The coming days were almost as difficult as those when the army was on the front line. Akiko left Tobi to handle matters regarding their forces current state of things and manage their shifts beyond the gates. Those that had received proper rest and were fit to still hold their line were either sent to the outer perimeter of the estate to guard, others positioned throughout the land as scouts to see if the enemy would be approaching again. They needed to be prepared now more than ever. But the atmosphere inside the household was tense. It wasn't that they questioned the pack's methods or that it seemed Akiko had taken over running the basic operations trying to keep everything in order with the servants. It was that all were worried, maids and fighters alike, that another wave would come sweeping through and they wouldn't be ready to hold off the horde again.

"I've never seen demons be so nervous before," Tobi muttered. Akiko had returned to the lower levels to bathe as Miho looked after the lord in her place.

Washing out the suds in her hair, the young woman hummed in agreement. "I agree," she said. "It's a bit unnerving."

"They need to be reminded that with you in charge this household will not fall."

"And how can I promise them that when I don't even have one of my own to show that it is possible?"

"You've never give in to Naraku before, that should be enough."

"Yet here I am hiding behind walls to make sure that I remain 'dead' in Naraku's eyes. They are probably questioning how useful I really am not being on the battlefield with them."

"You will be when the time is right."

Sighing heavily, Akiko submerged once more in the water to wash everything away before standing waist deep in the pool. Walking towards the edge, Tobi held out the towel between his teeth. "I know... but what they need now is Sesshomaru conscious to boost morale."

"Well until that happens we have to continue with what we're doing."

Dressing into servant attire the two made their way back to the main floor. But Akiko paused upon coming up on the hall that had been used so long ago as a gathering of lords and ladies. Where there had been dancing and a lighthearted atmosphere was now marred with a heavy feeling. Hundreds of injured demons were packed inside trying to heal, the few that were in better condition lying throughout the hall lining the walls resting. Maids were moving about to check bandages and the condition of their patients, and Haruna was in the mix helping a demon drink an herbal remedy she made since the fighter's eyes were completely covered by a bandage. Even Rin was present alongside Jaken as they collected dirtied cloths and wrappings left behind by the healer. There was movement out of the corner of Akiko's eyes near the doorway, glancing over to see a demon trying to sit up, but with difficulty. He winced, clutching his side as Akiko rushed to help so he didn't fall backwards.

"Slowly," she spoke lowly. "Take your time."

When he was finally upright, Akiko didn't move away and kept her hands in place to be sure all was right. The tense muscles began to slowly relax under her, the demon's eyes opening and looking up at the help. He stared openly at the young woman as she noticed the demonic facial marking on his features and dark eyes that reminded her of a badger. "Milady," he greeted. The tone of voice showed that he seemed a bit surprised that she was present and helping him, but also laced with exhaustion.

She gave him a comforting smile and questioned, "Is there anything I can get for you?"

"Some water would be nice."

Those resting around the two began to become aware of the reincarnation's presence in the room as she collected the bucket for water and walked back with the ladle. Eagerly the demon drank and soon those around them were asking as well. Haruna glanced up once; pleased to see she had more help seeing to those on the mend, while she could continue her treatment on worse cases. All of her helpers were stretched thin and run ragged trying to save any many fighters as possible, though there were a few that were out of her reach to bring back. Such was the way of things when a healer. Not all could be saved.

As Akiko continued to walk about and offer water to those that asked Miho came walking in and made a beeline towards Haruna. Tobi at the door watched her go, the reincarnation's head picking up and watching as the servant bent down to whisper in the healer's ear. "Right then," she muttered before looking to the three assisting her. "Finish wrapping the wounds and make sure it's not too tight. I will be back." Standing, the demon's eyes landed on the reincarnation and nodded towards the door. Setting down the items in hand Akiko was swift to follow them out with Tobi by her side.

"Is everything all right?" she questioned.

"Lord Sesshomaru seems to be stirring," Miho said. "He's becoming restless."

"While normally I would be worried that a patient of mine could be succumbing to their injuries, Lord Sesshomaru has completely healed and is merely resting to regain strength. Still, I wish to be present in case he is dazed being unconscious for so long. He probably does not ever remember how he left the field."

