I See You [Sesshomaru]

Chapter 39

        Adjusting back to life in the present was a lot harder than the last time. Akiko didn't know why, but she couldn't shake it. There were no classes for her to go to for a distraction because she had missed the enrollment period to continue another semester. Not that the young woman would finish in the first place. Akiko wouldn't be around long enough to complete it anyway or her degree for that matter.

        Akiko didn't practice at the shrine anymore for the benefit of her family. She didn't want them to see how strong she'd become since training in the mountains. Didn't want them to know what she was capable of taking on in the Feudal Era. Instead, Akiko followed Sota around to pass the time. When Grandpa wasn't telling one of his stories again. Not that she minded. The young woman listened very intently now, wondering if there was any information she could use to help her situation in the past with the other lords and ladies.

        In the mornings the young woman walked Sota to and from school with Tobi, took him out to meet with friends, they also went and got shaved ice together. Even though it was chilly out. "Brain freeze!" he shouted. It caused Akiko to laugh, reaching over to ruffle his hair playfully before taking another bite. Later, the two then walked in silence for a time heading home when the boy broke it. "Hey, Akiko? What's the Feudal Era like?"

        Akiko cocked a brow in his direction. "I would've thought that Kagome had told you by now."

        "Oh, she has. But I want to hear it from your point of view. I know you two don't travel together. Otherwise you'd be home at the same time. And a lot more."

        "Does it bother you that I'm not around much?"

        The young boy shrugged. "At first it did since you had just gotten here. But then I realized that whatever you were doing had to be important over there. Just like how Kagome has her spiritual powers. Though with how long you're gone... it must be more important than you're telling us."

        She gave him a sad smile as the two of them paused on the street, Tobi halting as well. Reaching out the young woman touched the boy's head before crouching down to his height. "When did you get to be so smart?" That earned her a chuckle in response. "You're right... our situations are complicated, but both equally important. We fight a common enemy most of the time."

        "Then why don't you travel together?"

        "We don't, unfortunately, because our paths are different. We both serve different purposes in the Feudal Era. Besides, there's someone in each of our parties that don't like each other."

        His nose scrunched up at that. "Well, that's annoying. Wouldn't it be easier to travel together to defeat this Naraku guy and find all the shards?"

        "It would be... but it's not that simple."

        Sota sighed. "Man, you adults are so complicated sometimes."

        Akiko laughed, and even Tobi chuckled lowly at her side. Standing once more the young woman offered a hand. He took it without question as they continued walking again. "That we are. To answer your first question though, it's beautiful. It smells clean, there's barely any noise there, and despite all the fights Kagome and I have been it... it's peaceful there. Once Naraku's gone it has a chance to be."

        "Akiko, why were you gone so long?"

        "Training. And there was a disturbance that had to be taken care of."

        "Yeah, but why do you have to do it? Kagome is pretty capable, isn't she?"

        "Of course she is. But everyone needs help sometimes."