Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapter 74's

The night was getting late and the hanami party was still going on. On stage, show after show alternated, and around, the drunken youkai began to make a scene, but there was no denying that there were laughter and smiles on the faces of all the people.

"Are you sleepy, Rin?" akihiko asked the human girl beside her. "If you're sleepy, you can go back to your room to rest."

Rin shook her head and smiled back at Akihiko's question. "No, Rin is still not sleepy, Akihiko-sama."

"This hanami continues three days and three nights, Rin. You can still enjoy it, don't force yourself." Akihiko's smile again looked at Rin gently.

Rin nodded his head and laughed. "Rin knows, Akihiko-sama. Rin will go back to the room if she can't."

Akihiko's smile grew wider and his gaze grew softer seeing Rin's laughter. From day to day, he really wanted this human girl in front of him even more.

"Akihiko-sama, Rin-sama." Call out the heavy voice of a man suddenly from in front of Rin and Akihiko.

Looking at the source of the voice, Rin and Akihiko saw a white-haired youkai standing with a smiling face, both of his cheeks slightly flushed, signaling that he was a little drunk.

"Key." Reply Akihiko slowly. His two sky blue eyes stared at the youkai in front of him casually. There was no longer a gentle expression on that face, all there was was was the usual expression of a relaxed southern land lord and no matter what.

Kei is the head of the white bear youkai clan in the southern lands. He is a very strong youkai and also very respected. But most importantly, he is also one of the youkai beliefs of Akihiko, the ruler of the southern lands.

Kei bowed in respect. "Thank you for inviting me to this hanami party, Akihiko-sama."

Akihiko did not say anything, he just nodded his head in silence as if he did not care.

Rise up, Kei then looks at Rin. Smiling widely, he bowed his head back to the human girl. "Rin-sama, finally the servant can come face to face with you. Let me thank you again for what you did."

Kei's words immediately confused Rin. His brown eyes glowed frantically at the respectable youkai who lowered his head at him. "K-kei-sama, don't give this kind of respect to Rin."

Trying to stand up, Rin wants to help the youkai in front of her to get up, but Akihiko stops her, "It's okay, Rin." she smiles.

The confusion on Rin's face became clearer. He knew clearly who and what position Kei was in on the southern land, however, they had never met, what made this youkai thank him like this?

Standing up straight again, Kei could clearly see the confusion on Rin's face. Laughing loudly, he then waved his hands back asking for someone to approach him.

From behind Kei, a male youkai walked over. The youkai was very young, his human appearance age was only around thirteen, and he had a face and appearance that was very similar to Kei.

"My son, Ren." Kei laughed loudly while patting his son's back hard.

Ren immediately lowered his head giving a salute and greeting. "Akihiko-sama, Rin-sama."

"He's the reason I thank you, Rin-sama," Kei smiled. His eyes looked thankfully at Rin. "Thank you for bringing my stupid son back to life in the war of the south west."

Kei's words widened Rin's eyes, he looked at Kei in disbelief.

"This stupid son of mine is my wife's only legacy. I wouldn't have met him face to face if he was really dead by then." His laughter then and back hit Ren's back several times.

Ren who was struck by his father could only keep his head down withstanding the pain. His face flushed red from being treated that way in front of the ruler and his life savior. Moreover, he could also feel, all the views of the youkai within the park had now been directed at him.

Nibbling his lower lip and gathering all his courage, Ren then knelt down and thanked Rin. "Thank you for bringing my servant to life, Rin-sama."

Rin understood now the reason of thanking the two children's fathers in front of him. It could not be stopped, a smile adorned her beautiful face.

Slowly, not caring for Akihiko who came back to try to stop him, he stood up. Stepping closer to Ren, he leaned over and helped the youkai stand up.

