Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
The Chapter 120

The wind blows making anyone who feels it will be cold, because it is the winter wind. Autumn had passed, and everyone knew, soon enough, the fallen brown leaves would be covered in the white of snow.

Winter is a season that many people fear, especially the poor. They will be concerned, whether their clothes can warm up, and whether they have the food supplies to get through the winter.

Once upon a time, when he was a child, Rin who had just lost her family also experienced it. In a bone-chilling winter, alone and starving—she herself actually can no longer remember how she made it through the winter back then.

Perhaps out of grief of losing everything, Rin never remembers clearly the darkest past of her life. All he remembered most clearly those times were only; cold, hungry and dark— himself.

Winter is a scary season. Winter is the season in which the strong live and the weak perish. However, for such a winter, Rin had never hated him.

It is not as beautiful and warm as spring which has millions of colors, but the snow white color where the eyes look is actually also very; charming. There is beauty in that scary season, like—Sesshoumaru.

If everyone who knew him always said that he was the epitome of spring, then in Rin's eyes, Sesshoumaru was the epitome of winter. Powerful, scary, cold and deadly—fit once right?

However, just like the winter beauty he saw, Rin could clearly see also the hidden beauty of an inu daiyoukai named Sesshoumaru.

The true beauty of Sesshoumaru that no one can see except her, Rin has no words to explain. But, he had been able to see it since childhood until now—inuyoukai was beautifully unexplained. The Inuyoukai who saved him, protected him and chose him from the many women in the world—the man he loved with all his body soul.

"What do you see, Rin?" ask Sesshoumaru slowly. His two golden eyes looked at Rin who was sitting leaning his back on his chest. Both of her hands hugged tightly and gently the belly of the human woman who was staring straight out the window.

Rin turned her face to look at Sesshoumaru and smiled gently. "Rin saw winter outside Sesshoumaru-sama."

Sesshoumaru nodded his head slowly hearing the answer he got. Staring at Rin's still pale face, he moved his moko-mokonya enveloped the legs and body of the woman in an embrace, to ward off the cold.

Rin's smile only grew wider with what Sesshoumaru did. That inuyoukai attention, he really liked it. Slowly, with an unchanging smile on her beautiful face, the kisaki of the west ground turned back to look at the face staring out the window. "Winter has arrived, Sesshoumaru-sama," he said slowly. "Now, maybe it'll be snowing."

Sesshoumaru tightened his embrace and nodded his head slowly once more. Winter had indeed arrived, and before long, the world would turn white as the falling snow covered the ground.

"Sesshoumaru-sama," call Rin then. Rise up, he slowly and carefully turned his back to look at Sesshoumaru. Both of his brown eyes were gleaming with joy. "Winter—you'll have a birthday soon, right? What gift do you want?"

The question and the happy twinkle in Rin's eyes made Sesshoumaru smile a little. "You'll have a birthday soon too."

Sesshoumaru's words stunned Rin. A moment later, he smiled again. He almost forgot, Sesshoumaru's birthday was also his birthday. Last year, the inuyoukai had announced it.

"Whatever you want, this Sesshoumaru will give it to you, Rin?" ask Sesshoumaru slowly. Raising her right hand, she stroked softly Rin's cheek.

Rin laughed and shook his head. "You have given Rin the most incredible gift, Sesshoumaru-sama," he replied gently. His hand slowly moved to touch his stomach. "You've given Shura to Rin. Rin doesn't need anything anymore."

Rin's reply only made Sesshoumaru smile again. Slowly, he brought their faces closer and gently kissed the forehead of the woman in front of him.

Rin who needs nothing when he is, Sesshoumaru the ruler of the western land is willing to give everything. Never change; human women who are never selfish— women who already feel enough just to have those they love.

A warm and gentle touch on her forehead made Rin close her eyes. He had only just reopened his eyes when Sesshoumaru had already distanced his lips.

Little laugh, Rin looked at the pair of golden eyes that were looking at her gently. "What do you want, Sesshoumaru-sama? As long as Rin can, Rin will definitely give it."

