Chapter Inspiration: Lacrymosa by Evanescence

Her breath shook not only from the fact that they were cut off, but the cold that was beginning to seep into the night's air. They were left at a standstill as the demon stood in front of their route of escape, stuck in the shadows of the edge of the forest. Overhead the clouds began to part allowing the full moon's rays to cascade over the clearing and bathe it in light. And there was a desire in her that began to grow to move forward and embrace it.

"Onna," Sesshomaru growled.

She snapped out of her thoughts, full attention now on the demon before them. It was useless to attempt to run given their current state, sliding off Tobi's back till her feet touched the ground. The young woman had not realized until now that the sandals she once wore had been lost. The blades of grass were cool against her feet. "You have a bad habit of not listening and deliberately disobeyed me. I have been too lax. You are no longer a guest, but my prisoner."

"I am not a pawn in your plans, Sesshomaru, whatever they may be. I am a human. And I have a name. I will go home when I wish. I will move about the Feudal Era as I wish." As confidence swelled in her, the young woman added, "And if you try and stop me, I'll see you as my enemy like your grandfather and father were to my predecessor."

His brows narrowed. What was she talking about? There was no possible way she would know about his ancestors.

"What are you?" he questioned.

"Akiko!" Her head turned in the direction of the voice. Kagome. And her friends, along with Aisu's pack of wolves. But this was between her and Sesshomaru. Not them. She refused to allow anyone to get hurt, slowly stepping into the moonlight. Akiko inhaled sharply as something seemed to spread from her chest and fill her up as all warmth left her. But it was not uncomfortable, no longer feeling the chilly wind that had once bothered her in their escape.

"What are you?" Sesshomaru demanded again. Her scent was altering.

The sky began to be consumed by dark clouds, covering the moon and causing the temperature to drop. There was a wind that suddenly whipped through the forest as the young woman faced the demon once more.

"The Ice Queen of the North." It began to snow.

"What's going on?" Kagome shouted as they drew closer.

"Akiko has accepted her powers," Aisu stated. "She's chosen to become the Ice Queen."

It was turning into a blizzard growing so cold one could see their breath. "Tobi!" Akiko shouted. Instantly he was at her side, bending to allow the young woman to climb on. "Let me pass, Sesshomaru."

But all knew he would not permit it as he drew his sword. "Sesshomaru!" Inuyasha shouted. "Just leave her be!"

It seemed to come naturally to her, the sense to protect them from the enemy before them no matter how dangerous and skilled he was. Raising a hand the snow began to gather and harden into a dagger made of ice. Throwing it through the air with surprisingly well aim the demon dodged, which was to be expected. Akiko only formed another in its place, and another, and another.

"Do not draw any closer," Aisu ordered. "Or you'll be caught in the cross fire."

"Akiko, stop!" Kagome shouted. But it fell on deaf ears. "Why isn't she listening?"

"Sesshomaru won't allow her to pass, which is what I expected. I was hoping that we would have managed to join up before that happened though."

"Akiko!" Inuyasha yelled.

"We must end this quickly," the wolf continued. "She has only just acquired her powers and if this continued she will either exhaust herself to a point of threatening her life or loose control." The wind was picking up.

"You were aware of this possibly happening?" Miroku asked.

"You should know, monk, that no person is a master at their craft when first starting off. She's doing this to survive. If Sesshomaru wasn't involved this would have never transpired." The dog demon raised Tokijin, and lunged at Akiko. Tobi snarled, teeth bearing as the Ice Blade materialized in her hand before throwing it around to block his attack.

"You can't beat me," Sesshomaru stated.

"You don't know that," Akiko retaliated. She pushed him back as ice traveled up the metal. Sesshomaru then released a lighting attack from the blade as Tobi dodged it in order for his master to throw around the weapon as icicles emitted from the surface. They were now beginning to take to the air as Tobi's demon form allowed them to remain suspended.

"Sesshomaru stop!" Inuyasha shouted. His brother would not let the human pass, cutting her off at every turn. And he would not allow them to get close, releasing his own attacks in their direction. A choice had to be made and quickly before things escalated further. "I'm going to use the Wind Scar," the half-demon stated.

"What?" Kagome screeched. "You could hit my cousin!"

"I'll wait until Sesshomaru's back is turn but it's the only choice we have. He'll at least be blocking her from the frontal attack."

"He's right," Sango agreed. "It's his weakest attack that will at least separate them so we can step in."

"And it will stop Akiko from continuing to loose control."

"If Inuyasha doesn't do it Kagome, Akiko might freeze over the western lands," Miroku said. His staff pointed towards the trees as ice grew up the trunks and covered the grass below their feet.

Kagome was conflicted, looking to the half-demon in fear. "Please don't hurt her."

"I won't." He rushed forward watching as they darted about before they were in position. "Wind Scar!" It came racing from the tip of his blade, hitting the demon in the back. The large gust made Akiko's eyes squint and hold on Tobi tighten. The wolf bowed its head trying to stay rooted in place. But it was no use being thrown through the air and loosing their bearings on their opponent as he was consumed in the attack. Those watching covered their eyes from the harsh light before the wind had died away, snow clearing as the dust from the destruction of the Wind Scar dissipated. But they only found Tobi lying on the ground slowly coming to his senses again.

"Where's Akiko?" Kagome asked, eyes darting around.

The half-demon sniffed the air. "I smell Naraku," Inuyasha growled.

"I believe it's safe to assume he captured her when the blind spot occurred," Miroku reasoned. But how had they not noticed his presence sooner?

"Coward," Sango spat. Her eyes scanned the clearing. "Sesshomaru's gone too." The group watched as the wolf pack approached Tobi, the wolf whining in loss of his owner.

"It is not your fault," Aisu stated. Which was true. He had done his job to protect the human from the attack, seeing as the shallow wounds to his chest from the Wind Scar were beginning to mend.

"Did he run away?" Shippo asked. But no one knew how to answer.

"We have to follow Naraku's scent if we're going to find Akiko," Inuyasha stated. Kagome climbed onto his back as the others mounted onto Kirara. "We head east!"