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 2 - Fun Group of Friends" and "Inuyasha Ost 2 - At The Meeting Place." 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: Connection
"And you left her alone?!" Lizy screeched as she quickly pulled Odette down the hallway towards the Royal wing.
"We didn't have the authority to deny her ladyship's requests! Besides, if we did it could blow her cover!" Sango defended as she adjusted Arthur on one hip and pulled Lorenzo behind her.
"What could that woman possible want to say that is so secretive?" Lizy growled." She's up to something. I just know it!"
"Rin mentioned that she had threatened to kick her out yesterday just before she collapsed." Sango said as they quickly went up the stairs.
"Mama did say dat." Lorenzo piped in making Lizy's frown darken. "It made me sad."
"Well knowing your Papa he'll never let that happen." Lizy said as they reached the top of the stairs. "She's your Gome remember?"
"Uh huh!" Lorenzo said with a happy smile. Just then they saw Lady Sara exiting the Royal Wing and making her way towards them. "Mama!"
"Hello darling!" Sara beamed as she knelt down and hugged her little boy. "What have you been up to today?"
"Odette and me wents and pwayed at da beach!" Lorenzo beamed as he held up a shinny seashell.
"Oh! Look how pretty. That will look lovely with your other seashells you found." Sara said.
"Dis one is for Gome! Odette's mommy said she cant goes outside today so I bwings it back for her!" Lorenzo explained as he tucked the precious shell back into his pocket.
"That was very sweet of you Lorenzo." Lizy said as she watched Sara's smile falter slightly. "I'm sure she will love it."
"Are you all on your way to her room now?" Sara asked as she straightened her skirt from kneeling on the floor.
"Yes, but we need to change from our play clothes first. Why? Is something the matter with Rin?" Lizy asked as she took Arthur from Sango and politely dismissed her so she could return to her duties.
"She is resting at the moment. I suggest keeping the little ones from her room so she may recover quicker." Sara said flatly hoping to deter them from going to see Rin.
"I'm sure Rin wouldn't mind. She loves seeing them and they make her happy." Lizy waved off with a fake smile. She could see the displeasure written on Sara's face and feel it flexing in her aura. Why this women hated Rin so much she didn't know but it made her want to check on Rin all the more. Not wishing to linger with her anylonger she pulled Odette along behind her and said, "Come along Lorenzo. Let's get you changed so your mother can return to her duties."
"Ohtay! Bye Mama!" Lorenzo said as he ran down the hall after the Le Fleche's.
"By darling! I'll see you at supper!" Sara said as she waved after her son with a growing frown.
-s-
(*** Inuyasha OST 2 - Fun Group of Friends ***)
"Alright little ones let's get you changed so we can visit with Lady Rin." Lizy said as they walked down the Royal wing and entered Lorenzo's room first.
Once Lizy had washed Lorenzo's feet and legs from sand she changed him into some clean clothes. Dressed and ready to visit with Kagome they walked into the guest suit attached to the Royal wing.
"Lorenzo sweetie why don't you go and check on Rin. I still need to change Odette and Arthur. We'll be over in just a minute." Lizy said as Odette opened their bedchamber door and slipped inside to dig out some clean clothes.
"Ohtay!" Lorenzo said as he stood on his tiptoes and turned Kagome's doorknob. "Gome? You awakes?"
"Lorenzo?" Kagome asked as she set down her book on the nightstand.
"Gome!" Lorenzo shouted happily as he jumped onto the bed and into her awaiting arms.
"Well hello there!" Kagome laughed as she hugged him tight and nuzzled into his hair. "I was wondering when you would come and visit. Mmmmm you smell so fresh and clean like the sea. Why is that?"
"One of da servants tooks Odette and her mommy and me to da beach after bweakfast! Wook! I found dis for you." Lorenzo said as he dug his little clawed hand into his pant's pocket and pulled out a round spiral seashell.
"Oh Lorenzo! I love it!" Kagome awed as she took the blue moon snail shell from his hand. "It reminds me of home."
