Though talks with Lord Seiichi and Lady Eri had gone well in the last week since leaving the Hawk Clan, Akiko couldn't help the foreboding sense in the pit of her stomach. This was one visit the young woman wasn't rushing to leave. Their hospitality rivaled Lord Kira as the pack was welcomed around the Boar Clan's estate and she was given a luxurious guest room. She was even allowed to borrow kimonos, while her outfit was washed from days of traveling. Lord Seiichi was very clear that he wished to form an alliance straight away. Both sides began negotiations and four days later Akiko had a military force.

The demon showed the young woman around his training quarters and soldiers. Many trained with various weapons, all which they chose at a young age to match their fighting styles. But they didn't only train in their human form as Akiko watched boars of all shapes and sizes go through training exercises. Many were nearly as big as her pack members when they were fully transformed. She was very impressed, as was Aisu and Tobi. "I'm told you were once a General," Lord Seiichi spoke directly at the half-demon.

His head nodded, answering, "It seems like a lifetime ago."

"I'm curious, to hear of your methods and fighting patterns. Before you depart we should speak, if that's all right with you," he then looked to Akiko.

"Tobi is free to do as he pleases," was her answer. How could she refuse such an offer for her loyal friend. One could easily see the spark in his eye at the notion, even if he tried to hide it or deny it later on. It made Akiko smile that the lord didn't care he was not a full-fledged demon and was willing to work with him to better their chances in the future.

They had numbers now to fight against Naraku's horde he always brought with him. And before the reincarnation could even ask Lord Seiichi was already proclaiming that when she sounded the call for aid against the darkness in the north he would be there. Scrolls were signed, bows of respect given, and after a week and a half of moving about the Boar Clan's territory they were leaving. "I hope to see you again soon," Lady Eri spoke with a small smile. She wasn't as cold and calculating as Lady Sanjou had been, but that didn't mean the young woman underestimated her in the slightest. The demon was very skilled when playing against her at the board game, Go. The first time, Akiko sheepishly stated that she had never played before. The demon nearly forgot for a moment that the future queen was blind. Akiko was just glad that she was still pulling off their little secret in their presence. Still, it warmed the young woman's heart when the next day the lady approached her once more asking for a game and revealing the fact that she had approached a craftsman to carve out indentations into the surface of the black and white circles so by touch Akiko could follow the game. The demon even took the time and taught her how to play. Aisu joined them a few times to watch, even faced off against Lady Eri. That was when Akiko could observe from the corner of her eyes how intelligent she was.

"Do you converse with Lord Seiichi on battle tactics?" Akiko had eventually questioned.

"Yes," Lady Eri answered. "We value each other's opinion. Balance each other out and think of all pros and cons given the situation. That is why the Boar Clan possesses one of the best military forces, why we have so many victories. It's in our nature to be stubborn, but we know how to lead. When to pursue something or retreat given the situation. A loss is not a weakness."

"Did you always have these thoughts? When it came to fighting?"

"No. We've had to learn from our mistakes as the years go on. Mature. Just because we're demons do not make us perfect. Or invincible."

"I think you're the first demon I've ever come across that has ever said that aloud."

"We're very proud creatures. You can't blame the others for being so proper and a bit full of themselves." Akiko laughed at that, Aisu even chuckling under her breath. The reaction made Lady Eri's lips turn up in a smirk. "You didn't hear it from me though. It may hurt my mate's pride to hear that," she then teased.

"Your words are safe with me."

And having left the grounds as the morning continued on into the afternoon Akiko sighed heavily. The pack had decided to stop for a few hours to rest, half of them venturing off to hunt for game to fill their bellies. Only Tobi, Hatsui, and Tatara remained to guard the reincarnation should they be attacked. Patiently, they waited for a carcass to be brought back to them to feed off of as they bathed in the river beside the edge of the forest line. Now, unfortunately, the carefree atmosphere after gaining another successful ally would have to disappear from here on out. When the wolves returned they would need to discuss how to handle Lord Orochi after the warning they received.

