Till The End Of Time [Inuyasha Fanfiction ]
Chapter 91's

Lightning filled the thick black cloudy dark sky. A deafening thunderclap sound rang out filling the normally bright late spring daytime sky.

In a teahouse located not far from the city of Tenko, several people, both men and women sat while observing the unfriendly weather. This tea shop is always crowded because of its strategic location, namely; on the main road to the city. But, today, this teahouse becomes even more crowded because of the city visitors who want to take shelter from the rain that will soon fall.

"Why can the weather be like this, huh? Though it was still bright." said a middle-aged man while brewing tea in his hands.

"I feel like this rain is not normal. Maybe it's a youkai act that's in the hare mountain next to the town of tenko." Reply to another man. He sat with his arms folded in his kimono trying to ward off the cold. "I guess the townspeople had to hire taijiya or priests to eradicate the youkai."

"I agree" said an old woman who was in the teahouse suddenly. He sat not far from the two men with a little girl about nine years old. "Rain like this is very disturbing the activities of the city residents."

The little girl sitting next to the old woman did not say anything. Silently silent, he looked at his grandmother who was upset because their trip back to the city of Tenko was hampered by the weather.

Sipping tea and munching on the dango cake that was in front of her, the little girl looked around in a bustling crowd. He could see the tavern owner busy serving guests, as well as the guests who were now joined discussing the weather and youkai on the hare mountain.

Bored and uninterested in the conversation, the little girl then turned her gaze outward. He could see the rain was already starting to fall. A second later, something caught his attention.

From the outside, the little girl's black eyes caught the figure of someone walking into the teahouse. The figure was a woman, a large white kimono covering her head that was bowed down and also her body from the rain water.

From every graceful but slow step the woman took, the little girl's eyes could clearly see the kimono the woman was wearing, and it was the most beautiful kimono she had ever seen. Pink in color with beautiful white peony flowers embroidered beautifully. The peony flower was so beautiful as real, not knowing what technique— used and once he saw, he knew, the woman must have been a very honorable noble.

Following directly the figure of the woman, the little girl saw her enter the tavern. Slowly, the woman then took down the white kimono that covered her body and raised her head.

Instantly, the little girl's eyes widened. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. He was probably about fifteen or sixteen years old. With long black hair as dark as night without stars and skin as white as snow. Her petite face features a pointed nose, as well as a pair of large brown eyes that are very clear. Both her cheeks blushed red like rose petals, as well as her tiny lips— was really pretty like an angel in a painting.

The teahouse that was filled with a voice immediately quiet as soon as the woman stepped foot in. All the views were on the woman.

The woman looked around, she did not look nervous at the slightest look directed at him. Gazing around, he then approached the enchanted little girl looking at him and her grandmother.

"Can Rin sit here?" asked the woman slowly to the grandmother who was still stunned to observe the beautiful woman's face.

The woman's voice was as beautiful as a pleasant bell.

"S-please." Reply the grandmother stammered. The entire seats in this teahouse were full, only the seats next to his grandmother and granddaughter were empty now.

A smile then adorned the beautiful face of the woman, making everything in the store again amazed to see her.

"Thank you." Sitting gracefully and slowly, the woman's clear brown eyes then looked at the little girl who was still mesmerized looking at her.

Smile again adorned the beautiful face of the woman, making the face of the little girl meet red with embarrassment. Ducking down, slowly, the little girl secretly stole a look at the woman beside her.

The more you look, the more beautiful the woman is. In every smile, the little girl could see the tavern owner's mother serving the woman ordering drinks and snacks blushing in embarrassment and fascination.

Perhaps because of her so fixed gaze, the beautiful woman then turned her head to look at the little girl and looked at her innocently. "You keep staring at Rin's face, is there something strange on Rin's face?"

The little girl's face grew redder, she immediately shook her head without making a sound.

"Pardon my granddaughter's disrespectful look, princess." Grandma said the little girl quickly. He knew, the beautiful woman sitting in front of him was someone they should not offend. Women as beautiful as this, as well as the beautiful kimono she wears—she believes, this woman must be a princess.

The beautiful woman shook her head and smiled back. "It's okay, grandma. Rin was just afraid that something was wrong with Rin's face."

