Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapter 72's

"So I came with the best sake from the north without resting" said a wolf youkai. He looked at Kagome who was in front of him full of smiles.

"You've been trying hard, Koga." Kagome replied with a smile as well.

"No! It's also for hanami's sake both of us!" koga Laughter. His eyes stared fixedly at Kagome.

"I'm also here a skinny wolf!" inuyasha shouted in anger, he moved his right hand against Koga. "Don't bother my wife!!"

"What are you mutt!!" moving away, Koga shouted furiously. However, Inuyasha did not care, he continued to chase and attack the wolf youkai.

"I'm so reminded of the past," Miroku's laughter saw Inuyasha and Koga from beside Kagome. "They both never change, do they?"

"Yes, I think even old people will stay the same." replied Sango who was also beside Kagome with a small smile.

Kagome can only laugh at the talk of Miroku and Sango. His two eyes then looked at the stage not far from him, he could see Rin laughing loudly at some youkai who were painting the stage.

They were all now in the sakura garden of the southern land palace. In accordance with Rin's remarks yesterday who wanted to help with hanami preparations, Kagome and the others also decided to help.

Hanami held south this time is enough to make Kagome surprised initially, because this hanami turned out to be held three days and three nights by inviting the leaders of the youkai clan below the south. The best quality food, sake and entertainment prepared. Akihiko really did not bother to hold this hanami party.

Rin who was on stage could clearly see the hanami preparations. He could not hide the joyous feeling in his heart, because despite being busy, his human eyes could also see the joyful expressions of the southern youkai–ya! Who wouldn't be happy with Hanami.

Rin comes to this park with the intention of helping, but in reality, there is nothing she can do. At the very end, he could only observe and give some income gracing the stage if needed.

Tsubasa was always with him, as was Kira and Kiri. The three youkai did not leave him for a second. Even when the human girl slept, the three of them were on the roof of her room. The command of their ruler to watch over the enemy was absolute to them.

"You like all the hanami preparations, Rin?" a man's familiar voice suddenly rang out and made Rin turn her back.

Not far from her, Rin's eyes found Akihiko walking up to the human girl with a smiling face.

"Akihiko-sama, good morning!" greet Rin while laughing cheerfully.

"Good morning too, Rin." Reply Akihiko smiled. He continued to step his foot and then stopped right in front of the human girl.

"Akihiko-sama." Tsubasa gave a respectful greeting with his head bowed.

Kira and Kiri said nothing, but their golden eyes stared intently at the ruler of the southern land.

Akihiko did not care about Tsubasa, Kira and Kiri, even in his view now there is only Rin. The beautiful smile that had just been shown had made her heart beat happily.

"Rin likes all these hanami preparations, Akihiko-sama." Rin's laughter again answers the question Akihiko asked. "Hanami this time will be an unforgettable hanami in Rin's life."

"really? Good then. Next year and in the years to come, I'll always hold hanami like this for you." Laughing happily, Akihiko's sky blue eyes looked gently at Rin.

Rin laughed again. "It's not just for Rin, Akihiko-sama. You should hold it again for the whole youkai in the south."

Akihiko just smiled at Rin's words. Her gentle gaze only grew softer, she was serious when she said she would hold hanami like this in the years to come for the human girl in front of her, because she wanted to always see this smile and this laugh.

Unable to stop, Akihiko realized, the longer he became interested in Rin. His eyes would unconsciously always follow this human girl. Like a blinding sun–he really wants to have it all.

Tsubasa who was beside Rin could only tightly clench her fingers without changing the expression on her face. Akihiko's facial expression made her feel very sick as well as angry. He did not understand, why could this cold-hearted daiyoukai behave like this to a human girl? And why not her?–she has been with him for hundreds of years.

"Oh yes," Akihiko said suddenly, the smile on her face disappeared replaced by a worried expression. "What about the wound on your arm?"

Rin immediately shook his head and laughed. "It's okay, Rin's hand has been healed thanks to the medicine from Kagome-sama."

"Thank God then," sighing, Akihiko could only stare at Rin without being able to hide the guilty expression on her handsome face. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry, Rin.."

