Holding onto the strap attached to the harness around the dog at her side, Akiko made her way up the side of the hill. The walk had been long up the many steps to the household and would wind anyone who was not used to the climb or in shape. Though with luck on her side it wasn't too hot that day, the breeze having offered comfort. Adjusting her grip on the suitcase in hand, the two halted as the animal pressed its nose against the doorbell. Footsteps sounded from inside as the young woman inhaled and exhaled deeply. The dog whined, causing the young woman to smile. "I'm okay," she whispered as the door opened.

"Akiko, welcome!"

"Hello, Auntie," she greeted. "Thank you for letting me stay with you. It's been a while." A bark sounded as the woman reached forward to pat the animal on the head.

"Yes, Tobi, it's great to see you too." Yipping in response, Akiko moved forward reaching out and lightly feeling her aunt's face.

"You haven't changed a bit," she grinned.

"You are too kind-"

"Mom! Is Akiko here?" a boy yelled from upstairs.

"Yes, Sota! Come down!" Then to the young woman she continued, "Come on in." Two sets of footsteps made their way down the stairs as they stopped in the hallway. "Kagome, Sota, you remember your cousin?"

"Hello," Kagome greeted. Tobi moved further inside, guiding her towards the family members and stopping beside them. Reaching up she came in contact with a cheek, feeling the surface by memorizing every detail.

Akiko smiled. "You've changed a lot, cousin. A beautiful fifteen year old."

"Wow! You're good!" Sota exclaimed. "Me next! Me next!"

Bending down, Akiko touched his face in a similar manner. "Sota, the last time I saw you, you were a baby. It's good to see you are turning into a fine young man."

"Guess how old I am!"

"Hmm... You are ten. Am I correct?"

"No, I'm ten and a half!"

Akiko laughed. "My mistake."

"Your room is upstairs," her aunt spoke up. "Kagome."

Reaching forward, the teen took the luggage from her hand. "Come on, you're right next to me."

Tobi followed the cousin up the stairs, leading the way as Akiko gripped the handle. Opening the door, the young woman had no trouble removed the harness allowing the animal to run inside. His attention immediately went towards the large bed cushion in the corner, sniffing the object and wagging his tail.

"Tobi seems to like it here," Akiko noted. Kagome watched her cousin move around the room, while placing the suitcase on the bed. Her hand hit a sill, opening the window. "The breeze feels nice."

"Yes, it does." The two stood in silence for a few moments before Kagome was the one to break it. "It's been a while, since we've seen each other. But I've always wonders... how you're able to do the things you do without..." The young woman smiled. "I-I'm sorry, it's not my place to pry or ask–"

"Kagome, we're family. You're acting as if we're strangers." The teen blushed in mild embarrassment staring at the cousin's eyes. They were a pale blue in color and didn't focus on anytime in particular unable to tell where anything was. She hadn't always been like this. Kagome remembered her mother talking about it long ago. A disease had taken Akiko's sight at the age of five and there had been no chance to reverse what had happened. She acquired Tobi at the age of thirteen when Akiko made it known to her mother that she wished to return to school in order to attend college. It wasn't easy, but Akiko was never one to give up now striving for a Masters degree. Which was part of the reason why she was living with them.

"You know... Even though I can't see, I've always known where everything is. Just by feeling something, or touching an object I can build the layout from memory."

"I wish I could do something like that."

"Studies say that when you loose one sense the others heighten."

"Has that been the case?"

Turning around, Akiko smiled. "Auntie is coming up the stairs."

Seconds later there was a knock on the door, causing the teen to turn. "Dinner's ready," her mom said.

"We'll be right down," Kagome answered. When the woman was gone, she faced her cousin. "How did you know it was her?"

"The sound of her footsteps and the vibrations. It's a soft sound, while Sota is a bit loud. From what I remember grandfather, who is about to pass, has a very firm walk." Sure enough, the old man walked by. "And you yourself are always changing when walking on a flat surface or up a flight of stairs." Tobi barked from his corner, causing the young woman to laugh. "Tobi's are soft as well, but I can hear the pads on his feet and the click of his nails against the wood." He nuzzled Akiko's hand. "Let's eat."

Sticking close to the young woman's side they headed down the stairs into the dining room. "Akiko!" their grandpa greeted. "Glad you made it here just fine. I trust everything ran smoothly?"

"The train was uneventful."

There were laughs that were shared around the table, along with stories as they ate. Tobi sat diligently by his master's side, head resting in her lap when done eating himself. When the family excused themselves from the table, Akiko moved upstairs to unpack. Changing into more comfortable clothing, the young woman reached for the suitcase when an unknown thud sounded on the second floor. She paused as Tobi began growling from his bed, ears flat against his head. Though his attention was directed towards the open window.

"Who's there?"

No one answered and she approached the frame. There were voices coming from her cousin's room. "I told you I can't come with you now," Kagome spoke in a hushed voice. "My cousin just came in and is still settling in."

"But school is out for you, and that means we can look for more shards," came an unknown voice. It sounded like a male.

