Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapter 157's

Sesshoumaru raised his head to look at the sky outside his bedroom window and Rin. The keen sense of smell of his youkai can clearly smell the smell of spring in the air— spring is in sight.

Sitting on a futon with Rin lying weak and breathing irregularly in his arms, the immobile Sesshoumaru then lowered his gaze. His face was flat expressionlessly staring at the human woman whose eyes were wide open full of tears, but empty. His ears could not catch even the slightest sound from his mouth that kept opening, although he also knew what was being muttered.

Moving her right hand, she stroked gently and wiped away the sweat that soaked Rin. Like ice, his hands could clearly feel the coldness of the tiny shivering body.

How many days have passed? How weeks? Sesshoumaru did not count it anymore - he had forgotten. All he remembers is the endless death of faithfully searching for Rin every day. Sometimes once a day, twice and sometimes even three times a day.

The excruciating pain when death came, Sesshoumaru had felt it once, therefore, Sesshoumaru had felt it once, he really does not understand how Rin can still smile at him every time he wins and is aware of what he is going through. The power hidden within that tiny body, Rin is the strongest creature Sesshoumaru has ever seen.

Rin who experienced everything and could still smile, Sesshoumaru had no idea what the human woman would think if she found out she had discovered this secret.

To this day, whenever the death comes, Rin always asks Sesshoumaru out to leave himself, and the inuyoukai always does. Merely, the human woman never knew, a while after coming out, she would re-enter. He would sit still, hugging her until death was gone.

Seeing the people you love suffer every day. But, as the days have passed, you can do nothing and can only; see. What will you feel? What are you gonna think? The miracle you hoped would not come, and all despair grew until it ate you alive. Life like that—is it life again?

If you really love her, then let her go...

Closing his eyes, Sesshoumaru bowed his body and gently kissed Rin's forehead. He knew, everything came from him—the decision was in his hands, and although unwilling, in the end, fate would still force him to make the best decision there was.

....xoxOx....

"Where is the little guy?" inuyasha asked while looking at Rin's left-right and not finding Shura who used to always be next to her mother did not miss.

"Shura is with Sesshoumaru-sama" replied Rin who was lying on top of a weak futon. But a smile spread across his face. "He would have been happy to know his uncle asked for his whereabouts."

"Ahh," tepis Inuyasha for a moment and throw away his face. "He'd be happier if he didn't see me, Rin. He and I are not familiar."

"But deep down, you really care about your only nephew." Kagome's laughter saw Inuyasha's indifferent reaction.

"Shiro wants to get along with Shura," Shiro cut off who was sitting at Kagome's feet suddenly while smilingly staring at Rin. "Shiro wants to get Shura to play ball with Mamoru."

"You play with him, Mamoru won't." Sela Mamoru who sat at Miroku's feet.

"Truly the son of Miroku," Shippo said with admiration at Mamoru. "Until this second, she still can't accept that Rin-chan's son is a man."

"It's okay, later we play with Shura alone, Shiro," Aya who was beside Miroku and Mamoru laughed. "We don't have to take Mamoru."

"That's right!!" agreed Maya quickly while laughing as well. "Who do you think you are, Mamoru? We can play together without you."

The face of the ketus Mamoru instantly changed. Angry and then crying. "Dad!! Brother Aya and sister Maya are evil!!!"

"Already," comforted Miroku softly while nurturing his son's back slowly. He was so used to all this. "You can play together later."

Sango who was beside Miroku

staring intently at her two twin daughters whom she knew again teased their sister.

"True men don't cry easily." Entertain Kohaku to see his nephew. He who was also very accustomed to the attitude of his nephew did not feel strange anymore to see this all.

"You're all here apparently." Inukimi's voice suddenly sounded along with the room's shoji door opening.

Staring at the open door, everyone in the room could see Kiri and Kira guarding the door saluting Inukimi who walked in with Kenji following her behind.