What Akihiko said really took Tsubasa by surprise, she immediately lowered her head down to hide her facial expression.

Pardon you? Akihiko, the ruler of the southern land apologized?–youkai the wolf was a cruel daiyoukai who always acted arbitrarily. Nothing mattered to him, killing or destroying humans would youkai, little children as well as parents be common to him. But now he's apologizing to a human girl for a bruise?

Tsubasa can only desperately hide her feelings. However, he could not dismiss the feeling that was getting bigger and bigger. The same question filled his heart again, why must it be that human girl? Why not him? Whyyy!?

Rin, unaware of what was going through Tsubasa's mind, interrupts Akihiko's apology. "It's okay, Akihiko-sama. No need to apologize. Rin is fine."

Akihiko nodded his head and smiled. "Alright, Rin. I will break through my mistakes. Tell me whatever you want, I'll give it to you."

Rin's eyes widened to hear Akihiko's words. Forward step he stared fixedly at the face of the ruler of the southern land of Iraq. "really?? You just said no lie, did you, Akihiko-sama?"

Akihiko nodded his head, the smile on his face growing wider looking at Rin's face looking at him fixedly.

"Then it remains the same, Rin wants Akihiko-sama not to go to war with the west" Rin said later with a serious face.

Akihiko could not hide his laughter anymore. Raising his head up, he laughed out loud. Of all the things in the world, this girl just expects peace–Rin really never changes.

Raising her right hand, Akihiko then stroked Rin's head slowly. His two sky blue eyes returned the human girl's gaze very gently. "Alright, this Akihiko is taking your fancy, Rin."

Rin again smiled happily at Akihiko's words, and it didn't take long for the smile to immediately turn into a small bell-like laughter.

With eyes closed, cheeks blushing reddish and happiness emanated once again, Rin managed to make Akihiko stunned and seize his entire view.

However, Kira who was behind Rin suddenly came forward and brushed off Akihiko's hand. He stared intently dislikefully at the ruler of that southern land. "Take care of your attitude, Akihiko from the south."

Left did not say anything, but he pulled Rin and hid the girl behind his back. His two golden eyes also stared intently at Akihiko.

Akihiko did not show any reaction with Kira and Left's attitude. But a moment later he laughed again. Looking at Rin he smiled. "See you later, Rin."

"Eh? Yes, until Akihiko-sama."

Rin himself is actually very confused by the attitude of Kira, Kira and Akihiko. He felt that something was strange, but he did not know where the oddity lay

Staying with a smile on her face, Akihiko then turned her back. Walking a step the smile on his face disappeared. "Tsubasa, there's something I want to talk to you about."

....xoxOx....

Kagome, Miroku and Sango stared at what was happening not far from them in silence. They had observed from earlier the interaction between Rin and Akihiko. Then, when the figure of the ruler of the southern land left the park with Tsubasa, the future miko looked at her best friend taijiya. "Sister's opponent turned out to be amazing, huh?"

"Yes, you're right, Kagome." Sango nodded his head in agreement. From their conversation, Akihiko's expression and gestures, she admitted that the ruler of the southern land was an ideal husband candidate.

Willing to hold a hanami party like this every year, apologizing in front of subordinates without regard to his status, then willing to grant whatever the wishes of the girl he likes–not many youkai can do it blatantly like that.

"As a man, I quite agree with Akihiko-san's castrian attitude." Sela Miroku with a smile. "He's like me, a man who can make his wife happy."

"Don't say much" Sango continued as he pinched Miroku's cheek strongly. "Don't equate your basket eyes with her."

"In my heart there is only you, Sango," Miroku defended with a laugh enduring the pain in his cheeks. "Nobody else, you should know that."

"What are you talking about?" sidelines Inuyasha suddenly from behind Kagome, Miroku and Sango.

Looking back at Kagome, Miroku and Sango find Inuyasha and Koga who had no idea since the kapam had stood staring at them with puzzled facial expressions.

"We discussed the qualities of Akihiko-san as a life partner, Inuyasha, Koga." Miroku replied with a smile. His right hand stroked his cheek which was reddened by Sango's pinch.

