Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapter 124

Shui stood looking at the youkai in front of him. Takeru from the northern lands and Asano and Akiko from the eastern lands had arrived at his residence, according to the invitation letter of the meeting he wrote.

On the left side of his sprawling residential garden, Takeru sat on the white snow full of laziness. Behind the ruler of the northern lands, his trusted subordinates also sat full of laziness.

Then on the right side, Asano and Akiko sat quietly. Behind the two of them as well, the subordinates of their trust from the eastern lands were sitting quietly.

The time he wrote in the letter was almost here. Looking back, Shui's eyes looked at the neutral ground youkai who were staring at him with a flickering smile.

"Shui-sama," call Hima slowly. He who was closest to Shui voiced what was in his mind along with his partner. "The meeting time is almost here. But—southern land is still not present..."

There was concern in the hearts of Hima and the neutral land youkai. What Shui will announce today as well as the steps to take—they clearly know. Therefore, they really hoped that the southern land that was also famous for being strong would be on their side.

"Quiet," Shui's smile calmed his subordinates. "Akihiko-san is already in—"

Shui's words were not resolved because suddenly the youkai who were there could feel a strong youkai aura approaching towards them.

Looking over the source of the aura, the eyes of all those below could see Akihiko, the ruler of the southern land flying down along with his concubine, Tsubasa as well as some of his trusted subordinates.

Akihiko and his entourage landed on the roof of Shui's residence. He did not say anything, sitting on the roof piled with snow white, his face expressionless.

Tsubasa as usual, stood beside Akihiko with her calm face, as well as the subordinates of the southern land lord who were behind them.

A smile filled Shui's pretty face as soon as he saw Akihiko's arrival. His eyes sparkled with joy, because now, the stage was perfect, and he was able to start today's show.

The neutral youkai cannot hide their joy at seeing the presence of the southern lands. The allies they had most hoped for had now arrived, smiles and laughter immediately filled their faces.

Nodding softly at the neutral ground youkai who immediately returned the nod, Shui then stepped forward. The white-eyed youkai walked slowly towards the middle of the park, where the eyes of all the youkai were directed at him.

"Thank you, all of you are ready to come to my humble abode," a calm Shui voice rang out filling the garden. A smile still filled his face. "I'm not going to waste any time, I'm going straight to the core of this meeting."

Shut up for a moment, Shui sighed. "I have visited the ruler of the western lands and also his kisakinya convey the desire of the youkai world of what happened. But—them; refuse. The western land is not willing to lower its human kisaki and withdraw the desire to inherit the western land to the children of hanyou who are still in the womb."

Except for the southern land troupe, a noise was heard from the northern land troupe and the timbut land. But, no one dared to ask Shui any more clearly.

"Sesshoumaru, the ruler of the western lands told me; come, the west will welcome you all" Shui continued in his still voice. "He is not willing to fulfill the wishes of the youkai world, and he is ready to draw a sword on anyone who dares to come.The western land has declared war on the youkai world."

The noise again filled the park. This Shui remark was already known to the rulers, but not to all their subordinates who were within the garden. Surprise and disbelief filled their faces.

"Western earth man's foot is not willing to go down; he says he is a human who has a very short age limit, he said, and also no one has ever protested when he has not been a kisaki but has done all the duties of kisaki land west—he has never interfered in the affairs of the youkai world."

What Shui said made all the noisy youkai speechless. Actually, what the western land said is true, everything that exists already knows—who does not know the history of the famous western land kisaki.

"We don't know ahead of him," Koharu, a squirrel youkai from neutral ground suddenly let out his voice breaking the silence that existed. He could see some youkai starting to get confused as well as hesitant, and he did not allow that to happen. "The greedy and greedy nature of man, we all know. That human woman has only become kisaki not long - what she will do in the future we do not know; we cannot trust the words of man!!"

What Koharu said gained the approval of many youkai. The commotion resumed, and the majority chose not to believe the western speech.

"Then, for the child in the womb," Shui again made a sound. His face remained calm with a smile on his face not caring about the commotion. "Kisaki lands west saying his son will not be a destroyer of the balance of the world, because—dia will give birth to a person; a true youkai child."

What Shui said made everything else stunned. Silence filled the park, they were all again surprised by what the neutral land leader said.