"Today, this room is crowded," Kenji laughed happily as he rubbed his beard. "Why don't you call me?"

"Why should I call you??" reply Inuyasha while throwing his face away. "You'll only make a fuss if there is one."

Laughing louder, Kenji immediately walked over and sat down beside Inuyasha. Raising his right hand, he patted hard on the back of the inuanyou. "The more the better, and also, respect the older me, Inuyasha."

"It hurts!! Fuck you!!!" shouted Inuyasha angrily staring at Kenji who he thought was shameless.

Inukimi did not puduli the commotion, she approached Rin and sat down beside him. Smiling softly, his eyes looked at his dear human son-in-law. "Little Rin, how are you today?"

Rin smiled and then turned into a soft laugh. "Rin's fine, Mother. Rin felt so much better today."

Rin's words were replied with a smile that did not disappear on Inukimi's face. However, everyone in the room fell silent and looked at the human woman lying on top of the futon.

Was fine.

Sentences are like mantras that Rin never stops saying to people around him. But no one ever believed. Spring is in sight, winter is about to pass, and Rin's situation is only getting worse; beware.

Rin is too skinny. His breathing was long and short, his face was deathly pale and every day he could only lie weakly motionless. Anyone who sees will know how dying the smiling woman is. Life but not life.

"Open the door, I'll drop off the medicine for Rin!!" The loud screaming voice of Jaken suddenly sounded this time along with Kaeda's slow voice. "So your voice, Jaken. Don't bother Rin who's resting."

The door to shoji's room again opened, and this time, Jaken walked in with Kaeda. In the hands of the youkai frog, the well-established contain a syringe with black liquid is in the hands.

"Jaken-sama, Grandma Kaeda." Call Rin quietly and smile happily at who's coming in.

Kaeda smiled, but not to Jaken. He looked at Rin. "Rin, spring is in sight, you as a western earth boy have many tasks. So get healthy fast and do your job well."

Inuyasha immediately stared intently at Jaken as well as the others. Although they understood the meaning of the frog's youkai speech, they still did not like the harsh-sounding words.

Jaken who realized the sharp gaze of everything that existed immediately quietly mute. Fear filled his heart as he realized the mistake he had made ahead. Down, he no longer dared to say anything.

Rin, who was used to Jaken smiling, clearly knew that the frog youkai said that because he was worried about her, her guardian since childhood had never changed.

"Yes, Jaken-sama," Rin laughed then quietly. "Rin understands."

Rin's laughter this time again makes everything look at the human woman. Seeing her weak happy laughter, they could only sigh at her attitude that had always tolerated Jaken.

Kaeda who was beside Jaken then took the existing medicine. Walking closer to Rin, he smiled. "Alright Rin, time to inject."

Kagome immediately transferred Shiro who was sitting at her feet to Inuyasha. Rise him up to Kaeda and take the medicine tube. Rin, who could neither eat nor drink, could only inject the medicine into the weak thin body in the hope that he would recover soon.

Infusion and now a syringe, Kagome no longer cares about the past or the future, because she swore to herself that she would do anything to save Rin's life.

Rin kept smiling and said nothing. The room that was full of sound is now silent because it does not want to disturb the concentration of Kagome who will inject her.

Staring around her, staring at every face of those she cares about in this room, Rin then closed her eyes. How long have they not been together like this? how long had he not heard their voices? How long has he not felt this warmth? He hoped that Sesshoumaru and Shura would soon return to the room, because that way, complete already his happiness in this day. Getting together with your family is the happiest thing in the world.

....xoxOx....

"Beautiful, right?" sesshoumaru's voice sounded slow. In his study he sat with Shura who was in his arms staring at the painting on the table. "She will always and forever be the prettiest in the world."

Shura did not reply to anything, but she laughed with both eyes sparkling happily which was also directed at the painting on the table.

The painting was of a human woman sitting smiling her under a cherry tree hugging a flower. Black hair as the sky without stars, skin as white as snow, nose pointed, lips and cheeks like red roses, big brown eyes clear and shining full of innocence—kisaki beloved western land; Rin.

