EIGHTH BLOOD

Chapter 27: The city of crystal tears

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Sesshoumaru refused to let his eyes stray from the blue-haired woman walking in front of him. He hadn't expected to encounter a fellow Daiyoukai. She was a long way from home. Sea dragons lived predominantly in the waters around the Isle of Sado, so how had she ended up so far west?

Speaking of youkai, the island was also home to a staggering amount of those with demon blood. Myoga's story had led him to believe that the Namidans were human, but that clearly wasn't the case. More than half of the people he saw were either hanyou or fully youkai. He found it incredibly bizarre that an island supposedly formed from a goddess' tears didn't purify them. He'd been anticipating a strong spiritual barrier like the one around Mount Hakurei, but he'd felt nothing since the fog around the island had lifted, revealing a cloudless blue sky.

He stole a glimpse sideways at Octavia, who was staring at the crystal pillars in the distance. Her eyes had returned to their normal colour, but the air around her remained restless. The smaller crystals poking out of the ground winked as she passed them, responding to her power. It didn't seem to matter that her magic was trapped behind a seal. No wonder the animals had reacted to her as they had. The entire island seemed to know who and what she was.

We don't intend to kill her.

Sesshoumaru's skin prickled with unease. The shadows needed her for something. They wouldn't have bothered bringing her here if they didn't. But what? And more importantly: where were they? They'd finally gotten her where they wanted her, so why were they still stalling?

The young bear hanyou chattered endlessly, telling Octavia stories about the city. She was obviously smitten with him. Sesshoumaru gave her a disapproving glance, which she saw out of the corner of her eye. Moving her gaze to meet his, she smiled and squeezed the hanyou's hand affectionately. Sesshoumaru fought the urge to roll his eyes.

He wasn't entirely sure when he'd started thinking of her by name. He hadn't used it aloud since the unfortunate incident inside the mountain, but his thoughts were another matter completely. Not that it meant anything. It was her name, after all. He used Inuyasha's name when addressing him, and he definitely didn't feel any sort of fondness for him. It was simply more convenient than calling him 'the hanyou' all the time.

"Where do you come from, star mage?" the sea dragon asked casually.

Sesshoumaru listened intently.

"It's complicated," she answered. "I was in Tokyo last, though."

"Tokyo, huh? Where's that?"

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed at the pensive look on her face. "It's quite far away. You wouldn't know it." She met his stare and bit the insides of her cheeks. "So, uh, what about you lot?"

"We're natives," replied the human man, gesturing to himself and the children. "But my wife was born in the sea."

"In the sea?" echoed Octavia.

"My kind lives underwater," the sea dragon explained. "Not all dragons hail from the skies."

"You're a dragon?" Octavia squeaked.

"Is that so hard to believe?" Her grey eyes focused unexpectedly on Sesshoumaru. Why did they seem so familiar to him? "I'm guessing you haven't witnessed this one's true form yet."

"But if you're from the sea, why did you leave?"

"I was injured in battle many years ago. After the fight was done, the storm knocked me unconscious, and the waves carried me here. Taro found me on the beach. He knew I was dying, but it didn't stop him from helping me. He made me better. I haven't left his side since."

"Literally," her spouse added with a grin. "Who knew dragons were so clingy?"

"You never complained," she countered slyly.

The tender smile they shared made Sesshoumaru turn away in disgust. Humans and youkai weren't supposed to mix. It was as unnatural as a shark lusting after a sea slug. His father had been sick and twisted. He knew that now. But his father hadn't been the only demon with those perversions. What was it about mortals that certain members of his species found irresistible? Or was it the adrenaline that came with doing something illicit that made them so appealing?

"So, what exactly do you do?" Octavia asked. "Do you have jobs?"

"We both work at the school," the sea dragon replied. "Taro teaches medicine, and I teach reading and writing. The island doesn't have much in terms of resources, so we use what we can."

"Nagi-san knows lots of different languages," one of the children remarked.

"And she can play the koto," added another. "She's amazing."

The sea dragon clicked her tongue. "I'm afraid flattery isn't going to get you out of detention. All of you skipped class, which nearly resulted in a serious accident. Fortunately, none of you got hurt, but I hope you've learned a valuable lesson from today's ordeal. Your punishment will begin at dawn tomorrow. Until then, you're all dismissed. Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes, Nagi-san," they grumbled.

"Splendid. Off you go, then."

The children sprinted down the path like a pack of wild animals. Only the young bear hanyou stayed, still clinging to Octavia's hand like a limpet. "I'm sorry, Nagi-san," he whispered.

"You don't have to apologise, Haru-chan," said the human man.

"Yes, he does," the sea dragon rebuked firmly. "If the star mage hadn't been there, he would have died. I don't want you going near the falls again, little one. Not without a grown-up."

