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: "Guitar Solo, Romantic Instrumental Guitar Music Video Angelina by ALDO." 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.
Note: I will be using other Inuyasha characters in this chapter. If you wish to know what they look like I'd sugest looking them up to help you picture who is speaking. I do not claim ownership over any of these characters.
Tides Against Time: The Meeting
The meeting was taking for…eh..verrrr. It had lasted 3 hours so far and they still had to discus the contract. Sesshomaru knew when they did it would only make the meeting last that much longer. He couldn't wait for it to be over so he could check on his brother's whereabouts and spend the rest of the evening with Kagome like he promised. He had tried to keep involved in the topics at hand to keep himself entertained but now they were discussing finer details in finances, economics and mathematics for next years taxes. Being Lord over Spain he had to be present for every new law, bill or reform being presented or passed within their court system. He understood how they functioned and how to finish the process but their lands worked better through skilled experts. After they had agreed on not raising the taxes for next year and balanced their books for the next month his head councilmen signed off on the document and passed it down for him to sign. Rereading the documents to make sure everything presented was as said he then signed it and sealed it with his official seal infused with his aura and passed it to his retainer Jaken for him to document, copy and file away. Seeing that the next order of business was ready to be addressed Head Councilmen Setsuna no Takemaru rises from his seat and call for attention.
"In closing our meeting today we will be discussion the marriage contract of our Lord and Prince to the eldest daughters of the Duke of York. Retainer Jaken, please bring forward the contract document to be presented in front of the court. While he is doing this I am asking for the house to present their opinions on the contract and if now is the time for it to be conducted. You will have ten minuets to discuss with your board on your shared opinion. Please present one speaker to share for the house majority. Once all opinions are presented we will direct the objective from there. While the houses are presenting please refrain from interrupting until all have been accounted for." he said to the court.
As he was speaking Jaken went to his pile of documents needed for the meeting and pulled out a copy of the contract. He then placed it in front of the court on a center table in the middle of the room. After he did this each group came around the document and read over it before splitting off into their selected seats to discuss their opinions. After about 5-10 minuets four individuals stood in front of the courtroom to represent each houses opinion. There was Byakuya representing the Councilmen, Taigokumaru for the Elders, Saya for the Advisors and Goryōmaru for the High Priests. Seeing everyone sitting in their seats and ready to begin Takemaru knocked his hammer on the court podium and called the meeting back into order.
(KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK)
"Alright, everyone back into your seat. Remember, please refrain from interrupting until all is presented to the court. Elder Taigokumaru, would you please share with the court for the fellow Elders regarding the next course of action for the marriage contract?" Takemaru asked.
"Yes, thank you Councilmen Takemaru. (Clears throat) It is the Elder's opinion that it is time for our Lords to settle down. We are in need of an heir and after Prince Inuyasha's celebration in two days both of them will be of mating age. It is a time of peace and from our years of knowledge this is when the strongest of heirs are born. We need a strong pureblood! Although the Duke is only a half-demon both of his daughters were born from an exceptionally powerful mother and both born pureblood. It is our opinion from their mother's power and the bloodline of the Tashio that our heir will be near perfection." Taigokumaru said as he stood behind the podium. Once he was done speaking he joined the other Elders near the back of the courtroom.
"Thank you Elder for speaking your houses wisdom. You may be seated. High Priest Goryomaru would you please state your houses majority?" asked Takemaru.
"My fellow brothers and I are of the shared opinion that our young Lord is not quiet mature enough to mate. We believe he needs another 15-20 years to grow and learn his responsibilities. We are also of the opinion that Lady Kanna also needs to grow outside of herself as well. We recommend that she spends some time away from home with women of society were she can learn to be her own person." said Goryomaru.
"And what of your opinion regarding our Lord and Lady Kagura?" asked Takemaru.
"We have no problem with them fulfilling the contract as long as both parties are accepting of each other. We do not agree in forcing anyone into a contract they themselves were not old enough to state their case." He finished with his brothers nodding their heads in agreement behind him.
