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: and "Little Mermaid OST - Tour of the Kingdom."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: Valencia
After Inuyasha left them to go to tea Kagome expressed her desire to explore the Kingdom to Daija. At first he had said no and that it was too dangerous but after her hearing her heart felt plea and her wish to experience what life had left to offer her he changed his mind. After Sango helped her bathe and ready for departure Daija returned to her room with a wooden wheeled chair to shuttle her around town in. Daija helps to lower her down in the chair while Sango slips on her shoes. Laying a blanket across her lap to help keep her warm and avoid getting sick they make their way out of the Royal wing. As they went the servants, guests, and guards that they passed stared at Kagome in confusion and disbelief. Surely the rumors couldn't be true? Their Lord had brought in a human to stay in the castle as an honored guest? Kagome stared in awe at the beautiful tapestries, paintings, furniture and fancy dressed demons while Daija and Sango keep their steady pace.
(*** Little Mermaid OST - Tour of the Kingdom ***)
Reaching the stables Daija calls out for one of the stable boys to ready them a carriage for them to use. However the stable boy informs him that all of the carriages had been rented out for the week and their remaining horses were currently aiding the increased law enforcement throughout the city. Not deterred Kagome persuades Daija to push her to town so that way she could experience at least a small part of the world beyond the palace walls. Reaching town an hour later Kagome can't help but radiate in excitement and curiosity. The city was bustling with humans and demons as they went about their day. The streets were lined in stone and the clomping of carriages and horse hooves echoed in air. The buildings were tall and were made from a mixture of bricks, rocks and stucco. Their brick roof's tiles were a rich red color and were stacked one on top of the other. Their windows were rounded on top and some had colored shutters. The lower windows had flowerboxes and the ones going higher up had swirly rod iron balconies. The streets and ally ways were thin making it difficult to move Kagome around in her chair but they weren't in a rush. Green ivy and flowered vines crept along some of the buildings and potted plants and vases decorated the streets. Clothing lines wiggled their way from building to building above them. Kagome was fascinated as she watched some women attend their chore of hanging items to dry. The deeper they went into town the louder it became. Reaching the city square on the northern side of town, closest to the castle they watched market sale workers meander about trying to sell their goods. Musicians sang their ballads and performed on their guitars. Passing a bakery Kagome makes Daija stop so she can watch the baker knead his dough. Flour covers his person and as he pushes it into his workstation a puff of it clouds around his hands. She closed her eyes as some of his freshly baked bread's aroma fills her nose. It was sweet smelling and it made her mouth water. Hearing her belly rumble and seeing her wishful expression Daija pats his pockets for his coin purse but finds it missing.
"I am sorry Princess, I seemed to have misplaced my purse and do not have money to buy you any bread." Daija said sadly.
"That's alright Daija, we just had lunch. Now come on, let go explore something else." Kagome said trying to cheer him up.
Smiling at her forgiving and kind heart Daija nods his head in agreement and they continue to explore the square. They pass by flower shops, fountains, salons, boutiques, small businesses, markets and coffee shops. Kagome and Daija were having a great time exploring the city of Valencia. That is until a wagon rushed out of an ally way causing Daija to quickly pull her wheel chair back knocking Kagome into someone. The sudden jerk caused Kagome to fall out of her chair and pushes the passing stranger into a muddy puddle.
(xxx Stop Music xxx)
"UH! My new dress!" shouted the demoness.
"My dearest apologizes Miss! The wagon came out of nowhere and I was unable to pull my Mistress out of the way in time before running into you by mistake!" Daija said frantically as he set the chair back up right and was helping Kagome to return to its seat. The demoness stared in shock at the exchange.
"A demon serving a… human? Aaaa and a cripple at that?! You've must be joking!" she said as she tried to pull herself up but her tight corset and heavy skirt would not allow this.
Seeing her struggle and seeing her anger build out of embarrassment from the gathering crowd Daija offers his services.
"Please allow me to help you!" Daija says ignoring her comment as he comes up beside her and pulls her up.