"Weally?" Lorenzo asked curiously with wide honey brown eyes.
"Mmhmm." Kagome said as she purred and licked his cheek. "My family all lives in the sea. My mother used to wear a yellow one just like this. We should put a hole in it so I can wear it as a necklace. That way a little peace of you will always be with me and I can cherish it forever."
"How do we do dat?" Lorenzo asked as Kagome took his hand in hers.
"Here point one of your claws and I'll show you." Kagome said as she began drilling a little hole into the end of the shell so it would lay against her chest with the spiral facing forward. "Once your little claw makes a hole we can thread a string through it and make a necklace."
"Wow!" Lorenzo said just as his little claw poked through the other side.
"I have an idea. Do you have any more seashells? We could make a necklace for you and your Papa. Then we can all have one." Kagome said making Lorenzo's eyes sparkle.
"I do in my woom! I go gets dem!" Lorenzo shouted excitedly as she jumped off of the bed.
"Oh and Lorenzo? Could you also grab your papa's hair comb? I'll need that too." Kagome said as she finished rounding off the hole in the shell to make it smooth.
"Ohtay!" Lorenzo said and flung open the door and raced down the hall.
"Where is he off to?" asked Lizy as she narrowly missed the little pup as she and Odette crossed the hall.
"He went to go grab some things really quick." Kagome giggled as she reclined into the pillows.
"While he's out what happened with Lady Sara?" Lizy asked as she and Odette sat on the bed.
"She mainly wanted to make it clear that she was in charge of the castle and that I am a burden to her with me staying. She mentioned something about finding somewhere else for me to stay when her father arrives but wouldn't tell me her plans. It makes me nervous not knowing what she's up to." Kagome said.
"That's not good. I'd mention it to Sesshomaru as soon as you see him. Whatever it is if it doesn't fly with him it won't happen." Lizy said just as Lorenzo opened the door and closed it.
"Here you go Gome!" Lorenzo said as he pulled himself up onto the bed and passed her two other shells along with his father's comb.
"Perfect thank you!" Kagome said as she took the items from his hands. "To make this special I'm going to cut a few of your hairs. Is that ok?"
"Ohtay…. why you need my hairs?" Lorenzo asked as he turned around to let her cut.
"With some of your Papa's hair, some of mine and a little of yours it will connect our necklaces together so we can talk to each other wherever we are."
"Really?" Lizy asked as she watched Kagome cut a small section of her own hair and lay three piles together on the bed spread.
"Yup! Its an ancient magic spell from my people." Kagome said as she helped Lorenzo put two more holes into the other shells. "If you want I could make ones for you and Louie?"
"Could you please? I'd love to be able to communicate with him while I'm doing business in London." Lizy said excitedly.
"Lorenzo do you have two more shells in your room?" Kagome asked as she strung the woven hair into the shells.
"Ya! I go gets dem." Lorenzo said as he once again ran out of the room at full speed.
"Odette sweet heart could you go and grab your père's comb? I need his feathers." Kagome asked as she tied off Lorenzo's strand with their pack's hair.
"Ohtay Aunti Rin." Odette chirped as she too raced out the door and across the hall.
"May I have some of your hair?" Kagome asked as she laid hers next to Sesshomaru's.
"Sure!" Lizy said as she undid a small section of her hair. "So how does this connection work exactly?"
"Once the spell is sealed on the necklaces it links them together with an invisible thread. To communicate you simply speak into the shell and whoever is connected can hear you speaking. Be cautious of where you use it, however. This magic is secret and only a few beings outside of the water kingdom know about its power." Kagome cautioned just as the little one's came into the room. "Here, lay the comb on the bed Odette. Lorenzo can you place two more holes into those shells?"
"Uh huh!" Lorenzo said as he sat on the bed and got to work drilling his claw into the shells. Pulling two long feathers from the comb and slicing a small section of Lizy's hair Kagome threaded them all together. Now Kagome would be linked with Sesshomaru and Lorenzo and Lizy would be connected with Louie.