"So to clarify for the court, your group's opinion is that despite the contract being legally formed 50 years ago, if the current Lords and Ladies do not unanimously agree to its terms it should be terminated?" Takemaru asked.
"Correct." said the High Priest.
"And if they all do agree that both the Prince and second daughter of the Duke should wait to consummate their marriage until a later date?" asked Takemaru.
"Yes, we all agree to this." High Priest Goryomaru said.
"Thank you for your shared concern. We will think over what you have said while Advisor Saya makes his way to the podium." said Takemaru. "Advisor, please share with us when you are ready."
"Thank you High Councilmen. The Advisors and myself all agree that much has changed since 50 years ago. Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Kagura are not the same beings as they were when the contract was created and therefore do not align with our previous Lord's original intentions. Also, we find it quite strange that two of the participants of the contract were bonded before they were even born! Never has this been done in our history and we feel that it was unnecessary for both heirs to be tied to the same boat. Too much time has passed and it would be best to reconsider the contract. We propose our Lord marries the King of England's daughter instead. Therefore by binding our commonwealths together it will form one unified power source." said Saya.
After he had said this murmurs and whispers spread across the courtroom. Members of the court quietly argued and debated within the halls and Takemaru knew if he didn't silence them now he would have a hard time bringing them back to the task at hand.
(Knock, Knock, Knock)
"Silence please! Silence!" Takemaru said to the member's of the court. After the room calmed back down he then said, "Do you have anything else to bring to the court Saya?"
"Yes, thank you. We are also of the opinion that Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Kagura are simply too different in persons. True, they could mate and maybe produce a powerful heir but their union would be a repeat of our previous Lord and his first mate and we all know how that ended. The heir should grow up in a unified home and it should be our responsibility to make this happen while we still can." Advisor Saya finished before taking his notes from the podium and sitting back down in his seat with his fellow advisors.
"Please contemplate what our advisors have shared. Remember to hold back from unnecessary comments until after Councilmen Byakuya has returned to his seat. Please Councilmen make your statement." Takemaru said before sitting back down in his seat.
"Elders, Advisors and High Priests of the court. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, advice and heart felt concerns. We, the members of the Council have heard your voice and have thought alongside you. We have heard you address the extended history, the concerns for our people and the happiness of the future royal family. But we are forgetting one major thing! This contract is a binding legal document and it was created and signed by our forefathers of the court and Inu no Tashio himself! Are we to ignore their authority by tossing it aside as if it were worth nothing more than a bag of wheat? No, we of the Council feel it is in the best interest of Spain to stay the course and let this predestined fate proceed. The gods would not have ordained this contract if it were not destined to happen. We feel that we should trust in the great Inu no Tashio and live out his plan. We all know what a wise and powerful ruler he was in his reign of power. Why change that now? We should stay the course, unite with our ally and remain in peace. Why risk war and the potential denial of the King's daughter? There is no guarantee she is not already predestined to another. The Duke and his daughters have just as much investment and risk in this union as we do. Should we not also think of them? Please consider these thoughts before making your final vote." Byakuya said earning nods of approval throughout the court.
"Thank you Councilmen Byakuya. Please discus what has been shared within your houses and we will reconvene in another 5-10 minuets for our final vote." said Takemaru as the room began to erupt in raised voices.
Sesshomaru had sat in silence as he listened to the court present about his future. Not once had the Head Councilmen ask him or the Duke their opinions on the subject and it made red flags go off in his head. He had watched the presenters and the members of the court for any hint of deceit. When Saya had made mention of marrying to the King's daughter he had noticed a subtle smile on the Duke's lips. He knew the Duke was hiding something and after seeing his relaxed body language and all-knowing persona he knew he had to get out of this contract and quick. Seeing the Head Councilmen calm the room down once more and prepare for their vote Sesshomaru took this as his queue to state his peace.