"Get your person off of me you Snake!" she snaps as she rips her arm out of his and tries to fix her ruined dress.
"Is everything alright?" asked an older male demon as he made his way over to the distraught demoness's side. A smaller female demon stood by their side.
"This idiot and his cripple have just ruined my new dress." She barked.
"Again I do apologize Miss. Please allow me to pay for the offense." Daija asked trying to smother the growing flames.
"I should have your head for offending my person Snake." she counted back.
"Calm yourself daughter, it was a simple mistake. Do remember we are still considered guests here and must tread carefully." her father scolded.
"Very well. But I demand he pays for a new dress and an additional 10% fee for the offense on my personal and an additional 10% for the emotional scaring." She demanded while crossing her arms and sticking her nose up into the air.
"An additional 20%?!" asked Daija in disbelief and frustration.
"Is there a problem?" asked the male demon as he stared down at him in a daring expression and crushing aura.
"Nnn no! Nnn not at all! Just surprised is all. Where are you staying? I will be sure to get it to you." asked Daija nervously.
"We are guests at the palace. We will be staying until after the Prince's celebration. Do try and have the payment before we depart." He said as he stared down at Kagome in disgust before turning away and making his way over to their carriage.
"The palace? Pray tell, what is your name so I know to ask for you?" asked Daija nervously. He did not have a good feeling about these demons.
"I am the Duke of York and the woman you offended today is your future Queen. Do try to keep your place and not speak so familiar with us in the future peasant. I will be expecting your payment. Do not disappoint me or I will be very put out." He said sternly as they stepped into the carriage and made their way back to the palace.
"Thh… thh… the DUKE?" Daija squeaked as he cupped his cheeks in his hands. He paled slightly and his eyes were large.
"Daija? Is everything all right? I'm so sorry for putting you through all of that." said Kagome and she pulled on his coat trying to gain his attention.
"I sure hope so Princess. Are you feeling all right?" Daija asked as he fixed her feet to sit in the chairs straps and covered her lap with her blanket. However as he got close to her he smelled small traces of her blood. "You are injured! Why did you not say something?"
"Its just scratch on my knee and a small a cut on my hand. Someone stepped on it when I fell. I'll be alright." Kagome said as she kept her hand hidden under her other hand.
"Are you certain you're alright?" asked Daija concerned.
"Yes, I'll be fine." Kagome said.
"Good, we should conclude our tour for the day. Dinner will be served soon and it's at least another hour back up to the castle." suggested Daija.
"I guess that makes sense. Thank you for spending the day with me Daija. I really enjoyed myself." Kagome said as Daija began pushing her out of the city square and towards the street leading back to the castle.
"Yes, this was most enjoyable. I am honored to have spent it with you Princess." Daija said as he pushed her up the cobbled hill with a soft smile on his lip.
As they made their way out of the city a white horse and silver haired demon with dog-ears galloped towards them.
"There you two are! I've been looking everywhere for you guys. When I finished afternoon tea I went to your room and found you to be gone! When I began searching the castle grounds I over heard some of the servants talking about you. I've searched the whole city for you! Daija, I understand you're protective of Kagome but did you have to hide your scent and aura? questioned Inuyasha as he rode up beside them on Entei and fixed his windswept hair.
"Oh! I'm sorry Prince Inuyasha. It was not my intention to worry you. The Princess wanted to explore the city today and the cloaking spell completely slipped my mind. However, now that I think about it, it was probably a good thing I did because we accidently ran into the Duke and his daughters in the square not 20 minuets ago." said Daija.
"WHAT?! Did he say anything to you and Kagome?" Inuyasha said as he dropped down from his saddle to stand next to them.
"Well, not exactly. Lady Kagura tripped over Princess Kagome's chair and ruined her dress when she fell. She was very upset by this and yelled and insulted us. Then the Duke showed up with Lady Kanna and are having me pay for the repairs of her dress plus a 20% fee! I'm not sure how I will pay for it but I'm sure I can pick up a few extra hours in the kitchen tomorrow to help cover the charges. They didn't catch our names or question about us thankfully before they left. It was an accident and was taken way out of hand. Princess Kagome hurt her hand and her knee when she fell out of her chair but she said she is fine though. We were just on our way back to the palace when you showed up." Daija told Inuyasha.