"Of course," Koga laughed happily. Pride filled his facial expression. "We wolves are better than dogs! Even though he is Sesshoumaru, he will still lose to Akihiko-sama!!"

"What are you saying, skinny wolf!!" hardik Inuyasha is full of anger. "We're dogs better than you are wolves!!"

"Look at it, later!!" reply Koga did not want to lose, his eyes staring fieryly at Inuyasha's golden eyes. "In the end, the hime from the west will choose Akihiko-sama over Sesshoumaru!!"

"Don't!! Rin has always belonged to Sesshoumaru!! Why do you wolves love to snatch something of ours!!?"

Kagome, Miroku and Sango who saw Inuyasha and Koga quarrel were quite surprised for the first time. Both of their eyes widened, although a second later laughter and smiles adorned their faces

"We–it turns out Inuyasha already recognizes brother as family." said Kagome laughs amusedly.

"He also turned out to be on Sesshoumaru's side. It is fitting that he is always faceless while in the palace of this southern land." added Miroku did not want to lose.

"The son of a bitch is not my family!!" hardik Inuyasha suddenly and ignores Koga. "And also, I'm not on his side!!"

"Yes-yes," Kagome chuckled back, but the amused smile on her face was unbearable. "You don't side with your half-brother, Inuyasha."

....xoxOx....

"Kira-sama, Kiri-sama, do you both know where Sesshoumaru-sama is now?" rin asked suddenly while staring at the two inuyoukai in front of him.

Rin, Kira and Kiri have returned to her room from the sakura garden. The morning sky had also changed into the afternoon sky. However, until now, Sesshoumaru had not appeared in front of the human girl at all.

"Sesshoumaru-sama is inside the forest outside the southern land palace, Rin-sama" replied Kira flatly.

Nah! Rin immediately brushed off the feeling in his heart that far away. He didn't want to live and go through a day like that again. It's okay if Sesshoumaru doesn't want to show himself in front of him, because he himself will meet him–doesn't he already have the courage in his heart?

Opening his eyes, Rin smilingly looked at Kira and Kiri. "Kira-sama, Kiri-sama, can you take Rin to meet Sesshoumaru-sama?"

....xoxOx....

Tsubasa stood silently staring at the afternoon sky in silence. However, he was unable to hide the slightest bit of sad expression on his face.

'I want you to choose jewelry and kimonos for Rin. Then, I want you to clean the south pavilion of the palace. The pavilion would welcome its master after such a long time.'

Akihiko's orders are echoed in Tsubasa's head. A second later, the sadness on his face turned into a hull.

The southern pavilion of the land palace was the most esteemed residence for women in the southern lands. The master of the pavilion was none other than Kisaki of the southern lands; the legitimate spouse of the ruler of the southern lands. Welcoming her master after such a long time?–Akihiko really seriously wants to give that position to that human girl!

The anger that filled Tsubasa's heart grew more and more, mixed with selflessness and even sadness.

Since becoming Akihiko's concubine, Tsubasa has been satisfied. Although there were many women around the ruler of the southern land, she was a favorite concubine. Being able to be by her side and with her, even though she could not have her icy heart, she already felt enough.

But now, all of a sudden, a human girl appeared in their lives. Then, easily too, the human girl seized the heart of the ruler of the southern land. A smile, a laugh–the human girl melted that cold heart.

Why is it like this? Tsubasa did not understand. He kept asking why and why non-stop. Why isn't Akihiko smiling gently like that to her? Why was the gentle look of those sky blue eyes not on him? Wh why?

Then now, Akihiko asked her to choose kimono, jewelry and gems for the girl? Asking him to clean the pavilion and welcome Kisaki to his dream?

Tsubasa could only laugh withstanding the pain in her heart. How cruel Akihiko was, never did he think how broken his heart was right now? Which woman is willing to prepare and provide everything she wants most to the woman who has captured the heart of the man she loves.

Tsubasa hates it! He hated the love in his heart now! Hating that human girl–hating the Akihiko she loves.

....xoxOx....

Sesshomaru opened his eyes. He stared in disbelief at the smell direction of spring in the spring that captured his sense of smell. Not moving, he could only sit around waiting and hope that he was not dreaming.

