Kagome nervously tapped a finger against her upper leg. Sesshomaru had left only moments ago with all of his soldiers and a handful of those that had come from the Southern Lands from the Hawk Clan. But there were still quite a few of them left behind and she at first wondered how all of them had managed to fit in the gardens. Everyone was whispering about who this supposed fifth commander could be. Some wondered if it would be the lord's servant, Jaken, but when he left on the back of A-Uh that theory was squashed. It could have even been one of the ladies from other households that would be going to war with them, but none could really see reasoning behind that logic. They would have been sent to the said household instead of coming all the way to the Western Lands. Then there was the presence of the pack and all the attention shifted towards the former queen, Aisu. Sure the history between the lord's ancestors and her followers had not ended on a pleasant note long ago they had allied once more in recent years. Without her heir, who had met an untimely death at the hands of Lord Orochi, all power would fall to her once more. And the fact that the pack was still mingling about, the alpha wolf having retreated to the household and yet to return, all believed that she would be the one to lead them in the surprise attack.

"Don't be so nervous," Sango muttered at the older teen's side. The young woman was strapped with gear she would take on her demon hunting jobs, a poison canceling mask resting on her collarbone from the string hanging around the neck. Though dressed in the uniform she would always wear during their travels she looked completely different. More fearsome that would have the horde worrying that there was a demon slayer in their presence. "She's going to do fine." Even Kagome looked different. Wearing her school uniform would not be in her best interest to wear during the battle. Akiko had seen to it that she was given a priestess kimono someone would use to fight in. One sleeve was cut off at the shoulder that she would use to draw her bow, the other not as long at the end so to not get caught on anything as the fabric reached the wrist. Leg guards covered the pants that would normally billow out at the bottom, which struck Kagome as odd as this wasn't traditional for Japanese war attire. Tatara had said something about all of them protecting themselves from snake bites, as the ends of the fabric tucked into black boots, which would do some damage if kicking a demon. She even wore arm guards. Her hair had been pulled back into a bun to keep the strands out of her face and was accompanied by two long needles that took on the appearance of chopsticks at the top. Those were courtesy of Sango in case they grew separated or she was left without a bow. She had a means to always protect herself.

"I'm more so worried about the reaction from everyone here," Kagome spoke lowly. "They have it in their minds as to who will lead them now and stand behind the pack... what if that's not felt towards the real commander since they have been in hiding for so long?" What if they thought Akiko was a coward and refused to stand alongside her?

"You're overthinking it."

"Yeah, don't worry, Kagome," Shippo spoke from her shoulder. "Everything will be just fine."

The doors to the compound began to open drawing all of their attention, whispers falling away to silence, as the anticipation was almost too much to handle for some. There were collective gasps from those at the front, humans, demons, and half-demons trying to crane their necks to see whom it was over the crowd. But Kagome could clearly see her cousin emerge with Aisu and Tobi on either side. She looked completely different from the other times her demonic aura was present, looking more like a half-demon than a human with a few feature changes.

"She's grown stronger," Inuyasha commented. He could sense it from her aura as Shippo, Miroku, and Sango nodded in agreement.

Akiko could only see the first three or so rows of her army, but needed to be able to address all of them. So with every step she now took the ice collected around the ground and spread out. Steps protruded out of the grass allowing the young woman to stand higher and become visible to all in attendance. And the collective gasps grew further, leaving many speechless with slack jaws as to who their commander was. It was the heir to the north back from the dead.

"It's her."

"The queen!"

"She's alive."

"But how?"

"The Snake Clan said she had been poisoned."

"They said they killed her."

"They were so arrogant about it..."

"She's supposed to be dead."

"But she's not."

The pack gathered around the base of the platform made of ice completely at attention. Akiko's eyes scanned them all in, taking in the sight. Sesshomaru had been telling her the truth that she would be leading a brigade made up of the different races. They came from all clans and villages in Japan that made her pleased with this many different skills under her command they could do some damage with what they had.

