Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapter 78's

As Rin, Kagome and Sango return to the cherry blossom garden where hanami is held, they see a clear change in mood. The music and performances continue, as do the food and sake. However, the sounds of laughter and the cries of the youkai were no longer heard.

Getting closer, Kagome and Sango soon realize the cause of the atmosphere being like this. On their seats, their eyes caught the clear figure of the two daiyoukai lords of the Japanese land sitting close together.

Both Sesshoumaru and Akihiko silently remained silent without a sound. In fact, it could be said that they did not care about each other. It's just, there's an invisible tension that's felt.

The youkai in existence clearly did not dare to make a fuss in this kind of condition. Sesshoumaru and Akihiko, those two are the worst combination there is. No one dares to bother them now, because life is at stake.

The eyes of Sesshoumaru and Akihiko then moved and looked at Rin as they realized the existence of the human girl. They still did not say anything, but their eyes clearly continued to follow every step of the tiny foot.

Rin could also feel the strangeness that existed, but she did not really care. With a face full of smiles, he stepped towards Sesshoumaru and Akihiko. But just taking two steps, Kagome's hand suddenly stopped her.

"You just sit with us, Rin-chan." Said Kagome, a big smile adorning her face.

"Yes, you're sitting next to both of us." Sango added again with an equally wide smile.

Kagome and Sango can't let Rin sit between the two daiyoukai anymore. What would happen if that innocent, unconscious human girl of the two daiyoukai's feelings continued to be there?

Rin stared at the confusion of Kagome and Sango. Unable to resist, the future miko calmly pulled the human girl and placed her between them.

Smiling widely, Kagome then looked at Sesshoumaru and Akihiko. "Rin-chan is going to sit down with us tonight, big brother and Akihiko-san don't mind, right?"

Sesshoumaru and Akihiko did not answer Kagome's question as if they had not heard it. But, their two eyes still faithfully followed Rin.

Miroku who sat beside Sango tried to ignore the heavy feeling that now filled the air. Smiling small, he just continued to eat the dishes available. To Inuyasha, he was overjoyed, seeing Rin away from Sesshoumaru and Akihiko, the inuanyou did not stop his smile and laughter while staring at the two youkai rulers.

Kira and Kiri remained behind Sesshoumaru expressionlessly as usual, for Koga, he was behind Akihiko with his head bowed down. Only Inukimi did not care, the inuyoukai laughed out loud and casually drank sake.

A strange atmosphere made Rin turn her head left-right. What happened?–when before he changed clothes, this party is still very lively and excited.

"Eat, Rin-chan," Kagome said later, her right hand holding the chopsticks and beginning to eat the dish in front. "You haven't eaten, have you? Don't get sick."

Rin immediately nodded his head. Although she felt strange, she obeyed Kagome's words, because she was indeed feeling very hungry right now. Slowly, his right hand raised the chopsticks in front and started eating.

Rin is a simple girl. Sensing the delicious food entering her mouth, a happy smile immediately flashed on her beautiful face. Both of her cheeks were red with happiness.

Rin's happy smile instantly made Sesshoumaru and Akihiko's gaze soften. Slowly, the two of them turned their eyes to the other direction. The tense atmosphere that was as for melting slightly.

Miroku who was aware of the changing atmosphere looked at Rin with a look of disbelief. However, a moment later, a smile adorned his face. He did not want the atmosphere of this party to be destroyed, therefore, he decided to revive the atmosphere. This party will return to its original state if this human girl laughs happily.

Laughing loudly, Miroku then looked at Rin who had finished eating. "Rin-chan, how about we play cards?"

"Card?" ask Rin curiously. His brown eyes sparkled because of interest.

"Yes, karuta card." Miroku answered with a big smile, from under his cloak he took out the karuta card he had brought today.

"Good idea, Miroku." as Kagome looked at Miroku, she smiled widely excitedly. "Let's play."

The idea of Miroku was quickly accepted by the others, in a short time, the players sat quietly with torifuda cards in front of them. But, staring at the existing players, Miroku as a yomifuda card reader suddenly felt an uneasy feeling.

