Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Trigun Fan Fiction / Utena, Revolutionary Girl Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Tales of a 1001 Nights ❯ The Mermaid (Part 1) ( Chapter 4 )

The Mermaid (Part 1)

All Inuyasha and Sailor Moon disclaimers apply! Also, this is a girl/girl story. If you don't like those kind of stories then don't bother reading this one and go to another fic!

For ninety days, Rin's plan had worked so far. She had just finished another tale. She and Sesshomaru were sharing his bath. Rin was washing his back when she began her next tale.

"Far out at the sea the water is as blue as the petals of the loveliest cornflower and as clear as the purest glass but it is as deep as a bottomless pit. The bottom of the sea isn't a bare white sandy bottom. There are trees and plants growing down there, with stalks and leaves that bend so easily that they stir at the very slightest movement of the water, just as though as they were alive. All the fishes, big ones and little ones, slip in and out of the branches just like birds in the air up here. It was there that lived a very beautiful mermaid."

"Her name was Usagi. Her skin was as clear and delicate as a rose leaf, her eyes were as blue as the deepest lakes, her tail was many shades of pink with a white fin and her blonde hair was shaped with two long hair buns."

"One night, while she was exploring, Usagi saw the bottom of a ship. Since she was curious about the human world, she swam close but not too close to the ship and rose up from the sea."

"She had saw that the sun had just set and the clouds still had a gleam of rose and gold and up in the pale pink sky the evening star shone clear and beautiful. The air was soft and fresh and the sea was dead calm."

"The ship that Usagi swam towards was a large three masted ship, with only one sail hoisted because not a breath of wind was stirring. The sailors were lolling about in the rigging and on the yards. There was music and singing. As it grew dark hundreds of lanterns of many different colours were lit."

"Usagi was at the porthole of the cabin and every time she rose with the swell of the wave, she could see through the clear glass a crowd of splendidly dressed people; but one human caught her eye. This one had grey blue eyes and had short platinum blonde hair. She wore a dark blue kimono. If this human wasn't wearing a kimono, Usagi would have thought that she was a man."

"Usagi had seen humans before, from a safe distance. In her eyes this one was the most beautiful of all."

"This young woman who Usagi had admired was known as Haruka. Today was her birthday and there was a great celebration underway on the ship. As she came out on to the deck where everyone was, over a hundred rockets flew up into the sky and broke into a glitter like broad daylight."

"That had frightened Usagi and she dove down under the water but she quickly popped her head up again to take another look. It was just as if all the stars in heaven were falling down on her. She had never seen such fireworks. Great suns were spinning around, gorgeous fire fishes swerving into the blue air and all this glitter was mirrored in the clear still water."

"On board the ship itself, it was so bright that you could make out every little rope and all the passengers. Haruka received all the passengers, laughed and smiled, while the music was floating out into the loveliness of the night."

"It grew late but Usagi could not take her eyes off the ship and Haruka. The coloured lanterns were put out and the rockets no longer climbed into the sky; but down deep in the sea there was a mumbling and a rumbling. Meanwhile Usagi stayed on the water, rocking up and down so that she could look into the cabin. But the ship gathered speed; one after another the sails were spread. The waves increased, heavy clouds blew up and lightening flashed in the distance. A terrible storm was coming and the sailors took in their sails, as the great ship rocked and scudded through the raging sea. The waves rose higher and higher like huge black mountains, threatening to bring down the mast, but the ship dove down like a swan into the trough of the waves and then rode up again on their towering crests."

" 'That must be fun! I'd love to sail on a ship like that!' She thought."

"The ship's crew didn't agree with her. The vessel creaked and cracked. The planks crumpled up under the heaving pounding of the sea against the ship. The mast snapped in the middle and then the ship gave a lurch on one side as the water came rushing into the hold. Usagi knew that they were in danger. She herself had to look out for beams and bits of wreckage that were drifting on to the water."

"For a moment it was so dark that she couldn't see a thing. When the lighting came out it was so bright that she could make out everyone on board. At this point it was every man for himself. Haruka was the one she was looking for and as the ship broke up, she saw her disappear into the depths of the sea. 'No she mustn't die!' She thought. Usagi swam in among the drifting beams and planks, with no thought of being crushed by them. She dove down deep and came up right up at the waves and at last she found Haruka. She could tell that Haruka was too tired to swim any more and her eyes were closed. Usagi held her head above the water and swam till she found land."

