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: "Toy Story - You've Got A Friend In Me Soundtrack Instrumental." 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: Young Love
"Where's papa?" asked Lorenzo as he sat down at the dinning room table for breakfast.
"I'm not sure darling but he should be down in a minute." Sara soothed as she took her seat next to him.
"What about papa's fwinds? Where awe day?" Lorenzo asked as his plate was placed before him and he stabbed his scrambled eggs with his fork.
"Ms. Kaede went to go get them. They should be…" Sara began to say just as the dinning room doors opened.
"Pardon our delay. You must be Lady Sara?" Lizy asked as she came into the room holding Arthur on her hip and Odette quickly following behind.
"I am, it's a pleasure to meet you Queen Elizabeth. Please come and join us. We just sat down." Sara said as she gestured for them to take a seat.
"Thank you. It looks and smells delicious. Doesn't it Odette?" Lizy said as she looked down at her daughter who was hiding behind her skirt.
"Hello little one." Sara cooed as she bent down to look at the little chick.
"Come now darling, let's show Lady Sara your new dress you got just for her." Lizy said as she lightly pushed her daughter out from hiding.
"Oh Odette… it's beautiful." Sara gasped as she looked over the little gown. "How sweet of you to wear that. It reminds me of home."
All over her yellow dress were pea size embroidered white lilies, Italy's national flower. Along the trim was Italian punto burano styled lace and a bold green ribbon fit around her tiny waist. She wore red silk ribbons in her strawberry blond curls and had white frilly stockings to go with her little leather shoes. An adorable blush painted her freckled cheeks making her look like an innocent cherub. When her crystal blue eyes looked up into Lorenzo's wide honey brown he thought she was the prettiest thing he had ever seen.
"Fank you…" she said back quietly as she tucked her chin down to try and hide away.
"Why don't you take a seat next to Lorenzo?" Sara suggested missing her son's slight panic. "Lorenzo, this is Princess Odette. Can you say hello?"
"H-hi…" Lorenzo said as he bashfully looked up from his plate. His little ears were pinned back on the top of his head and a bright blush colored his rounded cheeks.
"Hi…" Odette said in return as she timidly got into her seat.
When she sat next to him his heart pounded in his chest. Not wanting to embarrass himself he continued to eat his breakfast in silence. When Louie joined them about 10 minutes later Lorenzo took the opportunity to look over at her. She was even prettier up close and before he realized it she caught him staring at her. Quickly turning back to his food he tried to hide his embarrassment. Having watched the bashful puppy from the corner of her eye and not sensing any hostility in his aura Odette decided to try and make friends.
"After bweakfast do you want to go pway?" Odette asked nervously.
"O-Ohtay…" Lorenzo agreed with a shy smile. "I gots some toys in my woom. Want to go pway dair?"
"Sure." Odette smiled back making the puppy's ears perk up making her giggle. After that the two quickly ate their breakfast before dashing away to go play.
"Those two seemed to hit it off well." Lizy chuckled as she; Sara and Louie watched the children escape to go play.
"I'm so glad." Sara sighed in relief as she set down her coffee. "Lorenzo has such a hard time making friends. Being a half demon the children push him away because they are unsure how to play. Do they treat him as a demon or a human? It's very confusing for them and to avoid accidentally hurting the Prince they avoid him all together. When he found out your daughter was coming he nearly exploded from excitement."
"Well hopefully playing with Odette wont be an issue. She loves to make friends and is a very loyal creature. However she first has to work up the courage to be one. My mate blames her uncertainty on our mixed blood." Louie explained as he glanced towards his mate. She was currently spoon-feeding their son mashed bananas while making silly faces so he would open his mouth.
"What do you mean?" asked Sara as she watched Arthur greedily devour his breakfast along with half of the spoon.