Smiling wider, Rin's two brown eyes sparkled happily. The joy and happiness radiated dazzlingly on her beautiful face."No need to thank. Rin is glad you're alivethank you for living, "

Meido seki who shines and lives a resurrected youkai, though wrong in the eyes of humans, but, not in the eyes of youkai. There is happiness and wholeness of a family in it—that is enough for Rin. Evidence that what he was doing at the time had meaning.

Rin's beautiful smile stupefied Ren, as did Kei and all the youkai from earlier seeing what happened. Then, simultaneously, there was a strange warmth filling their hearts.

In a world so filthy and despicable, in a nation of humans so selfish and cowardly, this human girl stands with all her differences. Like the warm sun of spring, he shines upon all that is. In his brown eyes, all the same, human and youkai, strong or weak.

The southern youkai are starting to understand now, why the west loves and adores this human girl so much. Who wouldn't love him like this?

Not knowing who started it, slowly, the southern youkai who were in the hanami party got up and walked over to Rin. Smiling and laughing, they all kneeled in salute to the human girl.

"Thank you, Hime-sama."

"Thank you, Rin-sama."

"Thank you."

Thank you filled the garden. In the darkness of the night, without coercion and from the bottom of the heart, the youkai once again thanked the human girl

Akihiko sat unmoved, his two sky blue eyes staring at Rin's back full of admiration. Southern youkai are creatures of high pride, and they will not give this kind of respect to any people, only to their rulers and masters, they will do that. But now they do it for Rin.

Smile on Akihiko's face. Yep! Looking at this scene, he knew his decision was not wrong, even if he was an ordinary human being, no southern youkai would resist it. Rin is the guy. The only one who deserves to sit and stand parallel to him, Kiseki from south—Kisakinya.

"That's incredible.." Praise Miroku for not believing. This was the second time he had seen strong and high-minded youkai willing to kneel in salute and thank a human girl.

"Rin-chan, it's really-remarkable." Sango added. Both of his eyes were not moved from Rin's figure which was now starting to panic because of the youkai kneeling in front of him.

Inuyasha did not say anything, however, his two golden eyes were also not moved from Rin's figure like Sango.

"He was loved." said Kagome slowly. A human girl in the middle of a youkai, very strange yet real—Rin has always been accepted by the youkai nation that hates humans.

Inukimi said nothing, she smiled. His two golden eyes were unable to hide the pride in the heart. Rin, his human daughter, his pride, who else deserves to be a western kisaki and be with his son besides him?

....xoxOx....

Sesshoumaru silently stared at the scenery within the sakura park. He could clearly see the southern youkai kneeling in salute and thanking Rin. Just like back then, in the human village where Inuyasha lived, the girl once again showed her specialness.

Standing in the middle of the youkai, Rin was so shining. His smile and laughter—Sesshoumaru realized, it was all now no longer his one. When the girl was little, she could monopolize it all, but not anymore. Like a bird that has grown up and flapped its wings, it does not know from when, the girl has flown from the cage she created.

Rin is the sun, Sesshoumaru knew it. Warm and shining—because that is all there will sooner or later realize its existence. Who can hide the sun?- The black cloud or the night sky will not be able to forever do that.

Just in front of me. You can only dance and sing in front of me.

His selfishness last year, his orders to Rin on his birthday were stirred in his head, as well as the girl's face that was full of tears but smiling happily.

I-yes. Rin understood. Rin will not dance and sing anymore. Only in front of Sesshoumaru-sama will Rin sing and dance, only for Sesshoumaru-sama alone...

Closing his eyes, Sesshoumaru could only laugh in his heart. In this hanami party, by the nature of Rin, the ruler of the western lands is aware, how much he wants to participate in the crowd. But the girl will not do it, because the order from her first.

The first time Sesshoumaru realized, it turned out that he was very selfish and greedy - he always wanted to hide this sun. He just wanted this sun to shine for him.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, you have no intention of joining the crowd?" the voice of a woman suddenly sounded clear from behind Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru did not give the woman the slightest reaction, as did Kira and Kiri who were beside her. The three of them had already clearly sensed the existence of that woman who had approached them since earlier.

