Akiko took a deep breath and exhaled heavily trying to shake the lingering nerves. The pack and her stood on the boarder of the ground to the household, staring at the large structure before them. It wasn't necessarily tall like Sesshomarus's in some areas, but instead stretched wide over the vast space and only at one level. "You ready?" Aisu questioned.

"I have to be," the young woman answered.

"Out of all the lords and ladies you have to win over this one is definitely one of the easier ones to convince. He was a supporter of yours at the ball."

"Looks can be deceiving." How very true, but Lord Kira was very adamant when wishing to meet Akiko face to face in a more private setting. Even Lady Hirata agreed she had met no one like the young woman before and was intrigued. Aisu didn't think the young woman had anything to worry about, but it wasn't wrong to be wary. Because meeting with the other clans would be much different than this interaction.

Walking across the ground with her dress billowing around the ankles with every movement it almost appeared like Akiko was floating. She had completely transformed, armor in place, ice crawling over the skin and hair, ears slightly pointed, and headpiece in place. She looked regal as the guards at the gates allowed them to pass with ease. A servant was waiting to lead them towards the meeting room, walking along the wrap around wooden path before coming to the desired doors. "Enter," a voice called from inside after they knocked.

They were dressed in the finest robes and kimonos, all decorated with vibrant colors to accent their nature and heritage as the Lord of the West clearly pointed out before they left. Tobi and Akiko had been making their way to the entrance of the castle to join the rest of the pack when Sesshomaru stepped into their path up ahead. "We need to speak," he stated. "Alone."

The half-breed shot the lord a look before glancing to his master, who nodded. "I will see you soon," she reassured, and the wolf went on his way. "What is it you wish to discuss?"

"The Tanukis Clan are mischievous," Sesshomaru warned. "They may wish to play word games with you to catch you off guard. You have to be one step ahead of them."

"I noticed when we first met."

"This is different." Of course it was. They were about to establish an alliance. This wasn't some jovial banter in an informal setting. This was business.

"Are you worried?" The demon didn't answer the question and merely stared down at her. "If it means anything I'm a bit terrified. Not because they are demons, but they are of nobility. I'm sure I'll stick out like a sore thumb." The young woman continued down the hall.

"Do not let them know you have regained your sight." The comment caused her to pause and slightly turn to look at the lord once more.

"Why? Wouldn't that be a benefit?"

"What if you loose it?" When they killed Naraku. That was a high probability. "If they still believe you cannot see they will not treat you differently. And if you loose your sight there will be no doubts that you're no longer capable of ruling."

"And if they discovered I lied?"

"We will deal with it when that happens." We? The world caused a small smile to come to Akiko's lips and Sesshomaru to grow silent. He hadn't meant to say that, it just came out. But to the young women it showed that he was acknowledging their own alliance and it was only growing stronger.

"My lips are sealed."

Which is why she had one hand resting against Tobi's neck at the given moment for 'guidance', focusing slightly off to the side so not to make eye contact. She had to play the part and convince them that the only thing that had changed since they last saw each other was her strength in power. But she could just see the lord and lady's features out of the corner of her eyes. Both had dark hair, Lord Kira's pulled back into a low ponytail, while Lady Hirata's was piled up on her head in an intricate fashion with a decorative comb and small headdress in place. And they had dark circles surrounding their eyes disappearing back into the headlines. Whether it was makeup or their own demonic markings that showed what kind of demon they were, Akiko didn't know and couldn't ask. But both were rather beautiful as Lord Kira grinned,

"Welcome. I trust your journey was uneventful."

"Very much so," Akiko answered.

His eyes traveled over her form, not in a leering way, but in a manner of calculation and assessment. "My, my, you look fit for battle. Completely different since the last time we met one another at Lord Sesshomaru's ball."

"A lot has happened since then."

"Indeed it has. I can sense your presence now. It's much stronger."

"Were you in the company of the Western Lord before coming here?" Lady Hirata finally spoke up. "I can just barely smell him on you."

