Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapter 40's

Rin walked silently beside Jaken with her head bowed down. In front of him, Sesshoumaru walks in the lead, while in the back, Inukimi sits on the back of Ah-un whose reins Jaken holds following. They were all now on their way back to the Western Land Palace.

Shortly after Shiro's birth, Inuyasha, Kagome and the others set out to throw a party to celebrate Shiro's birth. They expected Sesshoumaru, Rin, Inukimi and Jaken to stay and participate. However, Sesshoumaru did not want to stay longer in Inuyasha village nor participate in the celebration of the birth of the first son of the half-blooded brother. The Inuyoukai immediately decided to return to his residence without caring about their pleas. Jaken, of course, immediately followed him, including Rin. As for Inukimi, she also took part because she wanted to pass the end of autumn at the palace with her adopted daughter.

Inuyasha, Kagome and the others, certainly felt very disappointed. However, they all knew as well, Sesshoumaru's decision was absolute. No one will be able to change his decision inuyoukai it. Then, it was also impossible for Rin to resist the decision and part with the inuyoukai of the Western Land Ruler who had revived him. With resignation, Inuyasha and the others, except for Kagome, Jinenji and Kaede can only deliver them to the front door of the village. And once again, on the village doorstep, he thanked Rin and Inukimi for their help.

"If someday, you're having trouble, don't hesitate to ask for my help. I'll do anything to help you."

Those are the words Inuyasha said to Rin, regardless of who there is. Hanyou knew that he owed forever to the human girl who was willing to help him without expecting anything in return. Honestly, he liked that human girl. Good, brave yet gentle, full of spirit and very innocent like a child. The girl decides to live with Sesshoumaru who never realizes how special Rin is.

"Why are you quiet, Rin-sama?" ask Jaken suddenly. She uses the word 'sama' on Rin now that she knows, Inukimi would definitely not be happy if she called the girl's name as she pleases, because, in fact, she would not, after all, Rin is the adopted daughter of the former Western Land Ruler.

Staring at Jaken for a moment Rin shook his head in silence.

Looking back, Sesshoumaru who observed Rin knew, Jaken was right, there was something bearing the girl's mind. However, observing the appearance of the girl iu now, she felt quite satisfied. His blood-filled red kimono has now been replaced with a reddish-brown kimono of silk. There was no longer the smell of blood he smelled, there was only the smell of spring which was very pleasant. Actually, there was a reason why he did not want to stay too long in the human village. When he saw the familiarity between Rin and Inuyasha and the others, there was an unpleasant feeling that he felt. What if the girl changes her choice? What if he saw the human world with his eyes already growing, he would wish to live there? Leave it forever.

"Tell Mother" said Inukimi, who was still sitting on Ah-un's back. "What's bothering your mind little Rin?"

Inukimi's question makes Rin stop walking and turn around to face her adoptive mother. Smiling, he shook his head again. "Nothing, Mother. Nothing disturbs Rin's mind."

Inukimi did not believe Rin's answer. However, looking at the smile on that pretty face, he did not find a voice to demand an honest answer from her. The former Western Land Ruler was aware that he had never been able to resist that smile, as if there was a power that rendered him powerless.

Facing forward, Rin again stepped following every step of Sesshoumaru's foot in silence.

There was no sound of laughter, chanting or endless questions, Sesshoumaru knew, there was indeed something that disturbed the girl's mind. Rin is not the type of person who can hide problems from others, he is like an open book, everything he thinks is always clearly displayed in every expression and action. Reversing his body, Sesshoumaru's eyes looked at Rin. "What's bothering you, Rin?"

Rin's footsteps stopped immediately upon hearing Sesshoumaru's question. His big brown eyes widened in surprise. Wondering in his heart, he did not understand, why could anyone easily know something was bothering his mind? It's not that easy to read, is it?

Sesshoumaru looked straight at Rin. That Inuyoukai would not repeat his question, nor would he receive an answer full of lies, the human girl knew once. Nibbling on her lower lip, Rin began to panic. However, indeed because of his nature that can never fight the words of his master, he also closed his eyes and called out questions that continue to disturb his mind.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, what is love?"

Rin's unexpected questions instantly leave Sesshoumaru stunned, while Jaken and Inukimi can only stare in disbelief at what they see and hear.

