I See You [Sesshomaru]

Chapter 48

        Hair pulled back into a high bun there was sweat dripping down the sides of her face as Akiko breathed in and out deeply. Her muscles were tense, arms pulled back at an angle so to hold the sword close to a cheek. The opponent? An ice sculpture she had created that resembled Naraku at one point in time. The fact that it was hacked into in some areas showed the young woman had been at it for hours. It wasn't melting though, the whole back of the dungeon having turned into an icy prison with her aura leaking out.

        Nearly a week had passed since last seeing Sesshomaru. There was barely any news from the outside now. Whether the pack was trying to protect her from what was out there when they came to rest, or they were merely too weary to recall everything it was beginning to worry Akiko. The only thing she was aware of was that the lords were beginning to feel the affects of Naraku's army. But still not to the same extent as the West. It was clear that the enemy was determined to break through their defenses and was probably trying to still gain confirmation on the reincarnation's demise. Either way, the young woman wasn't keen about being left in the dark as the days went on and it left her restless. Books were no longer a distraction she could become involved in, rereading paragraphs so many times when the information didn't retain it gave her a headache. So the only option, when Rin wasn't around, to help pass the time was to train.

        With sure footsteps and body movements Akiko maneuvered around as if engaged in an actual fight, acting on defensive and offensive positions. She was so focused and determined that when the young woman turned the blade sliced across the face carved into the ice allowing half of it to slide away and go crashing to the ground. But the reincarnation wasn't done, flipping around the weapon and wishing to drive it straight through 'Naraku' chest as if wanting to cut out half-demon's heart. Something distracted her though before that could happen.

        Pausing, Akiko lowered her arms and stood straight. Turning around she looked down the long hall thinking she had heard something, ears straining against the quiet dungeon. There was a brief shout that had the young woman leaving the sculpture behind her and walking towards the entrance. The noise had one of the Hunters and Delta that had been resting in her 'room' coming to the cell doorway, looking up towards the staircase with narrowed brows. "What was that?" Akiko asked as she drew closer.

        "It sounded like Aisu," one stated.

        Before the reincarnation could ask anything else there were more shouts that followed and running footsteps that caused alarm to shoot through them. One of the wolves rushed up the staircase transformation along the way. Akiko went to follow when the other blocked her path. "You can't go up there," the fighter stated.

        "Something is happening–"

        "And if the enemy has managed to break through our defenses you need to stay here, hidden."

        "If we're under attack we can't worry about that right now! The estate could fall and they would find out about me anyway. We need to go up there to see what's wrong."

        The demon thought for a brief moment before finally relenting, "Very well. But we will not go outside." For now the reincarnation could work with that as the two rushed up the stairs.

        All of the commotion was coming from the front of the household as they maneuvered through the halls and Akiko gripped her weapon tightly in case they were under attack. Some of the maids were running in the opposite direction in fear and when they rounded the last corner the young woman's eyes widened at the sight. Aisu and Tobi were present with half of the pack. They were all drenched in blood and were completely on edge by the way their eyes were narrowed examining the area around them, while their hair stood on end. The tense atmosphere even had Akiko worried seeing their coiled muscles ready to pounce on their next target should there be any sudden movement. But it was what the pack was guarding that had the Ice Blade disappearing from her grasp and the reincarnation was running forward. The wolves' heads snapped towards the approaching footsteps and only slightly relaxed at the sight of her, Tobi shifting out of the way for her to pass as Akiko fell to her knees beside the limp body on the ground.