Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapter 156's

"It's over, Rin-sama."

"We both hope you're satisfied, Rin-sama."

Rei and Rika smile to Rin. Staring at the beautiful faces of the women they served from childhood to being a wife and a mother, they could only feel how fast time was going.

"Thank you, Rei-nee, Rika-nee."

Sitting in front of the mirror, Rin gave a small smile staring at the reflection of Rei and Rika's face. Slowly, his eyes dropped staring at his own reflection in the mirror. Wearing a red kimono with western emblems, well-groomed hair, snow-white skin, glowing brown eyes, and blushing red cheeks and lips like rose—he was like looking at her old self; she was healthy and ran in a flower garden.

"Rin was satisfied with Rei-nee's and Rika-nee's makeup." Rin's smile grew wider looking at the reflection of his face in the mirror.

Rei and Rika smiled even wider looking at the spring smile that everyone loved so much. No matter what, the human woman was still the warmest creature they had ever seen.

"Shura," calling out his son's name slowly, Rin then turned her face to Shura who was on his lap in silence from earlier. "Is mother beautiful?"

Shura who from earlier looked at Rin in silence did not blink her eyes at the slightest look at her mother's smiling face. His two golden eyes opened wide as if he was staring at the most beautiful jewel in the world.

"Shura-sama is fascinated with your beauty, Rin-sama." Rei's laughter saw Shura's reaction staring at her biological mother.

"Yes," Rika also laughed. "He can't turn away from you, Rin-sama."

Rin laughed when she heard the words of her two ladies since childhood. Staring lovingly at her son, she smiled again. "Mother loves you so much, Shura."

An expression of love that Rin never stops saying to Shura, as if she is afraid that her son never realizes how much she as a mother loves him, Rei and Rika can only smile. Kisaki they are the softest mother they have ever seen her love for her son really makes everything there amazed.

Shura laughed happily at Rin's words. Understand it or not, she who was a child could clearly feel how important she was to the most precious woman in her existence.

Cretons

The sound of the closed room shoji door opening, turning to look at who entered, Rei and Rika immediately bowed in respect. "Sesshoumaru-sama."

Sesshoumaru who stepped closer to Rin did not say anything, his two golden eyes centered on the two most important figures in his life.

Rin looked slowly at Sesshoumaru. Smiling as beautiful as spring, his two brown eyes sparkled happily staring at the figure of the ruler of the western lands. "Sesshoumaru-san..."

Approaching Rin, Sesshoumaru immediately sat down on his knees in front of the human woman, his two golden eyes fixed on the beautiful face he loved. Gently and heart-to-day, he raised his right hand down that icy cheek. "Rin..."

Rin closed her eyes feeling the warmth of Sesshoumaru's hand and smiled even wider. "Happy birthday, Sesshoumaru-sama..."

Sesshoumaru smiled slightly at Rin's words. Closing his eyes, he moved and kissed her soft forehead. "Happy birthday too, Rin."

Happy birthday to you.

Today is Sesshoumaru's birthday, as well as Rin's birthday. The long-awaited day of all the inhabitants of the western land palace in this long winter. But unlike last year, there are no festive parties and celebrations to celebrate, because all residents agree; not yet.

Their beloved Kisaki's health is deteriorating, everyone knows. Therefore, they all decided to hold it while the human woman was healed, because they want the center of the feast to be always there and see with their own eyes the festive festivity to celebrate its birth which is like a miracle in this world.

"aaa..Bababa's.." The sound of Shura's cracking instantly made Sesshoumaru and Rin stare at their son who now had a sullen face from feeling unconcerned.

"Yes, my son from the west," Rin's laughter saw Shura's reaction. "Ayahanda and Mother don't ignore you."

Sesshoumaru again smiled, lowering his face, he also kissed softly Shura's forehead. "You have to change your bad attitude when you're big, Shura."

Shura who felt Sesshoumaru's kiss and Rin's attention laughed happily. Raising both hands, he moved them happily towards his parents and made them smile.

Rei and Rika who saw the warm interaction of the western land ruling family in front of them smiled as well. Then, carefully without bothering, the two of them then retreated and walked out of the room, leaving behind the harmonious little family.