Slowly, from behind the huge trees, Sesshoumaru's golden eyes caught the figure of the human girl who at all times filled his mind–Rin.

Rin could see Sesshoumaru who was aware of his presence. The expression of the ruler of the western land remained expressionless flat, and it made him a little afraid. What if that inuyoukai gets angry and drives him away again? There were only the two of them now, as he asked Kira and Kiri to wait for him in the distance.

Strengthening his heart, Rin still ventured forward. After all, he wanted to repair his relationship with Sesshoumaru who had no idea since when it had gotten worse. It probably won't go back to how it used to be, but at least she still wants to laugh and smile for him.

The closer Rin gets, the more nervous he gets. Nibbling on his lower lip, he continued to observe the inuyoukai in front of him.

The reddish twilight sky shone on Sesshoumaru, making his long silver hair glow reddish. Golden eyes, sharp nose, thin lips, pointed and sturdy jaw, although without expression–Rin realized the first time, it turns out Sesshoumaru is very handsome.

Continuing to walk, Rin's heart skipped a beat, she could feel her cheeks meet red. Gathering all his courage, he opened his mouth. "Sesshouma–akh!!"

Perhaps due to being too nervous and not paying attention to the road, Rin suddenly lost her balance and fell down. He immediately closed his eyes tightly and prepared himself to accept the pain.

Suddenly, however, Rin felt a pair of hands down her waist. An unfamiliar smell as well as warmth enveloped her, and the moment she came to her senses, she had found herself in Sesshoumaru's arms.

Strayed in disbelief, Rin's body did not move at all in surprise. Slowly, Sesshoumaru then released his embrace. However, he did not move away. The distance between the two of them remained very close.

Sesshoumaru looked at Rin's surprised face. The moment he saw the human girl fall, his body moved by itself. When she woke up, she hugged him.

"S-sesshoumaru-sama.." Rin's voice slid out from her mouth stammering. The surprised expression on his face still did not change. His two clear brown eyes were still staring in disbelief at the inuyoukai in front of him.

Rin's voice calling out slowly to her name stunned Sesshoumaru. Their proximity here–how long have they not been like this?

Slowly, Sesshoumaru's right hand moved up. His golden eyes looked gently at Rin. Gently and carefully as if touching the most precious treasure, his fingers ran down the cheeks of the human girl. "Rin.."

A warm touch on his cheeks, a gentle look in the eyes, a voice calling out his name. Making happiness fill Rin's heart. How long has he not felt all that?

Lifting both hands caught Sesshoumaru's hand that touched his face, subconsciously, his tears flowed down Rin's cheeks. However, the most beautiful smile was on her face. "Sesshoumaru-sama.."

Rin's smile, tears flowing down, the sound of the clanking of bells calling his name–Sesshoumaru can only stare fixedly at the figure. Slowly his left hand was raised again, slowly, the finger of the inuyoukai fingers wiped away the tears. "Don't cry, Rin.."

Rin immediately nodded his head. His smile grew wider, but his tears still flowed down unstoppably even though he tried it.

Raising his face looking at Sesshoumaru again, with a smile still on his face, Rin voiced his heart. "Sesshoumaru-sama, can Rin always be around you?"

Rin's sudden question left Sesshoumaru stunned.

"Although you are married, even if you have a child–can Rin always be around you? Can Rin always see Sesshoumaru-sama?"

Question after question Rin made Sesshoumaru's heart ache. What the hell has he done? Why would he be able to make this girl question like this now?

Gnashing his jaw firmly, Sesshoumaru released both of his fingers that were on Rin's cheeks. Once again, she wrapped her hands around the slender waist– hugged Rin tightly. "Don't question anything stupid."

Sesshoumaru's reply made Rin's tears flow down more and more, but the big smile on his face grew wider. She was crying, but she was happy. In this embrace, she finally felt relief, feeling–enough.

Her love.

Maybe they can't be together like Kagome and Inuyasha, but that's okay. Love does not always have. So, can always be next to Sesshoumaru is enough–this is his happiness.

Rin's tears of happiness made Sesshoumaru even more tightly embrace her, as if she wanted to melt the human girl in her arms into a part of her.