"If he lashes out..." Tobi warned.

"That is why I will be the only one that will get close enough when his eyes first open. I've dealt with incidents such as that and know how to handle it. The three of you will remain at a distance against the wall. Understood?" All voiced their agreement as they came to the door. Sliding it open they watched the lord's body shift on the bed at the movement, Haruna walking forward and began checking his vitals. Akiko quietly shifted the door closed behind them, Tobi shifting so half of his body seemed to stand in front of her own.

"You're really worried he'll lash out," Akiko muttered lowly.

"I've seen it happen before within the pack when we had human forms once," he stated. "You can never be too careful. The last thing you remember is being cut down or severely injured. Coming back to the present is sometimes jarring because they still believe they are in danger and try fighting back."

"Lord Sesshomaru," Haruna spoke calmly. "Can you hear me?" A finger twitched at that. "You are not in any danger, do not attack. Everything has been handled. Everything is all right. Do you recognize me?" The healer's reassuring words continued for a few more minutes before his eyelids began to flutter. To Akiko it seemed that Miho was holding her breath beside her. But the young woman just continued to stare as his golden orbs became visible. Blinking with hooded eyes, the demon finally looked away from the ceiling to stare at the healer by the bedside. "Welcome back, my lord. You have been sleeping for sometime."

"What is the state of the front line?" he questioned. The tone of voice was a bit rough from lack of use, but Akiko couldn't help smirk at the comment. Of course that would be the first thing he would ask upon waking.

"It held," Tobi stated. The sound of another voice caused Sesshomaru to turn his head in the direction of the door to see the three of them. "But barely. Naraku has not attacked since."

"You have been unconscious for over a week," Haruna stated.

"It smells like boar," Sesshomaru stated.

"Lord Seiichi came to our aid with Akiko's decision," Tobi added. "They made it just in time."

Sesshomaru stared at Akiko for a moment, taking in her basic attire and casual appearance before saying, "You were supposed to remain out of sight."

The reincarnation cocked a brow at that, "Did you honestly think I was going to sit around and do nothing? No one saw me beyond the estate. The pack made sure of that." Her hand ran through Tobi's fur on his head. "And you're welcome. Lord Seiichi sends his regards."

"Miho," Haruna spoke up, the maid snapping to attention. "Please tell the kitchens to prepare something for the lord." Bowing without a word, she left.

"I'm going to find Aisu," the Beta stated. The wolf had made her way outside early that morning with a few others to do a perimeter check. And then to Akiko added, "Stay here."

As the healer began to relay to Sesshomaru just how bad his injuries were all of his senses began to slowly come back to him. Including the fact that in his grasp was still the rolled up mat. They had tried removing it from his grasp multiple times but it was near impossible. None of them were wishing to chance being caught in his grip should they succeed in the end and left it as is. Haruna figured over time the lord would let it go, but obviously was proven wrong as Akiko watched nervously, while his eyes scan the item. And looking at the reincarnation he could sense her unease, while Haruna was beginning to look amused knowing what was coming.

"Why am I holding this?" the dog demon asked.

Akiko tried to come up with a reasonable explanation without giving away the true reason for it, but was stumbling a bit and coming up with a blank. "Well, I mean, it seemed like you needed something to comfort you..." His expression showed that he didn't quite believe her. That sounded completely out of character to him. "Well, I'm off to the dungeon before Tobi finally manages to drag me back by the ankle when he returns, now that you're fine." And she was out the door swiftly without another word. Haruna was smirking, head shaking and trying not to laugh as the lord turned towards the healer looking for an answer.

"If I may say, my lord, you are a very daring individual while you were unconscious," she finally spoke up. Still, he was confused, releasing the mat from his grasp and allowing it to roll off the bed. "Let's just say that in your state you were looking for some company while you were lying there. Only way to free a certain someone was by swapping them out with that. Do you not remember? You seemed to be conscious at one point." Sesshomaru did not grant a response. "I'm not surprised. I've seen things like that happen before with other patients, but never to the extent I walked in on."

"I see you received some amusement from it," Sesshomaru stated without emotion.

"How could I not? Now then, would you like to try sitting up?"

