Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapter 62's

Rin sighed and threw her body on the futon. Looking out the window, looking at the night sky, he sighed again, because he was finally able to rest.

Today was a tiring day for him. He remembered clearly what happened the instant he agreed to Akihiko's terms

"Well, Rin can do that. Rin promises Rin spring will come to the southern land palace." Rin smiles. His eyes sparkled happily, not expecting Akihiko's terms to be so easy.

"Don't joke!! Don't agree to any wolf terms, Rin!!" inuyasha shouted with anger. The Hanyou immediately stepped closer to Rin and Akihiko. "There must be a ruse on those terms!!"

"What Inuyasha-sama said is right, Rin-sama," interrupted Kira, her golden eyes staring intently at Akihiko. "Don't accept that condition."

"Don't trust the south, Rin-sama." added Kiri. There was a feeling of dislike in his heart seeing the closeness of his new master to the ruler of the southern lands.

Rin stared at the confused Inuyasha, Kira and Kiri. She did not understand the attitude of those who did not like Akihiko. Despite being the ruler of the southern lands, this wolf youkai never harmed him.

Akihiko straightened her body. With a face that was still smiling, he paid no attention to the words of Inuyasha, Kiri and Kira. His gaze was focused only on Rin, as if there was only that girl in the room.

"As you said first, next spring, we will hanami together," said Akihiko slowly. "You have to play the shamisen, sing and mena—"

"Rin's ready!!" cut Rin. His brown eyes sparkled with excitement hearing the word hanami Akihiko said. "Is there a sakura garden in the southern land palace, Akihiko-sama? Rin didn't see any cherry blossom trees yesterday?"

Staying for a few days in the southern land palace, Rin felt that the palace was very arid without plants. The garden she saw was just an arid garden where Akihiko practiced swordplay. But, he did not carefully explore the southern land palace, there might indeed be a cherry blossom garden there, only he did not know.

Akihiko chuckled at Rin's reaction. His eyes looked gently at the human girl. "There's Rin. Spring next year, I'll show you the sakura garden within the southern land palace."

"Good then! Rin promises to visit the southern land palace again." Rin replied with a smile. Joy filled his face like a child.

"Rin!!" cut Inuyasha again, he ruffled his hair in frustration with Rin's attitude which so easily responded to Akihiko's every utterance. "Don't carelessly respond to this wolf!!"

Rin simply smiled at Inuyasha's reaction, and it made her even more frustrated. He really did not know what to do to deal with the innocent girl.

"Then, I won't bother you anymore, Rin," Akihiko said slowly. Stepping forward towards Rin, his right hand raised gently stroked the human girl's head. "Rest and until tomorrow."

"Keep your fucking hands!!" inuyasha cried out in anger, he pulled out the tessaiga sword at his waist.

Left and Kira move quickly, they immediately pull Rin back, making their bodies the separator between Akihiko and the human girl. Their eyes turned blood red, while their mouths were raised upwards, grinning revealing long fangs.

What she did, Akihiko knew was something unusual, but she couldn't stop her hand when she saw Rin's smile. And now, the warmth that was still left in his hands made him feel extremely satisfied.

Reversing the body, the ruler of the southern land laughed and walked out without turning his head back again.

"Bad!! Wait for you, you jackal!!" inuyasha shouted with anger. His sword swayed and he stepped foot wanting to chase after Akihiko.

"Inuyasha-sama!!"

"Brava!!"

"Ugh.." Rin muttered softly and closed his eyes for a moment recalling what happened. How hard he was, Kagome, Miroku and the others stopped the innuanyou. He did not dare to imagine what would happen if Inuyasha really fought with Akihiko this afternoon.

Fortunately things can be controlled thanks to the word "Osuwari" from Kagome. The Kiri and Kira on the scene were of no help at all, and to be honest, they seemed to be desperate for Inuyasha to attack the ruler of the southern land. Meanwhile, Inukimi, she just sat with a thoughtful face staring at the situation.

After all the commotion, Rin thought she could take a break for a while, but, it turned out to be all for nothing. The door of his room was always open, from Kenji, Rei and Rika, youkai in the western land palace who appeared with a face full of worries alternately.

Although tired, deep in Rin's heart, to be honest he was also quite happy. Seeing that everything she loved was still alive, she felt for the first time she was useful.

Moving his hand touched the meido seki he was wearing. Rin lifted the heirloom and kissed it slowly. He never knew why the meido seki shone and brought to life all that was then, but at least it all ended well.

Lowering the meido seki, Rin turned her gaze back out the window. The night was late, and the silence of the night enveloped, his heart felt a little hollow, because although many visited him today—Sesshoumaru did not come.

