Two days had passed since Akiko and the pack left for their meeting with the Tanukis Clan and the demon lord couldn't help but wonder how things were progressing. Even now his thoughts drifted towards the young woman as he stared at the scroll in his hand but wasn't actually reading it any longer. The Cat Clan was becoming a thorn in his side for various reasons. Not just because their races didn't naturally mingle with each other, but because Ralin's father was rather pushy. It was an annoyance and the demon lord didn't have time for his pointless rambling. Though they had not met face to face since the ball, thank goodness for that, Lord Inaba was becoming rather insistent to visit the Western Lands. Not because he was in any danger and was requesting assistance, but purely for leisure. Most likely Ralin was behind all of this and in response the lord either ignored the scrolls brought before him, offered an excuse, or opted to travel the lands for weeks on end to avoid them. Just in case Lord Inaba came snooping around looking. Some of his maids did make him aware that a messenger had come to the gates requesting an audience months ago, but he had been off looking for Naraku.

Hearing Rin run through the halls with a shout, Jaken wasn't far behind, the child proclaiming, "Come on, Master Jaken! They're back!"

Inhaling deeply Sesshomaru could smell the scent of Akiko and the wolves as they entered the grounds, placing the parchment on his desk and walking towards the window. Sure enough they were walking across the open stretch of land towards the front entrance when Rin burst through it. Akiko grinned widely at the sight of the child, bending down with open arms before scooping her off the ground and twirling them around in a few circles. "Rin," Jaken gasped out. But he was too out of breath to continue his scolding.

"I missed you," the little girl proclaimed when they had stopped.

"I was only gone a few days," Akiko laughed.

"Don't care. I still missed you."

"As did I." The young woman then set her on Tatara's back to ride alongside. As the two continued to talk, Sesshomaru turned back to the matters at hand regarding his land scattered about the desk. For the next few hours the demon was left alone to do as he liked and not once did Akiko come to mind now that she was back within the walls. Everything appeared to have gone well if she wasn't requesting an audience with him to discuss a failure to ally with Lord Kira and Lady Hirata. Or she could just be hiding it well and not wishing to dampen Rin's mood. Whatever was decided though would need to be discussed later as Sesshomaru removed himself from the study to move about the castle. Servants bowed as he passed or moved out of his way till he was finally outside. Strolling around the grounds and past the gardens he could hear Rin up ahead, smelling the wolves in her presence. Walking by an archway he meant to continue on his way towards the forest when Sesshomaru paused before backtracking and looking to the courtyard once more. It wasn't just the pack in attendance alongside his ward, Akiko standing in the center with Tobi circling her form widely. But the young woman wasn't facing the half-demon, slowly turning as if listening for something. That was when he caught a glimpse of her face. Akiko's eyes had been covered with a black sash so she was completely blind to the world and forced to rely on her other senses. Like when the mortal first entered their era. But unlike before where the reincarnation swung around wildly without a clear attack in mind this time her movements were less frantic and in control.

Akiko didn't hold the Ice Blade, but a wooden training sword from his armory. Still, the young woman treated the item as if she held the real weapon, moving with caution and grace. She swung around and lunged forward, causing Tobi to swiftly step aside to avoid the attack. Though the reincarnation heard the movement and turning on the ball of her foot followed after till the wood made contact with the half-demon's right shoulder, halting the match.

"Good," he stated. "Again."

And this time he took to the sky should an enemy take on a sneak attack approach. Aisu noticed they were no longer alone, head turning to watch the demon lord staring at the sparing session. "We have her training without her sight so she's prepared for anything," the former queen spoke to his unasked question. The other pack members turned their heads towards her, wondering why she had spoke and took notice of Sesshomaru. Looking away they went back to watching, two more wolves making their way forward without Akiko's knowledge to join in the next round after Tobi's position had been discovered. "When we defeat Naraku... there's no guarantee that she will keep that sense."

The demon lord was in complete agreement. It had been long on his mind that the enemy's gift could turn into a curse and be ripped away harshly when he would fall. Her returning blindness was something they all had to be prepared for and Akiko didn't seem to fear the unknown, flipping out of the way of one of her Gamma's that tried coming in from the side. Many humans would seek out answers, a way to prevent it from happening. Maybe it was because she had lived most of her life in the dark it wasn't as terrifying as so many believed?

Sesshomaru strode forward past the pack, the Gammas ears perking up and turning to see his approach. They immediately backed away and Tobi glared at the demon over Akiko's shoulder. Aisu nodded in the Beta's direction and he backed away towards the edge they had created during their training. That's when Akiko felt it. The shift in the atmosphere around her told the young woman that her next opponent was more dangerous, listening for their movement. But the demon lord strode forward with such grace his steps were silent, like that of a killer.

