The air in Lady Sanjou's estate was much different from when they had met at Sesshomaru's gathering. Granted, that was most likely in part due to the recent death of her mate. It was unknown to Akiko how he had met such an end, for the Hawk Clan was legendary for how long they remained in power in the south. Undefeated. But Akiko could see, from the corner of her eye how much his death affected her. Though the demon's expression was hard and gave away no emotion to how she was feeling, it was clear on the inside she was breaking. This would not be an easy negotiation, while also trying to hold up the guise that she was still blind. Anyone in mourning could be unpredictable, harsh, and easy to offend should something be accidentally said. Even the lady's attire was dark in color to show her mourning.

Akiko bowed in greeting as Tobi and Aisu followed suit at either side. The pack remained outside on the grounds due to Lady Sanjou's request for a private meeting. "Welcome," the hawk demon greeted. "I trust your travels were uneventful."

"Yes, they were," Akiko answered. "Thank you for meeting with me."

The demon's fingers drummed against the chair she sat on, watching the young woman before her. The chair beside her was empty, it clear that it once belonged to the lord. Akiko was surprised it wasn't removed since his passing with the land now falling under her rule. "I do not have time for idle chatter. We are here for business, so I will get right to it. I have been watching your movements throughout the land for some time now. My hawks are everywhere with a watchful eye." That made Akiko a bit nervous and wary. She could know about the curse, but remained calm so not to give anything away. "You've become a target of Naraku."

"He does not like the fact that I want to claim the north for myself," Akiko answered honestly.

"He doesn't like anything he can't have," the lady spoke in an icy manner. "When you declared your place among us at the ball, I must admit I was intrigued. There has not been a mortal ruler in that land decades. They don't live as long as a demon, even if they have an aura that possesses demonic qualities. It merely prolongs their life just a little longer than average. And in the end the former mortal ruler was one and was defeated. Forced to roam the land forever by being turned into a demon." Lady Sanjou's attention was on Aisu, but the wolf didn't show that the words offended her in any way. "It's ironic. To become the very creature her guards were born as. And the one chosen as a successor is blind... and not even of this world. I have learned much about you, Akiko Tenshi, since the last time we met, and I began to have my doubts like so many others when they first met you. There is so much you have yet to learn and have even managed to get captured by Naraku a few times. You talked like a ruler, but did not possess the strength qualities as one when it comes to having to eventually defend your land."

"Things were different then, when I did not know enough," Akiko said. "I will not deny that me being here I'm a bit out of place. I wasn't a born warrior or even in this time period, I'm learning as I go in order to survive because living between worlds... it will not work out in the end. I have chosen to remain here when the time comes, I am making the necessary preparations for that."

"You also choose to travel into northern territory willingly, which is widely known to be under Naraku's control. I do not know whether to think of you as foolish or brave. Did you ever come across him?"

"No, we did not. I went to the north to train and to search for the hidden domain."

"That is a myth."

"I don't think it is. The lords of the west and east had it sealed once claiming control of the territory and its location was wiped from the minds of its subjects and former rulers. I think it is still out there and intend to find it."

"You would be better off building your own, new, estate. It's a waste of time."

"Maybe," Akiko smiled softly. "But I have hope."

The expression on Lady Sanjou's face did not change showing she agreed or disagreed. "There was a disturbance," the lady then spoke. "Something dark entered these lands and threatened our well being. Their aura was too great and my birds could not get close. But you were seen, along with Lord Sesshomaru and his half-breed brother, Inuyasha, skimming the boarder before venturing inside."

"Sounga's seal had been broken due to age and was causing havoc," Akiko stated. "The three of us engaged the demon sword along with our allies."

Her brow cocked in a calculating manner. "You mean to tell me that you willingly went to face Sounga head on and defeated it?"

"Not without help, but yes."

"And what became of the sword?"

"It fell into the pits of hell where it belongs so no one will ever find it again."

"I must admit for a blind ruler you find yourself in more predicaments than the average one."

"I guess so."

"So tell me why I should ally myself with you? You may be more trouble than you're worth. And a territory so far north it should not be of any concern to me."

Akiko had to think carefully on this. Anything that Aisu or Tobi had discussed with her before was thrown out the window given the conversation they had just had. Lady Sanjou was ruthless and blunt with her words, but that wasn't a turn off. Akiko didn't just want to have her as an ally to bridge the lands and gain power, but she wanted the demon's insight in decisions she would have to make in the future. Lady Sanjou was someone who didn't doubt herself, the young woman had come to learn. She was a force to be reckon with, and that was something she strived to be like when she came to power in the north.

"You don't have to ally with me." The statement surprised the pack mates and the demon before them as well. It was the first time emotion actually came through on her end. "I won't force you to. Our lands are not close, but I wanted to meet you since our interaction at the ball. In all honesty you intrigued me as well. You didn't seem to view my disability as a hindrance. I did not have the honor of meeting your mate in the time he was with us, and for that you have my condolences towards your loss, and I understand your hesitance if it has something to do with matters occurring in your own land. I value your words of wisdom and guidance. Not your land for my own uses. I would defend you in a heartbeat if you were in need and asked, ally or not, because of who you are as a person.

