Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapter 173

Mount Hare is a quiet and beautiful mountain. Famous for its cherry blossoms, when spring arrives, the mountain has a very extraordinary view. But now, a thick black fog surrounds the mountain, and thousands of youkai inhabit it—the beauty of the mountain is just a story to stay.

Under the foot of the hare mountain, the humans advanced to attack the youkai. The fight is unstoppable. Thousands of men made up of warriors, taijiya, miko, monks and priests attacked youkai without fear.

The sound of guns clashing and the sound of explosions were heard, accompanied by the sound of their dead cries or the laughter of youkai full of madness to see death. The red blood had adorned the surroundings, but no one stopped.

Humans and Youkai.

The war between humans and youkai has always been one-sided, because after all the differences between the two races are far-reaching. As weak as a youkai, he was still stronger than an adult human. Their speed and strength were simply not comparable. The casualties began to fall, and most came from the human side, especially the human soldiers who did not have spiritual power.

Shura moved forward, raising the sword in his hand, he attacked the youkai that was in front. There was not the slightest fear on his face even though for the first time he was standing inside the battlefield.

"That's Sesshoumaru's son!!"

"Western land heir!!"

Some of the youkai who were there were aware of Shura's presence there. Gathering together, some of them began to focus on the small inuyoukai.

"Kaze no kizu!!"

Inuyasha's screaming voice rang out loud and his attack hurt the youkai. Simultaneously, Kagome released her holy arrow.

"Shura, we'll pave the way for you, go!!" yelled Kohaku while swinging the kusarigama in the hands assisted Sango who threw the hitaikotsu, his giant boomerang.

"Inuyasha, Kagome, Shiro, Shippo, Tsubasa-san, you help Shura!! Leave this place to us!!" shouted Miroku who was swinging his staff without turning his head looking at Inuyasha and the others. Youkai in this place are too many, they will not be able to reach the top of the mountain if it is like this continues.

Shura and the others obeyed what Miroku said. Through the path opened by Miroku, Sango and Kohaku, they ran forward. However, not far away they stepped, from the front a large number of youkai came back to head.

"Why aren't they inexhaustible??" shippo shouted frantically at the youkai.

Lifting the tessaiga, Inuyasha relaunched his pemukas attack. "Babeehaha!!!"

Bakuryuha attack there is a very strong attack, and managed to kill many youkai. However, once again, the remaining youkai kept on advancing against them. The death of their comrades did not scare them at all, in fact, they looked even more excited.

"Western land heir!!"

"Great wealth and prosperity will be obtained by whoever kills him!!"

"He's mine!! I'll kill him!!"

Shura could see clearly that all the youkai were after him. He as the heir to the western lands was the main target of all there was, however, he remained undaunted—he would continue fighting until this was over.

"Don't stay away from me, Shura," said Shiro who was beside Shura. Both of his eyes looked straight at the youkai who were speeding towards them eyeing Shura. "I'll protect you."

Shiro's words instantly made everyone there including Tsubasa stare at the innuanyou, their expressions stunned as if they doubted what they had just heard.

"I don't need your protection." Reply Shura tidal cares about Shiro. "It is you who need my protection."

"What did you say???" shiro shouted annoyed at the reply he got. Both of his golden eyes were directed at Shura full of anger.

"I didn't expect your relationship to turn out this close" Shippo interrupted quietly as he looked at Shura and Shiro. To be honest, he was not so used to seeing their togetherness, as the two of them bore an uncanny resemblance to their father. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha's relationship had indeed improved, but he still could not imagine the close brotherly familiarity between them.

"No!!" full of panic, Shiro shouted quickly. He did not want to be mistaken for Shura, because after all, he knew clearly that this little inuyoukai would someday definitely intend to steal Sakura, her beloved sister from their family—she would not likely be familiar with him. "I did it because I promised Rin-chan I'd protect her."

Both Inuyasha, Kagome and Shippo were still staring at Shiro. They nodded their heads together in a sign of confidence in this, but their facial expressions showed otherwise.

"Yes!! Trust me!!!" shiro shouted in frustration at the disbelief of his parents and Shippo.

"Just keep the conversation for later" said Tsubasa who had been silent suddenly. His voice was calm without the slightest panic. "The enemy is almost upon us."