"There! Now we just need to cast the spell." Kagome said as she laid them in a row on the bedspread.
Laying her hands over the necklaces Kagome began to chant in the ancient Merlish tongue. As she chanted the threads woven together began to glow and melt into one string. As she chanted Lorenzo, Lizy and Odette's eyes sparkled in wonderment and awed in amazement at her power. Once the spell was finished Kagome slipped the necklaces over their heads and handed Lorenzo and Odette the other two.
"Why don't you two go and give these to your fathers? Once they slip them over their heads the spells will be sealed." Kagome suggested. "Don't let anyone else have them or else the spell won't work."
"Ohtay!" Lorenzo shouted as he and Odette slipped off of the bed. "Bye Gome! I come see you tomorrow!"
"Sounds good." Kagome giggled as she watched them race out the door; his little white hair and her bouncing blond curls trailing behind them as they went.
"How will we know it's done?" Lizy asked as she fingered her new necklace around her neck.
"They will glow slightly." Kagome explained. "I do have another question though, would you like to form a sister bond with me?"
"A sister bond?" Lizy asked curiously. "What is that?"
"Its a mental connection so we can talk whenever we want without having to say it out loud. The magic cannot be broken and it is completely private unlike these calling shells." Kagome said.
"Heavens yes!" Lizy said, "That way we can chat whenever we want and I can keep tabs on how you are doing away from Paris!"
"Perfect!" Kagome beamed. "Just do what I do and I'll cast the spell." Once their foreheads were connected and their arms were locked together Kagome began the chant and Lizy echoed.
"Can you hear me?" Kagome asked in her head after it was finished.
"(GASP!) You... you just said something in my head didn't you?" Lizy asked out loud.
"Yes, try speaking in your mind." Kagame laughed.
"D-did it work?" Lizy asked uncertain through her mind.
"Yup! Oh, I'm so glad we did this!" Kagome giggled in her head.
"I know! It will be so much faster then sending letters to ask about how you and the pup are doing." Lizy smiled inwardly.
"Don't forget about the wicked witch of Naples." Kagome said making Lizy laugh out loud ending their connection.
"Indeed." Lizy said. "On a serious note though. Do you have any evidence to prove of your virtue with Sesshomaru? Louie said the court asked for some so when the time is right to claim you the court can move forward quickly."
"I believe Kaede kept my sheets from that night. There was some of my… um well you know on there and I'm sure some of his... stuff." Kagome blushed making Lizy smirk.
"Perfect. I'll be sure to mention it to Louie later." Lizy said enjoying seeing her friend fluster with embarrassment.
"I hope it will be enough for the court. I can't think of any other way to prove that I was pure with him." Kagome sighed just as their necklaces glowed around their necks.
"It should be enough and if the court wants someone to remark about your virtuous character or whatever they can ask me." Lizy said as she lifted the necklace up to inspect it. The threads had blended together to make a gold and red braided string.
"Thanks. Oh! Something else I forgot to mention. Only you can take your necklace off. Should someone try to steal it from you or try to break the connection the magic will block it. The only way for the spells to break is if you or Louie perishes." Kagome explained as she reached over and tried to pull the necklace off of Lizy.
"Incredible…" Lizy watched in fascination as an invisible barrier kept the necklace from lifting above her chin. wanting to try taking it off her self she was rewarded with the necklace easily slipping off of her head with no trouble. No wishing for the necklace to get lost she slipped if back on and smiled when it shimmered a soft white again. "Where did your people learn of such magic?"
"My people were originally messengers from the heavens to maintain peace within the water world. The gods used these necklaces to communicate with their creatures so they didn't having to leave the heavens. They didn't want a mental connection like our sister bond because we are mortal but wanted a connection none the less. Over time the gods trusted my people to keep the peace and eventually this magic became a way to communicate between our growing people instead of the gods." Kagome explained.
"I never knew that about water elementals." Lizy said making Kagome smirk.
"Not water elementals. I speak of a different water creature." Kagome said making Lizy's eyebrow wrinkle in confusion.
