Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapter 112's

Kenji stood on top of a tree staring at the rest of the blue rabbit clan youkai village on the eastern land. He could clearly see the destroyed village burning, the flags of the human nobles left behind as well as the corpses of the youkai of the blue rabbit clan as well as the humans that were everywhere.

Like the youkai village of the waterbird clan, Kenji did not find many clues, moreover Akiko was also there. As one of the great generals in the western lands, he could not possibly act and investigate the village that was in the eastern underground at will. That was why he could only observe and investigate from afar.

"Kenji-sama," panggi Myoga who was sitting on Kenji's shoulder from earlier suddenly. "What's really going on?

"If I knew what was going on, I wouldn't be here, Myoga." Said Kenji while scratching his head that did not itch.

Myoga silently listened to Kenji. Leaving the western lands and following his friend's monkey youkai long ago, the flea youkai was actually thinking of hiding and dodging from Sesshoumaru. But, he did not expect that he would see a scene where there was a youkai village that perished without telling anyone.

"Hey, Myoga," called Kenji softly and turned his face to his friend "Neutral, then east, where do you think after that?"

"I mean??" myoga asked again in confusion.

"I don't think this kind of assault on youkai villages will end" replied Kenji softly, but a face full of seriousness. "And I feel that this is not a human act, but rather the act of—youkai."

"Youkai?? If it's true, who would dare to do this??" ask Myoga in panic. "A neutral attack, then east. Is he looking to die??

Kenji paid no attention to the frightened and panicked Myoga on his shoulder. Closing his eyes, the monkey youkai tried to rack his brain looking for answers to the question he had just asked Myoga.

Neutral, then east. If the breach is still not over, where is the next target of the perpetrator? Still east, back on neutral, north, south or—west?

Kenji tries to position himself as the perpetrator. Indeed he does not know what the purpose of this attack, but if neutrals are the first victims and east is the second victim. Then, the next victim is likely; north

The perpetrator only attacked and destroyed the village of the weak and small youkai clan. In all of this Japan, who does not know the strong western and southern powers?—there are no weak and small clans like the villages that have been destroyed in the west and south, and if there are, even if there are, the clan is well protected. Anyone who attacks both regions must be careful not to arouse the anger of the ruler of the region. But, if the perpetrator did plan to make a scene in the youkai world, sooner or later, he would attack the south as well; the west. So, where's the next target?

Still closing his eyes, Kenji then remembered the existence of Akihiko the ruler of the southern land was not in his territory. The wolf youkai was in the west, and indirectly, it was creating a good opportunity if the offender wanted to attack the south.

"Myoga," call Kenji later and open his eyes. "Come, we're going south."

"Eh??" myoga was surprised. "Southern land?"

Kenji cuddled his head. Kenji had no idea what was going on, but, his instinct told him, rather than heading towards the northern lands that were most likely to be his next target, it would be better for him to head towards the southern lands.

"My instincts are never wrong."

....xoxOx....

"We can't follow them anymore, Yuki, Sora." Shippo looked at Yuki and Sora sitting in front of him.

"Why?" yuki asked confusedly. Sora did not say anything, the little youkai looked at Shippo as confused as he was.

"We're not doing anything at all," Shippo replied staring straight at Yuki. "We need to find help. The information we gathered I think is enough to determine the next step."

Shippo began to feel completely hopeless about what they were doing. All his life, the day he passed after getting to know the two white rat youkai in front of him would never forget again—when he felt really useless.

Now they were in the northern lands, and yesterday, once again, Shippo saw one youkai village wiped out. Youkai warriors disguised as humans destroy the village of the fire lizard clan youkai from the north. Like the villages before them, they left no one behind and left behind flags and some human corpses that they dressed up as if they were attacking soldiers.

With the flag and some of the human corpses, anyone who saw would believe the culprit was a human. Their plans are really well prepared.

"Shippo-kun, what if you think we left a message." Yuki's proposal is slow. He could see the despair in Shippo's eyes growing bigger and bigger, and he also knew the cause was those who could do nothing.

"Message??" shippo is confused.