"Rin will always love you, Shura." said Sesshoumaru again, his golden eyes did not budge from Rin's painting in the slightest. Soft and full of adoration. "Love you beyond anything."

"Rubba.." Muttering indistinctly, both of Shura's hands raised wanting to touch the woman in the painting.

Following Shura's wishes, Sesshoumaru brought her closer and let her son's little hand touch Rin's smiling face. His ears could hear clearly the happy laughter of the child who was getting louder when he managed to touch what he wanted.

"Therefore," continued Sesshoumaru again, his golden eyes followed every slow movement of his son who seemed to be caressing the beautiful face of the woman in the painting. "You can hate me, my son."

In the future to come, Sesshoumaru would accept it if Shura hated him. He would not be angry if his precious son did not admit it, even if Shura wanted to kill him one day, he would not fight back, because, the ruler of the western lands realized, he deserved it all.

Shura who did not understand Sesshoumaru's words continued to laugh. Like a baby, he was satisfied when his wish was fulfilled; touching his mother's face in a painting.

"Sorry, Shura."

An apology was spoken and Sesshoumaru closed his eyes slowly. Sorry to his son, sorry because he was useless, sorry because he could not protect the most precious treasure for the two of them—saf for the decision he had chosen.

"I'm sorry your father...."

....xoxOx....

"If your son is like you, and Shura is like Sesshoumaru, how will they both be in the future?" asked Kenji while looking at Inuyasha.

"What else? Of course the commoners and the ruling nobility," cried Jaken confidently answering Kenji's question. "Inuhanyou is his people and Shura-sama is the lord's lord."

"Hmn, I hope they can be peaceful and establish a good relationship unlike their two fathers before." Sela Miroku while thinking about the past.

"Ah, they will definitely be like dogs biting each other," Shippo said with a big laugh. "I was just wondering who would win."

"Shura-sama will win." Kiri and Kira answered along with their calm faces.

"Yes, of course my grandson will win," Inukimi laughed proudly. "Where might he lose to that son of a bitch Taisho's granddaughter."

Kagome, Sango, Kohaku and Kaeda shook their heads, in their hearts thinking whether Inukimi forgot Shura was also the grandson of Inu no taisho.

"Sure my son will win!!!" inuyasha shouted. "That shiro is bigger in age, she will have more and stronger experience!!"

"Ah, what does the age gap of a few years mean for hanyou and youkai?" miroku muttered softly while scratching his head.

"Yes!! Shiro is stronger!!" Shiro Laughter. He did not understand the whole adult debate, but hearing his name mentioned, he spoke.

"No!! Mamoru is the most powerful!!!" shouted Mamoru suddenly did not want to lose, even though his mouth was immediately closed Miroku quickly. Looking at his biological son, he smiled strangely. "Mamoru, remember," he said slowly. "Never try to fight two cousins who will look like their father in the future. We humans can see enough of the side of their next silly fight."

"Hey!! I heard what you said Miroku!!!" inuyasha cried out in annoyance at Miroku's words.

Rin who heard the conversation in front of him could only laugh and shake his head. He did not make any sound, but inwardly he had his own view. Later, of course Shura who will be stronger—his son who will exceed his biological father will be the strongest in the world.

Slowly, Rin then stared for a moment at the open window of the room. He could see the afternoon sky that had started to darken. The time that passed so quickly, he did not expect that this pleasant day would soon pass.

"Rin-chan, what's wrong?" kagome asked to see Rin staring out the window.

Rin looked back at Kagome and shook her head slowly. A smile filled his face. "It's okay."

Looking back at all who were still in the room, Rin's smile widened. Today this room is very lively, always full of jokes, laughter and sometimes screams. Inuyasha and Kenji are not inexhaustible, so are Inukimi and the others. This togetherness reminds her of what happiness is in life. He really didn't want this day to go by so quickly.

