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: "Little Mermaid OST - Wedding Announcement." 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: Impending War
(*** Little Mermaid OST - Wedding Announcement ***)
It was a smolderingly hot summer day when a golden plated galley ship docked in Valencia's bay. It was named The Sea Swan and bore bold blue cursive letters along its bow. Its impressive triple-decker physic was painted a warm yellow and had stark white sails. Above its main mast proudly flew red, white and green and aboard its deck worked its loyal Navel fleet. Its occupants had come with a mission in mind. One were they would stay until accomplished. A mission as old as time; to unite two enemy's through holy matrimony. It was a marriage of significant importance; one that would change history forever. It had taken years of painstaking investments, bloodshed, blackmail, manipulation, hustling and manpower to get to this point. A plan that nearly went down the drain two months ago when a stubborn Lord nearly found a loophole to avoid them. But today was no longer that day. No, for today marked one month since the contract had been signed and two countries would become one. It was a day of celebration, good tidings, new beginnings and for their next plan of action to unfold. Everywhere you looked their united flags flew along with flowers, banners and decorations along the streets. All in honor of this special occasion. The streets and sidewalks were packed to the brim with spectators. Many waiting to watch the parade and others in hopes of catching a glimpse of the carriage as it passed by.
When the main square's clock tower struck 1, all the church bells across the city gonged. Cheers and joy-filled celebration could be heard all over the countryside. War had been avoided. As the carriage made its route from the grand chapel to the celebration hall a mixture of rice, flowers, candies and bird seed were thrown into the air decorating the streets in its wake. None could see into the carriage as it rode away too quickly but the wisps of beautiful silhouettes were briefly seen as it passed. Only the highest standing in society and nobility were able to attend the evening festivities at the castle. However, that did not deter others from forming parties of their own in the town's squares. As the sun set in the mid summer sky twinkling candlelights lined the city squares and barrels of fine wine and summer ale were passed. Soon dancers danced, drunken singers bellowed and musical instrument's played. Their celebration went well into the night and all was well again. When at last it was time for the festivities to end, lights went out, lovers bedded and sleepy heads dreamed. It had been a perfect day for a wedding. The sky had been a rich blue and the summer's breeze blew over the meadow and nearby sea filling the city with its scent. The festivities had been grand and would be remembered by everyone for years to come.
(xxx stop music xxx)
However, it was a day one wished to forget. A being who regretfully was unable to escape its clutches; including all that applied to being married. For if consummation and conception did not occur within the first year, war would return and his country would fall. It had been his failure to secure an heir before war was issued that had taken his hope of loyalty away. There was only a few times where the Court could over ruled his authority. His apparent reluctance in producing an heir being one of them. It had been their unanimous decision and lingering threat form the enemy that sealed the deal. For peace to continue sacrifices had to be made. That sacrifice being his devotion to his long lost love and their future together in this life. A heir was needed and so through a binding contract, the shedding of a virgins blood and the promise of a child an alliance was formed. How he wished things could be different where he wasn't held by responsibility. Never in his life had he wished to be anyone than who he was but in this moment he wished to be nothing more than a simple commoner. One with the freedom to wait and follow his heart. Alas that was not to be for as the moon hung over the eastern shore an ancient dance was performed. It was with regret that the innocence of his bride was torn and his seed formed new life in her womb. As with most tragic love there was no escaping the inevitable heartbreak that was sure to come.
[April 9, Etretat Cliffs - Normandy, France]
"Come on Louie, just a little while longer." a lioness demon whined as she stretched out on the blanket beside her new mate.
They were currently relaxing under a beach umbrella enjoying some time away from the castle. They had been through so much the past couple weeks. With the weight of ruling two countries, newly mated, establishing peace agreements, attending parties and responding to countless scrolls of congratulation they decided a little break was in order. As they relaxed the loyal guards and servants were waiting under the shaded tree line behind them. Everyone was enjoying the gentle breeze and the warm sun. This side of the beach was clear of commoners and perfect for them to relax in peace. Off in the distance the Le Havre rock cliffs could be seen and the white sand glistened in the sunlight.
"As much as I'd love to stay out here with you my dear we really ought to get back to Paris. It is getting much to hot for me to handle much longer." Louie replied not once taking his attention away from the book he was reading.
"You just don't want to be lazy and get a burn under your feathers." she teased as she cracked open one forest green eye to watch his reaction.
"Just because I like being productive doesn't mean I don't know how to relax my dear Lizy. I'm sitting here reading a book with you aren't I? Plus I don't like being hot. It makes my feathers itch." Louie defended as said feather's bristled down his neck to prove his point.