News of Sesshomaru regaining consciousness quickly spread through the household. It helped lift the heavy atmosphere slightly as Akiko made a detour to check on Rin and tell her the news. Jaken started crying and rushed off towards the lord's chamber, with an excited child at his heels. She tried dragging along the reincarnation, who quickly protested to save herself more embarrassment and that they should have their own time with the demon. Listening to the murmur in the large room was a relief as Akiko aided a maid with wrapping a fighter's shoulder that had three deep claw marks running through the skin. It was obvious he was fighting a fever due to it with the sweat that collected on his brow and the heat of his skin.

Helping the demon lay back down, the maid went on to help another as Akiko remained behind. Taking a clean cloth she draped it over his forehead, causing the demon's eyes to flutter open a bit at the touch. "Just relax," the young woman said. "You're going to feel a cooling sensation. Tell me when to stop." Placing a hand over the fabric her aura began to leak out a bit, as the palm grew colder. The demon's eyes closed once more as a look of relief spread across the features. It was a gradual temperature shift before he told her to stop and Akiko became comfortable sitting on the floor.

A few hours passed when the reincarnation removed her hand. The demon had fallen asleep at some point and she was happy for that, hoping some well deserved rest would help him get better faster. She was starving by this point, retreating to the kitchen to find something to eat. The cooks were more than willing to make her food, seeing that they were cleaning up after Sesshomaru's meal, most likely. It was a curious thing, she wondered about. What the demon actually ate. Akiko struggled to think of a time she saw the demon actually eat something. As humans Rin and her had to do so all the time, but demons were, of course, different in that nature as well. Speaking of the child, she came skipping in with a good mood and sat beside Akiko as she waited.

"Are you hungry, Rin?" the young woman asked.

"My stomach is growling," she answered. And the two shared a laugh.

"Well, you're more than welcome to share with me. Did you enjoy seeing Sesshomaru?"

Nodding enthusiastically, Rin added, "I'm glad he's finally awake! It's been so lonely in the castle without him." And a part of Akiko had to agree with her on that. "He asked how I was and I told him that Tatara looked after me so everything was fine. But there was one question I couldn't answer."

"And what was that?" The cook set the food in front of them as the two dug in.

"He wondered why there was a bed on the floor and asked if it was mine," Akiko nearly choked on her food, struggling to swallow it, "but you wouldn't let me go near the room so I wasn't in the way. The only ones in the room were Haruna, Miho, you, and a few wolves."

It wasn't Rin's fault saying that, but it also meant that his reason for having the mat in his possession was beginning to narrow down to a few people. And in all honesty Haruna could have already told him for her own amusement. At least for now the lord was bedridden for an extra day or so and she could try to busy herself with other things.

"Someone always had to be present in case something happened," Akiko finally answered. "We all nodded off at one point or another."

Rin nodded. "I missed seeing you, but Tatara wouldn't let me."

"It was a bad injury, Rin. We didn't want you to see or worry."

"But I saw the other soldiers and their injuries when I was helping Haruna."

"You are very close to Sesshomaru, Rin. I'm sure he wouldn't have wanted you to see either. And wouldn't have seeing him hurt upset you?" She thought about this as Akiko continued, "Out of everyone in the castle, if someone was hurt which one would upset you?"

"Lord Sesshomaru, Jaken, A-Un, you, the wolves."

"Exactly. And we didn't want you to be sad. But you are such a brave girl for helping those that were injured. You helped a lot of demons and I'm proud of you." The child beamed at the compliment and hugged the reincarnation tightly around the waist.

"Are you now free to move about the household? I want to go to the gardens."

She gave a small smile at that. "I'm afraid not. I'm lucky enough to be dong so now. I have to remain hidden." And the answer seemed to sadden Rin a bit. "But let's make the most of it while I can still be out here. You can help me with the soldiers until I'm forced back into the dungeons."

"I'd like that."

"Good. And when this is all over we'll go to the gardens and plant hundreds of seeds so it grows larger than it is now."

She became starry eyed at that. "There would be color everywhere! Can we, please?"

"I'll see what we can do. But I'm sure Sesshomaru couldn't say no to you. Now then, shall we finish eating and then go back to the grand hall?"