Finished saying that, without waiting for a reply, the bird youkai had already sped forward with two disc swords in his hand, as well as Shura who had pulled out his sword.

Inuyasha who saw Shura and Tsubasa advancing, also wasted no time, he came forward with the tessaiga in his hand. "Come, Shiro, you have to protect that little guy!!"

"Yah!!! Goddamnit!!" shouts Shiro annoyed. He felt that the misunderstanding would take a very long time to resolve.

Kagome just smiled looking at Shiro. Pulling his bow, he concentrated fully on aiming at the enemy in front, as well as Shippo who started throwing his fireball.

Attack after attack they started to re-launch. However, as Shippo said before, the enemies that exist are endless. This hare mountain has now become the lair of thousands of youkai. Shura knew, things were not on their side. If this state of affairs continued, over time, their stamina would all be depleted.

Gazing around, Shura saw more and more youkai gathering towards them from all directions. Then, suddenly from behind him he suddenly sensed the aura of youki the existence of someone who was not unfamiliar to him.

Unbelieving, Shura turned her head back, as did Inuyasha and Shiro. Only Tsubasa, who had a small smile, saw who had come.

Far behind them, a large squad of youkai drove towards them. Lifting their blue flag high, the southern land youkai emblem was clearly emblazoned, and at the forefront of the pashkan, a short silver-haired daiyoukai and sky blue eyes took the lead.

"Akihiko-sama?"

....xoxOx....

Sakura did not know what was happening, standing tightly clasped with the seki meido in her hand, she looked at Asano who continued to launch his attacks to destroy the wealth of elements. Fear was felt as he looked at the expression on the fox youkai's face that was full of killing intent.

Mamoru, Aya, Maya, Yuki, Koharu and Jaken did not move seeing that, they were still trying to digest what was happening. But, most importantly, how was Meido in Sakura's hands?

The wealth of elements protecting them were all extremely sturdy, no matter how Asano attacked, he did not succeed. The elemental wealth created by meido seki is the strongest wealth, even Sesshoumaru, the ruler of the western lands, cannot destroy it.

"Hey! Little girl!!" shout Jaken. He who could already control himself again stood up and pointed at Asano with his nintojo wand. "Don't just hold on!! Attack the fox!!"

Kakai element is not a haphazard wealth. Jaken had seen with his own eyes first, the fortune was not only used to defend, however, he could also attack.

Confused by the tears in her eyes, Sakura then looked at Jaken. "S-sakura doesn't know how to do that..."

Sakura's speech made Jaken and the others stunned. It seemed, that little inuhanyou had used the power of the seki meido without realizing it.

Jaken did not say anything more, he just sighed. He did not blame Sakura who could not use meido seki, it is proven that there is actually only one person who he knows can use the heirloom completely, namely—Rin. But, now, what about all of them? If it could only defend without attacking, how could they escape from Asano?

Asano who heard the conversation between Sakura and Jaken laughed. The sky sided with him, the little innuanyou was unable to use the power of Meido Seki completely, therefore, he only needed to destroy this wealth and kill those in front of— their plan would not fail.

"Give up!!" asano shouted and intensified his attack to destroy the wealth. "I promise I will let you die quickly without any pain!!"

Asano's words made Sakura and the others look back at the fox youkai. Mamoru can only scratch his head that does not itch because it does not understand. Surrender but still die?—who would want to do that?

"The west is destroyed!" asano continued again with a laugh. His hands were unceasingly launching attacks. "You will all be destroyed! Dead is not tesisa!!!"

"You talk too much."

A flat and heavy voice of someone was heard, and suddenly, from the right side of Asano, with incredible speed and power, that person appeared to press the head of the ruler of the eastern land until it fell underground.

Time seemed to stop for Sakura and the others to see what was happening. From within the richness of the element that protects them, they stand in disbelief.

"Oahh!! Goddamnit!!" Asano shouted furiously. But, the hand that held his head so firmly that he could not do much, "Who ka—" turned his head as much as possible, he asked wanting to know who the attacker was. However, his question came to a halt as soon as he saw the figure.