"Sure it's not so you won't look like a roasted dinner?" Lizy teased. She loved watching her mate get flustered.
"The only one getting a taste of this cock for dinner is you dear." Louie teased back making her eyes widen in surprise.
"Louie!" Lizy yelled as she lightly smacked his chest at the double meaning. The rooster just clucked at her embarrassment.
"What? You know it's true, mate." He said huskily as he leaned over her form being sure to rest his hardening length along her thigh.
"You're right," (clears throat) "it is getting a bit hot out here." Lizy coughed making him smirk. "Do you want to go on a quick walk to pick up some sea shells before we leave?"
"Might as well while we are here." Louie said as he closed his book and helped his mate to her feet.
"When will your mother return from Poland?" asked Lizy as they began to walk towards the cliffs near the surf.
"I believe her letter said in two days time." He replied as he laced his taloned fingers with her claws. He loved the feeling of her tiny hand resting in his.
"Good, I've got some things I'd like to remodel back in London. She's got impeccable taste and I'd like her opinion. How that woman puts things together has always astounded me." Lizy complimented before bending down to pick up a pink shell form the surf. It was perfectly round with a soft underbelly.
"I'm sure she would be more than willing to put in her two cents. Anything to do with fashion and interior design will make her happy. Plus it could be a great bonding experience for you both." Louis said as he took the shell from her hand and slipped it into his pocket for safekeeping.
"Hey, if it keeps me on your mother's good side and I'm not the one having to figure out how to do it I'm all about it." Lizy defended as she picked up another shell and brought it up for inspection. It had a crack in it so she let it go and continued on her search.
"Seeing how your relationship just patched up it is probably for the best. However, don't get upset if she takes over your entire project. She has a tendency to obsess over things till perfection." Louie warned as he threw a broken shell into the surf.
"Don't worry as long as she stays within my budget I don't care what she does. However it's not my fault your mother is a hovering control freak. She is a Hen after all." Lizy teased as she bumped his shoulder with hers.
"Don't remind me." Louie groaned half heartedly making her laugh.
As they neared the cliffs the tide was slowly going out leaving a great collection of shells behind. It didn't take them long to fill their pockets to the brim. They were about to turn back when something near the cliffs caught Lizy's attention.
"Louie? What is that?" Lizy asked as she held up her hand to shade her eyes.
"I'm not sure. Let's go take a look." Louie said as he pulled her along behind him.
As they grow closer to the mysterious debris it's silhouette became something unmistakable and caught them completely by surprise.
"Oh my gods! It's a body!" Lizy cried as she covered her mouth with her hands from shock.
"Turn around Lizy and don't look! It's naked and I don't know if its dead or injured." Louie said as he went over to inspect the washed up creature.
When he reached its side he turned the limp body over on its back. It was then that he noticed the body was a woman, but not just any woman. She was a water elemental demon with long black hair and ghostly light blue markings along her hips, back, wrists, ankles, thighs, breasts and cheekbones. Her skin was white like the crests of waves and had delicate fish fined ears on the side of her head. Her lips were full and had long black eyelashes dusting her cheeks. She was a magnificent creature and he wondered what could have happened to make her wash up like discarded rubbish upon the beach. As he continued to inspect her for injuries he noticed she was clutching a wooden flute in her hand and her voluptuous breasts were slightly moving as she breathed.
"Is it… dead?" Lizy asked anxiously with her body still turned from them.
"No! No! She's alive! Quick! Come help me lift her up so I can wrap her in my shirt." Louie called urgently as he frantically began to unbutton his top.
"Oh the poor thing! I wonder what could have happened to her?" asked Lizy as she helped her mate cover the girl up. She noticed her lips were blue and was slightly shivering.
"We'll just have to wait until she wakes." Louie said as he slipped his arm under her legs and anchored her back with the other.
"That is if she wakes." Lizy corrected nervously as they quickly made their way back down the beach.
"What has happened?" cried their driver as the royal couple quickly made their way towards the carriage.
"We found her washed up near the cliffs. Grab that blanket we were resting on and help me get her inside. She is soaked to the bone and I'm afraid hypothermia is setting in!" Louie commanded.
"Yes Sir!" their carriage diver shouted as he opened the door for them to get inside.
