"Welcome!" Lord Orochi greeted. "Welcome to my estate, Queen of the North." He gave a bow in greeting, Akiko returning the gesture gracefully when Tobi nudged her side discreetly before the two stood again to full height. "I am honored to have you in my home along with your companions."

"The pleasure is mine," the young woman answered. "Thank you for meeting with me."

"I've heard of the great things you have done since Lord Sesshomaru's gathering. Since Naraku made his appearance and you vanished."

"It was rather unfortunate the gathering had to be cut short because of his interruption. I left swiftly to draw him and his demons away from the Western Lands once we realized what his target was," Akiko stated.

"If you knew you were a target I'm curious as to why you would chance meeting with the lords and ladies of the land when there was a possibility he would attack. Someone who was not very understanding might think you meant to purposely put us in danger."

"While that was not my intention to place anyone present in harms way, I wasn't aware that he would be so bold to attack out in the open and in the presence of so many powerful demons. In the past he has cowardly tried to attack me from behind or when the pack is thinned out for various reasons."

He hummed in thought at that. "Naraku seems to have a great interest in you. For being a mortal that is."

"An unfortunate situation that I am currently handling."

"Really now?"

Akiko nodded. "He's occupying my land. I'm trying to be rid of him."

"You could just relocate," he stated rather casually. "Clans do so after a few centuries when they are pushed out due to stronger powers. Save yourself the trouble."

Akiko cocked a brow at that. "If I didn't know any better, Lord Orochi, I would think you were trying to advise me not to reclaim what is mine."

"Merely trying to speed up the process. The faster you're in power the better, is it not?"

"Maybe better for me, but not for those still suffering in the north."

"You and your pack could easily occupy the land running parallel with mine. One could even say it's almost as vast as the north, and it is more fertile than the mountainous terrains. It could be yours in an instant."

"By taking it from the multiple Fox Clans in place."

A smirk twitched at his lips. "You know your territories." Akiko didn't garner an answer for him, but she did take slight offense to the comment and knew it didn't sit well with the pack either. The jab was directed towards her possible ignorance of knowing the territories that surrounded them and was a method to see if she was incompetent to take the throne. "They have become a weak Clan in general. Which is a pity, because they were once great. Overpowering them would be easy."

"And what if I don't wish to run them out, but to ally with them in time?"

His brow cocked again at that. "With the Fox Clan? They wouldn't have much to offer you."

"I don't need them too. An alliance doesn't always have to be a gain in strength or power for both parties."

"So you would ally with someone that would have nothing to give?"

"What they can't give now they could return tenfold in time. If given the right support from a stronger ally."

"Interesting. Aren't you ever concerned that the once weak would become stronger than you and eventually overthrow your reign?"

"Not unless I've wronged someone, and that is something I don't plan on doing."

"Everyone slips at one point or another," he smirked. And from the corner of her eye Akiko didn't appreciate the expression as Tobi shifted slightly at her side. "But I am intrigued by your thoughts. They are very innocent. A demon lives long enough that they forget what it's like to become a new ruler. I once shared the same thoughts as you, many centuries ago. In your brief mortal existence maybe you will learn the same. Still, heed my advice on this matter. Taking the land from the Fox Clan will be in your best interest. It would save you from an even greater war by poking Naraku. None are keen to have him as an enemy. Many who have faced him do not fair well."

"There are those who have stood against him and are still managing to do so today."

"It's merely luck. Everyone's eventually run out because they grow cocky. I do not wish for that to befall you."

"And if I were to fight against the Fox Clan, you would help me?"

"Naturally. If we were to be neighbors, it's only right that I help clear the way for an ally. You belong here, and not in some forsaken land that is too far gone to save."

Akiko didn't feel comfortable with how hard he was pressing the matter. And was sure the pack shared the same thoughts. While it would be nice to be further south and amongst the other Clans so it was easier to meet and travel between the houses, they would thrive better in the north. It was in the pack's nature and with their capabilities in ice the mountains were their domain. Not plains. Or hills. Or seas. And the reincarnation would never live so close to the Snake Clan. Not with the way he was staring them down with his golden eyes and slit pupils. He was assessing the situation and waiting for an answer as the hair on the back of Akiko's eyes stood on end. She had a feeling whatever was said would determine the outcome of this meeting.

"As tempting as the offer is, Lord Orochi, I will reclaim the north. I will not go searching for wars and new enemies with other Clans when there is obviously a growing darkness that needs to be dealt with."

She tried to keep her heartbeat steady, observing the lord from the corner of her eyes as the silence in the room dragged out. "I understand, but what a pity. I had hoped we would agree on this, our first matter of negotiations. I can see, though, that you will not let the matter of Naraku go."

"Does that bother you?"

"I must admit it does."

