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 - A Fun Group of Friends." 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: Alda and Björn
(*** Inuyasha OST 2 - A Fun Group of Friends ***)
"Again." said the white haired water demoness as she watched Kagome fail in turning water into ice for the millionth time.
Kagome focusing her energy into her hands slowly began to turn the water into slush. As the minutes ticked by the slushy water began to harden and stick together. Just before the water would solidify however, Kagome's energy zapped out in her fingertips and the ice melted down in seconds.
"Grrr... I can't do it!" Kagome growled as she clenched her hands in frustration. "What am I doing wrong Alda?!"
"You are zinking too hard." Alda said (in a Russian accent). "Try to clear your mind and become one vif zee vater."
"I did try! But every time I get to the point of it turning into ice my energy snaps and it falls apart!" Kagome cried as tears of frustration rolled down her cheeks. "How am I supposed to protect my pups from danger when I can't even turn stupid water into ice!"
"Vatch me again." Alda said as she stretched her hands over the bowl of water they'd been practicing with. Just like last time Alda focused her energy into her finger tips and within seconds the water in the bowl turned to solid ice. "Allow your energies to blend together. Look into your mind and vocus only on zee energy; nozing else."
"Alright." Kagome sniffled as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
After shaking out her hands to relax the tension in her body she took in a deep breath and let it outs slowly through her nose. Needing the extra focus she closed her eyes and honed in on the water's energy. Seeing the water's energy current rippling like a blue electric wave in her mind she focused on it and began to blend her own purple energy. Just like before their energies currents wove together and the water began to turn to slush. When the energies tightened to near breaking point Kagome focused on keeping the energies knitted together.
"Keep going!" Alda encouraged as the water hardened more than ever before. "Almost deir!"
At this point Kagome had a thick strand of sweat clinging to her brow and was panting hard. Her eyes were clenched shut and her forehead was wrinkled from deep concentration. Just as the slush was nearly solid however, her energy once again snapped in her fingertips and all her hard work melted away.
"GAH!" Kagome screamed as she stood up from her seat. "I was sooo close!"
Frustrated, hungry, mentally and physically exhausted she smacked the water bowl causing it to spill out onto the table. As Kagome's hand stretched out over the water however, purple energy escaped her fingertips and covered the wooden bowl and the tabletop with solid ice.
"I fink ve hafe discovered your mental block!" Alda chuckled as Kagome stared at the ice sheet with wide eyes.
"My... my mental block?" Kagome questioned as she stared at the ice in shock.
"Vhen you vere trying to escape zee pirates you vere able to freeze deem to death no problem. Yes?" Alda asked.
"Yeah, but any other time I've tried to turn water into ice I can't do it." Kagome said as she sat in her seat.
"You are an emotional being Lady Kagome. Za reason you vere not able to connect to zee vater is because you didn't allow zee vater to fully connect to you." Alda explained as she melted the water over the table. Using her magical energy she drew the water up into the air were it spinned and went back into the bowl. Once the bowl was filled she motioned for Kagome to sit up in her chair. "Come, try again but zis time allow your emotions to guide you."
Spirits lifted Kagome tried again and to her surprise it was a lot easier to focus on the water's energy. Unlike before, the energy easily blended with her own and even appeared to dance over top of it. Within seconds the water in the bowl turned to solid ice and remained so even after she withdrew her energy.
"I did it!" Kagome laughed as she looked at the solid block of ice inside the bowl. Over joyed she covered her mouth with her hands and squealed. "I can't believe it worked! Thank you so much!"
"Of course." Alda chuckled as she got up from her seat. "Now come. Ve vill move onto bigger portions of vater."
"B-bigger?" Kagome stuttered. "But, but I just accomplished this! Shouldn't I practice this size some more?"
"Nonezenes. Now zat you have discovered your connection vith ze vater ve must keep going! Dair is no reason to linger. Come, ve vill try zee lagoon." Alda said as she got up from her seat and made her way down the stairs on the patio.
"The lagoon?!" Kagome blanched in shock. "Surely you are joking."
