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: "Winter Music Instrumental - Arctic Breath." 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: Heroine
[*** Winter Music Instrumental - Arctic Breath ***]
It was turning from spring to summer in the northern arctic circle. Land once covered in thick layers of ice and snow were now blanketed with acres of green grass and yellow flowers. In the background dark marbled stone worn smooth from years of erosion now stood proudly against the landscape. Sea lions and walrus lined the rocky beach while orcas, belugas and narwhal swam its waters. Icebergs slowly washed in and out with the tide and were towered with gulls and puffins. Its waters were an exotic electric blue color due to its purity; allowing the eye to see deep into its depths. Being the warm season the darkness of night never touched the sky. Endless hours of sunlight gave both hunter and prey time for exploring, breeding and eating. Spring youth played and frolicked while their parents stood guard everywhere you looked.
It was on one of these early summer days that a platinum blond mermaid baring a light blue tail hid amongst the iceberg's shadow. Taking care to not be seen she stealthily made her way from iceberg to iceberg towards the Ice palace. Sneaking past the guard protecting its entry she quickly made her way towards her employer. She was returning after relaying a very important message that could be the meaning of life and death. Should she be caught now all could be lost. Taking one last glance to make sure she was not to be seen she knocked on the doorframe seeking permission to enter. Hearing a voice calling on the other side of the sheet of ice she quickly slide it to the side and made her way in.
"At last you have returned Hana. Was your mission successful?" Tsubaki asked as she watched the mermaid seal the ice sheet back into place through her vanity's mirror.
"Yes, my Lady." said Hana with her head bowed low. He blond wavy locks covering her soft pink lips and slate grey eyes.
"You made sure not to be seen?" asked Tsubaki in a serious tone.
"To the best of my knowledge." replied Hana as she rose up from her bow. "Bowen said the Sultan sends his thanks and confirmed in relaying the message to the King as requested."
"Good. Now return to your post and be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for any new information. It would be best to keep close to Asagi. She may be our ticket into his plans. I have a feeling something unpleasant is going to happen that we are unaware of." Tsubaki said with a scowl.
"What do you suspect he is planning my Lady?" asked Hana curiously.
"Nothing would surprise me knowing his sadistic mind. If my suspicions are correct he will infiltrate the cove from the inside out. Be prepared to leave at any given notice." Tsubaki said making the room grow cold with uncertainty.
[Royal Cove]
"No, no no! Your form is all wrong. Do it again!" yelled Bankotsu as he went to correct their position.
"What the hell are we doing wrong?" yelled a guard down the line.
"Yeah! We've always fought this way!" yelled another. "Why are we changing our form days before battle!"
"Our Lord has shown us a more effective battle stance. It will make our navy ten times more lethal and cut back on our casualties significantly! Now quit complaining and do as instructed!" commanded Bankotsu making everyone grumble in frustration.
"If it's so great why are you the one instructing it? Shouldn't we be learning it from a true master?" taunted the guard making the other's laugh.
"King Enuyasa has already corrected my mistakes smart ass! Plus he has other responsibilities needing to be done before the Ice Lord arrives. Now shut the hell up and get to work! As you said we don't have time to mess around." yelled Bankotsu.
"Whatever... If you're so great why don't you prove it." the other guard taunted.
"Fine, if putting you in your place is what I have to do to get you to do your job then so be it. Anyone who disagrees with our King's decision in making me Royal General come forward now. I'm going to end your foolishness and pride once and for all." Bankotsu commanded as he pulled his megalodon tooth from his back.
"Come on boys! Let's show this loser who his maker is!" shouted the guard.
He was able to rally 20 other mermen. Soon they swam forward and charged at the same time. Just as Bankotsu suspected he readied for their attack. When the first merman charged from the front he quickly crossed his blade and blocked. As merman attacked from the front two other's charged from the rear. Using the momentum he had used pushing forward to block, he quickly knocked the other two out from behind him with his tail. As the attacks continued to come Bankotsu kept his form that Inuyasha had instructed. The movements were kept close to the body to ensure quick, power punches but relaxed to keep fluidity.
