A/N: Hello dear readers. I apologize for my absence as of late and not working on any of my current projects. I have a very demanding job now that is taking up a lot of my time. Plus, I still have family to take care of. I finally, finally made the time to write and get this chapter out, that has been sitting I believe for the better part of a month.

Enjoy.


Hurrying back down to his fathers grotto Sesshomaru made certain that he was presentable after his tryst with Rin. He was beside himself for having to leave her and back to the arms of the human male she was taking up residence with. Swallowing down his jealousy he understood the way of things, he knew Rin had to play her role as the humans mate but still, if he could have, he would take Rin under the sea with him and never return her.

Coming upon the room that Izyaoi and Inuyasha shared he didn't want to announce himself loudly and have Inuyasha decide it was time to play or accost him with hundreds of questions that he currently had no patience for. Entering quietly, he saw Izayoi in the back room sitting on a stone outcropping and swinging the sturdy hammock that his younger brother had fallen asleep in.

While she was engrossed in watching her son sleep and humming to herself it allowed Sesshomaru a few moments to take her in. Now that he knew she had relation to the human female that had accompanied Rin he could see the resemblance in their hair color and the shape of their eyes. When he was younger he had thought the young mermaid to be quite lovely but soon turned to a simmering anger when he learned about her relationship with his father.

He wondered if this life was what she had wanted; being indebted to the sea witch Kikyo and being with them could not have been what she had dreamed about.

"Sesshomaru." Izayoi whispered bringing him out of his thoughts. Straightening herself out she bowed her head to him. "What might I do for you, my lord?"

"I need to ask you something, if you know the answer that is." Sesshomaru said softly.

"Go ahead." She replied patiently when he seemed to hesitate.

"Is it possible for a human and one of our kind to have offspring?" He asked.

"May I speak freely with you Lord Sesshomaru?" Izayoi questioned back.

"Yes." Sesshomaru granted her request.

"The answer to that question is right here." Looking at Inuyasha he bit the inside of his cheek in some embarrassment, not wanting full details of what form she was in when his brother was conceived but knew it was necessary.

"Were you a mermaid or a human when…"

"A mermaid." Izayoi interjected as he struggled to ask. "I did have to go on the land when I was carrying Inuyasha. I worried what effect it would have on him but, there was seemingly none. Sesshomaru, why are you asking me this?"

Taken aback at the mothering tone she was using on him he remembered what his father had said, Izayoi cared for him; for all of them. He knew she meant them no harm, she had always been incredibly kind to him and he had shut himself off from her, making her out to be a terrible person when in reality the situation may not even have been her fault.

"Rin is living here now, on the western coast. We have bonded and consummated that bond to become mates." He managed out.

"I see." Izayoi whispered even softer than she had been. "I honestly do not know if a human woman could become pregnant by a merman but I do know someone that would. Come with me." Swimming past him to leave the room Sesshomaru followed Izayoi to her own chambers. Feeling awkward and out of place he watched as she went to a false wall. Leaning against it with her back to it she pushed the stone slab aside and beckoned him further with his hand.

Going down a short corridor that led down deeper below the grotto Sesshomaru couldn't help but be amazed that he had no idea the space existed. Coming to a ledge Izayoi swam up and used her hands to haul herself out of the water that led into an adjacent room that was dry, void of water. Following suit Sesshomaru heaved himself out of the water as well to sit on the ledge, keeping his eyes on her the entire time.

Izayoi picked up a loose rock that revealed a small hole with a wooden box inside of it. Reaching inside of it she took out the translucent blue stone that was wound with a leather strap to wear as a necklace. Putting it on she tapped it twice with her claw.

"What form once was, so be again." She chanted three times. Sesshomaru felt his eyes go wide as her fins became feet and her tail split into legs. Her scales shimmered and gave way to flesh as she stood brushing her naked backside off. "Wait here." Running off to another corridor he stared at the box.

