The northern lands were prosperous. No longer were they a barren wasteland with remnants of a forgotten rule as those left behind struggled to live. Life was back with the green grass that stretched for miles with livestock grazing and farmers at work in the fields. The sickness was gone without Naraku's hold, and Kagome was happy to see people easily moving about without a care in the world. And it wasn't just humans. Half-demons and demons were also mingling in a positive atmosphere that stunned the young woman.

"A lot has changed," Miroku said. "Akiko has made these lands a haven for those that wish to live in harmony with each other."

"This is amazing," Kagome breathed.

"Yeah, it is," Inuyasha agreed. "It's the first territory people like me aren't treated like outcasts."

They went as far as the Tōhoku region of Honshū. The northern Ōu Mountains loomed in front of them following the path till they came to a large village with gates to protect the hub inside. Markets lined the streets at the front, thinning out to homes for its residents and ryokan for merchants to come and go as they pleased for an overnight or a few days. But it was at the back of the compound that sat a great estate built into the cliff side of the mountain itself.

"They found it," Kagome spoke in wonder.

"They did, but the original compound is farther north," Sango relayed. "The land was not large enough to create all of this so they rebuilt the estate here. Akiko wanted to be aware of any issues that could arise when she was going to rule and wished to be able to mingle with the people when not inside the walls."

"What became of the other estate?"

"Leaving it to decay back into the ground was an option."

"But Akiko turned it into a training grounds for her forces," Shippo grinned.

"As we said, she's been busy," the demon slayer smirked. The closer they came to the estate, the more wolves that were present. And quite a handful was not a part of the original pack that she had been around before Naraku's demise. "Many of these wolves are related to their ancestors that served under Aisu." The young woman had noticed the questioning look on her face. "They came out of the woodwork once Akiko ascended the throne. Without Naraku's presence they were no longer oppressed and many didn't even realize where they had come from until this happened. When the north met their demise all went into hiding to be sure they weren't killed by anyone who would seek to kill off any supporters."

"Why weren't we told this before?"

"Aisu," Inuyasha said. "She was protecting them until it was safe again. Even Akiko didn't know."

Walking up the stone steps there were demons in human form standing at attention leading up to the top. They appeared to be wolf demons too. "The wolves that did escape before being bound to their animal forms are able to still transform between the two," Miroku pointed out.

Reaching the top, the massive doors were wide open, but the two guards standing on either side watched them approach. "Council with the queen has already concluded for the day," a wolf demon stated. "You will have to come by in the morning."

"This is important, please," Kagome begged. "We've come all this way–"

"Koji, Masaaki, it's all right," a voice spoke up from inside. Turning their attention, the group watched a familiar wolf make their way towards them. "We've been waiting for you," Aisu stated, looking at Kagome. "Akiko will be pleased."

Walking inside Kagome could barely marvel at the sight of the household, instead keeping an eye out for her cousin when they passed through the entryway. Walking through the halls they came to a large room; one that the reincarnation probably used to meet with people from the village, or visitors from other households. Still there was no sign of the young woman.

"You've been gone a long time, Kagome," the wolf spoke up. "But Akiko always talks about you. I hope that now with you here, you'll be visiting the north when you can."

"Of course," the older teen answered.

"Good," and looking towards a closed door on the far side of the room they waited confused. However, voices were growing closer. Familiar ones as the door slid to the side revealing two individuals.

"Akiko!" The sudden shout of her name startled the reincarnation as her head snapped towards the source.

"Kagome?" she breathed. Walking inside, the older teen sprinted across the space and wrapped the young woman up in a tight hug. Akiko immediately returned the gesture with a laugh that also came out with a slight sob. "Oh my gosh, what are you doing here? How...?" Pulling back the reincarnations were grinning widely with tears in their eyes. Akiko cupped her cousin's cheeks, thumbs brushing over the skin as if trying to take in the fact that her being here was not a fantasy. "You're back," she grinned.

She looked the same as three years ago, with a few of her features altered to keep up somewhat of a demonic appearance of course. Her clothing had changed though, from the dress she had worn during the battle. She wore a pale blue and white kimono, with tsubaki flowers printed onto the obi wrapped around the middle. The flowers were also decorating her pulled back hair with some ice on the petals, attached to a comb that was tucked securely into place. She looked like a ruler the older teen noted.

Looking over Kagome's shoulder the young woman smiled at the group. "I'm glad you're all here. Shall we catch up?"

Reaching back, Tobi pressed his snout into her palm. It was an action that Kagome noticed looking the young woman in the eye and seeing that the pupils were shifting as if trying to focus. Yet couldn't. "Akiko, you're sight..."

The young woman gave her a reassuring smile, free hand gripping her cousin's tightly. "It's not completely gone. You're all just very blurry. I can't see any details... and sometimes that's even more disorienting."

"When?"

