Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapter 147's

Rin opened her eyes. Pain and pain that pierced the bone felt. However, he immediately ignored her. Although it was difficult at first, but, after a long time, he had gotten used to this pain.

"Aaaa.." a slow voice that sounded from beside him made a smile fill the pale pretty face of Rin. A small voice that is a miracle in his existence—Shura, his beloved son.

Looking to the side, his brown eyes found a figure from Shura who was in the sling of his father, Sessoumaru, the ruler of the western land. "Sesshoumaru-sama." call Rin softly with a faint smile on the face.

Sesshoumaru did not return Rin's greeting. Lifting Shura's small body and putting it next to the human woman, reflexively without being taught again, the little inuyoukai opened both of her hands hugging her mother's neck. Laughing so happily, he put his face on the neck chirp to breathe the smell he so loved.

Rin laughed with Shura's attitude. Tilting her face, she placed her right cheek on her son's head. "What's the matter, my son from the west?—why do you look so happy today?"

Sesshoumaru who saw Rin and Shura's interaction raised his right hand and gently stroked his son's back. His gentle golden eyes were glimpsed at the laughter of his wife and son. Inuyoukai have always loved this view—laugh at those he loved.

"Ri."

The voice of someone who was flat yet strong calling his name sounded and surprised Rin. As soon as the kisaki of the western lands came to their senses, there was someone else in this room besides them, namely; akihiko, the ruler of the southern lands.

"A-akihiko-sama?" call Rin stammering. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at the wolf youkai not far behind Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru slowly moved. Raising the bodies of his wife and child, he then sat behind Rin. Leaning her small, powerless body against her chest, she placed Shura on top of the human woman's belly. Then, slowly, he raised two small hands that could no longer move around their son's body in a warm embrace.

Shura who was originally separated from Rin incubated and thrashed dislike. However, as he felt the hands of his parents embracing him, smiles and laughter again filled his face. Being in the arms of her mother and father is always and forever the safest and most comfortable place in her life.

Akihiko said nothing, his sky blue eyes staring at every move of Sesshoumaru, and without explaining he could tell Rin's condition was now in front of him. From the news outside, everything said that the human woman was sick, dying, and it turned out to be true.

Not long after seeing her, Rin takes care of a lot. His face was pale without blood, his voice also sounded very soft and powerless. From the movement of Sesshoumaru who moved his hand earlier, Akihiko knew, those two small hands could not move. Then, most importantly, the two thumping sounds of the tiny body beating unequally—sang the ruler of the southern land really did not know what happened to the western land kisaki anymore.

"Akihiko-sama, why are you here?" ask Rin slowly. A smile then filled his face.

"I came to see you." Akihiko answered and smiled. Still staring at Rin, he asked again. "You okay?"

Rin laughed at Akihiko's question. "Rin is okay. Thank you for asking, Akihiko-sama."

Akihiko simply nodded his head hearing Rin's reply. A smile was still on her face, but in her heart, she just thought how this human woman could still lie like this?—she was too far from the word; it was okay.

"You know Rin" Akihiko said. Both of her sky blue eyes were still staring at Rin who was still smiling. "Some of you came and brought me information about the whereabouts of fushi no kursi when you fell asleep earlier."

"Eh??" surprised, Rin immediately turned her face back to look at Sesshoumaru. "S-sesshoumaru-sama, is that true?"

Sesshoumaru nodded his head slowly confirming Akihiko's words. Both of his eyes could clearly see the rays of excitement as well as the smile that slowly filled Rin's face.

"W-who? Who's the informant?" ask Rin again. The smile on his face widened like a blooming spring flower.

"The informant is Akiko from the east." Akihiko's soft and flat voice rang out again answering Rin's question.

Akihiko's answer left Rin stunned. Staring at the ruler of the southern land back, he did not know what kind of response to give.

Akiko from the east.

Rin knew the fox youkai, the only daughter of Asano, the ruler of the eastern lands, hime of the eastern lands. Who knows where fushi no kusuri is?

"And you know what he wants in exchange for information about the existence of fushi no kusur, Rin?" akihiko asked, her sky blue eyes looking straight at Rin seeing the reaction the human woman would give when she learned of Akiko's wish. "—he wants your position as a western land kidaki."

What Akihiko said again made Rin stunned. Looking at Sesshoumaru again, he looked for justification, however, when he saw the inuyoukai nodding his head again, he did not know what to say.

"What's your answer, Rin?" ask Akihiko again. "Will you step down from your position as a kisaki of the west?"

Question after question made Rin even more confused. He can't answer. "R-rinu... Ri—"

"Shoppers!!!!!" the loud voice of Inuyasha's angry cry sounded along with the shoji door opening.

Running in towards Akihiko, Inuyasha raised with his right hand, while his left hand was raised to hit the ruler of this southern land. "This is how you ask, damn it?! Who do you think you are???"

"Inuyasha, osoufari!!!" kagome's shout sounded powerful, before Inuyasha actually managed to hit Akihiko.