Wearing a plain white kimono like never before, the youkai stood up. His long silver-haired unbound unbound, two unglued lines on the cheeks, a crescent moon mark on the forehead and a pair of emotionless golden eyes—sang ruler of the western lands; Sesshoumaru.

"W-how can it be?" stammered, Asano stared in disbelief at the Sesshoumaru that was in front of him. How could this inuyoukai be here?—doesn't Shui clearly have killed him?

"Sesshoumaru-sama!!! You finally realized!!" while crying, Jaken shouted with excitement. Tears flowed down from his face upon seeing his master.

Unlike Jaken, Sakura, Mamoru and the others who were still recovering from the shock of seeing Sesshoumaru, they could only stand like statues.

Slowly, the meido seki in Sakura's hand stopped shining. As Bagaikab knew that the situation was safe, the wealth of elements that surrounded him and the others instantly disappeared.

Asano who was shocked saw Sesshoumaru instantly became panicked. But, her panic was not visible on the face, she wore a calm and relaxed facial expression as if nothing had happened.

Sesshoumaru could see the panic that Asano was well hiding. Slowly, he released the head of the fox youkai he was holding onto the ground. His face was calm as usual.

Asano immediately jumped away from Sesshoumaru as soon as he was free. Landing on the ground, he looked at the ruler of the western land with a smile. "You look healthy, Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru did not reply to Asano's remarks. His emotionless golden eyes only continued to stare at the eastern land lord who was now smiling.

"I didn't expect you to come to your senses so soon," continued to speak, Asano stalling for time and trying to read the emotions of the inudaiyoukai. "Is this your plan?"

The existence of Sesshoumaru in front of him, as well as the meido seki in Sakura's hands,\ inevitably made Asano think, had he fallen into the enemy's trap? Perhaps Sesshoumaru had risen from the beginning, and they allowed himself to attack the neutral ground village was a trap.

"You're really great, Sesshoumaru," laughed Asano clapping. He could not read or guess the slightest thought of his enemy right now, therefore he was trying to buy time and find a way to escape. "I think it's worth celebrating."

Sesshoumaru who was silent then opened his mouth. "You're done talking?"

Sesshoumaru's question made Asano stunned. But a moment later, he immediately regained his senses. Looking at the inudaiyoukai in front of him, he could feel, Sesshoumaru would not let go. Laughing and raising his head upwards, red smoke quickly surrounded the ruling body of the eastern lands. He had to exert all his strength if he wanted to escape, the fight would not be avoided.

As the red smoke disappeared, Asano was replaced by a nine-tailed white fox. His body was huge, and he snorted looking at Sesshoumaru with blood-red eyes.

Sakura and the others were unable to move seeing Asano's true form. The killing pressure and lust he emitted made them feel afraid, because after all, the fox youkai was one of the ruling youkai.

However, not for Sesshoumaru, his facial expression did not change in the slightest when he saw Asano, as well as his emotionless golden eyes. Then, a second later, he darted swiftly towards the fox youkai in front of him.

Asano who saw Sesshoumaru approaching immediately moved his nine tails to attack. However, Sesshoumaru's incredible speed could not be followed, his attack failed and the inudayoukai easily reached him.

Standing right in front of Asano, Sesshoumaru moved his claw-like right hand to grab the neck of the fox youkai and raised it.

Sakura and the others stared at what was happening in silence. Looking at Sesshoumaru who easily lifted the large body of Asano, they felt the scene in front of him was a sight that was difficult to accept common sense, given the small body of Sesshoumaru and the large Asano. But, this was also enough to prove the difference in strength of the two youkai rulers.

Asano who was captured and picked up by Sesshoumaru was very surprised. Panic immediately filled him, and suddenly, he felt an excruciating pain in his neck. Staring at the inudaiyoukai again, he saw a green ray in his right hand that was—poison.

"Shoumaru!!!!" screaming in anger, Asano once again moved his nine tails to attack. The poison inuyoukai is a very powerful and dangerous poison because it can melt anything— how dare Sesshoumaru use the poison to him!

However, once again, Asano had not had time to touch Sesshoumaru, the inudaiyoukai had raised his left hand that was free to touch the head of the fox youkai, and—interested him to be cut off.

The red blood fell like a fountain from Asano's severed neck. A red blood splash also hit Sesshoumaru who then released the body and the large head in his hand down.

