Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapters 10

Slowly Shura opened her eyes. What he saw first was the ceiling of his room that was in the southern earthen palace, and he was lying on top of his futon. The heir of the western land tried to get up, but at once, a tremendous pain invaded his entire body, as if forcing him to lie still on the futon below him.

"Shura-gama! Slow down! Your wounds will open again if you keep moving." Said a woman suddenly while helping Shura rise to a sitting position.

Shura looked at the owner of the voice and she found Tsubasa, Akihiko's beloved concubine looking at him with a face full of worry. Looking at that worried face, a barrage of events would happen before he lost his consciousness back into his head. He immediately lowered his golden eyes staring at his entire body. Sharp nail claw scars, bruises and bandages that cover wounds all over his body and legs....

He has lost.

Shura's room's shoji door suddenly opened, and Jaken's screaming voice instantly rang out clearly. "Shura-gama! You finally realized it too!"

Shura did not raise her head to look at Jaken who had run towards her. He just kept quiet and closed his eyes.

He's outmatched. He has lost.

"Shura-sama, is anyone sick? You're all right, right? Do you need anything?" jaken asked continuously as he had been beside Shura. His eyes looked at the young master with worry.

"How long have I been unconscious?" shura asked as she raised her face looking at Jaken and Tsubasa all of a sudden. He didn't care about Jaken's question in the least.

"You were unconscious for a week, Shura-sama." Answer Jaken quickly.

Shura was stunned to hear that answer. Aweek? Is that how long he doesn't wake himself up? His heart felt very sick, annoyed and angry. How weak he is. He was weak, he was too weak, which is why he could not return to the west.

The shoji door of Shura's room opened again, and without even raising her face, she knew who had entered from the smell and also her aura, the owner of this palace, the one who defeated her; akihiko.

Slowly and with an expressionless face, Akihiko walked over to Shura. No one said a word until the atmosphere of the room became silent. The ruler of the southern land simply stared at the western land heir in silence as he arrived beside him. A moment later, Shura raised her face looking at Akihiko sharply, there is hatred in her eyes now.

"Forget west. South of your house from now on." Akihiko commands, there is no smile and also an expression of boredom on the face now, there is only seriousness.

"My house is not south. My home is the west." Reply Shura sharply.

"You are no longer the heir to the western lands, Shura. From today on, you are the heir to the southern lands, my son." Reply Akihiko again with his voice remaining calm.

Anger filled Shura's heart. "I'm not your son! I am the son of Sesshoumaru, the lord of the land of ba-"

"He has thrown you away!" cut Akihiko.

Shura was instantly speechless hearing what Akihiko said. His golden eyes narrowed, he did not understand what the ruler of the southern land meant now. "What do you mean?"

"The dog has thrown you away." Repeat Akihiko again while looking straight at Shura.

"Lied!" shura shouted in anger.

"I'm not lying to you! Here's proof!" reply Akihiko while throwing a letter at Shura.

Shura immediately picked up and opened the letter. He knew that the letter he had in hand now was indeed a letter from his father, for he knew well the neat and orderly writing, moreover, he could still smell his father left behind. There was only one word in the letter.

...Just do what you want....

...Sesshoumar....

"I asked him to give you to me, and that's the answer."

Shura did not know what to answer, because she could not believe what had just happened. Akihiko's voice felt very distant, like a dream, not reality.

"Shura-san..." Call Jaken slowly. He did not know what to do to see the situation of his young master now, because he knew what Akihiko said was right. He saw clearly that the one who delivered the letter was actually one of the inhabitants of the western land palace. He was very surprised, completely shocked when he found out what was written. Sesshoumaru-sama intends to release Shura? Letting Shura be Akihiko's successor, his rival? Nah! Jaken doesn't believe that! "He lied to Shura-sama! Sesshoumaru-sama is unlikely to throw you away!" jaken shouted suddenly with all his might.

Shura did not say anything, she just raised her head staring at Jaken in silence.

"You are his only child! His heir! He can't throw you out!" Jaken continued, trying hard to convince Shura.

Tsubasa who was also there did not say anything, she just kept silent to see what was happening in confusion.

"He doesn't want you, Shura." Akihiko said again suddenly. "From the beginning, he never wanted you..."