"You're beautiful, princess." interrupted the little girl later. He ventured out and raised his red face staring back at the beautiful woman at the side.

The beautiful woman was stunned to hear the girl's words. However, at a glance then he laughed with his voice that was like the clink of a bell. "Thank you, and Rin is not a princess."

The little girl was again fascinated by the beautiful woman's laughter. His mouth was wide open, as well as his eyes that were widened and did not blink even once. Really, the woman in front of him was very beautiful.

The girl's grandmother held her breath looking at her grandson's attitude. He wanted to stop this disrespectful attitude. However, seeing the friendly smile and laughter on the face of the beautiful woman at the side, he undoes his intentions.

"Where do you want to go, miss? Are you alone?" asked the voice of a middle-aged man sitting behind the beautiful woman suddenly. "It would be very dangerous if a girl as beautiful as you were to travel alone."

The beautiful woman turned her head back to look at the man who asked her. A smile still bloomed on her beautiful face. "Rin is not alone, Rin is with Rin's husband."

"Husband?" ask the man again.

"Yes," nodded his head, the beautiful woman chuckled. "Suami Rin has business, so he asks Rin to wait here because of the rain that has fallen."

"That's it, huh? It's good that you're not alone." Reply to the man again. Leading out, he saw that the rain had fallen so heavily on the ground.

"Women as beautiful as you should be careful when traveling," continued one man suddenly. "Wrongly, you could have been captured by youkai."

"True," agreed the shop owner's mother who delivered the order of the beautiful woman. Both of his black eyes were staring at the customer. "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Youkai will definitely think badly and want you to be their wife if you see you."

The mouthful of the shop owner's mother made both of the beautiful woman's big brown eyes blink a few times. But then for a moment he laughed. "Rin will be careful."

"Speaking about the youkai and the wife, have you all heard," the middle-aged man behind the beautiful woman again spoke, "About the daiyoukai ruler of the western lands."

"I know, about her marriage to a hime from the west, right?" interrupted his friend quickly and sipped tea in hand.

"Yes," the middle-aged man replied and snorted dislikefully. "Hime from the west is human. I don't understand why any human girl would be willing to marry such a terrible youkai."

"Especially if not for luxury," his friend laughed loudly. "Being the wife of the western land daiyoukai, her life will surely be assured."

"Cih," the owner of the tavern's mother said of the answer she heard. "Then, that hime was a lowly woman. As a human being willing to be a youkai wife for the sake of luxury—she's a despicable woman."

The two men laughed at the tavern owner's words, while the other visitors nodded their heads in agreement.

"I heard the hime from the west was a very beautiful human girl. But, no matter how beautiful she is, to me she is still very disgusting" continued a woman in the tavern. He could not stand still following the conversation. "How can she as a human being be a youkai wife?"

The old granny who sat in front of the beautiful woman then let out a voice. A look of disdain was clearly visible on his face. "There are many who say that, the hime loved the daiyoukai ruler of the western lands. But I'm more trusting, that hime loves the luxuries it gives."

"Of course," agreed one of the women who was in the tavern again. "Where can there be a human who loves youkai?"

"Is loving youkai wrong?" the sound that was like the clanking of bells suddenly sounded making everyone in the tavern startled and stared at the source of the sound.

The beautiful woman who was sitting gracefully stared at everything with her innocent facial expression. Both clear brown eyes glowed full of confusion. "Blame it if a human loves a youkai?"

The beautiful woman's question instantly made everyone in the teahouse laugh out loud.

"Of course it's wrong" replied the grandmother who sat next to the beautiful woman later. "Humans and youkai are different creatures. How can humans love youkai?—youkai is an evil creature that should be destroyed."

"That's right," the shopkeeper's mother continued while holding back a laugh. "Loving youkai is the greatest sin of man. How can a man love the enemy of his own people?—remember! Youkai lives by killing humans."

The beautiful woman did not say anything hearing the answer she got. He silently stared at all of them with a face full of confusion that did not change.

The visitors in the tavern one by one then began to express their opinions, however, all the same, namely; sin and error if a man loves a youkai.

