Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapter 118's

"So?"

Inuyasha asked, Kagome, Sango and Miroku simultaneously stared straight at Kohaku who was sitting in front of them.

"The nobles and also the alliance of taijiya, miko, priests and monks have retreated back to the city of Ame," replied Kohaku who had just returned from the city of Ame gathering information. "And all the soldiers who joined also began to disperse. I don't think they're gonna attack again."

"Good then. At least the chaos this time we have passed," Miroku smiled as he sighed and scratched his non-itchy head. "When we actually do nothing."

"Sadly" Inuyasha's lips folded his hands on his chest and threw away his face. "If men still dare to come, then they are fools no longer helped."

Inuyasha's remarks made, Kagome, Miroku, Sango and Kohaku stunned. But, they knew what inuhanyou said was true. If humans still dared to come after passing the massacre that Sesshoumaru had committed, then that human was truly beyond help.

The sea of red blood, the corpses of the shattered humans were not recognized anymore, the cries and dikes of fear—hell in the world. It would all be a nightmare haunting the rest of their lives directly involved in the assault of the humans onto the western land palace.

"Kagome-san," called Kohaku then quietly. Both of his eyes looked at the future miko was full of worry. "How's Rin-chan doing?"

Kohaku's question made everyone in the room stare at Kagome without saying a word.

Sighing, Kagome answered the young taijiya question in front of her slowly. "So far, Rin-chan's health condition hasn't changed—she's still very weak"

"Does the use of seki meido affect his health this time?" miroku asked with concern.

"The effect of using the seki meido for Rin-chan this time, neither I, Inukimi-san and Jinenji could give an answer," Kagome explained and sighed once more. "We can only continue to observe and control his current state of health."

Kagome's answer left everything silent, and caught in each other's minds. They clearly knew the fact that Rin's heart could stop at any moment all of a sudden, and that was the most frightening thing for all.

"Actually," said Kohaku suddenly breaking the silence. "Now in the human world there are new rumors about Sesshoumaru-sama and Rin."

"Eh??" exclaim Inuyasha, Kagome, Sango and Miroku together. Their eyes were once again directed at Kohaku.

"I don't know what to say for the rumors this time," Kohaku continued, frowning. "This rumor is as strange as the first rumor."

Kohaku's explanation only makes Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku and Sango even more confused.

"Tell me," said Inuyasha annoyed. "Don't twist around."

"In the city of Ame, there are now new rumors saying that it was Sesshoumaru-sama who forced Rin to become Kisaki of the western lands and conceive her child."

"Eh???" exclaim Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku and Sango together once again with what Kohaku said.

Kohaku scratched his head forward. "Sesshoumaru-sama is already interested in the power of Rin who can bring to life those who died long ago. That's why, he kidnapped her from the human world as a child and locked her in the western land palace all this time."

"What is this story!!??" inuyasha shouted in frustration. He did not know what else to say for the ridiculous rumors that were blowing.

Inuyasha's reaction did not make Kohaku feel strange or surprised, because it was also his reaction when he first heard this rumir. Sighing, the young taijiya continued the rumors she heard. "When Rin was an adult, seeing her beauty, Sesshoumaru-sama was unable to stop her lust, the youth impregnated and forced the position of Kisaki land west on Rin even though Rin refused."

"So the point now," interrupted Sango who was silent from earlier. "Sesshoumaru-san is a criminal, and Rin-chan is a victim of kidnapping and coercion."

Kohaku nodded his head slowly with a mixed facial expression, between confused, funny and also concerned. He did not understand why the humans could assume this way now. "Then, in the man-youkai war, Rin appears and saves the humans who died at the hands of Sesshoumaru-sama is because despite having become a kisaki of the western lands, Rin has become a kisaki of the western lands, she remains siding with human—Rin is a kind and beautiful human princess who has a tragic fate because of youkai."

"Excellent," praised Miroku as he clapped. He shook his head with a look of a concerned smile on his face. "Who made this rumor—I really want to meet him."