"My mate and I by most breeding standards go against the grain. You see I am a lioness demon and my mate is a rooster. He should have been my food; NOT my mate. However, love works in mysterious ways and now we have two chicks to prove for it. With his poultry genes more prominent than my feline in our offspring, they have developed a stronger flight over fight response." Lizy explained. "Odette often feels the need to flea confrontation first before attacking it head on. We have yet to see how little Arthur responds but I have a feeling he'll do the same."
"Of course that is just my mates hypothesis. I think my daughter is simply shy and will eventually grow out of it." Louie said earning a huff of annoyance from his mate and chuckle from their host.
"Pft." Lizy scoffed "You know that I'm right."
"Whatever you say dear." Louie agreed with a teasing smile even as he took a sip of his coffee.
"How long have you two been together?" asked Sara curiously. "You both have been friends with my husband for quite some time. When did you get together?" She loved watching the couple banter. It was evident that they loved each other deeply and couldn't help but feel a little jealous of their relationship.
"Well Sesshomaru and I have known each other since infancy. Being Royal has its limitations, as I'm sure you are aware of. That of course meaning you socialize within your own class as well as mate." Louie began as he sat back in his chair to relax. "I believe we were about our chick's age when we first met. Isn't that right dear?"
"We might have been a year or two older than them but not by much. I remember you were playing ball behind the old Thompson place with Erik and Jonathan during someone's anniversary party." Lizy said as she scrapped the spoon along Arthur's face to gather the wayward bananas. "I was sitting with Lucy, Ginger and Bonnie watching them play when Jonathan accidently kicked the ball into a window. Everyone ran away so not to get caught but you stayed and took the blame. I just remember thinking to myself that you were one brave chicken."
"See darling, I am living proof that your theory doesn't work." Louie teased.
"Or perhaps it was that you were trying to impress a pretty girl." Lizy teased back making Louie smirk.
"Perhaps. Regardless, after that you couldn't keep you paws off me." Louie said making Sara laugh and Lizy roll her eyes.
"If I do remember correctly it was the other way around. Lets see here… oh yes! Remember the Adam incident?" Lizy taunted making the rooster narrow his eyes warningly at her and cross his arms over his chest.
"The Adam incident?" Sara leaned closer making the ol' rooster rumbled in annoyance and bristle his feathers.
"It's nothing." Louie clucked making Lizy laugh.
"Is too!" Lizy said as she smiled wickedly. She then leaning closer to Sara from across the table and said in a hushed voice, "You see, my dear mate at this point in time was just starting to grow into his fighting spurs. When Sesshomaru's comming of age party came around he couldn't help but show them off."
"When I saw Lizy that night I immediately noticed that she had grown from a lion cub into a blossoming lioness. Her beauty completely caught me by surprise as well as many others. Not wanting other suitors to take her away from me I made sure to be her escort for the night. Of course while I had her attention I fluttered and strut my feathers just so and seduced her with my Parisian charm which as you can see worked being that she is now my mate." Louie said cockily. "What I didn't account for however was that my elder brother Adam had eyes for Lizy as well. When he later challenged me to a fight in front of her and a group of our friends I readily accepted the challenge. Needless to say my fighting spurs broke off halfway through the fight and my tail feathers were plucked clean. If it weren't for my father intercepting the fight my brother would have put a hole through my gut."
"Yes but what Adam didn't account for was that I had feelings for you before that night and rather enjoyed your flirtatious nature and alluring charm. When you got taken to the healing quarters to treat you injuries I spent the rest of the night with you instead of with him. I don't think I ever saw your brother more put out." Lizy sighed as she pulled Arthur from his chair to rest in her lap. "When I saw you all bandaged up it had me in tears. Before I realized what I was doing I had slapped you across the face and we were having our first fight."
"You looked so cute all red and flustered and somehow through our argument I managed to steel our first kiss." Louie said making Sara smile. "Had it not been for my mother coming in at the moment I might have stolen a few more."
"I take it after that you too started courting?" asked Sara as servants began to clear the clear the table.