Lowering her gaze, the beautiful woman then raised her teacup. Closing his eyes, he quietly drank the tea.

All of a sudden, the beautiful woman felt someone pull the arm of her kimono. Opening his eyes, he saw the little girl beside him staring at him with eyes full of innocence.

"Joukai an evil creature, big brother," said the little girl slowly as if what she said was a secret that should not be said. "They're cruel. They like to kill people and destroy towns and villages."

The beautiful woman did not say anything, she smiled again. However, a second later the sound of terrified cries suddenly rang out filling the teahouse.

"Youkai!!"

"There's youkai!! Run!"

In the sound of panic that existed, the beautiful woman turned her gaze out, staring at the source of the commotion.

Not knowing since when, the heavy rain that fell had stopped. The dark sky, now also brightened again with blue sky and sun shining warm. Then, the beautiful woman's eyes fell on the figure of a youkai who walked towards the teahouse where she was.

The sunlight that fell on the silver hair of the youkai's back was shining beautifully. Wearing a white kimono bearing the western emblem and shashinuki hakama as well as a harness, two swords were tucked in his waist.

Her expressionless face was very beautiful. With a pair of gold-colored eyes as well as two pairs of dark blue-colored lines on both cheeks and a crescent moon mark on the forehead. However, just one look, anyone will soon realize, he is a dangerous youkai and should be avoided.

The fear and panic of the people in the tea shop is getting out of hand. Their faces were deathly pale, some were even crying from not finding a place to hide or escape.

"Sister, let's hide!" shouted the little girl who was with her grandmother in fear. His small hand pulled the hand of the grandmother and the beautiful woman who had been sitting next to him.

However, the beautiful woman immediately stopped the little girl and shook her head. He did not move a bit from his seat. Slowly, he took out the money and placed it on the table.

No matter the panic. The beautiful woman then got up and stepped forward. However, just a step he took, the woman turned her head back.

His two clear big brown eyes looked at the little girl standing with her grandmother in confusion. A very beautiful smile was painted on her beautiful face. "You're wrong" he said slowly. "Not all youkai are evil and cruel."

Everyone in the teahouse could hear the woman's words. But, no one said a word, they were still pecking at where they stood.

Reversing her gaze again, fearlessly, the beautiful woman stepped back slowly but surely. Staring at the youkai in front, his brown eyes sparkled beautifully full of warmth, then—seulas a smile as beautiful as spring adorns the face.

The youkai stretched out his hand to look at the woman, and without fear, the woman accepted the helping hand and laughed softly. "Okaeri, Sesshoumaru-sama."

The youkai was stunned to hear the woman's words, but a second later a small smile was etched on his handsome face. His cold golden eyes softened. "Accept, Rin."

The beautiful woman laughed again with a beautiful bell-clinking laugh. Then, without looking back again, with his hands tied, the youkai and the woman walked away from the teahouse.

"Y-youkai that... Sesshoumaru, the ruler of the western land.." muttered the middle-aged man who was sitting behind the beautiful woman stammering. His face was pale and full of fear.

"J-so the woman.." replied the store owner, her body shaking violently. What was said before the woman?

The silence again filled the teahouse, however, no one dared to move. An overwhelming fear filled their hearts, for they realized that they had made a terrible and fatal mistake.

Only the little girl beside her grandmother stood firm without fear. His two black eyes were staring straight at the two figures walking away.

Under the sunlight, with the hands linked, youkai and humans walked side by side. But, despite being so different, they look so beautiful like paintings.

Not all youkai are evil and cruel.

The woman's words flashed through the little girl's mind. Looking at that youkai in front, seeing that little smile as well as the way he looked at that woman just now, through his every move, he knew, the woman said was right; not all youkai are evil and cruel.

The Youkai in front of him clearly looked very fond of the beautiful woman.

....xoxOx....

Rin looked around and smiled. Slowly, the human woman then turned her face to her husband who was walking by the side with their linked hands not let go. "Is your business done, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

Sesshoumaru nodded his head slowly answering Rin's question.

"Good." Rin laughed and turned his face forward again and said nothing more.

Today is exactly a week old their wedding, and today is also the day where they go for the honey moon.

Honey moon's.

