[jnglgurl]

That is what I was going to ask you? If you absolutely had to have them together. The two breeds are aggressive breeds and they both are very protective. Dogs of these natures (especially the akita) have to be around other dogs at a very young age and raised together. If your brother got the Akita at the pound then who knows what he had been through up to that point.
It is best to keep them away from eachother. Dogs start at an early age trying to establish who is boss. When they are rough as puppies they are already trying to show eachother who is the leader of the pack. If you have to get them together you will have to let them go and then when they begin to fight, you or someone strong, has to grab one at a time and put them on their backs and look at them in the eyes and say no!! DO NOT LOOK AWAY UNTIL THEY HAVE!!Establish to both of them that you are the leader of the pack. But you will have to stay with them or they will fight once you walk away.
My brother has a German Shepard. But he recently got a new Malamute (closs to a husky)because the husky was going to be put to sleep for fightning w/ other dogs. He tried what I mentioned about and it worked...the two dogs are fine together. But the German Shepard isn't aggressive really either.
Last time I was down there I took my Boxer over there. (he is just 6 months)But the other two dogs I thought were going to kill mine. He came running and just wanted to get in the car. Even he was like "screw this"!! LOL!! Hope this helps!! Like I said w/ two aggressive breeds you could have your work cut out for you if you feel they have to be together.
Good luck.