Rin, Kagome and Sango don't worry Miroku. However, Inuyasha, Koga, Inukimi obviously made the monk feel uneasy. Swallowing her saliva, she was still grateful, at least Sesshoumaru and Akihiko did not participate.

Swallowing his saliva again, Miroku's eyes stared around. Not knowing since when, their place had now become the center of attention. The youkai in the park, now surround them watching the game.

Sighing, Miroku then read out the first card. "Naniwa-zu ni, Sakuya kono hana,

Fuyu-gomori Ima o haru-be,

Sakuya kono hana."

"Here!" inuyasha shouted happily, the card was located right in front of him. His hand quickly moved to retrieve it. However, Koga's feet suddenly kicked him.

"It's not that easy, mutt!!" koga's laughter was delighted to see the card flying far up into the sky. Jumping, the wolf youkai tried to catch him.

But, he had not yet caught, Inukimi moko-moko flew to attack Koga. "Yes, it's not that easy!" laughter of former western land lords is ecstatic.

Inuyasha still did not want to lose, jumping up, he moved his claws in his hand to attack Koga. "Damn you skinny wolf!!"

The southern youkai who were watching shouted loudly cheering the innuanyou and youkai who were fighting above the air.

"Come, Koga-sama!! Don't lose!!"

"Hanyou, keep attacking!!"

"Inukimi-sama, don't yield to them!"

Rin, Kagome, Sango and also Miroku who are at the bottom can only be silent watching the card-grabbing match between Inuyasha, Koga and Inukimi.

"I should have been aware of this when I saw them." Miroku muttered in despair.

Rin, Kagome and Sango sighed, although they were quite confident in the karuta game, playing with hanyou and youkai was obviously a mistake.

"Rin-sama," call Left suddenly. The Inuyoukai had no idea since when it had been next to Rin. "This game is dangerous, let the servant replace you."

Rin immediately nodded his head. He knew he couldn't win in this game. It seemed like he was more suited to being a spectator than a performer.

"Taijiya," called out someone's heavy voice suddenly and made Sango turn her head to look at a youkai who called out to her. "Let me, Kei from the southern white bear youkai clan take your place!!"

"And let me take your place, Miko." added Ren, Kei's son who was next to his father.

Kagome and Sango are happy to give the father-son a chance as a player. They also prefer to watch for their own safety.

"I got it!!" inukimi yelled happily after her moko-mokos managed to bend the card and get down to the bring. A wide smile filled his face, as the first card had been in his hand.

Inuyasha and Koga clucked in dislike and landed on their seats again.

"Miroku, read the second card!!" inuyasha shouted. His golden eyes were then directed at Kiri, Kei and Ren who were changing the position of the women.

With a flat face and forced smile, Miroku again raised the second card and read it out. "Haru sugite, Natsu ki ni ki hathi, Shirotae no, Koromo hosuchou, Ama-no-Kaguyama."

"Here!!" yell Koga fast. His hand moved quickly to aim for the card located in the middle.

"You think I'll let you a skinny wolf!!" inuyasha shouted with anger. He moves the hand, but not to take the card, but to attack Koga.

"You young people, back off!" yell Kei spirit. Opening his mouth, he roared loudly. A violent wind suddenly blew and flew all the existing cards up into the night sky.

"I've guessed this cheap trick of yours, Ayahanda." Ren's laughter was happy. Not knowing since when, he had leapt up into the sky. Nimble, he moved towards the second card.

However, just as Ren is about to catch the second card, Inukimi's moko-moko suddenly twists her leg and throws the bear's youkai body underground.

"You forgot about me little bear."

"Damn it!!" inuyasha shouted loudly. Jumping upwards, he moved his hands while dodging Inukimi's moko-moko attacks.

Left, Koga and Kei also did not want to lose, the three youkai also jumped up to attack each other to seize the card.

"Don't forget me fucking!!!" shouted Ren. Gathering energy, not caring about the wound on his body because of Inukimi's attack, he jumped to attack.

The youkai below shouted increasingly excitedly looking at the fight above.

"Come, Ren-sama!! Don't lose!!

"Break their bones, Kei-sama!!"

"Hanyou, don't just dodge!!

"Inukimi-sama, let's destroy them!!"