Kenji's question stunned Rin. He does have an answer in his heart, but he can't possibly say it—it wouldn't be polite for Inuyasha, Kagome or Shiro who are in the room, right?

"Both Shura and Shiro will be strong," Rin's laughter slowly answered Kenji's question. "They'll—"

Rin's words were unresolved, the smile that was immediately frozen. Ah, coming again, he could clearly feel something he was so afraid of coming again—sang death.

The change in Rin's facial expression immediately made the strangeness manifest. Kagome quickly moved closer to the human woman, as did Inukimi.

Examining Rin's pulse in silence, neither Kagome nor Inukimi said a word to the human woman's state to those who stared worriedly.

The death that came this time was extremely fast and incredible. Unbelievable pain nested without cue. Rin's slow breathing became unsteady, her body shaking violently unstoppable, as well as the cold sweat that soaked her face.

Trying to maintain awareness and also say something. Panic filled Rin's eyes as she found no sound at all. How did this happen? He had to make a sound and ask everyone in the room out—he would not show his pitiful figure to anyone he loved.

"Rin-chan, take a slow breath!" kagome said slowly trying to guide Rin's unreasonable breath. He could clearly see the panic in those brown eyes. "Don't panic!"

However, Rin could not do what Kagome wanted. Trying to move his mouth to say 'out', he really hopes that the future miko will understand and catch his point.

Everything in the room started to panic, especially the children who saw the change in Rin's state that was so alarming. Not daring to approach, they stared straight at the human woman. Then, in the panic, suddenly the shoji door of the room opened.

Looking towards the door, all could see Sesshoumaru walking in with Shura in his carriage. The inuyoukai face was calm and flat expressionless, as if nothing had happened in front of him.

Approaching Rin not caring about the sight of all there is, she sits beside Kagome and Inukimi who are looking at her in confusion.

"Sister.."

"Shoumaru..."

Call Kagome and Inukimi together to see Sesshoumaru's calm demeanor that feels very strange.

Sesshoumaru did not answer their call. His golden eyes only focused on Rin's face which was now right in front of him. He could see the smiling face of the woman he loved in agony and pain directed at him.

There was a slight relief filling Rin's heart seeing Sesshoumaru now, as she knew, just staring at him, the inuyoukai would definitely understand that she wanted everything in this room out. However, the ruler of the western land even did something that was beyond suspicion.

Opening both hands Shura laughed happily at seeing her real mother. He guides the little inuyoukai to embrace Rin's neck as he taught all along.

"Shura will grow up well" said Sesshoumaru slowly ignoring Rin's confused views. "Our son will be stronger than this Sesshoumaru, he will be the strongest youkai in the world—the pinnacle of all incomparable peaks. No one will be able to hurt him, he will live as he wishes, safe, secure and; happy..."

Rin could only continue to stare at Sesshoumaru. That inuyoukai action and speech now could not be understood at all.

"And, this Sesshoumaru will always be Sesshoumaru. It will never change. Calm and strong do not flinch no matter what happens. Because it—" continued Sesshoumaru slowly with golden eyes without expression that can not be separated from Rin's face. "—Sesshoumaru this and Shura don't need you anymore..."

The eyes of all who were in were wide-eyed in disbelief at what Sesshoumaru said. What does this mean?— doesn't need Rin anymore?

Rin did not move, both of her eyes fixedly staring at Sesshoumaru. Seeking the true meaning of the pair of eyes that were now staring at him flatly without flinching.

"Go away... Don't stay anymore..."

Don't suffer anymore.

The word is unspoken, but Rin can hear it clearly. Tears flowed down from his cheeks. Ah, it turns out that inuyoukai knows everything. Though he hid everything, but Sesshoumaru still knew what he had been through all this time.

Staring at Rin's tears, Sesshoumaru then pulled back Shura who was hugging her mother's neck. Letting the human woman who kept crying look at their son for a moment, he then handed it to Inukimi.