"Order! Please return in your seats and we will begin our…" Takemaru began.
"I apologize for the interruption High Councilmen Takemaru but does the court not also state that the members of the contract are to state their opinions as well before final voting?" asked Sesshomaru calmly from his seat.
As soon as he had made his voice known in the court the other members remembered they had yet to hear him or the Duke speak.
"Ah! Yes… uh very well. I was in too much of a rush to end this extensive meeting. Please excuse my mistake in not asking." Takemaru says quickly trying to cover his tracks.
"That is understandable for I too wish to be finished today." Sesshomaru said as he sat up in his chair at the head of the courtroom.
From here he could see everyone and after he had made his presence known he had watched four individuals including the Duke slightly flinch in their seats. Catching Miroku's eye to tell him to pay close attention to the crowd he begins.
"I have heard the members of the court share, but what I would like to point out is not a single member of the court today was present or had any participation in the forming or signing of the contract excluding myself and the Duke. I also would like to point out that this is not only my future we are discussing but my brothers and our peoples. Since meeting Lady Kagura I have found her to be lacking in what I consider to be a proper mate and future queen of Spain." Sesshomaru began.
"You dare insult my daughter in front of the court?!" barked the Duke angrily.
"Refrain from interrupting me again Naraku. I am of authority here and I was not finished." Sesshomaru said sternly looking the Duke dead in the eye.
"Excuse me… but please speak kindly of my daughter." the Duke asked staring him right back as he reluctantly sat back down in his seat.
"As I was saying, I do not find her to be an acceptable mate or ruling partner in helping me lead our people. I have been approached by eyewitnesses of her threatening to behead two of our citizens while visiting my city. My informant told me after your daughter fell into a mud puddle she forced them into a verbal contract of buying her a new dress on top of charging them an additional 20% fee." Sesshomaru said earning gasps from around the court.
"You've got it all wrong!" shouted the Duke trying to cover his daughter's mistake.
"Oh? Was it not an accident? Did they not apologize for the offense multiple times? Did your daughter think to check to see if this servant or his mistress were injured from the event?" asked Sesshomaru earning mumbling and whispers around the court.
"Well.. yes. It was an accident… but they were simple commoners! They did not deserve recognition or assistance from royalty and they embarrassed my daughter by not coming to her aid first. The demon servant went to aid his crippled human mistress before helping her out of a muddy pothole! Gawkers laughed at her as well as the servant's hands offended her person by lingering on her longer than necessary." The Duke defended.
"True, but they are still my people; not yours. If your daughter wishes to rule alongside me she needs to understand that I see all of my people as my responsibility and in need of my protection. Your daughter not only threated to behead them for a simple offense but also publicly insulted them. Therefore insulted me. You both also failed to check on their wellbeing. The mistress who accidently knocked into your daughter because a cart rushed out of a nearby alleyway fell out of her wheeled chair and thus obtained bruised ribs, a busted knee on her already crippled legs and three broken fingers! None of these injuries I was told were attended to until almost two-three hours later! Yet you charge and complain over a simple mud puddle." Sesshomaru said irritated.
After hearing the charges against the Lady the court murmured and whispered in negative debates towards her. The Duke by this point was secretly sweating bullets and cussing inside of his head to try and recover from this disaster.
"You are right… we should have attended to the crippled woman. We were distracted by the growing crowd and state of shock from the event. Please allow me to pay for the Lady's medical care and send my sincerest apologies." apologized Naraku as he tried to regain favor.
"There is no need. My brother has already taken responsibility for the dress and fee. They are both sitting in your daughters bedchamber as of this afternoon. I have also sent care to this mistresses lodgings and she is beginning to mend." Sesshomaru said sternly.
"Please, allow me to send my apologies and there is no need for the dress or fee. My daughter has plenty beautiful gowns. Allow me to buy the gown from you and offer it to the mistress instead." offered Naraku.