Turning swiftly, the wooden sword hit against the lord's arm that had come forward to grab her and a small smirk twitched her lips. He said nothing and disappeared on the spot. This situation was very familiar to Akiko. Even though it felt like a lifetime ago when first up against the dog demon and he had snuck up on her the young woman refused to allow that to happen this time. So when the reincarnation sensed the air around her shift she dropped to the ground quickly, feeling the gust of air pass overhead from when Sesshomaru tried to grab her once more. Akiko's newfound speed without releasing her demonic aura was rather impressive. Especially regarding the fact that she was managing to keep up, swiping the sword towards him and causing the demon to lunge backwards.

The young woman could feel him stalking around her, slowly turning to try and gauge where he would appear next. Something cracked through the air, this time causing Akiko to lunge away, sliding to a halt when sensing the blades of grass in front of her moving and suddenly twisted to the right. The action caused her back to barely graze over the kimono sleeve extended outward. She swung around the wooden sword to be met with nothing but air. Akiko knew it wouldn't be so easy to best this opponent. Where as Tobi and the pack were only presenting the reincarnation with various ways the enemy could attack, Sesshomaru wished to actually catch her like any enemy would. The demon lord was suddenly in front of her, the young woman falling backwards as he reached forward once more. When the front of her kimono was in reach the young woman's back hit the grass, legs pulling in so the bottom of her feet pressed against his chest plate. And giving a shout from the force she threw the demon into the air and over her form. The action amused the pack, watching as Sesshomaru righted himself midair before landing on the ground. It was obvious he had not been prepared for that, staring across the space as Akiko rolled over and got back to her feet. She knew that the demon lord wouldn't be injured by the mundane move, but he'd be more determined than ever to best her.

Sesshomaru disappeared on the spot as the young woman brought around the weapon in hand and countered an attack on the right, twisting away from the demon as the wood pressed against his side. A low growl sounded in Akiko's ears, and it caught her a bit off guard as to how close his face actually was to her neck. They came to be back to back, her free hand grasping the side of his hakama in order to shift with him as Sesshomaru turned to catch her. Something soft suddenly wrapped around Akiko's middle, lifting her from the ground as her eyes went wide behind the blindfold. What on earth was this?

There was no time to ask as she felt herself sailing through the air as the object threw her backwards. Barely managing to turn herself midair Akiko's foot touched the ground when she was suddenly tackled to the ground. There was a weight on her hips, a hand wrapping around her neck as the nails pressed dangerously against the skin in order to keep her completely still. But this position didn't just make Akiko appear vulnerable as the wooden tip of the sword pressed against the underside of the demon's jaw holding him there.

The young woman was breathing a bit heavy from the air having been knocked from her lungs and neither of them backed down. Sesshomaru stared at her emotionlessly, a bit surprised that she had managed to place him in a position, should this be an actual battle, where he would need to distance himself and wait to perform the final blow. He could hear her heartbeat, and it wasn't racing like a normal mortal's would from the fear of being held down by a demon.

"I believe it is a draw," Aisu spoke. Breaking his thoughts, he could sense the pack watching him carefully wondering what he would do with their blindfolded leader laying underneath him. Slowly, he removed his hand, Akiko doing the same with the training weapon. "Impressive, Akiko, taking into account that another opponent entered without us telling you and you adapted."

Reaching up, the young woman pushed the cover slightly out of the way to see Sesshomaru still hovering over her and she smirked at him. "Good to know this time when I was blind I managed to match you." He said nothing and finally stood, allowing Akiko to sit up and see a hand being held out in front of her. Taking the gesture, Sesshomaru hoisted the young woman to her feet as she brushed off the grass from her kimono. "What was that thing, by the way?" He raised a brow in her direction. "Whatever threw me?"

"Mokomoko-sama," he merely answered. As if it was obvious. But it only caused Akiko to blink even more confused and not understanding what he meant.

"Human, the fur on his shoulder," Jaken scoffed off to the side with the roll of his eyes. The tone of the comment earned a look from some of the wolves as the imp instantly backed off and looked between them nervously before continuing, "It symbolizes Lord Sesshomaru's tail when in this form."

The young woman was rather surprised by that knowledge, looking back at the dog demon in curiosity that had the lord wondering what she was thinking. The mortal was staring at the fur intently before raising a hand and poked the soft texture. Jaken immediately paled at the action, wondering if the human had a death wish, and it even surprised a few wolves, amusing others. Especially when Sesshomaru didn't say anything and seemed to not know what to do. The only person he allowed in advance to touch the mokomoko-sama had been Rin and instead of snapping at Akiko for doing so without permission or swiftly moving away he stood as still as a statue.

"How odd," the young woman mused. It was a simple comment, but it caused Tobi to snicker, largely at the sight of the demon lord's normal stoic expression slip a bit to one of bewilderment.

"It's soft, isn't it?" Rin grinned from beside Tatara. And this time the young woman's whole palm rested against the 'tail', reminding Sesshomaru of their contact in the forest nights ago.

"Yes it is," she agreed.