Inukimi immediately hides a struggling Shura who dislikes being separated from Rin. But, he did not say anything, confusion and incomprehension filled his face seeing what was happening and said Sesshoumaru, as well as the others.

Moving his hand, Sesshounaru then wiped Rin's tears away. "Rin, this is an order, ask this Sesshoumaru, 'How long will this Sesshoumaru love you'?"

Rin continued to cry, the pain grew stronger, and she did not know if it was because of the death or what. But, he could still hear Sesshoumaru's orders. Therefore, moving his mouth slowly, asked in his voice that could not be found.

'How long can you love Rin, Sesshoumaru-sama?'

Noiseless, but Sesshoumaru smiled. He could clearly hear the question, the same question he had asked the human woman.

"forever. No matter your breath has stopped, no matter your body is gone, as long as your soul is still there—no. Even if your soul is gone, my love for you will never change. This Sesshoumaru will always love you, Rin. Until the end of time..."

Rin's eyes widened to hear Sesshoumaru's answer and did not care about anything else, the inuyoukai bowed, hugged and caught the tiny lips in a kiss— poured out all his feelings.

Love you, love you so much, love you too much; love you so much. In a time that continues to move forward, in every season that betih changed until the end of time. Forever and always, just—kamu.

Delivered in the kiss, all of Sesshoumaru's feelings were conveyed. The Inuyoukai who never expressed his love in words, today revealed it in the presence of everyone,

In tears, Rin can only close her eyes and return the kiss. Sesshoumaru would let go of her and let her go—that's what she expected, right? For their happiness in the future; for a better future. But when that happens, why is it so painful? Wh why?

Sesshoumaru's love for a human woman named Rin and Rin's love for Sesshoumaru—are two similar feelings that however cannot be together for good. They both know, the dark world and the cruel life toying with them. Happy knitted sweet dreams, dreams where they do not want to wake up forever, and now—they can not dream anymore. The dream is over, the knitting thread has been cut off, it is time to face reality; the real eternal farewell.

Miracle, it happened for the last time. If this is indeed their farewell, let her embrace the only man she loves more than anything else. Let him embrace Sesshoumaru one last time, let him tell the inuyoukai it knows, the meaning of its existence for the human woman named Rin.

Then—maybe because the world pitied him, maybe because life was touched by his story, true magic happened. Rin for the first and last time after all this time was able to move her hand. Slowly but surely, she wrapped her arms around Sesshoumaru tightly.

Ilove you. I love you very much too. Exceeding everything, beyond life and death, the only one; you are only one - until the end of time.

Her tears were flowing nonstop. In the warmth that hugged her, Rin could see again, the weakly lying inuyoukai figure with a body full of wounds in the forest. Seeing him who then turned into the most sparkling figure in the world—Sesshoumaru he loved.

The meeting that started everything, the warmth of a smile and laughter, the love that blossomed and the togetherness full of happiness. Not wanting to be apart and forever together. But for the future, goodbye still awaits—because this is life.

Rin smiles in their kisses, the beginning of Rin's new life is Sesshoumaru, therefore, the end of his life is also Sesshoumaru. The first one he saw when opening his eyes in the second life was Sesshoumaru, so the last one he saw at the end of life was also; sesshoumaru.

Ilove you...

Rin's hand that hugged Sesshoumaru fell down, the inuyoukai could also slowly feel the heartbeat of the human woman who was swallowing until it finally stopped for good.

"Yahoooo!!! Ohoooo!!!" Shura who was in Inukimi's arms cried loudly. He could not feel the heartbeat and smell of life from his biological mother anymore. Fear and panic filled the little inuyoukai's face, thrashing, he tried to reach for his mother.

Kagome who was beside Sesshoumaru could not move seeing what was happening, as well as everything in the room. Unable to give the slightest reaction, they were still unable to digest what was happening so quickly in plain sight.