Falling down due to the apparent gravity, Inuyasha shouted furiously and looked at Kagome. "Kagome!!!!!!!!"

Staring at the open shoji door, Rin sees Kagome, Miroku, Sango and Kohaku walking in. Their faces were calm, yet their eyes were unable to hide the anger in their hearts.

Kagome who did not care about Inuyasha's cry could only sigh, she did not know that she had to blame Akihiko who explained this situation and conditions so clearly to Rin and Sesshoumaru who remained silent. Frankly it was better, but, could they not do it in a softer way?

"Gerrr..Gr..." The sound of a growl full of anger was heard slowly, and made Rin immediately turn her gaze to Shura who was in her arms.

The small face of the western land heir now grinned furiously. His two golden eyes turned blood red, clearly he did not like the presence of those who disturbed his time with his parents.

"Shura.." call Rin slowly. Sesshoumaru who was behind her immediately moved Rin's right hand caressing their son's head gently to calm down.

Hearing the voice and feeling Rin's touch, Shura stopped growling. His blood-red eyes turned golden again, but still aimed at those in the room did not like it.

Shura's attitude made the confused Rin realize. The development of the shocking circumstances as well as the sudden question had never been suspected, but if that was the case, he would just have to answer?

Smiling a little, Rin then looked up his head looking at Sesshoumaru. "Sesshoumaru-sama, what is your answer? What should Rin do?"

Rin's question immediately made everything in the room stare at Sesshoumaru. However, as usual, the inuyoukai did not show the slightest reaction.

"The western half is you, my daughter," Inukimi's voice suddenly interrupts Rin's question. Walking in through the door that was still open, the former ruler of the western land looked at Rin who was now staring at him. "The decision is in your hands, not in Sesshoumaru."

Smiling and approaching Rin, Inukimi then sits right in front of him. "You have a week to answer, little Rin."

"Mother.." call Rin again to feel Inukimi's gentle touch. But the confusion in his heart grew, he really did not understand the intention of the former ruler of the western land.

"You are a kisaki, my daughter," Inukimi continued. His golden eyes stared affectionately at Rin. "If the position was originally given by Sesshoumaru, but in the end, you became the most honorable figure in the hearts of all those in the land west—kisaki the real west. Therefore, these answers and decisions are with you. We women are not toys or men's chess. They have no right to ascend and lower our positions as they please."

Silent and also stunned, Rin looked at Inukimi without a blink.

"Mother doesn't want any regrets in your heart for anything that happens in the future. Down or not, happy or not, alive or dead—the course of your life is your choice, not someone else's, including—Sesshoumaru."

Kisaki the west.

If left unchecked, Rin will definitely ask Sesshoumaru, and Sesshoumaru will also definitely choose Rin to step down from his position as a western and living land kisaki. But, asking a woman to step down from her rightful position and give it to another woman? See another woman standing next to her husband in front of everyone? How does Rin feel about the next one?

Actually, without asking, Inukimi also already knows the answer, namely; Rin will definitely go down. However, if it is true that Rin is going down, he wants it purely there is Rin's desire. So that in the future, there will be no one who will demean Rin and say Sesshoumaru prefers youkai rather than her man— prefers other women over her.

The innocent Rin, the never greedy Rin—his so pure daughter is spotless in this damn world. If her daughter really can't be a westerner in the future, then she'll make sure everything in the world knows that she remains the most honorable woman in the western lands. Everyone would only know, he was the one who threw away the position, not Sesshoumaru who put it down.

"true." The silent Sango suddenly opened her mouth. Approaching Rin, he also sat down looking down at the stunned human woman. "The choice in your hand, Rin-chan. You're the one who chose."

Sango knew, what was asked of Rin in exchange for information about the existence of fushi no kusurah was something very outrageous. As a woman and as a wife, how could she see Rin being treated like that?

Choosing the answer for yourself is painful for Rin, but if you let Sesshoumaru choose—isn't it more painful for Rin? Inukimi was right, although Sesshoumaru was the husband, the one who revived and saw him grow up, Rin was still a woman who had feelings, and was not a toy, tool or item. Rin's life, his life—he's the one who decides.

Sango knew, if an answer had been obtained, things would have changed completely. As for what Rin and Sesshoumaru's relationship will look like in the future, no one can predict it again—but at least, Rin will never regret it because that future is his own choice.

Kagome who saw and heard Inukimi and Sango's words was stunned. But, a second later, he also moved and sat down next to Rin. Grasping the human woman's right hand paid no attention to Shura's protesting that she objected because her birth mother was touched by someone else, the future miko smiled at Rin who was looking at her confusedly.

Kagome knew, the human woman in front of her was confused right now. His weak physical condition, shocking state development and unreasonable questions—Rin could not see clearly what the consequences were with the choice he had to choose. But as a woman, and also for those who are mother and sister to Rin, they have the right to explain the conditions and consequences, right?