"I wish I could be speaking to all of you under better circumstances," Akiko began. And all noise completely vanished from the crowd. "But I am glad that all of you are here and have put your faith into what the households plan on executing. I know a lot of you are questioning my presence here. Whatever rumors you have heard from the Snake Clan, them poisoning me is true. I had attempted to form an alliance with them and it was merely a trap meant to hinder us. I nearly died and when I regained consciousness a decision had to be made. The households and myself saw it in the best interest of Japan to make it seem that I had perished. That no longer was there an heir to the throne of the north where Naraku resides. The four households assembling on the field now are of no threat to him in his mind. They all have lands of their own to control, and none would wish to take the throne of the north. And it is because of that Naraku and his allies do not know you are coming, do not know I will be there leading you. This is the perfect element of surprise that we need to make an impact. Where we will enter the battle none will see us approaching till we are over the hill. There will be no hesitation. We have to rush in and join the ranks once I give the signal." Some looked unsure. "I understand your reserves for putting your trust in me. I am not from this era, and a mortal with demonic aura, but this has become my home. I am committed to the north. This land holds a very dear place in my heart. If I did not feel this way I wouldn't have come back to this period to face the threat of Naraku time and time again when I knew he wanted me dead."

The murmurs were back among the crowd, many beginning to come to terms that Akiko would be leading them from what Kagome could pick up on.

"Among us is a group of individuals that will be facing Naraku head on," that caught the attention of many. "They will try and reclaim the jewel in his possession. To separate it from him will give us the chance we need to end all of this. We fight the horde to give them the opportunity to get close enough so that is possible. If we open a path they will not struggle reaching their target. Distract those protecting him. That is our primary mission." There would be reincarnations; they would be the most deadly individuals to deal with. But if all acted rationally and didn't rush into a fight without assessing the situation first they had a chance at surviving through all of this. Looking to Kagome in the crowd, the cousin gave an encouraging look and nodded that showed she was ready.

"Today's battle isn't just for yourselves," Akiko continued. "You are fighting for the individuals standing next to you. Demon, half-demon, human, none of that matters today if we wish to survive. This is for your love ones and comrades that have perished. This is for your families that have been forced from their homelands to flee south. But we are an island. There is only so far to run before land runs out and then what? I for one will not allow our lines to end here and now. For your future we stand here today to face a tyrant. I will not stop until the north is reclaimed, but I cannot do this alone. So I ask all of you, even those that do not come from that region, to stand and fight for something that will finally put an end to this darkness that has plagued the land for so long. Stand with me!" The soldiers gave a cry from the Hawk Clan, startling the others in the crowd by the sudden noise. "Hold nothing back!" Another war cry echoed in the air, this time with the half-demons joining in among them. "Take back what is yours!" Those from the north now showed their support, fists pumping into the air. "Stand with me and fight!"

The whole crowd roared now in response, Kagome and her friends joining in. Even Inuyasha. The platform made of ice began to lower till Akiko was standing in the grass once more. Tobi moved to her side, allowing the young woman to climb onto his back. The pack began to transform, growing twice in size and dwarfing many in the crowd as it began to part down the middle. Traveling through the individuals began beating a foot or the base of their weapons against the ground in a thunderous wave.

"Let's go," Inuyasha said. Bending down he allowed for Kagome to climb onto his back as Sango, Miroku, and Shippo mounted Kirara. They traveled at the center of the group as they began marching from the Western Lands and headed north. Kagome wished she could wish her cousin luck just once more, staring at the back of her head the whole way. But when the young woman turned around their eyes met. Akiko had a determined look in her expression that made the older teen realize that no verbal words needed to be said between them. Even across this distance they were clearly saying to each other, Good luck.