"Right after your wish." Kagome felt completely guilty at that, but before she could voice it, the young woman added, "It was happening well before you spoke to the jewel. Every fatal hit Inuyasha landed it was fading away. I knew it was coming. The fact that any sight whatsoever remained is a blessing. But it needed to be done." To help steer from the depressing topic, she said, "I want to hear everything you've been up to these last three years. And I want to know how the family has been. I feel terrible I haven't managed to get to the well since the end of the war. I've been tied up here, and when Inuyasha came during the ceremony he said it was impossible to go back."

The said person in question didn't respond drawing their attention. The half-demon was distracted shifting uncomfortably surveying the room. There was a scent in the air that bothered him greatly even looking a bit irritated. Akiko could sense his agitation and knew the cause for it. "Sesshomaru is here with Rin. I expect the both of you to be on your best behavior," the ruler spoke towards the half-demon.

"I will if he does," Inuyasha grumbled looking away. She cocked a brow in his direction as Tobi chuckled at her side.

"I'll babysit them," the Beta spoke up.

"I don't need a babysitter!"

"Right, because your bickering in the market the last time your visits overlapped was normal?" Akiko pointed out. "You were disturbing the peace."

Sango, Miroku, and Shippo snickered at the exchanges before they decided to interject before they could go any farther. "We'll let you two catch up alone," Sango said. "You don't need us hanging around." Ushering the males out the wolves left as well leaving the cousins alone.

"So," Akiko spoke up. Hooking her arm around Kagome's she grinned widely, "where do we start?"

Though without Tobi for guidance and the fact that the former student had no clue as to where they were heading, Akiko knew the way maneuvering through halls and up staircases. Maids bowed as they passed or offered greeting to them both. Akiko acknowledged all of them before pulling them through a door. It was her bedroom with a comfortable looking bed on one wall, a wardrobe on another, and a sitting area where one could relax and read a book if they wished. On the far wall sat an overlook with the wall open to allow the cool breeze to filter in. Below was a lavish garden that was absolutely gorgeous. Kagome swore she saw Rin at one point moving through the flower bushes before looking back at Akiko. She was pouring them cups of water in the lounge area from a pitcher.

"This place is amazing," the older teen noted. The young woman grinned widely at the compliment. "I've never seen the north so beautiful before. Except in our era, maybe. You've done a lot in three years."

"I haven't stopped, that's for sure," Akiko admitted. "Though I was lucky enough to have allies that helped move things along."

"When did it happen? The ceremony?"

"Two years ago, on the anniversary of our win against Naraku."

"I'm surprised it didn't happen right away."

"Believe me, the households wanted that. But with my sight having left me I had to make adjustments and remember how I used to live without that sense. I also wished to prove myself to those I would be ruling once everyone returned to their lands. Making sure that the north could thrive was more important." Holding out a hand she offered Kagome a seat as they sat on the cushions. "I wish you could have been there to see it. It was quite the gathering, I was told. All the lands coming together."

"What happened to those left from the horde?"

"Those close enough were purified by your wish, Lord Orochi was one of them, but he had already been killed before that happened. Those that managed to flee were hunted down by Lady Sanjou and Lord Seiichi."

"What about you, the blast–?"

"Releasing the demonic aura healed everything. I was only exhausted from releasing so much of it and slept for nearly three days. Everyone returned to their households, I was taken back to the Western Lands to rest with the pack, since there was nothing yet established here. Haruna took care of me along with Miho and Rin, when they returned from Kaede's."

"And Sesshomaru?" the older teen questioned with a cocked brow.

Akiko's smile never faltered, giving a laugh. "Yes, him as well."

The cousin sat for a moment before continuing, "I've wondered for a while now... but with everything going on I never got a chance to talk to you about it, but... Sesshomaru and you..."

Reaching up the young woman tugged away the collar of the kimono to reveal two markings in place. The slight discolor against her normally pale skin made it stand out all the more. It was a bite mark that had Kagome's eyes going wide. "We are involved, yes. But it only started a few months before the battle against Naraku."

"When did that happen?" she nearly stammered, staring at the marking.

"Well after." She let go of the collar for it to fall back into place.

"But you're a human... Sesshomaru hates humans."

"Believe me, I was as shocked as you are now when I realized that his thoughts towards our race had somehow shifted. But when I nearly died from Lord Orochi's assassin that seemed to do the trick."

"You're in love."

"We both are."

"But how do you make that work? With Sesshomaru being in the West and you in the North?"

"Sesshomaru has always been a wanderer. Being away from his land months at a time is not uncommon. He comes with Jaken and Rin at the end of spring and they leave at the start of fall. They aren't fans of the winter months," she smirked. Kagome laughed at that before looking a bit serous again, and wondering,

"You don't have any kids yet, right? I'm not an auntie?"

Now it was Akiko's turn to laugh. "One obstacle at a time. There are still things to get into order."

"But it hasn't been ruled out?"

"Of course not. It's been on our mind since he marked me."

"You're children would be half-demons..."

"You're worried Sesshomaru wouldn't be accepting of that."

"Of course." She had known the demon far longer than Akiko and knew his stance when it came in regards to his brother's existence and his father's decision to mate with a human. She couldn't believe that the Lord of the West was falling in the same steps as him.