While this was happening the other mermen stood watch in amazement. The guards who attacked were taken out left and right with little to no effort done by Bankotsu. When the last merman was finally knocked out 2 minutes later, Bankotsu stood proudly in the center of their fallen forms. Not a scratch was on his person and was clear of any sign of roughhousing. There was no mistaking who the true warrior was in that moment. Seeing the leader of the rambunctious rebels begin to stir on the seafloor Bankotsu swam over him and held the tip of his blade to the guard's neck.
"I want you to listen and I want you to listen good." Bankostu said sternly making everyone stiffen at his tone. "You are not perfect and change can be a good thing. You are not a god and most definitely need to improve on your technique. You are sloppy and have a bad habit of keeping your elbow out when you swing. You'll lose more than your arm if you keep it up. You all are merman who have been gifted like myself to help protect the Kingdom. Do not forget that the other tribes have gifts too. We are not any better than them. The tribes were meant to work together AS A TEAM to keep the Water Kingdom safe."
As the merman looked up at him with shame expressed in his eyes, Bankotsu continued. "You have been given an opportunity to serve as a protector to the Royal family. So step down from your entitled thrown, change that sour attitude of yours and get your asses to work! If you don't change, not only will you die from your stupidity and stubbornness but so will everyone else. The Ice Lord's threat won't end here. As soon as he dethrones the Royal family he isn't going to stop there. He will go to our homes and kill anyone who disagrees with his authority. We need to better ourselves so that way we can defeat the enemy."
"But Banko… I mean Sir!" one of the guards began to say formally before correcting his mistake. "How are we supposed to change our fighting skills in less than two days? Our forms took years to learn."
"Either you do or you don't." Bankotsu said. "I know habits are hard to break but there is no room for hesitation in this. We have to put 100% of ourselves into this to make it work. You have the opportunity to change the Water Kingdom's fighting techniques forever! What an honor to be a part of something so important! Besides, where do you think the form you learned all those years ago came from? There had to of been a form before that one to make the one your using what it was. Plus many others before that! Now come on! We are wasting time! Get your assess in line, ready your weapons and do your fucking jobs!"
While all of this had been happening two mermen watched quietly in the distance. A proud smile curled their lips as they observed the lesson before them.
"Thank you for not giving up on my boy. When I had learned of his failure in becoming your heir I had nearly become blinded by my disappointment." Sujo said as he turned to look at his friend. "You have given him more of a future than I could have ever hoped for."
"Your son has always held potential. As parents we sometimes get lost in our dreams for our young and forget to see them in the now." Poseidon said as he continued to watch Banktostu become a general before his very eyes. "When he and his mating gossips first arrived at our doorway I nearly didn't recognize him. The happy newt that shared with his brothers I had seen so long ago had become arrogant and selfish. I nearly sent him home from my disgust."
"What made you stop?" asked Sujo curiously.
"His eyes." said Poseidon making Sujo scowl in confusion.
"What." Sujo asked making Poseidon chuckle at his friends's confusion.
"His eyes are just like your mothers; warm and loyal. I had a feeling that if he were knocked down a few pegs that he could be rebuilt with the right pieces. He could become the merman you see before you or become hard and lost in bitterness. It was the possibility of the first that held me back." Poseidon explained earning a "Hn" from Sujo.
"When he had lost against Enuyasa, he seemed to wither like a flower before my eyes. I knew that moment was his turning point. So to help him along I gave him an ultimatum. Either realize his mistakes, go home and change for the better or continue to live as he was, becoming bitter and possibly lose everything." Poseidon finished.
"I wondered what had happened to make such a change. It seems I owe you my thanks once again." Sujo said as he watched his son move about the training grounds. "If we are to survive this war he has agreed to become my successor."
"Good. Enuyasa needs a merman at his side he can rely on. What of your second?" asked Poseidon earning a groan from Sujo.