Vigorous screams that had deviated away from the game again filled the park. The sakura park where Hanami was held had returned an unstoppable storm.

Miroku who was staring up could only smile a little regretfully. It's not a game of karuta anymore, now it's a fight. He should not have come up with this dangerous idea.

Kagome and Sango laughed nervously watching the game of karuta above, again, the two women were grateful not to follow him.

Only Rin who stared at the fight above with sparkling eyes, he who had lived with youkai for a long time did not feel any strange in this game. A happy smile expands on her beautiful face.

Sesshoumaru and Akihiko, still did not say anything. The two of them were not at all interested in the game that went on–both of their eyes were still faithfully staring at the smiling human girl.

....xoxOx....

The night is getting late, but card games are still continuing. The players alternated, and the commotion grew louder. Unless Inukimi is still excited about continuing the game, Inuyasha, Koga and Kiri have returned to their seats.

Rin yawned and rubbed his eyes. He desperately endured the drowsiness that attacked him. Not knowing why, lately, he had always felt very tired and also sleepy.

"You want to go back to your room, Rin-chan?" ask Kagome quietly. He who was sitting beside Rin softly nodded.

Rin nodded his head slowly.

"Then let me drive you, Rin," Akihiko's voice suddenly interrupted Rin and Kagome's conversation. Looking over at Sesshoumaru, the ruler of the southern land smiled with a grin. "You don't mind, do you, Sesshoumaru?–there's something I want to talk to Rin about."

Kagome and Rin are stunned to hear Akihiko's words, as are Inuyasha, Sango and Miroku.

"No!! I'll drive him!!" yell Inuyasha. The Youhanyou until now still could not believe the wolf youkai.

Sesshoumaru did not say anything, but both of his eyes stared intently at Akihiko. So did Kira and Kiri.

Rin who was aware of his stunned feelings then smiled. "Rin also wants to convey something to you, Akihiko-sama."

"Rin!!" call Inuyasha surprised. "You can't carelessly trust a youkai like him!!"

Kagome, Sango, Miroku was silent. But, they obviously could not let Akihiko be with Rin like yesterday again–not after Sesshoumaru showed his possessive attitude to the human girl now.

Kagome then stood up, smilingly looking at Akihiko. "I'll take Rin-chan, Akihiko-san."

Akihiko did not mind Kagome's words, because he had expected the meddling miko to say so. Smiling, he looked at Rin. "Alright, and Rin, what do you want to tell me?"

Looking around, Rin then smiled a little. Anger filled his heart. "It seems like this is not the right place, Akihiko-sama."

Rin's words made Akihiko's smile wider. Approaching the human girl, he reached out his right hand, "Alright, the middle of the cherry garden is a suitable place for Rin."

"You!!?" inuyasha shouted in anger and shook off Akihiko's hand. Like Koga, she never liked Akihiko who never gave up despite being rejected.

"Rin." Sesshoumaru's voice suddenly sounded and made all who were looking at the inuyoukai, not least Rin.

Unspoken, just looking into those golden eyes alone, Rin knew, Sesshoumaru did not want him to follow Akihiko. But, he did have an important matter to convey to the ruler of the southern lands.

Standing up, Rin then stepped closer to Sesshoumaru. Smiling, he then clasped the inuyoukai's hand. There was still a feeling of shame when faced like this within the human girl. But he can control it. "Rin will be back soon, Sesshoumaru-sama. Rin has to convey something to Akihiko-sama."

Rin's gentle touch and smile made Sesshoumaru's gaze soften. Closing his eyes, he found no strength to refuse the human girl's request. Not knowing since when, he had become extremely weak towards her. Slowly, Sesshoumaru then nodded his head.

"Sesshoumaru, you!!" inuyasha protest again. He immediately stood up and stared full of anger at his half-brother.

Once again, Inuyasha moved and brushed off Akihiko's hand. For this time, the ruler of the southern land stared at the inuanyou it was full of anger.

"No need to hold hands!" inuyasha shouted fearlessly. He looked back at Akihiko's gaze full of annoyance.

Rin who saw that laughed a little. Walking closer to Akihiko, he pushed the wolf's youkai back. "Come on, Akihiko-sama."

