Author's Corner

Sorry it's been so long since the last update, I've been on holiday! You'll be pleased to know though that I managed to write a lot for this fic whilst I was away, so you shouldn't have to wait so long for new chapters now (yaaay!) Again, thank you so much for all the kind and brilliant reviews. I really do love reading them. If you enjoy this chapter, be sure to leave one and let me know your thoughts or if you have any questions. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I didn't find Rumiko Takahashi on my holiday so I wasn't able to ask for the rights. I still don't own Inuyasha.

EIGHTH BLOOD

Chapter 13: Demon court

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Octavia waited patiently as Rin did her hair. The ends skimmed her shoulders, making her hair incredibly difficult to style, but Rin seemed to be managing fine. She'd braided the sides and twisted them into an updo, which she secured with accessories such as pins and combs.

Jaken had been to see them last night to inform Octavia that her introduction to the court would take place at noon tomorrow. Sensing her nervousness, Rin had declared that they were having a sleepover. When morning came, Rin called for breakfast, which they ate on the floor. Afterwards, Octavia sat on a cushion in front of the cosmetics table obediently as Rin worked her magic.

Octavia wasn't permitted to look in the mirror until the end, hence why it was turned on its side. About an hour or so later, Rin flipped the mirror, aiming its reflective side at Octavia, who gasped in disbelief when she saw herself in it. Her eyes were lined with kohl, and her lids had been painted a soft peach to match the pigment on her lips. Her cheeks looked bright and rosy, creating the illusion of plumpness, and her eyebrows – although subtle – had been darkened slightly.

A few tendrils of hair had been left loose to frame her face, and her fringe was parted down the middle, grazing the arches of her eyebrows. The jewellery was scarce, but the few pieces of finery Rin had chosen for her were impeccably beautiful. The hanging gold earrings matched the colour of her obi, and the pendant around her neck was shaped like a crescent moon.

The only aspect she was unsure of was the oversized outer robe that Jaken had said she had to wear. It was dark red with a honeycomb pattern. Each hexagon contained a white, six-petalled flower that was identical to the ones on Sesshoumaru's kimono.

"Why do we need to match?" she complained, scowling at the design. "We're not playing football."

"Being permitted to wear Sesshoumaru-sama's crest is a huge honour," Rin told her. "Plus, it sends a powerful message. If you wear it, it proves that you're under his protection. No one will dare lay a finger on you after today. You'll be safe. Don't you want to feel safe here, Octavia-san?"

"I just want to be allowed outside again."

"That's reasonable." She stared at her expectantly. "Well? What do you think?"

Octavia smiled and murmured, "I think it's fantastic. I can't believe you did this. Are you sure you're not a mage? Who taught you how to style hair so well?"

"When I lived with Kaede-sama, I was friends with these girls who worked in a pleasure house. They came to the village every month to visit their sick grandfather. Their parents died when they were young, so we had a lot in common. It made me realise that not everyone was as lucky as I was. If Sesshoumaru-sama and I never met, and the wolves never attacked my village, I could've ended up in exactly the same situation as those girls." Her eyes softened as she carried on speaking. "It's been a while since I saw them. I wonder how they're doing."

Octavia's chest tightened. "Have you ever done Sesshoumaru's hair?" she asked brightly, hoping to lighten the mood.

Rin snapped out of her thoughts and giggled. "No. When I was little, I used to practically beg him to let me touch it. The answer was always no, though. In his defence, I was very annoying."

"You're still annoying."

As if to prove a point, Rin stuck out her tongue.

Octavia smiled in a bittersweet fashion. "I really wish you could be there with me at the introduction."

Surprise touched Rin's features. "Why?" she asked. "Are you scared?"

She deflected with a question. "Weren't you?"

"A bit. It wasn't as bad as I expected, though. They thought that the situation was kind of weird, which, to be fair, it is, but they didn't see me as much of a threat. You, on the other hand—"

"I know, I know. I'm basically Armageddon."

"I'm just going to pretend I know what that means. Anyway, once they meet you and realise that you're not here to screw things up, they'll change their minds about you. And then you'll be free to do whatever you want wherever you want. They might not like us, but they can't touch us. Not if they want to avoid being executed. Sesshoumaru-sama made that perfectly clear."

