Akiko and the pack would've left the next afternoon, but they couldn't deny Rin's pleas to stay another day. In all honesty they did need the rest, the young woman just worried that they were making the Tanukis wait too long. "We never gave them a deadline," Aisu reassured. "They know you will come once able." The two smiled as Rin ran past with Tobi, Hatsui, and Tatara hot on her heels in a race. The rest of the pack that had been injured in the battle against Sounga had returned to the castle in full health early that morning, much to her relief. Rin had hugged Hatsui the tightest upon seeing him, thanking the Gamma for trying to save her from the ogre though he was poisoned. Akiko was happy to see that none of them had been seriously harmed and made it out alive.

"Have you seen Sesshomaru?" the young woman asked.

"I believe he left early this morning. He will be back later though."

Nodding, a small had grasped her own, causing the reincarnation to look down and see Rin grinning widely up at her. Akiko couldn't help but return it. The child's cheeks were a bit flushed from all the running she had been doing and sounded a bit out of breath, but that did not slow her down in the slightest, "Let's go to the gardens, Akiko."

The young woman had almost forgotten how beautiful this section of the palace was as they entered, Rin dragging her towards a flowerbed and causing them to sit down. "Do you remember how to make a crown out of flowers?" the child questioned.

"I'm afraid I may be a bit rusty," Akiko answered sheepishly. But that didn't dieter her excitement, scooting closer and showing the young woman again how to create one. They made quite a few, decorating Tobi, Hatsui, Tatara, and Aisu's heads, including their own. And when the occasional wolf stopped by to check on their future queen and see what she was up to Rin dragged them over to give them a crown of their own. Some were various different colors, others just one, and somehow they all suited Akiko's warriors. The sight made her grin. After all that time away the young woman missed the little girl so much, just as much as her own family. The last crown Rin created was for Akiko, made of white and baby blue flowers that stood out against her black hair and even complimented the kimono she wore.

"You look very pretty," the child grinned, rocking on the heels of her feet.

"And you are a beautiful young lady," the reincarnation answered. The girl's crown was made of white poppies as Rin lunged forward and caught Akiko around the neck in a tight hug.

"I really missed you," she whispered.

The young woman hugged her tightly back, glancing towards Tobi across from them as the half-demon looked on. "I missed you too, Rin." It was upsetting that she couldn't bring Rin with her, but that would be dangerous. And Sesshomaru would never allow his ward to venture without his permission or presence. In the next few months the young woman would have to come and go from the Western Land and hoped that Rin wouldn't become too saddened by this. Standing, Akiko offered her hand for the child to take. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving." And their stomachs grumbled in reply causing the wolves to snicker around them. "Let's see what they have in the kitchen."

After eating dinner the two retired to the study for the evening as Akiko glanced around to see if Sesshomaru was anywhere in sight, but the demon lord had still not returned. Rin ran up to the young woman's side and held out a scroll for her to read as they took a seat on one of the plush cushions. Tobi lay beside them on the floor, head resting his paws listening to Akiko read to story and embellish every now and then to keep the child's interest. It was when Rin stopped reacting that she looked down into her lap and discovered that she had fallen asleep, nuzzled into her collarbone. Standing, Akiko carried the girl towards her room with Tobi close behind, tucking her into bed as Hatsui and Tatara entered the doorway. The young woman didn't have to say anything as they positioned themselves around the bed to offer Rin comfort and protection causing the reincarnation to smile.

Leaving the room, Tobi nuzzled into Akiko's side. "I need to find Aisu," he muttered lowly.

"Don't let me stop you. I'll see you in the room."

The half-demon looked at her questioningly. "Where are you going?"

"To walk the grounds. I'm not yet tired and don't feel like being inside these walls." He didn't like that he was leaving her alone and slowly agreed to it,

"Very well... just don't go far."

The young woman took in the nighttime air, feeling the calm breeze against her face and flowing through the hair, and inhaled deeply reviling in how crisp everything was. And the silence was completely peaceful. A person couldn't get this is Tokyo in the present. There were too many cars and noise, too many people. In a way, Akiko almost preferred the Feudal Era to her time period... if only Naraku could be removed from the picture. Sighing heavily, the young woman shook her head to be rid of those thoughts. Right now she didn't want to think about that. She had come out here to relax and take a breather before tomorrow. Though the lord and lady of the Tanukis Clan had been the most friendly and accepting out of all the demons in attendance at the ball that could all change once in a private setting. This would not be a social gathering where one would have to wear a mask to fool those around them that all was well and on good terms. Their thoughts on Akiko could change in an instant once stepping into the household. And if there was any doubts that she had not grown stronger since their first meeting they could cast her out. Then who would wish to ally with her... except Sesshomaru...? Though he was more or less forced by Aisu to agree to it in the beginning. Still, the demon could scoff in her face as well and everything she had been through since traveling through the well would have been for nothing.