"And what would that be?" Lizy asked curiously.
"They are called by many names but all are seen as creatures of myth and legend. Rumors have been told of eternal youth if one consumes of their flesh and eternal damnation if your body is not proven worthy by the gods once eaten. Some are said to seduce men into the deep blues by their voice and beauty and then devour them. Others say they have mystical powers of healing, god-like strength, flight, hypnosis, and invisibility. They are found near cove, bay, open sea, river or lake and bare tails of a water beasts with upper bodies of a man." Kagome hinted making Lizy's eyes widen in realization.
"You were a…" Lizy tried to say but the word couldn't form.
"Yes." Kagome smiled weakly. "I unfortunately cannot reveal more about my people for it is how we have survived for so long. However, I trust you enough to know of where I learned my power from and to keep what I told you a secret."
"I am honored." Lizy said taking Kagome's hand in hers just as a voice came through Lizy's shell. "Hello?"
"Ha! It does work!" Louie shouted through the shell making Lizy's ear ring.
"Darling not so loud through the shell." Lizy scolded making Kagome fall back onto the pillows laughing.
"Sorry my dear. This is simply incredible! Where are you my love?" Louie asked making Lizy smile.
"I'm still in Rin's room. She has informed me that there is evidence to prove of her innocence. Kaede apparently kept the sheet stained with her virgin's blood for proof." Lizy said making Kagome's blush return tenfold.
"Lizy!" Kagome squeaked making Lizy smirk knowingly.
"I will be sure to relay the message. Are you able to join us for dinner? Odette and I are about to walk down."
"Sure, I'll make my way there." Lizy said as she looked at Kagome apologetically.
"We shall see you in the dinning hall then. Send Rin my thanks." Louie said before cutting the connection.
"Sorry to leave you alone again." Lizy apologized as she got up from the bed and straightened her dress skirt. "Do you wish for me to send Sango or Kaede up with a tray of food?"
"No, my stomach isn't feeling well. I believe it might be morning sickness setting in." Kagome giggled as she rubbed over her stomach. "Thank you for visiting with me. Will you be free to come by tomorrow?"
"Sounds like your pregnancy is moving right along! I'll swing by as soon as I'm free." Lizy chuckled as she made her way towards the door.
"Great. I'll see you tomorrow then." Kagome smiled as she reached for Sesshomaru's comb and ran her finger over the white dog carved into it.
"Sleep well." Lizy said before slipping out the door and walking across the hall to pick up Arthur from his nap.
Playing with the silver hairs threaded in Sesshomaru's comb Kagome could slightly smell his woodsy musk and it made her smile. It had only been a few hours since she had last seen him but this little piece of him warmed her heart. Pulling out the drawer on her side table she slipped it in for safekeeping. She'd return it to him later. Perhaps they could bath together later and she could groom him? As she began to sit back up in the bed a wave of nausea hit her suddenly and she hastily grasped for the bucket at her bedside. She was thankful that she had braided her hair as she wretched her stomach's contents into the bucket. The bitter taste bit her tongue and she wished she had that putrid tonic right about now. Spitting into the bucket she missed the door closing behind her as someone entered. It was only when she felt a warm hand touching her forehead and another one rubbing her back that she noticed she was no longer alone.
[Sesshomaru's Office]
"Papa! Papa!" Lorenzo called as he and Odette threw open Sesshomaru's office door and raced inside. "I has a gift for you!"
"A gift?" Sesshomaru asked as he set down the document he and Louie had been reading over. When Lorenzo handed him a seashell threaded with three strand of hair he looked at it with surprise. "Did your Gome make this?"
"Yah! How did you know?" Lorenzo asked as he watched his father slip the necklace over his head.
"I have seen her make one before." Sesshomaru said just as Louie slipped the necklace over his head. A white glow shimmered around the thread and the strands melted together to form one string.
"What magic is this?" Louie asked as he stared down at the necklace in fascination.
"It is a calling shell. Now you can speak to your mate anytime you wish from anywhere in the world." Sesshomaru explained making Louie's eyes widened in surprise.