"R-Rin, don't ask me anything bo—" cried Jaken.

But his sentence was immediately interrupted by the sound of Inukimi's laughter. Staring at Rin, the eyes of the former Western Land Ruler were sparkling because it was funny. "Good question, little Rin," looked at Sesshoumaru, a grinning smile filling his face. "Sesshoumaru, you can answer that, right?"

Staring intently at Inukimi for a moment, Sesshoumaru looked back at Rin. Looking at the brown eyes full of innocence that led to him, he knew, he had no other choice but to answer the question of the human girl.

Love's.

Wondering inwardly, Sesshoumaru asked, what is love? In her life, she only knew, love made Inuyasha born in this world. Love that makes the father who so revered him fall from the peak of glory. It was love that made his father weak and die. Of love? Something like that, love that could cause it all. Is that love? He is not interested in knowing it, let alone feeling it.

"Love is a useless feeling. Love is something that will make you weak and lost. Love is weakness."

Sesshoumaru's reply instantly also made Inukimi frown. That answer, he had expected it, even though he expected a different answer now.

"Feelings are useless." murmured Rin softly. Sesshoumaru who knew everything could not be wrong, love was a feeling of uselessness, something that made you weak and perish; weakness. But, given the happiness on Inuyasha and Kagome's face of love, Rin can't think that way. Why can they be happy like that, but love is a weakness?

"Love is a human feeling" Inukimi suddenly interrupted and made Rin turn her head to look at her. "Something that's incomprehensible unless you feel it."

"human feeling? Feel it? Does that mean youkai can't feel love, Mother?"

Inukimi chuckled at Rin's question. Down from Ah-un's back, she walks up to the human girl. "No. Love can be felt by anyone, including youkai."

Inukimi's answer left Rin even more confused. "Rin doesn't understand, Mother. What is love really?"

Smiling, Inukimi raised her hand to gently caress the hair of her adopted daughter. "Honey. Love is a feeling of affection, little Rin."

"Gee!" rin was surprised. Her eyes widened. "J-so, Rin's affection for the flowers and the animals in the forest. Rin's affection for Kiri-sama, Kira-sama, as well as others, as well as Rin's affection for Jaken-sama and Mother is love?"

What an innocent question, Inukimi could only think, other than the girl in front of her, she would no longer be able to find a living creature with this innocence. "Yes," raising his head upwards, Inukimi's golden eyes stared at the blue sky above. "What you feel for me, flowers and everything else is love. But love itself has many different types. Love for nature, love for friends" her eyes then fell on the figure of Rin staring at her as well as Sesshoumaru who remained expressionless. "Love the family..."

Inukimi's explanation made Sesshoumaru who heard her grunt softly. Hearing the inuyoukai that gave birth to her explain the love, she felt funny. Of love? Does your mother understand love? They are youkai, and youkai need no feelings. Reversing, Sesshoumaru then stepped back on his feet.

"Youkai is the most superior creature in the world. There's no point feeling. Feelings only make you weak. Feelings will only make you disappear. Youkai are creatures that can live alone," said Sesshoumaru slowly without turning his head to Rin or Inukimi. "Have you forgotten, Mother?"

Sesshoumaru's quotes and questions stunned Inukimi. However, a moment later a smile rose on his face, a smile that no one understood. Of love? Does he understand love? To be honest, Inukimi knows what love is. It was different from the love that Inu No Taisho felt towards Izayoi, but, he knew what love was. The first time she felt what love was when she realized for the first time that a new life had come into her womb. Yep! He knows what love is. Love for her son, her only son—love as a mother.

The quote Sesshoumaru spoke just now is an ancient quote that is taught down through generations in the world of youkai. Just as he was taught by his parents, Inukimi also taught him to Sesshoumaru. But, that son, might forever not understand the purpose of teaching that quote. In a world where the strong live, the weak die; the quote is not wrong. He taught that so that his son could survive and live in this harsh world. Maybe her son will grow up without ever loving her, she is aware of the consequences, but, that's okay. For a mother who has become a mother in the world, though she will not be loved, though she will not care, she is satisfied and happy if her child lives.