Of course. While the ice helped mask her own scent, what was lingering was probably from the dress worn underneath since it had been inside the household. "He offered us a place to rest after a long battle," Akiko stated.

"Against Naraku?" And Lord Kira's carefree nature faltered for a moment at the name. Though they had fought side by side against the half-demon's horde that attacked the gathering Akiko was aware that he had been slightly injured when protecting his mate. Aisu had let her know before this trip so to warn her not to allow the topic to drift towards that evening and if so to steer away from it as soon as possible.

"No, this time it was another enemy."

The lord and lady had felt a disturbance in the southeast and only assumed it was the half-demon causing havoc throughout the land once more. It had been sometime since he had been active. "And who was the threat this time?"

"The demon sword, Sounga."

Their eyes widened at that causing a moment of silence to pass between them. "That's impossible," Lady Hirata whispered. "The sword was lost long ago."

"It awoke in another time and traveled back through the bone eaters well with a host. But rest assured now it truly has been locked away in the pits of Hell forever."

"You were there?" Lord Kira questioned.

Akiko nodded. "It was the reason for my lateness."

"What happened?"

"While I was not the one to deliver the final blow I made sure to be the first line of defense by not allowing the pits of Hell to open further and affect the world of the living. We both know that any blade against Sounga is no match against it. The combined attacks of Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga were the only way to vanquish it."

"Tetsusaiga?" Lady Hirata questioned. "That is the blade the former Lord of the West left to his youngest son, a half-demon."

"It is."

"I was under the impression Lord Sesshomaru despised his half-brother," Lord Kira chuckled.

"We were met with resistance from the both of them, but with the world at stake it was hardly the time to hold on to past grudges. Though I can assure you that after all of that they went back to their old ways trying to out perform the other." And a laugh ran through the room at that for a brief moment.

"To go against Sounga... is a very terrifying ordeal," Lady Hirata spoke. "There was only one demon in the world that could hope to calm its violent nature and cruel habits and he has been long since gone from this world. As a mortal, I can't imagine what it was like to come face to face with it."

"I won't deny it was terrifying, but there were friends who helped all of us. We weren't alone."

"Another Clan?"

"No, they aren't your typical allies someone would normally ally with."

"Humans?"

"Correct." Akiko wasn't sure if that was something she should share. Aisu and her had not discussed this possible conversation, but lying to the lord and lady wasn't the best with the question hanging in the air. "And there were a few demons as well."

"It seems that you have no hesitation to ally with any race."

"Why should I hesitate? If we have a common enemy why sit around and do nothing or act alone? Either we could get ourselves kill or harm others from selfish actions. Demons, half-demons, humans, none of that matters in my eyes. A Wolf Clan that didn't care if the races mixed or mingled built the rule in the North. Nothing was frowned upon and I intend to rule the same way. Rather than live with resentment towards each other and turning a blind eye, so to speak," the demons lips twitched in a smirk at the phrase, "towards my people because of who they are based on their parents. I will lead them with a fair rule and make sure they all feel like they belong and are wanted. When Aisu ruled most half-breeds came from the north, and that will continue as long as I rule. All deserve a chance at life."

They took into consideration her words, the lord and lady looking between each other for a moment before turning back to the reincarnation. "I believe it's an alliance you proposed," Lord Kira stated.

"That was my hope."

"And Lord Sesshomaru didn't put you up to this?"

"He wasn't aware till after our battle with Sounga that we were planning on meeting face to face. I have been in the northern mountains training. I came because I wanted to. Out of all the lord and ladies I met at the ball you didn't see me as a handicap or liability. There's something about me that you believe in otherwise you would not have requested an audience with me." Because the Tanukis Clan was the first to do so. Akiko didn't think that the other household had forgotten about her, they just didn't know what to make of the mortal. But if she managed to ally with this clan then it would be slightly easier to meet with others. "Your already formed alliance with Lord Sesshomaru is just an added bonus."

"Let us negotiate then."