Yuki nodded his head. "We're still near the ruined village of fire lizards. We can leave a message that the culprit is a youkai to whoever is coming to that village."

Shippo fell silent at Yuki's explanation. What the white rat youkai said was true, the ruined village, would definitely make their ruler investigate it. If they leave a message about the information they have, then maybe things will change—at least everyone will know the culprit is youkai not human and the possibility of who is behind it.

"Good idea, Yuki!!" shippo's smile is wide. "Why haven't I thought of this idea before!!"

Yuki smiled at Shippo's smile. There was relief and happiness in his heart seeing Shippo's eyes again shining with excitement. Not knowing why, he did not like the dim and desperate eyes of the fox youkai that was in front of him right now.

"We have to look for paper, leaves or anything that we can use as a writing medium" said Shippo again while moaning around him.

"Shippo-kun," called Sora who was silent from earlier suddenly. His hand quickly tore off the kimono sleeves he was wearing and gave it to Shippo. "Just use this."

"Sora, there's no need to go that way!!" shippo shouted frantically seeing Sora's unexpected attitude, as well as Yuki's.

Sora smiled slightly and shook his head. His red eyes looked at Yuki and Shippo straight. "I also want to be useful to Brother and Shippo-kun. I don't want to be a burden..."

Shippo was stunned to hear Sora's words. However, a moment later he laughed and took out the kimono arm that the fire rat youkai gave him. "Thank you, Sora—and don't be discouraged, you're not a burden to us."

"Yes, Sora. Don't think like that" Yuki quickly continued, both of his hands moving around hugging Sora tightly. "You're not a burden."

Yuki's warm embrace made Sora smile. Nodding her head, she returned her brother's embrace just as tightly.

Shippo smiled looking at Yuki and Sora. However, all of a sudden, he felt the aura of an approaching youkai. Not wasting any time, he pulled the two white youkai rats in front of him hiding behind a tree.

Yuki and Sora immediately realized what happened without needing to be explained, because, this has happened several times. Shippo only behaves like this if there is a youkai approaching. Silently silent, they held their breaths and tried to hide their existence as best they could.

Stealing from behind a tree, Shippo could see two youkai men disguised as warriors walking past their hiding places.

"We go south, and after that, our work is done" said one of the youkai with a big smile. "I can't wait to get home."

"Me too" his friend replied with an equally wide smile. "We just destroyed one village in the north, joined Shui-sama, then returned to neutral."

"Yes," the laughter of the youkai who first spoke. "I don't know why Shui-sama ordered us to exterminate those weak youkai. But, I believe he has a great purpose behind it."

"Who are you to know his purpose?" his friend's laughter was wide. "We as subordinates simply carry out the duties of superiors."

What the two youkai were talking about could be heard clearly by Shippo, Yuki and Sora, and it was like a lightning strike to them. Remaining silent, they stared at each other with deathly pale faces.

The talk they heard just now had answered all the riddles of who was the mastermind of the youkai village raid, their guess was not wrong, the culprit was indeed; Shui the honorable from the neutral.

....xoxOx....

"Welcome, Arata-san," greeted the noble Mio when she saw the leader of the taijiya alliance who was at the doorstep of Ame city. A wide smile filled his face, even more so when he saw the hundreds of taijiya that were behind Arata. "I'm glad you're willing to help."

Arata returned the welcome of the noble Mio with a smile as well. "It's all right."

"I've prepared a place for your army. You and your troops are the first to arrive," the laughter of the elated noble Mio. "The alliance of Miko, priests and monks will also arrive in the near future."

Arata nodded his head listening to what the noble Mio said. Not saying another word, he followed the noble who guided him into the city of Ame excitedly.

As her feet stepped into the city of Ame, what Arata first saw was a welcome from the lively residents of the city; smiles, laughter and cheers filled the city.

"Thank you for fighting youkai for us!!"

"You can!! You can definitely conquer the youkai!!"

"You're forever a hero in our eyes!"

Cheers for the sake of cheers encourage or praise made the residents of the city make the hearts of Arata and the taijiya who entered the city of Ame feel very happy and proud.

'Come, and the west will welcome you all.'