"No, my mother didn't care for Lizy and I's relationship. She believed Lizy seduced my brother and I into turning against each other thus ruined the party and our clothes she designed. When she saw Lizy and I kissing she nearly molted her feathers. After that my mother made it very difficult for us to keep in touch." Louie said as he wiped the droll off of their son's chin with his napkin.
"That didn't stop us from trying of course. Louie got very creative in finding ways to talk with me. Thankfully through his persistence we grew closer. We made sure to attend as many social events as possible so we could spend time together. It worked great until your mother figured out what we were doing and decided that you needed to start courting within your own species. I thought we'd never get rid of those brooding hens your mother kept bringing around." Lizy said as she began to rock Arthur in her lap.
"Do you mind if I hold him?" asked Sara as she looked over the babbling chick.
"Of course not!" Sara said as she came around the table and carefully placed him in her arms.
"Oh he's darling." Sara cooed as she rocked him in her seat. His white downy feathers atop his head lightly fluttered as she moved and his warm brown eyes stared up into hers with innocent curiosity. "I loved it when Lorenzo was this age. He was so much fun to watch as he learned to walk, talk and develop his own little personality."
"I know! Arthur's got this little scowl that he does when he tries to figure things out and even growls sometime if he can't get it right. It cracks me up!" Lizy laughed as she sat back in her seat and relaxed into her mate's side.
"Well obviously your mother came around because you guys have two beautiful chicks." Sara said as she lightly ran her finger through his little feathers. "Its so soft!"
"Chick down is finer than silk." Louie agreed with a knowing smile. "His plumule feathers will start growing in a year or so."
"Do you think they will stay white?" asked Sara curiously.
"We're not sure. I have a feeling they will since both his mother and sister are blond. But they could easily grow in red like mine or brown like my father's." Louie said as he swung his arm around lizy's shoulder. "To answer your question though it wasn't until five demon years ago that we mated."
"Really?" Sara asked in disbelief. "What convinced your mother to change her mind?"
"When I helped uncover some dirt on a competitive fashion designer that was going to steal her work." Lizy said proudly. "She was rather pleased and since then I have been her personal ambassador. Her work is very sought after and is in almost every nobility's home in Europe."
"That's incredible! Your mother must be very good. I would love to see her work." Sara said making Louie smile.
"You already have. She redesigned your abode back in Naples about 10 demon years ago and the Tashio's almost 15." Louie smirked making Sara gap in shock.
"I had no idea!" Sara blanched as she looked about her dinning room as if seeing it again for the first time.
"That's quite alright. My mother is a strange bird. As a silkie hen she is very extravagant and flashy in her work but is very humble when it comes to taking the credit. Which is why Lizy over the past couple of years has headed up her marketing department. She's nearly finished decorating Buckingham palace. You will have to make a trip to see it some time. It has been her obsession the past four demon years." Louie said before straightening in his chair. "I do apologize but I must be going. I am expected for a meeting in little over ten minutes with your husband."
"Is everything alright?" asked Sara in concern. "My husband was supposed to join us for the morning meal."
"As far as I know yes. Something came up he wasn't expecting and has to tie up some lose ends. I'm sure he will find you later today after everything is settled." Louie said before kissing Lizy's forehead. "It was lovely breaking fast with you Lady Sara. "Thank you for the splendid company."
"Pleasure's all mine." Sara smiled before Louie turned and exited the room. "So I'm assuming she gave her blessing to mate after that?"
"Yes and no. Louie planned on proposing to me that spring but my uncle tricked my father into signing the thrown and my hand over to him upon his deathbed." Lizy said making Sara gasp in shock.
"Your joking?!" Sara said in horror as she covered her mouth with her hand.