"Very well. I will offer her the gown and send her your apologies. I am unsure if she would feel comfortable meeting you after the circumstances." said Sesshomaru.
"Yes… you are probably right. I will speak to my daughter about this type of behavior in the future. Please forgive my daughter. Allow her another chance to win your affections." asked the Duke.
"There is no need. I have many ears in this castle Naraku and I have over heard my servants who attend your daughter of her wickedness behind closed doors. She is cruel and selfish. I do not desire a mate such as this. My mother was a very cruel woman and it was ultimately her downfall. I do not desire for your daughter to fall in line behind her." Sesshomaru said as members of the court whispered and mumbled between them after hearing this disturbing news.
"They're lying! You know how servants and the woman of the court gossip. What is truth anymore?" said the Duke.
"They do not lie for I can detect deceit as well as many other members of this court. Just like now I can smell that you are trying to cover up for your daughters mistakes." Informed Sesshomaru making the Duke pale slightly.
"Well… uh thank you for informing the court in regards to your feelings and concerns towards Lady Kagura. That was most… informative. Is there anything else you wish to share with the court before proceeding?" asked Councilmen Takemaru anxiously.
"Yes, it is my understanding that if the contract is to stand that all participants are to abide by every binding word or else forfeit. Is that not correct?" asked Sesshomaru causing the court to grow quiet.
"Yes... that is correct. Why do you ask? Are you aware of something that has been broken to make the contract void?" asked Takemaru nervously.
"Myself and an anonomace member of the court have concerns we are looking into. I am asking the court to postpone their vote until all information and concerns have been looked into before rushing into anything. What harm is a few more days? If Lady Kagura, Lady Kanna and the Duke are innocent of my investigation then we can renegotiate the contract. I am asking as your Lord and protector of our lands to give me this." Sesshomaru addressed to the court.
"All in favor of postponing the vote until a later date raise their hands?" asked Takemaru as he turned to look at the members of the court.
"All in favor of proceeding the vote and conducting the contract vote after we adjourn this motion?" he asked.
"The vote rests at 62/38. Is there anything else the court would like to discuss before we leave?" asked the Head Councilmen. Only hearing silence he then says, "Well then, that will conclude our meeting for today. I will be in touch with you all for a later meeting to discus the results of the investigation and the vote regarding the contract. Court is adjourned (Knock)."
As soon as the meeting was over Sesshomaru watched the Duke quickly make his way out of the boardroom. He could tell his remarks regarding Lady Kagura had not gone in the Duke's favor and whatever plan he had influenced to happen in the court today had been smashed his into a million pieces. Feeling better about how the court was leaning Sesshomaru makes his way out of the boardroom. Looking out the window he sees the sun had started to set in the sky. Making his way towards the Royal Wing he could hear raised voices coming from Kagura's room. With the barriers around the rooms he couldn't make out what exactly was being said but he knew the Duke was giving her a piece of his mind. Walking further down the hall he knocks on Kagome's door and whispers the secret code through the keyhole. Hearing a click he stands back up in time to see Sango peeking around the door.
"Oh! My Lord, do come in! Lady Kagome has just finished dressing for the evening and is resting on the couch." Sango said as she opened the door for him.
Walking into the room Sesshomaru scans its contents to find it clean and presentable like he had asked. Seeing a shadow in the corner of his eye he brings his attention towards the corner of the room to find Kagome in her nightgown resting with her red blanket on her lap. She was intensely focused on a book and he could see the wheels turning in her mind. Kagome hearing Sango address someone at the door looks up from her book to see Sesshomaru making his way towards her. A wide smile graced her face when she sees him. She sets aside her book on a nearby side table and makes room for him to sit next to her on the couch. Sango had been trying to teach her to read but it had not been going very well. She enjoyed looking at the beautiful illustrations and reading about how Jane ran to town and ate some bread but it was so hard! Taking a seat next to her Sesshomaru takes hold of her injured hand in his and looks into her eyes. She looked paler and he noticed the shades under her eyes had darkened slightly. Holding her hand in his he shivered at the contact. It was cold to the touch and it frightened him to see her in such a state. Her bright blue eyes had also lost some of their luster and she lost all color in her cheeks. What Tsukiyomi had said early that day was beginning to show itself and it secretly frightened him.
