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: "Inuyasha OST 3 - Sokushin Butsu Hakushin Shousin" and Inuyasha OST 3 - Hakudoushi" and "Inuyasha OST 1 - Sesshomaru."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: Day Five

(*** Inuyasha OST 3 - Sokushin Butsu Hakushin Shousin ***)

Kagome was eating her lunch when she lost the feeling in her fingers. Before she could grasp what was happening her fork slipped out of her hand and dropped onto the patio floor. She reached down to retrieve it but Sango beat her to it. Their hands lightly graze each other's and Sango gasped in surprise.

"Your hands are like ice!" Sango said as she took hold of Kagome's hands in hers and wrapped them around tightly to try and warm them up. "Do we need to return inside?"

"No want inside. Kagome stay." She replied as she gingerly pulled her hands out of Sango's concerned grasp and tried to eat the rest of her meal.

However, no matter how hard she tried her hands only grew weaker as she ate. They also had a slight shake to them causing her to grow concerned in her rapid decline in health. Not wanting Sango to catch onto her and send her back inside she takes a pear from the fruit bowl and eats on it instead.

"Sango? Where Daija?" asked Kagome before she took a bite of her pear.

"He is in a meeting with our Lord. There was some news from the Water Kingdom he needed to discuss with him.

"Oh…" Kagome said quietly.

"I'm sure everything is fine. What would you like to do today?" asked Sango trying to change the subject.

She didn't like seeing her new friend upset and after learning about her curse she felt it was her duty to make what little time she had left special.

"Castle. Kagome see castle." Kagome said as she finished off her pear.

"The castle? We'll have to wait for Daija to return. I was given specific instructions on not to let anyone in or out of this room, including you my Lad… I'm mean Kagome. Would you like to sit by the lagoon and watch the fish until then?" Sango asked with a hopeful smile.

"Jah… dis good. Sango say Daija come soon?" Kagome said to Sango as she pushed her towards the lagoon.

"I'm not sure, but as soon as he is finished I'll be sure to send him to you." said Sango.

Sango then locked the wheels on Kagome's chair near the lagoon so she could look at the fish without her chair wheeling out from beneath her. Excusing herself to go continue her chores and to check on Daija, Sango makes her way up the patio stairs and disappears inside. Finally alone Kagome pulls her hands out from under her blanket to take a look at them. Her broken fingers were still bound but that wasn't what made her nervous. It was that she no longer felt their ache and the numbing sensation was spreading up both hands and feet. As she squeezed her hands she only felt a tingling sensation brushed against her palms. She also was having a harder time keeping warm. It wasn't unbearable but she wasn't comfortable either. However, she did notice that with each passing day both were getting worse and now she had a painful cough. Pulling the blanket a little higher on her lap and slipping her cold hands underneath, she looks down at the lagoon to watch her fish brethren meander about. She could see their lips moving under the water and she was trying to read them as they were talking to each other. They paid no attention to her as she watched them search for food and gossip. It wasn't until she read her sister's name cross one of the fish's lips that she made her presence known. Lightly tapping on the water's surface to gain their attention but not hard enough to scare them away, she makes fish lips at the water hoping to ask them her questions.

"Excuse me, I don't mean to intrude but did you just say Princess Kikyo?" asked Kagome to the fish from above the water through her fishy lips.

"A human speaking to us?! How is this possible?!" gasped a yellow fish. "What do you want human?!"

"Yah! Are you going to try and kill us?!" shouted the blue fish as they began backing away from her.

"No wait! I'm not here to hurt you! I just wish to know about my sister!" shouted Kagome to the fish from above with her fishy lips.

"Your sister?! You are a human! Do not take us for fools." said the yellow fish.

"I do not lie! I am Princess Kagome. Urasue cursed me and turned me into a human!" Kagome said trying to explain herself.

"Princess Kagome? Is that really you?" asked the blue fish as he swam up a little closer.

"Can you prove it?" asked the yellow fish coming up behind the blue one.

"What do you wish to know?" asked Kagome.

"What is the special ability of the Royal Tribe?" asked the yellow fish.

"The Royal tribe specializes in healing magic but the first born heir of the King inherits every ability of each previous king. Therefore giving them a piece of every tribes abilities, making them the most powerful Merbing." said Kagome.

"Ok, where is the Under Water Embassy?" asked the blue fish.

"In the under water city of Atlantica." said Kagome.

"Alright, last question. Who killed your mother?" asked the yellow fish.

"Pirates." said Kagome shortly.

"It is you! Oh Princess how could Urasue do this to you?!" said the blue fish as they came up to her near the lagoon's edge.

"I made a deal with her to get closer to my love on land but the deal backfired and now I am dying. In two days time I will be with my mother." said Kagome as she placed her fingertip on the water.

