Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapter 66's

The daylight of spring shone warmly in the sky and the wind gently blew away Rin's hair. On top of the branches of the tree, birds chirped melodiously, beautiful flowers rose beside the road, where the girl's feet stepped. However, not a single bit of hime from the west was enjoying it. Down his head down, he just kept on following the path.

Inukimi who was beside Rin looked at him in silence. The human girl had been like this ever since they left the western land palace; mute with a flat-face look.

Rin does not resist in the slightest when Inukimi invites her to visit the human village where Inuyasha and the others are. Nodding his head, he immediately followed the former ruler of the western lands without question.

Sighing softly, Inukimi could only hope, Rin would return as usual. Leaving the western land palace or rather leaving Sesshoumaru was the truest thing now. This human girl would only continue to get hurt and lose her smile if her foolish son could not accept the reality.

Thinking of Sesshoumaru, Inukimi could only nod her head slowly. What does that son feel for Rin?- as a mother, he knows. When he first saw Rin with Sesshoumaru, he could see that the human girl was special in the eyes of his son. And day by day, the girl is getting more special and special. Then, not knowing when since when, love was present between them.

Sesshoumaru loves Rin, Inukimi can see it clearly. However, he could also see Sesshoumaru did not dare to love him. His foolish son continued to avoid and stay away from the human girl he loved.

Youkai are the most superior creatures 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.

That teaching, that principle of life, is what was instilled in Sesshoumaru from birth by Inukimi himself, along with Inu no Taisho and everything in the west. For, since his son was born, he was the anticipated western heir.

Inukimi himself was also born in a western youkai ruling family as was Taisho, his cousin. They grew up in a world where the strong lived and the weak died into hold. Therefore they knew, how important Sesshoumaru must be strong. That principle is the principle of life for youkai.

Sesshoumaru means the destroyer of life. The name Inukimi and Taisho choose is the hope that their son can be strong, can conquer all his enemies; destroy the life that will target his life.

And as per their expectations, Sesshoumaru grew up strong, becoming the pride of the west; the most perfect western heir there was. Without weakness, without feeling unnecessary—Sesshoumaru holds tightly to the principle of life.

Both Inukimi and Taisho were satisfied with that. The principle is true, and forever, the west will prevail. Until finally, the human princess was present in the world of Inu no Taisho; Izayoi.

In front of Izayoi, Taisho threw away the principle. No matter the consequences, his best friend loved a man with all his heart, and changed..

With Izayoi, Inukimi could see, Taisho laughed happily and smiled like a fool. However, most importantly, the daiyoukai ruler of the western land looked extremely happy.

'It's okay if this feeling will be my weakness. It's okay if I'm gonna be wiped out. For now I realize, life without feeling is not life.'

It was the word Taisho said to her, and Inukimi understood, for fear, anger, worry—love. He had already sensed all that when Sesshoumaru was in his womb. When she became a mother, she knew what it meant to be alive.

Taisho was right, what use is there without weakness? What is the importance of strong? What does it all mean if you've never really lived?—Feelings are proof of a real life.

Inukimi wants Sesshoumaru really alive. He wanted his son to experience all the feelings that exist in this world, as well as Taisho. The principle of life that they believe so far is the wrong principle of life.

Why Taisho gave Sesshoumaru tensaiga, Inukimi knew, it was because he wanted Sesshoumaru to know what that feeling meant. Tensaiga is a testament to Taisho's love for his son, the hope that his son will someday learn what it is to love, learn to understand the true meaning of life.

"Mother," Rin's slow voice suddenly resuscitated Inukimi from her daydream. "Mother, what's wrong?"

Inukimi turned her head to look at Rin who was now looking at her with concern. A small laugh immediately shot out from his mouth. It seemed, he had actually dissolved into his own reverie. "It's okay, little Rin. Mother just thought about what Taisho's son would react to seeing us."

Rin nodded his head hearing Inukimi's words. The former ruler of the western lands was right, Inuyasha and the others must have been very surprised to see them, as their visit this time was unannounced. Thinking inwardly, he tried to find the exact reason why they were in the human village.