"Sango, I will be eating dinner in here this evening. Please go and fetch our trays. I will attend to Kagome until you return." Sesshomaru said as he sat down on the couch.
"Yes, my Lord." Sango said before bowing and turning to leave.
"I am sorry I am coming to see you so late. My meeting went longer than necessary. How are you fairing?" Sesshomaru apologized after Sango had left.
As he asked her this he inspected her hand. It was not nearly as swollen as yesterday and it had lost its darker blue and purple coloring. He could see the fingers were holding true to their realignment and the blood flow had returned to normal. Kagome feeling the need to be near him leans forward and rests her head under his chin and pulls into his side. Sesshomaru feeling her touch wraps his arms around her and brings her to rest in his lap. He was careful to not hold her too tightly around her ribs. Kagome closed her eyes as she soaked in his warmth. He smelled of dark cedar wood and spice and it calmed her nerves. She had been feeling weaker than normal and grew restless as the afternoon progressed. Now that she was safely in his arms she felt her body relax and her anxiety subside slightly. Feeling her relax in his arms Sesshomaru tilts his nose down and secretly smells her hair. Having her in his arms all his pent-up frustrations and anger directed towards the court and the Duke rolled off of him and he welcomed her embrace.
"Kagome… ok. Little sleepyz." Kagome said as she snuggled into his embrace a little more. "Sessomaru ok?" she asked.
"Yes, today was very busy. I had a meeting discussing the marriage contract and I do not believe my Fiancé has being faithful to me. I am looking into it to find out." Sesshomaru said as he continued to hold her in his arms.
"Whatz… fay..on..sayz?" asked Kagome curiously.
"A fiancé is someone who is to be my mate. However I do not think this female is going to be a good mate for me. I am looking into it to see if I can get out of this engagement." He informed her.
Hearing this news Kagome's heart skipped slightly. Could it be true? Could Sesshomaru possibly now wish to mate with this other female? What had caused this change of heart? What did he mean by faithful? She had understood half of what he had said. She would have to have a talk with Daija about this tomorrow.
"Jah, Sessomaru needz good female. No bad mate." Kagome said hoping to show him that she was on his side in whatever he decided. She wanted him happy above all else, even if that might not be with her.
"Indeed." Sesshomaru said as he smirked in her hair.
"If only you knew…" he thought to himself.
"Why don't you tell her? The Snake said she had turned into a land dweller to be with the one she loved most! What if that male happened to be us? We are pre-engaged and she wouldn't have known that until after she came to stay with us!" his beast argued.
"What if you're wrong? I do not wish to cause her any grief." Sesshomaru argued back.
"Be honest with her! Only one way to find out! Kiss her!" his beast demanded.
"No! I will resist these temptations. I will wait until I hear back from Daija and Miroku. I also want to look more into the contract before I make any move. If I cannot escape this contract I dare not hurt Kagome in that way." Sesshomaru barked back.
"Fine, but just remember what Tsukiyomi said. She's running out of time… we need to find out and quick. Also, what harm is it to kiss Kagome? Play it off as a simple thank you or something if it doesn't work! At least we would have our answer!" his beast replied back.
"I will think about it. Until then, lets enjoy what time we have." Sesshomaru said as he lifted Kagome's chin up with his hand so he could return his gaze into hers.
"What did you do today while I was in my meeting?" asked Sesshomaru before his beast could argue anymore.
"Kagome n Sango good timez. Sango Kagome readz." Kagome said as she leaned slightly away from his touch and reached for the book on the side table.
"Read?." Sesshomaru said as he watched Kagome open the children's book.