"What about those two Daiyoukai with the bat wings? I think the man's name was Kanetsugu. He brought up Sesshoumaru's father, and for some reason, it really pissed him off."

"That's because Sesshoumaru-sama's father fell in love with a human," Rin explained. "Her name was Izayoi. Inuyasha-sama told me that she was a princess. When they met, their father was married to Sesshoumaru-sama's mother, and Izayoi was engaged, but they loved each other, anyway. Inuyasha-sama was the product of their affair."

I was worried that you may have fallen prey to the same trickery as your father.

That explained why Inuyasha was a hanyou and Sesshoumaru wasn't. Octavia had presumed they were only half-brothers based on that fact, but she hadn't expected the truth to be so scandalous.

"What happened to her?"

"She died a long time ago. Inuyasha-sama lived alone for most of his life."

"His father didn't raise him?"

Rin shook her head. "He died, too. He was mortally wounded in battle, so he perished not long after Inuyasha-sama was born. Since Inuyasha-sama is a hanyou, Izayoi's family wanted nothing to do with him, so there was no one to take care of him."

"There was Sesshoumaru," Octavia said harshly.

Had he hated his younger brother so much that he'd left him to die?

Rin averted her eyes. "They have a complicated relationship," she replied awkwardly.

"What's complicated about abandoning a child?"

Before Rin could respond, someone knocked on the door. Cyril was standing outside. He was clad in a long, navy robe with a wave pattern. Rin helped Octavia into the red robe with Sesshoumaru's crest on it and sent her on her way with a smile.

Unbeknownst to both Rin and Cyril, Octavia had hidden the sheathed Reikon Blade in the layers of her junihitoe. It was probably a terrible idea, but she didn't feel right without it.

"You clean up nicely," remarked Cyril.

She smiled smugly. "I do, don't I?"

He chuckled. "I must admit, when I found out that Rin-chama had been placed in charge of preparing you for the ceremony, I was somewhat dubious, but she's done a fine job." He hummed contemplatively. "Your posture could be better, though. Stand tall and straighten your shoulders."

If it had been Sesshoumaru dishing out commands, she would've told him to get lost, but because it was Cyril, she obeyed without a single complaint. "How's this?" she asked.

"Splendid," he answered. "You're a natural."

Octavia's cheeks warmed. "Thanks."

"I was sorry to hear about what happened last night. It sounded most unpleasant."

She shrugged. "I survived."

"Fortunately. Kanetsugu-dono can be rather intense."

"You don't say. Who is he, anyway?"

"He and his sister were once members of the Bat Tribe. Their uncle was Taigokumaru – a powerful Daiyoukai. After their father's death, Taigokumaru declared himself the new leader and cast them out. Like garbage. Sesshoumaru-sama's father found them and made them his wards."

That contrasted with what she'd learned about Sesshoumaru's father so far. "Did you know him?" she asked.

"Who, Touga-sama? Oh, yes. He was one of my closest friends."

"Would you have described him as honourable?"

"Absolutely. Why do you ask?"

"I heard about the affair."

Cyril stiffened.

"Rin said he loved her."

"He did. He loved her more than anything. And she loved him. Everyone adored Touga-sama. It was impossible to think badly of him. He was the greatest ruler these lands have ever known."

". . . Even greater than Sesshoumaru?"

Cyril stumbled over his words. "Th-That's not what I meant—"

"Does it make him angry?"

He blinked. "What?"

"He must hate it. Being compared to his father all the time. Especially since no one feels that way about him. No wonder he's so moody. Being unpopular sucks big time."

"Sesshoumaru-sama isn't unpopular."

"But if everyone had to choose between the two of 'em, they'd pick Touga. Wouldn't they?"

A hush descended over Cyril.

Before she could apologise for overstepping, Cyril halted at the brink of a staircase and bowed to someone at the bottom. Octavia followed his line of sight until her eyes fell on a man dressed almost entirely in fur. His black hair was bound on top of his head, fabricating the illusion of elegance, whereas his blue eyes sparkled with mischief. And was that a tail?

"Good afternoon, Koga-dono," greeted Cyril.