"That was the reason for our unwanted delay." Sujo sighed. "When he was told the news he did not take it too well. His actions were most displeasing and divided the kingdom in a day. We had to quickly take care of it before we left. I just hope when we return I won't lose a son."
"Let us prey it does not come to that. However, as you said earlier, should we survive know that you have our assistance if needed." Poseidon said as he began to make his way towards the cove. "Come, let us update my successor of our observations. He will be most pleased with our findings."
Taking one last look at the training grounds Sujo caught his son's eye. Subtly giving him an approving nod he then turned and made his way after Poseidon.
[Sant Antoni de Portmay – Ibiza Island]
"Again." Lord Memōmaru commanded as he sat upon the sand with his men.
The big day was in three days and he was currently going over their plan of attack. Too much was at stake for silly mistakes to be made.
"Tomorrow we send in the mermaids." said Captain Kai motioning towards scout Asagi and three other mermaids nearby. "They are to blend in with the other mermaids so when we attack three days from now no one will suspect them of danger."
"Just before sunrise they are to kill off any guards within the cove. They are to cause panic inside then capture the Princesses. After they slaughter the healers and other harboring females they are to sneak the Princesses out and into our hands." continued General Ryujin.
"With them held hostage we will negotiate them for Ryura. When they try to make an exchange we insure Enuyasa is the one to come to us. When he grows close to his mate we are to slit Kikyo's belly causing a distraction. Being grief stricken we will then stab him in the heart. If they refuse Enuyasa we should request it to be Poseidon and go from there." said Lieutenant Kawaramaru.
"Once we capture my pathetic brother we are to slaughter the reaming Royal tribe that refuse to join us. After the remaining Royal family members are killed his bitch and spawn will be fed to the sharks, Ryura will then be banished and I will be crowned your successor." said Prince Shishinki wickedly.
"Good. Now go and do not fail me." Lord Memōmaru commanded towards the mermaids. They bowed then slipped into the water to being the 18-hour journey from the nearby island towards Valencia.
[Royal Cove – 2 days later and Eve of battle]
"Do you know who they are?" whispered Kikyo as she subtly turned to look at the four new mermaids socializing within the gossip.
"The one with the blue green hair is Asagi. Last I remember she was one of the Ice Lord's scouts. We will need to keep any eye on her. The other three I do not recognize. The are probably from the southern arctic tribe but wouldn't be surprised if they were assassins like her." Toran whispered making sure to not look at them while they were talking.
"They didn't attacked us yesterday when they arrived. Are you certain they aren't just seeking refuge like you and Ryura? Two of the mermaids are harboring and if i were wondering I'd seek protection here." asked Kikyo unsure.
"Knowing the Ice Lord he probably made sure the harboring mermaids tagged along to play off Asagi and the other mermaid's appearances. Do not underestimate them. They could be just as deadly." Toran warned.
"Should we tell our mates about them?" asked Kikyo as she watched the last change of the guard at the front entrance for the night.
"No, just stick to the plan and help me keep watch over them. Our mates are already on edge as it is and with us watching the mermaids it could help keep the Ice Lord out of the loop." Toran said as more and more mermaids joined them in the main cove.
Soon they were surrounded by hundreds of mermaids. Pulling themselves up to a rocky section near the back of the cove they were able to move around comfortably and watch the other mermaids settle down for the night. From this viewpoint they were able to see potential danger coming their way and watch the guards standing post. Being 12 hours away from dawn the new friends settled in for a long restless night, taking turns keeping watch. As the hours ticked by Toran grew more and more restless. Her lower back aching painfully and her false labor was quickly turning into sometime more. It was roughly a half an hour before dawn when someone started yelling inside the cove.
"Oh gods there here!" cried one of the mermaid's they had been keeping watch over. She had tears running down her cheeks and was trembling from her fake induced fear. Unsure of the danger her cries and trembles became contagious to the other mermaids around her.
"We're all going to die!" cried the mermaid next to her. Their panic quickly began to spread around the cove making the air grow thick with anxiety and worry. Soon cries and screams of panic echoed around the room only building the tension in the room.