Gently stroking Rin's cheek, Sesshoumaru smiled again. What does she want? The inuyoukai knows. The thing that now and forever will be the only thing he wants.

"Never together."

"Eh??" Rin was stunned to hear Sesshoumaru's reply.

"The present Sesshoumaru wants is to be with Rin forever."

The gift Sesshoumaru wanted, his answer and speech—Rin clearly remembered, it was what he wanted and said last year on that night inuyoukai asked what he wanted as a birthday gift.

Forever together.

Tears flowed down Rin's cheeks without her stopping. Warmth filled the entire recesses of her heart, and a smile as beautiful as spring adorned her beautiful face. Moving both of his hands, he hugged Sesshoumaru's neck and drowned his face in the slit of the inuyoukai's neck.

Forever together.

That word is happiness for Rin. The happiness he most desired in his existence. Two simple words that make happy and simultaneously—painful.

Always and forever, not wanting to be apart. Desire like that, Rin knows. The consequences are there, the reality is there—their differences; youkai and human.

Forever they say, how long is it? Unable to cheat time, unopposed destiny, reality before the eyes of— forever together; is it possible?

Rin laughed again. What's he thinking? Hadn't he decided long ago, he would have made that possible. No matter the consequences, he wanted to be together forever with Sesshoumaru and also—Shura.

"Yes" Rin said happily and closed her eyes. "Rin will give it to Sesshoumaru-sama; forever together."

Sesshoumaru nodded his head and returned Rin's embrace. A smile filled his face again. "Sesshoumaru will be waiting for the prize."

Rin laughed again and nodded his head. "Yes. Rin promised; forever together."

What he asked for, togetherness for eternity, Sesshoumaru knew, it was a— something impossible. But, he doesn't care. The Inuyoukai wanted Rin to say it himself, wanting the woman to promise. The more often the better, the more promises made the more perfect. Because, that way the human woman will always remember; will never leave him.

"Never together."

....xoxox...

A smile filled Shui's beautiful face. His white eyes stared at the southern land palace gate that was in front.

Slowly, the gate opened, and Tsubasa walked out gracefully. The southern land lord's concubine's face was expressionless, her eyes staring intently at the neutral land leader in front.

Shui didn't say a word, with an unchanging smile on his face, he returned Tsubasa's sharp gaze.

Bowing in a respectful manner, Tsubasa then turned his eyes away. "Please follow the servant, Shui-sama. Akihiko-sama has been waiting for you."

Shui replied to Tsubasa's words with a soft nod. Stepping his feet, he then followed the bird youkai into the southern land palace.

Shui's arrival to this southern land palace was a sudden, uninvited visit, therefore the eyes of all the youkai warriors present within the palace were fixed on that white-eyed youkai. Confusion and full of questions—their expression is clearly visible.

Tsubasa who was walking in front could clearly feel the confusion of all the palace residents. But, unlike them, Akihiko's concubine knew clearly the purpose of Shui's emergence today.

The white-eyed Youkai neutral land leader who appeared in front of the western land palace without hiding his aura, as well as the letter that the southern land received a week ago—all was clearly visible.

Entering the main hall of the southern earthen palace, Tsubasa who guided Shui bowed her body saluted Akihiko who was sitting with an expressionless face. "Shui-sama has arrived, Akihiko-sama."

Akihiko did not say anything, her sky blue eyes slowly directed at Shui who was still smiling kindly.

Rise to his feet, Tsubasa stepped forward and stood beside Koga who was behind Akihiko. Not changing her facial expression one bit, she looked back at Shui who was still silent.

"What do you want, Shui?" tanya Akihiko then started the conversation. Both of her eyes looked at Shui unconcerned.

Shui's smile grew wider. "You know what I mean, Akihiko-san."

Akihiko laughed at Shui's words. Both of his eyes stared in excitement and contempt at the white-eyed youkai. "It turns out neutral ground really—pecunda."

Shui was not offended in the slightest by Akihiko's insults. A smile remained on his face. "Both the northern and eastern lands support the demand for neutral land, Akihiko-san."