Koga frowned. "How many times do I gotta tell you not to bother with the title? I can't stand that shit. Just call me Koga. Everyone else does."

Octavia fought the urge to smile.

Koga's eyes subsequently slid to hers and he smirked. "I don't believe we've met," he said, planting his hands on his hips. "Well? Aren't you gonna introduce us, Cyril?"

Octavia followed Cyril down the stairs. She met Koga's gaze and held it as the warlock spoke. "Of course. This is my apprentice, Octavia-san. She's the reason you all were summoned. Octavia-san, this is Koga-dono, the leader of the Eastern Wolf Tribe. He and Sesshoumaru-sama are allies."

Koga's eyes raked across her form. "So, the mutt is finally getting hitched. Good for him. I'm surprised he picked a human, though. Is he still saying he hates them?"

"You misunderstand, she's—"

"Oh, please," Octavia barged in. "I'd rather marry Jaken."

Koga snorted. "That's harsh."

"I mean it."

Cyril winced. "Stop being disrespectful," he pleaded. "What if someone hears you? Sesshoumaru-sama isn't very forgiving. Antagonise him and he'll—"

"Oh, leave her alone, Cyril. She's pretty enough to get away with it."

Octavia's resolve caved and she smiled, showing teeth. Koga did the same. Contrastingly, the warlock frowned and folded his arms across his chest. "How's Ayame-san?" he asked casually.

Koga's face fell. "How should I know?" he muttered. "We ain't talked for two years."

"Who's Ayame?"

"His wife," answered Cyril.

Octavia suddenly felt foolish. "You're married?"

"Not anymore . . ." Cyril opened his jaws to say something but was silenced by Koga snapping at him. "Before you ask: no, I don't wanna talk about it."

Feeling slightly less foolish, Octavia shot him a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry," she said. "Breakups are the worst. I had this one boyfriend who bought me a cake that said 'goodbye' on it. Needless to say, I never spoke to him again. He also didn't get any of the cake."

Koga laughed. "What a jackass."

"Tell me about it."

Cyril heaved a sigh and set off in the direction of the Great Hall. Octavia looped her arm through Koga's as they walked. "So, how did you get involved with a guy like Sesshoumaru?" he asked.

"I started out as company for Rin."

"Like as a babysitter or a pet?"

"It depends on who you ask."

"You must really care about her. The kid, I mean."

"What gives you that impression?"

"You wouldn't stick around if you didn't."

She smiled faintly. "What about you?" she enquired. "How do you know Sesshoumaru?"

"I used to have a thing for his brother's wife."

"You mean Kagome?"

"Yeah. You know her?"

"You could say that." We are related, after all. "Are you and Sesshoumaru friends, then?"

"Kind of. Just don't tell him that 'cause he'll deny it and claim he doesn't have friends."

"That sounds like him."

He leaned in close unexpectedly. "By the way . . . Is there a reason you smell so delicious?"

Octavia almost choked on her own tongue. "Is there a reason I what?"

Koga realised his error and quickly backtracked. "I didn't mean it like that. It's just . . . Your scent is strangely appealing. I've met other humans that smell nice, but with you, it feels . . . intentional. Supernatural, even. Like some kind of lure . . . I dunno. Just thought I'd ask."

She couldn't think of anything to say to that.

"It's probably my imagination, but it kind of reminds me of the Shikon no—"

"It's time."

Koga froze beside her and stared at Cyril suspiciously. After a moment's silence, he unlinked his arm from Octavia's and took a couple of steps back. Her eyes flitted between them rapidly, searching their faces for answers. Unfortunately, they yielded absolutely nothing.

"Are you ready?" Cyril asked her.

She nodded. "Do it."

The doors to the Great Hall swung open, revealing an ocean of demons. Octavia walked behind Cyril wordlessly. The air inside was thick and oppressive, poisoned by revulsion. The only consolation was the gentle brush of Koga's youki against her back. She noticed Kannika and Kanetsugu kneeling in the front row, looking equally intimidating with their wings folded neatly behind them. Like virtually every other demon in the room, they glared at her as she passed.