"Once she had found land, Usagi let the current of the waves take her there. Once they touch land, Usagi dragged Haruka out of the water and on to the dry sand. She then took down her hair and was going to cover Haruka with it for warmth till she woke up. Usagi knew that if she stayed out of the water too long, her fin would turn into a pair of legs and she would be human; while she was on land. She figured as soon as Haruka was awake, she would quickly run into the water, become a mermaid again and swim away. However, that long swim had worn Usagi out. She collapsed on top of Haruka and her very long hair covered them both."

"It was early in the afternoon when Haruka woke up. When she rose, she felt something on top of her. She looked down saw Usagi, in her human form. Usagi was still asleep. Without waking her, Haruka sat up and held Usagi in her arms. 'Who is this beautiful maiden? I don't remember seeing her on the ship.' Haruka thought. She then moved some of the long hair over and put her head on Usagi's chest. 'It's a miracle that she's alive!' She thought afterwards. Haruka then realized that Usagi was naked. She gently placed Usagi down and took off her outer kimono. She then put it on Usagi's bare body. Once she was covered, Haruka picked her up and was going to find some shelter for them when she saw a small group of people."

"With Usagi in her arms, Haruka headed in their direction. As they approached closer, Haruka seemed to recognize one of them. 'Seiya …' She said when saw the raven haired woman."

"Seiya then turned and asked 'Princess Haruka, what are you doing here?'"

"Seiya and her two cousins, Yaten and Taiki were about to bow to Haruka but she stopped them. 'Seiya you don't have to be so formal. We're not in court. Outside of that, I'm just your friend Haruka.' She said to Seiya."

"Seiya replied 'Haruka you haven't answered my question. Who is this maiden you have in your arms'"

" 'Last night one of my ships was caught in a storm and was destroyed. I really don't know how I came here. The last thing I can remember was being thrown overboard and trying to swim away. I grew tired after awhile and fell asleep. When I came to I found that I was here, with her on top of me.' Haruka told them."

" Seiya then asked, 'Do you know who she is? Do you know of any other survivors?'"

" 'I really don't know who she is. All I know is that she was one of the passengers. Besides her I didn't see anyone else from the ship.' Haruka replied."

"Seiya and Yaten put their arms around Haruka and helped her walk to Seiya's palace. Haruka had somewhat reluctantly gave Usagi to Taiki. Taiki was right behind them."

"Usagi had just woke up. She looked around and found out that she was not in the water. She then remembered the events of last night. She saw that she was not at the beach and in a strange place. 'How did I get here ?' Usagi wondered. She then looked down and saw that she was in a white gown. Just then Usagi heard the door open and she got so scared that she couldn't move."

" Haruka had walked in to see how Usagi was doing. 'So you're finally up. You've been asleep most of the day.' Haruka said to her. Haruka then noticed the frightened look on Usagi's face. She took Usagi's hand and said comfortingly 'You have nothing to be afraid of. You're among friends here.'"

"Usagi looked into Haruka's eyes and saw that there was nothing to fear. She begun to relax and looked down to see that Haruka's hand had touched hers. Usagi's heart began to flutter and she didn't know why."

"Seeing that Usagi had relaxed, she let go of Usagi's hands. 'So what's your name? Mine's Haruka.' She said to her."

" ' Usagi. Haruka how did I come here?' She replied."

"Haruka answered 'Last night the ship we were on was destroyed in a storm. Everyone on board was thrown into the sea. Somehow you and I managed to survive and got to the beach of my friend Seiya's lands. When I was awake, I found you on top of me without a stitch of clothing. I checked to see if you were alive and found that you were. I then took my outer kimono off and placed it on you. I picked you up and was going to find some shelter when I happened to see my friend and her two cousins. I told them what happened and they took us here. We placed you in this room and got you out of my kimono and into the nightgown you're wearing. Do you have any other questions?'"

"For the time being Usagi decided not to tell Haruka how they ended up on the beach. 'She wouldn't believe me if I told her.' She thought. Instead of slipping away from here and going back to the sea, Usagi decided to stay here and get to know Haruka a little bit more. Just then her stomach growled. 'Um Haruka, I'm hungry. Do they have anything to eat here? ' She asked her."

"Haruka softly chuckled and answered 'Yes, they have food here. If you wait right there, I'll get you a kimono from Yaten's room. Then I'll take you to the dinning hall to eat dinner. You and her are about the same size. Besides, she has so many kimonos that she wouldn't miss a few.'"