Approaching Sesshoumaru, the woman smiled and lowered her head in salute, "Hamba, Tsubasa from the south gives her greetings."

Still no reaction from the three inuyoukai was on the greeting Tsubasa, as if the beloved concubine of the ruler of the southern land was not there.

With an unchanging smile, Tsubasa then shifted her gaze at the sakura garden, staring at the figure of the human girl who became the center of the garden. "Rin-sama, he is truly enchanting. Nothing can beat his charm in this world."

Opening his eyes and looking at the smiling and laughing Rin with the southern youkai, Sesshoumaru opened his mouth. "What do you want?"

Tsubasa laughed at Sesshoumaru's question. "Nothing I want. The servant only admires the existence of a woman who can make the daiyoukai ruler of the southern land grind him like a fool."

Tsubasa's reply made Sesshoumaru turn his head to stare at the bird's youkai. His face remained calm without expression.

Smiling widely, Tsubasa's eyes shone happily staring at the figure of the ruler of the western land. "Akihiko-sama will make it south Kisaki. What are you going to do now, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

....xoxOx....

Inuyasha stared in disbelief at Kagome, Miroku, Sango and Inukimi who had been heavily drunk in front of him. The more the night, the party was getting lively, and now the festivities had almost turned into a commotion.

The sound of laughter, the sound of shouting was heard everywhere. Beside the park there are some youkai who are fighting drinking, there are even fighting with strength. The party that was going to last three days and three nights had just started not long ago, and the innuanyou had no idea what the last day of this hanami party would be like.

Looking at her head at the figure of Rin who could not get near her because of the southern youkai who constantly surrounded her, Inuyasha started to panic when he saw the human girl and Akihiko stood up and walked away from her place.

"Let go of me, Miroku!!" Inuyasha's orders while pushing the monk's body away.

Staring at Kagome, Inuyasha felt extremely confused and desperate. The future Miko has now fallen asleep comfortably regardless of the circumstances, and besides Sango and Inukimi having a drinking match.

"Kagome, relax!" call Inuyasha while hitting both of Kagome's cheeks slowly. However, his wife was completely unconscious, she just chuckled and stayed asleep.

Inuyasha let out a long breath. For the first time, he felt that Kagome and the others were completely unexpected. How could they be drunk like this in this place? They gulped down sake without hesitation, unlike her who kept an eye on Rin and Akihiko, because, until now, she had remained distrustful of the wolf youkai.

Seeing Rin and Akihiko who had already left the garden, inevitably, Inuyasha immediately carried Kagome on his back and ran in pursuit. For Miroku, Sango and Inukimi, he doesn't care—they are strong enough to defeat most of the youkai here, right?

....xoxOx....

Rin smiled and breathed the night air. His two brown eyes stared at the moon above the sky. Now he and Akihiko are quite deep in the cherry blossom garden of the palace of the land, although his ears can still catch the sound of the commotion that there—seems like everyone is still late in the excitement of the party.

Finally, he was able to breathe a sigh of relief after facing the southern youkai who continued to surround him, because, he had done nothing wrong that could tarnish the greatness of the western lands.

However, perhaps the most relieved for him was Kagome, Sango and Inukimi who were unable to get close to him. He did not know what to behave in front of everyone if the three of them still forced him to explain what happened between him and Sesshoumaru. He would not tell them, for it was a secret that he would keep until death.

"I'm so happy that you really like this hanami party, Rin." said Akihiko who was behind Rin slowly suddenly.

Rin turned her head and nodded. "Rin likes him a lot, and as promised, tomorrow Rin will play Shamisen."

"I'll look forward to it, and I also expect you to be willing to sing and dance." Akihiko laughed happily. His sky blue eyes stared fixedly at the human girl in front of him. "I heard at the dog's birthday party last year, you sang and danced for him. All the youkai present to this day are still talking about it."