Rin knew, Sesshoumaru must be busy. The completion of this war, inevitably left behind many tasks to be completed as the ruler of the western lands. It's just..

Rin missed him.

The more semiggu they parted made himself miss the Inuyoukai so much. Every time the door opens today, Rin hopes Seshoumar will appear. But it turned out that his hope did not materialize, until nightfall, the figure did not appear before him.

Sighing for the umpteenth time, Rin then decided to take a break. Rise up and pull the blanket over her body, she then blew the oil lamp on the side.

The darkness of the night enveloped the not-so-large room. Only the dim light from outside the window is a clear light that does not help.

Looking out the window, Rin began to feel sleepy. He must sleep now, so that tomorrow will come soon. Perhaps, tomorrow morning, Sesshomaru would come to see him.

"Oyasumi, Sesshoumaru-sama.." murmured Rin softly and closed his eyes, letting the darkness lubricate him in a peaceful sleep.

Creett

Rin who had fallen asleep was completely unaware of it. As he fell asleep, the door to his room opened. Slowly an inuyoukai figure walked in—Seshoumaru.

Walking closer to Rin, Sesshoumaru sat down beside the human girl. The Inuyoukai said nothing. There was not the slightest intention in his heart to wake Rin up, he just silently looked at her.

Sesshoumaru knew everything that happened to Rin today, and he also knew, this girl was waiting for him. But he doesn't want to show himself.

Why?—because Sesshoumaru did not know what to behave like in front of Rin. He could not be like he used to be, letting this girl laugh, smile, sing and dance off beside him.

Why?—because Sesshoumaru knows, he loves Rin. Love is a foreign feeling. All day, he kept thinking and thinking.

When Sesshoumaru is aware of her feelings and Rin is kidnapped, he gets angry and wants the girl by the side. However, when Rin was already at the side, he did not know what to do and avoided her.

Then, when she hears that Rin is qualified for Akihiko to go to the southern land palace in the spring of next year. Sesshoumaru tried hard to control the anger in his heart. He was eager to have the human girl retract the remark and disregard the terms of the southern land lord.

But..

With what status did he ask Rin to do that? Sesshoumaru regained consciousness for the first time. Who is he to Rin? A guardian? A nanny? Mister? Rin is just a human being she accidentally discovered, saved and together until now; they have no connection whatsoever.

Rin is a free soul without fear. The human girl was innocent and very warm. What is the attraction that makes all youkai stare at this girl?—Sesshoumaru aware now, it is because all these girls are so pure.

Rin is the purest living creature that exists. Although he was a child, he was bullied by his fellow men, even though he died, although he saw how dirty and hypocritical the world was, Rin never changed. He was like the first snow that was spotless white.

Because that's..

Sesshoumaru did not dare to catch him. If Rin is snow, then she is dusty dirt below. They're too different. Snow will be dirty if it falls on such a land, the snow will melt and disappear above the ground. Therefore, how could he dare to float it?

Sesshoumaru knew they couldn't be together. Danger and death will always haunt Rin if all youkai know, this girl is the only weakness of the ruler of the western land. Releasing Rin was the best option he could make.

Love is a human feeling. Sesshoumaru had heard man say; love can be killed, it can be forgotten. That's what he's gonna do. Before the love in his heart grows bigger and uncontrollable—he will destroy it.

Closing his eyes, Sesshoumaru then stood up. Not looking back one bit, he stepped out of Rin's room.

....xoxOx....

"What's your next plan, Takeru-sama?" ask Akiko. His green eyes stared at the figure of the ruler of the northern land who stood leaning his body on a large tree in the forest.

Takeru did not answer. He was silent with his eyes closed as if thinking of something.

"We can't act rashly anymore in the future, Takeru." said someone suddenly from behind Akiko.

"Yahanda!" call Akiko surprised to see the figure of Asano the ruler of the eastern land walking towards them slowly.

Walking to Akiko's side, a thin smile filled Asano's wrinkled face. "The west and the south already know your intentions. They're gonna be watching your every move right now."

"I know, Asano-san," Takeru replied later. He opened his eyes and walked up to Asano and Akiko. "I just didn't expect my plan to fail like this."

Asano laughed loudly at Takeru's words. "I didn't expect either. Moreover, it was due to a human girl with no spiritual power."

Takeru did not reply to Asano's words anymore. His eyes stared intently at the ruler of the eastern land, while in his mind the face of the human girl who was ruining his plan flashed clearly.

"You need to be careful, Takeru. We still have time" Asano continued. His old eyes stared at the northern land lord meaningfully. "We have to devise a new plan, and maybe we can use the human girl who ruined your plan."

