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. Disney and Hans Christian Anderson.

Music: The song I have selected for this chapter is: "Underwater Sirens - Background Music (Sleep, Study, Relax, Read)."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: Fathers Fate

[Recap]

Poseidon had watched the entire exchange between the silver alpha male and his daughter. When his daughter swam into his embrace he was hit with an unfamiliar smell. Taking a stronger whiff his eyes grow large when he realizes what it was and pulled his daughter away from his chest to take a look at her. Seeing something on her neck he pulls her hair back to reveal her fresh mating mark. He could still see the pink edges of where it had newly branded itself to her skin.

"You have mated?!" Poseidon asks but was more a comment.

"I have." Kikyo said as she swims back to Enuyasa's side. She had a shy blush to her cheeks as she looked into her mate's warm amber eyes.

"Yes, he will do nicely…" Poseidon said to himself as he looked at the powerful couple before him.

He was very impressed with her choice and could tell he genuinely cared for her by the warmth in his gaze and his tender hold around her waist. However, something felt off about him. Why had he not said anything? He was about to ask when someone shouted,

"WHAT?! Nobody touches my woman!"

[Reconvene]

(*** Underwater Sirens - Background Music (Sleep, Study, Relax, Read) ***)

The crowd parted as Koga made his way to the front. Ryura and Bankotsu quickly followed him. As soon as they came out of the crowd Koga charged towards Inuyasha aggressively with intent to reinstate his claim. He began to reach behind his back to pull out his sword but was blocked by Poseidon.

"Still your weapon Koga before I strike you down." the King demanded. "You know the rules."

"I challenge him for the right as Kikyo's mate!" Koga shouted as he glared at Inuyasha over the King's shoulder.

The crowd gasped at his declaration and Inuyasha stared Koga down with an threatening glare. His eyes burned with fire and he growled aggressively back at Koga with his sharpened fangs showing. His body was ridged and he had his hand on the hilt of his father's sword ready to protect Kikyo if necessary. He did not like this aggressive male and he did not like how his aura radiated anger and possessiveness like his. He wasn't sure what was going on but he had a feeling this male was upset about him being mated to Kikyo. There was no way in hell this blue tailed merman was going to take his mate from him! Kikyo was his and he would fight him to the death if he had to!

"That is not necessary. I have already chosen." Kikyo said as she peered around Inuyasha's side and ran her hand lovingly along his back twisting her fingers along the tips of his hair.

Inuyasha's growl reseeded slightly at the calming voice of his mate and at feeling her reassuring touches. He glanced at her from the corner of his eyes and she smiled sweetly back up at him. Seeing the love for him in her eyes he know he still had her favor and that she believed in him. If this blue male decided to do anything stupid he would defend her to the death. He smiled through a knowing smirk on his face and leaned into her touch. They didn't need to say anything to each other. Their unspoken message spoke louder than anything. They loved each other and nothing was going to keep them apart.

"Your argument does not have ground here! Merlaw states I have the right to challenge him for your hand during mating season!" barked back Koga angrily.

"But I am already mated! I deny your claim!" shouted Kikyo angrily making Inuyasha growl at her sudden uneasiness.

"He is right daughter. If he can defeat your mate during the mating games he has the right to kill him and take you as his. However, even if Koga does loose, your new mate still has to fight me for the right as King." Poseidon informed.

"In that case I still wish to participate in the mating games as well. I too challenge Koga, and…." Bankotsu began but looked towards Inuyasha not remembering hearing his name.

"Enuyasa." Kikyo said.

"Yes, I too challenge Koga and Enuyasa for the right of your hand." said Bankotsu.

"I as well wish to compete." said Ryura coming up behind Bankotsu.

"Would you both just go away already! This is between me and this fool! Don't make me put you in your place!" Koga barked angrily.

"Hold your tongue. They have just as much right as you do to fight." Poseidon said irritated.

He had liked Koga's spirit in fighting for his daughter but he was getting too worked up over this. Had he underestimated his affections towards his daughter? Looking at the anger in his eye and feeling the aggression in his aura he knew that it wasn't that. So what could it be? He was going to keep his eye on him until he figured it out.

"Is there no one else who wishes to fight for the right of my daughter?" asked Poseidon as he stared Hojo down threateningly in the crowd.

Seeing Hojo lower his head in defeat and acceptance of the King's denial Poseidon scans the crowd again for anyone else. After seeing no one move forward or hear anyone else speak up to challenge them he turns his attention back to the group in front of him.

"I accept your challenge. You three will fight Enuyasa for the right of mate for my daughter. Whoever is the winner of this battle will then fight me. If you loose against me I will revoke your right as her mate and as future King." Poseidon said with authority.