Rin silently silently listened to Akihiko. The smile on his face disappeared, lowering his head down, he felt guilty. "Sorry, Rin can't.."

Just in front of me. You can only dance and sing in front of me.

Sesshoumaru's words knew then flashed through Rin's mind, making her face flushed with embarrassment. He recalled that day - one of the most beautiful days of his life. But most importantly, he remembered that promise, and he had no intention of breaking it.

Akihiko could see Rin's reddened face clearly. He did not know the reason why this human girl refused to sing and dance, and he also did not want to know. The ruler of the southern land had no intention of forcing her, if Rin did not want to, then she would not have a problem with it.

"It's okay, Rin," Akihiko replied later, stepping closer to Rin she smiled happily. "Do what you like."

Raising his head, Rin immediately replied to Akihiko with a smile. "Thank you, Akihiko-sama."

Akihiko stared fixedly at Rin. The night wind blew, playing with his long black hair, bringing out his unique smell. With the cherry blossoms behind her, the moon and stars on top of her, the smiling human girl in front of her was as beautiful as an illusion.

Her warmth and kindness, her innocence and courage, then, her smile and laughter—Akihiko admitted, she has fallen in love. Loving the human girl in front of him so deeply.

Taking a breath, Akihiko could feel her heart beating fast. In this world, only this human girl can make it like this.

For the first time in her life, Akihiko wanted something so extraordinary. He is willing to do anything if he can have it, and he will prove it, to those who are now hiding behind a tree not far from his place and Rin is.

"Rin," call Akihiko again. The smile on his face disappeared, replaced by a serious expression. However, both of his sky blue eyes still shone gently staring at the human girl in front. "Leave the west."

Akihiko's words made Rin's smile disappear replaced by confusion.

"Leave the dog for good and be mine, I will raise you to the south Kiseki. I'll give you the love that the dog never gave you..."

Akihiko's words made Rin very surprised. Both of his brown eyes were wide-eyed in disbelief at what he heard.

Slowly, his feet took a step back without realizing it. However, Akihiko took a step forward, keeping a distance between them.

Turning his head down, Rin tried to digest and think of Akihiko. Calming his heart, he then raised his head staring at the southern land lord who was looking at him straight.

Love that he never gave, leave west— leave Sesshoumaru? How could Rin do that?

Staring at Akihiko, Rin shook his head."In this world, Rin only wants to be next to Sesshoumaru-sama alone, nothing else."

"Rin!" stepping forward, Akihiko clasped tightly onto Rin's two hands. "Think carefully. Your happiness and future, that dog will not be able to give you that!"

Rin just kept staring at Akihiko in silence. He could see the panic in the sky blue eyes in front of him, and inevitably he asked, "Akihiko-sama, why do you love Rin?"

Rin's question made Akihiko stunned. But a moment later, he smiled. "Because you're like the sun, Rin. You are different from all the women in the world. You are very warm and kind, you are also very brave and wise, and you—beautiful. In my eyes, you are the most perfect woman in the world."

Rin smiled at Akihiko's reply, her two brown eyes shining gently at Akihiko. "Akihiko-sama, do you remember the little girl who called Rin a traitor in the human city?"

Akihiko did not understand Rin's question. However, he answered immediately. "I remember."

Keep smiling, Rin chuckles. "Can you love her like you love Rin, Akihiko-sama?"

Rin's second question left Akihiko stunned as well as confused.

"You can't love him, right? In fact, no one will love him." Continue again with a small smile.

Akihiko is further confused by Rin's successive questions which he does not understand.

"You know, Akihiko-sama," looking straight at Akihiko, Rin could clearly see her reflection now in the blue eyeball of the southern land lord's sky. "That's the real Rin."

Who the hell is he? Rin is an orphan girl.

His family died before his own eyes in the hands of bandits, and he who was terrified hid without sound—that's why he lived; he was a coward.

