A week went by before Inuyasha came around the shrine looking for Kagome, who had decided after taking the test to attend classes in order to catch up. Plus her friends had been growing a bit concerned by all the 'supposed illnesses' she had. Akiko was even a bit stunned they still bought their grandpa's lies.

"I'm going into town," the young woman announced one early morning. The harness was in place on Tobi as she gripped the handle. "Need anything?"

Her aunt paused in thought before shaking her head. "We're good. Have fun."

It was a rather nice day out seeing as how the rain had finally let up after three days. There were a few errands Akiko had to accomplish, picking up books she had ordered from the store, some groceries for the week, and food for Tobi. Now finding out that he had once been a person the young woman felt terrible about feeding him dog food in the past. But his shoulders only shrugged. How was she to know? Besides, if she had begun to feed him meals off the table the others would begin to question her reasoning and in his own words, "It's a dog's diet to eat that food, and a wolf's to eat raw meat. Always eating human food would have a negative reaction to me like it would with other animals."

He had a point, but made sure to slip in more 'treats' into his diet out of appreciation for everything he had done for her. "Wanna go to the park?" she questioned once they had finished up. Tobi barked in response causing her to grin and he led the way.

Halfway there a shout came from down the street, the young woman noticing those around her react to the sudden noise. And it didn't stop there as others joined in, the commotion drawing closer. "Watch out!" someone shouted. People began moving out of the way of what was approaching, some accidentally bumping into Akiko in the process. Tobi's side was pressed firmly against her own so the young woman didn't fall over.

"What's going on?" she questioned.

"It's Aisu," he answered. The wolf was charging down the sidewalk towards them around other humans who scrambled out of the way. She came to a stop in front of them, panting from the exertion.

Akiko reached out, the animal pressing her muzzle into her palm. "You're actually here," the young woman breathed.

"I'm glad I found you," Aisu stated. "Your presence is needed in the Feudal Era."

"But Naraku...?"

"Still at large, but for now has gone into hiding. But that is not why I have sought you out. Sesshomaru is in need of your assistance."

The statement made Akiko's brows furrowed. Even Tobi was confused. "Sesshomaru?" she questioned to be sure they had heard right. "Why would he need my help?" He was a demon, and a strong one at that, and the lord was not one to ever ask for assistance.

"He asked for you... after much convincing on my part regarding the matter."

"What matter?"

"There was a fight between Sesshomaru and Naraku three days ago. The bastard got away of course, but not without being terribly wounded. But the lord is in the same state and is not getting better as swiftly as we had hoped. If anything, he's growing worse. He refuses help from his servants, and has even sent Jaken and Rin away. We need your supplies from this world. It's our last chance to reverse what has been done."

There wasn't much time to think on the matter, having not forgotten they were surrounded by people on the streets who watched them curiously. They were drawing too much attention as sirens sounded in the distance. "I'll see you at the shrine," the young woman stated. "Get off the street."

The wolf dashed off into the alleyways for cover as Tobi quickly led Akiko away from the scene and took the long way home to be sure that they weren't spotted. The animal even performed a subtle shift so his coat took on a silver grey color if police were looking for a seeing-eye dog. He wouldn't fit their profile.

It was late afternoon when they arrived back at the shrine, hearing Sota talk excitedly in the front yard. Grandpa was struggling to find the right words to say, his speech almost sounding like gibberish, and her aunt was a bit wary about her son's presence outside. "Akiko!" the woman called out upon seeing her.

Sota whirled around, "Akiko! There's a wolf sitting near the well!"

"That's Aisu," she answered. "Don't worry, Auntie. She's harmless."

"That's good to hear," the woman smiled.

"But what is she doing here?" Grandpa shouted. "Is it an evil spirit?"

"Nothing of the sort. I'm her reincarnation. She used to be human before a curse was placed on her. Tobi is her Beta." Removing the harshness from the animal at her side shook out his fur before shifting into his larger form startling the older man. There wasn't a reason to hide it anymore if they had already seen the former Queen's appearance. "I need a medical kit."

"You're going back?" her aunt asked.

"It's time."

As the woman helped her pack a bag filling it with extra supplies for the journey once she explained the possible condition of an... acquaintance of hers could be found in she led the young woman back outside. "Be safe," her aunt said. "Be careful. And if you need to stay I will contact the university."

"Thank you." They hugged each other tightly.

"If Kagome is looking for you, where should I tell her to find you?"

"The Western Lands. She'll know where I am." Climbing onto Tobi's back she heard Sota say,

"Cool!"

The door to the well was already open as they jumped inside feeling the rush of the changing dimensions before landing on solid ground. Climbing out of the wooden structure they raced off towards their destination. "What if this is Naraku's plan all along?" Akiko questioned. "To fight Sesshomaru in order to force my return."

"I had considered that, but in the state he was left in I'm sure he will not be visiting us any time soon. Had Lord Sesshomaru not reduced him to such a state I would not have come for you."

