Of course it was no surprise later that evening that Akiko could not find sleep so easily. Sure, earlier that day she had felt some fatigue, but after filling her stomach with food and wandering about the estate she had come to find her second wind. After being bedridden and in a comatose state for so long lying down made her a bit restless. Much to Tobi's disagreement he had returned to the boarders with the rest of the pack instead of staying by the young woman's side. In Aisu's words not seeing the Beta present could mean that he was guarding their leader dead or alive and they did not want Naraku suspecting his lack of involvement was a warning sign that he had not succeeded. Ripping apart the horde could show his need for revenge to further convince the enemy. But she wasn't alone with Rin sleeping beside her, since the child did not wish to be parted, and Jaken. The toad had finally made his presence known at dinner and squawked about how Akiko should not be up and walking around yet. The comment caused the young woman to cock a brow at his semi concern for her wellbeing, but shrugged it off when Rin distracted him. He had been ordered to guard the reincarnation in the packs' absence, yet one glance towards the area he had taken guard and it was obvious he had fallen asleep in the chair. Smirking at his light snores that would come and go Akiko moved towards the edge of the bed and silently stood with some difficulty. Her legs, though walking, were still stiff as boards if sitting or lying down for too long and hobbled towards the door trying not to wake either of them.

Once in the hall she slipped on her shoes and moved through the silent household. All of the maids were finally in bed after completing their chores, the lords and lady having retired hours ago. Drifting down the stairs she came to the ground level making her way towards the exit that would lead her to the gardens. She had to get outside, even for a few moments. If she were to be confined to this estate so to trick Naraku that meant no traveling through the surrounding forest leisurely. Even if she stuck close and within seeing distance of the household. The gardens would have to do since they were closed off from visitors and the floral life growing around her was so tall Akiko could only see the moon and stars high above. It blocked her from any wandering eyes, slowly walking through the grass.

"The boarder is holding," a voice suddenly spoke up ahead. It slightly startled the young woman, thinking she was alone and paused for a brief moment. "There were five more attacks and no deaths were sustained on our side. We are not expecting another attack in the coming hours after the numbers of them that slaughtered–"

"That gives no reason to let down your guard." The second voice Akiko immediately recognized as Sesshomaru, the sound nearly sending a chill up her spine. "Lord Seiichi and his forces will leave in the morning. You are to pull back our forces to the household in turn without breaking rank."

"Sir." The young woman was certain a bow followed hearing the fighter move away in the opposite direction. Trying to not appear that she was eavesdropping and that it was merely a coincidence being there Akiko continued walking forward down the path. Finally turning at the end a section opened up to the right of her, giving way to a sitting area and revealing the demon lord still standing there. And he was staring right at her when she turned to face him. There was a long pause between them, the reincarnation not know what to say at first, but was sure the lord would not be the one to break the silence first.

"I never got to say this earlier," she started. Though how could she have voiced anything before after his sudden actions? "But I'm glad that you weren't injured during all of this for my sake. And thank you... for saving my life."

He stared at her a beat longer in silence before asking, "Shouldn't you be resting?"

"I needed some air. After lying down for so long it's a bit uncomfortable at the moment."

"You didn't bring an escort."

"They have done more than enough for me since I became unconscious. I was not about to disturb those resting from their much needed sleep."

"Wandering outside alone is dangerous." Especially with the hordes still trying to break through. Where was Jaken?

"I found you, didn't I? And I trust the strength of Lord Seiichi and your military on the boarders. I don't feel threatened. Besides, I'm out of sight in the gardens." The young woman moved a bit closer till they were only a few steps apart. "Do you agree with everything that was discussed earlier?" He had been so quiet during the meeting she wondered about his thoughts going forward.

"It is the most logical solution." Of course. Cool and calculated as usual.

"Should I leave?" The young woman would hate to put his lands in any more danger or Rin for that matter. Without the extra guards along the boarder they could become overwhelmed if this didn't go the way they planned. If Naraku didn't fall for their bluff.

"No." His answer seemed a little forceful and dare Akiko think that his eyes had tinted slightly red for a brief moment. "It would be suicidal to go out there without protection having only just awakened."

Now she was perplexed. His behavior was even more confusing the more questions she asked. Half of the time she second-guessed if this was actually the Lord of the West in front of her. But he was still stoic as ever and refused to give anything away with his poker face. This was definitely the dog demon despite his odd nature as of late.

"You're not going to the boarder are you?"

"And if I am?" He couldn't help but stare at the mortal in front of him. Even dressed in a sleeping kimono she looked almost ethereal as if a demon. Her long black hair was braided to one side, cascading over a shoulder ending at the wrist. It was obviously Rin's handy work and it left one side of her neck exposed. The pale skin seemed to be taunting him, wishing to bury his face into it and inhale the scent as he had hours ago. Instead he stood ridged to keep himself from moving any closer. Just her gaining a few steps on him moments ago caused him to stiffen. Obviously the young woman was oblivious to what her presence now did to him and he struggled to think when this had become an issue.

"You need to lie down though," Akiko stated. It broke him from his thoughts. "I can see it in your eyes." Though now golden in color without any red present, the reincarnation knew he was pushing himself to remain awake. She wasn't sure when the last time he slept was, and knew demons didn't always need rest, but after everything that was going on it had probably been days. His body still carried an air of confidence and poise of a great demon lord, yet the eyes gave way to his struggle. Even if they were cold as ice.