As the servant's quickly cleared up their belongs from the beach the guards readied the horses and tied down the supplies. Soon they were on their way back to the Palace. After a long nerve racking carriage ride they arrived at the palace gates. Lizy informed the servants to prepare a room for their unexpected guest and to call for a healer. Once the elemental had been washed, dressed and tucked into bed the healer helped her drink a tonic mixture to aid in her recovery. It wasn't until two days later that the young elemental opened her eyes to reveal deep ocean blue.
"At last you've awakened!" Lizy said as she set down her knitting and took hold of the girl's hand in hers gently.
"Uhhh… my head" the elemental groaned in water language as she cradled her head in her hand and pinched her eyes closed from the pain.
"Are you alright? Do you need anything?" Lizy asked as she helped fluff the pillows behind the girl.
"Wh-where am I? And who are you?" asked the elemental in water language making the two females stare at each other in confusion.
"Est-ce que tu parles français?" asked Lizy earning no response. "Sprichst du Deutsch?" Same response. "Do you speak English?" Again, no response but confused eyes. "Hablas español?" And with that she gained a little flicker in the girl's eye.
"You speak Spanish?!" asked Lizy again in anticipation.
"Si little." The elemental replied emphasizing by squishing her fingers together to show how much she knew.
"Well it's a start! I'm Lizy by the way." Lizy replied in Spanish excitedly. "So what's your name?!"
"No, knowz." The elemental replied.
"You don't know or you don't remember?" Lizy asked in concern.
"No, membez." The elemental tried to say as she shock her head slowly.
"Well then until you do we'll have to come up with something!" Lizy said cheerfully as she tapped her chin in thought. "Oh! I know. We'll call you Rin!"
"Rin?" repeated the elemental testing the name out for herself. Liking how it sounded a soft smile graced her face and nodded her head in agreement. "Yah, Rin is Rin."
"Glad we got that settled. We'll have to have our healer take a look at your head to see if your memory is permanently damaged. Hopefully they'll come back to you but if not we'll just have to make new ones! I'll also personally assign a language tutor to help you work on your Spanish. It wouldn't hurt to learn English and French too since your living with us until we figure out were your home is." Lizy said making the elemental smile happily.
Hearing a knock on the door the two females saw a tall demon enter the room quietly. He was dressed in his French nobility uniform and had dark red feathers instead of hair. They lay slick on the top of his head but a few fray feathers flew free and formed a comb like mohawk down the center. His eyes were a dark chocolate brown and had a strong aquiline shaped nose and cleft chin.
"I see we have woken up little one." said the rooster demon as he came to stand behind his mate.
"She just woke up not ten minutes ago. It appears our new friend here has lost some of her memories and can only speak a little Spanish. We've decided until she can regain them that she is to be called Rin." Lizy said as he laid one hand on her shoulder.
"Well Rin, my name is Louie Griffon La Flèche, Earl of Paris and Head General of the France. Until you are feeling up to travel you are more than welcome to stay with us." Louie said in Spanish making Rin smile at the invitation.
"Mochas gracias Senior Louie." Rin said making the couple smile in return.
Weeks passed and still Rin did not regain her memories. She couldn't recall why she had retained some Spanish or how she had ended up upon the beach. There was also the mystery of the battered wooden flute she had been clutching in her hand. However, as most things go late spring turned to summer and summer into autumn. Rin grew close with her new friends and soon went from house guest to family."
[The Royal Cove]
"Do you think everything will turn out alright?" Kikyo asked as she and Toran waited for their mates to return from sparing practice.
"Your father and mate seem to think so." Toran replied as she subconsciously rubbed her heavily swollen tummy.
Having gone into heat earlier than most Toran and a handful of others were quickly approaching their due dates. Of course with the Princess expecting as well it was easy to say that the Royal cove was on edge for the battle at hand.
"I wish they would tell me what their plan is. It would make me feel more at ease knowing what to expect." Kikyo sighed.
"I know what you mean. Ryura said it's best for us not to know just incase his father has other spys lingering about. If for some reason we do get captured or something we can't tell them." Toran informed.
"I didn't even think about that. Growing up in the Royal tribe in a time of peace has sheltered me in a way. " Kikyo answered honestly.
"Just be grateful you didn't grow up like Ryura and I. When the Ice Lord gets here you'll understand what I'm talking about." Toran warned seriously making a shiver run down Kikyo's back.
"Let's just hope it doesn't come to that." Kikyo said just as their mates appeared out in the distance.
"Long day?" Toran asked as she welcomed her tired mate with a kiss.
"Very. However, I think the guards training today showed the most improvement since began implementing these new technics." Ryura said before bending down and placing a tender kiss just above her protruding belly button. "How is our little one today? You feeling any better?"