"I do not joke." Alda said flatly as she crossed her arms behind her back. "Come, you must be ready for anyzing."
Sighing in defeat Kagome got up from her chair and wobbled down the patio stairs. Had she known her teacher would have been strict with a no-slack attitude she would have slept another hour or two. Getting somewhere in her training however and not wanting to disappoint her instructor she rolled her shoulders and prepared for her next lesson. Standing beside Alda she waited for her next instructions.
"Do zee same process you just did but expand your aura to soak up zee larger energy. Become one with zee vater and let your inner energy guide you." Alda said as she stretched out her arms and began to part the lagoon in half. One side she kept in its raw state and the other side she froze solid. "I vant you to try dis move. Part zee vater like I did and then freeze one side. Do not mix dem."
"Alright." Kagome said as she got into position. She easily parted the water but it took her time to focus her freezing energy onto one side instead of both.
"Now svitch sides vhile still keeping the vater parted." Alda instructed as she watched the water part and one side freeze over.
After taking a deep breath, Kagome focused her energy and melted one side of the lagoon while beginning to freeze the other. The thawing and freezing process took a lot out of her but eventually the sides switched.
"I fink zat is good enough practice for today. Ve vill practice turning vater into gas tomorrow." Alda said as she tapped on her chin.
"Sounds good." Kagome panted as she wiped the sweat from her brow. She couldn't tell if her teacher was bored, happy or frustrated by her blank expression. Shrugging it off she stood up and said, "Thank you so much for teaching me Alda. You have already been a huge help."
"My pleasure." Alda said unfazed as she began to walk towards the castle. "It is not eferyday I get to help a fellow vater demon like myself."
"Why is that?" Kagome asked as she followed her teacher up the steps. "Are their not many of our kind?"
"Zere are not." Alda said making Kagome frown. "In zee beginning times zeer vere demons of every element and beast. Ve all lived in harmony until some demons became greedy and power hungry. One of zose beings vas a vater elemental by the name of Agnar. He used his pover over blood to manipulate veaker beings into doing his dirty vork. He slayed zousands vizout zought and over time many feared our kinds power. It vas only by zee gods rathz zat he vas struck down and our kind vere no longer born."
"What do you mean... not born?" Kagome asked as she tried to understand what she was telling her.
"Zee power to control blood is a great responsibility and can easily poison ones mind. Zis is vhat happened to Agnar. He used his pover to get vhat he vanted and killed vizout zought or concern. The pover needed to be controlled so the Gods took it away and bestowed it to those they found qualified. It vas only later zat ze gods found a way to return zis power. It was after a pure soul died, was cleansed and reborn was blood manipulation returned to zee vorld. For to take a life, one must experience zee ozier side to understand its vorth." Alda explained.
"You mean… you were once dead too?" Kagome gapped in disbelief.
"Correct." Alda smiled sadly. "I vas once an otter demoness who roamed zee arctic of Russia. My past mate was an angry badger demon who abuzed his drink. One night he came home, beat me and left me to die in zee snow."
"Oh Alda…" Kagome gasped as tears filled her eyes.
"Even as I bled out in zee snow I forgafe him of his sinvul acts. My love for him outveighed my hate. Zese vere my last zoughts before death took me." Alda admitted. "It vas because I forgafe him in my last moments zat zee gods saw fit to give me life again. From zee snow in which I died I was then reborn."
"Just like me and the sea…" Kagome whispered as she put everything together.
"Yes." Alda said with a sad smile. "You are a daughter of zee gods Lady Kagome, a celestial being and our povers hold great responsibility. Nefer let zem influence your mind or you vill end up just like Agnar."
"Why give us this power if it was the reason to destroy our kind in the first place?" Kagome asked as they walked down the hallway towards the tea room.
"Zere must be balance in zee vorld Lady Kagome. Our pover balances zee free will of blood. Zere must be some level of control to balance out its vild nature." Alba explained. "Blood manipulation doesn't just take away life. It can be used for good zings too."
"Like what?" Kagome asked as they sat down at a table near a window to relax.