From the impression he had been under the staff of two heads was the only way for Izayoi to become human again, how she had become a mermaid in the first place. Now he was presented with another way she was able to possess a human form. Fully engrossed in his thoughts he didn't realize he was staring off.

"This mirror is how I communicate with Lady Kikyo." Izayoi explained suddenly beside him. "If anyone knows it will be her."

"You have other means to switch between forms, aside from Jakens staff." Sesshomaru confronted her on it, beside from the reason they were there his own curiosity took hold.

"The staff makes a permanent transition; the stone is only temporary. If I needed to go to the land for a few days, then I would need the staff but a few hours and the stone suffices." She explained. Holding the mirror out to herself she waved her hand over it. The glass rippled as if it were water and another face appeared in it. "Kagome, where is Lady Kikyo?"

"Ah, Lady Izayoi, oh thank goodness you called. I have been trying to reach you or Jaken or…" The young mermaid seemed flustered and out of sorts.

"Kagome, what is wrong?" Izayoi asked worry in her voice.

"Lady Kikyo was wounded in a battle. Most of her soul reapers were destroyed. Sango and I have been doing everything we can but without fresh souls to revive her, her body will give out and Lady Kikyo will die." Kagome lamented sadly.

"Fine. Ask that one if she knows." Sesshomaru pressed not caring if the sea witch succumbed to death.

"Sesshomaru, not now." Izayoi chastised making him seriously reconsider allowing her to speak so plainly with him. "Kagome, I am on my way. Do everything you can until I arrive."

"Thank you, Lady Izayoi." Kagome said gratefully. Lowering the mirror Izayoi looked to Sesshomaru.

"If you save her life, Lady Kikyo will give you whatever you want however which way you may want it." Izayoi stated. Keeping his gaze steady with hers he took her advice to heart. He certainly did not want to leave for the south, and he most definitely did not want to save what most said was the scourge of all the waters, but he did want to be with Rin in a more permanent way.

"Very well. I will accompany you to the south and assist you." Sesshomaru said with a slight nod of his head.

"Fantastic. We will have to find Jaken so we can transform into humans, and you will need to learn how to walk. It may take a day." Izayoi stood giving him a small smirk. "Moreso, we cannot have your father or mother finding out that I have taken their son to the south. As grateful as they are to Lady Kikyo they still see her as everyone else does, a threat. As humans we can move about the land without anyone knowing who we are." She explained.

"Fine." Sesshomaru relented as she bounded off again into her corridor. He had no idea how long a journey to the south would take on land. He worried that if he didn't tell Rin he had an errand to run she would be worried about him. Closing his eyes he sought her out but found her not responsive to him, she was awake but she was putting up a blockade so he wasn't able to feel her.

He had to get to Rin and find out why she was suddenly closing off from him. As Izayoi neared him and sat down she tapped the stone again once.

"Let my body match my hearts desire." Izayoi chanted again twice and in a few moments time her legs fused together with her shiny pink scales as bright as ever on her tail.

"May I?" Sesshomaru requested placing his hand out for the stone. Taking it off she handed it to him. Running his thumb along it the stone felt cold as ice to the touch. Adjusting the leather strip he placed it over his head and looked to her. "Do I say what you said?"

"It wouldn't be the same for you, simply say what it is in your heart; if it is your desire to become a human." Izayoi answered. Glancing down at it Sesshomaru tapped it the same way she had.

"I want to be with Rin." He said simply. The stone became hot as it sat on his chest. Staring at it he felt the heat spread down to his tail and fins. Leaning back to brace himself he felt as if hot irons were forcefully separating his tail as it split down the middle and his scales melted off to creamy white skin.

Breathing heavily he brought his sharp gaze to Izayoi.

"Sorry. I am so used to the pain the stone brings that I forgot to tell you." She said apologetically.

"Right." He answered, staring down at the long foreign appendages he now sported. Taking a deep breath to calm himself he started by wiggling his toes and flexing his feet at the ankles. He bent his knees up becoming aware of how his sex suddenly was on flagrant display for Izayoi to see. Ignoring it for the moment he placed his feet down on the stone feeling the cold and wetness of it travel into his souls and up his legs causing the strange cock and balls to shrivel considerably.