Walk away from Inuyasha and the others, as the figures of Rin and Akihiko have disappeared from view. Inuyasha turned his head to look at Sesshoumaru. "You're really gonna let him?" tanyanya.

Sessgoumaru did not say anything, but he stood up. Stepping slowly, he walked towards the direction where Rin and Akihiko were going. The ruler of the western lands did allow the human girl to talk to Akihiko. But that doesn't mean he'll just be quiet.

....xoxOx....

Akihiko takes Rin back to the middle of the sakura park they came to last night. Smiling, he looked at the girl who was beside him gently. However, the smile did not last long, as his nose easily caught the smell of the inuyoukai and the inuanyou hiding behind the sakura trees not far from them.

Akihiko's skyline eyes were then directed at the trunk of the sakura tree, staring intently at her dislike.

"Akihiko-sama, what's wrong?" rina asked suddenly. She stared at the puzzled Akihiko with her two clear brown eyes.

Looking back at Rin, Akihiko smiled and nodded her head. "It's okay, Rin."

Forward two steps, Rin then stopped and turned her body to look at Akihiko. Both of his eyes looked straight at the ruler of the southern land. There was no smile or laughter on his face, there was only seriousness.

Akihiko kept smiling looking at Rin's behavior. Stared with an expression like this, Akihiko felt the girl in front of him was really cute. It felt like he was hugging and making the human girl smile.

"Akihiko-sama." Call Rin slowly.

"Yes, Rin." Reply Akihiko gently. The smile on his face grew wider.

"Akihiko-sama. Rin thanks you for the gift you gave Rin. But sorry, Rin couldn't take it."

Rin's words instantly made the smile on Akihiko's face disappear. He stared at the confused human girl. "Why? You don't like her? Then tell me what you like, I'll give it to you."

Rin shook her head hearing Akihiko's words. "It's not Akihiko-sama. Rin couldn't accept such a valuable item."

Rin's answer made Akihiko laugh a little. The silk kimono, the jewel gold that was given was nothing to the ruler of the southern lands, as well as to the human girl who would become the southern kisaki.

Smiling, Akihiko bent down until her sky blue eyes were level with Rin's. "That's for you. But, if you don't like it, you can throw it away, Rin."

Rin's eyes widened to hear Akihiko's words. Silently silent, he did not know what to say in order for the wolf youkai in front of him to be willing to accept back the gift given.

"You're my kiss in the future, Rin," Akihiko continued. His sky blue eyes stared at the swarming girl in front of him. "All mine is yours."

Akihiko's words once again made Rin's eyes widen. Surprise and also immense confusion attacked him. Didn't he turn down an offer to be a kisaki last night? Why does Akihiko still think like this?

Stepping back two steps, Rin's facial expression from shock and tangent immediately turned into difficulty as well as guilt. "A-akihiko-sama, Rin can't be Kisaki south.."

Rin's facial expressions and rejection speech made Akihiko come back confused. A feeling of disappointment and sadness filled his heart, but it was immediately covered in anger. Controlling his anger, those sky blue eyes kept looking straight at Rin. "Why?"

Rin immediately replies to Akihiko's stammered question"K-because it won't be fair to you, Akihiko-sama. You're Rin's precious friend, Rin doesn't want an–"

"I don't want to be your friend, Rin. I want to be your life partner!!" cut Akihiko. He raised his voice until he shouted.

Disappointment and pain were clearly visible on the handsome face of the ruler of the southern land, and it made Rin really feel guilty. Stooping his head down, the human girl was silent.

"Is it because of Sesshoumaru?" ask Akihiko again.

Akihiko's question made Rin raise her head staring at the wolf youkai in surprise.

A smile full of ridicule suddenly filled Akihiko's face. "He won't love you, Rin. Sesshoumaru won't give his heart to you."

Rin was stunned to hear Akihiko's words. There is pain in his heart, he will not love you, Sesshoumaru will not give his heart to you. Those words, Rin already knew it all, long before Akihiko told, but..

Rin's.

Sesshoumaru's face flashed across Rin's mind. Inuyoukai became everything for his life. Slowly, a happy smile adorned the beautiful face of the human girl. "It's okay. Rin is already happy to be with Sesshoumaru-sama."