"Okay . . ."

They carried on walking in silence. The path led them to a large torii gate made out of stone. Etched into the plaque at the top were four symbols Sesshoumaru couldn't read. Beyond the gate, he saw buildings capped with snow, and scattered amongst them were the five crystal towers they'd seen from the falls. They lit up when Octavia stepped over the threshold and a faint purple glow spread throughout the city, making the streets sparkle.

The sea dragon smiled, flashing her sharp canines. "Welcome to Momose," she said.

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Octavia's cheeks ached from smiling as they strolled through the city.

The towers had stopped glowing now, but they were still beautiful. According to Nagisa, no one was allowed inside of them. It was their most sacred rule. When Octavia asked why, she said that it was because the towers were memorials for the island's goddesses, so entering one would be immensely disrespectful. Since Okteviah had been the youngest of the five goddesses, her tower was the smallest, but its peak was still too tall to see from the ground.

"Why are there so many youkai here?" she asked Nagisa as they walked.

"This place is a sanctuary for all," Nagisa replied. "Why wouldn't there be youkai?"

"It's just not what I was expecting. I thought your kind didn't believe in Seishin or the God Stars."

"We don't," growled Sesshoumaru.

Nagisa chuckled. "Some of us do. You don't need to be a priest to have faith in something."

"There are plenty of other things to have faith in."

"I think it's nice," said Octavia. "Everyone here seems really happy."

She watched a pair of teenagers run past them carrying crates of fresh fish. The girl looked human, but the boy had giant pincers for hands and a long red tail that thrashed from side to side as he ran. Octavia smiled to herself as she overheard them laughing about a prank they'd played on one of their friends.

Around three more corners, a woman with gazelle horns was meandering outside her house, cradling newborn twins. The two babies were asleep in their blankets, dreaming peacefully, whilst their mother hummed a lullaby.

"You look sad, star mage," muttered Haru.

She blinked. "Do I?"

"Yeah. Is something wrong?"

"I don't think so."

Sesshoumaru tilted his head sideways. "And yet your tears betray you," he said softly.

She was mortified to find that her face was indeed wet with tears.

"Here," said Taro, reaching into his robes and pulling out a square of cloth. "Dry your eyes, child."

She took it gladly and used it to mop up her tears. "Thanks," she sniffed. "I don't know what's the matter with me. How embarrassing."

Haru released her hand and wrapped his arms around her waist. Taken aback by the kind gesture, she reluctantly placed her hands on his shoulders and returned the embrace. "Thank you for saving me," he said, drawing back to look at her. "I have to go home now, but can I come and see you again tomorrow? Please? I'll try not to get stuck next time."

She giggled. "Sure."

He flashed her a toothy smile. "Sweet. See you later, star mage!"

As he scampered away like a rabbit, Nagisa shouted after him, "Don't forget you have detention!"

Octavia returned Taro's cloth and smiled as the boy deliberately ran faster. "Can someone please tell me what a star mage is now?"

Nagisa's lips curved into a smile. "It's the name given to a person that wields spirit magic. A star mage's power sometimes manifests physically as eight-pointed stars, hence the name. Does that answer your question?" Octavia nodded. "Which leads me to mine. Why does your power feel so faint? I can only sense it when we're near the crystals. What happened to you?"

They could be anyone, she reminded herself. Don't trust her.

"It's a long story," she mumbled.

"That doesn't bother me—"

"Enough," intervened Sesshoumaru, narrowing his eyes. "It has nothing to do with you."

Taro's shoulders slumped in defeat, but Nagisa simply crossed her arms and frowned. "I've never met a Daiyoukai with no youki," she said. "It must be strange . . . Only you weren't always like this, were you? I know for a fact that your youki was almost on par with mine. Which means someone must have taken it from you. Who was it, Sesshoumaru? Why did they do it?"

"You are not stronger than me."

"Oh, but I am. We dragons always are. Why do you think your father couldn't beat Ryukotsusei?"

"He did beat Ryukotsusei."

"Only because he resorted to sealing him. He knew he didn't stand a chance."

Octavia's heart thumped in her chest. The air was incredibly tense. Sesshoumaru glared at Nagisa, whose expression was calm and composed, and suppressed a low growl. Octavia and Taro exchanged a nervous glance before the female Daiyoukai sighed and uncrossed her arms.

"Fine. Keep your secrets. I was only trying to help."

Sesshoumaru's face was once again blank. "We don't need your help. Nor do we want it."

"Actually . . ." cut in Octavia. "There is one other thing I'd like to know."

Sesshoumaru's brow creased.

"Which is?" prompted Nagisa.

"Do you know anything about a group called the Iwa Faction?"

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