Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
The Chapter 166

Sora stood looking around him. The rest of the buildings were destroyed and burned as far as his eyes could see. There is no more beauty and warmth in this place like when youkai the white rat first set foot when small—no more the kisaki with a smile as warm as that spring.

Walking slowly down the ruined place, Sora tried hard to think about the possibility of where he was now in the eastern pavilion of the ruined western land palace beyond recognition. This large and beautiful western land palace now seems to live in a name without any occupants. The grandeur and greatness that existed had disappeared unstoppably.

Continuing to step up, Sora was full of vigilance, he did not know why this place was empty now, but looking at the traces of blood at the entrance of the palace and the other pavilions, he knew, there was a fierce fight that had happened before. Did Shui leave this place and return to the northern land palace? The whereabouts of the dragon youkai was completely unknown now.

Sora's footsteps then came to a halt as his eyes caught something beneath the shattered tatami floor. Squatting down, his hand picked up something, and it was a torn canvas cloth. However, even so, his red eyes could still see the beautiful face and smile that was always in his memory on the canvas.

....xoxOx....

"Why are you sitting there pensive, Kegome?" Inuyasha asked and sat down beside Kagome. Her face was full of worry when she saw her wife sitting alone in the room reserved for them on neutral ground.

Kagome turned her head to look at Inuyasha and smiled. But, he did not answer the question directed at him.

"What are you thinking, Kagome?" ask Inuyasha again. He could not guess what the future miko was thinking, therefore the existing worries were getting bigger.

"You know, Inuyasha," Kagome said later with an unchanging smile on her face. "What he asked me when I told the story of the youkai and the daughter of man is; 'is she happy?'."

Inuyasha was silent at Kagome's words. He did not need to ask who 'She' Kagome meant, because she knew clearly the answer.

"I feel for Shura, until the end," Kagome continued again with a small laugh. However, his eyes did not laugh at all. "The most important thing is Rin's happiness. Just like a sister."

Inuyasha remained silent at Kagome's remark, this time was because he didn't know what to say. Rin's happiness, Rin's importance to Sesshoumaru as well as Shura, she can't comment at all.

"Therefore, destiny is; cruel." Smiling softly, Kagome could not laugh anymore. She thanks Jaken for suddenly entering looking for Shura last night, as she could not tell any more of the story. To this day, he still cannot understand and accept, why can't the true story end up like the fairy tale he told?—happy forever. Why does the real story have to end in tears?

Inuyasha could not say anything, because he really did not know what to say. Kagome's fairy tale was a story she saw with her own eyes, only the ending was different from the story. Ten years had passed, but the wounds left were forever.

Silence filled them, because this topic of conversation was a topic of conversation that always made them not know what to say. Maybe because of sadness, or maybe because of pity or because; guilty. The woman who deserves the most happiness does not get happiness, and in the end she gives happiness to them.

Unwilling to dissolve into a situation he knew would never get his solution, Kagome then patted both of his cheeks and smiled at Inuyasha, "Well, what are you looking for me, Inuyasha?"

Kagome's questions and attitudes made Inuyasha come to his senses. As soon as he thought back to his goal of finding his wife, "Hey, Kagome," he called out, his expression now full of protest. "Why did you let Sakura be around that little guy? If Shiro hadn't told me, I wouldn't have known!!"

Kagome did not answer Inuyasha's question, she looked at her husband in silence.

"You don't see how the little guy looks at Sakura? His eyes were as if saying Sakura was his!! Then most importantly, did you not hear Shiro's story??!! The little guy hugged Sakura! Remember that!! Hugging!!!!"

Kagome did not know what to say to reply to Inuyasha, but a moment later she laughed. "Inuyasha, Shura and Sakura are kids, what are you worried about?"

"Kids??!! That little fellow is an inuyoukai, you know Sesshoumaru's possessiveness, right?? The fruit will not fall far from the tree, what if the little one will also be like Sakura??"

