Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapter 125's

The moonless winter night sky made darkness envelop the surroundings. No villager dared to light a fire to illuminate the view. Being in each other's homes, they hid in fear. Covering themselves with blankets or embracing each other in the family, they struggle to get through the cold of the night.

Outside, above the sky of their not-so-great village, the villagers could clearly hear strange sounds as well as loud laughter that made their feathers stand—youkai.

The villagers knew, they couldn't possibly win against the youkai, let alone that youki was not just one. Dozens of youkai are now flying in the same direction over their village— to the west.

No one would survive if the youkai attacked their village now. Aid would also be impossible, as they had heard clearly the frenzy of the noble forces and the alliance of taijiya, miko, priests and monks against the youkai from the west last autumn. All they could do was hide and pray they would survive.

Not far from the silent village as if devoid of life, a young taijiya stood staring at the western land youkai who were flying towards the western land palace in silence. His face was expressionless, but there was a bit of bitterness in his black eyes.

War.

The war will again cover the land of the west, and the cause remains the same, namely; kisaki the land of the west and the child in his stomach. However, the difference, the war this time was a war between youkai.

"Kohaku." The voice that called out his name made the young taijiya turn her head at the source of the voice. His black eyes could see a beautiful woman as well as a monk walking towards him.

"Sister, Sister-in-law." Call Kohaku to see the two people who are none other than Miroku and Sango.

"You're also headed for the western land palace?" sango asked slowly as soon as he arrived in front of Kohaku. His two eyes looked at his younger brother checking whether he was injured or not.

Kohaku immediately nodded his head hearing Sango's question. "Are the children in the village?" ask back.

"The kids are already with Kaeda-san," Miroku replied interrupting Kohaku and Sango's conversation. "They're in a safe place."

"Good then." Kohaku's smile heard Miroku's reply. Although in the future he did not know what was happening, at least he knew all his nephews would be fine.

"What about the city of Ame? And, what do you mean by the letter you received?" miroku asked again looking at Kohaku.

Kohaku left the western land palace and headed for the city of Ame not long ago. For he received a letter from the nobles of men asking for his presence.

The movement of all youkai in the land of Japan frightened the nobles and also the inhabitants of the city of Ame katakutan, because they thought the ruler of the western land was gathering troops to attack the city.

Begging Kohaku to convey it to Sesshoumaru, the human nobles apologized and promised never again to think of attacking the western lands.

"They apologized and promised not to attack the western lands again" Kohaku replied with a forced smile. "They're all scared."

Kohaku's answer and smile made Miroku and Sango speechless. Terrified. Who wouldn't be afraid to make it through the hell of this world? Puddles of red blood, piles of lifeless humans and shattered into shambles, as well as the figure of a giant dog rampaging full of madness.

Miroku sighed. "At least we should be happy with the state of the city of Ame and the army of men now. We don't need them interfering in the war ahead."

Miroku's words only made Kohaku and Sango stunned. Sighing, those two taijiya brothers could only agree to the words of my bus in silence.

"War ahead" Miroku continued. His two eyes were then directed at the youkai flying over the night sky. "Although impossible, I still hope to be finished like the previous two wars full of magic—."

Both Kohaku and Sango were stunned by Miroku's words.

Miracle.

The word was spoken, but, in the war ahead, they all knew clearly, there would be no more miracles, because the human woman who created the previous two wonders would no longer create her magic.

....xoxOx....

"The preparation of all the troops is perfect, Akihiko-sama," Koga reported to Akihiko who was in front of him. "The squad will move if you command."

Akihiko did not say a word hearing Koga's report. Sitting on his throne chair, he was silently silent with an expressionless face thinking of something.

Behind him, Tsubasa stood still. He did not know what the wolf youkai thought of the lord of the strait land now. Wasn't he himself the one who ordered Koga to prepare an army for the war ahead?

Koga who received no reply from Akihiko then ventured. He knew what the purpose of the gathered troops was, and he— hesitated.

"Akihiko-sama," called Koga later after venturing out. "Are you really going to attack the western lands again?"

Akihiko's decision to invade the western lands along with the neutral, northern and eastern lands actually greatly shocked the southern land youkai. They all did not understand their ruler who agreed with the reason the neutral youkai were so cowardly, and also—the youkai of southern lands still remember their debt of gratitude to the kisaki of western lands in last year's war.

All the southern land youkai also knew, what Akihiko wanted when winning the war in the future. But, they thought; is this true?—Koga is one of them.

Akihiko still did not answer Koga's question. Closing his eyes, he ordered the wolf youkai in front of him out. "Back to your position."

Koga wanted to say something again, but, a moment later, he undoes his intentions. Akihiko's obsebsi on the western lands, he clearly knew, whatever he said now would definitely be in vain.

Sighing, Koga then walked out of the room. But, before disappearing behind the door, she turned her head back to look at Akihiko. "Akihiko-sama," he called slowly. "Not as a subordinate but as your cousin, I hope there will be no regrets in you after this."