Raising his head to look at Rin again, Sesshoumaru asked with a gentle smile that remained on his handsome face. "What do you want to do today, Rin?"

Rin laughed at Sesshoumaru's question. "Rin wants to spend this day all day with Sesshoumaru-sama and Shura."

"All right." Reply Sesshoumaru quietly and kiss Rin again on the forehead. Spending the whole day with his wife and children is definitely the best way through today.

"Sesshoumaru-sama," call Rin softly with a face full of smiles. "Rin wants to see snow on the veranda of the room."

Sesshoumaru nodded his head, slowly and carefully, he immediately carried Rin and Shura who were in his mother's lap. Hearing the laughter of his wife and son that immediately shot out, the inuyoukai ruler of the western lands felt warmth as well as peace in his heart.

Walking towards the veranda of the room, Sesshoumaru then sat down while holding Rin dam Shura. Placing them in front and hugging the slender waist was carefully his mokomokonya moved swiftly enveloping the second most important existence in his life from the coldness that existed.

Shura laughed even harder and secured herself on top of Rin's chest. Both of her beautiful golden eyes opened wide full of happiness directed at her parents full of love.

Moving his head slowly, Rin kissed Shura on the forehead. "Are you happy today, my beloved son?"

Closing her eyes, Shura's laughter grew louder.Turning her little hand, she caught Rin's beautiful face gently. "Ahhhhhhhh..Babababa..."

Not knowing what Shura said, Rin could only come laughing. Turning her face away, she then smiled, "You should always grow happy and laugh like this, my son. Your smile and laughter are the most beautiful things in the world."

Rin's gentle speech made Sesshoumaru stare at his wife and son continuously. The most beautiful thing in the world was the smile and laughter of their son, he agreed. But to him, Rin's smile and laughter were also the most beautiful things in the world.

With a smile still on his face, Rin then raised his head looking at Sesshoumaru. "So is your smile and laughter, Sesshoumaru-sama. It's also the most beautiful thing in the world."

Rin's words this time couldn't stop Sesshoumaru's laughter anymore. Her heart feels warm to hear it.Everyday, today is a fun day, right?

Sesshoumaru's laughter caught by Shura's ears made the little inuyoukai look at his biological father, and instantly, he laughed even louder because he could feel the happiness that existed.

Rin also laughed, his brown eyes sparkling. More than gold and jewels, more than the beauty of all seasons, more than anything else.The beauty of the laughter of Sesshoumaru and Shura, these two inuyoukai are indeed unmatched in this world.

The harmonious laughter of the little family filled the air, delivering warmth and also happiness. Then, when the laughter had stopped, quietly and peacefully, Shura who was sleepy in the arms of the two old men fell asleep with a face full of smiles

Rin did not say anything, she also comforted herself in Sesshoumaru's increasingly tight embrace but also very warm and tender. Looking ahead at the snow-white expanse in the garden, she smiled faintly.

This situation reminded Rin of the winter he usually spent in the palace of the western lands first. In silence, he and Sesshoumaru will enjoy the beauty of the season when the world is dominated by white color along the eye of the eye. Then, slowly, the seasons will change, the white color will disappear replaced by millions of world colors— a warm and pleasant spring.

Spring.

Rin inevitably remembered the pleasant hanami, and also with the beautiful hare mountain. The mountain where cherry blossoms bloomed all eyes looked at, the mountain where he and Sesshoumaru spent time together were just the two of them.

"Ne, Sesshoumaru-sama," called Rin slowly and raised his head to look at Sesshoumaru again. "When spring comes, do you think the cherry blossoms in the hare mountain will bloom beautifully like spring this year?"

"certain." Sesshoumaru briefly replied to Rin.

Rin smiled broadly at it. "Then, how about we go there again? Rin loved the hare mountain. Sleeping under the sakura tree beside the lake, Rin felt it was the most pleasant resting place."

Sesshoumaru nodded his head. He agreed with Rin's remark, that place is indeed a very nice place to rest. Falling asleep under the cluster of cherry blossoms, and upon opening her eyes, she would be able to see a more beautiful woman from spring sleeping peacefully on the side.

"Rin wanted to show Shura the place," Rin continued again and laughed. "That place will definitely be well-liked, Shura."