"Are you serious? Kagura is having you pay for the dress and a fee?" Inuyasha shouted angrily.
He couldn't believe they could be so selfish. It was just a stupid dress! It was definitely not something worth getting upset over and clearly an accident! He would have to have a talk with his brother about this.
"Well Lady Kagura was quite upset and clearly embarrassed so I offered to pay for the dress when the Duke showed up. He seemed content with that but Lady Kagura felt otherwise and charged the extra 20% due to her embarrassment and abuse to her person." replied Daija.
"That's absolutely ridiculous. Don't worry about the dress Daija. I'll take care of it. I should have gone with you today since I'm technically Kagome's bodyguard. I'll cover the charges as my apology to her." Inuyasha said as he kneeled before Kagome to assess her wounds.
"My Lord surly not?!" said Daija.
"I insist so drop it. You sure you're all right Kag's?" Inuyasha asked.
"Jah, Kagome ok." Kagome said as she tucked her hands under then blanks so he wouldn't touch them.
She was already feeling terrible for getting Daija in trouble with those mean demons. Now she understood her father's warning about how some demons were not to be taken lightly. She could already feel bruising on her side and hip from the fall and her hand hurt pretty bad. She couldn't feel two of her fingers and had a feeling they were broken but didn't want to worry them. She'd just wait till the healer came in to check on her.
"Well, since we're all goin in the same direction I'll walk with you." Inuyasha said.
"Wonderful! Let's be on our way then." Daija said as he returned pushing Kagome's chair up the hill towards the castle with Inuyasha pulling Entei's reigns beside them.
As they went Daija taught Kagome some more words in Spanish of the things around them. Kagome loved the beautiful countryside around them. Vineyards and fruit trees covered the hillsides and she could see the farmers attending their crops. Everywhere she looked the land erupted in color. Red, yellow and white flowers decorated the countryside and butterflies and bees attended to their petals. Trees and grass flourished in various shades of greens and blues. Purple swallows flew over the tall grass in the fields capturing bugs in their beaks. The air was crisp and clean and smelled of fresh flowers and the coastal ocean breeze. They were about 20 minuets from the castle when Inuyasha remembered he had wanted to speak with Daija about the decision he had came to decide for himself earlier that day.
"Hey Daija… I've been thinking a lot about Kagome's curse and I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit more about this Urasue?" asked Inuyasha.
"Well… from what I've heard over the years she was once a healer to the Royal family of the Water Kingdom. There was some type of an accident and she was banished. Since then she has been living somewhere out in the Balearic Sea and has been keeping herself busy by creating curses and magic spells for anyone who can pay the price. I've never heard of any wish she hasn't been able to grant. She is very powerful and uses that to her advantage. She does not care for the outcome of her clients or those her curses or spells effects. She is pure evil and will manipulate her deals to where she will always get the better deal." Daija said as they continued to walk.
"How do these clients find her? Why has no one put a stop to her?" asked Inuyasha.
"Well there are three ways to get in contact with her. One is that her minions find you and offer her services like they did with Kagome. Two, you go directly to her lair and three is conjuring her through a chanting spell. No one has been able to stop her because she creates legal blood contract documents with each client she serves. She technically isn't doing anything against our laws of the water kingdom by doing this. Plus she has immense power and no one dares challenge her." Daija said as they were approaching the palace gates.
"A conjuring chant? How does that work?" asked Inuyasha curiously.
"It involves being near salt water, a portion of the chanter's blood and chanting her name three times into a mirror while it points at the water behind them. The blood must be poured into the salt water while the chanter is looking into the mirror with their back facing the water. By doing this the mirror opens a portal behind the chanter and she is then able to connect with you. I've never seen it done so I'm not sure if this is actually possible but I have heard of this technique." Daija said as they walked through the palace gates.