"Princess! I can feel your chill seeping into the water! Are you truly at deaths door?" asked the yellow fish anxiously.

"It is true." said Kagome. "But enough about me. Why were you speaking of my sister?"

"Ah! Yes, forgive us Princess! The mating games have just finished and we heard the winner was the most powerful merman the Kingdom has ever seen! There was some type of an accident towards the end of the games and he rescued your Father! Your father is ok but he passed on his blessing and now your sister is mated." informed the yellow fish.

"So it is finished then… Do you know what he looked like? Did you hear anything about that?" asked Kagome.

"All we heard is that he was incredibly strong and that he was the ultimate alpha." said the blue fish.

"Well thank you for informing me. I really appreciate it." said Kagome as she sat back in her chair.

"Of course Princess. If we see them in the future we will be sure to tell them about our meeting." said the yellow fish.

"Thank you. Maybe the gods will have our paths cross again." said Kagome waving goodbye to them.

"Feel better Princess! I hope you find a way to break your curse soon!" said the blue fish before they both disappeared into the lagoon's murky waters.

"Not likely…" Kagome said to herself as she relaxed back in her chair and felt the afternoon breeze blow through her hair.

(*** Inuyasha OST 3 - Hakudoushi ***)

She closed her eyes and soaked in the sun as she listened to the chirping birds and rustling leaves in the air. When she opened her eyes however, a demon dressed in a white robe stood not 10 feet away from her. Kagome stiffened in her seat and held her breath as the demon slowly began circling her. She tried to scream but her jaw had locked up and she knew even if she did no one would get to her in time before he killed her. By the smirk on his face she knew that he knew it too.

"So you're the Prince's human cousin I've been hearing whispered about around the castle?" the stranger asked as he looked her up and down as he circled around her. His voice was deep and smooth and it made a shiver run up her spine.

"I never knew Izayoi to have any brothers or sisters… and I distinctly remember being told that her side of the family was long gone?" he said as he came up behind her while he continued to walk in a circle. "Yet here you are?"

Kagome's heart by this point was beating loud in her chest and the hair on the back of her neck stood up in fear.

"You are beautiful like her, have a similar aura and even gain affection from demon dogs. However…" he said as he came to stand in front of her face and look into her fear filled eyes.

"I do not sense her blood in your blood…" he said with an intense stare.

"Whoz you?! Why you herez? Kagome shouted finally gaining control of her tongue.

"What's this? A foreigner?! Now it all makes sense! So you are a spy sent to win his favor and gain you as his queen instead?" demanded the stranger making Kagome stare at him in confusion.

"I no understand! Why you herez?! Go away!" Kagome said as she tried unlocking her wheeled chair to get away from him.

Seeing her trying to flee from him he pounced on her making her chair tip over and her fall flat on her back. He pinned her hands above her head and lowered his face mere inches away from hers. She could feel his body pressing into hers and she trembled in fear of what he was going to do to her.

"I don't know who you are human… but if you think you can steal the throne away from me by warming Sesshomaru's bed you are dearly mistaken." he barked threatening.

"Pweez… go awayz! I no understand!" Kagome said as tears began to fall down her cheeks.

"No amount of tears will sway me whore." he said before slapping her cheek making her gasp in pain and shock.

"Whatever spell you've cast Witch I will break it. Do not take me for a fool for I can smell that dog's scent all over you and especially on that mark on your neck. I suggest if you wish to save your life you will leave this place. If not... you will wish you had never been born." He finished slapping her across the other cheek before picking himself up, dusting off his robe and vanishing in the shadows of the courtyard.

Kagome just laid there stunned on the grass. Her heart pounded in her chest and her breath was ragged as she tried to calm herself from having a panic attach. Tears streamed down her cheeks and her entire body trembled as it worked through the adrenalin still pounding through her system. She had understood some of his threat but most of it was still a mystery to her. Whatever he was upset about it had to do with her being with Sessomaru. Was he threatening Sessomaru's life because of her? She had to talk to Daija. As she tried to work through what just happened she sunk deeper into her panic and soon was trembling and crying so hard she couldn't move from her spot. About 5 minuets later Daija and Sango made their way into her room to check on her.

"I don't know Sango… our Lord made it quite clear that she is to stay safely in her room." said Daija as he closed Kagome's door behind him and Sango.

"I know… but she is dyeing Daija! Can we not offer her this one thing?" she asked as they headed towards the patio.

"I'll try to explain to her his concerns. For now let's just…." Daija began to say until he saw Kagome on the ground. "PRINCESS!"

"OH MY GOD!" Sango shouted behind him as they raced down the stairs towards her.

"Princess! Are you alright?! What happened?!" shouted Daija as he tried to console the blubbering Kagome and pulled her onto his lap.

"Some… demon… in ww white… aa…aattacked me." Kagome chocked out through tears and her quivering and she gripped onto his shirt.