"Demons do not have a need to rest as a mortal does," he stated. "I have no intention of sleeping when it is not needed."

And she expected to hear that, but didn't back down. "Humor me. Lady Sanjou is the one who told me it was you who found the final ingredient that saved my life and that you have been tirelessly defending the boarder, from what I gathered in your demon state most of the time. Even demons need to rest, and you are no exception, Lord Sesshomaru."

Hearing her speak his title stirred something in him. It had not been the first time upon hearing it, yet after his actions in her room earlier... it felt different to him now, even if she didn't mean for it to.

"I am not saying to rest because you are weak. Everyone knows you are far from that. But when Lord Seiichi pulls away his forces and the others have returned home as well there will be no time to rest again. You will be needed among your troops to help defend the land and eventually we will have to move forward to declare war against Naraku. When do you plan on resting then?"

Sesshomaru remained silent as he stared down at her because as he mulled over her words... he hated to admit she made very valid points.

"Can I ask nicely for you to return to the household and rest? Or do I have to drag you back?"

The last question caused him to cock a brow at that looking at her with a bit of intrigue that she would be so bold to say that to him. "And how do you plan on doing that in your state?" he wondered.

"I'll improvise," she smirked. "You should know by now I always find a way."

He was suddenly in front of her, causing the young woman to take in a sharp breath at the fact that there was limited space between them now. She found herself staring at the top of his chest plate where it met the kimono top underneath. Trying to calm her heartbeat from the action the reincarnation's eyes drifted up towards his intense gaze. Akiko couldn't look away as his hand came up behind her head like before, tangling loosely in the strands. This time his movements weren't as abrupt or hasty as the demon took his time to observe the reincarnation's features. The rumbling noise had returned to his chest to signify how pleased his inner demon was to be this close to the mortal. Slowly leaning down, the shadow of his form began to block out the moon overhead from Akiko's vision. Eyes closing their lips connected and moved slowly. There was no desperation like back in the bedroom, where it seemed the lord was afraid she would disappear at any moment, as the both of them took their time. In a way, this second kiss felt more powerful that the first. Maybe because it wasn't such a shock? All the young woman could think of was that she wanted more as Sesshomaru finally pulled away so the two of them could breathe. Even though it was a bit ragged on their part. Yet the young woman managed to root herself in place and not advance on the demon because there was a question that had been plaguing her since he left her confused in the guest bedroom.

"Why did you do that?" she breathed softly. The demon stared at her through hooded eyes silently not moving further away as he thought over the question. Sesshomaru wasn't good at explaining himself when it came to emotions or behavior. Especially when dealing with the opposite sex. In the decades he had been alive the demon had been involved with other female demons on occasion with no strings attached, but with this mortal everything felt different. He never felt the need to stay with those he had been involved with. There was no attachment. This time Sesshomaru didn't wish to be parted from her leaning forward to capture her lips again. However, the young woman shifted back just out of reach causing him to pause mere centimeters away nearly growling about being rebuffed. At least she wasn't running away. "Why did you do that?" Akiko asked again.

She wouldn't allow herself to kiss him again until she knew why the lord was acting in this way. "Because I do not wish for you to leave my side," he answered lowly. Now the young woman's heart was racing. Sesshomaru paused, realizing that he was following in his father's footsteps, along with his half-brother, by falling for a mortal. But the lord couldn't find it in himself to care or even scold himself. "I won't allow Naraku to kill you." That cursed half-breed would regret ever laying a hand on her. "That is why I kiss you." Back in the room that was no fluke, his forwardness. This merely confirmed that as the demon closed the distance once more allowing their lips to connect. Akiko wasn't pulling away now, accepting his answer by wrapping both arms around the lord's neck to pull them closer.

"I do not wish to leave yours either." The admission was slightly terrifying. She knew that by assuming the throne in the north Akiko was giving up everything in her era. But now confessing to the demon, even if they were unsuccessful to reclaim their land, it was clear returning to her old life would be impossible. Unless the dog demon told her to leave she wouldn't. And the fact that she was willingly giving herself to the lord was a big step for her. Akiko had never known this feeling before. Many males in her era overlooked her because of the disability and in turn the young woman had no time for investing feelings towards a supposed partner. Sesshomaru had been in her presence blind and seeing, even knew what was to come should Naraku be defeated. Yet he still wanted her and that fact made her head spin. It didn't matter though as any self doubt was pushed away when the demon buried his face into the exposed part of her neck and inhaled. It made her shiver, holding on a bit tighter and run one set of fingers through his hair. The action made him hum in response as they stayed that way for a few, silent, minutes.

"Will you please get some rest?" With his guard down the lord was finally beginning to feel his fatigue after countless nights of no sleep. Pulling away a nod was her answer as the demon stood to full height. His hand moved from the hair to the side of her face and Akiko reached up to hold it in place, thumb stroking the back of it. "I told you I'd improvise," she pointed out. With a teasing smirk up at the lord it caused the corner of his lips to twitch in response before he looked away. Letting go, the two began walking towards the exit of the gardens in silence enjoying the sounds of crickets chirping in the bushes. Feeling his hand brushing against her own, the young woman allowed their fingers to become lightly intertwined out of sight beneath their sleeves.