"Where is my mind at today?" she mumbled lowly to herself. The doubts were not helping and decided to focus on her surroundings instead. The reincarnation had drifted from the palace and out on the front grounds near the tree line of the forest. She wished to feel the trees surround her again and without a pack of wolves at her heels the entire time. For the first time in forever Akiko was completely alone. There were no evil demonic presences around, and she wouldn't venture far, being sure to keep her scent unmasked so no one grew worried. The young woman just wished to hide away for a little while, stepping inside the forest.

Meanwhile, Tobi watched from one of the upper levels as Akiko disappeared and grew anxious, flexing his paws as Aisu watched beside him. "She'll be fine," the former queen reassured. "We're not in any danger here and a moment to herself won't kill her."

"I still don't like that she's out of sight," Tobi grumbled.

It caused her to laugh lightly. "I know. You've been by her side longer than all of us, but trust in her that she's strong enough to defend herself now if something should happen." It's not that the general didn't think she was capable. Tobi just didn't want any harm to come to her, but relented by not walking outside and following after. "Get some rest. We have quite the journey tomorrow."

Akiko didn't really have a destination in mind, but knew she was circling the compound. There was the occasional hoot of an owl, or the scurry of a woodland animal. And it made the young woman move with more grace so not to startle or scare any of them away. This went on for about ten minutes before it went completely silent. The nocturne animals raced away, but not in a panic one would have to an evil or deadly presence. Akiko could feel nothing of the kind, though a much larger predator had entered the area as she glanced up from where she had paused in a small clearing. From the shadows stalked out a large demonic form. Its fur was white in appearance with larger slightly grey and wispy tuffs of fur that decorated each ankle, circling the chest over a shoulder and around the back. Its claws appeared razor sharp as they rested against the grass and flexed with each step, a pink marking under each eye with a purple crescent moon placed in the center of the forehead. Akiko was not alarmed by its massive presence, while staring into its glowing red eyes as its blue pupils stared at her in return. The young woman recognized instantly who it was even if not in human form. Akiko stopped halfway through the clearing so not to crane her neck so far back if too close and observed his form. Blindness had prevented Akiko from seeing who Sesshomaru truly was when fighting off Naraku's forces during the ball. She knew he was powerful, and rather tall regarding the shadow that had come over her and his thundering attacks that swiped through the army of demons, but she wasn't expecting this. He was nearly as tall as some of the building in Tokyo, maybe even taller, and managed to walk around quietly and with grace despite the fact that his one leg was missing. Somehow he had adapted to the handicap and it caused her to give a small smile.

The demon's head lowered towards her height looking her in the eye and probably wondering what she was doing outside his palace alone. She too wondered where he had gone the whole day, but knew it wasn't her place to ask. Sesshomaru was a private person and didn't wish to intrude. Instead her hand rose, palm stretching out towards his muzzle and hovering just inches away. His head was still too high, but the young woman wouldn't move any further unless he closed the distance, as their eyes never wavered. The seconds ticked by before Sesshomaru relented; head bowing more and pressing his wet snout against the skin. Akiko's finger caressed the nose before moving to the fur and feeling the smooth texture and closed her eyes to commit it to memory. His hot breath washed over her form, eyes clacking open again and just barely catching sight of the sharp canines under his lips causing her fingers to run over the seam. The demon's lips twitched at the action, and dare she say that it almost appeared to be a smirk.

The lord was the first to break the contact, stepping back as a pink mist seemed to take over his form and blocking him completely from view. Akiko did not venture inside as it slowly began to dissipate leaving a human form in place. Sesshomaru's eyes had turned back to their normal golden color as they stared at her with the same stoic expression. "You were gone long," she stated, breaking the silence. He gave no answer in return, but that didn't bother her in the slightest. "Shall we return to the castle?" Taking the path once more the young woman ventured by herself for only a few moments when a rush of air disturbed the right side of her hair. Akiko didn't have to look to see that the demon had joined her side with his inhuman speed only to slow and walk side by side. And for some reason that pleased her, as the trees began to slowly thin seeing the vast stretch of land that the compound sat on. Now it was time to turn in for tomorrow could pose to be a challenge, and she was ready to face it head on.