Kagome folded her arms around her chest and lowered her head slightly thinking about Inuyasha's unfinished protest. That luhanyou remark might have a point, but, he did not see any problems in it.

"Hey, Kagome, why are you silent?" inuyasha asked, looking at Kagome's silence, which gave him no reaction.

"Inuyasha," called Kagome then and raised his head staring at Inuyasha. "I still don't understand why you're protesting like this."

"Eh??" kagome's reply left Inuyasha stunned.

"Shura and Sakura were small, they were close is not something wrong. I see, Sakura herself also wants to be close to Shura." Kagome continued again with a smile. "And also, even if their relationship changes later, they both can definitely answer it."

"What??!" yell Inuyasha. Kagome's answer was clearly not the answer she had predicted.

"I believe Sakura and Shura. After all, if the relationship between the two of them is like that, isn't that a good thing?" kagome asked as she looked at Inuyasha full of smiles.

Inuyasha was speechless a thousand languages staring at the confused Kagome, he had no idea what his sense of hearing was wrong or his brain was misprocessing what he was hearing.

"Listen, Inuyasha," continued Kagome unconcerned about Inuyasha's reaction. "As you said, the fruit fell not far from the tree, so I can imagine how Shura would grow up. He'll be like a brother. Handsome, strong, smart, reliable and also guaranteed life—where else can we find a son-in-law as perfect as that?"

Inuyasha was still speechless but Kagome's speech left him deeply shaken. He only discussed the closeness of Shura and Sakura, but how could his wife even discuss the son-in-law?

"I'd be happy if that really happened. How—" continued Kagome again. But, the silent Inuyasha suddenly stood up while shouting to stop him. "No!!!"

Surprised, Kagome stared at the bewildered Inuyasha who kept shouting before her.

"No!! No!! I won't let it!! I won't allow it!!" Inuyasha can't control his emotions. Imagining her beautiful and cute little daughter together with Sesshoumaru-like Shura, she really couldn't allow it. Sakura is too good for the little guy. Why is it that if one day the little one is handsome, strong, smart, reliable and guaranteed life?—his daughter deserves a partner more than that!!

"No way!!" yell Inuyasha again. He looked at Kagome full of anger and did not accept.

Kagome was stunned at Inuyasha's unexpected attitude. Trying to calm down, the future miko wanted to open her mouth, however, the inuyoukai immediately turned her body and ran out while shouting. "I won't allow it! Point!!!"

Kagome who was left alone in the room can only stare at the open door with the figure of Inuyasha's back disappearing from view.

"Yyyyrs." Sighing, Kagome closed her eyes and massaged her forehead. Already this old and fathering two children, Inuyasha's attitude remained unchanged. But, not long after, the future miko laughed at what she had just said.

Son-in-law—Shura.

Kagome will be very happy and happy if it happens later, not because Shura will be handsome, strong, smart and reliable or the longevity of life is guaranteed because Shura is the son of a ruler. Yes, it's important, but it's not the most important. The most important criterion for Kagome when thinking of a future partner for her child is only one, that is; they must be a youkai or hanyou.

Perhaps there will be many people who think it strange, and maybe humans will consider him a traitor because it seems to look down on humans even though he himself is human. But, that's the truth. His son is not human, his son is a hanyou who has a long life, he does not want his son to experience a sad separation if he loves humans like—Sesshoumaru and Rin.

Shura and Sakura.

If they could really be together, then he wouldn't mind. Rin's son will be his son too and his daughter will be Rin—Kagome's daughter again laughing at him, maybe this is his name; destiny.

Sakuea.

For Kagome, Inuyasha and Shiro, Sakura's presence is a miracle. Her self, which is unlikely to contain any more, could conceive Sakura not long after she swallows fushi no kusuri. An impossible child can exist and give them unspoken happiness.

If Rin had never perfected and given her fushi no kursi, then in this world, there would never have been their beautiful daughter. Because it was for Kagome, Inuyasha and Shiro, Sakura was the last miracle—the miracle that Rin gifted them.