Kagome silently remained silent and sighed not knowing how many more times and not knowing what to say. Kohaku is right, this rumor is as strange as the first rumor. Can't the humans of this human world accept the fact that Sesshoumaru and Rin's relationship is based on equal love?

"I guess," continued Miroku again with a sigh. "Sesshoumaru who slaughtered the humans and Rin who revived them had a surprising effect."

"I agree," Sango continued quietly. His facial expression was no different from the others. "I just hope, the humans won't think strange like saving Rin-chan and attacking the western land palace again."

Kagome, Miroku and Kohaku turned their faces to look at Sango upon hearing what he said. The concerned faces of the three of them did not change at all, because what taijiya said was true. A beautiful and kind woman who was kidnapped by youkai since childhood but still sided with humanity, how many people will think of being a hero to save her?

"You come to kill or save—it's all the same," Inuyasha said. His golden eyes were shining dislike. "If they really dare to come, it will eventually remain the same; die. Is Sesshoumaru going to just let them go?—and I'll make sure Rin doesn't turn them on again."

Kagome, Miroku, Sango and Kohaku did not know what to say to reply to Inuyasha's words, because what he said was reality; there was no second time anymore. If true humans dare to go back to attack the western lands, then there will be no more Rin who will revive them. The end is like a youkai-human war that humans waged a week ago will never be repeated again.

The humans attacked again.

Kagome can only shut me down thinking that. Attacking humans will probably be a problem again in front of him. But rather than future problems, in fact, in the heart, the future miko is even more afraid if something happens to Rin and Shura.

This Sesshoumaru swore, Rin. If anything happens to you and Shura, then this Sesshoumaru will destroy this world!! The humans you protect, this Sesshoumaru will slaughter them to nothing! This world will disappear with you when you disappear from this Sesshoumaru!!

Sesshoumaru's words, the vows he made as Rin consciously stirred in Kagome's mind, and she knew; the inuyoukai were really serious. If something happens to Rin and Shura, then the existence and life span of all that exists in this world will be in great danger.

Sesshoumaru's love for Rin and Shura, Kagome feels very extraordinary. However, at the same time also very—mengarik. Such love, the future man does not know what the future will look like, because, Rin is human, and we have a short life.

The fact that will not change, Sesshoumaru and Rin will never age with— someday in the future, Rin will disappear from the Sesshoumaru no matter what the inuyoukai do.

Shaking his head, Kagome then opened her eyes again and shook her head. What the hell is he thinking? The thing in the distant future is not well thought out too deeply, now, than to think of it, as one of the people responsible for Rin's health, he better think of a treatment. Because, he must not fail—he must not make Sesshoumaru's oath come true.

....xoxOx....

"We can't let things go on like this" said one youkai grasshopper. "The balance of the youkai and human worlds has begun to shake."

"The balance has been broken since Sesshoumaru, the ruler of the western lands, raised a human into his kisakinya, Ibe-san!!" shouted a squirrel youkai full of anger staring at the grasshopper youkai.

"Calm down, Koharu-san," said Hima a flower youkai with a flat voice looking at Koharu, the angry squirrel youkai. "I didn't invite you here to hear you vent your anger. I invite you because I want to ask your opinions and plans in the future."

"What Hima-san said is right, Koharu-san," continued Itsuki, a bee youkai sitting next to Hima. "There's no point in yelling to override your anger here right now."

Koharu closed her mouth and silently silent at Hima and Itsuki's words. Sighing, he stared at everything in the room. "Sorry," he said slowly. "I lost control, because Hiashi, the leader of the white rat youkai is my best friend.."

Hima, Itsuki, Ibe and some of the youkai who were inside understood the feelings of Koharu who was still grieving with the destruction of the white rat clan youkai, for it is no secret that the squirrel clan flew under his leadership and the white rat clan was close by.

"It's okay, Koharu-san," Hima replied softly. "We who are here know how you feel, because Hiashi-san is also our friend."