"I'll retake the north, even if I die trying because Naraku has ruled that land long enough. He's a cancer that needs to be cut out. I'll fight him myself if I have to. My time without a land to rule or a palace to call home will not go to waste. I have an able bodied pack that has taken me under their wing to shape into a leader and not be an outsider from another time period. I leave the decision with you, and I'll respect it either way, but even though our lands are far apart I hope that my actions in the north will have a trickle down effect that will benefit you and your subjects. Naraku needs to be eliminated, and I won't allow him to leave my land to find another when he is forced out. It will end in the north. I will ask my allies to fight alongside me, but I won't force them if they say no."

"You'd fight alone... against an enemy that has evaded or harmed so many demons in his path?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I'm now very much a part of this world now as you are. And I will fight for those who cannot in the north. That goes for other lands as well." Akiko smiled warmly before bowing. "It was lovely speaking with you. I hope you take my alliance proposal into consideration." Turning, Aisu and Tobi followed at her side towards the exit.

"Naraku killed my mate," Lady Sanjou stated. It caused Akiko to pause and turn her head to look over a shoulder to show she was listening. "He came with his horde of demons, some poisonous, and killed many of my subjects and warriors. I lost him in the battle and when it was over he was dead. Lord Sesshomaru came to my aid with his forces to hold them off. I have no doubt that you would've have done the same. I will ally with you. Blind or not." Akiko nearly stopped breathing at that, watching as a slight smirk came to the demon's lips. "Like I said my hawks are everywhere. You don't have to hide it from me." And the young woman met her gaze. "I take it you have a good reason for hiding the fact that since the ball you have regained your sight."

"Having my sight back isn't a gift. I lost it at a young age and it was returned without my consent. While being able to see everything around me again... it will most likely not last." That intrigued the lady, gesturing for her to continue. "It is a curse, courtesy of Naraku when I was captured. And when he is dead, the theory is that it too will vanish with him since he is the source."

"And why would Naraku give you such a thing that could make you stronger?"

"For that very reason. He wishes to absorb me to gain my powers. By reversing my blindness he hoped to make me grow stronger."

"And are you?"

"Yes, but that's not just because of my sense returning. My training with the pack has had a great impact on my strength. And I have been practicing without my sight as well so I am prepared. I will not be a weak ruler who cowers behind my walls because I cannot see. Blindness is not something I fear."

Spoken like a true ruler, Lady Sanjou noted with a nod of approval. "Your secret is safe with me. If I may ask, whom else have you allied yourself with beyond Lord Sesshomaru?"

"The Tanukis Clan."

She nodded again in approval. "And who will you be meeting with after this?"

"I have received requests from the Boar and Snake Clan."

Lady Sanjou's expression hardened at that, and it made Akiko slightly worried based on the reaction. "The Snake Clan... you will be meeting with Lord Orochi." Akiko nodded in confirmation. "I cannot express enough how careful you must be when you enter his lands." And the comment didn't sit well with Aisu and Tobi, growing tense at her side.

"Why do you say that?"

"When Naraku killed my mate we examined his corpse to determine the cause. There were many wounds on his body, but none seemed life threatening. My healers found a toxin in his body that was the cause of it. It spread through his veins before reaching his heart. His movements in battle sped up the process because he was so active. And we determined that the poison was not from a lowly servant of Naraku."

"What was it?"

"A very specific venom that is only found within one Clan. They are known for their poisons and experiments in the east. Lord Orochi's forces were among those demons, and while my eyes never saw them his snakes were slithering just out of sight waiting for the right moment to strike. A few more of my warriors met a similar end. His invitation to meet with you for an alliance may have been friendly, but I would be on guard when in his presence. I have enough proof to believe he has allied with Naraku."

"Why would a lord do that, knowing so many others are against him?"

"Lord Orochi is a sly and greedy demon, who only allies himself with those he thinks can benefit him in some way. Obviously, he sees promise in Naraku, but is keeping a low profile so we do not know. He'll turn on you in a heartbeat if the tides in battle were ever turning."

"You were allied with him though."

"It was always a loose alliance. As you can see, he's not a demon known to keep his word. Be careful and on guard. I wouldn't trust him."

Bowing, Akiko said, "Thank you for sharing that with me. I will be sure to keep that in mind." And the three left the lady alone.

"Well done," Aisu muttered lowly when they were out in the hallway.

The pack picked up their heads when they exited before following Akiko from the grounds and out to the forest. "You look troubled," one of the Gamma's spoke up. "Did it not go as planned?"

"It went in our favor," Akiko stated. "But we have a more pressing matter to deal with now." As Aisu and Tobi explained their situation moving forward it made the others on edge, low growls coming from their chests at the fact that the Snake Clan was planning to work against them, yet wished for the wolves to walk into their domain under false pretenses. "Let's head towards Boar Country next," Akiko spoke up. There was a lot to think about and discuss before they went to Lord Orochi. The young woman wasn't foolish enough to walk into his household without a plan.