It made sense, but that did not mean they should let up their guard. The half-demon had minions that could come in his place instead. And if the dog demon truly was injured, so much so that he could not fight, then his land was in great danger. It wasn't as if he would dare to ask other lords and ladies for assistance.

It was dusk by the time they reached the household, as the howling of wolves echoed through the air at their arrival. At least Sesshomaru would be able to count on the pack to keep watch for any intruders. Servants pulled open the doors allowing the two to rush into the front courtyard and through the main doors. Tobi bounded up the steps coming to the lord's hall. Rin and Jaken were sitting outside the door to his room, looking up at their rapid approach.

"Akiko!" the child exclaimed upon seeing her.

Quickly climbing down the half-demon's back two small arms wrapped around her waist tightly. "What are you doing here?" Jaken shouted. "The lord is not to be disturbed-!"

"Move aside, Imp," Aisu snarled.

Akiko bent down to Rin's height, holding her shoulders at arms length. "Stay here," she stated. "No matter what you hear. I've come to help."

Pushing open the door with Tobi's help it was closed behind them encasing them in darkness. But that did not matter as the animal led his master to the edge of the bed. She could hear his heavy breathing even before sitting on the edge, hand reaching out to find him. First the young woman felt his arm, gentle touch traveling up along the surface to the shoulder in order to shake him. "Sesshomaru?" The wrist was harshly snatched causing her body to jerk further onto the bed. Tobi growled in warning from behind ready to attack. But he wasn't the only one growling, the same noise coming from directly in front of Akiko's face. She could even feel his breath. "Sesshomaru..." the young woman breathed. The grip only slightly lessened, growl quieting as well.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded.

"Where are you injured?"

The lord released her completely. "Leave. I don't need your help."

Akiko cocked a brow. So obviously he had not asked for her presence. That had been a lie Aisu had concocted. Even Tobi chuckled lowly on the far side of the room. Unless... he had said it unconsciously. People with terrible injuries were known to say things without their knowledge when being in and out of consciousness.

"Stop being stubborn." Again he growled lowly, only this time there was a hint of red to his eyes in warning. But she didn't react not only because she couldn't see, but even to the noise he made there was no reaction. Any normal person would have been scrambling to get away or began apologizing trying to get on his good side. But Akiko wasn't like anyone else.

"I don't need human medicine."

"Maybe not, but at least it'll speed up the process so you can move about again." Sesshomaru observed the human carefully, curiously. "Naraku is still out there, and he won't wait for you to get better. Even if I've been training and have improved I know I have a long way to go before I can properly confront him. Besides, I owe you one for helping me escape all those months ago." He could only stare, a little... stunned. "You didn't have to. You made a deal with Aisu and broke it in order for me to escape." She sighed heavily. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but thank you."

There were no further protests, much to Akiko's surprise. Still, she set to work feeling the blood on her hands when roaming around his chest. The armor was gone and his white top and boa. Though judging on the size of the gash none of the plating was probably left. "There's a bucket of water," Tobi muttered. "To your right."

Taking the cloth draped over the side she began to clean the wound, including the one on a shoulder and neck, before reaching into her bag and pulling out the medical kit. Now Tobi was at her side, telling which bottle to use before spreading the ointment on the surface. A few times she could even feel his muscles tense. They said nothing, even as the human helped the demon sit up in bed in order to wrap the wounds. His skin was warm to the touch, meaning he had a fever. "Tobi," she spoke lowly. The animal pressed against her side. "Please ask for another bucket of water." Taking the handle between his teeth Tobi moved towards the door. There were a few murmurs behind them, the young woman taking his hair and moving it out of the way so it didn't collect around the neck keeping heat in.

"Here you are." Petting his head, Akiko smiled at her faithful friend.

"Thank you." Humming, the wolf took a spot at the end of the bed curling up on the floor. Taking the new cloth and ringing out the excess water she placed it on the forehead trying to cool him down. But the young woman then shifted further onto the bed up near the pillows. Taking the demon's head between her hands she lifted him off the pillow, moving that out of the way to take over its roll. The action made Sesshomaru's eyes crack open in wonder, especially when her hands didn't let go. Instead, a cooling sensation on the temples formed. It was... calming and soon the demon could feel the fever subsiding. Eventually his eyes closed and fell into a deep sleep. An hour later Akiko's hands lowered realizing that she was rather stuck in this position not wanting to wake him. The young woman opted to lean back against the wall.

"Your training looks like it went well," Aisu stated quietly. The wolf had entered the room unannounced. "I sent Rin to bed. Jaken is, of course, standing watch outside."

"Yes it has," Akiko answered. "But can we talk about it later? I'm so tired."

"Of course."

Tobi nudged a pillow against the young woman's side in order for it to be tucked behind her back for support and within minutes she was asleep.