"Some vater elementals hafe discofered healing techniques that medical professionals cannot perform. For example ve can relax zee heart vhen hafing a heart attach or purifying zee toxins and infections vithin zee blood. Some elementals have been able to grow body partz back. Some have even cured some types of cancers. Zere are many benefits to zee pover of blood. Ve can take life, but also extend it." Alda said.
"Wow…" Kagome awed. "I had no idea! Have you any experience with these healing abilities?"
"Some." Alda shrugged as a servant placed a tray of finger sandwiches on the table and poured them both a cup of tea. "Zee procez is very similar to vater manipulation. For practize however, one haz to do it on a living body."
"Oh…" Kagome paled as she stirred some sugar into her cup. "I imagine there aren't too many willing guanine pigs to practice on then?"
"Zere are not. Vhen vorking vith zee blood it is very important to not make a zingle mistake. One little slip and zeir hearts could explode or zeir blood could flow backvards. I've been told it can even be painful to manipulate the blood. Who vould vant to suffer or risk their life for zis?" Alda said just as they heard voices coming up the hallway.
"I am telling you dat zee ulfberht is da best!" Argued a burly polar bear demon (in a strong Icelandic accent). His humanoid form stood seven feet tall, had broad shoulders and a strong muscular chest. His arms were thick with muscle and his chest and arms were covered with white bristly hair. His eyes were a dark brown and his hair was stark white. To complete his look he had a strong roman nose and a hard square chin.
"This one disagrees. The rapier is most efficient. It is lightweight, durable, and longer than the arm. It is perfect to avoid being driven threw by the enemy." Sesshomaru countered.
"Nonzense!" The bear demon countered. "Zee veight of zee ulfberht holds power and gives its vielder strength and endurance. Plus zee dagger on the back of its hilt is an added veapon!"
"The added weight will only slow you down and counter acts the blade's balance." Sesshomaru argued as they walked over to their mates sipping their afternoon tea. "The rapier being light weight allows any soldier to move quickly and avoid exhaustion so they can fight longer."
"Not if zey…"
"Björn." Alda interrupted causing the males to stop talking. "Vhat could you possibly be arguing about now?"
"Ve are not arguing vomen. Ve are discussing vhich sword is better; the ulfberht or the rapier." Björn grumbled as he and Sesshomaru joined them for tea.
"Males and zeir battle toys." Alda sighed as she took a sip of her tea. "Zey never grow up do zey?"
"Perhaps not." Kagome giggled as she saw the males pout. "It is an interesting topic though. Which blade would you say is better Alda?"
"Neizer." Alda said making Sesshomaru and Björn look at her in surprise.
"Vat vould you choose zen?" Björn smirked as he crossed his burley arms across his muscled chest.
"The shashka." Alba said earning a "Hn." from Sesshomaru and a "Tsk" from Björn.
"You and your Russian roots." Björn shook his head making Alda smirk.
"But of course! You should know better mate." Alda teased back.
"A slightly curved sword perfect for slashing and thrusting. A respectable blade." Sesshomaru agreed. "However, this one disagrees with the handle. It has a small guard making it easy to slice one's hand when in battle."
"True, but if zee blade is sharpened properly zee blade doesn't need much force to slice." Alda shrugged. "Plus it is easy to carry and use while riding horseback."
"Vhat of you Lady Kagome?" Björn asked curiously as he tossed a tiny finger sandwich into his mouth.
"I'd say the sabre." Kagome said as she patted her mouth with her napkin. "It holds weight like the ulfberht but is flexible and holds guard like the rapier. Plus, the blade has a slight curve to it allowing the blade to cut through the air with ease. It's durable but not too heavy to slow you down or make it difficult to travel with."
"You have a smart voman Lord Sesshomaru." Björn chuckled as he smacked Sesshomaru on the shoulder. His deep base voice was thick and husky, making the sound rough and warm in texture.
"Indeed." Sesshomaru said as he smirked behind his teacup. "How were her lessons today?"
"She successfully turned vater into ice." Alda said as she set her empty teacup on the table. "She vill need to continue to vocus her energy zrough meditation and practice. Vhen she is proficient in zee subject ve vill then interchanging all zree vater forms."