Why is Sakura named Sakura? Because it was Rin's favorite spring flower. Kagome clearly remembers Rin once said she wanted to give Sakura a name if her son was a girl. Sakura is Kagome's daughter, as well as Rin's daughter.

Kagome recalled, Inuyasha used to say that he did not want Shura to be born as an inuhanyou like it because in this world there would be no second Kagome who would accompany him, but now Kagome smiled—right, Kagome said, there would be no Kagome for Shura, therefore in her heart, Sakura would be such an existence for Shura. Then, seeing the closeness of the two children, it might happen. A strange and unpredictable world, a connected past and future, Kagome feels the thread of fate may have bound Sakura since birth—for Shura.

....xoxOx....

Shura sat alone in silence, in front of her, she could see the figure of her non-breathing real father. The first time in his life he saw such a high-pride inudaiyoukai figure was like this. Staring and continuing to stare, his face was flat with no expression.

The silence that existed without a sound, Shura had no idea how long it had passed since she entered this room. No one entered this room with her when she opened the closed door, including Sakura, probably because they all knew she needed time with her father.

Closing her eyes, Shura inevitably recalled her father's last words.

Shura, forget...

Forgetit. Forget what? Shura knew, all her father wanted was to forget her birth mother. It's just..

"You told Shura to forget," Shura opened her mouth slowly even though she knew there would be no reply. "Why?"

The Kagome story she heard last night, she knew, it was the story of her father and mother. From the story, how much is true and how much is not—at least there is no end to forever being together in reality that exists.

Did his father love his mother?—Shura had no idea. In Kagome's fairy tale, her father loved her mother very much, as did she. For the sake of the two of them, his father faced the world of youkai and man—something he could not believe. Because it's....

"Do you love Shura, Ayahanda?" asking quietly, Shura looked at Sesshoumaru's face. "Do you still love Shura and Mother, father? Love us like in a fairy tale?"

Love is a useless feeling. Love is something that will make you weak and lost. Love is weakness.

Maybe his father used to love them. But after his father realized, love was a weakness. That's why his father then—throw them. That was the reason why his father never told him the truth, that was the reason why his father sent him to the southern lands, the reason why his father told him to forget—because love is a weakness.

A youkai ruler must not be weak, a youkai ruler must always be strong without gaps. Love and feelings are something that neither his father nor himself should have felt.

I love you Shura...

A soft voice in a dream, a whisper of a slow, meaningful love word. Warmth and comfort provided—love no limits exist.

Is he expecting love? Does he want to be loved as much as Sakura, Shiro and the others loved their parents?—Shura did not dare to answer.

Rin hates you.

A hateful facial expression with eyes looking at her sharply— Shui's face imitating her mother's face. Does your mother hate him? because he was the cause of her death.

He was happy for the rest of his life.

Kagome said, Shura doesn't know whether to believe it or not. Happy him? Happy is his mother, even though

his life is so short?

Forgetit...

His father's last words flashed again and Shura closed her eyes softly. "If Shura forgets, will you open your eyes, Ayahanda?"

Remaining still with no answer he got, opening his eyes, Shura looked back at his father's face.

Shura was unable to finish her words and she was also unwilling to think about it anymore. There was no point in him thinking like that, the most important thing now was to find tensaiga and bring his father to life. He must not be weak, he must not falter, therefore—he will forget.

....xoxOx....

"Run!!!!"

"No!! Help!!"

"Please!!"

The fire burned down the houses of the townspeople, the sound of loud screams broke the silence of the night. No one knew what was happening, but they knew, they were in danger if they just kept quiet.

"Run and shout!!"

"Burn and destroy!!"

Loud laughter overflowed the terrified cries of the townspeople. In the sky and on the ground, youkai laughs with joy at the chaos. Moving arms and arms, so many of them destroyed and burned the city where the people lived.

"Don't kill those humans first, catch them!!"

"Don't let our toys escape!!"