"Usagi didn't really want to be alone in this place, so she asked 'Can I go with you?'"

" ' Sure you can. That would be a lot easier and you can pick a kimono that you like.' Haruka answered. She and Usagi walked out of the room and into Yaten's room."

"With Haruka's help Usagi picked out a light blue kimono. She had helped Usagi put on one of Yaten's inner kimonos, when Yaten walked in. As soon as she saw the short sliver haired woman, Usagi got frightened and went behind Haruka's back and clung to her waist for protection."

" Haruka turned her head towards Usagi and said 'Now Usagi, I told you that there is nothing to be frightened of. Yaten is not going to bite your head off. She may bark at times but she never bites.' Haruka then took Usagi's hands from her waist and gently pushed her forward."

"Haruka's eyes told Yaten to say hello or else. Fearing Haruka's wrath, Yaten bowed to Usagi and said 'I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you. I heard that you were up so I came here to see how you were and to change for dinner.'"

"Usagi again relaxed and Haruka finished helping her get dressed. Yaten had just changed into a jade green kimono embroidered with white chrysanthemums. Haruka brushed Usagi's long hair. When she was finished brushing it, Yaten took the brush from Haruka and insisted on styling Usagi's hair. Usagi asked if Yaten would just give her two long buns. Yaten granted her request and styled her hair that way. She then placed two pearl combs in the front. When she was done she asked Haruka 'Are you happy with my work?'"

"Haruka looked at Usagi, smiled and said 'Yes I do.' Usagi was glad that Haruka liked the way her hair looked and decided that while she was in the human world that she would always have her hair like this."

"Yaten the brushed and did her hair. Once she was done, the three of them headed for the dinning hall."

"Seiya and Taiki greeted them as soon as they were in the dinning hall. Haruka introduced Usagi to them. Usagi sat next to Haruka at the table. Dinner was served as soon everyone was seated. It was steamed lobster. As soon as a lobster was put on everyone's plate, everyone's eyes were on Usagi. She had picked up the lobster and began to eat it (with the shell on) with her bare hands."

"Everyone gave her a puzzled looked. Usagi saw that everyone was watching her and she quickly put down her lobster. Haruka quickly came to her rescue. She chuckled and said 'I guess you weren't kidding when you said that your were really hungry.' Seiya, Yaten and Taiki couldn't help laughing at it either. With Haruka's help, Usagi managed to get through dinner without too many breaches of etiquette."

"The next morning Haruka had gotten out of bed and went to the room next door to wake Usagi up and have breakfast with her. Last night when Usagi went to bed, Haruka had a discussion with Seiya. She had gone into Seiya's room. Seiya offered a seat on the bed. 'Seiya, when I really worried about Usagi. I will leave here in a few days for my home. I really don't know what should be done with her when I leave. It seems that she has no family or friends. I don't want to leave her all alone nor send her off to a strange place. What would be the best thing for her?'"

It was here that Rin stopped. Again she said "If my lord husband lets me live another night, the next evening I will finish the tale."

"Of course I will let you live." Sesshomaru answered. He got out of the bath and then helped Rin out. She dried herself off and then dried Sesshomaru off. Once they were both dry and dressed Rin kissed him good night. She then climbed into bed with him."

"Why did she do that?" He thought. It was the first time since their marriage that she had kissed him. "Silly human." He again thought. Sesshomaru then fell asleep.

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This story is based on "The Little Mermaid". Just like the last tale "The Wild Swans" I don't own it either. I decided to make this tale more original. That is why this chapter took a little longer getting to you. You must be patient for updates as these stories take a long time to get just right.

The reason why I Haruka/Usagi as the paring for this fic is for two reasons. First, they are one of my favourite couples. Also for some unknown reason, my stories of this pair are the most popular in ff.net. Just to let you know, not I'm gay or bi.

I really hope that you enjoyed this tale as you did the last one.

First off, I would like to thank Haruka-chan for being my beta for the rest of this fic .

Next, a big thanks goes to teresa for also helping me with this chapter. She made me realized that I needed to explain how Usagi got legs. Also for helping me make this fic a lot better.

Finally, a big huge thank you goes to Sweecenck, Greater Beast-Xellas, Shiver, Toby Seer, Jacie, Unearthly Emperor, Noa and Ice Dragon (yes I did put in a disclaimer but not a long drawn out one) for taking the time to review this fic so far. I'm really glad that you like the story so far. You guys don't know how much that means to me.