Akiko woke feeling the warm rays of the sun. Gripping at something beside her the young woman pressed the soft surface to her face and inhaled deeply. It only took a moment to realize that something was wrong. Akiko sat straight up and realized she was lying on a bed. And rather comfortable one. Not a mat in Kaede's hut. The young woman tried to think back to what had occurred before she had lost consciousness, memories blurry. But then it began slowly falling into place just as the door opened, and Sesshomaru entered. She felt in danger and reached for her blade only to realize the sheath was gone.

"Looking for your sword, wench?" he asked, approaching the side of the mattress.

Her brows narrowed. "I have a name."

"And I do not wish to use it."

Grip tightening, the sword appeared in her hand, and she attacked in the direction of his voice. He moved out of the way narrowly dodging the sharp edge. For someone who was blind she sure didn't act it. Sesshomaru grabbed Akiko by the wrist roughly, forcing the young woman to release the weapon. It clattered against the floor before she began to struggle trying to escape.

"Know this, I can easily be rid of you."

"Then why did you bring me here? I was fine where I was!"

The room fell silent as the demon observed her carefully. Why indeed? He wasn't even quite sure of it himself. Her odd choice of clothing reminded him of his half-brother's human, meaning they were most likely from the same world. And how a human could stand up against him on multiple occasions not only with a sword but with words as well. She wasn't afraid. He wasn't quite sure what to make of the young woman. "Get dressed."

Her brows furrowed. "I like the clothes I'm wearing now."

"You will dress in a kimono while you're here in my household."

"I am not here by choice."

"You will dress in a kimono while you're here," he said dangerously.

"Then maybe I shouldn't be here." Sesshomaru's hand then roughly gripped her jaw and she winced at the contact, the area still sore from when he choked her in the forest. He raced to the attached balcony holding her high above the ground as her feet reached for something solid to no avail.

"Do you wish to die?" Sesshomaru asked icily. Her heart was racing, but didn't answer, hands gripping at his wrist, the only thing keeping her alive at this moment. He let go, but the human did not scream as she fell forward, only for a cold hand to wrap around an ankle and hang her upside down. "Onna," Sesshomaru threatened, bringing Akiko closer to his face, "you will do as I say."

Her glare was hard, clearly not enjoying the situation.

The demon threw her back into the room, causing her to slide across the floor to a stop. Akiko listened as the demon left the room, but not before scooping up her weapon, and sighed in relief to be rid of his presence. Standing, the young woman carefully moved forward with outstretched arms trying to find anything to give her some sense as to where she was when a foot tripped over a leg to a chair sending Akiko falling to the ground.

"Damn it," she muttered, picking herself up. The young woman never tryied to rely on others beside her constant companion. She enjoyed her independence even with her condition, but for the first time in many years the young woman almost felt helpless without Tobi. Stumbling into a table there was a knock at the door before it opened.

"Miss?"

The young woman's head picked up. "Who's there?"

"My name is Rin. Lord Sesshomaru sent me to help you." The voice belonged to a young girl. Even by the way she walked it was clear to hear as Rin approached and took Akiko's hand guiding her through the room. "You need to get ready." It was useless to argue, and the young woman did not wish to upset the child being led in front of the wardrobe. The child moved away, rummaging through the contents before pulling something free. "Here." Akiko reached out, attempting to grasp the fabric before eventually feeling the fabric and taking it from her grasp.

"Is there something wrong with your eyes?" Rin asked bluntly, but it was an innocent question.

The young woman gave her a small smile. "I'm blind."

"I'm sorry!" she exclaimed. "I would have handed it to you if I knew!"

"Don't worry," Akiko reassured. She didn't expect the demon to tell Rin or in fact, she didn't expect the lord to be housing a child. "But could you tell me what it looks like, Rin?"

"It has pants that are light blue with a simple white flower design and a white top."

"It sounds beautiful, thank you for choosing it. My name is Akiko."

"That's a pretty name."

She smiled in thanks, and hand reaching forward to cup the face. Rin did not shy away as the fingers traveled over the surface, committing the face to memory. "What color are you hair and eyes?"

"Brown."

Her palm dropped. "You are a very pretty girl."

Rin grinned wider. "Thank you!"

There was a noise from down the hall that made Akiko stand. "What was that?"