Irritated by the discomfort he felt his face flush as Izayoi stood before him, her own lower half nude still, holding out her hands to him.

"Once you get your balance then we can work on walking." She offered. Knowing he had no idea how to stand or balance or any of what she had said he took her hands allowing her to help him to a squatting position. The legs under him felt strong and steady encouraging him to stand. The motion was somewhat dizzying and he sat down being supported along the way. "It is probably much harder to learn how to walk than it is to swim with a tail."

"I need to learn how to do this and quickly. Rin has stopped answering our bond."

"She is probably asleep."

"No. She isn't."

"Give her some space and some time, a girl needs that after her first relation with a man." Izayoi said.

"Did you?" Sesshomaru shot at her unintentionally.

"You mean with your father." She responded knowingly. "I will never regret it, not for one moment. I know it never should have happened and was never my intention to hurt your mother or you. I fell in love with your father and he is a male who saw a pretty young girl. Your father loves your mother, immensely. I was just a notch in his belt."

"I am sorry." Sesshomaru said feeling ashamed for his fathers actions.

"I know my place within the household and this world. I had thought here would be different from the land but it really isn't. It's the same." Izayoi closed her eyes and shook her head for a moment. "Now, lets practice so you can inform Rin of what is happening."

Walking along the shoreline Rin hitched up her long skirts so they didn't drag in the sand. She had put on high boots with good tread to ensure she could make the trek along the beach. Holding onto her husbands arm they made their way down towards where the cave was that he had made mention of, and the one Sesshomaru knew of as well. Kiyoko followed behind them holding a parasol over Rins head to reduce the risk of her getting a sunburn even though she wore a large woven hat that covered her face and back of her neck.

While she made idle talk with Tomoya she scanned the water for Sesshomaru feeling her heartbeat loudly in her ears and her breath tighten in her chest at the anticipation of knowing he was close by. As she reached out to him she became somewhat confused by the direction of his response. At first she chalked it up to him perhaps having to have traveled to another ocean and that was what was throwing her off but the bond was strong giving her a sense of feeling that he was close by.

"When I was younger I would come down here to escape from my lessons." Tomoya said. Rin glanced at him and gave a small smirk bringing her attention back to him.

"I was never much one for studying either, there always seemed to be something more fascinating that I could be out doing. I am sure Kiyoko remembers." Rin replied.

"Oh yes Lady Rin, I certainly do." Kiyoko stated somewhat under her breath. Both laughing out at her remark Tomoya stopped suddenly and brought his hand up in a wave gesture. Glancing up Rin saw two figures approaching them. She nearly dropped on the spot seeing Sesshomaru walking on human legs with no markings to be seen on his face. His long hair that he normally let trail behind him in the water was tied back smartly as he wore a black cloak over his cream-colored top and pants. She wondered if the boots he wore were giving him any trouble as he walked alongside a woman, judging by her stature and the way she moved, that wore a hooded cloak covering her face.

"Hello there strangers. I am Lord Tomoya of this region. May we lend you some assistance? Have you been marooned?" Tomoya called out.

"No my lord. Thank you though." The woman replied as they drew closer. Rin glanced back at Kiyoko as she heard her take in a sharp breath. As they closed the gap so they were still a considerable distance away the woman removed her hood. Kiyoko dropped the parasol to have it thud to the sand as she brought her hands to her face and gasped.

"Kiyoko, are you well?" Tomoya asked alarmed at her reaction. Tears streamed down the woman's face as she began to silently sob.

"My lord, this is Kiyokos sister, Izayoi. Whom she has not seen in many years. Lady Izayoi, it is so good to make your acquaintance." Rin said.

"As it is my pleasure to make yours Lady Rin." Izayoi said bowing respectfully. "Lord Tomoya, I wish to present my lord to you, Lord Sesshomaru."

"Lord Sessshomaru, I am not familiar with you sir." Tomoya admitted.