"Kagome, who's there?" Akiko called over. Poking her head out the window, the student glanced over in her cousin's direction worried.

"Um, no one, I was just talking to myself-!"

"You can't fool me, Kagome. I know someone is there."

Sighing, the girl answered, "All right, come over and I'll introduce you."

Patting Tobi on the head to calm him down, the two made their way next door. Immediately, the dog walked towards the stranger in the room, circling and sniffing him out. Seconds later Tobi returned to his master's side, nuzzling her hip. "My friend seems to like you."

He scoffed. "You can't even see me so why should it matter?"

"Inuyasha, sit!" Kagome shouted. His face met the floor violently as a yelp escaped his lips, and for a moment Akiko stood there perplexed before laughing.

"If I didn't know any better you act like a dog and fell flat on your face."

"Kagome, are you sure this girl is blind?" he grunted trying to remove himself from the wooden planks. "It seems like she can see fine to me."

"Inuyasha-!" Akiko halted her cousin with a wave of a hand. Nudging the dog's shoulder he led the young woman forward stopping in front of the stranger. Grumbling under his breath, the boy stared at her pale eyes, startled when hands touched his face. The palms and fingers ran over the skin, feeling his features. "I could grow to trust you over time I believe..."

"Feh, whatever-"

"Wait a minute." The young woman felt for his ears, finding none. Brows furrowing, Kagome grew worried as her cousin's hands traveled higher until they finally discovered the set on top of his head. Two white dog-ears twitched at the way her fingers brushed against the fur. "Are these real?"

"So?" he snapped. "You gotta-?"

"Cool it, I was just asking." Inuyahsa stared at her quizzically. He expected to have to explain him that she would freak out upon realizing he wasn't completely human. And that made him wary. "I'm majoring in Japan's history so be honest with me when I ask... are you a half demon?"

There was a brief pause as he blinked at her. Kagome held her breath. "Yes..."

The cousin smiled. "Really?" He nodded. "I've always wanted to meet one, even if they were folklore in books. Does that mean demons are real too?"

"Yes."

Kagome groaned, "This is exactly why I didn't want you coming over."

Akiko's expression lit up as many questions came to mind. "What era are you from?"

"Feudal Era, 1400s."

"And did I forget to mention she remembers everything she reads?" Kagome added.

"Yes- Wait, how can she read if she's blind?" Inuyasha asked, head whipping in the teen's direction.

Tobi bolted out the door before returning seconds later when a book in his mouth. Passing the object into his master's hands she opened a page and the half demon looked on curiously. "There's nothing on the page," he pointed out.

"To you two, no, but I can see an entire story. Give me your hand." Doing as told, he watched as the teen ran his hand over the blank pages feeling the bumpy texture underneath. "People who are blind have special books made for them. Because I can't physically see words I feel them instead."

"That's how you identify people," he put together.

"Yes. It's very similar, actually." Releasing him, the book closed. "So what are you doing in our time if I may ask?"

Knowing that the truth couldn't be hidden any longer Kagome stepped forward to explain. "A few months ago I fell into the once sealed well in the back. A demon named Mistress Centipede removed the sacred jewel shard that somehow ended up inside of me. I accidentally found and released Inuyasha from a spell in the process and when a crow came to steal the jewel I shot it out of the sky. But it shattered on impact."

"Now the pieces are scattered all across Japan," Inuyasha added.

"I've even found some in our era."

"Sounds like an adventure," Akiko commented.

"But it's a lot of work," the half demon stated. "Which is why we're going back."

"But-!"

"Kagome, go," the young woman cut in.

"But you just got here, and you're still settling in."

"I've read about the jewel."

Kagome blinked. "Wait, really?"

"In my second year of school it came up in one of my courses. It's pretty important. Trust me I'll be fine. Sota can show me around Tokyo." Kagome had promised to do that for her.

"If you're sure..."

Akiko smiled. "I am."

"If you're coming let's get going," Inuyasha cut in. "The others are waiting."

There was a moment of silence as Kagome looked at her cousin before answering, "All right, I'll get ready." Akiko listened to her leave the room. "Mom...!"

"You know, you took this rather well than what we expected," he spoke up when they were alone. "How are you not freaking out?"

"Over what exactly?"

"The fact that I'm not from this era, that your cousin can pass between dimensions."

Her shoulders shrugged. "I've heard crazier things. Besides, what good would it do me to freak out about it?" She had a point. A moment of silence passed between them before she spoke again,"Inuyasha." The half demon's head picked up. "I may not have been the closest with my cousin in the last few years, but she's still family. So I'm asking that you take care of her."

"I always do."

"I know... otherwise she would not have survived your era as long as she has."

"What do you mean?"

"I know how rough it is in your time period. Just be careful."

"What, can you see the future or something?"

She offered him a kind smile. "No, I wish. But I just have this feeling that something bad will happen. Just because I am missing one sense, the others make up for it and are better than the average human."

"Inuyasha, are you coming?" Kagome called from downstairs.

"Yeah!"

"Just be careful," Akiko added. Nodding, he left the young woman alone in the room. "Ready for bed, Tobi?" He barked in response. "Me too..."