Today, within this room, several leaders of the youkai clan on neutral ground gathered, and their goal was none other than to determine the steps they would take in the future.

The humans who attacked and destroyed several youkai villages in every region of Japan were definitely not something they could ignore.

"Have you all heard of the end of the humans who attacked the western land palace?" tanya Hima started the conversation.

"We've all heard it" Ibe replied staring at Hima. "Sesshoumaru, the ruler of the western lands killed them, but his kisak revived the humans."

Everyone in the room fell silent to Hima's second question. They all dissolve in their minds until finally Koharu issued his opinion.

"Kisaki's decision on the west is reviving the humans it's—salah," Koharu said with an angry eye. "The western half should have let those humans die!!"

"Reliving the humans who want to kill him" Ibe continued in a quiet voice. "I don't know what's on the west's kisaki's mind."

"What is in the mind of the western land is not really important to us" said Itsuki Ibe. "The most important thing is, what if the humans decide to attack the youkai again? The humans cannot touch the land west, but not to the east, north and also kita—neutral."

The uproar ensued as soon as Itsuki finished his speech. Without saying, honestly all the youkai in the room also agree with the youkai bee. The humans if could not touch the western lands, they would definitely change the target of attacking the village outside the weak western power, and those weak youkai clans in neutral were his main target.

"We can't keep quiet anymore!" koharu said loudly. "We have to do something!"

The noise came to a standstill once Koharu heard what she said. Hima who was silent from earlier turned her eyes to look at the squirrel youkai. "What do you think we should do?"

"Repairing the broken balance." Koharu answered with confidence.

"You mean, Koharu-san.." Ibe said slowly, she knew what was in the squirrel youkai's mind, but she did not dare to bring it up.

"Why did the humans attack the village of the youkai? We all know the answer; kisaki is west ground," Koharu continued, ignoring Ibe. "Situation will definitely return to its original state if the position is no longer occupied by humans."

The uproar ensued, but, everything in the room strongly agreed with what Koharu said. If the position of the western land kisaki was not occupied by a human anymore, then the humans would have no reason to attack the youkai as before again.

"I agree with your words, the position of the youkai kisaki is not supposed to be occupied by humans. It destroys existing laws. But—" sidelines Itsuki staring at Koharu. His face was full of doubt. "Will Sesshoumaru the ruler of the western lands listen to us?"

Koharu was speechless a thousand languages hearing the question Itsuki asked her. Will Sesshoumaru the ruler of the western lands listen to them?—his answer of course; no.

Everyone in the room knew, Sesshoumaru would not care about them. The beginning of all this is the west, but, the great and powerful west will not care. In a world where the law of the jungle prevails, they might be laughed at by the west as; useless youkai who fear humans.

But—

How could they be silent if the safety of their clansmen were all questioned? They were all unwilling to end up like the white rat clan and the other clans that were destroyed without remaining in human hands.

"Alright," Hima who was silent listening to the conversation suddenly opened her mouth. He looked at everyone in the room quietly. "Do you agree with the decision to correct this broken balance?"

Everyone in the room looked at Hima in confusion. They remained silent, until Itsuki finally spoke again. "Do you have a plan, Hima-san."

"I don't have a plan" Hima held her head slowly. "But—if the decision of all of us who are in this room is the same—I will ask for help on Shui-sama, the honorable, the leader of all of us in neutral."

....xoxOx....

Inukimi opened the bedroom door of the ruler of the western land and walked slowly into it. He did not knock or say a word before entering it, as if the room he entered was his own room.

What Inukimi's golden eyes saw upon entering the room as usual was none other than the sight of Sesshoumaru keeping Rin yamg asleep.

Walking closer to his son and son-in-law, Inukimi paid no attention to Sesshoumaru. Sitting beside her son, she moved her hand examining Rin.

Sesshoumaru remained silent not saying anything seeing what Inukimi did. His two eyes were still focused on the peaceful sleeping human woman as if the inuyoukai that gave birth to her were not on the side.