"Him accepting me as his mate and making it known to the other households shows that no matter what comes from our consummation he is willing to accept. We both want heirs for the West and North once we decide to step down. He will never be fond of Inuyasha, but I see the way he is with Rin and that is proof enough he will be a good father when the time comes. Once she's old enough, Rin will most likely take part as his council and be involved in other diplomatic matters. He would never give someone that kind of honor."

"True..."

Akiko was not offended by the questions, reassuring, "You have a right to be worried from the past. I was even hesitant when he began to express interest in me because of his stance. He's done nothing but reassure me since. But know if he ever did hurt me in some way I would not let him get away with it like some mates would."

"Well, get in line because he would have me to answer to first."

They grinned at each other. "Enough about me. I want to hear all about you and the family. How did you return to the present? How did you come back?"

The older teen sighed, taking a sip of water. "I'm not sure how I exactly got back. After the wish I don't remember anything. Grandpa said I was gone for a few days before I showed up in the well."

Akiko cocked a brow. "How did he know that?"

"That's a story. As for returning to the Feudal Era... I finally made my decision."

"About?"

"Where I wanted to be."

Kagome told her about the scroll Grandpa had discovered in the shrine. One that laid out all of Akiko's movements throughout history. He had told her about it when she was looking for a solution to destroy the jewel. At the start of the war was when he told her mother. It was still astonishing though that such a thing existed within the shrine. She explained how returning to the present was hard, once realizing that returning to the past would be impossible. It had been so long since she had gone to school without absences some teachers were surprised the older teen was around for so long.

And despite the fact they were saddened to loose the reincarnation to the Feudal Era, they were just as supportive with Kagome's decision to leave as the well opened once more.

"You were supposed to go to college," Akiko pointed out.

"Plans change..."

"Or your heart didn't." Kagome's brows pinched at that, while the young woman gave her a knowing look. "You may have returned to the present and gone along with what the family wanted when the gate closed between the eras, but you never stopped loving Inuyasha."

"I-I never said that."

"You never had to. Before I could see any of you I could hear it in your voice and sense it in your interactions. Having my sight only helped further prove it."

"... I could never find the interest to keep going to school like my friends did."

"There's not much a college education could give you here."

"Well yours helped. You know more about this era than I ever will... and probably everyone living here."

"Possibly. I can predict what could happen and who the next rulers will be as time goes on, but with my rule now in the mix that could change things. My degree is good to have. I can delegate better with it. But after Naraku I can't just assume anything anymore. Everything may have shifted."

Taking a sip of water, Kagome then wondered, "Your sight... it's not all gone, you said." The young woman nodded. "Has any of it returned since the war?"

"Maybe some color to the blobs that are there, but that's it. Why do you ask?"

"There's no cure here, but in the present..."

"You think if I go back there's a chance I could try to return to what my sight was when Naraku's curse was in place?" The older teen nodded. "I've considered trying to go back to the present to see if it could be corrected with modern medicine... but it may look suspicious. A girl who has been blind nearly her whole life suddenly comes in with some sight? That would garner a lot of questions and I don't fancy being a guinea pig as they tried to figure out how it happened. I don't think saying 'I was cursed by a half-demon' is a good excuse."

"No, no, you're right, you'd probably have some issues."

"I'll take my chances with what I've got and keep moving forward. I have all the support I need here and in the present. That's more than I could ever ask for."

There was a knock on the door as the queen beckoned their visitor inside. Kagome watched as Rin poked her head around the door with a smile before realizing that Akiko was not alone. "Kagome! You're back!" she exclaimed.

Rushing over, the preteen hugged the older one before touching Akiko's hand to gain her attention. The cousin was surprised to see how much the ward had grown in the last three years, at least a foot taller than the last time they saw each other. She still wore her yellow and orange-checkered kimono, hair having grown out and tied back into a low ponytail.

"Master Jaken was wondering where you were for my training and I said I would come looking," Rin said. "I'll tell him that you're busy."

"Thank you, Rin," Akiko smiled. "Kagome's visit was a surprised one."

"A good surprise!" And she glanced over at the cousin. "Will you be staying the night with us?"

"That's the plan. If Sesshomaru and Inuyasha don't start fighting..." The two laughed at that.

"I'll let the cooks know we have guests. And have the maids set up rooms."

"The whole gang is here so we'll need a few." Then directed at Kagome, she asked, "Should I assume Inuyasha and you will be sharing?" Immediately, Kagome flushed at the idea, causing Rin to snicker and Akiko to smirk. The older teen stumbled over her words and only caused herself further embarrassment as she continued. "I think I broke her, Rin."

"Kagome, breathe!" the preteen laughed.

Finally, she took the needed breath and answered, "I have no idea..."

"Maybe you need to express your feelings for one another before that happens. And sooner rather than later."

"I'm scared..."

"Who isn't when they make that leap?"

"Sesshomaru and you jumped that hurdle."