Sakura and the others for the umpteenth time also could not and also did not dare to move. The scene in front of them was now a very frightening sight, only Jaken who, although also looking surprised at first, could immediately control himself.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!!" shouting happily calling out the name of Sesshoumaru, Jeken immediately ran up to his master while laughing.

Is this as easy as this? Who would have thought that Asano, the youkai fox lord of the eastern lands would die like this?—Mamoru wouldn't believe it if he hadn't seen it for himself.

"Sister!! Everybody!!" the sound of Sora's screams then sounded. From a distance, they could see youkai

the white rat ran up to them with a sword sheathed in both hands.

Sora stopped moving as it arrived not far in front of Sesshoumaru. He could see Asano's lifeless body drenched in blood, and he didn't need anyone to explain to him who did that. Kneeling respectfully, he handed the sword in his hand to Sesshoumaru. "Sesshoumaru-sama, your sword."

The sword in Sora's hand is bakusaiga. He who intended to save Sesshoumaru's body when the village was attacked was initially quite surprised because he found the room where the daiyoukai was located was empty when he arrived. At first he thought something had happened to the corpse, however, as he sensed the terrifying youki in the forest beside the village, he thoughtlessly took the bakusaiga that was in another room towards the source of the youki.

Along the way to the forest, Sora could see that many of the youkai that were attacking the village had met death in a brutal manner, and from the neutral land youkai that existed as well, he knew, the one that did that was; Sesshoumaru, the ruler of the western lands who had opened his eyes.

How can Sesshoumaru come back to life?—Sora doesn't know. All the neutral land youkai who saw him also did not know, but to them, the rise of the ruler was a blessing. Because, the village and its residents will be safe and fine.

Sesshoumaru looked at Sora and without saying anything took the bakusaiga. Slowly, he turned to look at Jaken. "Where is Shura?"

"Eh? Shura-sama?" stunned by Sesshoumaru's question, Jaken then immediately replied. "Shura-sama is heading towards hare mountain. He wants to take tensaiga to save you, Sesshoumaru-sama."

Sesshoumaru did not say anything hearing the answer he got. Raising his head upwards staring at the abomination, he thought of catching up to his son right now. Suddenly, he remembered something. Lowering his head, the inudaiyoukai turned to Sakura.

Sakura who from earlier did not move in the slightest was very surprised. That feeling of surprise turned to fear as he saw the figure of Sesshoumaru walking slowly approaching him.

Clasping tightly onto the meido seki in hand, Sakura returned Sesshoumaru's gaze holding a feeling of fear in her heart. Although the faces of the youkai that approached her were indeed very similar to those of Shura, their auras were completely different.

Sesshoumaru stood right in front of Sakura, his two golden eyes then falling on the gemstone that was in the hand of the little inuanyou. He knew it was a meido seki, and he could clearly see cracks all over the surface of the gem.

The magic exists, Sesshoumaru-sama. You knew? Rin shouldn't be able to see you again like this. But, in the last second, at the expense of most of his strength, meido seki-sama guided Rin's soul here.

Rin's words flashed through Sesshomaru's mind, and he knew, that's the cause of this cracked meido.

Meido seki's.

Sesshoumaru always hated meido seki. Since the heirloom stone was in Rin's hands, everything changed—and so, it was also the stone that asked him to release Rin by showing the most painful scene of his life.

But, Sesshoumaru also knew, he was indebted to Meido seki. The stone that was always with Rin, protecting and being on her side no matter what happened, and most importantly—his sacrifice to save Rin's soul.

"Thank you." Sesshoumaru said slowly.

Thank you for being by Rin's side and accompanying her so she's never really alone. Thank you for saving his soul that should have vanished—thank you for giving them the chance to be together at the true end of their story.

"Thank you for everything you've given us."

Meido seki shone softly hearing Sesshoumaru's words, and Sakura could feel a small detour from the gemstone in her hand.

Slowly, once again, Sesshoumaru again raised his head to look at the sky. Jumping upwards, green smoke appeared around his body, and as the smoke disappeared, a giant white dog was seen replacing the original form of the Inudayoukai ruler of the western lands.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, wait for this servant!!" shouting loudly, Jeken jumped up and pulled the tip of Sesshoumaru's tail without fear.