Rin who heard the Sesshoumaru quote became even more confused. He really doesn't understand now. When Inukimi explains what love is, she feels a little understanding of what love really means. However, hearing what Sesshoumaru said, he came back confused. Raising his head looked at Inukimi, slowly, his hand pulling the tip of the arm of the former Western Land Ruler's kimono inuyoukai. "Mother, if love is of many kinds, including what love, the love that Rin saw between Inuyasha-sama and Kagome-sama?"

Rin's question instantly also made Inukimi look back at the human girl in front of her. Smiling softly, he again stroked the girl's dark hair softly. "That's a lover's love, little Rin."

"That's the greatest love you can ever feel for someone who's not your family. Love someone who is the opposite sex. Someone most precious, irreplaceable—love in someone you wouldn't be able to live without."

Biggest love. Love someone who is not family. Love of the opposite sex - someone valuable, someone irreplaceable, someone without whom, he or she would not be able to live. Trying to digest the word, Rin can only go back to thinking and thinking. Love is love. Have you ever felt affection for someone who is not your family? Someone who is the opposite sex, very valuable, irreplaceable9—someone without whom, he would not be able to live.

Thinking those words, for a second too, someone's face instantly appeared very clearly in Rin's mind. Unable to understand it, a warm feeling filled his entire body. His heart instantly beat fast, and he could feel an immeasurable happiness in the heart. A wide smile immediately flashed on her beautiful face. That kind of love, that kind of affection, he knows. Yep! He's already felt it! It was a long time ago - a feeling he had only ever felt in someone.

"Mother!" call Rin excitedly and bow the head of the respectful member. "thank you. Rin understands now! Rin knew what love was now," raising her head back to look at Inukimi. "Rin has already felt it, Mother. It's been a long time. Since Rin was a child, it turns out that Rin has felt the love of lovers. The same love with the love between Inuyasha-sama and Kagome-sama. Apparently, Rin had loved!"

Inukimi's smile disappeared, replaced by confusion hearing Rin's words. Jaken looked at the confused girl, while Sesshoumaru who was in front, his footsteps instantly came to a halt. Reversing his body looking at the girl, there was anger rising in his heart; anger directed at Rin's loved ones. Wh who? Who is that guy? The one Rin loved, he would kill her! He won't let Rin love anyone else!

Turning her body towards Sesshoumaru, not caring about anyone, with a charming big smile, she immediately ran towards that inuyoukai. His brown eyes sparkled with happiness staring at those golden eyes as he arrived in front of him. "Rin knows now," he laughed cheerfully. "Love. Rin loves you Sesshoumaru-sama."

The eyes of all those who were there instantly widened in shock at the sudden confession of the human girl's love.

Opening his hands wide, the smile on Rin's face became even wider and wider. "Higher than the sky, deeper than the sea, greater than the world, more than Rin himself lived. More than anything else, that is how big Rin's love is for Sesshomaru-sama."

Inukimi and Jaken's widened eyes only grew slacker, as did Sesshoumaru. The truly innocent confession of love before him right now, had actually managed to make the Western Land Ruler lose his voice, in fact, he could feel it, his heart that had stopped for a moment with the girl's sentence, it is beating incredibly fast.

Still staring at Sesshoumaru, not caring about the surprised expression, Rin raised the inuyoukai's right hand and placed the palm on her cheek. "Love is a human feeling. Love is a useless feeling. Love will make you weak and perish; love is weakness. Rin knows that, but, Rin is human, so it's not strange that Rin feels love. Then, it's okay if it's useless. It's okay if Rin becomes weak and dies. It's okay if Rin's love will be Rin's weakness..."

Not knowing what to do, Sesshoumaru could only remain silent staring at the human girl in front of him.

"Enough Rin alone loves Sesshoumaru-sama," Rin continued, closing her eyes. A peaceful smile expanded on his face, and slowly, he punched the stronger yet soft inuyoukai palm that was on his cheek. "Sesshoumaru-sama does not need to love Rin. Because, Rin did not want Sesshoumaru-sama to become weak. Rin wants Sesshoumaru to be forever strong, without weakness."

Sesshoumaru still did not say anything. Standing still he could only stare at the girl in front of him. And when they opened their eyes, when their eyes met, Rin immediately knew, the inuyoukai did not understand the meaning of his words. Laughing little, the human girl opened her mouth again explaining what was in her heart.