Akihiko's words again made Shura lift her face staring at the ruler of the southern land. He was eager to let out a voice to refute what he said, yet, he could not. He could not find his voice, his throat felt very dry.

"Akihiko-sama, please, stop this conversation. Servant please.." Pinta Tsubasa suddenly. He couldn't stand this talk anymore. Although very strong, smart and mature, Shura was still a child. He couldn't possibly face this reality casually.

However, Akihiko did not care about Tsubasa's request, because he had already decided that no matter what happened, he would not let Shura return to the west again. "He never loved you, he hated you, Shura. The dog hates—"

"Get out.." Shura suddenly cut off Akihiko's words while bowing her head down.

"Shura-san.." Call Tsubasa and Jaken slowly, worries filled their hearts seeing the small inuyoukai attitude before them

"Get out of here!" Shura shouted suddenly while raising his head upwards staring at all of them. His golden eyes had turned blood red with anger. He didn't want to hear anymore, he didn't want to know anything more, he wanted to be alone!

Akihiko, Jaken and Tsubasa fell silent as they let down a shout full of Shura's anger. Looking at his facial expressions now, they already knew how angry and sad he was. His red eyes contained anger, but there was also no denying, there was sadness.

"Think about it I just said.." Akihiko said suddenly and walked away. She knew, Shura must have known what she said was true, no matter how she tried to deny it. The purpose of his arrival to meet the little Inuyoukai had already been achieved, although this would make Shura hate him, he did not care. He will never repeat the mistakes he made.

Seeing Akihiko walking out, Tsubasa immediately stood up and chased after him. She did not understand why Akihiko was acting like this all of a sudden. Not only did he injure Shura, he now even wanted to snatch her from Seshoumaru. What really happened?

"Shura - same.." Call Jaken slowly full of worry while looking at his young master.

"Exit Jaken. Leave me alone." Shura's orders again.

Jaken wanted to refuse, however, she eventually obeyed the order, because she knew, Shura would not be able to change her decision. Slowly, the frog youkai stood up and walked out.

As far as they were concerned, as she stayed alone in her room, Shura laid her body back on the futon, ignoring the pain that was attacking her. He raised both hands down his hair and closed his eyes.

"He never loved you, he hated you, Shura."

Akihiko's words flashed through Shura's head. No matter how hard he tried to forget it, the remark kept on stirring in his head.

Youkai are the most superior creatures in the world. There's no point feeling. Feelings will only make you weak. Feelings will only make you disappear. Youkai are creatures that can live alone.

The sentence suddenly flashed in his head. Youkai are sentient beings. He and his father are youkai, heartless creatures, therefore, he needs no feelings. He doesn't need love. Didn't he know from the beginning, for his father he was nothing more than a tool. From the beginning, for his father, his existence must not have been so important.

Yet...

Wh why? Why does his heart hurt so much? Why on hearing that his father did not love him, upon hearing that his father had thrown him away, did he feel this pain? The pain was so stifling, it was like someone squeezed his heart so hard. He didn't expect his father's love, he didn't expect it! So why is he feeling this pain? Wh why?

....xoxOx....

"Akihiko-sama! Wait!" call Tsubasa trying to stop Akihiko walking in front of her. However, Akihiko did not stop her walking anyway.

"Akihiko-sama! Stop that!" tsubasa shouted loudly all of a sudden.

Tsubasa's extremely loud yelling voice called out to her managed to make Akihiko stop. He turned his face to look at the concubine. Tsubasa never yells at her, Tsubasa always keeps her voice low while talking to her, but now she yells at him. Akihiko's sky blue eyes met Tsubasa's red eyes, and all she could see from those red eyes were two, confusion and sadness.

"Why are you doing this? Why did you say that to, Shura-sama?" ask Tsubasa slowly.

"I don't want him to be like that dog." Akihiko replied without the slightest hesitation and instantly made Tsubasa speechless. "He was too similar to that dog. I don't want him to grow up to be that cold, heartless dog."

"Akihiko-sama.." call Tsubasa slowly.

"Shura knew Rin. He wanted to ask for an explanation of who Rin really was to the dog, "Akihiko cut him off slowly. Tsubasa's eyes immediately widened in shock, not believing what he said. "And I won't let that happen...."

Tsubasa just kept silent not knowing what to say.

