Three days had passed since Sesshomaru kidnapped her and there was still no sign of her friends. Her situation had not improved with the lord always appearing out of nowhere. And he would be asking questions when he wished and the young woman was careful to answer, not sure what he would gain from this. But overall the demon appeared to be curious as to who she was and why she wielded a blade that could encase itself in ice. Akiko couldn't answer that honestly, and decided to not say anything about her being the possible reincarnation of the Ice Queen from the North. How could she declare something she was unsure about?

She needed to escape, but Akiko knew she wouldn't get far in the forest and stumbling around blind would do more harm than good. If Tobi were with her, then she would have a greater chance of accomplishing the task.

On the fifth evening, she was called to Sesshomaru's study. Rin was the one to guide her before waiting outside the door as the demon asked for a private meeting. The young woman could hear the roaring fire on one side of the room and feel the breeze coming through the open doors to the balcony. His footsteps echoed in the open space and she bowed out of courtesy, not wishing to argue today.

"How is it that you can 'see' things?" Sesshomaru finally asked. He had overheard a conversation the day before, watching as the child held up various objects for Akiko to touch before guessing what it was.

"By touch. By creating a picture in my mind. That's how I'm able to move about now on my own." He remained silent, watching her carefully. "Why have you called me here?" She doubted it was only to ask that question.

"A gathering will be taking place here in two days... You are to be my guest."

Her brows furrowed as beat of silence passed between them. "Excuse me?"

"Does your inability to see affect your hearing as well?"

Akiko shook her head. "I just wasn't sure if I heard you correctly. You want me to attend this event with you."

"Yes."

"Why? We don't exactly see eye to eye... or particularly get along with each other." Which was true. Both tolerated the other and Akiko still wondered why the lord kept her around.

"There is no one else who is suitable."

"What about another demon? You're not fond of humans and can't honestly tell me you wish to spend an entire night in my company."

She had a point, as the demon stated, "No, I do not."

"So then since you are a lord than find a lady."

"They do not suit me. None of them even act as one when in my presence."

"You have a rather large ego..." she muttered lowly.

His brows slightly narrowed. "Don't test me, wench."

"And there's another thing. You don't even use my proper name and look down on me without respect. Why would you expect me to so easily agree to this? I can make my own decisions and I act on my own accord. Don't go ordering me around-" she was cut off when Sesshomaru was suddenly in front of her, the two of them nearly touching. The young woman could sense his proximity, muscles tensing at the fact she may have to shift away quickly. But his threatening demeanor stopped there as the silence dragged on and the demon watched her carefully. Akiko was bolder than most humans, who wouldn't dare to talk back to him in his presence. And this young woman only continued to be a mystery for him. What made her so fearless?

"You will accompany me, whether you like it or not. I do not know the rules where you come from, but understand your situation and adapt to it." The conversation was over as Sesshomaru called Rin inside and dismissed both humans.

Their walk through the halls was silent before the child pulled the young woman inside the library. Akiko sat in a chair as Rin rushed off to a section only to return moments later and asked, "Can you read to me?" The object was placed in her lap as the girl climbed on the cushion beside her. And they weren't alone much to the young woman's surprise, hearing Sesshomaru enter and walk off on his own. "Here, you can read this one!"

Akiko traced her hand over the engraved cover, "The Samurai Princess."

Opening the book, her fingers moved over the page only to realize this was normal. The kind people use when they can actually see. "Akiko?"

"I'm sorry, Rin, but I won't be able to," she sighed.

Her smile fell. "But I thought you could feel the words?"

"Yes, but not this way. The books I read have texture, bumps, that rise off the pages. This is flat." Akiko's head tilted to where Sesshomaru stood on the second level in the room.

Rin's sad expression suddenly brightened again, calling, "Lord Sesshomaru?" His eyes flickered towards them. "Can you please read to me?" Akiko expected him to decline, but was rather surprised when hearing him walk down the stairs from the second level to stand in front of them. He took the book from her waiting hands and sat in an opposite chair. Rin left the young woman's side to join him as the demon began to read in his normal monotone voice. Akiko stood, making her way towards the shelves running her hands over the bindings. On many the surfaces were raised, a technique that was very popular among old text with carving and wood techniques. And then there were scrolls with symbols on the wooden ends. Some of these tales were very old, at least to her in her era, and so well preserved.

As Sesshomaru closed the book he realized Rin's eyes were closed. He watched as the human made her way down the stairs before coming to stand beside the chair. "Is she asleep?" No answer was all she needed, reaching out and pulling the child into her grasp.

"Where are you going?" he asked when the young woman walked towards the door.

"Five rooms down on the right. Rin's room." She had an impeccable memory, he mused watching as they left.