"Haha."

A voice of laughter suddenly sounded breaking the silence. Staring at the source of the voice, their gaze fell on the laughing figure of Akiko.

"Humans give birth to true youkai" Akiko said slowly trying to hold back the sound of laughter that continued to slide out of her mouth. "Western soil is really a shameless man—so he wants to defend his throne?"

The sound of laughter and what Akiko said instantly made everyone there laugh.

"Birth the true youkai?? Humans gave birth to true youkai???!!"

"The western half is truly a human being with a unique thought in the world."

"I think she's a very smart woman to talk to, therefore Sesshoumaru can be tricked!"

Shui kept smiling hearing what was said. He didn't move one bit.

"Alright—" said Akiko who could not hide her laughter and smile. Standing up, he stared at everything that was full of confidence. "If the kisaki of the western lands could really give birth to a true youkai child, then, we would all accept that child as the rightful heir of the western lands. What do you think??"

"Agreed!!"

"Yes, I agree!!"

"Really! If the child is a true inuyoukai, he is the next ruler of the western lands!!

The sound of laughter approvingly Akiko's speech filled the garden. But, in each of their utterances, insults sounded clear.

Shui raised his right hand slowly. Ask the youkai who make the noise calm. "Alright if that's your wish" he said with an understanding smile on his face. "But, what if the boy was—hanyou?"

"How else," Akiko replied with a smile on her face. "—mati. The weak Hanyou who will be the destroyer of the balance of the world cannot live in this world."

There was not much to say with Akiko's answer. But, their faces all agreed, there were even some neutral, eastern and northern land youkai who nodded their heads.

"I understand," Shui said again grabbing the attention of all there is. "That means, you here have made a decision about what we should do about the declaration of war on the western lands, right?"

Looking at Takeru who had been sitting quietly with laziness, Shui smiled. "What is the answer of the land of the north?"

Takeru smilingly smirked returning Shui's gaze. He who had been watching the show in front of him laughed. "North accepted the declaration of war of the west."

Nodding his head, Shui then looked at Asano who from earlier was also silently silent. "What about the east?"

Asano nodded his head slowly. "The balance of the youkai world must be maintained—the eastern lands receive the declaration of war of the western lands."

Shui once again nodded his head. Slowly, with a wider smile, he turned his face to Akihiko sitting on the roof of his residence. "What about the southern land?"

The views of all were fixed on Akihiko and his entourage who were on the roof. From the beginning of the meeting, only the southern land group remained silent quietly without making any sound.

Akihiko looked at Shui with her expressionless face. He who had seen and heard what had happened, was disgusted. Great theatrics from all sides, their decisions from the beginning are in place, why should I still ask?

"Me," Akihiko opened her mouth. The smiling face of a human woman filled his mind. "—wants kisaki the western land."

Akihiko's unexpected answer left all the youkai within the park stunned. With wide eyes, they stared in disbelief at the ruler of the southern land.

"I will accept the declaration of western lands. But instead, I want a kisaki of the west after this is all over."

Silence filled the garden again, no one dared to say a word. It is no secret that Akihiko, the ruler of the southern land, wanted the western land. What's more, everyone also knows all the southern land youkai have a debt of gratitude to the human woman—the woman who turned on all those who died in the south-west war last year.

"This.." murmured Shui softly. A small wrinkle filled her beautiful face.

"I don't care about the western lands, I don't care about Sesshoumaru, and also—" Akihiko continued quietly. Closing both eyes, the smiling face of the human woman in his mind turned into a cry of sadness. "The child in her stomach."

After everything became like this, Akihiko knew that the child in Rin's stomach could not be kept anymore. The end of the child; he would never live to breathe the air of this world—he was doomed to die before being born.

Rin who made a stupid decision, therefore, Akihiko inevitably also had to make his decision. He knew he would not be able to protect the human woman he loved as he wanted. But, to the end, he still wanted to protect her.

Although the human woman will never smile again as she should, even though the human woman's life will be no different from the dead—Akihiko will still protect her. Life is better than death; he won't let Rin get hurt again after this is all over.

Opening her eyes, Akihiko looked straight at Shui. "That's the south's answer."

"Akihiko-san, your answer is this." said Shui slowly. Confusion filled his face as if he did not know how to reply. Yet. Deep down, he laughed, because the wolf youkai had agreed to what he offered—Rin.

