In the days leading up to the next gathering Akiko did not waste any time. Though she was rather surprised to discover that Sesshomaru's training would begin right away and not after she had fulfilled her promise. "Your grip is wrong," was the first thing he said when the blade was in her grasp. His cool, strong hand wrapped around the back of her own adjusting it to the proper position. "Your stance is not firm. In your condition it will be easy to throw you off." The same hand gripped the dominant shoulder while a foot slid between hers from behind to shift position, now feeling the breastplate pressing against the back. But Akiko had to wonder standing there as if facing another opponent as to why the adjustments were being done this way. Slowly, the young woman turned slightly to look over a shoulder drawing his attention.

"Where is your arm?" The silence that followed was enough for her to understand that it was a taboo subject immediately saying, "That was rude, sorry," and looked away. "What next?"

Moving past the tense question the demon stood before her removing Tenseiga. Akiko shifted slightly in mild worry. "This blade does not cut flesh," Sesshomaru stated. And that rather surprised her.

"How is that possible?"

"It was not wielded to take a life, but to restore it." Restore? For such a cold-hearted demon Akiko was intrigued that he would spare someone from death. But her thoughts went back to what Rin had told her days ago, "Lord Sesshomaru also carries around his two swords. One can even bring someone back from the dead. But it can only happen once to a person. That's how we met." He actually had compassion.

As the two started out slowly in the field beyond the household the pack watched below the shade of a tree. "For someone who is blind, she's rather strong for a human," Aisu mused. Tobi exhaled heavily in agreement never taking his eyes off the two of them. "You never were one for words, but she will need your guidance more than ever. I know you didn't agree with this decision, but it's the best one we have given the situation."

"Never thought you would ally with the enemy," a voice grumbled lowly. She turned to look at her Beta.

"Our quarrel was never with Sesshomaru, and we have a common enemy. It only makes sense."

"Still don't trust him."

She chuckled lowly. "I never expected you to." The blade was thrown from Akiko's grasp from a rather hard hit.

"You would be dead," Sesshomaru stated, rushing forward in order for her to sense the threat a demon would possess if actually fighting. However he felt the cool metal press against the neck, showing a bit of surprise and glancing down to find the weapon in her grasp again.

"But my weapon is not a normal one," she stated. They were so close he could feel her breath.

"Never rely on it. A weapon can be used against you given the enemy, and when you trust it the most and are unprepared is when you will die." It was a valid point as the young woman pulled it away. "And always predict anything." Claws swiping out Akiko ducked under them only to then lunge forward, arms wrapping around his waist and throwing then back to the ground. The method of attack caught the demon off guard as he fell on his back with a grunt. The wolves' heads perked up at this, a few even standing and wondering if they would have to intervene.

Sesshomaru was rather stunned, the emotion even daring to slip onto his face as the arm unconsciously gripped the back of her top as the human hovered above him. "What was that?"

"Improvised," she answered. And it had worked.

His grip tightened, claws indenting into the fabric and skin. "But now that you are so close to your opponent you're an easy kill."

Something cold pressed against the demon's neck again, but it wasn't the blade that was still in her right hand resting against the ground. It was ice that had come to a point. The free palm was flat against the ground, the grass having frozen over around it as ice protruded and came to rest where it was now. "Then I have to be quicker to attack before that happens."

Aisu chuckled lowly, a smirk coming to Tobi's features with a sense of pride as the pack was amused. "Always full of surprises," the former Queen stated. The two stood once more and Sesshomaru stared at the young woman before him with curiosity. Despite the fact that her suppressed powers could resemble that of a demon, she was still human. And he wasn't sure what to make of it.

The day of the gathering came quicker than Akiko would have liked and her training with Sesshomaru was on hold. The young woman was actually beginning to enjoy their sessions even if not much was said between the two. Though this time as the human waited in her room for the servants to arrive Aisu and Tobi were at her side, which helped calm the nerves. Rin had visited for a bit and was absolutely in love with the wolves as she stroked Tobi's head that was just at her height when he was lying down. When both woman from the last time arrived the child excused herself as they hung the garment in the room so no wrinkles came to the surface.

"It is lovely," Aisu mused. And it intrigued her that the demon would present a human with such a gift, even if it was to ensure his image was not tarnished. Still, it was a little odd how the outfit seemed to suit her title. It wasn't a traditional outfit one would wear in this era, and was clearly different from the first one she had worn when attempting to escape. Though looking at it the wolf realized it was something she would of worn when a human. Sesshomaru had obviously been busy learning of the northern empire when off on his own.

Slipping on the dress Akiko came to find it had no back, the only thing keeping the front in place a strap that wrapped around the neck. The hem in the back was low, stopping at mid-back, the fabric thick. Aisu said it was dark blue; nearly black, with silver and light blue designs that ran over the surface. However it could only be seen if the light hit it in a certain way. From the waist down the white cloth was smooth, flowing as it reached the ground.

It felt a bit out of place. It didn't appear to be very traditional to the time period and Akiko had to wonder where it exactly came from. Though it wasn't like she would receive a direct answer from the demon and chose to say nothing. Still, Akiko knew she would stand out among the other demons even more now.

The servants began applying the makeup; ice colored eye shadow and a light pink blush to give her pale features more warmth. And her lips were as red as blood. The earrings were made of clear crystal, the necklace a thick silver piece that went around the neck over the cloth coming to a point at the bottom between the collarbones with a white jewel that almost appeared a pale blue in the center. As they began to see to the hair there was a knock on the door, and a maid ran to answer. It closed moments later returning with an item in hand.

"This just came from Lord Sesshomaru."

"What is it?" Akiko asked.

"A headdress." The other woman tugging the black strands of hair into a tight bun once more stared in amazement.

"It's beautiful!"

When it was firmly in place the headdress came to rest on top. It was a plain silver coming to a point in the center of her forehead just above the area between the brows and did not extend past the top of the head. The style resembled the necklace quite clearly.

"I would suggest you take on some of your demon features," the wolf stated. "It will also help mask your human scent for the most part."

A chill ran down the young woman's spine as she listened to the former Queen's words. The surface of the skin cooled considerably, as frost collected along the headdress and clung to the strands of hair near the base and cascaded away thinning out into the bun. The same effect could be seen around the shoulders and disappearing the closer it drew to the elbows. The ears pointed more at the tip, fingernails growing a bit but not so much they would be mistaken as claws.

"That is enough." Slipping into a pair of sandals Akiko stood, both wolves coming to stand before her. "You are ready," the wolf stated. "This time your entrance will be different. Sesshomaru will be in the grand room already. It was agreed that your alliance should not be blatantly displayed just yet. Just having you as a guest will cause enough of a stir."

Thanking the servants the three made their way down the stairs hearing the murmurs from the gathering growing. Though Akiko could feel Tobi's fur brushing against her arm she still reached up tangling a hand in the strands to calm herself. "Breathe," Aisu said. "You will be fine. You're a confident person, don't let these demons rattle you... be rude when necessary to protect yourself, but don't make too many enemies."

"Noted."

Her appearance from the staircase instead of entering from the front door drew attention from those gathered in the hall, waiting to enter. "Walk straight to the front," Aisu spoke lowly. "Hold your head high." Pausing before the door the demon servant at the door stared in wonder as to who this guest was.

"N-Name?"

Her real name would no longer do, saying her title and causing his eyes to widen. The demons nearby grew silent as well as the doors began to open.

"Presenting, the Ice Queen of the North!" boomed a voice on the other side. Taking a deep breath as the air around her pulled in with the direction of the doors her back straightened more.

"You look like a queen," Aisu stated and they entered.