"Rin-chan," call Kagome slowly. The smile on his face disappeared replaced with seriousness, and his hand grip on Rin's hand strengthened. "You should know, if you go down and Akiko goes up, you won't be the only woman next to Big Brother anymore. In the future, you should share your husband with another woman."

Kagome's words stunned Rin. Both of his brown eyes were wide-eyed looking at the future miko in disbelief.

"Yet, your life is your substitute, Rin-chan," Kagome continued. He tried hard to resist the raging feeling in his heart. Truly, this world had truly never been fair to the human woman who was in front of him just now. "You're with Brother and Shura forever."

Rin is again stunned by Kagome's explanation. But, he still did not find a voice to reply to her words.

"Rin-chan," continued Kagome calmly. "You don't have to rush to answer. You still have time to think and find answers."

"Kagome-sama.." call Rin then. Both of his eyes stared fixedly at the future miko who smiled gently at him.

"You may consult with Brother, for this is your relationship. But, the final decision and answer remain with you," raising his left hand, Kagome gently ruffled Rin's head affectionately. "We women are strong. Although our bodies are smaller and weaker than men, we are not under men. We have the right to stand equal with them and make decisions in our own lives."

"Kagome is right, Rin-chan," Sango added. He also smiled and raised his hand to caress Rin's head. "You're on par with Sesshoumaru. We women are not under anyone."

Slowly, Inukimi's right hand moved as well. Touching Rin's cheek gently, she caressed him affectionately. His golden eyes softened, a smile filled his face. "Whatever your answer may be, forever you must remember, we are always on your side."

Rin nodded his head. Mind raging. But, the words of Kagome, Sango and Inukimi also awakened and calmed him. The consequences of the answer he would give were extraordinary. However, even though the choice was painful, he was not alone. Then, most importantly for the future that exists, his togetherness with Sesshoumaru and Shura is to himthe answer that exists; he is the one who decides.

Inuyasha and Kohaku who saw the women in front of them did not move. Standing in silence she did not understand the circumstances that were happening in front of her, nor did Akihiko.

Akihiko actually knew and realized, the question he kept asking Rin just now was not true. But he couldn't stop himself. He wants to get answers from Rin without Sesshoumaru's interference, and if Sesshoumaru can't keep Rin happy, then, he'll never let Rin be on western soil again.

"Women are indeed powerful creatures" said Miroku who from earlier was silent suddenly. He smiled looking at the women in front of him. "They're emotional, but that doesn't mean they're irrational. Therefore, they are the ones who can see things as clearly as they are now."

Akiko's desire to be a western land man is like a bomb to all of them. They were all confused and could not determine the answer, because everything felt; wrong. But, in the end, they realized now that the answer was indeed not on them. Not even Sesshoumaru. Inukimi, Kagome and Sango were right, at the beginning to the end the answer was on Rin—because this was his life.

Sesshoumaru remained silent not saying anything. Seeing Kagome, Inukimi and Sango who were there for Rin, he still did not show the slightest expression on his face. But, inwardly, she felt quite a happy—. Wh why? because the three of them really loved Rin with all their heart. In circumstances that change every day, Rin is never alone, there are many people who will always be there for the human woman at all times, like her.

The three of them were not wrong. The answer is Rin and the one who will decide is Rin, not her. Only, Sesshoumaru already had the best answers, choices and solutions available.

....xoxOx....

On top of the roof of the western land lord's bedroom, a female youkai sat in silence alone. Her red eyes stared at the winter before her, and her beautiful face was flat expressionless—Tsubasa, the concubine of Akihiko the ruler of the southern lands.

Talking inside the room, Tsubasa could hear everything clearly. Down or not, the answer that there—dia was really curious about the answer kisaki western land. However, from it all, he also thought in his own heart—does he also have an answer for himself as does the western land kisaki?

Down or not—it is a question for the kisaki west land. But in Tsubasa's life, the question is; go or stay?

Inukimi and future miko say women are not toys, tools or things for men, and taijiya says that women are not under anyone. Did ya? Is it so with him?—Tsubasa really wants to ask anyone but can't.

From a little bird to a youkai. From a nameless little youkai to a concubine of the southern land lord—Tsubasa has always lived under those who are stronger, especially under the man she loves; akihiko. Wh why? for his life is the gift of Akihiko who is his master and; his world.

Tsubasa always puts Akihiko above everything else. Although sometimes he rebelled, but in the end, he could not let you like the wolf that remained the number one in its existence. Although her sacrifice was not appreciated, even though her love was stepped on, even though she meant nothing in that pair of sky blue eyes—she still could not leave Akihiko.

His love for Akihiko that has lasted hundreds of years has become a necessity— becomes an obligation. Although painful and torturous, Tsubasa could do nothing. Love like this, right or wrong?

Your love, Rin understands.

What the western earth kisaki said to him used to be stirred in the head. Does the human woman really understand? If the human woman can really find the answer, does it mean that she can also find the answer?—ah, the human woman can certainly, because there are so many people who are always on her side. But for her, who will be there for her?—she is always alone.

....xoxOx....