"Unfortunately I am not. Were it not for my uncle traveling south with my cousin's to attend Inuyasha's coming of age celebration, Louie might not have had time to dig up dirt against him before my father died. Luckily for us with Adam ruling France he was able to coordinate for Sesshomaru to sent us some scouts to help. Together they uncovered enough evidence to convince the court to void the contract and make plans for his arrest. When my father died Louie and I quickly eloped in Paris before my uncle or anyone else could intercept. I hated having to rush our mating like a scardy cat but there were moments I thought my uncle was going to get away with it. There would have been nothing Adam, Sesshomaru or Louie could have done to save me if he did. Through it all Louie had been so strong and supportive. He was a true fighting cock in those days and never gave up hope that I would be his." Lizy said with a relieved smile. "After that we took in Rin, had Odette the next spring and have been ruling England from Paris. We'll return to London once Lady La Flèche finishes her work. I'm quite excited to see the finished product."
"I'd say." Sara said as she handed Arthur back over to his mother. "What happened to your uncle?"
"He escaped prison and ran free for nearly two years. Thankfully he was found and later hung for his crimes. I believe all of his accomplices were either sent to Australia or killed." Lizy said as she adjusted Arthur to rest his head against her shoulder. "I wish our mating could have been done during different circumstances but I'm happy to be with Louie so it really doesn't matter. We have a long road ahead of us and can always do a large ceremony later on if we want."
"Ah yes, the immortality of a demon. That is something I envy you of; especially as a mother. Having given birth to Lorenzo in my early twenties I now only have a couple decades left to offer him." Sara said as a sad knowing smile slid across Lizy's face.
"Your son will be loved and cared for, that I can assure you. Come time for Lorenzo to go to school he is welcome to attend the academy with Odette if you are open to him staying with us. Of course as a mother I can understand if you wish to keep him closer to home." Lizy offered as they began to make their way towards Lorenzo's chambers.
"I'm not sure how my husband would feel about that but if Lorenzo is eager to try I'm willing to offer him the world. Of course I would love to keep my baby boy with me until my dying breath but I know I can't do that forever." Sara said as they walked down the hall. "He deserves to be happy, even if that's not with me."
"Spoken like a true mother." Lizy said just as they began to hear two happy giggles coming from down the hall. "Sounds like trouble. Care to sneak a peak?"
"Lets!" Sara agreed with a grin as she followed after her new friend. Silently cracking open the door the mothers watched their children play.
(*** Toy Story - You've Got A Friend In Me Soundtrack Instrumental ***)
"Go! Go!" Odette shouted as she raced her toy horse along the imaginary track. "Fastah!"
"Don't wook now! Da big bad doggy's come to eats you!" Lorenzo shouted as he jumped off of his bed and came up beside her with a toy dog.
"Oh no! Don't eats me Mr. doggy! I is a good horsey!" Odette cried as she pretended to race away from the dog.
"If you don't want me to eats you, you gots to give me somefing!" Lorenzo said as the toy dog gained up on her.
"What about… a mushiwoom?!" asked Odette as she picked up an invisible mushroom off of the floor with her hand and tried to give it to him.
"Silly horsey! Dogs don't eats mushiwooms." Lorenzo said as he continued his chase.
"What about… an apple?!" asked Odette as she once again picked up an invisible item off of the floor for him to try.
"What color apple?" Lorenzo asked as he came up on her other side and pretended to bite her. "Rawr!"
"AH!" Odette screamed as she leaped across the toy chest. "A wed one! A wed one!"
"I don't wike wed ones!" Lorenzo yelled as he too jumped over the chest making her giggle at his chase.
"What about a gween one?!" asked Odette as she rolled across the bed giggling and quickly followed by Lorenzo.
"Gween ones are too sowar!" Lorenzo argued before chasing her around the rocking chair.
"What about a wellow one?!" Odette asked as she jumped out of his reach.
"A wellow one?" Lorenzo repeated to himself as he thought it over. "Does it have any wormzes in it?"
"If it does I will eats dem." Odette offered as she stopped in her chase and pretended to hand him the invisible apple.
"Ohtay! I eats the wellow apple and you can eats the nasty wormzes." Lorenzo agreed as he pretended to break the apple in half and pull out a worm for her to eat. "Here you goes!"
