Chapter Inspiration: Snow White Queen by Evanescence

The day of the gathering Akiko did not dare to step outside the room, nearly being knocked over when trying to find Rin. The child had rushed to her aid when the young woman was turned around due to the amount of people running around, and asked to just wait alone until the servants returned with her dress. The girl rushed off to help the preparations. Eventually there was a knock on the door as the women entered.

Akiko allowed them to tug at the strands of her hair till it was smooth back into a tight bun that sat in the center of the back of her head. Taking a hair-comb it slid securely into place behind the bun with a cherry blossom ornament dangling from the base on three strings.

While she waited, the young woman's hands were clasped together tightly thinking of the situation at hand. The demon clearly did not like humans... other than Rin. Something about her interested him, but didn't know what it was yet. It wasn't like the demon had asked her to draw the Ice Blade once more. It had remained missing since the first day of being here. Akiko was aware it would come to her in a time of need though, having witnessed it on a few occasions. Still, if he wanted to know if it was only luck that had been on her side the last few times they had engaged Sesshomaru was definitely holding himself back.

"It's almost time," a servant spoke, breaking her train of thought. Eyes closing the women began to apply makeup to the features accenting the eyes and cheekbones enhancing Akiko's beauty as they stood out against the kimono and her pale skin.

Akiko's mind then went to what Aisu had said. If she remained at the gathering in a room full of demons and out of sight of the full moon nothing would happen. She would be allowed to remain a normal human and return home no longer as a reincarnation. There would be nothing to tie her to this place. No one would hunt her, she wouldn't be in danger, and this could be nothing more than a memory. There would be no need to worry about ruling a land. How could she possibly do that? She was a history major. Not royalty. How had this all happened? But then again how did Kagome even become a reincarnation herself? And to a priestess? She chose to stay, to make a difference, to try and help the Feudal Era so it didn't fall into chaos with the jewel shards scattered. Kagome also had a choice.

As the hands pulled away the servants admired their work, quite pleased. "You could pass for a demon if it wasn't for the scent of a human giving it away," one stated. "You look as regal as the rest of them."

Akiko smiled warmly at the compliment, though she was nervous beyond belief. "Thank you," she whispered.

The servants escorted her through the now empty halls, hearing many voices coming from the event that had already begun. Akiko couldn't help herself when her grip on one of their hands tightened, the woman gripping back in reassurance.

"You may leave now." Their touch was gone as the servants bowed to the lord and disappeared to aid in the serving of their guests. And though the young woman could not see she knew those lingering about in the corridor were staring. Sesshomaru bent slightly down to her ear, the young woman standing to his shoulder. "Should you give me any trouble tonight, wench, know it will not go unnoticed," he whispered.

"If I'm your guest, refer to me by my real name or my presence here will be questioned." Sesshomaru was silent at this. "You don't even know my name do you? Or you've forgotten." Silence. "It's Akiko, which is what I told you when we first met." The demon gripped her hand tucking into the bend in his arm pulling them to stand in line behind the lords and ladies that waited to be announced to those who were already present. It finally became time for them to enter and Sesshomaru glared at the lesser demon, which bowed in greeting, for he knew whom stood before him.

"Name, milady," he asked. She paused causing Sesshomaru to glance over. "Name?"

"Akiko Tenshi."

The demon spoke into the door for the demon on the other side to present them properly. This was it. The perfect time to run. They were the last in the line at the moment as demons and servants mulled around the main hall. No one was blocking her.

"Presenting Lord Sesshomaru, of the Western Lands and his guest, Akiko Tenshi." The grand room grew silent as every demon stared at them in wonder. Of course they would immediately know she was not a demon. And she was a human in the presence of a lord who wasn't fond of them. Sesshomaru's head turned, growing impatient that the young woman had not chosen to move as the doors before them began to slowly open. A choice had to be made.

"Akiko," he growled in warning. It made her eyes slightly widen. It was the first time he had ever called her by name... but she would now have to break that understanding between them. Or at least whatever was there for this evening. Her mind was made up.

Akiko quickly turned away towards the exit, hand pulling from the demon's arm. "Tobi!" And she knew where she was going for the breeze that came from the front door that was opened for all guests in the front of the household as it traveled through the halls. It guided her as Tobi emerged from his hiding place, rushing after his master. Pressing against her side the young woman jumped onto his back without hesitation feeling the animal shift underneath her. His form appeared to be altering, growing in size and allowing them to travel faster. The animal's fur turned cold under her fingers, the once golden-grey coat turning snow white, as ice formed around his elbows like a guard. The teeth grew sharper, claws more deadly as a feral snarl escaped his throat and lunging forward with such speed it made Akiko grip tighter as they cleared the doorway. And his appearance made those in his way cower in fear and quickly move out of their way.

"Milord!" exclaimed the man who announced them. The door was now open as those inside stared at the dog demon's back.

"Onna," Sesshomaru snarled, his eyes tinting red. She had tricked him into believing that she was indeed a normal human. But her mutt had proved him wrong as it transformed before their very eyes. How the animal had managed to slip inside was beyond him, and its scent... was nonexistent unlike the last time they had met. It had been foolish of him to allow the young woman out of the room with such easy access of the exit. He should have locked her inside.

Tobi raced between the trees, lunging over rocks and roots in their path. There were howls in the distance calling to them and drawing closer. "Find Aisu!" Akiko shouted. The wolf picked up speed but she could hear trees rustling behind them. The young woman knew it was Sesshomaru, and he was catching up. "Faster Tobi!" His claws dug into the earth propelling them forward, tapping into his demon side.

The animal took a sharp turn to the left before lunging over a fallen tree. Akiko ducked low against his spine feeling a rush of air against the back of her neck. The tree right beside them was ripped apart, exploding into slivers of wood. The lord had attempted to grab her by the neck. Tobi's paws hit the ground not hesitating as the enemy corrected his course and resumed the chase.

This continued as they dodged countless attacks, yet no matter how hard the dog demon attempted to throw them off course Tobi was persistent. But it all ended when Sesshomaru was suddenly in front of them in a clearing, the wolf sliding to a halt to keep some distance between them at the edge of the tree line. The chase was over. They hadn't reached Aisu.