"We will go there," Sesshoumaru quickly replied and kissed Rin's forehead gently. "Not only spring next year, but for every spring to come—the three of us will visit it."

"Yes" Rin's laughter grew wider. Happiness was on his face. "We'll be there every time spring comes."

Each coming spring, Rin could imagine, herself, Sesshoumaru and Shura sleeping under the cherry blossom tree. With a blue sky above the sky and fallen cherry petals under the wind—the most comfortable resting place in the world.

Turning his face away, Sesshoumaru looked gently at Rin's happy face that was so beautiful to him. Not saying anything more, he just continued to stare fixedly at her with his pair of golden eyes as if he was carving them in memory.

"Ne, Sesshoumaru-sama," call Rin again gently. His face was embarrassed. "Is Rin beautiful today?"

Today is a special day for Sesshoumaru and himself, which is why Rin asked Rei and Rika to dress him up. Enough on this day, he wanted the inuyoukai to see the face of her healthy and beautiful self, wanting to pass the day together in tranquility as if nothing had happened in their lives.

"Pretty." Sesshoumaru answered quickly with a brief. His two golden eyes stared at the full of longing and adoration of the human woman who returned blushed in shame.

"Then, you should always remember Rin's face," said Rin again still blushed embarrassed with a smile that began to bloom like a flower. "So, when Rin is old, Rin won't be this beautiful anymore."

Rin's words only made Sesshoumaru laugh again. Poking her forehead at Rin's soft forehead, her golden eyes stared fixedly at Rin's brown eyes. "Rin, you know what?" tanyanya slow. "But, even though your hair has turned white, even though your skin has been wrinkled, in this Sesshoumaru's eyes, you are still the prettiest in the world."

Rin's eyes widened to hear Sesshoumaru's unexpected words.

"No one will be able to match your beauty in Sesshoumaru's heart...."

Speaking softly without lies in the pair of eyes that looked at him, Rin could not stop her tears which then fell unstoppably. But, a beautiful smile filled her face. So sweet and intoxicating, that remark would be etched eternally in his heart.

Raising his right hand slowly, Sesshoumaru wiped away Rin's tears. Slowly, he then closed his eyes and kissed the human woman's lips carefully feeling.

Rin is the prettiest, always and forever will be the prettiest. No matter the time passed, no matter the times changed, Sesshoumaru knew, a human woman with a spring smile would never be replaced in her existence.

Rin closes her eyes and returns Sesshoumaru's kiss. The warmth enveloped him, the happiness so pleasant, the coveted happy life, they have it today and hope also for— forever.

Ehem!" someone's voice suddenly resuscitates Rin from Sesshoumaru's kiss. Along with that inuyoukai, the two of them then turned their faces towards the source of the sound.

Not far in front of them, Sesshoumaru and Rin could see Akihiko, the ruler of the southern land who stood with an expressionless calm face in the middle of the garden in the snow.

"Akihiko-san.." Call Rin softly and smile at the wolf youkai in front of him.

Sesshoumaru did not say anything, he just tightened his embrace on Rin and looked straight at Akihiko who interrupted his time together with his family.

Akihiko smilingly looked at Rin, he did not care for the slightest view of Sesshoumaru as if the inuyoukai was indeed not in front of him. Only, his hands clenched firmly, he saw clearly the scene just now—scenes that he did not want to see but also could not be stopped. Because he is nothing.

"What's wrong, Akihiko-sama?" rin asked gently, he did not realize the slightest strangeness from the wolf youkai in front of him.

"I want to tell you," Akihiko replied with a smile still on her face. "Happy birthday, Rin."

Rin smiled wider and wider at Akihiko's birthday wishes. Laughing softly, he nodded his head slowly. "Thank you, Akihiko-sama."

"A birthday present for you I still haven't found yet" Akihiko continued with a smile that widened to see Rin's beautiful laughter. "But wait a minute. I'll definitely find the gift you crave the most."

Rin's most desired gift, Akihiko knows, is; a long life and a long life with her family. An unlikely gift, however, he would make it possible. He would not be like Sesshoumaru who could do nothing and could only stand by the dying woman.