Looking at Takeru and Asano, Shui looked at them as if seeking help.

Takeru who saw Shui's eyes couldn't hide his laughter. She did not think she turned out to have any more roles in this play. "I don't mind that," he said loudly. "But despite having that human woman. The land of the south can not lift him into a kisaki," smiling grinning, he looked at Akihiko. "—he can only be your satisfied in bed, Akihiko."

Akihiko's eyes sharpened staring at Takeru hearing what was said. Anger filled his heart hearing Rin being humiliated like that.

"I'm as thoughtful as Takeru-san," Asano interrupted, he didn't care about Akiko's disapproving views beside him. She knew, her only daughter was very much expecting the death of a western land kisaki. But, they could not have advanced without the southern lands. "Southern land may have kisaki western land, but, he must not be kisaki anymore. If not, our meeting is in vain."

Both Takeru and Asano had agreed to what Akihiko wanted, therefore, no one dared to resist the wishes of the ruler of the land south of—including neutral land.

Nodding head. Shui then turned his face back to look at Akihiko. A wide smile filled his face, while his two white eyes gleamed with joy. "Alright Akihiko-san," he said slowly. "You can have the kisaki of the west."

Akihiko sat still not saying a word. Her face was expressionless, but in her heart she knew—there was no turning back.

Tsubasa who was standing next to Akihiko also did not say anything. From the beginning until now, he did not show the slightest change in expression. Slowly, he then closed his eyes and smiled slightly. This kind of result, he had expected it. But—hatinya still feels amazingly sick.

....xoxOx....

Midwinter, one month ahead, they would all come to the western land palace. There was not the slightest bit of worry and agitation felt by Sesshoumaru.

"When will they come?" inuyasha asked in front of Sesshoumaru. His eyes looked at the letter in his brother's hand.

Putting the letter in his hand onto the table, Sesshoumaru replied slowly. "One more month."

"Ohh, it's still a long time," Inuyasha nodded his head while folding both hands on his chest. "I thought they were coming next week."

Sesshoumaru got up to his feet, with his facial expression unchanged. "When they'll come, this Sesshoumaru doesn't care."

"Sesshoumaru," Inuyasha called later, his eyes looking straight and serious at his half-brother. "In the war ahead, I want you to commemorate Rin."

Sesshoumaru returned Inuyasha's gaze, but he remained silent with an expressionless face.

"I mean," Inuyasha explained as he scratched his head which was not itchy at all. "Open him not to use meido no matter what. In two wars, both of them he used that damn power, this time if it wasn't commemorated, he would definitely be the same again."

"Rin won't use that power again." Reply Sesshoumaru flatly, not caring about Inuyasha, he walked out of his study. "Never again forever."

"Good then." Scratching his head, Inuyasha did not say anything more. Stepping forward, he walked following Sesshoumaru from behind.

The two brothers walked towards the northern pavilion of the western land palace. The bedrooms of Sesshoumaru and Rin in the eastern pavilion that was shattered apart due to the fight of Sesshoumaru and Akihiko a few days ago are still under repair, therefore, for a while Rin stayed in the north pavilion of the palace.

Neither Sesshoumaru nor Inuyasha said a word on their way, until Kagome's voice suddenly sounded. "Inuyasha! Brother!"

Looking at her face at the source of the voice, as usual, Inuyasha saw Kagome running up to them firmly containing a medicinal herb for Rin.

"The two of you head for Rin's room, right?" kagome asked with a big smile on her face. "I'm coming along."

"Don't run, you fool!" inuyasha shouted running towards Kagome. "The medicinal ingredients in your hands will spill!!"

Kagome sneered not liking to hear Inuyasha's words. But, he didn't say anything. Silently silent with a vexed look, he let the inuanyou take over the well-established medicinal herb in his hands.

Sesshoumaru paid no heed to Inuyasha and Kagome, without even allowing a single glance, he stepped back. Heeding his ears, he could feel the future innuanyou and miko behind following him with a loud voice and shout; arguing over something useless.

Arriving in front of Rin's room, Kiri and Kira who were guarding the door bowed respectfully and opened the closed shoji door.