"He hasn't been moving around as much and my lower back is been killing me. It's making me nervous with everything getting ready to happen." said Toran anxiously.
"What do you mean?" asked Inuyasha as he brought Kikyo into his arms and nuzzled her neck.
"Well normally when the young begins to quite and sits lower near your pelvis bone the body is preparing for birth." Kikyo informed making Inuyasha understand the depth of the situation. "Don't worry Toran, you'll be with me and the other mermaids near the healing chambers. Should you go into labor you won't be alone."
"I know but knowing Ryura's father it wouldn't surprise me if he did something underhanded like have a female assassin waiting to get us." Toran said only adding to the anxiety.
"We'll have guards in the cove to keep watch. You and your young will be safe. Don't worry." Inuyasha promised as he ran his hand over his mate's quickly growing bump.
"When will the Sultan arrive?" asked Kikyo curiously.
"Last your Old Man said was sometime tomorrow. If our intelligence is up to date that will give us five days to unify the troops before the Arctic tribe arrives." Inuyasha said.
"Good. The sooner this mess is taken care of the better." Toran said just before stifling a yawn.
"Let's get you inside Toran. I'll try to work out your back." Ryura smirked at his exhausted mate. Taking her hand in his he slowly lead her back inside.
Once they were out of ear shot Kikyo turned to Inuyasha quietly and said, "Toran's aura has gotten really weak the last week. If she doesn't get enough strength before their minnow is due they both will be in trouble. I think the added stress of everything is really getting to her." Kikyo warned making Inuyasha turn to her in shock.
"You can't be serious? Does Ryura know?" asked Inuyasha anxiously.
"If someone hasn't already told him it wouldn't surprise me if he has figured it out himself. The timing of this battle couldn't have come at a more crucial time. Half of our female guards are whelped along with most of the remaining mermaids in the cove. Them arriving when Ryurra and Toran were most vulnerable had to of been on purpose. I know if I was in their position I'd be a mess. There entire future as a family is at risk. Plus the cove right now is at its weakest with most of us harboring. Whoever the Ice Lord's intelligence is has really cut our work out for us." Kikyo said as she snuggled into her mate's embrace.
"If something happens though I'm sure the healers will be able to handle it." Inuyasha said.
"No, Enu. If anything big happens inside the cove while everyone is out fighting there won't be enough healers to go around. Plus most of them are harboring like me making their magic diminished to help their young grow. All our able healers will be out on the battle field." Kikyo said making Inuyasha's anxiety skyrocket.
What if the Ice Lord planted assassins in the cove? What would happen to them if they weren't there to stop them? Would the harboring healers be able to save them and their unborn young? What about the other harboring females? What if they were injured too? What if they target the healers first? Then no one could be saved! This was a major weakness in their strategy and if what Kikyo and Toran suspect was in the Ice Lord's plan they need to alter their defense strategy now.
"I'll be sure to mention it to your Old man and the tribal official's tomorrow." Inuyasha said making Kikyo still in his arms. "What? What is it?"
"When you make battle plans are the tribal official's present?" asked Kikyo nervously.
"Yeah? Why?" asked Inuyasha not understanding where she was going with her train of thought.
"Enu… what if, what if one of the official's is informing the Ice Lord of our plans?" Kikyo asked making Inuyasha stop his hand rubber her back.
"Your Old Man hasn't suspected anything but you might be onto something. I'll be sure to make mention of it before meeting with the Sultan tomorrow." Inuyasha said before kissing the top of her head affectionately. "It's starting to get dark. Let get you inside."
Later that night he did just that. With the wisdom of the females Poseidon and Inuyasha were able to make a secret plan for the cove and a battle strategy outside the knowledge of the tribal officials. When Sujo and Bankotsu arrived the following afternoon Inuyasha was able to forge two more alliance bonds. Now with the united strength of Ryura, Poseidon, Sujo, and Bankotsu, Inuyasha felt confident and ready for the battle to begin.
[End of Chapter 45]
(Will Inuyasha's new plan be enough to save Kikyo and Toran from the Ice Lord's clutches? What about Toran's defining health? Will she and Ryura's spawn be strong enough to survive? What about the drama above the water? What of Lord Sesshomaru and his new bride? Will he and his beast be able to live without Kagome and live with another? Plus the discovery of the mysterious Rin. So much is unfolding but only time will tell! Please leave a comment and post your predictions! Love hearing your comments and reviews. Love you guys! Until next time. More chapters to come.)