It washed away any fear Kagome had going in with her half made plan on how to be rid of the jewel. They would figure it out together. They weren't alone. Both cousins had come a long way since their journey began and their future in the Feudal Era would be decided today. And those thoughts brought on a very comforting feeling as the reincarnation looked away.

The field was eerily silent. All four households had gathered, their forces divided into the four sections making it clear whom their allegiance belonged to based on the few banners scattered about the soldiers or the armor they wore. The lords and ladies stood in line ten feet from the front line facing the empty space. But it wouldn't last for long seeing as how they could begin to see the enemy approaching in the distance. And not alone.

"About time the bastards showed up," Lord Kira muttered. None answered the comment, their narrowed brows honing in on the half-demon with an arrogant grin as he marched forward.

The horde was greater than what Sesshomaru had witnessed at his estate, but that was due to the fact that he wasn't the only household under attack at the time. Just the one being focused on the most. Now that they were all together it was clear to see how many rogues had managed to become swayed and corrupted by the half-demon. And alongside him was the traitorous snake himself. The dog demon glared in his direction, which didn't seem to strike fear in the heart of the demon. It did the opposite as a malicious grin stretched across his features in a taunting manner.

"Do not forget to be aware of his poisonous snakes," the Lord of the West spoke lowly. That was another reason for choosing this field. The grass wasn't nearly as long making it next to impossible for his assassins to sneak up on them for a deadly blow. And all made sure their feet were covered along with any visible skin up to the waist. Even their pants at the bottom were tucked securely into their boots so nothing slipped in. The same technique was followed by all of their soldiers standing behind them.

The horde stopped allowing Naraku and Lord Orochi to walk a little closer before pausing as well. There was at least fifty yards between the two sides as they waited in anticipation for the signal to strike. Lord Kira couldn't help but have his eyes roam the enemy. He could smell the scent of Naraku coming from other areas within the army, meaning that there were reincarnations hiding out of sight. Growling lowly he knew the other lords and ladies were aware of this fact, wishing to crush them with his otsuchi swiftly to be rid of their annoyance. The reincarnations always had tricks up their sleeves. His mate, Lady Hirata, seemed to be focus on one spot in general by the way she gripped her naginata tightly. Wherever she went he would go and knew they would find their desired target in that direction somewhere.

"Are you here to issue your surrender?" Naraku taunted.

"We will do nothing of the sort," Lord Seiichi growled.

"It's your death then."

"The only one who will meet their demise, is you, Naraku," Lady Sanjou stated.

"We will never hand our lands to you willingly," Lady Eri added. "So we will take yours by force."

"You can try," Lord Orochi spoke. "But look how well that turned out for your dear 'Queen' of the North. Tell me, did she suffer? I would have loved to witness the effects of the poison overtaking her fragile body slowly, painfully."

"Silence your tongue, snake," Sesshomaru warned.

The lord laughed. "The fact that any of you would put faith in a mortal is appalling. Especially when it comes to you, Lord Sesshomaru. You out of all of us despise humans the most. Imagine my surprise when it seemed you turned over a new leaf storming into my compound to protect her. I had thought you would be standing on this side of the war. But I guess you are just like your father and half-brother. In your cold heart you have sentiment for humans. Though I guess we should have seen that coming with the human ward that's been in your possession for some time." Sesshomaru didn't confirm nor deny the statement, staring at the lord in a cold and reserved manner that had the snake's expression turn manic. "Tell me, what was it like to watch her die."

Lord Kira slammed his hammer against the ground causing it to tremble below them as he glared at the enemy. "I will cut out your tongue, Lord Orochi, so no one else can hear your poisonous words again. These lands belongs to neither of you. Crawl back into the holes you came from and let us be rid of you for good."

"Enough, Lord Orochi," Naraku ordered when the snake went to retaliate. "We did not come here to exchange words." And his attention turned back to the households. "So you will not admit surrender?"

"Never," Lord Seiichi proclaimed.

And that was the answer Naraku wished to hear, smirking, "To the death then."