"Lord Sesshomaru prefers anonymity as his family are…more nomadic people." Rin offered. Glancing in her direction Sesshomaru felt her unease at the unexpected situation and began to feel badly that he had put her in such a spot.

"Lady Rin, it is good to see you again." He said his voice smoothing over her discomfort.

"As it is you Lord Sesshomaru. What brings you to the land…this land?" Rin questioned quickly correcting her folly.

"Lord Sesshomaru felt badly that he was not able to attend your nuptials, my lord and lady. We are traveling and my lord wished to bless your arrangement personally, as you are good friends." Izayoi smirked as she spoke. For a moment Sesshomaru felt his hackles rise at her mention of him blessing their marriage. The very idea made him want to throttle the human male and be done with the whole thing so Rin would be his exclusively.

"Well, in that case, thank you Lord Sesshomaru. I hope in the future you are more able to visit and attend such ceremonies." Tomoya said.

"Izayoi." Kiyoko croaked out hoarsely finally able to speak.

"Yes sister, it is I." Izayoi replied not moving an inch and giving Kiyoko a mere glance.

"Oh Izayoi. I am so sorry I didn't believe you." Kiyoko said moving around Rin to take her to her in an embrace.

"Not here, not now. Some other time." Izayoi whispered in her ear loosely wrapping her arm around her shoulders.

"Regrettably Lady Rin, our time is short. There is a matter that requires our attention in the south. Once done may this Sesshomaru return to you?" Sesshomaru said.

"Always my lord." Rin hoped she wasn't blushing as she spoke but knew her voice sounded dreamy and starstruck.

"Then I wish to return to you as your personal guard so that I know you are well protected." Sesshomaru stated.

"Oh well I…" Tomoya began only to be interrupted.

"Yes my lord, absolutely. " Rin agreed nodding her head. "

"Very well." Sesshomaru said. "Izayoi, make ready to depart."

"Yes my lord." She nodded prying her sister off her. "I will return in some days; we will talk then."

"Please, please come back Izayoi." Kiyoko squeaked out.

"I swear it on my sons life." She nodded her head once replacing her hood. "Lord Tomoya, Lady Rin; until we meet again, soon."

"Yes, until then." Rin felt her stomach flutter as Sesshomaru bowed slightly to her slowly, possibly to keep his balance, before turning to followed Izayoi.

"That was, odd." Tomoya said softly. "If they had sent some correspondence we could have greeted them formally."

"Lord Sesshomaru has a habit of simply appearing." Rin said.

"What is your relationship with the lord?" Tomoya asked bringing his full attention to her.

"We know of one another. We met in the north and became familiar with one another." Rin responded, turning to him.

"I see." Tomoya said softly. "And it is your wish for him to…attend to you as a guard." Tomoya stated more than asked.

"Yes." Rin felt her throat tighten as her head began to swim. Tomoya was not stupid, he had seen firsthand how they had interacted with one another and knew they were lovers.

"Alright." Tomoya cleared his throat. "Once Lord Sesshomaru returns I will meet with him personally to make arrangements for him to be your personal guard, solely yours."

"Thank you, my lord." Rin nodded her head gratefully.

"If I may my lord, that was quite an exchange between you and Lady Rin. No doubt Tomoya knows of your relationship with her." Izayoi commented.

"I do not care." Sesshomaru said sharply. "Rin is mine, my mate first and foremost."

"I was quite surprised to hear you offer your personal protection to Lady Rin. Please, tell me how you plan to live between two worlds in such a way?" She wondered.

"This Sesshomaru will worry about that himself Izayoi." He glanced at her as they walked away from the beach and towards the port where they had bought passage on a ship.

"Lord Sesshomaru, it is no easy task to do so. I will provide whatever assistance I can but you must be the one to learn it on your own." She said.

"Your assistance is not required. Once this task is complete we will go our separate ways as we have always done." Sesshomaru quipped.

"If that is what you wish my lord." Izayoi relented as they boarded the ship to head south.