Entering the room quietly and carefully, Sesshoumaru's golden eyes found Rin sleeping very quietly and peacefully on the futon.

Inuyasha and Kagome who were behind Sesshoumaru did not argue anymore once the door of the room opened. The two noisiest creatures to the ruler of the western land have now returned silent.

Approaching and sitting beside Rin, Sesshoumaru's golden eyes stared gently at Rin—'s pale face and large bellytwo priceless existences in his life.

Kagome also sat down next to Rin after taking the medicinal herbs from Inuyasha's hands. With a smile on his face, he saw the expression on Sesshoumaru's face. Sesshoumaru was extremely handsome, and seeing the gentle look in his golden eyes, the miko of the future felt, his good looks multiplied by many times.

Rin really is a very lucky woman in the world— because she is loved by Sesshoumaru so amazingly. Deminya and their child, inuyoukai that dare to face the world without fear in the slightest—love like that is the love that all women in the world dream of.

Kagome thought, are all inuyoukai like this? Isn't it for her mother-in-law, Izayoi and Inuyasha, her father-in-law Inu No Taisho also did the same thing?—love is so deep that even her life is not cared. The future Miko inevitably thought, if she and Shirolah were in Rin and Shura's position, would Inuyasha also do the same?

Not caring for Kagome's eyes, Sesshoumaru raised his right hand to gently stroke Rin's cheek. "Rin, wake. Time to take your medicine."

Slowly, Rin's closed eyes opened. Her unfocused clear brown eyes became focused, and as she looked at Sesshoumaru's face, a smile as beautiful as spring filled her face. "Sesshoumaru-sama.."

Rin's beautiful smile and slow voice like the clink of a bell calling out his name made Sesshoumaru close his eyes. Bending her body, she gently kissed her newly awakened kisak forehead.

Kagome's face flushed red looking at Sesshoumaru and Rin's interaction. Wasting his face, he grumbled inwardly, the inuyoukai seemed to have completely forgotten about him who was at the side. If Rin had been around, there would have been no one else in those brilliant golden eyes.

Inuyasha who was at the back also threw his face away seeing what happened. Although strange, he was already used to Sesshoumaru's attitude.

As Sesshoumaru distanced his face, he immediately moved to help Rin sit down. Still unconcerned about Kagome, she immediately took out a bowl containing medicinal herbs for her kisak.

Rin, who is aware of Kagome and Inuyasha, smiles at the two of them. Not saying anything, he obediently drank his medicinal herbs.

As usual, after Rin finished finishing her medicinal herbs, Sesshoumaru moved his hand again to gently wipe the remaining medicine on the tip of Rin's lips.

Smiling, Rin looked at the gentle Sesshoumaru. Her weak and pale face did not detract from her beauty at all. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama."

"Sister," called out to Kagome who had not cared about Sesshoumaru. He smiled broadly at the inuyoukai, but anyone who saw the smile would immediately know that it was a smile of coercion. "Can you let me check Rin-chan's pulse?"

"Ah," Rin exclaimed with a laugh and thrust his right hand at Kagome. "Please, Kagome-sama."

The wide, forced smile on Kagome's face turned into laughter. Looking at Rin in the face, Kagome directly touched the human woman's hand examining her pulse.

"Hmnn," muttered Kagome softly. He let go of Rin's hand and smiled gently. "Your situation is pretty good, Rin-chan. But, you still can't die on the bed."

Rin smiled and nodded his head slowly full of obedience. "good. Rin understood. Thank you, Kagome-sama."

Moving both hands, Rin gently stroked her big belly while closing her eyes.

The winter daylight that entered through the window fell on Rin. The sky-white hair was without stars, skin as white as snow and with a gentle smile on her beautiful face that was so mesmerizing. Then, the gently loving elusan of her hand there is a child in the womb—women who are future mothers look so beautiful.

Kagome knew what Rin was doing now—the human woman was doing; praying.

Since the arrival of Shui, Rin has a new habit, namely; praying. Pray to us-sama for his son, Shura. His son's prayer was born a true youkai, not a hanyou. A prayer that—mustahil.

The union of youkai and humans is hanyou, it is the law of nature—a reality that will never change for good. Therefore, everyone knows, Rin's prayer is a vain prayer. However, for a mother-to-be who prays so sincerely no matter what for her child, who would dare to say it all?—they can only give up letting the human woman continue to pray.