Akihiko's words left Rin stunned, but, a moment later she returned smiling. "Thank you, Akihiko-sama.."

His most coveted gift, Rin knew for sure, that gift would never exist. His meeting with Akihiko started a year ago, and also between them there have been a lot of things. But, until this very second, he was very happy and happy to know the ruler of the southern land. Good intentions and sincerity for him, he really appreciated it, even though he could not repay it.

"Akihiko-sama," call Rin slowly with a smile that doesn't go away. "Thank you for being present in Rin's world. Whatever happens in the future, Rin really hopes you remain you—Rin hope you are always healthy and happy.."

Akihiko laughed at what Rin said. Healthy and happy? Healthy is sure, but; happy? he did not dare to guarantee it. "Relax, I'll always be myself, Rin."

Rin laughed and nodded his head slowly. Staring at Akihiko again, he remembered Tsubasa as well. Youkai bird who loves the ruler of the southern land with all his feelings. Loving in tears, sorrow, destruction and helplessness are so painful. A great love that even sacrifices its own happiness for a loved man.

"The world is beautiful, Akihiko-sama," Rin continued with her bell-like voice of laughter. "So does your world. Don't blind your eyes and miss the most beautiful thing you've ever had."

Rin just smiled and shook his head. "Rin hopes that you will understand the meaning of Rin's words someday, Akihiko-sama."

Rin had no right to explain his words. Love cannot be forced. Neither Akihiko nor Tsubasa, their future, they themselves are decisive. But, he rightly hopes that in the future, the two people will find the completion of their story and be happy as it should be.

Akihiko was further confused by Rin's words. But, before he asked again, Sesshoumaru suddenly moved his hand and buried the woman's face into his chest. Using the broad sleeves of her kimono covering her pretty face from the vantage point, her two golden eyes stared intently at the ruler of the southern land. "If your business is done, go and don't bother us."

Akihiko stared dislikefully at Sesshoumaru. His two sky-blue eyes also sharpened looking at the Inuyoukai, while both ends of his lips lifted up showing a grin of anger. It's just that, seeing the unmoving Rin in the arms as well as the sleeping Shura calm down, he then stopped everything. Closing his eyes, he controlled his emotions, for the ruler of the southern lands knew he had no right.

Opening her eyes, Akihiko's facial expression returned as usual. Still staring at Rin, he smiled once more. "See you later, Rin."

Rin tried to stare at Akihiko, but Sesshoumaru's hands remained unmoved. Said slowly, he could only return the resignation. "See you later, Akihiko-sama.."

After Akihiko, the atmosphere became quiet again. Slowly, Sesshoumaru then lowered his hand. Not saying anything, he looked at Rin with a flat expression on his face.

Rin also looked at Sesshoumaru, and instantly, a big smile filled his face which then turned into a happy laugh.

"What are you laughing at, Rin?" sesshoumaru asked confusedly seeing Rin's laughter.

"Ne, Sesshoumaru-sama," called Rin softly with her eyes sparkling happily. "Are you jealous?"

Rin's question instantly made Sesshoumaru stunned and silent. Jealousy?—he didn't realize it all this time. But, he never liked Rin's attention which sometimes directed at Akihiko, because he knew clearly the feelings of the wolf youkai to the human woman in his arms.

"Are you jealous, Sesshoumaru-sama?" rin asked once more with a laugh on his face that did not disappear.

Staring at Rin's laughter, Sesshoumaru then closed his eyes. But, when he opened his eyes again, he stared back fixedly at his brown eyes. "Yes. Sesshoumaru is jealous."

This time, it was Rin's turn to be stunned, as she never expected Sesshoumaru would answer her like this.

"Sesshoumaru wants Rin's eyes to be on Sesshoumaru alone."

Rin did not move a bit, her brown eyes widened to hear Sesshoumaru's confession. Then, a second later, like a blossoming flower, a happy smile on his face. "Rin loves you, Sesshoumaru-sama. Always and forever, nothing else, just you..."

Sweet confession of love. The tiny mouth that expressed an everlasting love for her, Sesshoumaru knew clearly, how incredible the human woman's love for her was like this—love that exceeded life and death.

Sesshoumaru smiled as he slowly closed his eyes and gently kissed Rin's lips. "Yes. This Sesshoumaru knows..."