The message of the daiyoukai ruler of the western lands delivered by his subordinates at the end of summer flashed in Arata's mind. Instantly anger filled his heart—he did not forget the humiliation on that day.

Arata vividly remembers the defeat of himself and also his subordinates from the western land's ruling bodyguards. Youkai who deliberately made a fuss at taijiya— headquartershe would make him pay a heavy price.

Looking back at the five hundreds more taijiya troops, Arata's black eyes shone full of excitement. These taijiya troops are the elites that exist in the land of Japan, plus an alliance of miko, priests, monks and also a noble army that is able to destroy the village youkai— they will flatten the palace youkai land west.

The cheers of the townspeople continued to reverberate filled every street, and in the crowd beside the road, Kohaku stood staring at the desperate taijiya troops. His handsome face could not hide what was in his mind. The human and youkai wars are in sight, and they are inevitable.

The taijiya army in front of him was indeed strong, they were the chosen elites, Kohaku could feel it. It's just that—it's not enough to face the west.

Humans have never seen it directly, how the real power of the western land youkai. But, Kohaku had seen it. On that night in the palace of the western lands, when Sesshoumaru, the ruler of the western lands led his army towards the south western battlefield. In the darkness of night, in the light of overtime, the figure of the ruler and his army was a nightmare for all humans.

The nobles, taijiya, miko, priests and monks were full of arrogance, if they attacked, then their fate had written—death.

....xoxOx....

"You know what's weird, don't you, Sesshoumaru?" ask Inukimi quietly. His two golden eyes looked straight at the back of Sesshoumaru who was standing in front of him.

Today, a letter from Kenji arrived at the western land palace. It was not written completely, but he asked them to be careful with the recent events. Four youkai villages are destroyed in human hands without leaving anyone, obviously very strange, and the monkey—youkai believe there is an unpleasant plan behind it.

"Are you going to decide on someone to investigate?" ask Inukimi again.

"No." Answer Sesshoumaru flat. His eyes were still staring at the autumn sky.

Inukimi fell silent at Sesshoumaru's reply. Staring at her biological son, although her beautiful face was flat emotionless, deep down she was confused by the decision taken.

"Mother," call Sesshoumaru slowly. His two eyes that looked at the autumn sky then descended on the yellowing leaves of the trees. "West under this Sesshoumaru will not lose."

Inukimi was stunned to hear Sesshoumaru's unexpected words.

"Sesshoumaru has no intention of guessing and finding out the hidden intent of what happened" Sesshoumaru continued slowly. "This Jesshoumaru also doesn't care who's behind all this."

Sesshoumaru knew there was something strange about what happened. The ruined youkai village was indeed not a village in the western lands, but he felt, the main purpose of all this was actually; the western land.

The destroyed villages have no connection to the western lands. However, in reality, there is one thin thread that connects them, namely; the perpetrators are pointed at the humans who declare war on the western lands. Sooner or later, if this still continues, then there will definitely be people who will associate what happened with the western lands, or most likely— will be associated with Rin and Shura.

The person who planned this all was definitely not a random person, and the investigation would definitely not be easy either. Therefore, Sesshoumaru was unwilling to waste time. What was the purpose of this attack? Who is the mastermind behind it? Without investigation, sooner or later, it will surface.

Then, if that day comes, if the culprit really intends to bestow everything on the land of the west or perhaps on the two most important existences for him, then he—Sesshoumaru the ruler of the land of the west will not stand still.

Reversing his body, Sesshoumaru's golden eyes looked straight at Inukimi. His eyes shone brilliantly full of confidence and also authority as a ruler. "They can come, because, this Sesshoumaru will destroy them."

Inukimi was stunned to hear the answer and saw Sesshoumaru's eyes. The look in those eyes, he had seen it.—it was the look in Inu No Taisho's eyes. The gaze of a true ruler who is never afraid and always full of confidence faces anything.

"You," Inukimi said slowly. Slowly a smile filled his face. "You really are Taisho's son, Sesshoumaru. You really look like him."