Octavia balled her hands into fists and lifted her head to meet Sesshoumaru's icy stare. He was sitting cross-legged on the dais, with three hooded figures seated on either side of him. They must be the magistrates he mentioned. Was this an introduction or a hearing? She hadn't committed any crimes. Apart from making treasonous remarks about the warlord, that was.

"Greetings, O great and powerful Sesshoumaru-sama," Cyril said, dropping to his knees. Octavia copied him. "It is truly an honour to be in your presence."

Sesshoumaru acknowledged him with a nod. "That will be all, Cyril. You may rise."

Cyril stood and went to take a seat beside Koga, whilst Octavia remained where she was. She knew better than to make assumptions. Fortunately, her hunch had been correct. Sesshoumaru gave her permission to raise her head, which she did slowly yet assuredly.

"State your name," he told her.

"Octavia," she answered.

"Tell them why you are here."

She hesitated. Wasn't that his job? Unless he'd considered that she might have disclosed fabricated information last night in front of Kanetsugu and his goons. He hadn't been present for that part. If their stories didn't match, it would be a glaring red flag and proof that she'd been lying. Damn it. Why'd I have to make up that story about avenging my family?

Resisting the urge to sigh, she repeated the story. After hearing the tale, Sesshoumaru seemed ready to take the reins again, but only after she answered one final question.

"And what did you promise me in exchange for an audience with Cyril?"

You motherfucker.

"I promised to serve you, my lord."

"And?"

Her fingernails dug into her palms, printing crescent moons onto the soft flesh there. What else did he want her to say? Knowing him, it was something sadistic. "And use my power to destroy your enemies," she guessed, trying to sound confident.

His eyes narrowed in pleasure. "And?"

She was going to kill him with her bare hands. "And obey your every command," she said through gritted teeth. "I will never defy or question you. My magic is yours. My life is yours."

Satisfied, Sesshoumaru responded with a nod and shifted his attention to the crowd. Rage exploded in her chest when she realised what he'd done. He'd been toying with her, pushing and pushing for promises he knew she wouldn't keep. Except now she had to. The entire court had borne witness to her vows. He'd done all of this on purpose.

"As some of you may have noticed," Sesshoumaru said to the crowd. "The magic she possesses is reminiscent of the Shikon no Tama. That is because they originate from the same source." The demons in the audience muttered amongst themselves. "It is called spirit magic," he continued. "My father studied it in depth before his demise. It has recently come to light that the jewel was created using spirit magic." The muttering grew louder. "If you wish to speak, do so now."

A boar youkai stood and bowed his head. "My lord," he said, awaiting permission.

Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed. "Go on."

"The jewel was a blight upon this world. It drove anyone who got close enough to it mad, tempting them with its power. If this magic is the same, how are we to protect ourselves?"

"I was never tempted by it," Sesshoumaru said. "Only the weak-minded were."

"Alas, we are not as strong as you, my lord. I would hate to lose control and do something I might regret."

"Then you must try harder to not lose control, because if anyone harms her, they will die."

"And if she harms one of us?" asked Kanetsugu.

Sesshoumaru tilted his head towards the bat youkai and shot him a menacing look. "I don't recall giving you permission to speak, Kanetsugu," he said calmly.

Kanetsugu lowered his head in shame. "Forgive me, Sesshoumaru-sama. I shouldn't have asked."

"Hn. Ensure that it doesn't happen again."

Octavia peered over her shoulder at the crowd behind her. They were all clearly thinking the same thing. And if she harms one of us? She inhaled deeply before turning to Sesshoumaru and saying, "To answer his question – if I put even a toe out of line, you can kill me. If it comes to that, I won't fight it. I'll happily let you slit my throat. Does that sound fair to you, my lord?"

She hoped she sounded convincing enough. There was no way that she was just going to let him kill her, but if she wanted to stay here, she needed them to believe that she would.

"It does," he answered.

The magistrates glanced at each other and nodded in approval. Sesshoumaru's eyes were red and blue, only this time, he wasn't angry. Octavia's face felt unbearably hot. She'd never seen him look so pleased. And was he smiling? She regretted everything she'd said in the past five minutes.

"Will that be all?" asked one of the magistrates.

"Yes," replied Sesshoumaru. "Everyone is dismissed."

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