Rin laughed softly for the umpteenth time. His heart feels very warm. The hugs and kisses that were on this happy day, along with Sesshoumaru and Shura sleeping on his chest, these daily joys were the eternal daily life he wanted in his life.

Not saying anything more, with a smile constantly etched on his face, Rin again secured himself in Sesshoumaru's arms.

Sesshoumaru also did not say anything, his left hand moved slowly and continued to stroke Rin's black hair and sometimes stroked the sleeping Shura while laughing in the arms of the two parents.

Noiselessly, calmly and peacefully, staring at the slowly falling snow piled up with thick, warm and harmonious little families—they are like beautiful paintings for anyone who sees them.

"Rin," call Sesshoumaru and then break the silence. His hand was unceasingly caressing the black hair of a human woman in his arms. "What birthday gift do you want?"

Rin's birthday present, Sesshoumaru is actually quite hesitant to ask, because he knows clearly the birthday gift that the human woman is expecting, but at the same time can not be given—no for now.

Opening his eyes slowly, Rin looked at Sesshoumaru. He could clearly see the doubt in that pair of golden eyes. Unlike Akihiko who is sure to get it, a painful reality that wants to be forgotten, the inuyoukai know clearly.

But, for her current self, in fact both Sesshoumaru and Akihiko were wrong, Rin never expected again forever together. Because it is pseudo-good wishful thinking something that is impossible. He had stopped expecting such empty hope, and decided on a new hope that he knew would be better in the life of his beloved inuyoukai.

"The birthday present Rin wants this year is, "Rin said softly and smiled gently. Both of her brown eyes contained unspoken love. "Happiness Sesshoumaru-sama..."

Rin's reply left Sesshoumaru stunned.

"From today onward, until forever, no matter what happens, Rin wants Sesshoumaru-sama to be happy...."

Sesshoumaru was unable to reply to Rin's reply. Quickly, he again buried his grisly face into his chest. His heart ached, yet he was unable to reveal it. Rin's desired gift felt heavy, very heavy, and she wasn't sure she could give it if one day the woman disappeared from her life.

Rin kept smiling and silent. The gift he wanted, he really hoped, Sesshoumaru could give it. In the life of a long inudayoukai, what he wants most from a Sesshoumaru, Rin has already realized, that is; happiness. Because being together forever was impossible, so instead, he wanted that inuyoukai to always be satisfied with his long life, he said, will never be sad and always happy—happily even though someday he can no longer be beside her.

Birthday—birthday gift.

Sesshoumaru asked what he wanted, and Rin dared to answer. But, for Rin himself, he did not dare to ask what inuyoukai wanted the most, because it was something he did not dare to promise.

"Rin," called Sesshoumaru quietly and removed the face of Rin he held. "Sing for this Sesshoumaru, the song you sang last year—Sesshoumaru wanted to hear."

Rin is quite confused by Sesshoumaru's sudden request. But, following the request he nodded his head. With a deep smile, as Sesshoumaru let go of his embrace, he began to sing quietly.

You're so perfect

In my eyes you are so beautiful

You made me will s'then adore you

Singing softly, Rin looked gently at Sesshoumaru. The song he sang first. The song contains all the adoration and also the love he has for inuyoukai which is his life-saving.

At every step

Sukan s'then thought of you

I can't imagine my life without your love

Don't you leave me

But the more she sings while looking at Sesshoumaru's face, Rin can feel his heart ache. Ah, since when? Without realizing it, since when did this song change?

Will not be able to face all

Only with you I can

You are my blood

You are my heart

You are my life

Complete myself

This song is a sweet song. Each lyric is sung with a thumping heart imagining the pujaan—ini is a song of a human woman named Rin.

But now, it all feels very ironic. It's the song he's singing, but why is it like this now? Why look at Sesshoumaru's face, Rin realized, this is Inuyoukai's song? The deepest heart contents of the inuyoukai are always perfect without such defects. The hope, the birthday gift he wanted but did not say so—his fear and despair.

Oh my dear, you are

Perfect, Perfect...

The finished song, tears streaming down from Rin's cheeks. Though he did not want to cry sad like this today, but he only wanted tears of happiness on this special day. Turns out—dia can't.