Sesshoumaru did not say anything hearing Inukimi's words. Similar Inu No Taisho—ya, he had to admit, he was indeed similar to his father's figure now. Not afraid and not caring about anything to protect his wife and children. But, Sesshoumaru is not Inu No Taisho, just like Rin who is not Izayoi, and Shura who is not Inuyasha. His family will not end up like them, he will not die like his father, Rin will not alone raise Shura, and his son Shura— will grow up with both parents beside him.

Sesshoumaru would not let the past story repeat itself. Whatever happens, whoever comes, whatever comes back he will win and live with his family.

"And you're right" Inukimi laughed loudly later. Both of his eyes shone full of excitement staring at Sesshoumaru. "We don't need to investigate whatever happens, we just need to kill them if we dare to come."

....xoxOx....

"You want to keep the kid even if your life is the payoff, Rin?" akihiko's flat voice could be heard making the eyes of all those in the western land lord's bedroom dress stare at her.

"Exit the boy, Rin," Akihiko continued, not caring about everyone's views. "That's the best."

"Hey!!! Fucking wolf!! Pull back your words!!" inuyasha shouted furiously at Akihiko who was sitting not far from Rin.

Kiri and Kira who were beside Rin grinned furiously without saying anything, whereas to Kagome, Miroku and Sango, they were stunned and did not know what to do. However, not to kisaki the western land, the human woman laughed softly at hearing him.

Akihiko came to visit Rin today, and to be honest, it wasn't something strange anymore. How long has the wolf youkai been in the palace of the western lands as if this was his home, no one counted it anymore. He would appear in front of the kisaki of the western lands every day no matter who was beside him, no matter even if it was; Sesshoumaru, the ruler of the western lands.

Akihiko always appeared with toys, food, gems or anything as gifts and chatted and joked with the human woman. However, today is different, today is the day where Akihiko first brought up the existence of a child in Rin's womb.

"Rin will not abort Shura, Akihiko-sama," Rin smiled gently. Slowly, he who was sitting quietly moved his hand stroking his stomach affectionately. "Rin won't die. Neither Rin nor Shura would be anything."

Rin's words made everything in the room dress up silent. How many times have they heard the human woman say that sentence.

"You are either stupid or too brave to play with your life, Rin." Akihiko said. His voice was flat, and his pair of sky blue eyes looked straight at Rin who was smiling wider and wider.

"Not both," Rin's smile then turned back into a small laugh. "Rin never played with Rin's life nor Shura's life. Rin's body condition, Rinlah who knows best, Akihiko-sama."

Rin's slow smile and laughter made Akihiko speechless not knowing what else to say. Body condition? Couldn't this human woman see herself getting weaker by the day? What makes him survive like this?—that boy?

"You really want that kid, Rin?" ask Akihiko later.

Akihiko's question made Rin stunned, a moment later she returned laughing.

Wants the boy—wants Shura.

Akihiko's question really made her laugh. His flesh blood with the man he loved, how could Rin not want it? He had already fallen deeply in love with the child in his body on the first day he learned of his existence, and as the day passed, his deep love could only deepen.

Does anyone know how happy he is when he feels the movement or kick of the child in the womb? Does anyone know how warm her heart was as she gently stroked her big belly? Does anyone understand how happy he is when he sings a lullaby to his son? Like Sesshoumaru, Shura has become his world now.

"Shura is Rin's most precious treasure, Akihiko-sama," Rin smiled gently, her eyes returning to her belly, as well as the hand that caressed her affectionately. "Shura is a miracle in Rin's life."

"Miracle?" akihiko muttered and smiled cynically. "There's no point in that miracle if you die, Rin."

Rin shook her head and raised her head to look at Akihiko. The beautiful smile on her pale face widened. "You will understand the miracle of Rin's life one day, Akihiko-sama."

Akihiko snorted dislike of Rin's words, and it made Rin laugh again. "If you ever have children, then—you will understand Rin's feelings, Akihiko-sama."

What Rin said instantly made Akihiko stunned. Son?—if only, the child in Rin's stomach is his flesh and blood maybe he will try to understand Rin's feelings?—no! Even if the child in the human woman's womb was her flesh and blood, her way of thinking would still not change; she did not need a child that would cause the woman she loved to die.

