Daija said as he sat back down on the couch and began to pickup up his mess he had made while Kagome had been asleep.
"Yah... thanks for that one. You saved our asses. It completely slipped Sesshomaru and I's minds and I really didn't want to be on the receiving end of that." Inuyasha said as he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.
"Yes, and good save on your end calling Kagome your "cousin." Now if the Lady or her family were to come across her for any reason she now has an alibi. I have already informed Kagome of who they were and what her role is to be incase this were to happen." Daija said.
"Good. Now that I'm thinking about it... with her bing a human and everything it would probably make most sense for her to be related on my mother's side of the family if anyone asks." Inuyasha said with his hand resting on his chin in thought.
"Yes, good idea Sir." Daija said in agreement.
"Well I better get to my duties and clean up before dinner. I'm sure we will be back later tonight to check on her. If Kagome needs anything just have her call us through the shells and we'll be here as soon as we can. I'll be sure to have Sango come and help her get ready for bed later and to bring you both something to eat." Inuyasha said. "Oh! And before I forget Sesshomaru and I decided it would probably be a good idea for some type of a code name for people to use to enter the room. We decided on "Curioso" so if you hear that then its safe if you hear anything else don't let them in.
"Understood. Who all have you told this to?" asked Daija.
"As of right now only Sesshomaru, You, my advisor Miroku and myself. When the servant Sango comes to take care of Kagome would you please inform her of this and that its top secret to keep Kagome safe?" Inuyasha asked.
"Yes, my Sir. Consider it done." Daija said with a bow.
Inuyasha then turned and said goodbye to Kagome before taking his leave out the balcony door. Daija then translated everything that had just happened to Kagome and then finished cleaning up his mess on the couch. Just as he finished he heard a knock on the door and went over to answer it. Expanding his aura a bit to see who was on the other side he recognized the presence to be his fellow coworker Sango. Opening the door he quickly lets her in before closing it behind him and placing the lock back into place. Daija then explained the situation and code name to Sango before excusing himself to send out the letters he had wrote and to allow Sango to ready Kagome for bed and dinner. As he made his way through the castle he couldn't help but feel the building anxiety in his chest. He was not looking forward to his King's response. He knew he was going to be extremely upset. He just hoped that they could find a way to save Kagome in time and returned to normal without anyone loosing their heads.
(End of chapter 14)
(Now that the Duke and his daughters are here what will happen? Will Sesshomaru come to love his Fiancé and forget about Kagome? What about Inuyasha and Kanna? What's going on back at the Water Kingdom? What's happened since Kagome has left? Has Kikyo mated? Have they games happened? What of Urasue and Poseidon? Only time will tell! Be sure to follow along to find out! Thanks for reading. More chapters to come!)