"Yes, my King." said the three mermen.

They then turned away with the crowd and made their way towards the sand fields. After the crowd had dispersed Poseidon turned his attention back around to look at his daughter and son-in-law. His heart warmed for his daughter at the sight before him. He felt like he was looking in a mirror and had stepped back in time. Kikyo was being held tenderly in Enuyasa's arms. Enuyasa had his nose buried in the crook of her neck and he could hear his soft purr and gentle kisses on her neck. Kikyo had her arms wrapped around his neck and he could feel her content and loving aura pouring off of her. They truly loved each other and it made him think of his mate from long ago. His daughter had found someone who would love her like he had loved her mother. He hated having to see him fight for her hand but he knew his people needed to see him fight to earn the right as her mate and future King. But he had never seen a merbeing like him before. His aura was strange and he did not remember seeing him arrive with any of the tribes. Swimming over to their side Poseidon catches Enuyasa's eye and watches as he reluctantly pulls back from his daughter's embrace.

"Why did you not defend yourself and your mate when being challenged? Why are you silent? Speak up boy!" asked Poseidon sternly.

He needed to rile him up! He wanted to see the true power of this male before him. He had seen the other three males potential but Enuyasa was unfamiliar to him. Unfortunately for him Enuyasa only stared at him through his intense amber eyes and stood proudly beside his daughter.

"Are you deaf boy? Why do you not answer your King?!" demanded Poseidon.

"He is not deaf father." said Kikyo gently trying to calm him back down.

"Then why does he disrespect me so by not answering me?!" he asked loosing his patience.

"He is mute." Kikyo said sadly taking hold of Enuyasa's hand in her's.

Inuyasha hearing her sad tone and seeing her father get angry towards him he could only guess Kikyo was telling her father about him. He intertwined their fingers and nodded his head reassuringly towards his mate to let her know he was ok for her to continue. He just prayed when her father found out about who and what he was that he would still allow him to mate with his daughter.

"Mute?!" Poseidon asked in disbelief.

"Yes… Enuyasa was cursed by Urasue." said Kikyo quietly. She knew this was going to be ugly.

"The Sea Witch?! What has she done to the boy!" yelled Poseidon as he looked over Enuyasa in concern.

He did not like where this was already had one daughter tied to the witch. Now his other daughter was tied to her through her mate. He did not like how this witch continued to entangle herself in his family's life and happiness.

"Do you remember the demons we visited at the castle?" asked Kikyo nervously.

"Of course I do. That's what got your sister in… Poseidon began but then stopped when he looked at Enuyasa again.

(Silver hair, a strange aura, an intense love for Kikyo, a sudden appearance and godlike strength.)

"No… it couldn't be…." He whispered out loud as his eyes grew large in realization.

There was no doubt about it. It had to be him. He fit the silver haired demon Myōga had told him perfectly.

"You mated to a demon?!" yelled Poseidon becoming angry.

"Half… demon actually" Kikyo corrected nervously as she tried to stay strong beside her mate.

"Tell me daughter… after you tricked me and deceived your people, what were you going to do when your first born came out weak and impure?!" yelled Poseidon angrily.

"You know as well as I do that I did not hide my affections for him Father! You can feel as well as I do that even as a half-demon he is stronger than any other male here! He even stands challenge to your strength! Yet you call him weak?!" Kikyo yelled angrily.

"You know the law! You know I cannot over look this and keep this from our people! He by law will have to be disqualified!" yelled back Poseidon.

"Please don't do this Father! Allow him the chance to win my hand! Please! I'm begging you!" Kikyo cried as she clung to Enuyasa desperately.

"And what would you have me do? Even if he did defeat these other males and myself he is still impure! You cannot produce a pureblood heir!" shouted Poseidon.

"Are you not able to grant your heir this one wish? Do you no longer posses the power to change his other half to remain with me? I would rather die then live without him!" said Kikyo as tears began to pour down her cheeks and she buried her face into her mate's chest.

"That depends on the deal your half-demon made with the Sea Witch." said Poseidon as he stabbed his trident into the sand next to him and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Its kind of hard to tell with him being unable to tell me directly but Enuyasa somehow came into contact with Urasue and he paid her for the transformation with his tongue."

"His tongue?! What devilish scheme is this Witch up to?!" gasped Poseidon as he approached Enuyasa. "Open your mouth boy!"

Enuyasa slowly opened his mouth and Poseidon stared into his empty cavern. He could see where his tongue had been ripped out of his mouth and had recently been healed over from his daughter's powers.