Finished praying, Rin's closed eyes opened again. Staring at Sesshoumaru, he smiled even wider. "Your job is done, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

Sesshoumaru nodded his head answering Rin's question. As usual, both of his eyes were looking gently at the woman with an expressionless face.

"Rin-chan," call Kagome cheerful. He felt he had to open up a new topic of conversation, otherwise silence would definitely fill the room. To this day, the future miko doesn't understand how Sesshoumaru and Rin can sit quietly silent for hours, but has a relationship that can envy anyone who sees it. "Why do you think Shura will look like a big brother?"

Kagome's question was one she asked when Rin said that Shura would be born to resemble Sesshoumaru upon Shui's arrival.

Rin smiled. "Wouldn't boys look like their fathers. Shiro is very similar to Inuyasha-sama, as well as Mamoru which is similar to Miroku-sama—ah, yes. Have they reached the human village?"

"Miroku and Sango are already on their way back to the western land palace," Kagome replied with a smile. "They've arrived at Kaeda's grandmother's house. You take it easy."

Rin sighed and nodded his head hearing the answer Kagome gave him.

Shiro, Aya, Maya and Mamoru were not in the western land palace anymore now. Uncertain circumstances with a great war in sight make Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku and Sango decide to evacuate the children to the human village under the supervision of Kaeda.

Rin recalled Shiro and Mamoru's cries of unwillingness to leave the western land palace when Miroku and Sango would escort them. The two little boys, hugging his hands tightly did not want to come off until Sesshoumaru finally appeared.

The frightened expressions of the two boys as Sesshoumaru's golden eyes stared intently at them, were truly unforgettable for Rin. It seemed, the little boy had always been afraid of the ruler of the western land. Aya and Maya are also clearly seen afraid of him—only he was as a child who never feared the inuyoukai despite being stared at sharply.

"Better your son is similar to you, Rin," interrupted Inuyasha who was silent from earlier. His words immediately returned the topic of their previous conversation. "Don't create a second Sesshoumaru in this world."

"Osuwari," said Kagome and left Inuyasha lying on the floor. "Don't haphazardly Inuyasha. What's wrong if Shura looks like Big Brother?"

"Kagome!!!" inuyasha yelled annoyedly trying to resist the pressure that kept pressing him down.

"I wish my granddaughter was similar to Rin-small," Inukimi's voice suddenly sounded. Simultaneously, the door of the room opened, and the former lord of the western lands walked in with a laugh. "If it looked like Sesshoumaru, he wouldn't have any sweetness."

"Mother." call Rin while smiling at Inukimi who walks over to him.

Sitting down, Inukimi gently stroked Rin's large belly. A smile filled his face. "He may be strong like his father, but he must not inherit his cold, uncaring and arrogant vices."

Sesshoumaru still did not react in the slightest with Inukimi's words as if he did not hear them.

"Some understand what I mean!!" sela Inuyasha while laughing happily triumphantly. "You're absolutely right, Inukimi-san!!"

Kagome inevitably ended up laughing, she understood the meaning of Inukimi's words. Shura if it looks like Sesshoumaru will definitely be difficult to handle later. But, imagining the look of Shura later, a child with a face and nature similar to Sesshoumaru, then equipped with the ears of dogs such as Inuyasha and Shiro—anak will certainly be very adorable.

Rin who saw Inuyasha's laughter, Kagome and Inukimi turned to look at Sesshoumaru. A smile filled her pretty face looking at that inuyoukai that still looked not a bit concerned with the conversation.

Their conversation now completely cornered Sesshoumaru. Shura who is similar to Sesshoumaru entirely to Rin is actually no problem, even better. Because as he had once thought, Sesshoumaru was a beautiful—beauty that only one could see. Ya—Shura will be similar to Sesshoumaru in the future. Their beloved and most precious son in their existence.

Slowly, the smile on Rin's face turned into a loose laugh. A happy and warm feeling filled the entire recesses of his heart. Moving his right hand, he clasped Sesshoumaru's hand and closed his eyes.

A day of peace, interesting talk, the sound of laughter echoing filled the room, as well as a precious family by the side, for Rin—ini is one of the joys she has always hoped for everlasting.

....xoxOx....