"It's time to eat! You must dress!" The child had to help the young woman dress before taking a hand, leading their 'guest' down flights of stairs. She was so excited Akiko had to ask her to slow down or she'd trip. Rin lead her to a table as her ears picked up traces of other voices being muffled from behind a door. "Lord Sesshomaru told me you have to eat with the servants," she stated as she helped the young woman sit. "I'll come back for you later." And Akiko listened to her rush away before the door opened and the servants moved about the table, some greeting their newest addition, while other chose to ignore her. Lucky for her there was one older woman who helped her find something to eat without putting her hands all over the food in the process. That would have been rude.

After breakfast Rin showed Akiko to the garden. They sat there playing in the flowers as the child shared each of their names. "They smell amazing," the young woman stated.

"This is my favorite place to be," Rin grinned, dancing about. "When I'm not traveling with Lord Sesshomaru and Master Jaken."

That struck the young woman as odd, attention pulling away from the floral in hand. "You... travel with them?"

"Yes!" And then she hesitated, thinking for a moment before rewording her answer. "Well, whenever Lord Sesshomaru allows it. I'm always lonely when they're gone. Some of the servants are too busy to play with me."

"I don't mind playing with you." And Rin tackled her to the ground in a tight hug around the neck. The two laughed, Akiko having been caught off guard. Though being here wasn't exactly part of the plan, and she did not enjoy the lord's company, but something good that came out of this was being with Rin. She reminded her of Sota a bit and missed him dearly.

They weren't alone though as three maids watched the two from a window, glaring at the young woman. "Why does she get to have it easy on the first day she's here," one spat, "and we have to do all the work day in and day out?"

"Even though Rin is a big bother when it comes time to come inside, I'd rather be out there, than in here," another agreed.

"That girl must've worked her way to the good side of Lord Sesshomaru," mused the third. "The question is how."

"Yes, how?" a voice asked from the shadows. Immediately they tensed, whirling around to watch as the demon appeared. "Enlighten me. How would she have come into my good graces? A human?" Anyone could see he was angry, even with his monotone voice.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" They all bowed in front of him praying to be spared of any punishment.

"Know this, she is not a guest. She is incapable of completing certain tasks due to being blind. That is the reason she is not working along side any of you. And I do not tolerate anyone in my household being useless. Either you work or are removed."

"Forgive us milord. We didn't know-"

Sesshomaru walked away, "That will be the last time you assume anything," and the maids continued with their chores in silence.

Akiko and Rin continued to play till the child grew tired and fell asleep in her lap. The young woman leaned against a tree enjoying the calm breeze becoming lost in her thought. "Tobi, where are you?" she whispered. He must be worried, and hoped Kagome had found him after her disappearance. For the first time in a long while... the young woman felt alone. As least when her mother passed she had Tobi. He reminded Akiko of home.

Moments later she heard footsteps approaching, and questioned, "Who's there?" The air was growing cool, meaning the sun was setting.

"Onna." And Akiko sighed knowing exactly who it was. The demon watched the two of them; especially how close the child was to the young woman. This was not his intention, for Rin to like his... prisoner. He only brought her here for answers and see if she could benefit him in some way. She would not stay should the young woman not have any worth to him. Her skills would have to be further tested; yet the lord only saw the past encounters as luck that had been in her favor. Nothing would come of this he was certain. It was only to curb Sesshomaru's... mild curiosity. And that would only mean throwing her out would be that much harder when the two parted.

"Sesshomaru-"

"Lord Sesshomaru." Akiko nodded, deciding to not get in a fight with him and wake up Rin.

"How did Rin come to be in your company?"

"That's none of your concern."

"Fine..." There was a silence between than, till Sesshomaru spoke,

"Who's Tobi?"

"My dog, the one that protected me when you attacked."

"That mutt?"

Her brows narrowed. "Don't call him that, he is a friend... and the only thing I have left." Rin began to stir in Akiko's arms before waking up.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" Standing, the girl ran up to him and hugged a leg. "Akiko and I picked flowers today."

"Rin, go inside and get ready for dinner."

"Ok!" She then skipped away. Sesshomaru looked back at Akiko who had not moved. A smile was on her face now, as she stared at nothing.

"What are you smiling for, onna?"

"Rin really cares for you. I wasn't sure that was possible."

"Does that seem to please you?"

"You're not completely heartless. Demons wouldn't think twice about keeping a human girl with them. Means you do have a good side... every once in a while maybe." Standing the young woman followed after Rin, who was humming further away through the field. And the demon stared after her glaring in mild annoyance.