"I am not sure why she needed his tongue but he does not appear to have given his soul like Kagome. However, his merman form is only temporary." Kikyo said as she wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"Temporary? How do you know this if he cannot speak?" asked Poseidon as he finished inspecting his son-in-laws mouth.

"When the sun sets… he turns back into his half-demon form." Kikyo said sadly.

"Hm… It must be because he is a half-demon. His blood did not allow for the change to become permanent." Poseidon said as he pulled his trident out of the sand.

"Are you saying that no amount of magic can fix his other half?" asked Kikyo anxiously.

"I am unsure. We will have to speak to the MamiWata Chief about this." said Poseidon as he let out a long breath.

"Are you… are you saying you will let him try?!" asked Kikyo hopeful.

"I am saying we will look into it. If they know of a way to turn his remaining half into a pureblood merman then I will allow him qualifying to fight in the games." Poseidon said. "If there is not a way. You will have to revoke your mating rights."

"Thank you Father!" Kikyo said as she swam into her father's arms and wrapped her arms around his waist in an embrace.

"Come, let us go and speak to the Chief. Then you and I will attend the games, with or without Enuyasa." Poseidon commanded leaving no room for debate.

"Yes Father," Kikyo said as she took hold of Enuyasa's hand and they swam after him together.

Inuyasha wasn't sure what was happening but he had a feeling something very important was just been discussed between Kikyo and her Father. Something big and it involved him and his mate's future. He had felt his mate's anxiety and insecurity through their bond and it made him weary of where they were going. He just prayed to the gods that whatever was going to happen next that they would watch over them and be on their side. As they swam up the coast they passed the hidden cove where he watched the group of males come out of. Coming around the side they saw a group of MamiWata tribe members sitting along the rocky sea floor. This group consisted of older mated couples and their younglings. They were currently watching their young play on the sea floor and talking amongst each other. Their tails fascinated him with their various shades of purple or black and white stripes. As they approached the group a memaid with long black hair decorated in seashells, beads and driftwood made her way towards them. She had a dark purple tail and her breast shells were white with purple speckles on the edges. She had violet eyes and her skin was a light brown color. In her hand was a spear made from a sharpened sea stone and had fish bones and broken pieces of driftwood hanging down it. On top of her head was a crown made from the jaws of a crocodile. He could feel her intense aura and magical energy radiating off of her. She was both beautiful and powerful. If there was anyone who could help him fix this curse, he had a feeling she could.

"How may I serve thee my King?" said the mermaid asked as she extended her arm out for him to grab.

"Lady Kaguya, I seek your wisdom in magic and dark sorcery." said Poseidon as he took hold of the mermaid's arm around her elbow, uniting their tribes with a shake.

"And what wisdom do you seek? I sense dark magic around you." asked the beautiful mermaid as she looked towards Inuyasha. She then swam over to him and began to inspect him. "Oh… my. What have we got here? A merman… yet not?"

"Yes, at one time he was a half-demon." said Poseidon as he pulled Kikyo to his side to allow the Chief of the MamiWata tribe look him over.

"A half-demon you say? How interesting indeed. What would you have me do with such a creature?" she asked with her hand resting on her chin in thought.

"I seek to find a way to turn my mate into a pure blood merman." Kikyo said as she swam up to her.

"Your mate?! My dear Princess what a tricky situation indeed! What if I told you there was a way to turn your mate into one of us? What price would you be willing to pay?" asked the mermaid curiously as she looked into Poseidon's eyes.

"Anything! Since coming to know Enuyasa I understand what my sister was trying to tell me! I would rather try to change my fate then to die with regrets. Please if there is a way tell me!" begged Kikyo as she took hold of her arms desperately.

"Even if it meant sacrificing your sister's only chance of being rescued from her curse?" asked Kaguya.

"WHAT?! No! I mean… yes.. no! Ah! How could I choose over the life over my sister?! Is there no other way?" asked Kikyo confused and hurt.

"For me to make your mate a full merman I would have to transfer all of your Father's remaining power into him along with help from our tribe. With your Father no longer having magical power after this he cannot save your sister from her curse." said Kaguya as she looked into Poseidon's shocked eyes.

"You mean you can help me save Kagome from her curse?" asked Poseidon.

"Yes… but your soul would become one with her's making her turn back into a mermaid and you would die in her place." said Kaguya. "Either way one of your daughters will suffer and you will have to pay the price."

"WHY HAVE MY DAUGHTERS CONDEMNED ME SO? HOW AM I TO CHOOSE ONE OVER THE OTHER?!" Poseidon screamed as he brought his fists together over his breaking heart.