....xoxOx....

"You're really pretty, Rin-chan," Praise Kagome, who just finished helping Rin wear a white western-colored kimono. "I see why you're called Hime from the west now."

Kagome couldn't hide her fear. Rin really looks like a princess. She's so beautiful as a painting. How many hearts would a man lose just by looking at him?

"Kagome-sama, you've been praising Rin too much. This kimono makes you think that way." Rin replies, she smiles while looking at the kimono she wears.

The kimono that Rin wears is a kimono given by Inukimi. The former ruler of the western land had always liked to dress his adopted daughter. He wanted the human girl to always be beautiful, let alone in the day where they would finally return to the western land palace.

Three days had passed since Rin had regained consciousness. Her health had recovered as usual, and Kagome had allowed the human girl to return home. The future Miko was quite grateful Rin healed quickly, not because she was disturbed this girl was in her house, but because of the state of the village. For several days the villagers were living in fear because of the thousands of western and southern youkai that existed within the village.

"You should visit us again huh, Rin-chan," Kagome smiled as she clasped Rin's hand. "Shiro and the others will definitely miss you a lot."

Rin nodded his head. "Kagome-sama, Inuyasha-sama and the others can also come to the western land palace. Rin will entertain you as best as possible."

Kagome laughed, visiting the western land palace might be a good idea. But it was impossible, Inuyasha could not possibly want to, because after all, that palace was the palace of Sesshoumaru.

"You're ready, Rin-small." Inukimi's voice suddenly sounded. The former ruler of the western lands opened the door to Rin's room and walked inside.

"Here, Mother." Rin smiled back, she ran a little closer to Inukimi.

Inukimi's golden eyes sparkled to see Rin. With a white kimono bearing the western emblem, her little princess was so mesmerizing. Hugging the human girl, she laughed. "Good, let's go home."

Rin nodded his head and let the former ruler of the western land clasp his hand, pulling him out. Kagome only smiled looking at the figure of the inuyoukai and the human girl. Stepping his feet, he followed the two of them.

Shaking his head, Rin segela brushed aside the feeling of disappointment in her heart. He knew, what he was thinking right now was wrong, he should not be selfish. How busy Sesshoumaru was after this war, he knew. So, he has to be patient.

"You're ready, little Rin" Inukimi said suddenly as they stepped out of Inuyasha's house. He looked back and smiled a little. Releasing the hand he held, the former ruler of the western lands signaled the human girl to come out first."Uprighten your back and look ahead."

Rin is confused by Inukimi's words. He did not understand the slightest of these inuyoukai sayings and attitudes. Moreover, Kagome who was behind then pushed her back and chuckled.

Still full of confusion, Rin stepped forward slowly. Inukimi opened the door of Inuyasha's house and smiled widely.

The first thing Rin felt when stepping foot out was the blinding light of the morning sun. Then, what he later saw were the western and southern youkai.

In front of Inuyasha's house, thousands of western and southern youkai gathered. All of their gazes were only directed at the human girl who stepped out. Without a cue, all the youkai then kneeled in salute to the human girl.

"Thank you, Hime-sama!"

"Thank you, Hime-sama from the west!"

The voices of the youkai are united and resound filling the winter morning. They all knelt down to thank the human girl who had saved their lives and also stopped the war.

"It's amazing, I can't believe what I'm seeing right now" Miroku said. His eyes stared at what was in front of him. He slowly turned his head to look at Inuyasha and the others. "I wasn't dreaming?"

No one answered Miroku's question. Inuyasha stood with Shiro in his silent cradle, as did Kenji, Sango, Kohaku, Shippo, and the children.

The sight before them was an impossibility. Who would have ever thought, thousands of youkai with monstrous strength and high self-esteem would be willing to kneel saluting and thank an ordinary human girl?

Sesshoumaru and Akihiko who were also there, did not say anything, their gaze fell on the figure of the human girl. The western and southern youkai kneeled in reverence and gratitude, not because of their orders as rulers, but indeed because of their respect for the girl.

Great war-south without a winner. Everybody says so. But, if you look at the sight before your eyes now, the scene where thousands of youkai kneeled in salute to Rin—Sesshoumaru and Akihiko knew, the war had a winner. The winner that no one would expect is; Rin.

Awakening and stopping the youkai war, Rin has won the respect of thousands of youkai. There were no exceptions, all those youkai were indebted to the girl

Rin, a human girl with no spiritual power, is the absolute winner of the great wars of the west and south.