Inukimi said nothing more. Smiling looking at Rin who was in front of him, his golden eyes softened. The innocent, innocent human girl, warm like the sun. No one ever knew, that in fact, he was always grateful for the existence of that girl in this world.

In this long life, it was Sesshoumaru who changed Inukimi, teaching what life meant. As for Taisho; it was Izayoi who taught him. Therefore, for Sesshoumaru—Rin is the person.

....xoxOx....

"Rin-chan!!!" a small inuhanyou ran with his little legs looking at Rin from a distance. His golden eyes twinkled with excitement staring at the human girl who had just entered the courtyard of his house.

"Shiro-chan!!" Rin laughs at Shiro, the inuanyou. Coming running, he immediately hugged her tightly when they met. "Don't run, you'll fall."

Shiro laughed happily and returned Rin's embrace. "Papa said, it's okay to fall, the pickles are not crying."

Rin laughed again at Shiro's words. Carrying her, she saw an adult innuanyou and a beautiful miko walking towards her from inside the house.

"Good afternoon, Inuyasha-sama, Kagome-sama," said Rin slowly looking at them.

"Rin-chan is? Inukimi-san's? Why are you here?" kagome asked, the beautiful miko was confused.

Inuyasha, that inuanyou didn't say anything. When he arrived in front of Rin, Shiro and Inukimi, he turned his head to look at the left-right vigilantly.

"What's up, Inuyasha-sama?" rin asked puzzledly at Inuyasha's strange reaction.

Inuyasha looked at Rin, "Where is Sesshoumaru?? Why don't I smell or feel the aura of his being?"

"Eh?" Rin is stunned to hear Inuyasha's unexpected question.

"My bastard son is still in the western court, Son of Taisho." Obviously Inukimi looked at Inuyasha with a flat face.

"Eh?? He let Rin leave the western land palace without her??" inuyasha asked again in surprise. His two golden eyes widened in disbelief staring at Inukimi.

Rin did not answer the question, she bit her lower lip and lowered her head down.

"You don't see me here, do you, Son Taisho?" inukimi asked back, a frown filling her forehead.

"No! That's not what I mean!" panic filled Inuyasha seeing Inukimi's expression. Although the inuyoukai in front of her was the biological mother of Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha respected her enough, because she was the youkai who helped birth her son, Shiro. "I just didn't expect, that son of a bitch would actually allow Rin to come visit our village without her."

How protective Sesshoumaru was to Rin, Inuyasha obviously knew. Especially since the war of the south west was over, the protection given to the girl was only getting tighter. Where the girl was, Sesshoumaru must have been around, either showing himself or not. The ruler of the western land seemed not to entrust the human girl to anyone but herself. So how did Rin get here without her?—did Inukimi kidnap Rin again like she used to?

"Rin-chan is? Inukimi-san?" call out the voice of a woman from behind Rin and the others all of a sudden.

Looking back, Rin saw a monk and a female taijiya standing not far away staring at them. "Miroku-sama, Sango-sama." Slowly sweep.

"Why are you here, Rin-chan? Aya, Maya and Mamoru would be so happy to see you." Sango's smile, the woman's taijiya while walking closer to Rin and the others.

Miroku, the monk beside Sango turned his head to the left-right, and then looked at Rin and Inukimi. "You two are coming, Rin-chan, Inukimi-san? Sesshoumaru didn't come?"

Rin was stunned to hear Miroku's question. Why did everyone ask Sesshoumaru when they saw him? Because the two of them have been together all this time?

An excruciating pain could fill Rin's heart instantly. Sesshoumaru will not be with her anymore, forever they will not be able to be together. The gaze of the eyes full of anger and the coldness of that inuyoukai voice as he said he wanted to visit the south flashed through the mind of the human girl.

"Rin-chan, what's wrong with Rin-chan?" the voice of Shiro in his carrier made Rin immediately look at the innuanyou. "Why is Rin-chan's face pale in check?" Rin-chan's sick?"