Not waiting for Akihiko's reply again, Koga again stepped forward. She doesn't know what Akihiko is thinking, but, she knows, Akihiko would never be happy if this is how she has Rin.

Tsubasa who was behind Akihiko remained silent. Staring at Akihiko, he wanted to laugh. Koga's words would not be understood by the ruler of the southern lands, for he now knew that the wolf youkai would rightly justify any means to get the human woman he wanted.

Akihiko opened both of her eyelids. He heard clearly what Koga said, but he did not reply.

Contrition.

Will he regret it after this?—Akihiko doesn't know. But he won't change his decision. In an unknown future, he only hopes Rin will live. Hoping that when he opened his eyes, the human woman was still in this world and breathing. Will that smile and laughter remain? Will the warmth and innocence he so loved disappear? Will Rin be Rin?

Akihiko doesn't know. The decision has been taken and cannot be reversed. He wants to protect Rin, but after this all passes, will Rin allow him to protect her?— the future is there, Akihiko can't see it.

Once again, Akihiko could only think, how good would it be if Rin chose him from the start, how good would it be if he was the one in the pair of clear brown eyes. Because, in this way, there will be no today. There would be no uncertainty in the future as well as the stifling feelings that filled the entire niches of his heart right now.

"Tsubasa." call Akihiko slowly. He did not look his head at the concubine behind him.

Tsubasa moved forward and lowered her eyes to look at Akihiko who was still sitting on her throne seat.

Slowly, Akihiko's eyes were directed at Tsubasa. A small smile filled his handsome face. However, that smile was not a smile full of happiness, but rather a smile full of helplessness. "Is this sick?"

Tsubasa was stunned with a question and a smile on Akihiko's face. Moreover, as he looked at the brilliant sky blue eyes in front of him dimmed full of sadness and pain—.

"Is this pain the feeling of clapping one hand? Is this the feeling of wanting to have but forever not getting?"

The questions and smiles on Akihiko's face left Tsubasa deeply shaken, and she found no strength to retaliate. Standing with wide eyes in disbelief, he could only stare at the ruler of the southern land in silence.

Looking at Tsubasa's facial expression now, Akihiko knew, the bird's youkai would not answer his question.

Standing up, not caring for Tsubasa who did not move in the slightest, Akihiko then walked out of the room. Today, he had only realized something, didn't the two of them look alike? The feeling now, maybe the concubine is the one who understands the most.

After Akihiko, the quiet room became even quieter. Tsubasa who was still shaken by Akihiko's question slowly then recovered. Silently silent, she then laughed her very happy laugh.

He was so happy and happy, what he wanted was finally achieved. The pain of love clapping one hand, the pain of the feeling of wanting to have but forever will not get—Akihiko finally felt it all.

Then, slowly, tears flowed down Tsubasa's cheeks. Closing his eyes, his happy laughter stopped. Flicking his right hand, he squeezed the part of the kimono that was right above his heart tightly—as if he wished he could tightly grip his extraordinarily aching heart.

The joy and happiness in his heart instantly became sorrow and pain. Wh why? Why is she this sad? This sick? Why did she feel such excruciating pain seeing Akihiko's facial expression? That little smile and that look of the eye—wasn't that what he expected? Why doesn't Tsubasa want to see it?

A very torturous feeling. He wanted Akihiko to understand this feeling, but, when the wolf youkai understood, why did this pain become more profound and overwhelming?—was it his fault?

She thought she would be happy if Akihiko suffered. But, it turns out wrong, that there is only more and more suffering. Loving Akihiko, Tsubasa knows now—it is the curse of her life.

....xoxOx....

Sesshoumaru did not move, sitting quietly, he heard reports from Kira about the western land youkai who had now arrived and who were still on their way to the western land palace.

The war that was about to break out soon in the youkai world had spread throughout the plains of Japan, and without his orders as the ruler, it was, the youkai under the rule of the western lands by themselves came to the western land palace to await the arrival of the opponent.

No youkai under the rule of the western lands objected or protested against Sesshoumaru's decision. They all came with the intention of protecting the honor of the western lands and also—kisaki them.

Inevitably, Sesshoumaru could only think once more, how wrong Shui said that Rin did not deserve to be a kisaki of the western lands. For, where else would a human woman be found who could make all the powerful and self-sufficient western youkai willing to sacrifice their lives for her?

The blood oath, the oath of allegiance given by the youkai of the western lands to Rin—in the eyes of all those in the western lands; Rinlah their only kisaki.

Sesshoumaru stood up as soon as Kira finished delivering the report. After giving some direction to his personal bodyguard, the ruler of the western lands then walked out of his study.

As usual, Sesshoumaru's footsteps went in one direction, namely; the room where Rin was. Along the way, his golden eyes could clearly see the palace residents who were preparing to face war—there was no fear in their eyes, only; a strong determination to win.

Name no naka

Kaze no naka

Yume no naka's

A small smile filled Sesshoumaru's expressionless handsome face. His ears could clearly catch the sound of singing flowing.