On the other hand, Rin did not know what to do. He was very surprised, confused and could not believe what he was seeing right now. To him, he did nothing meaningful. This war is not over because he—this war is over because Sesshoumaru and Akihiko who do not want to fight anymore.

"W-what are you all doing!!? Quickly standing up, Rin did not dare to accept this all!!" rin's panicked voice broke the silence. He stepped forward, trying to help one of the youkai in front of him stand up.

The youkai remained unmoved, they still lowered their heads down, and that made Rin even more panicked.

"They won't stand until you receive their respect and gratitude, my daughter." Inukimi's quiet voice behind Rin made the girl turn her head immediately. "Therefore, accept it."

Rin still hesitates despite hearing Inukimi's words. However, strengthening his feelings, he then looked back at the youkai in front of him. Sighing, he opened his mouth. "Rin understands what you mean, and Rin accepts, stand up."

"Thank you, Hime-sama."

"Thank you, Hime-sama from the west."

All the youkai who are back say thank you. Slowly they all stood up. Their views did not change, but were centered only on Rin, who was now smiling widely because of the relief they had stood up.

Rin's wide, innocent smile is like magic. Make youkai feel the warmth in their hearts. A feeling foreign to a youkai.

"Now, let's go home, little Rin." Stepping forward, Inukimi gently struck Rin's small shoulder. It seemed like if this girl did not leave this place, those youkai would not move in the slightest.

Rin looked back and nodded his head at Inukimi. However, a moment later his gaze fell on the figure of an inuyoukai who was apparently standing not far beside him.

Rin's eyes immediately sparkled, the smile on his face becoming wider. The Inuyoukai rests its tall body on the walls of Inuyasha's house. Stepping foot as fast as he could, he laughed with his bell-like voice. "Sesshoumaru-sama!!"

Sesshoumaru did not move. His golden eyes looked straight at Rin who was running towards him, following every step of the human girl's foot. Hearing that little mouth call out his name after so long, his heart felt extremely warm.

Rin's laughter and smile grew wider and wider. And finally! After a long time, he finally met Sesshoumaru. The feeling of longing in his heart was unbearable anymore. He wanted to immediately be beside that inuyoukai and hug her.

Maybe because they are too happy and not careful. Just taking a few steps, Rin suddenly lost her balance and fell down. The human girl closed her eyes and prepared to accept the pain that would strike her. However, a pair of warm sturdy hands suddenly supported him.

A very distinctive smell filled his sense of smell. A very familiar warmth filled it. Laughing again, he opened his eyes staring at his helper. "Sesshoumaru-sama."

Sesshoumaru did not budge, his eyes staring at the laughter of Rin calling his name; stunned. Not wanting to help Rin, she decided to keep her distance from the girl. Not visiting her even though she knew Rin was waiting for her arrival was one of the ways she did it. But, seeing the girl fall in plain sight, her body moved unnoticed.

"Thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama." Rin's eyes stared past Sesshoumaru's golden eyes. All the adoration, respect and love is clearly reflected in the clear brown eyes. "Sorry, Rin has troubled you."

Sesshoumaru did not say anything. Slowly, she releases her hand that supports Rin's body. But, his eyes could not escape from the figure of the girl in front of him.

"You must be careful, Rin." said Akihiko's voice suddenly. Not knowing since when, he had been next to Rin and Sesshoumaru. His face was smiling, but his sky blue eyes were clearly staring intently at the inuyoukai ruler of the western lands.

"Akihiko-sama." Rin's smile looks at Akihiko. He then laughed. "Rin will be careful from now on."

"Good then," Akihiko nodded her head and chuckled. A moment later, he looked back at Sesshoumaru. "You're moving faster than me this time, Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru did not retaliate, he was silently silent with a flat face staring at Akihiko.

"So, let me do all this. You just shut up and look." Call Akihiko again. A grinning smile adorned his handsome face.

The expression on Sesshoumaru's face remained unchanged. Akihiko's attitude now lets him know, this southern land lord is very interested in the human girl he saved. Dislike immediately filled the heart.

Staring at Rin again, Sesshoumaru suddenly used his right arm to lift up the human girl.

"Sesshoumaru-sama!" both of Rin's hands immediately touched both of Sesshoumaru's shoulders to maintain balance. His brown eyes could not hide the shock in the heart.

Staring into Sesshoumaru's flat-faced eyes, slowly, Rin's surprised expression turned into a smile. Sitting on the inuyoukai arm that everyone feared like this, inevitably made him recall his childhood.

Back when his body was small, when they were still wandering, when avoiding enemies, those inuyoukai sometimes carried him like this. For little Rin, despite the danger before her eyes, she was never afraid, because Sesshoumaru existed. Now that is the case, forever will be like that.