"R-rin is fine.," Rin stammeredly answering Shiro's question. Forcing a smile, he lowered the inuhanyou. "Rin doesn't hurt."

"What's wrong with you, Rin-chan?" ask Kagome worried. He could clearly see the unnatural expression on the smiling girl's face, as well as Inuyasha, Miroku and Sango.

"Don't force yourself to be strong and smile, little Rin," Inukimi's slow voice cut through Rin's words suddenly and made the girl turn her head to look at the former ruler of the western land. "Sesshoumaru isn't here, cry if you want."

Rin's eyes widened to hear Inukimi's words. However, a moment later, the tears he had been holding back desperately fell unbearably—he cried again.

....xoxOx....

Standing alone in the flower garden of the eastern pavilion of the western palace, Sesshoumaru stared at the buds of flowers that were beginning to grow. Night had arrived, but the black sky with the moon was not full did not make it difficult for inuyoukai to see his surroundings clearly.

The buds of flowers that had grown, Sesshoumaru could imagine how excited Rin was when he saw them. The girl will laugh and show it vigorously. Only, the girl was not next to him anymore now. Inukimi had taken him away to the human village, and—dia could not stop him.

Rin's shocked and pale face is reflected in Sesshoumaru's memory, along with the girl's crying face. Within a day, he had injured and continued to injure the girl.

Sesshoumaru could not control himself. The moment he saw Rin smiling again because of a letter from Akihiko, his gaze darkened. He did not want the girl to smile for Akihiko. Thinking that smile would be on someone other than her, she felt extremely angry.

Closing his eyes, Sesshoumaru tried to regain control of the emotions within him— the rage that suddenly appeared. The ruler of the western lands did not understand anymore, why was it so difficult for him to control himself now? He will be provoked easily just by thinking about Rin. The feelings he never imagined existed, were now being felt continuously. Confused, angry, empty, helpless, guilty - all felt, so too; happiness.

Rin gave him happiness, deep in Sesshoumaru's heart, he admitted it. As the girl smiled and laughed at him, at every soft voice she called out his name, at every hug - at every 'forever together' word that was always spoken.

Every word that was spoken, Sesshoumaru always thought it was a stupid word two words that were impossible and painful for both of them. However, deep in his heart, Sesshoumaru desperately brushed aside an existing feeling; a hidden happiness.

Forever together means the human girl wants to always be beside him, there for him, inseparable—the two words are one proof Rin loves her.

Rin loved herself as much as she loved the girl. Although the differences stretched widely between them, their same feelings were reality.

Rin's existence in his heart, Sesshoumaru must admit for the first time; the girl is irreplaceable. Today's events have taught him, the inuyoukai are always thinking of letting go of Rin, and he feels he can do it. But, with a piece of paper from Akihiko, he asked himself; could he let someone else take his place in the human girl's heart?—Sesshoumaru knew, he couldn't.

Imagining that smile and laughter as belonging to someone else, imagining that warmth and love being fixed on someone else—Sesshoumaru could not imagine anyone else beside Rin other than himself.

"Sesshoumaru-sama." Kira's voice suddenly sounded resuscitating Sesshoumaru who was deep in his mind.

Opening his eyes, Sesshoumaru looked at Kira who was kneeling in front of him respectfully. His facial expression remained flat as usual, not revealing the slightest bit of what was in his heart.

"Hamba detects movement from the south." Kira.

....xoxOx....

"Rin-chan is asleep." Said Kagome quietly while enveloping Rin who was asleep with his head on Inukimi's lap. His hand gently stroked the girl's head. "I hope he can get back to his usual excitement soon."

"I hope so too." Sango added softly and sighed. His face could not hide the worried expression.

Having known Rin for a long time, Kagome and Sango never saw the girl cry as much as this. The face that was always smiling disappeared replaced by sobs.

"What does Brother really think? Why would he treat Rin-chan like this?" kagome's face could not hide the feeling of confusion in the heart.

