Tobi continued to stay by Akiko's side as she recovered. The young woman also had many visits from Rin, as Aisu moved about the estate with the rest of the pack to be sure Naraku's forces didn't attack them again. Meanwhile, Kagome and her friends were tracking their enemy's whereabouts. In the evening they would return to the forest surrounding the household, but only Kagome would venture inside to visit her cousin. "We leave tomorrow," the teen stated one afternoon. "We think we have a lead. Inuyasha and Miroku are confirming the route today by going ahead, but we will be meeting up with them in the nearest village before heading out. Are you sure you'll be all right here?"

"I'm sure. Naraku has to be stopped. Don't let me hold you back." Still Kagome was worried. "Where are you traveling?"

"East. Where Tokyo is located in our era."

"Be safe."

"And you as well."

The young woman was walking again three days later, moving about the estate at a slow pace, but it was progress. "No not strain yourself," Tobi instructed. "You need to conserve your strength."

"I'm tired of sitting in bed," the young woman stated. "Never thought I would say I would bore of relaxing."

The half-demon chuckled at her side.

Rin had learned how to make flower crowns when Akiko would sit in the garden surrounded by the pack, longing to feel the sun on her skin after weeks being stuck inside. Every demon sported one of their own, Akiko the last to receive one with white and blue flowers. "To match your outfit from the ball," the child grinned. "I hope you wear it again soon, it was pretty."

Yes it was, but the young woman was sure another formal event wouldn't happen again any time soon with Naraku causing chaos throughout the land. No one would wish to travel and possibly face him on the road. Even if they were strong demons, they were fearful. Akiko didn't blame them.

Every evening since the young woman could walk she would read a book to Rin at night in her room. And once the child was tucked in for the evening with a few wolves at her side, Akiko would return to her room with Tobi. One evening someone stepped into their path ahead. Sesshomaru stood halfway down the hall, the young woman and guard stopping a few feet away. He had yet to speak to her since the incident, the young woman only catching him visit her briefly one day when she was still in and out of consciousness most of the time. But Akiko was sure that he hadn't realized she saw him, watching his back disappear through the door. The both of them moved about the household, yet never crossed paths. Not that the reincarnation was trying to avoid him, keeping an eye out for the lord. Though she wondered... if he was trying to avoid her. Maybe now he was finally ready to discuss what had happened. She didn't believe this encounter was by chance. Sesshomaru was too aware of others movements for this to be a mistake.

"I'm sorry," Akiko said before he could speak. "For everything I did to you when possessed by the shard. Aisu told me you were seriously injured."

"She exaggerates," he answered. Of course, but the fact that he had actually lost consciousness, that wasn't a good sign and showed just how much damage she had caused. The demon would never admit it and she didn't press the matter.

"All the same–"

"You saved Rin from death and for that... I am grateful."

Akiko was rather surprised to hear that from him, taking a moment to answer, "Of course. She's innocent in all of this. If Rin... if she ever... I'd never forgive myself."

"You should get some rest," for the young woman was still healing and he went to take his leave back towards his room.

"I'm not staying," Akiko spoke up before the demon left. Sesshomaru paused, glancing back at the human. "The pack has agreed it is time to move soon."

"Are you certain you're well enough to travel."

"I thought you would be pleased that I would finally be out of your hair." Sesshomaru didn't answer to the remark. "I've caused you enough headaches. We can't keep waiting, and I can't have Naraku attacking me again and causing havoc. I'm tired of being kidnapped, but I need to complete my training in the north if I hope to match his strength. If we wait too long he could attack your household again."

"This is what you want?"

"Yes. I've chosen to become the next ruler of the north. I refuse to be weak and run away. I need to find Aisu's household to reclaim the land."

"Why does this even concern you? This is not your world."

She offered a small smile. "No. But for the first time in my life I feel as if I can make a difference even with a disability. And even if I'm not being affected by it now... there's no telling if this will wear off once Naraku is defeated. There are people here that are willing to accept either outcome." There was a beat of silence that passed between them. "We won't give anyone warning of our leave. It's better if we do it quietly so not to tip off anyone of our plans. Just in case Naraku has demons watching the boarders."

"You'll slip away in the cover of night." She nodded. "When will you return?"

"When Aisu thinks I'm ready."

He would not wish her safe travels, it wasn't in his nature, and Akiko didn't expect him to. Besides, Rin would be very sad and she didn't wish to see her beg for them to stay. It was no secret that the child had grown close to the pack over the last few months and considered them her friends, playing around the manor. Akiko wished she could leave one or two of the wolves behind to protect her, but they all needed to train together as a unit. To be sure they were ready to face any opponent that came their way trying to deny them the throne.

And Akiko was true to her word, giving no signs that they were leaving as the days passed. Sesshomaru watched from a distance and up close when Rin asked him to join them during their activities. The young woman did not appear sad, or try to explain to the child that sometimes people had to move on for a time before returning, or said goodbye in a way that warranted that tomorrow they wouldn't be there. So when Rin came running to him early one morning with tears in his eyes he knew she found out. Sesshomaru had been aware of their disappearance in the early morning hearing their movements before their scents began to grown farther and farther away.

"She did it for a reason, Rin," the lord answered when questioned as to why the estate was so empty. "They will return when ready."

"But they didn't say goodbye."

"Would it have made it better?"

"No..." because then she would have been sobbing her eyes out to them to stay.

"They aren't gone forever. Pack a bag."

Her eyes brightened. "We're traveling again?"

He nodded in confirmation and she rushed off to do as he asked. Inuyasha and his friends weren't the only ones who would be looking for Naraku. He wished to rip that man's spine from his body for what he had attempted against Rin... and what he had done to Akiko. The household would be vacant for some time as Jaken ran about trying to prepare things during their absence. They would travel south, having heard word of Naraku's reincarnations roaming the countryside. It was time to start cutting heads off the snake.