"He loves her, Tsubasa. Deep in her heart, Shura loves Rin even though she cannot remember him. Obi rin who is always grasped and seen every day is the proof" Akihiko continued and was silent for a moment. "The dog will definitely tell Shura everything. Real fact. The dog never wanted Shura in the first place."

"Who said Sesshoumaru-sama never wanted Shura-sama!" cut Jaken suddenly and make Akihiko and Tsubasa look at him behind them.

"You know who Shura-sama really is, right? How dare you say Sesshoumaru-sama does not want Shura-sama! Not love her?!" continued Jaken again while looking at Akihiko sharply full of anger. There was not the slightest fear he felt right now, the anger had made him forget that what he was facing right now was the youkai ruler of the southern lands.

Akihiko returned Jaken's eyes. "Just because I know who Shura really is, I'm sure the dog hates her.."

"What do you mean?!"

....xoxOx....

Two days have passed since that incident. News has been thickening everywhere, about Shura who is now the heir to the southern land and also Sesshoumaru who has thrown it away. Not a single inhabitant of the southern palace had said a word of it, for deep down in their hearts they could have expected it.

The wounds on Shura's body had started to heal, however, he still did not allow anyone to enter his room. He wanted to be alone, and that made Jaken and Tsubasa very worried.

"Shura-sama.." call Tsubasa from outside Shura's room, "May the servant come in?"

There's no answer.

"Shura-gama! Please, let me in!"pinta Jaken is also outside.

Still no answer.

"Shura-gama! Servant please!" call Jaken again while kneeling down and crying pleading.

Seeing that, Tsubasa took her breath. He doesn't know what to do now. However, suddenly Shura's voice that was behind the door of her room shoji was heard. "Come in both of you."

Jaken immediately smiled happily at Shura's words. " Thank you, Shura-sama!" he was excited as he opened the door of Shura's room, while Tsubasa could only breathe a sigh of relief as Shura was finally willing to meet them.

As Jaken and Tsubasa set their feet inside the room, they saw Shura standing staring at the winter sky from the open window. His face was not as expressionless as usual.

"Tell it to Akihiko-sama... I won't be his son." Shura said suddenly without turning his head to Jaken and Tsubasa.

"Shura-sama.," called Tsubasa quietly, while Jaken immediately shouted excitedly. "You heard that, woman! Shura-sama will not be the child of that wolf."

"Even though Father has abandoned me, does not want me, and hates me... I will never be the Shura of the South. Forever, I'll just be Shura from the west." Shura continued without concern for Jaken.

Tsubasa just fell silent not knowing what to answer. However, when he saw Shura's eyes, he finally nodded his head indicating he understood. The eyes that looked at him would not change, It was the eyes without a doubt of an eye-decision similar to the eyes of a human girl he had once seen.

"Then Jaken, "call Shura while turning her head to look at Jaken.

"Yes, Shura-sama." Reply Jaken happy.

"Where's my obi? Where's my obi Rin?"

Jaken immediately stared at Shura's question, the smile on his face disappeared. "H-servant does not know..," answered Jaken stammering. "Hamba didn't take it. Akihiko's.. The wolf took it."

Shura was silent to Jaken's reply and clenched her hand. His golden eyes turned red with anger. Obi is on Akihiko. Obi Rin is with Akihiko. And judging what happened, Shura knew, Akihiko couldn't possibly return the obi to her again. He had lost everything he had now because he was too—weak.

His red eyes turned back to gold as the thought entered him. His father was right, he was too weak. Had he been stronger, this would not have happened, he would not have been trapped here, he would not have lost the obi, and most importantly, he would not have been dumped by his father.

He's too weak.

"Shura-san..." Call Jaken worried when he sees the change in attitude of his young master, as well as Tsubasa.

"Get out." Shura's orders suddenly.

"Shura-san.." Call Jaken again, but there is no answer. Slowly, sighing, the frog youkai finally decided to come out as well. He had no ability to change this young master's decision, he was certain of that.

Tsubasa who also did not know what to do immediately followed Jaken. However, just as her feet were about to step out of the room's shoji door, she turned her red eyes on Shura again. Looking at Shura's facial expression, she couldn't help but grieve. The Inuyoukai in front of him was still very small and did not know anything, but, he was already faced with a heavy problem like this.