Sango did not say anything, but he also agreed with what Kagome said. Inukimi had told them what had happened, and it was shocking and difficult to understand.

How important Rin was to Sesshoumaru, they could all see it. Since childhood, this human girl was the only living thing she protected. The war of the new south west soon became evident, how valuable Rin was to the ruler of the western land to them. So, how can inuyoukai it stay away and not care about it?

"My son is getting older and more useless" Inukimi said suddenly, grinning furiously. "If only I still had meido seki, I might kill him and bring him to life so that he would realize what he had done."

Kagome and Sango could only faintly smile at Inukimi's words. They did not know that inuyoukai's words were true or were only out of anger for a moment.

"Let me just do it, Inukimi-san." Inuyasha's voice suddenly rang out from outside the window where they were.

"You sure you can beat Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha?" ask Miroku's voice.

Both Inuyasha and Miroku do not enter the room where Rin is, as Kagome drives them out. Seeing Rin's tears just because of the name Sesshoumaru that Inukimi spoke, the future miko knew, their story was a sensitive one for the human girl. Rin would be more comfortable without the existence of men.

The expelled Inuyasha and Miroku can only leave their children to Kaeda. Then, sit on the ground and steal a hear through the window from outside the house.

"Whose side are you on, Miroku??" inuyasha asked. His golden eyes stared intently at his best friend who was now laughing softly.

"I'm just reminding you, Inuyasha. I don't want Kagome widowed and Shiro kehi—" Miroku's words came to a halt as he suddenly just felt the aura of a youkai from a distance.

Inuyasha also felt the aura of the youkai, as well as Kagome, Sango and Inukimi in the house. Standing up straight, the inuanyou and the monk stared at the source of the aura.

Above the sky of the human village, the eyes of Inuyasha and Miroku stared at the number of youkai flying down towards them with a large and luxurious palanquin at the back. All of these youkai are beautiful and graceful female youkai. Smiling friendly, they give a friendly impression.

Inuyasha and Miroku did not say anything as the youkai troupe descended and set foot in front of them. However, they also did not lower the alertness in the heart.

A youkai haired woman and blue eyes stepped forward. Smiling gently he bowed respectfully. "Good night, Inuyasha-sama, Miroku-sama."

"Who are you, beautiful ladies?" miroku asked with a smile. His eyes stared at the youkai-youkai in front, reflecting the beauty that was there, without losing vigilance.

The female youkai got up and laughed softly. His attitude remains polite and full of awkwardness. "Hamba is Hanako from the south. Servant is here to pick up Rin-sama, the hime from the west on the orders of Akihiko, the ruler of the southern land."

Hanako's reply immediately took Inuyasha and Miroku by surprise. Instantly, the innuanyou pulled out the tessaiga sword at his waist, as did Miroku who pulled out his spell paper.

"Don't dream!! What else is that jackal fucker planning??" inuyasha shouted with anger. "South want ber—"

"Down your voice, Son of Taisho. Rin was sleeping." Inukimi's voice suddenly sounded cutting Inuyasha's speech.

Looking to the side, Inuyasha's golden eyes found Kagome, Inukimi and Sango walking slowly out of the house towards them.

"Good night Inukimi-sama, Kagome-sama, Sango-sama, Hanako's servant gives her greetings." Hanako smiled as she saluted the inuyoukai and the humans who approached them.

Kagome and Sango could only stare at the puzzled youkai troupe in front. They were really unusual with the respect given. However, Inukimi did not, she returned that smile. "Pick up?"

"Akihiko-sama doesn't want Rin-sama's trip to the south to have any difficulties," Hanako explained again with a smile still on her face. "We're there to protect her."

"Protect what!??" inuyasha shouted again full of anger. "You think we're stupid!! The South wants to trick us, huh?? Wh-"

"Alright." Inukimi's slow voice suddenly cut back Inuyasha's voice. The smile on his face grew wider. "That little wolf is really very considerate."

"Eh????!!!" Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku could only stare at Inukimi in disbelief.

....xoxOx....