The world was dark. Akiko expected it to be. She stood at the bottom of the well for a long time in silence and Tobi didn't disturb her. It was a bit difficult to adjust back after many months gifted with sight. Though the training sessions she had been subject to didn't use that sense half of the time being blindfolded and completely blind were two entirely different sensations. The young woman took in the touch of Tobi's fur under her hands, the smell of the damp earth of the well walls, and the distant noise of cars driving on the street below the shrine. It had rained a few hours ago. She knew her family was home. Sota had been running around the wooden wrap around walkway near the temple where Grandpa kept their artifacts.

Finally, Akiko shifted, head slightly tilting towards her companion who had yet to transform into his domestic form. "Let's go," she whispered.

"Are you sure?" he questioned lowly. "We can go back if you want."

"I didn't keep my promise to my family to see them when I was done training. I'm not going to put it off any longer or have Kagome make up more excuses."

"Very well." Pulling her upper half onto his back the half-demon lunged out of the well before letting her down once more.

"Is Kagome here?"

"No. Her scent is old." That was a bummer. Akiko was hoping to see her again before going back to the Feudal Era. This was the one place where they could speak without worrying about being ambushed and actually relax with a cup of hot tea. "Everyone else is eating dinner though."

Halfway across the yard Tobi's form grew smaller, pressing into the young woman's side to show he was still there. Her hand reached out to find the latch, sliding open the door and removing her shoes. "I'm home!" The chatter in the dining room stopped as three pairs of feet rushed towards the kitchen. They stared with wide eyes at the sight of the two, Akiko smiling fondly at them. "You're so silent. Did you faint?"

Sota was the first to rush forward and wrapped both arms around her waist in a tight hug. Just like Rin always did. "You're alive!" he exclaimed in excitement.

"And unharmed," her aunt breathed. "We were worried. Kagome said she saw you, but the two of you went through quite a battle."

"Yes, it was."

"Well come in. I'll get a bowl and pair of chopsticks. Has Tobi eaten?"

"No. I'm sure he's hungry as well." Akiko felt the canine nod at her side as they walked towards the dining room.

Grandpa wished to know all about her travels and training in the mountains. If Akiko had come across any relics that he was in search for or any lost secrets from the Feudal Era. There was little of that for her tell him about, but a lot to say about her busy life in the past. And in turn the three told Akiko about everything she had missed. She silently listened the whole time, laughing at a few along with them. Yet for some reason it felt a little forced. Even hollow in some cases. She couldn't understand why though. Why she felt this way. Distant. Out of touch. She'd never felt this before coming back from the Feudal Era. As they spoke about all the things they had done without her Akiko couldn't relate. It was worrisome and as the family didn't realize there was something off, Tobi was well aware, sitting at her side.

A long hot shower washed away any dirt and grime from their travels back. It was amazing to feel flowing water too, not just a bath. The house was completely silent when the young woman stepped out, moving through the hall with a hand on the wall as she went. Akiko almost forgot the layout. Sesshomaru's estate even felt more familiar than this, thinking about it. Finally coming to the room, the young woman left the lights off as she rubbed the towel through the hair to dry it off. Tobi watched his owner's troubled expression standing near the bed.

"It's okay if you feel out of place in the present," Tobi stated from his cushion near the closet. The comment broke Akiko from her thoughts, setting the towel on the chair to the desk. "You've been spending more time at the pack's side traveling the country side than in the life you were born into within the last two years."

"It feels... wrong being here," she spoke softly. "Even being around Auntie, Sota, and Grandpa... I feel disconnected."

"Traveling between time periods will do that to you. I felt the same when I first came searching for you."

"But they're my family. I shouldn't feel like I don't belong."

"You know that this cannot be forever, traveling between times. Once you take the throne you will need to stay."

"I know that. I've always known that. You have nothing to worry about. I'm not getting cold feet."

"I never thought you would. Kagome will be in the similar situation as you. She too will have to decide to come back to the preset once the jewel is collected or remain in the past with Inuyasha."

A smirk twitched at the corner of her lips. "They are in love with each other, aren't they?"

"It's very obvious," he grunted in reply.

"I know. But they are both too stubborn to admit it. Instead they choose to beat around the bush."

"But your cousin will have to decide. A person cannot travel between both time periods forever."

"Kagome still likes it here well enough."

"She struggles though. I've heard what your aunt has said. Even behind closed doors. With school, lying to her friends, and in time she could begin feeling what you do now. Her situation in the Feudal Era is different from yours. You're acting as a diplomat, a soon to be ruler. Kagome will always be a priestess, a guardian of a village. You will have subjects and an entire territory under your watchful eye."

"If I can still see them."

"You know what I mean."

Akiko gave a laugh at that, walking across the room and sitting beside her oldest friend to wrap both arms around the animal's neck. "What would I do without you, Tobi?"

"Probably would have run into quite a few walls by now," he chuckled. And Akiko rolled her eyes at that, giving him a friendly squeeze. "How long do you wish to stay?"

"A week at least... maybe two... if I can last that long."

Another low chuckle rumbled in the half-demon's chest, head resting on her lap. "We'll get through it together. One day at a time."