"Don't forget about the lagoon!" Kagome said with pride. "You also taught me how to part the water and freeze one side while the other was still thaw while switching back and forth."
"Impressive." Björn chuckled as he rest his chin on his knuckles. Looked at Alda with a teasing grin he said, "Zounds like your instructor has kept you very bizy..."
"It is for zee best." Alda defended. "One does not know vhen she vill need zese skills as you have already discofered with zee pirates."
"Agreed." Kagome sighed as she felt Sesshomaru's hand rest on her knee under the table. Interlocking her fingers over top of his she gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "With Rome threatening us it would be best to be prepared sooner rather than later. I know I've got a ways to go but even just a little progress makes me feel better."
"Jaeja, Jaeja." Björn agreed as he finished off his plate of sandwiches. "Vhat information hafe you gained from zee front?"
"The messenger that arrived this morning said Rome sent a carriage towards Switzerland one week ago. We have a small unit following it to identify its purpose. There was also movement at the docks. I am expecting another wave of messages in two days time." Sesshomaru said as he rubbed his thumb over Kagome's hand tenderly under the table. "No other movements towards action have been uncovered."
"Dis is good." Björn nodded as he sat back in his chair making it creak with his weight. "Vhat do you suspect the carriage to be carrying?"
"The convoy was headed towards the mountains where a religious encampment is hidden. They believe Rome is using religious institutes to smuggle messages around Europe. This particular convoy is escorting a passenger. We do not know of who is traveling there as of yet." Sesshomaru said before he took another sip of his tea. "Should this convoy send any messages my units will intercept them. If the passenger is seen as a threat they too will be intercepted."
"Vonderful." Björn agreed as he looked at the dog lord. "Although my mate and I have only know you both for a couple of days ve spoke last night and have decided to offer our hand should battle be necessary. Ve both have years of combat experience and Alda is an excellent medical aid on the field."
"You are certain?" Sesshomaru asked as he felt no deceit in the bear or water elemental's aura's.
"Hn." Björn and Alda nodded. "Ve vill remain loyal to Iceland but are villing to aid a fellow vater demon couple like ourselfes. Ve remember vhat it vas like in our early years as mates. Many opposed us in mating due to Alda's unique powers."
"Zey feared Björn vould abuse my powers to his own gain. Others simple didn't like us together so ve vondered for many centuries until zose who vished to oppose us had long forgotten. Now we live in peace." Alda said with a sad glimmer in her eye as she reflected over the difficult years of oppression, homelessness and fear. "Ve offer our protection as ve once vished ve had."
"Wow…" Kagome sniffled as she covered her mouth as tears rippled in her bright blues. "I… I don't even know what to say! Thank you! Thank you so much!"
"Vorry not Lady Kagome." Björn smiled warmly revealing a mouth full of pointy teeth. "You hafe given my mate and I a friendship unlike most. For zat… ve fink you. Now! Enough of dis. You have questions concerning zee little ones?"
"Yes!" Kagome giggled as she wiped the tears from her eyes and rubbed her hand over her bump. "I've been whelped with our pups for roughly four months now and they just started kicking a couple days ago. Do you know how much longer I will be pregnant?"
"Vere you to have mated a vater demon you vould have your young in another monzs or so. Howefer, since you hafe mated outside of your species like we did, you will most likely be pregnant for two to three more months." Alda said. "Bjorn and I know of one ozier mixed water couple and they like us delivered around 7 months. Between us stand fourteen cubs and zee other couple has twenty-five. All of zem hold vater abilities hovever, zey do not hold our special power over blood."
"That's good to know." Kagome sighed in relief. "I'd hate to think what a child could do with such power."
"Indeed." Sesshomaru said as he listened. "What of safety concerns during delivery?"
"Vhat beast do you turn into vhen fully transformed?" Björn asked.
"A water nymph." Kagome said making Alda and Björn's eyebrows raise in surprise. "What?"
"I did not relize they existed!" Björn said amazed. "Zimply incredible!"