"There is no need to care about him, Rin," interrupted Inuyasha who was silent from earlier hearing Rin and Akihiko's talk. "Don't waste your energy talking to him."

Inuyasha's golden eyes stared intently at Akihiko who didn't care about him. From long ago until now, he did not like the wolf youkai. Like Kouga—no! Even worse than Kouga, she is a youkai who still intends for a woman despite knowing she is married.

Rin once again laughs at Inuyasha and Akihiko's interaction. Raising his hands to his mouth, both eyes closed—he looks very happy.

Kagome, Miroku and Sango who were looking from beside Rin's happy laughter could only sigh and smile a little. However, behind their smiles, in their deepest hearts, they feel uncomfortable and also sad.

Yesterday, a letter from Kohaku arrived. Kohaku wrote clearly of an alliance of taijiya, miko, priests and monks who had arrived in the city of Ame. Soon, the great army will move into the western land palace with the aim of killing the western land kisaki and the child in its womb.

A war that was about to break out soon, until now, everyone knew. However, only Rin does not know. No one in the western palace dared to tell him.

What would Rin feel if the war had broken out? What would he do if the humans had really stood in front of the palace and unsheathed the sword to him? Kisaki land west is a human woman who has a warm heart, so no one would dare to imagine the guilt and sorrow in his heart if many died in the man-youkai war with him as the cause.

"Akihiko-sama." Tsubasa's quiet voice suddenly sounded and made everyone stare at the youkai bird who did not know since when it was behind Akihiko.

"Tsubasa-sama, good day." Sapa Rin was happy to see the concubine of the ruler of the southern land.

Rin's greeting smile made Tsubasa nod her head slowly full of politeness. "Good day, Rin-sama."

"Has all your needs while in the western land palace fulfilled Tsubasa-sama?" ask Rin again with a smile that widens. "Tell Rin if there's anything lacking."

Tsubasa shook her head and smilingly looked at Rin. "Thank you, Rin-sama. All the needs of the servants have been well supplied."

"Good then." Rin laughed happily. As long as he was in the southern land palace first, Tsubasa always took care and provided all his needs well, therefore, he wanted to repay the kindness of the bird youkai without the slightest lack.

Tsubasa said nothing more. Maintaining the smile on his face, he stared at the western earth kisaki as well as his large belly intently. His face was very pale, his voice was slow and weak, but his smile never changed. This human woman is still very charming.

Your love, Rin understands.

Rin's words first crossed Tsubasa's mind, and it made her want to laugh. Human woman who gets love from her beloved inuyoukai—feelings of unrequited love, how can she understand?

Kisaki western land that loved many people—everything, Tsubasa hated it very much. So, don't smile so charmingly at him, don't be nice to him—don't understand him.

"What are you doing here, Tsubasa?" ask Akihiko later. His two sky blue eyes looked at Tsubasa dislikefully. He dislikes the presence of his concubine near Rin, as he does not know fully what the bird youkai has in mind right now.

Akihiko's question made Tsubasa again set his sights on the ruler of the southern land. His face was flat without emotion, but both of his red eyes shone full of seriousness. "Hamba received a letter from the north, and they want you to go home."

"Hhhh!!" yell Inuyasha spirit. He stood looking at Akihiko full of laughter. "You hear?? You've been wanted by a fucking wolf!! Home to ruma—"

"Osuwari." cut Kagome who was beside Inuyasha slowly.

"Oahh!! Kagome!!" inuyasha shouted as gravity could not be seen pressing down on his body until it fell sprawled on the floor.

"Just ignore him," Kagome laughed as she wagged her hand seeing everyone staring at him. "Inuyasha was always like that."

Slowly, Akihiko turned her face back to look at Tsubasa. Her face remained emotionless flat, but, looking at the serious eyes of the concubine now, she knew something had happened. Although the relationship between them was different from what it used to be, Tsubasa was still one of his subordinates who could not possibly betray the south. "Is there a letter?"

"Humans are attacking the youkai village of the golden spider clan" Tsubasa replied softly. Stopped talking for a moment, with a flat face he resumed his unfinished speech. "And, Shui from the neutral appeared and drove away the humans."

....xoxOx....