"Rin could see how happy Inuyasa-sama and Kagome-sama were because of love. Love can make a person weak and perish, however, not knowing why, Rin also feels love can make a person happy. Therefore, if with Rin's love, Sesshoumaru-sama can feel happy like Inuyasha-sama and Kagome-sama, even though it means Rin will weaken and perish, Rin is willing..."

Ssshoumaru's golden eyes were wide again, the explanation that slid out of Rin's mouth, again something he never suspected. However, he could not deny, how warm his heart—the warmth that made him very tight as if unable to breathe.

"Between Sesshoumaru-sama and Rin, let Rin alone love.."

That face, that smile, that happiness, as well as that confession of love, Sesshoumaru could no longer explain his feelings. Never had he felt this kind of feeling before, such a foreign feeling and the tightness of—a peerless warm feeling. Raising his free left hand, he wanted to hold the girl in front of him; not wanting the girl to disappear from him for good.

"Rin!" yelled Jaken suddenly. "So your attitude! What are you doing?!"

Jaken's instantaneous shouting also made Sesshoumaru stop what he wanted to do. Looking at Jaken, as well as Inukimi, he could see how shocked they were now. Lowering his left hand, the inuyoukai could only be grateful, almost doing something that was not his attitude.

"Rin did nothing, Jaken-sama." Rin answered innocently while looking at Jaken. Looking at the surprised expression that immediately turned furious on the frog youkai's face, he could only think, has he made a mistake?

"Not doing anything!" jaken replied again, running as fast as he could while pulling Ah-un's harness, he immediately approached Sesshoumaru and Rin. The frog Youkai no longer kept his attitude, because his feelings of surprise and anger had made him forget the existence of Inukimi who was behind. "So your attitude and your mouth, you stupid girl! Don't be so rude! Who do you think you are?!"

"Eh?" rin is confused. "Rin doesn't understand what you mean Jaken-sama."

Jaken's anger is mounting. "You—"

"Stop, Jaken." Sesshoumaru's orders suddenly cut off Jaken's voice.

"B-but, Sesshoumaru-sama!" yelled Jaken again while staring at the inuyoukai in front of him who had now returned expressionless.

Not saying anything more, Sesshoumaru turned his back and stepped foot forward again.

"ah! Sesshoumaru-sama! Wait!" yelled Jaken quickly while chasing the inuyoukai of the Western Land Ruler still while pulling the reins of Ah-un who snorted softly.

Confused, Rin immediately turned his head to look at Inukimi. "Mother, has Rin made a mistake? Do something disrespectful?" tanyanya slow.

Realizing from his stunned and shocked feelings, Inukimi who was staring at Rin could no longer hide her laughter. Raising his head up, he laughed out loud. What happened in front of him just now, in his dreams he never expected it. Looking at Rin, Inukimi then smiled. "No. You did nothing wrong or anything disrespectful, little Rin."

Inukimi's reply immediately made a smile re-expand on Rin's face. Subjecting her head in gratitude, the human girl then turned her back and ran after Jaken, Ah-un and Sesshoumaru.

Passing Jaken and Ah-un, running small beside Sesshoumaru, Rin's brown eyes again looked at the expressionless face of the inuyoukai. A happy and peaceful smile re-expanded on her face, "Sesshoumaru-sama," she called out softly. "Can, right? Can Rin love Sesshoumaru-sama?"

Not a hint of Sesshoumaru turned his face to look at the human girl beside him. He did not want to, or honestly, not dare. He who had mastered centuries of self-mastery, did not have the confidence not to touch and hug the girl if he looked at her now. A heart that is beating fast, a warm feeling that exists, does not know why, he does not hate all that. He did not mind the slightest love of Rin. He wants the girl forever to love him only one.

"Do what you like."

Behind them, staring at the figures of Sesshoumaru and Rin, Inukimi could not stop smiling. He could hear how quickly and loudly Sesshoumaru's heart was beating now, even though he didn't voice it. Raising his head up into the sky again, the former Western Landlords inuyoukai laughed loudly again.

Love's.

A human girl who is like a child, as well as a youkai who does not understand what love is, between them, without them realizing it, actually, love is already there—love of those who are really very innocent and innocent.

....xoxOx....