And the rice paper walls in various areas shred to pieces as snake demons came rushing into the room. The pack instantly attacked, teeth and claws ripping into the flesh of their attackers as they tightened their circle around the reincarnation. Still, some managed to break through the ranks as Akiko unsheathed the sword at her hip, and sliced through them with ease. They were fast and calculating as Akiko watched their every movement. Some bared their fangs and tried to sink them into the young woman, but with the swipe of the blade or her free hand they were either killed or frozen on the spot. The number of snake demons was great, as cutting off the head of one seemed to produce two more in its place. That was when the main door shattered littering the air with splintered wood and paper as it was what followed by something deadly. A sword with a glowing red aura sliced through the nearest unsuspecting snake demons causing the enemy to pull back their line confused as to what had interrupted them, yet wary of the demonic presence that came with it. It was in this chaos that a pressure suddenly wrapped around Akiko's right wrist, causing her to swiftly look down. A smaller snake had managed to slither through the defenses and tried to move up the arm under the sleeve. The young woman didn't hesitate for the area of her skin to become so cold it froze the reptile in place before bringing down the hilt of the weapon, now gripped in the left hand, and caused it to shatter from the force.

All fighting in the main room ceased as the snake demons backed off with hisses of their own, countering the growls coming from the surrounding pack. It was the presence of their new opponent though, that had them second-guessing another advance. Sesshomaru had been the one to break through the main doors and lay waste to countless of Lord Orochi's guards. His demonic pressure was so oppressive that it weighed greatly on their shoulders and forced them to remain back. Not only that, but just his physical appearance made them wary. Even Lord Orochi from where he now stood observing the situation. Sesshomaru's eyes were glowing red around his golden pupils, showing that the lord was very close to releasing his true form. That was something the snake wasn't too keen on facing and narrowed his brows at the dog demon's presence. He had completely evaded detection by suppressing his scent, which didn't sit well with the enemy for it showed just how powerful the Lord of the West was. Indeed, Lord Sesshomaru wasn't part of the plan and would have to improvise, glancing back towards Akiko, who stood at the ready in case there was another surprise attack. And she was looking right at him with narrowed brows causing him to smirk maliciously as he sat back in his chair.

"My, my, so Naraku was speaking the truth when he told me," Lord Orochi broke the tense silence. "He has managed to return your sight to you. And yet here you are standing against him." The demon drummed his fingers against the arm to the chair thoughtfully. "Now tell me why you would oppose him after such a generous gift? That is no easy feat and takes quiet amount of power so it's successful."

"This isn't a gift," Akiko answered. "And I didn't ask for his involvement in my affairs."

"Then that just proves how charitable Naraku can be. You are a witness to his power yet you cower away from it. Why not take the advantage to grow stronger and reclaim your reign swiftly? I would think it in your best interest to be drawn to him, like a moth to a flame."

"I will never be his pawn. I refuse to owe him anything so he himself can obtain a higher power. Let's be honest, Lord Orochi, he's not interested in my endeavors should I gain control of any land formally."

"You, my queen, are sounding very ungrateful and selfish."

"And you, my lord, sound like Naraku's bitch."

And a sadistic grin crossed his lips to the jab. One that spread almost too wide across his cheeks and caused the eye lids to pinch closed a little further, which made Akiko nervous. It was an unsettling expression she had never witnessed before. "I merely know how to play my cards right and ally myself with the right people."

"So do I." But she knew he would never see it that way. "It appears we are at a stand still. An alliance will not be met."

He hummed in amusement. "Then what do you propose we do?"

"You will let us all leave the estate without resistance or we will go through your men without hesitation." In all honesty, Akiko wouldn't mind killing every one of them right now to prevent them from crawling back to Naraku and giving him more numbers. But they needed to leave before the half-demon was notified of their presence and they became outnumbered with his own horde along with the number of venomous demons in the room. Naraku would come to the aid of Lord Orochi, one of his favored pawns at the moment.

"Very well," Lord Orochi answered after a brief hesitation. "Naraku will not be pleased that you left so soon, but I'm sure he'll understand. Your days are numbered." With narrowed eyes Akiko began moving back towards the broken doors as the wolves continued to surround the reincarnation in their exit. Their lower growls were the only sounds in the room as Sesshomaru was the last one to follow with his drawn blade. The dog demon's eyes were still glowing red and narrowed in the lord's direction. But the snake merely continued to grin back at him in a taunting manner as he sat on his small dais. "Tick tock, Lord Sesshomaru."

They moved swiftly through the grounds and out the front gate, not stopping till the estate was long forgotten along the horizon. Even then, no one breathed a sigh of relief till they were completely out of the Snake Clan territory, Akiko and Sesshomaru sheathing their weapons once more. The wolves had stopped growling upon leaving the grounds, but their hairs were still raised on the back of their necks, ears flicking about to determine with they were being followed or not. Tobi breathed heavily trying to calm himself, while pressing his side against the reincarnation, causing her hand to reach up and stroke the underside of his jaw.

"That was a disaster," Akiko sighed heavily. Even though she knew it was probably useless to persuade Lord Orochi to ally with them, she was at least hoping he would remain on the fence as a neutral party like he had with Sesshomaru in the past. Not formal allies, but not a known enemy either. Lord Orochi hadn't minced words and made it clear that his alliance was with Naraku now and would do everything in his power to stop her and the pack from completing their mission going forward.

"We knew it would be," Aisu stated. "But I must admit I was hoping that Lady Sanjou's hunch had been wrong. That it could have been a rogue from the Clan."

