With the lord on the mend, Akiko didn't spend nearly as much time on the main floor like she used to. Tobi was adamant to keep the reincarnation in the basement, even when he wasn't running patrol outside and had a few other wolves that were resting guard her in his stead. The few times when she was able to slip to the surface was when Haruna or Rin called for her help, or if the wolves had managed to fall asleep allowing the young woman to sneak away. The reincarnation knew they would worry upon realizing she wasn't present, but they were so exhausted after watching the perimeter there was no way they would wake without proper rest. That gave her a few hours at least. Tobi would come in search of her, teeth latching onto the bottom of the kimono and force her to follow for fear of the garment ripping if she protested. It was a bit embarrassing when this would happen in front of the healing soldiers who watched them go in silent amusement or with low chuckles. Even a few maids witnessed the display. And to further prevent the young woman from leaving the cells again he would either block the door with his hulking form or lay on her lap with all his weight so she couldn't move an inch. Aisu wasn't nearly as embarrassing as the alpha would stare down the reincarnation until Akiko turned when realizing she was being watched. It was as if being scolded by her own mother when she was alive, and the young woman would walk towards the animal a bit embarrassed to be caught and was escorted back to the dungeons.

"You are persistent," Aisu stated. "I would have thought by now that after being embarrassed enough in front of the troops by Tobi you would have learned your lesson."

"I know it's dangerous, but I can't help it," Akiko stated. "I sat underground long enough and after finally feeling useful when Sesshomaru was unconscious... it is nice to be helping in some way." Humming in response they began to move down the steps into the shadows.

However, she didn't stay down there long. The moment the wolves left to patrol the boarder when there was word of an odd figure lurking about Akiko slipped out of the dungeons to help Haruna with the still recovering soldiers. Tatara wasn't around either making the escape a lot easier with Rin distracting him elsewhere in the estate. It was late when Miho came to relieve her for the evening shift. With a yawn, the young woman walked through the quiet halls, rubbing at any eye and looking forward to lying down for the first time in a few hours.

"I thought you said you were returning to the dungeons permanently. Before Tobi dragged you back by the ankle." The sudden voice snapped Akiko to attention, looking back the way she came as a very familiar figure appeared out of the shadows of the few lanterns lighting the hall.

"Well, uh, plans change every now and again," she stammered out, pausing in her walk to face him. "And I may have became side tracked the last few days by the injured forces once the pack left and wanted to be helpful."

"You snuck out of the dungeons," Sesshomaru stated. He knew most of the pack was patrolling the grounds right now based on the fact that their scent was no longer strong within the household.

"... Maybe." The demon nearly smirked at that. "Are you here to drag me back instead?"

"Maybe," he answered.

Akiko shouldn't have been surprised that the demon lord was already up and walking so soon after waking. But still, she wondered if it was the right thing to do with how long he was out and the extent of the injury. He was still without his armor, looking more relaxed in his kimono, the top a bit loose revealing part of his chest wrappings. At least there didn't seem to be any visible blood. "How are you feeling?"

"My injuries are nothing to be concerned about."

That caused Akiko to cock a brow and cross both arms across the chest. "Yes, because seeing a person's ripped open skin and muscles to a point where bone is almost exposed is normal for anyone to experience. Even if you were sleeping the whole time I don't think it's such a good idea to be walking around so soon. Even if you are a demon."

"And you will be the one to drag me back?"

Her lips twitched in a smirk, "Maybe." She then let out a breath. "I'm just glad that you are finally awake. And I will be honest with you I was worried for a brief moment you wouldn't wake up. I've never seen an injury like that before, and I do not doubt or question your strength as a demon, but what that reincarnation did to you... I honestly never thought we would be having this conversation. And I wished that I had been there on the field to somehow help prevent this from happening."

"It was unavoidable. All around me were killed. You would have been as well, not because you are weak, but the human side of you would not have survived after recovering from the poison not long ago. A mortal body can only take so much trauma and stress."

"But–"

He didn't give her a chance to protest, in fact Akiko wasn't completely sure when the demon had grown so close, as his lips covered her own. The action caused her to step backwards pressing up against the wall, his arm wrapping around her waist to hold them closer. Being careful of the chest her arms wrapped around Sesshomaru's neck to pull him in further completely forgetting everything she was about to say and only focusing on the demon. Their time in the cell seemed like a lifetime ago as the kiss became more heated between the two. Had the situation had a different outcome that would have been the last and the thought was rather terrifying. His near death experience was something she never wished to go through again... and in the back of her mind wondered if the same feelings were shared when she was the one lying in the bed near death only months ago.

When Sesshomaru finally pulled away they were both out of breath. His eyes seemed to be glowing in the dim lighting, the young woman's hands moving to hold his angular cheeks in hand. The thumbs brushed against the facial markings causing his eyes to close and an animalistic rumble to sound in his chest and throat. "I know it was you," he spoke lowly. The tone caused a shiver to run up the young woman's spine as the demon's eyes opened to see her reaction. "The reason that rolled up mat was with me. Your scent lingered on the sheets."

Immediately her cheeks flushed, and was certain the demon lord could see it even in the low lighting. After all, their faces were only inches apart and he was studying her very closely. "Y–You were still unconscious, but your eyes were open. I was worried you would think you were in danger and tried calming you down. And when you closed your eyes again I went to leave when you grabbed me... and wouldn't exactly let go when you pulled me into bed with you."

"Did that make you uncomfortable?"

"No, I was more startled than uncomfortable because I didn't expect it from you."

"And your solution was to leave a roll up mat?"

"Well, you wouldn't let go and I was desperate to go to the bathroom... so that was our only option." Humming in response the demon leaned in once more, Akiko thinking the lord was going in for another kiss when his head tilted to the side causing his lips to brush against a cheek. The action caused her eyes to flutter, hands now grasping at the loose kimono top.

"Next time, come back and replace the roll up mat." He pulled away after that, slipping out of her grip and removing the arm around the young woman's waist about to continue his way down the hall when Akiko's eyes snapped open and in his direction, questioning,

"Next time?"

Glancing over a shoulder the amusement was clear in his eyes, even if it wasn't noticeable elsewhere on his face. Stoic as always, and Akiko groaned rubbing a hand down her face in mild embarrassment. "You just like to tease me, don't you?"

"It is amusing, but I'm also being serious." Reaching back Sesshomaru grasped the reincarnation's wrist and tugged her further down the hall towards the dungeons. Before the pack got back Akiko had to be resting as if she had been down there the whole time. Her little rebellion would be a secret between the two of them as the demon lord watched Akiko walk down the steps to spend the rest of the evening in the cells.