The young woman's head suddenly picked up, thinking she had heard someone call her name and looked towards the river. The wolves had paused, flicking their ears back and forth making her realize that they had heard it as well, before looking to their right down the river. Akiko followed their gaze, and stared in surprise as a grinning Rin came running towards her. The young woman stood swiftly, catching the child up in a tight hug. The reincarnation was more than pleased to see her, but wondered why she was here when pulling away slightly to look Rin in the eye. "I thought it was you!" the child cheered.

"I wasn't expecting to see you," Akiko said. "What are you doing here?"

"Lord Sesshomaru has been traveling again!" That made sense. They were nowhere near his palace and the young woman highly doubted she was travel so far without him. Glancing over a shoulder, Rin raised a hand and began waving it in the air. "Lord Sesshomaru! I found Akiko!"

And looking past her, the young woman watched as Sesshomaru came into view. Jaken and A-Un weren't far behind them as her eyes met the demon lord, his expression emotionless as ever. Still, the reincarnation offered a smile in greeting as Tobi, Hatsui, and Tatara joined their side. Their coats were damp from bathing, but Rin didn't care reaching down as Tatara's snout reached up to press into her hand in greeting. "Where are the others?" the child asked.

"Hunting," Tobi answered. It was clear to see based on the look in his eyes that the half-demon wasn't too pleased to see the demon, but would deal with it for the time being. Shifting her weight to one leg it caused Akiko's hip to bump slightly into his side as if to say, 'behave,' and he huffed quietly in response.

"Any signs of Naraku?" Akiko asked.

"Kagura was spotted," Sesshomaru answered. "But he remains in the shadows. Though his hordes have been active."

That was unfortunate as the reincarnation thought over this information. It didn't put her at ease that Naraku was still MIA. And his latest hideout had yet to be found. What if he was laying in wait at Lord Orochi's estate and she was walking right into his trap?

Sesshomaru could see that something was bothering her, the young woman seeming to be deep in thought. He began wondering if something had happened during one of her negotiations that didn't work in her favor. Eyes flickering up to the demon from her deep thoughts, the young woman then looked to the girl still in her arms. "Rin, why don't you go play with Tobi, Hatsui, and Tatara?" The child's eyes lit up at the suggestion, eager to climb out of Akiko's arms and rushing away with the wolves following close behind her.

The dog demon then glanced down at Jaken, ordering, "Follow her." The imp sighed with slumped shoulders, not exactly pleased that he was on babysitting duty. He would never voice it to his master though and scurried off leaving A-Un behind to rest. "Something has happened."

"Hmm?" Again, he had pulled her out of her thoughts and the reincarnation shook her head to focus before answering, "In a manner of speaking. But the Hawk and Boar Clan are now allies."

That slightly surprised the lord to hear that. Lady Sanjou was a crucial ally Akiko had to win over, and whatever was said or done was a feat in itself. And in the past Sesshomaru had never formally allied with Lord Seiichi. He had his own army to fall back on, but if asked the boar demon would come to his aid. Now that Akiko had a military that was an advantage over Naraku or anyone else who dared to defy her rule going forward. Yet the young woman didn't look completely pleased by the events overall. "Care to enlighten me?"

Akiko paused for a moment before asking, "What do you know about Lord Orochi?"

Sesshomaru thought it over for a moment as to why she was suddenly so interested in learning more about Lord Orochi from his perspective. Wouldn't Aisu have told her everything she needed to know going forward? He didn't exactly get along with the Snake Clan, but tolerated them when needed. The only time he really ever interacted with them was when they were invited to his yearly gatherings with the other lords and ladies. "His Clan fought beside mine against the north to bring down Aisu's reign. It was not public knowledge, but they worked in the shadows and performed many of the assassinations and surprise attacks."

"So he would have a reason to be against the successor of the northern throne..."

The statement caused Sesshomaru to hesitate for a moment and think over her words, watching the young woman carefully. She was deep in thought again and looked grim hearing his words. "Did something happen?"

"Not yet. But I've received a warning from Lady Sanjou." Akiko took a moment to continue, staring the demon in the eye and feeling a surge of bravery to ask, "Can you do something for me?"