Akihiko laughed again. The northern lands and the eastern lands that were willing to help neutral lands were not at all strange to him. Those who are sneaky are unlikely to waste the opportunity that there is—how much profit they get if everything goes smoothly?

Shui laughed a little and nodded his head. He had already predicted Akihiko's words. The strong south after the west, the south that has pride and high self-esteemthe purpose of what his letter conveys is definitely an; a joke.

The youkai world is a world of the law of the jungle, where the strong live and the weak are destroyed. Neutral lands that are weak and afraid of humans—they do not deserve to be called youkai; they are existences that deserve death.

"You didn't reply to my letter," Shui continued again with his friendly smile. "Makanya, I came here to hear your answer directly, Akihiko-san."

Laughing loudly, the Koga behind Akihiko could not hold himself back anymore. From earlier he had tried desperately to control his feelings hearing the talk of the southern land lord and Shui.

Tsubasa did not laugh like Koga, his face remained solemn. The conversation he heard was indeed very funny, namely; youkai who was afraid of humans. But Shui wasn't a fool. He should have known that the southern lands would not likely approve and help neutral lands. But, he kept coming and asking—what was he thinking?

Akihiko did not stop Koga laughing loudly behind him. Shui's attitude right now was actually very awkward in his eyes. He knows the true nature of the neutral land leader in front of him—Shui is not a simple character.

But, no matter what Shui did, neutral ground, east as well as north, Akihiko did not want to interfere. Moreover, suppressing the western lands? Lowering the kisaki of the western lands and stopping Sesshoumaru's intention of lifting the child in Rin's stomach as the heir?—she doesn't know if she can do it. Akihiko doesn't know if he can make the woman he loves sad.

Smiling a grin, Akihiko's two sky blue eyes sparkled with contempt. "Destroy all of you."

"Think about it first, Akihiko-san," Shui laughed. A feeling of joy filled his heart, Akihiko was really just as he had expected all along.

"What else to think?" sidelines Koga with a laugh, he really could not help himself anymore to speak. "You're just embarrassing youkai!"

Shui didn't care about Koga's words. His two white eyes sparkling happily remained focused on Akihiko. "Capable of this request, and I will give you what you want most, Akihiko-san."

Koga's laughter stopped as soon as he heard Shui's unexpected words. His two eyes looked at the white-eyed youkai in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Smiling a grin, Shui replied."—I can give Rin to you."

....xoxOx....

"How are you feeling now, Rin-chan?" ask Kagome with a smile at Rin sitting on her futon.

"Rin feels much better than yesterday, Kagome-sama." Rin answered with a big smile.

"Good then." Laughter Kagome who just finished checking Rin's health. But in reality, in his heart, he doubted the answer he got.

The health of Rin, Kagome and all who saw knew, the human woman did not improve in the slightest. The pale face and weak body did not change, however, the person always smiled and said he was fine.

"Rin-chan," Shiro's voice beside Kagome suddenly sounded. His two golden eyes looked at Rin's large belly. "Shiro will be able to meet Shura soon, right?"

Shiro's sudden question made Rin smile even wider. Nodding his head, he looked at his large belly and caressed it affectionately. "Yes, not anymore.."

The existence of Shura who is in Rin's stomach to this day is still full of puzzles, because he can not be felt. However, as per the calculations, he will be born at the end of this winter.

"Shiro was already impatiently waiting for Shura," Shiro smiled with happy sparkling eyes. "Shiro will invite him to play if he's born."

"Yes," Rin looked back at Shiro. He stared softly at the innuanyou beside him. "Shura will definitely be very happy if Shiro invites her to play later."

"Rin-chan," interrupted Mamoru's voice suddenly. He who sat in the middle of Sango and his two brothers, looked at Rin with a small frown on his face. "He's a girl, not a man."

"Be quiet, Mamoru." Cut Aya while pinching Mamoru's left cheek.

"Rin was sure his son was a boy, so he was a boy." Add Maya and pinch Mamoru's right cheek.

"The pain!! Release!!" shouted Mamoru who was suddenly pinched by his two brothers. Tears piled up in his eyes. "Mother please!!"