"SILENCE!" Kikyo yelled "SILENCE I SAY!" over the panic causing everyone to stop and quite down to stare at her in shock. "We are NOT going to die! Have you such little faith in your mates and King? Give them some credit! We are on home turf and have prepared for this! The least you could do is remain quiet so they can focus their full attention on the enemy in front of them instead of your disturbance behind them!"
"Yy-your right Lady Kikyo. Forgive us for our moment of weakness." said the mermaid Asagi as she whipped false tears from her eyes.
Through the panic she had somehow gotten from one side of the chamber to nearly 20 feet away from them. She was close but thankfully the room had calmed before she was able to reach their side. After that everything remained relatively quite. Three of the mermaids they had been watching on occasion tried to stir up panic again but every time Toran and Kikyo would calm the room back down. They could now hear yelling coming from outside but were unable to breakdown what was being said. When the mermaid's realized the cove wasn't going to be stormed they relaxed enough to begin talking quietly to each other.
Needing to relax her tight muscles Toran reclined into a pit she had dug in the sand. Her instincts were telling her to make a nest and prepare for birth. Making due with what was available she snuggled into the warm sand and not ten minutes later had fallen into an exhausted sleep. Kikyo having watched Toran's actions knew that her day was going to be just as chaotic as her mates in a couple hours. Returning her attention to the cove around her she noticed two of the guards were no longer there and the mermaids she had been watching had vanished. She was about to ask a nearby mermaid if she had seen where they had gone when she felt a sharp point at her back and a tight grasp on her wrist.
"If you want your spawn to survive you will come with me quietly." whispered a harsh feminine voice.
"Ww-where are you taking me?" asked Kikyo as she tried to steady her breathing as the blade dug a little deeper into her back.
"I said to come quietly." The voice whispered harshly. "Now come."
As the voice commanded Kikyo slowly began to follow. She kept her vision towards the oblivious mermaids who were quietly socializing on the beach. How ridiculous she felt in that moment. She and her unborn young were being taken right in front of them and they were so lost in their own worlds that they didn't see the danger right in front of them. Taking a peak from the corner of her eye she saw that Toran was still peacefully resting in her nest; unaware of her departure. When Kikyo and her kidnapper were finally out of sight she was quickly turned around with a hand placed over her mouth and back pressed into the rock. As her eyes met her attacker she found it to be one of the strange mermaids they had seen come into the cove two days ago. With a blade to her throat she had to hold back a sob as she tried to calm her growing panic.
"My Lady. I am sorry I had to take such measures to speak with you privately. You and Lady Toran are in very real danger. I was sent by Lady Tsubaki, Ryura's mother to protect you. The mermaids you saw traveling with me were sent by Lord Memōmaru. I am undercover within my own tribe. Their plan was to grab you both when the panic set in however since that backtracked they will try to get you when the last guard falls. They have already killed 7. They will then kidnap both you and Toran and later kill you in front of your mates. However before that they will kill all of the healers and harboring females. You need to wake Toran and escape while you still have the chance. Go somewhere only your mates can find you. When my accomplices realize you both are missing they will abandon killing the other mermaids and I will take them out. Please, you must leave in order to save them." said the mermaid urgently.
"How can I trust you?" asked Kikyo cautiously.
"Because I could have stabbed you in the back and killed you before you knew I was there." The mermaid said.
"A-alright." What is your name should something happen?" asked Kikyo as they quietly began to sneak back into the cove.
"Hana, my Lady." said Hana before she slipped back into the shadows and disappearing from Kikyo's sight.
Once Kikyo felt she wasn't being watched she nudged Toran and whispered into her ear what they needed to do. With some reluctance Toran eventually agreed to the idea. As best they could they slipped into the shadows and out into the open sea. Seeing some arctic merman hiding nearby the had to loop around the far side of the cove and flea through the kelp forest. When they were on the other side of the forest the looked back to make sure no one was following them. Seeing that the coast was clear they made their way down the coast. Heavily harboring it took longer than expected but eventually they arrived at their secret destination. It was Calypso's cove they took sanctuary in. It's walls were lined with the Royal family's hidden treasures and in its center was a long rock bed. Tiny cracks in the ceiling brought in light making it feel safe a cozy. Towards the bottom was soft white sand, comfortable to rest in.
