Akiko jolted awake the next morning, glancing around having forgotten where she was for a moment. She could hear the current of the river and make out a few shapes through the blindfold as the sunlight managed to penetrate the fabric. Chancing it the young woman began to slowly pull it away adjusting to a point where it wasn't as painful as the day before. Though it was still uncomfortable. Things were still blown out in terms of color making everything feel a bit off, but she'd cope with it for the time being. Sesshomaru was nowhere to be seen as through the aching of both legs she stood moving closer to the water to wash her face. She wondered where the dog demon had gone off to enjoying the calming atmosphere. However, it was quickly broken as five demons swarmed her from behind. Instantly, Akiko stood on guard as they stared her down.

"You're the Ice Queen," one hissed.

"Naraku wants you alive," spoke another.

"But that doesn't mean we're not allowed to use force," snarled a third.

As they lunged the young woman threw up her hands creating a wall of ice that separated them and allowed Akiko to run downstream. But in her condition she wouldn't get far and needed a way out, quickly. When the demons finally broke through they rushed after the young woman only to pause and realize the target was no longer in sight. "Find her!" an ogre barked.

It was then one of them noticed ice collecting along the bank and looking further out to find a more constant trail downstream. "She's found a way to cross. The hunt is on!"

Though at the time when Tobi was teaching this technique Akiko couldn't understand why it was necessary. Especially when it took much longer than normal for her to master it since she couldn't remain standing up. She'd always somehow end up in the family pond soaking wet. But now it was coming in handy as the young woman glided down the river as if skating as ice collected on the surface wherever her feet touched. It was mildly painful; stumbling a few times, yet refused to fall in order to say ahead of them and upon hearing a commotion on the bank glanced back for a moment to see their pursuit.

A dagger made of ice formed in hand, throwing it through the air as it buried into the chest of an ogre causing it to cry out in agony before toppling into the water. The others screeched in rage quickening their steps as the young woman pushed herself harder.

"You will die!" one hissed from behind. Head snapping to look over a shoulder, Akiko realized the snake demon had lunged across the surface with its fangs bared, closer than anticipated. Throwing a hand back a blast of ice encased its face causing it to scream in agony as it burned the skin from how cold it was and fell into the river blind. But the attack had thrown off her balance and fell in as well. Instantly submerging both arms waved about trying to gain her bearings before finally breaking the surface and gasped loudly for much needed air. The legs were aching worse now trying to stay afloat as the current picked up dragging her further away from the enemy.

"You can't escape us!" the boar shouted.

But they didn't go any further as those that remained were cut down in an instant. It stopped along the edge of the water, facing the trees, but Akiko would recognize the silhouette even if only taking note of it once before. Sesshomaru. And he stood his ground as more of Naraku's horde had caught up emerging with haste with their attention solely set on their target. Blade in hand the dog demon cut through them moving along side the river with her, but the current wasn't pausing. It was speeding up. Looking down river a terrible sight lay before her as it suddenly dropped over an edge. A waterfall, and a very high one by the sounds of it, with the waves crashing against the rocks below. Allowing her physical features to change the water around the young woman's form began to frost in an attempt to freeze it over. But the movement was too swift not allowing it to properly set. She was going to fall over.

"Sesshomaru!" the reincarnation shouted, but wondered if he could even hear over the roar of the river.

Tipping over the edge her eyes widened flipping around till she was falling headfirst. There had to be a way to stop the fall, but with not many options and the rocks below fast approaching her mind was running a blank. Something wrapped around the waist being pulled firmly against something solid only to realize it was Sesshomaru. "Hold on–"

The moment her arms wrapped around his neck as he went to clear them of any danger the snake demon from before took hold of the lord's shoulder having emerged from the water himself throwing them off balance. His mouth was open wide ready to bite into the area of his skin where the neck met the shoulder making Akiko shout, "No!" and shove a hand forward till it slapped against his head harshly causing ice to spread further on the skin further damaging it till the demon was beginning to turn blue as it shrieked.

Finally releasing the lord they were left to fall into the mist below and brace for impact. Though just before hitting the water a crack resonated in the air before becoming submerged.

Moments later the once calm surface of the river further from the waterfall was broken as Sesshomaru pulled an unconscious Akiko up beside him. Swimming to shore the lord dragged the young woman onto solid ground, only making it halfway out himself before closing his eyes and going limp.

Though it wasn't long until the young woman began to stir trying to rouse her memories as to what had happened. She remembered hitting the water and how the air was forced from her lugs, which is what made her loose consciousness in the first place, and now, somehow, she was further from the waterfall surprisingly. Groaning in annoyance at the fact that since being in the Feudal Era she spent too much time unconscious the young woman made a vow that had to be changed and quickly. This could not be healthy. Trying to sit up Akiko realized it was impossible as something heavily weighed down on her waist and chest glancing down only to notice that Sesshomaru was passed out and his upper body was nearly lying completely on top of her. It was shocking really to see the demon was actually sleeping, and this close to her...

But then she caught sight of something standing out in contrast with his white hair. Blood. And a lot of it. She shook his arm. "Sesshomaru?" He didn't answer. Using force she turned the demon onto his back finally catching sight of the deep gash in his forehead. "Oh god..." She had to stop the bleeding. Ripping off a sleeve at the shoulder it was shredded into strips before cleaning the area as best she could and then wrapped them around the wound to try and staunch what remained of the flow. His lower half was still in the water Akiko slowly dragged the demon out, while staring at his face. She concluded that the demon had hit his head on the rocks, explaining the sickening sound and winced herself. Even if the lord was an all powerful demon, a blow like that would have hurt. Was Sesshomaru capable of having headaches? Or gaining a concussion? He'd never admit to having either though and the thought made her give a low snicker, head shaking. Typical.

Once the demon was lying comfortably at the base of a tree Akiko made her way to the edge of the bank cleaning away the mud from the bandages around the legs before hobbling back. The muscles were sore from over use, noticing a few new bloodstains from reopening some wounds due to their escape. Though based on Sesshomaru's condition they wouldn't be moving any time soon and a healer would have to wait. Instead the young woman began collecting wood from the forest and building a fire further in after clearing away loose leaves and branches. If there were still demons out looking for them they would be easy targets out in the open returning to the lord's side and continued to half support, half drag him to their new camp.

By the time the sun began setting their clothing had dried out, but a cool breeze cut through the trunks causing a shiver to run through the young woman as she attempted to rub her arms to gain back some warmth. Staring at the flames of the fire she marveled at the sight of the colors it produced, a few sparks popping every now and then before fading out and turning to ash. It was absolutely beautiful to watch, even if the brightness was becoming a bit uncomfortable the more time dragged on. But Akiko didn't want to look away before sighing and giving up. She just got back her sight, no need to damage it again.

Shivering once more the reincarnation looked to Sesshomaru, who seemed to not be fazed by the drop in temperature. Though he was more properly dressed than herself. Shifting closer to him the young woman checked the wound by pulling up the makeshift bandage to discover the skin was healing much to her relief. It was during this she could feel his body heat radiating off of him. And it was a welcoming relief to the goosebumps lining her skin. He probably wouldn't like it, nor approve of her thoughts at the moment, but now was not the time to worry about the repercussions. She was exhausted, hungry, and cold, and in order to be rid of two of those issues the demon would just have to deal with it when he woke up.

Sitting beside Sesshomaru she leaned into his side reaching over and taking hold of his boa to wrap it around them for further comfort Akiko settled almost instantly as her eyelids grew heavy, while staring at the slowly dying fire.