Akiko nodded in agreement before looking to Sesshomaru. The red from his eyes had disappeared, and his monotone expression wasn't in place. He looked deep in thought and a bit angered from what had happened. It was a bit odd to see him acting in such a way, but the young woman was glad she had asked him to stick close by before entering the household. "Let's go back." The comment drew his attention towards her. "I don't know about you, but I think I've done enough negotiations to last me for a few days." She was looking forward to resting at the lord's estate as he nodded in agreement.

They began heading in the direction they had left Rin, Jaken, A-Un, and one of the younger Gamma's for extra protection. None in the pack reverted back to their smaller forms in case they were ambushed by Lord Orochi's forces should he change his mind and they were all on high alert forming a perimeter around the reincarnation and lord. Akiko's mind was racing, combing over the conversation they had just had. There were some warning bells from their conversation that didn't sit well with her and would need to be analyzed among the other lords and ladies, but decided to discuss this all with the pack when they were inside safe, closed walls. Now the young woman was slightly worrying that Lord Orochi would reach out to other lords and ladies to expose her secret. Lady Sanjou was already aware, but her other allies were not. She should just come out with it now sooner rather than later to do some kind of damage control in case they thought that the reincarnation wasn't being trustful or truthful with this. This was starting to give Akiko a headache as she went to reach up and rub at her temples when realizing that her dominant arm was feeling incredibly heavy. With confusion the young woman glanced down and didn't see anything restricting its movement, but even causing a finger to twitch took a lot of effort.

Suddenly, Akiko's world spun, stumbling slightly and blinking rapidly to be rid of the sensation. It didn't go away as Tobi looked to their leader noticing the odd movement with furrowed brows. "Akiko, what is it?" She couldn't answer though. Her throat was beginning to feel uncomfortably dry and was having trouble controlling the jaw to open and answer. The hesitation caused the Beta to fully turn and he watched as her eyes went in and out of focus. The question drew all of their attention when the young woman took in a strangled breath, eyes rolling back into her head, and collapsed. "Akiko!"

Immediately the pack sprung into action and began surrounding the young woman lying on the ground, Tobi being the closest and trying to wake her up by nudging a cheek. There wasn't even a reaction as the dog demon crouched down beside Akiko and lifted her into his lap with his arm. "What happened?" Hatsui barked.

"She was beginning to act strangely before she collapsed," Tobi answered.

"She was fine minutes ago," a Gamma protested. So what had caused the drastic change that caused her to loose consciousness? As the pack tried looking for answers amongst themselves Sesshomaru stared down at the young woman's deathly pale face. Her demonic features were still in place and the fight back at the estate wasn't one that would have exerted much energy to cause exhaustion. Leaning closely to her face the demon inhaled deeply with closed eyes trying to push away the scents of those around him and focus on the mortal in his grasp. That was when Sesshomaru could smell just the smallest hint of blood. Reaching over towards the farthest arm he gripped the wrist and pulled it up to eye level. There was nothing on the visible bits of skin, taking the cloth of the sleeve between his teeth and helping tear it up to the elbow with his hand. There, hidden under the cloth were two puncture wounds. When it had occurred during the altercation he didn't know and obviously it had gone unnoticed by Akiko as well. Whether it was due to the adrenaline rushing through her trying to keep the snakes back or trying to pass it off as though she wasn't injured too badly this was concerning. The space between the two holes were small, either indicating that it was an adolescent demon that caused it or a smaller species of snake entirely. Either way the smaller or younger they were, the more dangerous their venom could be more often than not.

"Your days are numbered... Tick tock, Lord Sesshomaru."

Now he understood Lord Orochi's parting words, eyes narrowing. Less than a half hour had passed since they left the estate far behind them and already Akiko had been rendered unconscious. And the area of skin around the holes was beginning to tint a greenish-yellow color.

"That fucking snake," Tobi growled. A few other wolves began to mirror the noise coming from their chests and throats. "I'll tear his head from his miserable body."

"Later," Aisu spoke hastily. "We can't be concerned with Lord Orochi." That's why they weren't followed by any of the guards. Why bother if the poison would do the job for them?

Laying the young woman on the ground, Sesshomaru stripped the string that held Tokijin's sheath in place more securely to the armor and hooked it under Akiko's armpit. They had to slow the flow of blood to and from her limb so the toxin didn't reach her heart too quickly. "We need to return to the Western Lands," Sesshomaru finally spoke. There was no time to waste.

"Hatsui, and I will go to Rin," Tatara stated. The wolf beside him nodded in agreement.

"Take one more with you," Aisu instructed. They couldn't be too careful. "Tobi, stay with Akiko and Lord Sesshomaru. The rest of us will split up between the houses to warn our allies of what has happened." They needed help and hoped that someone would have an answer as to what to do. "Run with haste."

By the time Sesshomaru strode through the doors to his estate Akiko had already broken out into a sweat. Her breathing had also become a bit labored worrying them as they made their way towards the main staircase. A maid had been walking in their direction carrying linen and a bucket, only to drop the items in alarm at the sight. "Find the healer," Sesshomaru ordered the lowly demon. Bowing quickly she rushed off to do as told.