He's not good, because, he keeps stealing from the villagers where he lives to survive.

He's not wise, because, he can't do anything to change his life.

He was not warm, for he was disliked by the villagers. She shunned and hated them—she was unwanted.

Then, she never—beautiful. Her true figure is far from beautiful. She was a dirty and malnourished little girl. Mute and full of wounds on the body.

No one will love him, no one will care about him. He is not like the sun shining in the blue sky, nor is the moon shining in the night sky.

"Rin is a dirty and useless human girl, mute and unwanted by everyone. Can you love Rin like that, Akihiko-sama?" ask Rin again with a smile. He let go of Akihiko's hand and stepped forward. Raising his head to look at the sky, he laughed. "Rin the truth, you won't love her.— look no."

Closing his eyes, Rin smiled gently. That inuyoukai face flashed clearly in his mind. "But, Sesshoumaru-sama is not the same. Although Rin is mute, dirty, scarred and ugly, Sesshoumaru-sama sees Rin."

In this world, it was only Sesshoum that I was the only one who reached out to her despite having seen her so pitiful figure. The inuyoukai had no reason to turn on, guard and protect him. Has no obligation to raise and give everything he now has—no to beautiful kimonos, books, paintings, musical instruments, jewel necklaces and residences. But he gave it to her. Then, most importantly—smile and laugh.

Everything that has now become her, smile and laughter, courage and warmth, gentleness and wisdom, and beauty—it is because of Sesshoumaru. Everything that has now become him, Rin who is happy and accepted by many people—it is because of Sesshoumaru.

He could grow up like this was because of Sesshoumaru. If Sesshoumaru never existed, then so did Rin. Rin is an existence that exists in this world because of Sesshoumaru.

"Sesshoumaru-sama gave everything Rin has now, courage, kindness, gentleness, wisdom and also a smile of laughter. Without Sesshoumaru-sama, Rin is nothing," opening her eyes, Rin looks back at Akihiko with a very beautiful smile on her face. "So, forever, Rin will not be able to leave Sesshoumaru-sama."

Akihiko stared in disbelief sentence after sentence that Rin said. Both of his fingers clenched tightly restraining the raging feeling in his heart. The human girl in front of him now rejected him?— rejected the love he offered?

Akihiko could not accept it, and he did not understand either; why could Rin think like that? Between her and Sesshoumaru, could it be that the human girl in front of her might be confused by what she had offered just now?—that's why she rejected him like this right now. Yep! Rin must be confused by what happened, if given the time, he will definitely be aware of the best options available.

Taking a breath and trying to control her raging feelings, Akihiko stretched her fingers and returned a gentle smile. "You don't have to give me an answer right away, Rin. Something as important as this, you can think about it first."

"Eh?" rin exclaimed in surprise at Akihiko's unexpected reaction.

"Come, I'll take you to your room. You need to rest now." Akihiko added again. Stepping forward, not caring for the confused Rin, he clasped the girl's hand and guided her to walk out of the park where they were

Akihiko did not say anything more, he kept smiling gently at the girl. However, as the girl did not stare at him, her pair of sky blue eyes stared intently full of anger at the sakura trees not far from where she was.

Behind the sakura trees that Akihiko observed, Inuyasha sat on the ground with Kagome who was soundly asleep in her arms. His golden eyes were then directed at the figure of the three inuyoukai beside him; kira, Kiri and also Sesshoumaru.

Inuyasha did not say anything, he just looked at Sesshoumaru who was standing quietly with his eyes closed. In fact, when the twins from the west left them to follow Rin and Akihiko as bodyguards in the shadows, the hanyou remained silent.

Silence filled them, only the sound of Kagome breathing still asleep could be heard now. In this place right now, so to speak, only two brothers existed.

In the darkness of the night, Inuyasha then let out a voice breaking the silence after a long time. "You've heard all Rin said, haven't you, Sesshoumaru?—What are you going to do now?"

....xoxOx....