"Weird..." Inuyasha said as he passed Entei's reigns over to one of the servants. "Let's get Kagome up to her room before my brother freaks out."
"Good idea my Lord." replied Daija as they made their way into the palace.
As they did the servants and guests once again stared at the two demons parading the crippled human girl through the halls. Inuyasha and Daija could hear some of the women of the court whispering in the shadows as they spread their nasty rumors. Loosing his patience Inuyasha snaps at some of them and tells his lie of her being his cousin on his mother's side. The women hearing his outburst apologize for their gossiping and quickly make their way from them. Seeing them gone they continue to make their way towards the Royal wing. Unlocking the door with the only other key besides the one Sesshomaru has they enter the room and help Kagome to sit on the couch in the corner of the room. Seeing her comfortable and settled Inuyasha takes his leaves and tells them that he would send Tsukiyomi to come and check on her later.
Expanding his senses he finds her in the medical wing attending to one of the servants who burned their hands in the furnace room.
"Hey uh… Tsukiyomi you got a minute?" asked Inuyasha as he peeked into the room from the doorway and knocked on the frame of the door.
"Of course my Lord. How may I be of service?" asked Tsukiyomi and she dried her now clean hands off on a towel as she made her way towards him.
"My "cousin" fell while out visiting the city. Do you think you could take a look at her? Her servant said she banged up her knee and might have hurt her hand." Inuyasha said.
"Of course! I'll be right up to check on her." said Tsukiyomi as she started tossing medical supplies into a bag to take with her to Kagome's room.
"Thanks, if you need me I'll be in the library." Informed Inuyasha as he made his way out of the medical wing.
Finishing with her patient Tsukiyomi locks up her supplies and then makes her way to the Royal wing. Knocking on the door she whispers the code name through the keyhole in the door. Hearing a clicking sound she straightens herself as Daija opens the door. Stepping into the room she kneels down next to the couch where Kagome was sitting and opens her medical bag. Telling Daija they needed some privacy he steps out onto the patio but leaves the door open so Tsukiyomi can still have him translate for her.
"I hear you took a little tumble in the city today and hurt your knee and hand. May I take a look?"
After hearing Daija translate for her from the patio chairs Kagome nods and allows Tsukiyomi to inspect her person. Tsukiyomi takes off Kagome's shoes and pulls up her skirt to rest in her lap. She could see dried blood stains on her torn long underwear and carefully peals it back. Some of the fabric sticks to her cut and fresh blood seeps through the wound causing Kagome to hiss in discomfort.
"Ouch, that's got to sting. I must apologize I have to clean your wound with some rubbing alcohol and it will hurt a little." Tsukiyomi said as she grabed some cotton balls from her bag and a glass bottle filled with clear fluid.
Hearing Daija's translation Kagome braces herself as Tsukiyomi cleans her knee. It stung like crazy but didn't hurt nearly as when she stood. Biting her tongue she holds back her cry as the alcohol does its job. Picking out the last of the gravel with tweezers that embedded themselves into her skin she tenderly straightens her leg and wraps it. Finishing her first task she then lowers Kagome's skirt back down and gives her attention to Kagome's hand. Uncovering her hand from under the blanket Tsukiyomi has to hold in her breath as she looked at her swollen hand. It was red, purple and blue in color around three of her fingers and two were slightly pointed in the wrong direction. Her hand was swollen and hot to touch. Carefully feeling around her hand she could tell at least three of her fingers had been broken and possible a smaller bone in the palm of her hand. Taking a deep breath to calm herself she calls for Daija to join them back in the room.
"My dear Princess! Why did you not tell me your hand was broken!" Daija shouted angrily.
"There was no need to Daija. I knew you couldn't fix it so I figured I'd just wait until she could take a look at it so you wouldn't fuss over it like you are now." Kagome argued.
"Daija, I'm going to need you to go an fetch my assistant. I'm going to need help resetting her bones." Tsukiyomi said as she dug through her bag and began creating a pain killer concoction.