"WHAT?!" yelled Daija. "Sango! Go and get our Lord immediately. She was just attached!"

"On it!" Sango said as she raced up the stair to go find Sesshomaru.

"What happened?!" shouted Daija as he held Kagome tight in his arms.

"I was soaking…. in the… sun. I only closed my eyes…. for a moment! When I opened them again… a demon… dressed in a … a white… robe… appeared out of… nowhere! He began threatening me! I couldn't… understand everything… he was… saying. I tried… to stop him. But he kept… going! He lunged out at me… making me fall… out of… my chair. I tried… to stop… him but he hit me… and threatened Sessomaru!" Kagome tried to explain through her blubbering.

"He hit you?! Where?!" Daija demanded as he pulled her back from his embrace so he could look at her.

He watched as Kagome pulled her hair back away from her tear streaked face. He could see the red sting on each cheek from where he had slapped her. Along her jawline he could already see the beginning stages of a bruise. He was furious! He had just received news from her father that he had found a way to save Kagome and revert her back to a mermaid if she wanted it. He was on his way back from sharing this news with Lord Sesshomaru to tell her about it when he had found her on the ground. He felt terrible! She was under his protection and he had failed in his duty to protect his Princess.

"I'LL KILL HIM! No one lays a hand on my Princess!" Daija screamed angrily.

"It is alright…. Daija. He only hit… my cheeks." Kagome said as she laid her hand on his to try and calm him down.

"Only hit?! Princess! This basterd has not only struck Royalty… but threatened two Kingdoms!" Daija shouted.

Before Kagome could reply they both heard her patio door slam open and Sesshomaru appeared out of thin air before them.

[Sesshomaru]

Sesshomaru was having afternoon tea with some of his guests when he saw Sango approach one of the butlers out in the hallway. He could tell by her body language that something was up and wasn't surprised when the butler serving them tea made his way over to him.

"My Lord? I am sorry to disturb you… but your cousin's maidservant is asking to speak with you in the hallway. She says it is urgent," he said as he bowed to him.

"Very well. If you will excuse me, I must look into this." said Sesshomaru as he stood up from his chair and straightened his over coat and tie.

"Of course, will we see you at dinner?" asked the Duke as he patted his lips with his napkin. "It is your birthday after all."

"That all depends on the situation at hand. Do not wait up for me. It was a pleasure." Sesshomaru said as he excused himself politely and made his way towards the door.

Once outside the door he could feel the anxiety and fear radiating off of her person. She was shaking slightly and he could hear her heart pound in her chest. Had she ran here? What was going on? He had to find out.

"Speak. I do not need unnecessary information " He said shortly.

"I'm sorry Sir but there was an incident in the courtyard and you are needed there right away! Daija will explain when you get there!" Sango said as she quickly tried to keep up with his wide gape in the hallway.

As soon as she had said "incident in the courtyard" he quickly turned away from her and began making his way there. He raced down the hall as quickly as he could without drawing too much attention to himself. However, as soon as he entered the Royal Wing of the castle he flew down the halls and into Kagome's room. He came through the patio doors, scanned the courtyard and saw her lying on the ground next to her tipped over wheeled chair in Daija's arms. His heart stopped when he was hit with the smell of her fear and tears as he took in her trembling form. As he raced down the stairs he watched as Kagome leaned back from Daija's embraced to look into his eyes. Her eyes filled with tears and she extended her arms out for him to take her in his. Her shoulders began to shake and he could hear her ragged breathing as she began to work herself up again.

"Sessomaru!" Kagome cried as she reached out her shaking arms towards him.

(*** Inuyasha OST 1 - Sesshomaru ***)

Sesshomaru pulled her trembling form into his arms and she immediately griped his over coat in her hands and cried into his chest. Her hot tears soaked into his chest and he could feel her warm breath on his neck as she cried. He buried his nose into the crook of her neck and closed his eyes as he tried to control his inner turmoil. He struggled to keep his beast contained. He could hear his beast howling in his head and feel his claws banging on his cage as he tried to escape to get to his intended. He hated seeing her so upset. Something must have really upset her for her to be in this state. What had caused this? Why was she on the ground? He had to find out. Taking in a strong whiff of her calming aroma he opened his eyes to stare at his cook. His amber eyes bore into Daija's wide brown ones and his anger and irritation rolled off of his person in waves.

"What happened." He said smoothly making Daija gulp in fear.

"Sango came to get me after our meeting and told me the Princess wished to go and explore the castle. I was in the middle of reminding Sango of your desires for her to remain in the safety of her room when we stumbled upon the Princess. When we found her she was lying on the ground trembling in fear and crying like she is now. I asked her what had happened and she said she had been attached!" Daija said nervously.

"Attached?!" Sesshomaru asked as the whites of his eyes flashed pink for a moment.