"Perfect…" Toran said with a relieved sigh as she began digging into the sand. "Now I can give birth in peace."
"Want me to help you?" asked Kikyo as she sat on the rock bed and watched her friend begin to dig.
"No, my instincts are on edge at the moment. I think I need to do this myself to help relieve some of the tension in my body." Toran explained.
"Alright, while you are doing that I'm going to go grab some kelp leaves really quick. it gets pretty dark in here and we might want them later when its too dark to go get some. I'll be just outside so if you need me just call." Kikyo said as she cautiously slipped out of the cove's entrance to a nearby patch of Kelp.
When Kikyo came back inside with a large supply of Kelp for them to share she noticed Toran had dug a deep indent into the seafloor. As she borrowed into the nest the smell of her water sack breaking began to fill the tiny cavern. At last, it was time.
"Gahhhh." Toran grunted in pain as her contractions grew stronger now with her water having broken.
"Want me to check and see if the minnow is alright?" asked Kikyo as she knelt before the curled up mermaid in the sand.
"Yeah, just give me a minute." Toran said after she worked through another contraction. They were growing closer and closer together as time went on.
Having healing powers Kikyo had been a part of many births. She thankfully knew what to do and what to expect. She mentally prayed that her experience was going to be enough to help coach Toran through it. Uncurling Toran tail's Kikyo ran her hands along her hardening belly before placing her fingers inside her channel. She needed to check for the minnow's position and thankfully the crown of its head was resting perfectly in position to push. Now they just needed to wait for Toran to dilate five more centimeters.
"You're dilating nicely Toran. It felt like the minnow's head was facing down like it should. Now we just have to wait for the rest of your body to catch up for the birth. You just focus on your breathing and relax your muscles as much as you can until I tell you to push alright?" Kikyo comforted as she rubbed Toran's back gently.
"Aa-alright." Toran said through a shaky breath.
Soon morning turned into midday and midday turned into early evening. It began to grow darker in the cave with every passing hour and Kikyo was afraid she wouldn't be able to see come time for the minnow to enter into the world. Checking Toran's birthing channel one more time she found at last Toran was ready.
"Alright Toran, I need you to sit up for me alright. The sun is going down and I need to get your little one out before the light is gone. On your next contraction I need you to bare down hard and push. Don't strain or you could hurt yourself." Kikyo instructed as she helped her friend to sit comfortably in her sandpit.
"AHHHHHHH!" Toran cried out as she pushed hard. By now the contractions were coming every three minutes and was becoming harder and harder to breathe.
"Breathe Toran, don't forget to breathe." Kikyo fussed as Toran once again bore down with a pained cry. "Good, Toran! You're almost there! Only a couple more good pushes like that and your little one will be here!"
"I can't!" Toran cried as tears ran down her cheeks. "I, I can't! I need, I need Ryura!"
"He's here with you in spirit. I know you can feel him through your bond. Focus on that connection Toran. You're not alone in this. He would be here if not for his father. He's doing what a mate should be doing. Protecting you with everything he's got!" Kikyo soothed as she rubbed Toran's back and whipped the tears from her eyes.
She could feel both Toran and the minnow's aura weakening with each minute. She needed to speed this up before Toran's body gave out and they would die.
"I know… I just wish he were here... to see this." Toran cried weakly just before another contraction hit. "GAAAAAAHHH!"
"Our mates will win this fight and Ryura can be there with for your next delivery. Now come on! You've got this! I can see the crown!" Kikyo encouraged. To her relief just as the sun was about to set in the sky tiny cries entered the world.
[Back in the Cove]
"Where the hell did they go?!" growled Asagi as she and the other mermaids from the arctic tribe began weaving through the hordes of mermaids lounging on the cove's beach.