Inukimi's eyes closed as she finished examining Rin's health. As in previous days, the health of this human woman showed absolutely no change, she was getting weaker and weaker. Medications, potions and all the ways have been done. But, everything does not show results.

Pulling back her hand, gracefully, Inukimi opened her eyes. Sitting quietly in silence, her golden eyes stared at Rin. His facial expression was flat, just like Sesshoumaru who was on the side.

No one said a word. Silence filled the mother-daughter inuyoukai ruler of the western lands, no other sounds were heard except Rin's regular slumbering breaths.

"Kenji sent a letter," Inukimi said, slowly breaking the silence. "He asked me to be careful on neutrals."

Sesshoumaru did not give any reaction to Inukimi's words. He remained silent staring at Rin.

"Shui will be on the move soon" Inukimi continued. His golden eyes were then directed at Sesshoumaru. "What are you going to do, Sesshoumaru?"

"The answer of Sesshoumaru remains the same," replied Sesshoumaru who had been silent suddenly without allowing a glance at Inukimi. "Whoever dares to come, the west will welcome him."

Inukimi smiled at Sesshoumaru's reply. Satisfaction filled his heart. Arrogant and trusting attitude of her son, she as a mother really likes it. Never be afraid and trepidation of what will be ahead like Inu No Taisho—a true youkai figure of the ruler of the western lands that everyone admires.

Neutral may come, Shui may plan, but—everything will never work. The blood of their inuyoukai family that flows will never be lost and destroyed. The greatness of the west will never fade all the time.

Looking back at Rin, Inukimi's smile grew wider. "The new rumors about you and little Rin are blowing again, what do you think?"

The new and strange rumors that were blowing about Sang Inu daiyoukai the ruler of the western lands and his human kisaki had been heard by Inukimi, and he was also sure, had been heard by Sesshoumaru himself.

Sesshoumaru did not answer Inukimi's question, and it made the smile on the face of the former ruler of the western lands turn into a small laugh.

New rumors are blowing, actually Sesshoumaru— quite like it. Because, humans no longer give condescending nicknames to Rin.

Rin may not care how humans view her, but Sesshoumaru cares. With him, how many sacrifices human women who always smile and laugh it—inuyoukai the ruler of the western land knew.

His good, innocent and so pure Rin should not be denigrated, insulted and reviled by anyone— therefore, how could he not like the new rumors blowing? Man has now admitted it, the fact that Rin is a beautiful and kind woman.

Then the rumor will be himself—Sesshoumaru does not care. He did not care about the views of the humans to him, he was a youkai ruler of the western lands who had long been known to be cruel and hateful to humans. Adding the word seoarang kidnapper and forcibly does not give any effect to him.

"Sesshoumaru," call Inukimi then. His golden eyes were still on Rin, but filled with seriousness. "Little Rin can't use meido anymore, no matter what happens."

Sesshoumaru still did not give any reaction to Inukimi's words. But, the former ruler of the western land knew, his son listened clearly to what he said.

"Until now, Rin-small will lose consciousness and her body is getting weaker," Inukimi continued with her flat voice. "If she's weakened again, I'm not sure she can survive the process of giving birth to your child later."

What Inukimi told Sesshoumaru was a reality that the inuyoukai should know. The former ruler of the western lands did not know what Shui's plans were going to be, but whatever it was, it definitely would not be good. Therefore, if that time comes, no matter what happens, they will have to face it and protect Rin completely.

Closing his eyes, Sesshoumaru knew what Inukimi meant.

This Sesshoumaru will always protect you.

His own words were echoed in the head of Sesshoumaru. His words, his vow that he will always guard and protect Rin and Shura, no matter what happens in the future—Sesshoumaru will not fail.

Opening his eyes, Sesshoumaru's two golden eyes shone brilliantly full of seriousness. "Sesshoumaru understood, mother."

....xoxOx....