"Yes, I sent Sango to retrieve you and while she was gone the Princess told me that she had been bathing in the sun when a demon dressed in a white robe came out of nowhere and began to interrogate her and threaten you both. She said she didn't understand what he was asking and out of nowhere he jumped her, knocked her out of her chair and slapped her across the face. I then held her until you arrived." Daija finished.

Sesshomaru growled deep in his chest and the whites of his eyes went back and forth with a light shade of pink as he again struggled to maintain his beast. Someone dared to come into his home and attach his intended?! Leaning back slightly he lifted Kagome's chin up so he could look at her face. Kagome looked up through her puffy bloodshot eyes into his. Her swollen cheeks were red near her jawline on both sides and he could see the curl of the attacker's fingertips near her cheekbones. Her face was hot to the touch as he tenderly ran his finger along her facial wounds and wiped the tearstains from her cheeks. Seeing the exhaustion in her eyes he pulls her back into his embrace and rests her head under his chin. Kagome closed her eyes as they hold each other tight. She had seen the anger in his eyes but she knew it was not directed towards her by his tender touches. She had never seen him so angry or his eyes look so wild. She knew he would be upset about this but wasn't sure as to why he was being so affectionate with her. Sure they had been cuddly before but nothing like this. He was treating her like… like a mate would! It confused her to have him treat her as such, not that she was complaining or anything. Sesshomaru reluctantly pulled his gaze away from her and looked back to Daija's surprised ones. Narrowing his eyes at him he see's the snake shake out of his stupor.

"Did Kagome tell you any other description of the attacker and what he had threatened?" asked Sesshomaru as he unconsciously rubbed his thumb in a small circle along her back.

"No, but I can ask her." said Daija receiving a nod of approval from Sesshomaru.

"Princess? What other descriptions can you give me about your attacker? Did he say anything specific you remember him yelling at you about?" Daija asked.

"He had black hair and brown eyes. I could sense from his aura that he was a very powerful demon even though he looked human. On his white robe was a blue moon above his heart and a gold pin holding the robe together on his right shoulder. I'm not sure what all he was saying but I did hear the name Izo or Izayi or something like that and he kept taking about someone taking something of his and for me to stay away from Sessomaru. When I kept saying I didn't understand he slapped me. It didn't hurt too bad, it more of startled me is all." Kagome said quietly through a scratchy voice as she snuggled into Sesshomaru's warm embrace.

Daija then translated what she said and watched as Sesshomaru's eyes closed once more in irritation and his jaw tighten behind his thin lips. When he opened them again Daija felt a chill run down his spine at his glare. His amber color was swirly with heat and anger. The edges were tinged in red and his pupils were wavering between black and dark blue. When he snapped his stare to him he thought he was looking into hell itself. These were no long the eyes of his Lord. These were the eyes of a predator. Someone was going to die and the hunter had found its prey.

"So I have a rat hidden amongst mice?" He said shortly.

"Mm my Lord?" asked Daija nervously.

"Kagome will stay with me for the remainder of the day. Tell Sango to prepare a basket with our dinner. I believe we both need to be away from here for the remainder of the day and clear our heads." Sesshomaru said as he looked down at Kagome who was resting quietly in his lap. She was innocently playing with one of his vest's buttons under her finger and it made him calm down slightly at her cuteness.

"I think that is a good idea Sir." said Daija as he began to get up. "How do you plan on sneaking her out?"

"Have A-Un brought around to the back entrance. We will meet you there once Sango has prepared her for the trip." Sesshomaru said as he carefully stood up with Kagome resting bridal style in his arms and her arms around his neck.

"What about the attacker Sir? Do you think he is still in the castle?" asked Daija as they began making their way up the stairs.

"Leave the attacker to me. If this coward thinks he can sneak around my home and touch what is mine to protect then they are dearly mistaken. With the information about the moon emblem and the white robe that lowers my search down significantly." Sesshomaru said as he sat Kagome on the couch.

"Very well Sir. I'll return shortly after informing Sango and the stable boys," said Daija as he made his way towards the door.

"Also, have Jaken sent to my office. I will need him to meet with me before we depart." said Sesshomaru as he leaned on the wall next to the couch causally. "As much as I hate my birthday I cannot ignore the people and their well wishes. You are dismissed."

"Yes, my Lord." the snake demon said as he walked out of the room leaving them alone inside.

(End of Chapter 24)

(Poor Kagome! She can't seem to catch a break! Also, who won the mating games? What was the accident? Did Inuyasha not win and that's why Poseidon sent word to Daija about them finding out a way to break the curse if she wanted? What about this attacker? Does Sesshomaru have the right demon in mind? What will become of them? Also, what will Sesshomaru do with Kagome for his birthday? Only time will tell. Be sure to follow along to find out! Thanks for reading.)