The smile full of ridicule on Akihiko's face instantly disappeared. Seeing and hearing Rin's words, he lost his confidence. She does not want to be the friend of this human girl, she wants to be the companion of her life, she wants that smile and laughter to be hers–she wants to have her love.

Why doesn't Rin love him? If he had first found this girl as a child, would her love be his? If only he had saved her, would he be the only one who would be in those clear brown eyes? If only he was the one beside the girl from childhood to adulthood, would that heart beat for her?

Akihiko could not accept Rin's refusal. Question after question filled his mind. The first time in his life, he loved with all his heart, and this love would be unrequited love?–he wouldn't let it.

Raising his head upwards, Akihiko then laughed very loudly. His right hand moved down his silver hair.

Rin did not say anything, silent in silence, he just stared at the ruler of the southern land with a face full of guilt.

Stop laughing, Akihiko then lowered his head and looked back at Rin. His sky blue eyes now shone strangely, no more soft rays. Smiling a grin, he then moved quickly towards Rin.

Akihiko's hands hugged Rin's waist tightly. His head then lowered down until it was in the slit of the human girl's neck. "I'm sorry Rin—you're mine." she whispered softly.

Not caring about Rin's reaction, Akihiko opened her mouth wide. His two long fangs glowed under the moonlight rays looking for that snow-like white skin, the gap between his neck–he would mark this girl as his.

....xoxOx....

From behind the sakura tree not far from Rin and Akihiko, Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha can hear clearly their conversation.

From every remark between Rin and Akihiko, Inuyasha was unable to stop their slowly directed eye gaze at Sesshoumaru.

Sesshoumaru just stood quietly leaning his body on the trunk of the cherry tree. His face was expressionless, as if the conversation he heard was meaningless.

Indeed, deep in Sesshoumaru's heart; he was angry. Akihiko who casually says that she will not love Rin. However, there was also warmth in her heart hearing Rin's words saying she was happy to be by her side, even without her love.

"Hey! Why is the wolf hugging Rin?" inuyasha cried out in sudden rage.

Inuyasha's words instantly made Sesshoumaru turn his head to Rin and Akihiko. Looking at the southern land lord who was hugging the girl tightly, he felt a sense of anger. But, that anger immediately turned into panic when she saw Akihiko open her mouth.

Moving his legs as fast as he used to, Sesshoumaru darted towards Rin and Akihiko. His golden eyes turned blood red like black and both of his lips widened revealing his long fangs.

Sesshoumaru shouted in his heart so that all was not late. He knew what Akihiko wanted now, a wide open mouth, long fangs that were eyeing the crack in the human girl's neck the wolf youkai was planning to mark the human girl.

However, no matter how fast Sesshoumaru moved, the distance and Rin were still apart. He could only stare in fear as the two fangs touched the human girl's skin.

"Rin!!!"

Simultaneously with the sound of Sesshoumaru's scream, from Rin's chest, a bright light suddenly emanated out.

....xoxOx....

Rin had no idea what was going on, it all happened very quickly. Akihiko who hugged her, her whisper, the voice of Sesshoumaru's cry, then–this bright light.

A strong wind suddenly blew. With herself as the center, the wind and bright light that existed suddenly blew away Akihiko who was hugging her far back.

Rin knew this light and wind. This light and wind is the same as the light and wind that day on the top of the hoshi mountain that animates hundreds of youkai–ini is the seki meido that he always wears.

Why is meido seki shining? Rin had no idea at all, but the light and wind that enveloped her like a fortune felt very warm.

Moving both hands, Rin then grasped the meido seki that was always hidden behind his kimono and closed his eyes. Slowly, the light and wind dimmed until it finally disappeared from view.

Intending to open his eyes, Rin suddenly felt a pair of hands going down his plate. A smell and warmth that was never foreign to him enveloped him. Realizing, he had been in Sesshoumaru's tight embrace.

Rin who did not understand what happened let Sesshoumaru hug her. A feeling of bewilderment and shock filled him as he felt the inuyoukai body that everyone was afraid of trembling.

"S-sesshoumaru-sama, what is it?" ask Rin. He tried to escape, but the close embrace that there made his effort was in vain.