"Danks!" Odette giggled and gobbled up her worm using both hands. "Yummy!"
"I'm full! Want to pway outside?" Lorenzo asked just as their mothers entered the room laughing.
"You two look like you're having fun." Lizy teased as she walked over to the play pin and placed Arthur down. He eagerly grabbed hold of a wooden block and began chewing on it. His bright brown eyes peaked through the bars of the play pin and cooed as he sat and watched.
"Yes Maman!" Odette said with a bright smile. "We were pwaying chase!"
Her hair had come undone from running and one of her little stockings had slid down her skinny leg. Her freckled cheeks had a warm pink glow to them from their playing and her crystal blue eyes twinkled with happiness. Lorenzo was just as rumpled if not more so. His shoulder length white hair was wild and wind swept from running and his little button up shirt had come undone from his pants. His vest was unfastened and had one shoe untied. His honey brown eyes were bright and he had the widest smile Sara had ever seen spread across his face.
"Chase? That sounds like fun." Sara said as she sat upon the bed and continued to look over her beaming son. "How do you play?"
"Well you haves to have a toy furst mama." Lorenzo said as he went over to his toy chest and pulled out a stuffed bunny. "Now dats you gots a toy I gets to chase you."
"Oh really? Why can't I chase you? Bunnies are fast!" Sara chuckled as she took the stuffed toy in her hand and wiggled it in front of his face.
"Yes bunnies awe fast but I am da big bad doggy and da doggy eats da bunny!" Lorenzo tried to explain the game.
"Hmm… that sounds a little scary to me." Sara said making Lorenzo roll his eyes and Odette giggle at her silliness.
"Mama… da doggy don't weally eats da bunny. We just pwaying." Lorenzo said as he pointed over to Odette. "See da doggy didn't eats the horsey!"
"I see." Sara said as she placed the bunny down on the bed beside her. "Lorenzo darling I have a question for you."
"What is it mama?" Lorenzo asked as he came up beside her with wide curious eyes.
"I was just talking with Queen Elizabeth and she has offered to have you go to school with Princess Odette. Does that sound like something you would like to do?" Sara asked making them gasp in surprise.
"Weally Maman? You would wet Lowenzo go to school wif me?" asked Odette as she ran up to her mother and wrapped her tiny arms around her waist.
"Only if Prince Lorenzo wants to and of course if his father permits it." Lizy said cautiously.
"Can I mama?! Can I weally go to school?" asked Lorenzo making Odette tremble from anticipation.
"I still have to talk with your father. If he says you can we will make the arrangements." Sara said making the two children shout and jump for joy.
"Darlings, that wont be for a while yet." Lizy laughed as the children bound around the room in their excitement.
"Awe…. why not?" Lorenzo whined with sad puppy eyes.
"Well darling the next year in school won't begin until after summer. If you want we can maybe take a trip and go check everything out?" Sara said making Odette shout in excitement.
"You can come and pway in my woom and I can show you all my toys! We can go to da martets and get fwesh bwead too!" Odette explained excitedly making Lorenzo laugh.
"Then its decided. I'll talk to your father and we'll figure this out." Sara said as she made her way to the door. "Are you alright to watch him while I go check to see if my husband is available?"
"Or course! Take your time." Sara said as she handed Arthur another toy for him to play with in the play pin.
"Thank you, I'll be right back. Be good for her Lorenzo." Sara said as she smiled down at her son.
"Yes, mama." Lorenzo answered as he and Odette began digging through his toy box.
As soon as Sara had left the room, the happy smile on Lizy's face faded into a sad frown. Looking down at the beaming boy she couldn't help but think that this was the last time he would ever be so light hearted and carefree. This sweet little boy's life was about to turn upside down and there was nothing he could do prevent it. He was an innocent bystander entering into a war he had no escape from. His life would never be the same. So much went into Sara closing that bedroom door that she didn't even realize. She just said goodbye to what was and started the beginning of the end.