"I AM SORRY FATHER!" Kikyo yelled back with tears streaming down her cheeks. "I could not help my heart from choosing Enuyasa and I know Kagome feels the same with Sessomaru! Our intention was NEVER to make you choose one over the other!"

Enuyasa wasn't sure what the hell was going on but whatever it was it was huge. As Kikyo and her Father fought back and forth he tried to hold and comfort her as best as he could. The other mermaid silently waited in the background and she intensely looked into his gaze. He could see the wheels turning in her mind as she looked into his soul. It creped him out just like Urasue did.

"What will you do now that you have gained this information my King?" asked Kaguya.

"I will do as I said." said Poseidon as he closed his eyes angrily.

"What are you saying Father?" asked Kikyo confused.

"I am saying… now that we know Enuyasa has the chance to be with you my daughter… as a pure blood… he will fight in the games." He said stiffly.

"Oh Father!" Kikyo said excitedly before she gasped at what his decision would mean.

"Very well. I suggest we make our way to the sand fields. I feel too much is riding on the outcome of today. The waters are already restless and I can sense an unspoken heaviness. Yes… there is much at stake today. Now if what you wish becomes the outcome, I will perform the ceremony on your mate tomorrow night under the new moon when the sky is its darkest." said Kaguya as she turned to leave.

"Yes, let us make our way there. Enuyasa," said Poseidon. Hearing his name Inuyasha turned to look at his father-in-law.

"Do not think I will take it easy on you if you do win against Kikyo's suitors. The fates of my daughters, my entire Kingdom and my life ride against the outcome of today. Fight with all you have and make my decision worthy of sacrifice." Poseidon said sternly as his deep blue eyes stared into his rich amber ones.

Inuyasha felt the threat and challenge in his gaze and had an idea of what he was trying to say. Looking him straight in the face he showed no fear of death and nodded his head yes in understanding. Poseidon seeing his challenge back accepted his threat and turned to look at his daughter.

"You will not interfere at any point during his fight. You may not heal him or favor him in anyway. You are at this point unspoken for and are to treat each suitor equally. Am I understood?" demanded the King to his daughter.

"Yes… I understand and will not by any means lend a hand or share favor to any one suitor over the other." Kikyo said quietly.

"Good. Then let's be on our way." Poseidon said looking his daughter and pending son-in-law in the face one last time before turning his back to them.

He was livid. How could his daughters do this to him? How could their selfishness not only condemn their happiness but their lives! Now he was torn choosing over saving his youngest daughter by sacrificing himself or giving his remaining power over to his son-in-law, thus turning him into a pure blood merman and providing his kingdom a powerful King and Kiko's happiness. But that would sacrifice Kagome's chance at life! How could he choose! As he swam towards the battlefields his inner emotions ragged inside. He needed to clear his head and focus his attention at the task at hand. If he did not fight with everything he had he could never forgive himself for sacrificing Kagome's life for nothing. No, he would battle to the bitter end. He would give everything he had and that meant seeing Inuyasha as the enemy. If Kikyo couldn't have Enuyasa, so be it. He knew she would mate whomever he chose but would forever be dead inside. He knew if Enuyasa lost and he went to save Kagome by sacrificing his life he knew Kagome would slowly die of a broken heart. But if Enuyasa won they would be mated, the Kingdom would have a powerful new King and they would produce a powerful heir. But Kikyo would still be heart broken over the loss of her sister and he would only live for maybe another 5-10 years after giving his magic away. Too much was riding on this! Making his way to the rocks along the battlefield he took his seat next to his nieces and fellow tribal leaders. Now all he could do was pray to the gods for them to decide his fate for him.

"Oh Calypso… our daughters need you more than ever. I miss you so much my Love. You always knew what to do. Soon…. my love we shall be together again…" Poseidon thought to himself as he watched the first battle begin. "Yes… very soon I feel."

(End of Chapter 23)

(Poor Poseidon! What a decision indeed! Will Inuyasha win the games and become the new King? If he does will Poseidon fulfill his half of the bargain and turn him into a pure blood merman and condemn Kagome to death? Or will Inuyasha loose the battle to forever be alone. Neither accepted on land or in the sea. Will Kikyo be able to live on without him and mate to another? What about Kagome? If Inuyasha loses Poseidon has the chance to give her his soul so she can live again as a mermaid. What if she refuses? And what about the other suitors! Will Ryura be able to beat the other suitors including Inuyasha and Poseidon and finally be able to claim Toran as his third mate? Will Koga's dream of becoming King come true and be mated to both Kikyo and Kagome? Will Bankotsu bring the power of the Water Kingdom back to the Astarte Tribe? Only time will tell! Be sure to follow along to find out! Please write a review to let me know what you think! Thanks for reading!)