But along with the sobs as well, the guilt in Sesshoumaru's heart also grew bigger. Therefore, for all the mistakes he has made–he will make up for it.

"Rin, sorry.." whispered Sesshoumaru quietly. For the first time in his long life, Sesshoumaru, the daiyoukai ruler of the western lands whom all humans and youkai– feared, apologized.

Sorry for hurting a human girl, sorry for making her cry–s sorry for ignoring her.

Rin's eyes widened to hear Sesshoumaru's apology. The tears and the smile on her face immediately disappeared, she tried to break away from the embrace to see that inuyoukai face.

However, Sesshoumaru's embrace was very tight. Rin finds no strength to let go of her.

"I'm sorry Sesshoumaru for making you sad, sorry for making you cry.."

Sesshoumaru's apology took Rin by surprise. Why should the inuyoukai apologize?–Sesshoumaru is his master should not he apologize for everything that was done to him.

But along with every apology Sesshoumaru said, happiness also filled Rin's heart. Because, the apology proved to him, he also had meaning in the inuyoukai's heart.

Slowly, Rin's hands re-embraced Sesshoumaru. The tears and tears that had stopped broke again.

Sesshoumaru did not say anything more, hugging Rin, he let her cry. Inwardly, she promised herself–she would not let him cry anymore. This time, he would take care of her as best he could.

Rin's crying grew slower and slower, and when her tears had completely stopped, she still did not let go of her embrace.

It was Sesshoumaru who then let go of their embrace first, although truthfully, he did not want to. Staring at Rin's now smiling face, he again raised his right hand to wipe away the tears.

Reflexively, Rin's two hands immediately caught Sesshoumaru's fingers again. His two clear brown eyes sparkled staring at the inuyoukai in front.

"Rin.." call Sesshoumaru again. However, he was immediately speechless as his two golden eyes stared at the bluish bruises on Rin's two white arms. His kimono arm that fell down made the wound clearly visible.

Guilt filled Sesshoumaru's heart again, he clearly knew that the wound was the wound he caused–the grip of his hand and Akihiko.

Rin, who was aware of Sesshoumaru's direction, immediately smiled. "It's okay, Sesshoumaru-sama. This bruise does not hurt at all. Kagome-sama has already given–"

Rin's words were never resolved, because all of a sudden, she felt something soft and warm touching her arm.

In front of Rin, Sesshoumaru bowed his body– kissed the girl's arm gently. Along with his kiss too, his tongue slowly licked the wound.

Closing his golden eyes, Sesshoumaru continued to kiss and lick the wound, because, inuyoukai saliva is a very effective medicine in healing wounds. However, every time his sense of taste touched that soft skin, he felt more and more sweet.

A very foreign sweet taste is also at the same time very intoxicating. As if hypnotizing him, Sesshoumaru did not want to stop what he was doing.

Then, as he opened his two golden eyes again, Sesshoumaru was stunned. Just a few centimeters away, Rin's clear brown eyes that were as clear as spring water stared wide at him.

Rin's face flushed perfectly, even his ears were also flushed. Her tiny mouth opened as if she wanted to say something, but there was no sound coming out–Sesshoumaru had never seen an expression like this on Rin all this time.

Realizing, Sesshoumaru immediately distanced his lips from Rin's arm. Likewise with his right hand touching the girl's cheek. Silently silently staring at the human girl, she did not know what to say in this kind of situation.

Rin who was still with a dead red face then stepped back one step. His facial expression was completely inexplicable again, bewildered, shocked and mostly embarrassed blending into one filled his face.

"I-mother and the others must be looking for Rin right now. R-rin go first, Sesshoumaru-sama." Not daring to look into Sesshoumaru's eyes, Rin immediately turned her back and ran away. He didn't give any chance to say anything.

Sesshoumaru remained silent without being able to do anything, he could only stare at Rin's back which then disappeared behind the tree in front of him. All his life he had never behaved or done anything like just now. Closing his eyes, he raised his right hand down his long silver hair. "What have you done, Sesshoumaru.." he muttered to himself.

....xoxOx....