Sesshoumaru tried to win himself over. His face was back to how it was, yet, he could feel his body trembling. Turning away their bodies without letting go of his embrace, the right hand of the ruler of the western lands then moved to touch Rin's chin and set her aside. His eyes and face that had returned as usual immediately stared fixedly at the white neck of the human girl. A feeling of gratitude filled his heart as he saw that the neck was still pure white without the slightest sign or wound.

Hugging Rin tightly once again, Sesshoumaru breathed a sigh of relief. For the first time in his life he felt an overwhelming fear. If only the light and wind just now did not exist, then Akihiko's fangs would be stuck in the neck of this human girl. Forever this girl will live with the sign of the ruler of the southern land in her body–she will lose it.

Releasing his embrace, Sesshoumaru then turned around and looked at Akihiko full of anger. His golden eyes turned blood red to black, both ends of his lips widened and revealed a grin of anger.

How dare! The insolent! He's gonna kill her!! An overwhelming anger filled Sesshoumaru's heart. He almost lost Rin! Got taken from him cunningly! He had almost lost the single most precious existence of his life!

Akihiko who had stood up after being bounced by the light and wind meido once looked back at 1 Sesshoumaru with a grin of anger. His two sky blue eyes had also turned dark red.

The one in front of him was the existence he hated the most. Akihiko knew that if Sesshoumaru did not exist, Rin would not reject him. If the inuyoukai were not there, Rin would love him. He will kill her today!!

At full speed, the two daiyoukai darted face to face. With the bakusaiga in Sesshoumaru's hands and also the kazakiri no kiba in Akihiko's hands, they collide.

The shattered ground and powerful explosions filled the night sky. Both Sesshoumaru and Akihiko did not care about it, they continued to move their swords aiming for the lives of the opponents.

Inuyasha who saw the fight between Sesshoumaru and Akihiko was very confused. He did not understand Sesshoumaru's anger, the light from Rin and also the daiyoukai's second fight. However, the most important thing now was the existence of Rin who was so close to the center of the fight. Wrong a little, the girl will get hurt.

Inuyasha wanted to run up to Rin, but his position was not possible due to the fight ahead.

"Rin!! Stay there!! Run!!" inuyasha shouted loudly. However, his voice was swallowed by the commotion from the fight of Sesshoumaru and Akihiko.

Rin who saw the battle of Sesshoumaru and Akihiko was very frightened. What was? Why are they fighting like this? He could feel well the killing intent of the two daiyoukai in front of him right now. Does this mean the war will start again?

Death, loss, suffering, destruction.

What he most does not want will come back. Death and loss of loved ones, suffering and destruction that will be left behind. Nah! Rin doesn't want that anymore.

Stepping on foot, not caring about the deadly fight ahead, Rin ran forward. His heart was beating fast, a sense of overwhelming tightness and fear assaulted him. "Stop!! Stopit! Rin please! Stopi–uh."

Rin's screaming voice suddenly came to a halt, as did her footsteps. From inside his mouth, he could feel something warm. Closing his mouth with both hands, he felt that something warm was flowing out unbearably.

Redder.

Rin's brown eyes could see the red liquid that filled both of his hands. The color was so vivid in his white hands, what was this liquid?

Rin's confusion raised his head to look at Sessgoumaru and Akihiko who had no idea since when had stopped fighting. Thank goodness they stopped fighting. But what was with the two of them, why did they eat it with such an expression?

Rin wanted to open her mouth to say something, but the red liquid kept flowing out of her mouth unstoppable. Dropping down on his pink kimono, this warm red liquid is his blood–.

The world stopped, Rin could feel nothing. No pain, fear and tightness felt disappeared. Slowly losing his strength, his gaze began to blur, he could see the two daiyoukai running towards him full of panic.

Then most clearly, Rin could feel his racing heart suddenly stop.

"Rin!!!"

"Rin!!!"

Rin's gaze began to blur, the voice calling out to him became very distant. Darkness filled him, and a second later, he could feel again, his heart stopping back beating slowly.

There is an unexplained feeling of heart-wrenching sadness that Rin feels as her heart beats slowly. The first death and both passed through the head of–not realizing it, the time that stopped has now returned to running.

....xoxOx....