"My kind keep their existence a secret to stay alive. I unfortunately was in my true state when the pirates captured me. I'm sure word about my true nature will spread soon enough. But I won't reveal any information about my kin should anyone ask." Kagome shrugged having felt the tension in her mate's aura at revealing identity to them. "Why does it matter what creature I turn into?"
"Each vater elemental takes hold of a different beast. Vhatever beast you transform into is how you vill be ven you give birth. I being an ice elemental give birth in the dead of vinter. I feel zee best when my nest is hidden deep in zee mountains surrounded vith ice. Vith a bear as a mate it works out nicely. He builds ice shelters, finds caves or digs a burrow into zee snow for us to nest in. It works out perfect except waking him up from hibernation to help me deliver. Forcing a stubborn bear to do anything, let alone help a pregnant vomen give birzs is not an easy task." Alda huffed making Kagome laugh at Björn's grumpy face.
"Just be grateful I get up at all vomen. It's not vise to vake a slumbering bear who hasn't eaten in weeks. Especially vhen you are screaming bloody murder and smell of life blood." Björn grouched halfheartedly.
"True, but you alvays come through in zee in end." Alda said as she pat him on the leg. "Zee hard part is keeping you awake to help me take care of zem. I zink you zleep to avoid changing dirty diapers."
"I cannot help how ze gods designed me vomen! I require sleep in za winter and do my best to provide you vith food, shelter, nesting supplies and vater. All of our cubs have grown up fine vithout me in the first few veeks." Björn defended as he stuck his nose into the air. His defiance made Kagome giggle.
"That's good too know about my inner beast. I am very familiar with their birthing practices having helped other water nymphs deliver. My tribe actually had an ability very similar to the healing properties of blood manipulation." Kagome said making Alda raise an eyebrow up in surprise.
"Blood manipulation might not be as hard of a task to learn if you are familiar vith healing techniques. Perhaps ve vill practice zis once you have accomplished changing vater to gas." Alda said.
"Sounds great!" Kagome said just as one of her pups kicked her stomach. "Oh! Give me your hand."
"Very strong." Alda nodded as she felt the little pup kick and flutter behind her hand. "You are carrying zix correct?"
"Hn." Sesshomaru hummed with pride reflecting in his eyes.
"Is zis a trait of vater nymphs to carry so many at a time?" Björn asked.
"It can yes." Kagome nodded. "Being part fish I produce multiple eggs when in heat. If my partner's seed is strong he can easily fertilize them all. I've never met a merbeing that has produced more the four minnows at a time. This will be interesting giving birth to two more than that."
"Having a large litter is not uncommon for dogs eizer." Alba said as she thought about what Kagome said. "Perhaps your demonic elements came into play upon conception?"
"That's what we think too." Kagome said as she rubbed over her tummy with a warm sparkle reflecting in her eye. Her stomach was now the size of a seven and a half month belly and she glowed with her pregnancy. She could feel her little pups dancing around inside and couldn't help but smile. "What symptoms should I look out for when preparing for birth?"
"Zee normal back aches, feet swelling, breast lactation, lack of appetite, difficulty sleeping, pups quieting in your womb and pressure along your cervix. You vill also do zings you might not normally do like crave weird foods, desire to clean and build your nest or forget zings. Plus, you vill feel crampy, have mood svings and feel heafy along your lower abdomen. Zat normally indicates your vater is about to rupture and you are dilating into rapid labor." Alda explained. "If you vish for assistance I do not mind taking another trip."
"But Iceland is so far away!" Kagome exclaimed. "Surely by the time you get there you would be heading right back."
"My mate and I haven't been to Russia in over two centuries. Ve decided on our boat ride here zat after ve helped you ve vould fisit my home village. Once ve return from Russia I could help vith the deliver before returning home?" Alda suggested as she looked to Sesshomaru.
"It is acceptable." Sesshomaru said as Kagome beamed up at him with happiness. "This one thanks you for your sacrifice in both time and service."
"No problem." Björn waved off.
"When do you plan to depart?" Sesshomaru asked. "I can prepare a carriage for your journey."
"Ve vill depart in one veeks time." Björn said.
"Hopefully we return before she delivers." Alda cautioned. "You could deliver earlier with carrying so many."