Sesshoumaru-sama doko ni iru

Jakken - sama wo shita naete

Watashi wa hitori de machimashou

Shura wa hitori de machimashou

This strange song will forever be stored in the memory of Sesshoumaru, a favorite song sung by the only woman he loves.

Wareware wa hitori de machimashou

Sesshoumaru - samomodori wo

Arriving in front of their bedroom, Kiri who was in front of the door immediately saluted and opened the door of the room. Not saying anything, Sesshoumaru stepped in. His pair of golden eyes immediately discovered a single perennial spring smile in his heart.

"Sesshounaru-sama," call Rin quietly with a smile. Sitting on top of the futon while stroking his large belly, he looked gently at Sesshoumaru. "Accept."

Sesshoumaru approached Rin. Silently silent, he sat behind the human woman and let the tiny back lean against her chest. Both of his hands immediately moved around the woman's large belly and stroked her slowly.

Rin's smile grew wider with Sesshoumaru's attitude. Closing his eyes, he secured himself in the arms. Likewise with the inuyoukai, he closed his eyes and let the smell of spring he liked envelop him.

No one said a word, in silence, both Sesshoumaru and Rin enjoyed their togetherness. Winter, years ago when Rin began living together with Sesshoumaru in the western land palace, they passed through it like this—along with silence.

Opening his eyes, Rin's gaze then falls out the window. The smile on his face turned into a small laugh as he looked at the snow that had descended from the sky. "Sesshoumaru-sama, snow."

Rin's laughter made Sesshoumaru also open his two eyes. But, he did not see the snow ahead, but rather saw a happy laugh on his kisak face. Nothing is more interesting than Rin's smile and laughter for the inuyoukai.

Raising his head to look at Sesshoumaru's face, Rin smiled. "Looking at the snow, Rin had really just felt like it was winter."

Sesshoumaru nodded his head slowly. He remained silent with his expressionless flat face.

Lowering his gaze, Rin's eyes were then directed at his large belly. Taking care of her affectionately, she laughed again. "As per the calculations, Shura will be born at the end of winter, and just after she is born, spring will arrive."

Sesshoumaru nodded his head once again hearing Rin's words. Following the stroke of the human woman's stomach, she then felt Shura's slow movements.

Rin laughed feeling the movement of the child in her stomach. Shura often made a move if she and Sesshoumaru stroked her like this. Sometimes he thinks, maybe the son in his stomach moves because he can feel the affection of his parents.

The end of winter Shura will be born, and after that, the spring in which the flowers bloom will arrive. The season in which the world will be covered by millions of colors—the season he likes most.

"The sky is blue, the grass and trees are green, the flowers are colorful. Warm sun, gentle breeze. Rin will show you all that, Shura. Therefore, be born safe."

A small smile filled Sesshoumaru's handsome face saw and heard what Rin said quietly. She really liked Rin like this, so soft and affectionate.

A mother.

Rin is going to be a perfect mother. Shura, her son is a very lucky child to be able to get a mother like this.

The smile on Sesshoumaru's face only grew louder as he became aware of what he was thinking. Never had he expected, there was a day where he felt like this. Just as Shura is lucky to have a mother like Rin, she is also the luckiest person because Rin is willing to be his wife.

"Ne, Sesshoumaru-sama," call Rin then. His voice was soft and soft. "What about all the war preparations?"

Sesshoumaru tightened his embrace hearing Rin's question. "Everything is good."

The coming war, Sesshoumaru did not keep it a secret from Rin at all, and Rin herself also faced it calmly.

"Rin," call Sesshoumaru then. Both of his eyes looked straight at the clear brown eyes that immediately turned to look at him. "In the future, no matter what happens, never again use the power of meido seki."

Rin was stunned by Sesshoumaru's words. A moment later, however, he smiled again.

"You are not God, Rin," continued Sesshoumaru slowly. "You can't bring to life anyone who dies forever."

Not God.

Despite having the power to revive the dead, Rin is not God. Sesshoumaru was the one who understood that the most, because that was also him.

Every time Sesshoumaru saw the weak Rin, he knew the human woman who had been revived twice would no longer have a third chance. No matter what he did, he would not be able to change his destiny.

Rin could only return stunned at Sesshoumaru's words. Lifting his right hand touching that inuyoukai cheek, he nodded his head. "Rin understands."

Sesshoumaru said, Rin understood. Life and death can bring the dead to life, does not mean it can stop death forever. Sooner or later, both humans and youkai, death will catch up again—more than anyone, he is the one who understands the reality the most; there is no eternal life.

Capturing Rin's right hand, Sesshoumaru kissed her softly. "War ahead, leave everything to this Sesshoumaru."

Once again, Rin nodded his head slowly. A smile adorned his face. "Rin believes in Sesshoumaru-sama."

An unavoidable war, a war that he set out on his own, as well as a war with an end that no one knew, Rin thought, what can he do?—his answer is only one; he could only trust Sesshoumaru.

"Win this war for Rin, Sesshoumaru-sama."

....xoxOx....