Actually neither Rin nor Sesshoumaru understood the foreign word at all. The word was uttered by Kagome the day after they married, and the future miko vigorously forced the inuyoukai ruler of the western lands to do so with Rin.

Honey moon or honeymoon. Kagome explains that it was a trip somewhere that the newlyweds took to enjoy their wedding.

Sesshoumaru though actually confused, did not mind doing that at all if Rin wanted to. As for Rin, thinking that she could travel together with Sesshoumaru, she immediately agreed. Because, he really enjoys time in the wild with inuyoukai like when he was a child.

Inukimi also strongly supported the idea that Kagome gave her. The former ruler of the western lands was even willingly willing to replace his son's duties as ruler of the western lands for a week.

Therefore, this is where the husband and wife of the ruler of the west are now, on the hare mountain which is still in the power of Sesshoumaru. The ruler of the western land chose this mountain because this mountain is quite famous for the beauty of Rin's favorite flowers, the cherry blossoms and the lake.

But, who would have thought that when they almost reached the hare mountain, Sesshoumaru found some youkai acting on the mountain. To unsettle the tenko townspeople who were beside the mountain, they deliberately made the weather unfriendly.

Removing his wife, and telling her to wait in the human teahouse, Sesshoumaru with his own two hands then went to take care of the youkai.

Rin did not ask much about what Sesshoumaru did to the youkai, but, ever since he set foot into the hare mountain, he had not discovered anything strange or the existence of youkai. There is even the beauty of a mountain full of cherry blossoms.

Continuing to walk, Rin then turned her head to the side staring at Sesshoumaru, a smile again adorning her face.

Aware of Rin's eyes, Sesshoumaru then turned his gaze to the western land kisaki. "What's up, Rin?"

Rin smiled wider and then turned into a small laugh. "Rin remembered the past, Sesshoumaru-sama," he replied slowly. "Then, Rin always walked behind you. But, now, Rin can walk beside you with her hands linked like this—Rin is very happy."

Rin's answer and smile made Seshsoumaru grow a tiny hand in his hand. Looking back at the face, the inuyoukai replied to the human woman. "From now on, that's where you are, Rin."

Rin nodded his head with a smile that did not disappear. His brown eyes stared softly full of love and adoration at the inuyoukai.

Loving youkai is the greatest sin of man.

The sentence he heard just now in the teahouse suddenly flashed through Rin's mind.

Today, for the first time, Rin learns how humans with whom she is exposed. It turned out that, in the eyes of humans, he was none other than a sinner for loving a youkai.

But..

His love for Sesshoumaru, no one knows. This love has existed since he was a child, and grows bigger as he grows. Growing and growing, until he himself no longer knows where the beginning and where the end of—how he loves this inuyoukai.

Man may insult him, man may hate him, and the world may judge him, but he will not change his love.

His love is overflowing and unstoppable. If his love is a mistake, he is willing to close his eyes and live with this mistake forever—loving Sesshoumaru, Rin is willing to become a sinner.

"Sesshoumaru-sama." Call Rin again. Stop walking, he made the inuyoukai come to a stop and turned his face to look at him.

Stopping his footsteps, Rin's brown eyes sparkled at Sesshoumaru. A beautiful smile on her beautiful face. "Rin loves Sesshoumaru-sama."

Sesshoumaru was stunned again to hear the revelation of his wife's love.

Loves.

There was not a single day this human woman in front of him went through without saying that word. However, never to be bored either, he Sesshoumaru, the inuyoukai ruler of the western lands heard of it.

The woman's words were always sincere and honest. Love for her, emanated from that pair of clear brown eyes. Hundreds of years of his life, Sesshoumaru knew, he fell for that love.

Raising his other free hand, Sesshoumaru walked down Rin's cheek looking at him. In the human woman's eyes, she drowned—drowning in her bottomless love.

"Sesshoumaru knows." Closing his eyes, Sesshoumaru negated the distance between them.

In the hare mountain in late spring, with a gentle wind blowing. Hidden from everyone's sight, and surrounded by fallen cherry blossoms, the inuyoukai caught the lips of the woman in front of him in a gentle kiss.

....xoxOx....