Releasing her kisses and hugs slowly, Sesshoumaru's two golden eyes looked at Rin's face. As if asleep, the human woman was still so charming to him.

"K-sister.." call Kagome stammering. Both of his eyes stared fearfully at Rin who was not breathing anymore.

"Take Shura out." Sesshoumaru's orders were slow without looking at Rin's face.

Still no one walked out, they all stared motionless in place until Sesshoumaru's angry voice resuscitated them. "Get all of you out!!!!!!"

The cry of Sesshoumaru inevitably ended up making everything out. Doubtful about not knowing what to say or do, they can only obey the order.

Shura's loud cries continued to be heard from behind the room's shoji door, but, Sesshoumaru didn't care about it. Staring at Rin again, he moved his right hand wiping away the remaining tears on the face was soft.

"Rin," called Sesshoumaru quietly and smiled. Touching that lifeless body, he smiled. "You know, this Sesshoumaru is actually lying...."

A drop of water fell from above soaked Rin's cheeks, slowly removing Sesshoumaru. However, the longer, the drops of water that fall the more— tears. Inuyoukai it cried for the first time in his life.

"Sesshoumaru needs you... So, don't go.. Don't leave this Sesshoumaru. Stay— stay forever with this Sesshoumaru...."

Those beautiful eyes will not open again. That smile and laughter will never be seen again. The eternal spring of her life has disappearedthe only woman she loves more than anything is gone, and she is the one who let go.

Sesshoumaru.

Rin's smiling face that smiled gently and then laughed loosely called out her name reflected in Sesshoumaru's mind.

Sesshoumaru..

Lovely singing and dancing, warm hugs and loving kisses given, warmth and happiness always there. In spring, summer, autumn and winter, the figure that is always there and never disappears—he will never be able to see it again.

Sesshoumaru-sama, Rin loves you..

Hugging tightly Rin's body again, Sesshoumaru, closed his eyes and shouted loudly in despair. "Back!!! Back!!! Don't go!!! Don't go!!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!"

Back, return. Don't leave, don't leave yourself alone in this world. Always stay by his side. Without you, I don't know what to do, without you, I lost your direction—tanpamu, I can't do anything.

If you really love her, then let her go...

He really loved Rin, so he let her go. But, the moment he actually let go, deep down, he could never accept it. Letting go of the one you love is broken and the pain is unexplained. Wrong decision? He can't see the future now, it's all dark. Wh why? Why did this happen to them?

Loving and being loved. In their togetherness, Rin only wants to be together forever, but, in their togetherness, all Sesshoumaru can give is a farewell.

"Back!!!!!! Return to this Sesshoumaru!!!!! Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!"

I will always love you until the end of time...

....xoxOx....

"Ohhhhhhhh!!!!!"

In front of shoji's tightly shut room door, Kagome sobbed in tears hugging Inuyasha who was also crying in silence with Shiro who was scared at his feet.

Miroku bowed with a face full of sadness patting the shoulders of Sango who knelt hugging their children—cries together trying to hold their voices.

Inukimi did not say a word, she looked at Shura who was crying loudly and then closed her eyes. The thing he feared the most had happened, he could only hope that in the future everything would be fine.

Kohaku and Shippo cried silently, as did Kaeda. Kenji did not say anything, he closed his sorrowful eyes and sighed.

Jaken knelt crying loudly with her body shaking. Kiri and Kira also knelt in silent tears. Staring at the closed door of the room, they raised their hands and saluted.

Loud cries of despair unceasingly filled the entire western land palace. In the late afternoon of winter, the sound made all the inhabitants of the palace stop their activities. They could feel the despair. The heart-wrenching cry was not explained by the owner of the palace.

Their powerful and incomparable ruler, always calm and emotionally controlled, this afternoon cried out as if he had gone mad. They don't need any explanation to know what happened. Slowly, kneeling before the eastern pavilion of the western land palace, they all raised their hands in salute—The western soil is gone.

....xoxOx....