"You are joking." Louie doubted as he shook his head in disbelief. "Surely this magic is not that powerful?"
"Lift the shell to your lips and call for your mate. Then place it next to your ear. She will hear your call through her shell and call back." Sesshomaru explained as Lorenzo and Odette watched Louie hesitantly lift the shell to his lips.
"Lizy dear? Are you there?" Louie called before he lifted the shell up to his ear.
"Hello?" Lizy replied making Louie gasp in shock.
"Ha! It does work!" Louie shouted through the shell excitedly.
"Darling not so loud through the shell." Lizy scolded making Sesshomaru smirk in remembrance of when Inuyasha reacted the same way.
"Sorry my dear. This is simply incredible! Where are you my love?" Louie asked he got up from his seat and took hold of Odette's hand.
"I'm still in Rin's room. She has informed me that there is evidence to prove of her innocence. Kaede apparently kept the sheet stained with her virgin's blood for proof." Lizy said just before Louie heard a muffled shriek from Rin on the other side.
"I will be sure to relay the message. Are you able to join us for dinner? Odette and I are about to walk down." Louie asked as a knowing smile lit his lip. Kagome could be so shy sometimes.
"Sure, I'll make my way there." Lizy said.
"We shall see you in the dinning hall then. Send Rin my thanks." Louie said before dropping the necklace to rest around his neck. "My mate has informed me that Kaede has proof of Rin's innocents."
"Good." Sesshomaru nodded as he got up from his seat and followed everyone out. "Pup, follow them to dinner."
"Yes, Papa!" Lorenzo said as he hugged his leg. Feeling his father's pat on the top of his head he raced after Louie and Odette to the dinning hall.
(*** Inuyasha Ost 2 - At The Meeting Place ***)
Seeing his son go down the stairs Sesshomaru turned and walked towards the Royal wing. Slipping through the wing's lounge room he noticed the painting over the fireplace. He was dressed in his crowing attire and was standing proudly behind his step-mother. She too was dressed in her ceremony gown made from gold and white satin. Resting in her lap was a 2-year-old Inuyasha dressed in a miniature red ceremonial uniform. It was this painting that caused Kagome to pass out and hit her head on the hearth. Kneeling down and touching the stones its cold hard exterior made him frown and clench his claws in a fist. Why did she have to remember here? Why did she have to be hurt over and over to come to remember who he was?
It was no wonder her head had so many scars. If she hit it on surfaces like this again and again she was bound to receive serious damage after awhile. Sighing in frustration knowing there was nothing he could do about it now he stood up and looked back up at the painting. He remembered the day it had been painted like it was yesterday. It was his two-demon-year anniversary of becoming Lord. He by this point had already avoided three wars with rivaling nations. He lost count of the number of assignation attempts and corruption he had survived through. This painting showed how he was no longer the little boy but the cold, strict, warrior demon Lord he had become. The demon that had painted it had done a perfect job of capturing this moment. Seeing the proud smile reflecting on his stepmother's lips made the corner of his eyes soften. She had been a major corner stone in his earlier years.
There were many nights that she stayed up listening to him rant his anger and bitterness of becoming Lord so young. They both were deeply hurt by the assassination of his father and bonded through their grief. She always kept her head held high and always wore a smile. He admired her strength. She always saw the good in everything and made everyone around her feel loved and protected. When she died five demon years later from breast cancer it hit everyone just as hard as when his father had died. Where it not for Inuyasha and Kaede he would not have been able to move on quiet as quickly as he did. Taking one last look into her eyes he turned and made his way down the hall. Slowly cracking open Kagome's door he heard her heaving into a bucket at her bedside and the smell of her pregnancy hit his nose. Quickly walking over to her beside he brushed the bangs back from her brow and checked for a fever just incase. Not finding anything he gently rubbed his hand up and down her back to try and sooth her upset body.
"Sorry... I know its nasty." Kagome apologized as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
"There is nothing to be sorry for. It is natural." Sesshomaru said as he kissed her temple and nuzzled into her hair. "When did this start?"