Warm spring smile. A beautiful smile, a very charming smile, how Sesshoumaru wanted to monopolize that smile. He doesn't want to show it to anyone.

Not caring about Akihiko and the others. Raising his head upwards, Sesshoumaru leapt up into the sky. Fly back towards the western land palace.

Rin was surprised again, but a moment later she laughed. Waving his right hand, he looked down. "See you soon, Akihiko-sama, Inuyasha-sama, Kagome-sama! See you soon Miroku-sama! Sango-sama! Kohaku and Shippo-chan!!"

"Eh!!" Inuyasha, Kagome and the others could only exclaim in shock mixed in bewilderment due to Sesshoumaru's unpredictable attitude.

Inukimi who was looking from below then laughed out loud. Jumping up into the sky, he followed Sesshoumaru and Rin, as well as Kira and Kiri, along with all the western land youkai.

A large line of western land youkai troops flew across the winter sky with the ruler and a human girl in front of him.

Akihiko who saw Rin's figure move away, clenching his hands firmly held back the anger. Sesshoumaru's possessive attitude towards Rin, he knew clearly the meaning. But the warm smile that Rin aimed at inuyoukai was what she disliked the most. The ruler of the southern land wanted the warm smile of the human girl to be on him, not someone else.

Raising his head upwards, Akihiko also jumped up into the sky, flying towards his palace which was in the south. He will not be silent, when next year's spring arrives, he will make sure the smile will be on him, not on Sesshoumaru anymore.

Like the western youkai, the southern youkai also jumped into the sky and flew after their ruler back to the southern land palace.

The human village that the thousands of youkai left behind instantly became silent. Inuyasha and the others are still confused.

"okay!" kagome suddenly broke the silence. He patted Inuyasha on the shoulder and smiled. "I think we can tell all the villagers that they can leave their homes."

....xoxOx....

Flying high above the sky. In Sesshoumaru's sling, Rin's brown eyes sparkled happily staring at the blue sky above. A smile of spring is etched beautifully in the dazzling abundance of morning sunshine.

All of that made Sesshoumaru unable to take his eyes off. Why can't he control his eyes? Sesshoumaru did not find the answer. Why can he still behave like this? Though he had decided to release the girl in this carriage of his.

As if realizing Sesshoumaru's gaze, Rin then turned her face to look at Sesshoumaru. Although his body has grown a lot, it turns out that the arm of the ruler of this western land is still one of his favorite places.

"Sesshoumaru-sama," call Rin slowly. Their eyes clashed. "Usually, it was Sesshoumaru-sama who was supposed to say it, but this time, Rin was the one who was going to say it."

Sesshoumaru looked at Rin in confusion. He did not understand the direction of the human girl's conversation.

Slowly, Rin moved her right palm touching Sesshoumaru's cheek. The smile on his face widened and his clear brown eyes closed "Tadaima, Sesshoumaru-sama."

For the umpteenth time, Sesshoumaru was stunned again. The warmth of that little hand, then that smile. Rin's smile now inevitably reminds her again of the girl's smile as a child—smiling with a body full of cuts and missing teeth one; a plain smile that was always in her mind.

Then, slowly, as the stunned feeling disappeared. Sesshoumaru's heart rate became extremely fast.

Tadaimas

I'm h-home. Go home. What does it mean that Rin considers herself, the Sesshoumaru of the west as home? Where will he always come home and live?

There was an unspoken joy filling Sesshoumaru's heart. With just one simple word, this human girl had managed to make it like this. Then, at the same time, how frightening all this was.

How dangerous the girl who had become his weakness, Sesshoumaru was becoming more and more aware. If Rin can make him happy like this, then he knows, Rin can also throw him into the void.

The more he, Sesshoumaru loves Rin, the higher the risk they will have to accept later. And his most rational thought could not allow that to happen.

"Sesshoumaru-sama," call Rin again. Both of his cheeks were red with embarrassment. Laughing, he slowly said. "Rin misses Sesshoumaru-sama very much.."

Humans are creatures with different expressions. Happy, sad, angry, scared and so on. Rin showed it all to her. Then now, laughing with a blushing face in front of him, he could do nothing but drift in it.

Raising his left hand, Sesshoumaru hugged Rin's waist. Laughing happily, Rin leaned her head against the shoulder of the inuyoukai and closed her eyes.

A warm body, a characteristic spring smell and a soothing sound of laughter. Sesshoumaru further tightened his embrace. Just this time! He would not let this kind of situation continue! Until they reach the western land palace, Sesshoumaru will make this embrace their last closeness.

....xoxOx....