"Jj Jan-uh kk kanuh rrr ruh-nnnuh." Kagome said as she tried to read "Jane can run". "Jjan-uh kkan rruh-nnnuh fff….ffff"
"Fast." Sesshomaru said as he tried to help her with the last work.
"Ff fah-ssstuh" Kagome repeated as she sounded out the word.
"Good, continue." Sesshomaru said as he pointed to the next page.
(*** Guitar Solo, Romantic Instrumental Guitar Music Video Angelina by ALDO ***)
Hearing his encouragement, Kagome continues to read. Sesshomaru was highly impressed at how quickly she had picked up the alphabet and sounds of the vowels and consonants. She was obviously very intelligent and was very teachable. He loved watching her determined expression as she read and how she refused to give up. Feeling Sango's approaching aura Sesshomaru lifts Kagome up into his arms and makes his way out the patio doors. He sets her in one of the rod iron chairs around the round patio table. Noticing how dark it was getting he slips into his room and grabs two candles off of his desk and sets them on the table to help her see. Sango makes her way towards them as he came back and he takes his seat across from Kagome. The firelight flickered across her face giving her a soft glow and he once again was entranced by her natural beauty and angelic charms. As they ate their dinner by candlelight they laughed and lightly chatted. The evening air was warm and her blue eyes twinkled like the stars in the sky. The smell of the blooming flowers and trees filed the courtyard's breeze. In the background the soft ballad of an acoustic guitar echoed over the city walls giving their dinner a soft romantic feel. After a while Sesshomaru could tell she was growing tired and was having a harder time sitting comfortably in her seat. Rising up from his seat he pulls her to his chest and holds her against him. She looks into his eyes and he felt like the world disappeared around them. Before either of them knew what was happening Sesshomaru rested her feet on top of his and they began to dance under the stars.
He held her body close to his as they swayed back and forth. Kagome rested her head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat as they danced. Its beat was strong and she could feel its warmth flowing into her. Her injured hand was resting around his broad shoulder and her other hands was clutched tenderly in his. He rubbed his thumb lovingly across hers and their fingers intertwined together. As she rested her head on his chest Sesshomaru laid his cheek on the top of her crown and they both closed their eyes, savoring in each other's touch. Neither of them noticed however, when Sango came back to collect their trays or the watchful gaze of a dark figure hiding in the shadows along the courtyard's wall. They danced well into the night holding each other in their arms. Sesshomaru guided her feet along the top of his and lost all time and space of the world around them. It wasn't until he felt her falling asleep in his arms that Sesshomaru stopped their dance and picked her up to hold in his arms. He rested her head on his chest as he walked them to her room. Pulling back the sheets on the bed and tucks her in and then crawls in behind her. His beast had came free of his chains while they had danced and now they together held her close to their chest. Burring his nose in the crook of her neck he kisses his mark and soon follows her in sleep. As he does he suddenly remembers his little brother and where he had been. He just hoped wherever he was that he was ok.
Unfortunately for Sesshomaru and Kagome however, the hidden figure that had been hiding along the courtyards wall had seen everything. It had watched as his eyes had bleed red temporarily when he had nuzzled into Kagome's neck while they danced and when he held her close to him in the bed. He knew what that meant.
"I have found your weakness first born of Inu no Tashio… Soon you will loose what is most precious to you just like your father had done to me." whispered the figure before disappeared into the night.
(End of Chapter 22)
(This concludes Day 4. Tomorrow is Sesshomaru's birthday. Only three days left! Will Sesshomaru kiss Kagome in time? Will they break the spell? What about Inuyasha? While Sesshomaru was dancing with Kagome under the stars he had changed back into a half-demon and slept with Kikyo in the boathouse! Will Sesshomaru be able to find a loophole? Will the court vote anyway and force him into a marriage he doesn't want? Will his spies make it back in time? Will Miroku and Daija find a way out of the curse and contract? Only time will tell. Be sure to follow along to find out! Thanks for reading along. Be sure to write a review to let me know what you think!)