Sakura and the others were still motionless, they all stared at Sesshoumaru until he finally disappeared from sight. The speed of that gigantic body was incredible, like a light, he disappeared in just a few minutes.

Silently staring at each other, Mamoru then opened his mouth. "So? What do we do now?"

....xoxOx....

"Akihiko-sama?"

Shura stared in disbelief at the presence of Akihiko who was now getting closer to her. How are youkai wolves here?

Akihiko's subordinates immediately attacked the enemy youkai who also looked very surprised by their presence. The battle was inevitable, the sound of guns clashing, explosions were heard, and with the presence of the ruler of the southern lands and his troops, the situation of Shura, Inuyasha, Kagome, Shippo and Tsubasa was now starting to improve.

"Hey! Kagome!! Village dog!! Why are you so overwhelmed by these little insects?!" the sound of Koga's laughter was heard. Running past Inuyasha and Kagome, he jumped up and kicked the enemy in front of him.

"Morning?" call Kagome surprised.

"Who's overwhelmed??!" reply Inuyasha annoyed and come running after Koga attacked.

Kagome was unable to do anything, looking at Inuyasha and Koga's current attitude while arguing while fighting. Sighing, he looked at Shippo who was also staring at him. "I don't think the two of us can lose to them either."

Shippo nodded his head in agreement. Staring at the youkai battle in front of him, he again threw his fireball along with Kagome who released her holy arrow.

On the other hand, Shura looked at Akihiko full of question marks. "Akihiko-sama, why are you here?"

Akihiko's existence in front of him was incomprehensible to Shura. This wolf youkai could not have come to help him who wanted to revive his biological father, right?—because the relationship between the two rulers has not been good since.

Akihiko did not answer Shura's question, staring at the small inuyoukai face, his eyes then directed at the red ribbon that tied the long silver hair the—pita that Rin used to give him and he threw it away.

You are a forgetful, Akihiko-sama.

Akihiko knew she was not a forgetful, but she wanted to forget. Because then, he thought everything would be better.

Rin hopes—lak, if things go awry. If the fires of war will flare up again, you will remember our promise that day when you saw this ribbon.

Raising her right hand, Akihiko then touched the red ribbon. He did not care one bit about Shura who felt very disturbed by what he was doing.

Never forget your promise to Rin again, Akihiko-sama. Rin did not expect the battle of—Rin expecting us all to get through each day full of peace, laughter and smiles—happiness.

Blissfulness. Not just saying, the human woman always expects happiness for all she meets sincerely from the heart, including her happiness—, Akihiko, the ruler of the southern land.

Would you like to help guard and protect Shura someday, Akihiko-sama?

A long time ago, Akihiko had promised to protect the woman's most precious son, but when she disappeared, she forgot the promise and threw away the ribbon. Why?—because he always thought that, child is the main cause of death of the woman.

When Sesshoumaru sent Shura to her, she did not understand and did not care. But, seeing that little inuyoukai face knew nothing and considering that Akiko was her real mother, she laughed. Yep! The boy deserves not to know. The boy did not deserve to know who his birth mother was, because that was his punishment for harming the woman.

Why did he let Shura stay in the southern land palace?—Akihiko really did not know either. He honestly didn't like the child, but, he couldn't throw it away either. Maybe it was because he could see a bit of the shadow of the woman, or maybe because he wants the child to live forever without knowing the reality of the incredible love he got even before being born in this world—that woman's love he doesn't deserve.

But, as time passed, looking at Shura who was growing in front of her well, I saw her looking straight at her eyes without fear, saw me talking on, continued, seeing her never give up—Akihiko saw the figure of the woman getting clearer and clearer. Ah, that little inuyoukai was indeed the girl's child.

Then, does she still not like Shura?—ya, she does not like him. But, he couldn't help but want it either. He thought, what if that inuyoukai becomes his son?—what if the most precious relic of the human woman is his son, not the son of the dog? Could it be that by doing so he would be satisfied, as he would win from Sesshoumaru.