"Come out.." Shura's orders again while looking straight at Tsubasa. He could feel the concern from Tsubasa, only, he did not need it.

Closing her eyes, Tsubasa again nodded her head slowly and walked out.

As the door of her room shoji had closed, as she had been living alone, Shura looked at both palms and clenched them quietly, trying to imagine that the pink obi was still in her hands. However, he could not lie, the obi was no longer there, the only evidence of the girl's existence was no longer there.

Shura then closed her eyes. Confusion enveloped him, he did not know what to do now. What's he supposed to do? He doesn't want to be here? He wants to go west? But his father doesn't want him anymore? He threw it away, where should he go now?

Fearful.

She's afraid. In his heart, he felt what was meant by fear for the first time. He could not look ahead anymore, everything was very dark.

By ourselves.

He's alone now. Not knowing who to trust, not knowing what is right and what is wrong. Lost, he's lost.

How hopeful he was that the obi was still in his hands now, for he knew it would calm him down. The warmth felt while grasping the obi, the warmth as he held it in his chest could definitely repel everything he felt.

"Shura-sama, the servant entered." Tsubasa suddenly disperse Shura's daydream.

Shura had not had the chance to say a word, the shoji door of her room had opened. Tsubasa did not say anything, he walked in to approach her with slow footsteps.

"What do you want?" shura asked with an expressionless face as the concubine of the southern land lord arrived in front of him.

Tsubasa did not answer Shura's question. He raised both his hands and handed something to Shura.

A ribbon—pita is red.

Confused, Shura raised her face to look at Tsubasa.

"For you Shura-sama." Tsubasa suddenly said.

Shura was getting confused. He slowly raised his hand to touch the ribbon, while his golden eyes stared fixedly at the object, examining it.

"This is his... This is Rin-sama's ribbon..."

Shura's eyes immediately widened, and at once he raised his face to look at Tsubasa.

"You know him?" ask Shura.

Tsubasa smiled slightly and nodded her head slowly. "Yes, I know him, Shura-sama."

"Tell me! Who-is-she?! Who is Rin really!? What does this have to do with my father!?" shura asked suddenly as she raised her hand tightly gripping Tsubasa's two arms.

Tsubasa could feel the pain from Shura's grasp. But he did not show it, for, rather than pain, he felt more sorrow. Questions, screams, confusion and despair, as well as sadness, were all so clearly visible on her little face right now. How much he wanted to tell Rin who it was to Shura. But he can't, really can't.

"I forgive servant. Servant can't answer Shura-sama." Tsubasa replied later while lowering her head, turning her eyes away from Shura's face.

Seeing the demeanor and also the sadness on Tsubasa's face, Shura immediately let go of her hand. "Akihiko-sama knows her as well, right?" tanyakanya.

Tsubasa nodded his head.

"However, he's the same as you, right? He won't answer."

Tsubasa again nodded her head and made Shura stop asking. No one will answer the question.

"Shura-sama," call Tsubasa suddenly. "Return the tape back to you, because the owner of the tape should be you."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't ask me like that, Shura-sama." Reply Tsubasa quietly with a small smile. "This is all I can tell you."

Shura did not ask anymore, she lowered her head staring at the ribbon in her hands. The ribbon in his hand is pita—pita Rin.

Slowly, the little inuyoukai lifted the ribbon and kissed it softly. A small smile flashed across his face. Warmth. He could feel that warmth again. Relief filled his heart. Not an illusion, the girl, Rin will forever never be an illusion for her.

Looking at Shura's smile, Tsubasa gave a small smile and bowed her body, transmitting herself. He doesn't need to be in this room anymore. No matter how he attempted to comfort and encourage the small inuyoukai in front of him, he would not succeed. Nothing will work. Only Rin's existence can be, Rin's presence in the tape can be—the unbreakable bond that exists between them.

"Alright, Shura-sama. Servant beg yourself, please rest." Tsubasa said slowly.

Shura nodded her head and let Tsubasa walk out, she did not ask anything more. But when Tsubasa was about to open the door of Shura's room, she turned her head back to the little Inuyoukai and smiled. "Hamba almost forgot about it.. Happy ninth birthday, Shura-sama..."

....xoxOx....