Sesshomaru didn't see the mortal again till that evening. After their sparing match he left swiftly as Rin had distracted the young woman when tugging on her hand to return inside. She was hungry and Akiko was quick to agree. When turning back to speak with the lord he was already gone. "You might have caught him a bit off guard," Aisu stated.

Rin giggled and agreed, "Lord Sesshomaru has only let me touch his mokomoko-sama before."

"That wasn't my intention," the young woman stated. No, but it amused the former queen.

An escape to the forest helped clear the demon lord's head for a few hours. The fact that their informal sparing session had drawn a growl out of him was surprising. The only time that had happened was when dealing with the annoyance known as Inuyasha. But the growl wasn't one out of anger or aggression, more so because he was a bit frustrated that he was finding it difficult to catch the untransformed mortal and showing a kind of dominance over the situation. Still in the end she had caught him as well with the wood pressing under his chin. No one had managed to do that before and Sesshomaru didn't know what to think. Which is why when Akiko came knocking on the door to his study that evening and she entered the events from earlier today came to mind. She was dressed in a lounge kimono, hair loosely braided and draping over a shoulder. Greeting him with a small smile, the young woman closed the door behind her and the demon realized this was one of the rare times that a wolf from the pack didn't follow along.

"You were with the Tanukis Clan long," he spoke.

"There was a lot to discuss," she answered.

"And?"

"You'll be pleased to know that we've come to an agreement and the Tanukis is with the north as well."

"What were the terms?"

Her shoulders shrugged. "The usual. To aid each other in times of need should we ever be threatened. To open trade with him and his people once our markets are reestablished. He did ask for some of our farmland. There are certain crops in the north that don't grow anywhere else. But the clan can't fully dominate it. Once those that wish to return to the north or are already trying to live there begin to thrive once more the Tanukis Clan are welcome to take what's left. I control what imports and exports out of my land though. That was my condition and he agreed."

"Anything else?"

"One more thing. Lord Kira wished to unite the clans in another matter." That made Sesshomaru's brows furrow. "He has three sons." And that was when the dog demon instantly understood. "And wishes for me to consider either his eldest or middle son as a suitable mate." For some reason it caused his blood to boil. "Since our stance on half-demons are the same, he doesn't mind an heir with mixed blood."

"And your answer?" It was taking everything in his power for his eyes to not flash red, but couldn't understand why this would anger him so much. Akiko was free to ally with whomever she wished and do as she pleased.

"That I am not currently looking for any suitors and that I don't believe uniting the clans with marriage. It isn't the only course of action to take. Ambassadors can be placed on councils or be used as advisors, trade can be a big factor, forming militaries is another course of action. But I will not marry into anything without feelings. That's what leads houses to break and alliances to fall if something goes sour. And he agreed. Lord Kira seemed intrigued and a bit pleased I wasn't so eager to cave into his demands once listening to what I had to say." His anger slightly subsided at this. "I will meet with his sons at another time to humor him, but promised nothing. My first act as Queen of the North will not be a power grab to gain lands, but to be sure that my people prosper once more and no longer struggle. That they trust me first amongst the pack before introducing anyone else into the mix. One stranger is enough. Especially one not of this time." A moment of silence passed between them as Akiko's words sunk in and made Sesshomaru mull over them. "So, how did I do for my first negotiation?"

"You said the right things," he agreed. "The other lords and ladies will not be so easy." And that proposal of marriage raised a warning flag in the demon lord that Lord Kira wouldn't be the only one to suggest it. There were some demons that could demand it or she wouldn't gain their support. His anger was beginning to simmer once more.

"I know. But it was good practice I suppose."

"Who will you meet with next?"

"No one." The answer confused him, though he didn't show it. "I am going home for a few days to see my family like I promised months ago. Afterwards I will travel to the south to see the Hawk Clan. Lady Sanjou wishes to speak with me privately."

Another ally of his, their territory just touched the boarder of his land. She ruled alone as of late, her mate having perished months ago to a horde of poisonous demons that unleashed their fury on their people, and the humans that surrounded them. It had been Naraku's doing, of course, with his children Kagura and Kanna at the head leading them on. Sesshomaru had come to their aid with his chosen warriors and that had been the last time they had seen the half-demon. He ran like a coward into the darkness without any clue to his whereabouts.

Lady Sanjou was a very blunt individual, and wasn't one for beating around the bush. She would be all business with no time for friendly banter like Lord Kira. And since the death of her mate, the hawk demon would be ruthless as ever.

"When do you leave?"

"Three days. Then I head east for the well." Akiko's eyes glanced towards the low burning candle on the desk in thought. "Will you start traveling with Jaken and Rin again?"

"Naraku is still out there."

"I know. Just be careful. You may be an all powerful demon, but anything can happen. Even if you're prepared." With a small bow, the young woman walked towards the door throwing a, "Good night," over a shoulder and slipped into the hall. It had been a long day and journey back to the western lands and she was in need of rest.