"Maybe they snuck out?" said Suki as she peered around one of the rocks along the cove's walls.
"Why would they sneak out? They wouldn't have a reason to?" said Hana playing them at their own game. "Maybe they headed towards the healing chambers?"
"Good idea Hana! Let's go check it out." said Aoi as they began to make their way towards the chambers.
"Shouldn't some of us stay behind in case they come back?" suggested Asagi making the three other mermaids halt in there tracks.
"Good idea. Aoi and I will go check out the tunnels. We'll meet you back here in 10 minuets if we don't find them." Hana suggested.
"Agreed." Asagi said as she and Suki returned to searching the tunnels.
As soon as Hana and Aoi were out of sight Hana swam up behind Aoi and knocked her unconscious. Dragging her into an empty den she tied her hands behind her back and then gagged her. Not wanting her to wiggle away she made sure to fasten the ropes to a heavy bolder. Satisfied with her work she waited for Asagi and Suki to come looking for them. As expected 15 minuets later they wandered down the passageway. Keeping close to the wall inside the den she was hiding in she saw Asagi and Suki passed by. When they saw Aoi gagged, bound and tied at the back of the chamber they gasped in horror.
"Aoi!" cried Suki as she and Asagi rushed into the den to check on their fallen harboring sister.
With their backs turned they didn't see Hana come up behind them. Quickly clonking their heads together the mermaids pass out from the hard impact. Repeating the same treatment as Aoi, soon all three assassins were tied together and gagged. Not sensing any change in their auras towards waking up she made her way out of the channel to try and find new guards to watch over them. Reaching the entrance of the cove a barricade of guards greeted her.
"Halt! What are you doing woman?! Go back inside!" ordered one of the guards.
"There was an attach inside and the Princesses have escaped to safety. I need help guarding the attempt assassins." Hana began earning angry growls from the mermen.
"WHAT!" shouted the head guard. "You two come with me and you three keep your guard! No one is to enter or exit is that understood!"
"What happened!" the head guard yelled as he rushed into the cove quickly followed by Hana and the two other guards.
"Three mermaids killed the other guards inside the cove. I was able to get the princesses out to safety. They are in a secret location only known to the Ice Prince and the King. The three mermaids were apprehended and are tied together in the last den of the healing wing." informed Hana.
"Thank the gods!" exhaled the head guard as he went into the healing chambers to find the three mermaids still unconscious. "You two, take them to the front lines. I'm sure their Lord would love to see how they failed in their orders."
"Yes, Sir!" shouted the two guards as they lugged the mermaids over their shoulders and made their way towards the main entrance.
"You said the princesses escaped?" said the head guard.
"Yes, I told them to go to a safe location only their mates would find them. However, Lady Toran was in quite a bit of pain before she left. Last I saw her she was resting in a birthing pit." informed Hana nervously.
"Shit… well I hope wherever they went they didn't get apprehended or killed. If Lady Toran was already in a birthing pit who's to say what condition we will find her in after this is all done." said the guard as he and Hana entered the main cavern.
"Where is the Princess and Lady Toran? Are they alright?" cried a mermaid as she and the other females surrounded them. They had realized they were both missing roughly 15 minutes ago and were beginning to panic.
"They are safe. We have apprehended their attackers." Hana said making the other females relax.
"So is it safe to go out yet?" asked one of the mermaids. Just then a crash hit the side of the cove making it quake. "What was that?!"
"It seems the battle isn't quite over yet. Fear not ladies your mates are fighting strong and sure." the guard said just as another rumble shook the cove.
[End of chapter 46]
(So the battle is on! Now that the assassins have failed, will Kikyo and Toran be safe staying in Calypso's cove? What of the newborn? Being in the dark will Toran and Kikyo be able to care for it? Also, what's going on outside the cove? So much is happening under the sea! Only time will tell what will happen next! Be sure to follow along. More to come soon. Let me know what you think and of course I love to hear your predictions. You guys are awesome! Thanks for the support!)