"Even if you don't come back in time… as long as I've got someone to help me through it I should be ok." Kagome said nervously. Feeling her discomfort in their bond Sesshomaru lightly squeezed her hand in his. His tiny comfort made her smile. He always knew what she needed. "Maybe we could speak with our healer and make a game plan just in case?"
"Zat sounds acceptable." Alda agreed. "In za mean time… do you have a herbal shop in town? I vish to pick up a couple items to give your healer should we not make it back in time."
"We do." Sesshomaru nodded. "It is on the far side of town near the markets."
"Perfect." Alda nodded. "Do you mind if Björn and I explore ze city? It is a lovely day and I sense a storm on the vind. Ve vill have rain for the next three days."
"You can sense the weather?" Kagome asked in surprise.
"I do." Alda smiled slightly. "Perhaps on our return journey I vill teach you."
"I'd like that." Kagome giggled.
"Come Alda." Björn said as he got to his feet. "Let explore da city before the evenings light is upon us."
"Be sure to rest Lady Kagome." Alda nodded as she got up from her seat. "You have vorked hard today."
"Thank you Alda." Kagome smiled as she leaned into Sesshomaru's side. "Enjoy your time in Valencia!"
"Hn." Alda nodded before following her husband out the door.
Once they were down the hall and out of hearing range Sesshomaru said, "How do you feel about your instructor?"
"She's tough, but I'm progressing a lot. Why?"
"I could not read her aura at all times." Sesshomaru said causing Kagome to furrow her eyebrow in confusion. "Unlike the bear who is open like book, she is a master at cloaking herself. It makes this one nervous…"
"But?" Kagome asked sensing his hesitation.
"She did not cause you harm when alone and continues to help master your skills." Sesshomaru finished.
"That's why you've allowed them to come back isn't it?" asked Kagome as she snuggled under his chin.
"Indeed." Sesshomaru said as he nuzzled into her hair. "What do you feel towards the water demoness?"
"I like her but I can't read her body language. I can sense the water element in her aura. It feels neither good or bad… it's just... there." Kagome frowned. "We'll just have to keep a close eye on them both in the mean time."
"Hn." Sesshomaru grunted in agreement. "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."
"Right." Kagome giggled making Sesshomaru smirk. "What did you and Björn get into today?"
"Nothing productive." Sesshomaru sighed as he held her against him. He enjoyed her warmth and the fluttering aura's of his pups against his side. "We mostly discussed war stories."
"Ah." Kagome chuckled. "Is that what lead to the sword discussion?"
"Hn." Sesshomaru nodded before a wicked spark lit in his eyes. "This one was quite pleased in your assessment. He only has one other suggestion should the subject arise again."
"Oh really?" Kagome asked as she felt his aura darken slightly. The sensual sensation made her shiver. "And what is that exactly?"
"You forgot one very important blade." Sesshomaru said huskily as he watched her little tongue wet her lips. Making sure she got his point he pulled her into his lap.
"Ah…" Kagome squeaked when she felt his hardened length on her ass. Realizing what he mean made her giggle. Oh that one! Don't worry, I didn't forget."
"Then why not mention it?" Sesshomaru teased as he began nibble along her neck.
"Because my horny puppy… no one but me gets the pleasure of battling with it." Kagome whispered in his ear making him growl playfully. "If word got out about how wonderful of a blade it is… I'd have a battle on my hands."
"Do not worry little mate. Your slick cunt is the only sheath it needs." Sesshomaru whispered making her laugh.
"Down boy!" Kagome laughed making him chuckle. "Come on, let's go see how Lorenzo's doing with his lessons."
Hand in hand they made their way out the tea room to find their son. Little did they know their happy little world was soon about to flip once more.
[End of Chapter 82]
(Boy is Sesshomaru a handful! I wonder if Lorenzo or his unborn pups will be as bad as him one day? :P What do you think of Björn and Alda and the history of water demons? Don't worry! More chapters to come soon!)
*Jaeja, Jaeja - means "yeah, yeah" in Icelandic. Its used quite frequently in everyday conversation.