But, again, it turns out he was wrong. When he saw Shura staring at the woman's obi, he realized that the little inuyoukai knew the woman, knew the love she had. That's why he took the obi, and did not allow Shura to return to the land west—he wanted Shura to know nothing forever and be his son.

His love, his anger, his hatred, his grace, and also his stupidity. Everything merges which eventually becomes; an obsession.

No one knows that, and Akihiko also doesn't want anyone to see her. However, it turns out, he was wrong, someone knew it, ie—Tsubasa.

Tsubasa could clearly see everything, and so too, the bird youkai told her—it's time for this to end. She wants Rin, but she can't get it. That's why he wanted Shura. His desire to have Shura as a child is a manifestation of his obsession for his biological mother.

Shura does not want Sesshoumaru and Shura also does not have mother—dia alone without family. If he reached out, even if he did not want to, but someday, that little inuyoukai would definitely reach him—that's what Akihiko thought.

But again, he was wrong. Shura is not alone. There are many who are beside him—his family. Those who dared to stand in front of him to defend the small inuyoukai.

Ah, it turns out to the end, that alone is—himself.

Raising his head, Akihiko then looked at Tsubasa who was smiling at him. Staring at the youkai bird, he thought to himself, how could he end up on his own?

The answer is —because of himself. As Tsubasa stands up against him and leaves the southern land, Akihiko realizes that she actually has someone who is always next to her, unfortunately she only finds out when that person disappears.

Don't blind your eyes and miss the most beautiful thing you have.

The words of the human woman came true, she realized it too late and lost.

Love it?—no. Akihiko knew, from the beginning to the end, he did not love Tsubasa as much as Tsubasa wanted. But, hundreds of years together, the bird youkai was a valuable person to him.

Does he want Tsubasa back now?—no. Because he knows, he's not worthy. She couldn't give Tsubasa the love she wanted, therefore she had to let go of—because that was the best for both of them.

Rin's.

Akihiko knows, like Tsubasa who let go of her, she must also let go of Rin. His love for human women was not wrong, only, they were not meant to be together.

Akihiko-sama, thank you for being present in Rin's world. Whatever happens in the future, Rin really hopes you remain you—Rin hope you are always healthy and happy..

For the woman he loved last time, Akihiko will give up her love; her obsession. He understood now, there was nothing he would get from forcing, he would never get peace, therefore by letting go, in the future, he said, he hopes he will be able to return to being himself and maybe later will be happy.

Still staring at Tsubasa, Akihiko then smiled. "Last time, accompany me in this war, Tsubasa."

Tsubasa's smile widened even more seeing Akihiko's smile. That smile was the smile he had seen when he was still a little bird, a free smile without restraint from the little wolf youkai full of life—Akihiko the real.

No more shackles, no more restraints. Akihiko and Tsubasa know, this is the end of their story—true freedom.

Releasing the hand that touched Shura's red ribbon, Akihiko then patted the inuyoukai's head slowly. "Go away.."

Akihiko promises to protect Shura first, and she will keep it. For Rin, is it?—iya. However, also for the sake of Shura. Without his obsession, the wolf youkai knew, he would love this little inuyoukai.

Not wasting any time and waiting for Shura's reply, Akihiko then darted and dashed forward with the sword in her hand. Tsubasa also came running along, with a laugh on the face, he raised both disc swords in hand.

Attacking, Akihiko swung his sword, behind Tsubasa jumping and throwing his disc sword. Complementing each other with incredible timing and harmony, they advanced like one.

Love is?—may be yes too. Both Akihiko and Tsubasa know, they will not be together like lovers, but, hundreds of years together, the bond between them is also not a lie— as friends, as friends, as friends, perhaps this is the love most deserving of them.

Tsubasa laughs and Akihiko also laugh—Yes, in freedom without shackles and obsessions—they are; friends.

Shura who was left alone did not understand what was happening, turned her body, she saw the enemy that was starting to be cornered and the road that was open.

"Wait for what else? Come on!!" Shiro's voice sounded resuscitated Shura, and although still confused, the small inuyoukai immediately obeyed the inuanyou speech. He will rule out what happened just now, because he has to focus on his goals now.

Not wasting any more time, Shura stepped on her feet and ran down the road that Akihiko and Tsubasa opened towards the top of hare—tensaiga mountain.

....xoxOx....