Sesshomaru is smart, inuyoukai it knows he will not dare to ask what he wants as a gift, therefore he asked him to sing to realize what I want something that is not possible in the world.

"Sesshoumaru-sama," call Rin slowly. Smiling within the tears that continued to flow down unstoppably, he laid out his broken heart. "You know...."

Sesshoumaru did not reply, he just silently stared at Rin.

"Little Rin didn't know, so he asked, 'if one day Rin is gone, will you always remember Rin?"

"Ri." Call Sesshoumaru with a raised tone of voice, a sign that he does not want Rin to talk anymore.

But, Rin did not care, with the smile she kept on maintaining, she still continued her unfinished speech. "But, the great Rin knows, 'If one day Rin is gone, you can forget Rin, Sesshoumaru-sama.."

Sesshoumaru did not move, he was silent to hear Rin's words.

"Forget over Rin, if you're going to look like this every time you remember Rin..."

The expression on Sesshoumaru's face, Rin really did not want to see it. Unexplained is full of sadness, suffering and despair. Don't be sad about it, don't suffer from it, don't despair just because of a Rin.

Forget Rin, if it hurts so much. Rin will not mind being forgotten, as long as Sesshoumaru can return to what he used to be, always at the top without weakness. Erase all their happy memories that exist if it will be a black spot in the beautiful and smoky future that there is a happy— in a world without him.

Sesshoumaru immediately hugged Rin and buried the woman's face in the chest. She doesn't want to see Rin's smile now, she doesn't want to see her eyes and also she doesn't want to hear what she's saying. "This sesshoumaru won't repeat it again; silence Rin."

Rin was silent this time, she could feel Sesshoumaru's hand holding her trembling, and she really wished she could move her hand, so that she could embrace the inuyoukai who loved her so deeply.

Love's.

For the love so beautifully intertwined between those who love each other, Rin thought about the past as well as the present. In the time that has continued to go since meeting Sesshoumaru, everything only contains happiness. Therefore, he had to tell her.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, thank you.." Rin said slowly and closed her eyes. He had never said it all this time, a word of thanks in his heart. "Thank you for seeing Rin back then in the forest, thank you for bringing Rin to life, thank you for letting Rin follow you, protect and be there every time Rin calls your name..."

Rin's thanks went unanswered by Sesshoumaru, hugging the smaller body tighter, he closed his eyes.

"Thank you for allowing Rin to be in the palace of the western lands, thank you for accompanying Rin at all times, thank you for all the gifts available, thank you for choosing Rin out of all the women who are there." continued Rin continuously without stopping. "Thank you for giving Shura to Rin, and thank you for loving Rin..."

Thank ye.

Thank you and thank you, tens of thanks, hundreds, thousands and millions of thanks. Thank you for giving her everything that is so meaningful, thank you for the warmth, beauty and colourfulness of a life.

Raising his face at Sesshoumaru, Rin chuckled. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama. Thank you for everything you've given Rin, thank you..."

Sesshoumaru opened his eyes and looked at Rin. But he still did not say a word, he just continued to stare and continued to stare at the face of the woman in his arms.

Rin was still laughing but slowly drowsiness approached him. With a smile and flowing tears, he then slowly closed his eyes and let the sleep approach. Ah, thank you death. Thank you for not coming today, thank you for letting Rin through this day perfectly.

The sound of Rin's calm breathing falling asleep just like Shura made Sesshoumaru then close his eyes. Pasting his left cheek on Rin's head, all of Rin's words today were stirred back into his mind.

Simultaneously, Rin's shadow that was cowering alone in the room and the endless darkness also followed.

If you really love her, then let her go..

Ah, Sesshoumaru did not want to think about it anymore. Very heavy and painful, very difficult and devastating. Forget it and sleep. She wants to sleep just like Rin and Shura. Freeing themselves from all things, a beautiful dream where they are one family always together.

Snow continued to fall without a sound. In the veranda of the bedroom of the western ruler, both Sesshoumaru, Rin and Shura dissolve in their dreams. The world does not allow forever to be together for them, therefore, they will look for it in dream—dream where forever they will be together in happiness.

....xoxOx....