"Yes, I'll return shortly." Daija said as he made his way out the door.
"Here drink some of this. By the time my assistant returns it should help with some of the pain."
Kagome swallows the biter tasting medicine and reclines in the couch as they wait for the assistant to arrive. About 15 minuets later Daija, Sango and Kaede walk into the room.
"Oh my Lady! What have you done to your poor hand!" cried Sango as she came up beside Tsukiyomi to look over her hand.
"Ye must have taken a nasty fall." Said Kaede as she came to sit with Kagome on the couch.
"She fell out of her chair in the city when someone knocked into her. When she was on the ground someone stepped on her hand and crushed it." Daija said regretfully.
"AH! That must have been painful!" cried Sango and shivering from the idea of it.
"Come, we must fix her hand before permanent nerve damage sets in. Daija I need you to come behind her to hold her shoulders so she doesn't move. Sango, I need you to hold her right arm and Kaede I need you to hold her left. I'm going to have to set her fingers one at a time and possible reset them if once of the other fingers misaligns while i work."
"Yes, Tsukiyomi." said Sango and Kaede as they got into position.
"Daija? Can you please put up a sound barrier around the room please? I don't want to cause a hysteria with her screaming." asked Tsukiyomi.
"Of course. I'm sorry Princess, this is going to hurt." Daija said as Kagome just nodded her head in understanding.
With everyone in place and the barrier up Tsukiyomi began setting her hand back into place. Her cries of agony filled the room and tears poured down her face. Her hand crunched and popped as she pulled and prodded her bones back into place. Bracing her hands together with wood plank and cloth wraps they carefully laid her arm in a sling to keep it from moving. Having finished their task Daija, Tsukiyomi and Kaede then make their way out of the room so Sango can ready Kagome for bed. Careful of her arm she undresses her and gives her a sponge bath so not to get her bandages wet. Sango pulling on her nightgown, fixes her sling and then brushes her teeth and hair before guiding her back to the bed. Hearing Daija at the door she lets him in and he set's Kagome's dinner tray on her lap.
"Do you need anything else my Lady?" asked Sango.
"No, Kagame good. but Sango, Kagome name. no Ladyz." Kagome said as she finished off her dinner.
"Surly not my Lady. It would be dishonorable of my to call you anything else." Sango said as she grabbed then empty plate from her lap.
"Pweez Sango. No Ladyz, me Kagome." Kagome said then brought her good hand up to her mouth and "Shhhed" and winked at her to tell her it could be her and Daija's secret.
"I don't know…" Sango said uncomfortably. "What if I get caught?"
"Pweez!" Kagome begged.
"Aaa All right. But only in here!" Sango said with a smile making Kagome giggle.
"Well I believe it would be best for us to let Kagome retire for the evening. Goodnight Princess. I'll see you after Sango readies you in the morning." Daija said as they bowed and made their way out the door.
Hearing the door lock and the soft patter of their feet echo down the hall Kagome relaxes into her bed pillows and tries to ignore her throbbing body. She hurt everywhere. She was exhausted from spending too much energy exploring and now her hand was pulsing and hot to touch and her knee burned from the alcohol. The medicine she had taken helped a little but it too was starting to fade. Closing her eyes she reviews the events and experiences she was able to enjoy regardless of her running into that demon bitch. So far her time as a human had sucked and it was only getting worse. True, she loved spending her time with Sessomaru and visiting the city today but she was getting tired of the pain and heartache. She silently prayed to the gods that tomorrow would get a little better. Thinking about Sesshomaru and the beautiful city her body quickly scums to her exhaustion and she drifts off into a deep sleep. As she sleeps she doesn't see her Lord sneak into the room to check on her or feel his touch as he inspects her injuries. It was only when she awoke that she knew something was different. But what could it be?
(End of Chapter 17)
(I wonder what's Inuyasha's plan! What did Sesshomaru do to Kagome and what will happen with Lady Kagura and the Duke? Only time will tell! Be sure to follow along and please write a review to let me know what you think! Thanks for reading)