"We can hurt them, but don't die—it's not yet!"

The fear of the townspeople was growing, red blood had drenched the surroundings and those who were severely injured on the ground were moaning in pain. The scene they saw was a hell where no one could save them. No one in the city understood what was happening. They did not understand why these hundreds of youkai could suddenly appear and destroy their city.

"Run!!"

"Please!!"

....xoxOx....

"Sakura, come here," Inuyasha called to see Sakura who was sitting and smiling sweetly beside Shura. "Sit down next to Dad."

"Yes, Sakura," added Shiro who was beside Inuyasha quickly. His pair of golden eyes stared intently at Shura who stared back at him expressionlessly. "Dad's lonely because you didn't hug her today."

Sakura turned her head to look at Inuyasha and Shiro, for a moment then she immediately stood up and walked towards her father and brother. However, only a rare one was taken away, Shura caught his hand and stopped him.

"Sister Shura?" looking at Shura, his two big eyeballs were full of confusion.

"What are you doing little??"

"Hey!! Release my sister!!"

The sound of screams full of anger Inuyasha and Shiro filled the room. Standing up, the two of them who were full of anger wanted to step forward, but Kagome's voice sounded loudly stopping. "Inuyasha, okinawari! Shiro, stop!!!"

Inuyasha instantly fell down due to the invisible gravitational impulse, whereas Shiro, he immediately stared motionless in place. From then until now, only Kagome can stop the two fathers-children.

"Kagome!!!!!" inuyasha shouted with anger. However, not for Shiro, he still remained silent in his place motionless.

Kagome did not care about Inuyasha and Shiro, as well as everyone's eyes were on their families, she laughed cheerfully. "It's okay, no need to care about the two of them," staring at Sakura he smiled. "Sakura-chan just sat next to Shura-kun."

Sakura did not understand what was happening, but she nodded her head and sat down next to Shura. From a long time ago until now, in their families, mothers were the highest holders of power. His father and brother never dwell in front of him, therefore as a daughter he will also hear the words of the mother.

Shura let go of Sakura's hand as the inuhanyou sat back down beside her. Staring at Kagome for a moment, he saw the future miko smiling at him.

Miroku who was beside Inuyasha did not give the slightest reaction. What happened just now was like breakfast to him, so he didn't care. Looking back at the map he had in front of him, he resumed his words. "Alright, we must determine the widest path to the hare mountain."

In this room now they are all gathered around a map discussing their plans towards the mountain hare—family Inuyasha, the Miroku family, Shippo, Yuki, Koharu, Jaken and Shura. Except for Shura, the existence of Shiro, Sakura, Mamoru, Aya and Maya is actually not so necessary, because they will not go to the hare mountain. But they didn't care at all, and were being tough to follow the meeting.

"From the information we got," said Koharu, the squirrel youkai slowly while pointing at the map. "In this area and this, the youkai gather, and their numbers are very large. I think it'd be better if you guys avoided this path."

"Hmm, I think we should take the back path of the mountain," Kohaku gave income as soon as he scanned the map in front. "We can't take the main line that exists."

"I agree with Kohaku." Abundant Sango approved his sister's speech. "I feel like it's the safest path."

"But there is also a possibility that the line is not safe, because we still have no information on the line," said Yuki slowly. "More you guys are gonna take a lot of time."

"Yuki-chan is right, we can't use the path" Kagome agreed. His hand pointed at another path in the map. "What about this side lane?"

"The information on that path is also still missing, Kagome." Reply Shippo while folding hands on chest.

"Hey," Inuyasha interrupted. Staring at those who were busy staring at the map, he said loudly. "Why are you busy like this?? Why look at the map and determine the path, we just use the main line only. If anyone attacks yes we fight."

All the eyes in the room turned to look at Inuyasha. The views of all of them except Shiro who agreed and Sakura who was smiling were very flatly expressionless, they seemed to hear the strangest words there. They did not understand Inuyasha's thoughts, did he want to have them attack directly the youkai army of the northern and eastern lands that numbered in the thousands?—that would be tantamount to suicide.