"I started feeling ill after Sara came by." Kagome said as she snuggled into Sesshomaru's chest and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"What did she want?" Sesshomaru asked as he pulled Kagome into his lap and held her close. He could smell the sickness was passing and it made his smiled knowing his bitch found comfort in his arms.
"She mainly wanted to make it clear that she was in charge of the castle and that I am a burden to her since I'm staying. However she did mention something about finding somewhere else for me to stay when her father comes. I asked her where and she wouldn't tell me." Kagome said.
"Do not worry. My word is law and you shall room with Lorenzo." Sesshomaru said making Kagome relax. "I apologize for her behavior. Would it not make things worse I would have already asked her to leave for Rome and you would be my mate. However if I did she would make things... complicated."
"I know." Kagome sighed sadly as Sesshomaru laid his hand over her belly and rubbed his thumb in tiny circles. "I just wish it would have worked out a little differently."
"As do I." Sesshomaru sighed as he kissed her cheek and held her and his pup close.
"Do you mind grabbing me a glass of water? I really want to rinse out my mouth." Kagome asked with a heavy blush to her cheeks.
"Of course." Sesshomaru smirked before he kissed her temple and walked into the bathing room to fill her glass with water.
"Thanks." Kagome blushed as she took the now filled glass from his hand. "Ah… much better. What do you have planned the rest of the evening?"
"Nothing. Why?" Sesshomaru asked as he ran his claws through her hair.
"Do you want to take a bath with me?" Kagome asked making Sesshomaru's eye widen slightly in surprise. "I used some of the hairs from your comb and it gave me the idea."
"Do you have warm water?" Sesshomaru asked and he licked her cheek before kissing her lips. "If not I shall send for some."
"I don't think there is any in the bathing chambers." Kagome sighed against his lips.
"I shall return once the servants have filled your bathing tub. Do you and the pup require nourishment?" Sesshomaru asked getting up from the bed.
"Sure, as long as it's not anything too heavy. I don't think my stomach can handle that." Kagome giggled.
"I shall return." Sesshomaru smirked as he kissed her forehead and walked out the door. About 15 minutes later two human servants brought buckets filled with warm water and dumped them into her tub.
"Where do want your tray Lady Rin?" asked another servant as she came into her room.
"Over there on the side table is fine thank you." Kagome said just before her stomach turned and she quickly emptied its contents into the bucket.
"Lady Rin! Are you alright?" cried the servant as she quickly placed the tray onto the table and rushed to her side.
"Yeah… I'll be all right. Don't worry its not contagious and Tsukiyomi has me under her care." Kagome said with a heavy blush to her cheeks.
"That's good. Would you like me to rinse your bucket for you?" asked the servant as she helped Kagome back into bed and passed her the cup of water.
"No, I'll get up in a minute. You don't have to do that." Kagome dismissed just as the other two servants came out of the bathing chambers with empty water buckets.
"Is there anything else Lady Rin you are in need of assistance with?" asked the servants taking in her slightly pale complexion. They had all heard the rumors of her being Lady Kagome and seeing her ill like this made them nervous.
"No, that will be all. Thank you very much." Kagome smiled making the servants smile in return before bowing and taking there leave.
"Feel better Lady Rin. Should you need of anything just ask for us." The servant who served her dinner said as she followed the other servants out the door.
Hearing the door close Kagome got out of bed and pulled the comb from the drawer. Walking into the bathing chambers she emptying her bucket's contents into her chamber pot before rinsing it clean and placing it near the tub. As she was pouring scented soaps into the water she felt two strong arms circle around her waist and a deep purr vibrating up her back.
[End of Chapter 63]
(Oh boy! Looks like Kagome's pregnancy is moving right along! Let's hope for her and the pup's sake that the drama about to unfold wont be too hard on them. However, only time will tell! Please follow along if you like this story! Also, thank you everyone for your reviews and messages. Your support is amazing! Wishing everyone a happy new year!)