Sango shook his head and told Aya and Maya to stop harassing Mamoru. Taijiya began to worry, it seems that to this day, her son is still obsessed with the child in Rin's womb. Really, Miroku's remark used to be a catastrophe for their son.

Rin chuckles at the interaction of Sango's family in front of him. Today, after a long time, Sesshoumaru finally left the room and let Kagome, Sango and the children accompany him. 

Rin knows, Sesshoumaru left the room and allowed the children in their room was due to Kagome's insistence. The future Miko does not want her to feel confined, and she believes that the joy of children will have a great effect on her mental health.

"Rin-chan," call Mamoru again. Both hands were stroking her cheeks that were reddened by Aya and Maya's pinch. "Mamoru believes Rin-chan's daughter. So, Rin-chan has to think of a female name for her."

"Mamoru, stop." Sango's orders. Looking at his son's attitude now, he could only think, the hardness of his head due to this opposite sex—is it a derivative of Miroku??

Rin smiled at Mamoru's words. "Rin already has a name for her, if Rin's son is a girl."

"Eh??" everyone inside was surprised to look at Rin.

"In the beginning of Rin's pregnancy, when Rin didn't know she was a boy or a girl, Rin actually already had a name for a girl. " Rin obviously laughed.

"Oh, huh? What's name?" ask Kagome. He looked curiously waiting for Rin to answer.

"Sakura," replied Rin and eyes imagined the beauty of the pink flower. "If you have a daughter, Rin will name her; sakura. Flowers that symbolize spring, beautiful flowers and loved by many people—Rin wants Rin's daughter to grow up like a warm spring and be loved by everyone."

Rin's explanation made Kagome and Sango who heard him smile. Rin's hopes and prayers if her son is a woman are clear. Sakura—beautiful, warm and loved.

"Sakura, sakura, sakura," Mamoru muttered continuously and a second later he laughed widely. "Alright, from now on, Mamoru will call the child in Rin's stomach; sakura. Sakura, Mamoru's future wife!!"

"No! Shura, Mamoru!! Not Sakura!!" shiro protested and stared dislikefully at Mamoru who was laughing out loud.

"No! Oh sakura!" mamoru's reply was not to lose.

"Dora!!" shouts Shiro full of anger. He doesn't want a sister, because for him a younger brother is better.

"Have, already," lerai Sango once again sighed desperately looking at the attitude of the two little children, especially at Mamoru. "Don't make a fuss and disturb Rin-chan."

Both Shiro and Mamoru were instantly speechless hearing what Sango said. Wasting their faces away, the two of them sat quietly with sullen faces.

"Shura, Mamoru, not Sakura." Aya whispered to Mamoru looking at her sister's pouting face. He smiled smirked as he could not help feeling to tempt her inwardly.

"Yes," Maya added, whispering to Mamoru. His eyes were full of temptation. "Male, not female."

"Sister!!!" mamoru yelled bitterly at the attitude of her two brothers who kept teasing her.

"Don't make a fuss" Sango interrupted. A small wrinkle appeared on her beautiful face. His right hand pinched Mamoru's cheek, while his eyes looked at Aya and Maya. "You don't keep flirting with Mamoru."

Aya and Maya nodded their heads and remained silent. But, just as Sango was not staring at them anymore, the sound of laughter slid out unstoppable. Tempting Mamoru was the thing they liked the most.

The interaction of the children he saw once again made Rin laugh. Despite continuing to tease Mamoru, Rin's brown eyes can clearly see the closeness and affection that is in the eyes of Aya and Maya—family.

"Mamo—" call Rin slowly. But, his words came to a halt because suddenly, the door of the room opened.

The left guarding the room door ran in and stood in front of Rin. The sword in his hand was cocked, and his golden eyes were staring towards the open door. The sound of a growl full of anger was clearly heard from the inuyoukai.

Everything in the room was shocked and confused by the sudden appearance of Left as well as his strange demeanor.

Following the left, Rin's brown eyes slowly looked out the open door, and in the garden outside the room, she caught a youkai standing with a smile on her pretty face. Blue hair and white eyes that sparkle with joy but full of madness.

"Shui-sama?"

....xoxOx....