"Again," said Kagome slowly breaking the silence and looking back at the map. "Disregard him."

Not saying anything, the view all turned back on the map not caring about Inuyasha who was shouting loudly in protest. "Hey!! What do you mean by your eyes??"

Tock-tock.

The sound of knocking on the door rang out, and a moment later, Sora opened the door and entered the room. "I'm home all."

"Sora, you're coming home" said Yuki happily. Standing up, he immediately walked towards his biological sister with a smile. "You're okay, right?"

"I'm fine, sister," Sora's smile looked at her only sister. Approaching Yuki, she clasped her brother's hand."Don't worry."

"Is there anything you want to say, Sora?" tanya Shippo looked at Sora. "There's information you got?"

Sora is one of the youkai in neutral land who works as an information seeker, even he is the best information seeker in neutral land. No one had ever thought that the little youkai who had always been hiding behind her brother would grow up to be such an extraordinary figure in ten years.

"I didn't get any useful information," Sora replied as she guided Yuki back, they sat down to join Shura, Inuyasha and the others. "I went to the palace of the west."

Sora's reply made everything there look at him. However, no one asked any further, they waited for the white rat youkai to continue his answer.

"The western land palace has been destroyed, and there is no one there," Sora continued slowly explaining what he saw. "There was a fight going on. There was blood everywhere, but no bodies. I don't know what's going on."

Everyone was silent to Sora's explanation. The palaces were empty and destroyed, they dissolved in their respective minds.

"Do you know where Shui is right now?" ask Miroku later. Now the figure they were most worried about was Shui, as much as they could not deal with him.

"Sorry," closing her eyes, Sora sighed regretfully. "I found no trace of Shui's existence. He's gone."

Silence again filled the room upon hearing Sora's reply. Once again, they were again immersed in the thoughts of each imagining what they should do now.

"Shura-san." Call Sora then. Staring at Shura who happened to be right in front of him, he took out a not so big parcel from behind his kimono.

Giving the parcel to Shura, she smiled wryly full of guilt. "Sorry, this is all I can save."

With an expressionless face, Shura who though did not understand the intent of Sora's speech received the parcel. Clad in white cloth, a small inuyoukai who did not know what the contents of the parcel opened it.

"..."

"...."

"...."

Everyone in the room did not dare to make a sound as they looked at the contents of the parcel. Their facial expressions all changed inexplicable.

Shura still did not say anything, her two golden eyes stared at the contents of the parcel with her flat facial expression. Slowly, his right hand moved to touch the contents of the parcel which was a canvas cloth that had been torn and crushed.

"Shura-san..." Call Jaken slowly. He did not know what to say to Shura now. Full of worry, he looked at his young master.

Shura did not return Jaken's call. He stared at the painting of his biological mother that had been destroyed, and he also knew, the painting was not saved anymore. Torn, filthy and having burnt marks, even if he tried, the painting would not return to its original state.

I love you Shura.

Shura, forget...

The whisper of love from the mother and the father's last words were stirred in the head. Closing her eyes, Shura tried to control her feelings. Is he sad?—no. He had predicted this painting would be destroyed unsaved. Angry?—not really. Because he has learned to accept the reality.

Opening his eyes, Shura then handed over what was in his hand to Jaken. "Jaken, burn and destroy this."

Shura's words instantly made everyone surprised, their eyes widened in disbelief. How important the painting was to those little inuyoukai, they all knew. The figure who desperately tried to save the painting when it burned in the western land palace still imprinted their memory.

"S-shura-san.." Stammered Jaken did not know what to say.

"I don't need this anymore." Shura could only go back to thinking, if only then had he not tried to save this painting, his father would not have died. If only he did not waver with the figure of Shui imitating his birth mother—Ah, it was indeed true. Feelings are not needed youkai; love is weakness.

....xoxOx....