Author's Corner

Hi everyone! So sorry it took me longer than usual for this update. I've been pretty much drowning in college work, and I recently lost the motivation to write when I realised a draft I've been working on for a long time wasn't working so I had to abandon it. It always sucks when something you've worked hard on doesn't turn out the way you wanted it to, but what's important is that you never give up and keep on trying. So now I'm back and ready to continue this thing. Up to chapter 21 has also been revised!

Thank you all so much for the reviews during the period of absence - they really boosted my confidence and inspired me to reopen this document and get back into it. I hope you enjoy the new chapter! It's one of my favourites. Without giving too much away, those waiting for more romance may be pleased with this one...

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

EIGHTH BLOOD

Chapter 43: Tanabata

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Octavia hadn't had a minute to herself since the arrival of the other courts.

Wherever she went, there was always someone breathing down her neck. It was suffocating. Jaken and Cyril took it in turns to watch over her, and Sou was a constant presence, like a ghost that refused to leave her alone. Contrastingly, she hadn't seen Sesshoumaru once. Nor had she seen Arashi, Taiki or Susumu, either. They probably had a lot to catch up on.

Her one consolation was Rin, who spent every waking and non-waking moment glued to her side, but unlike it was with the others, it never felt like Rin was overstaying her welcome. When she was with her, Octavia's heart felt warm and full, and the empty space inside of her became less obvious. Because of that, she couldn't help but feel protective of her.

When she awoke on the morning of Tanabata and saw Rin sleeping beside her peacefully, she felt an overwhelming urge to reach out and touch her face. The girl didn't stir as Octavia brushed her tousled hair out of the way and caressed her cheek tenderly.

She thought about what she'd said to Sesshoumaru in the boat.

You wanted someone to need you.

Maybe they weren't so different, after all.

Rin's eyelids fluttered, before opening to reveal a pair of warm brown irises. Her lips curved into a lazy smile when she saw that Octavia was already awake. "Good morning," she murmured, sounding half-asleep.

Octavia smiled and pinched the tip of Rin's nose. Rin giggled and rolled away from her, pulling the blankets with her and exposing Octavia's body to the cold. Her complaining was cut short by Jaken swanning in uninvited and demanding that they both get dressed. Rin threw a pillow at his head to shut him up, but it ended up having the opposite effect, because now he was yelling as well as barking orders at them. He was clearly on edge, so they held back on teasing him.

He waited outside whilst they put on the kimonos Sesshoumaru had commissioned for them. Octavia's was a similar style to the one she'd worn for her introduction to the other courts, only it was entirely silver, with the exception of purple embroidery. Rin's, however, was a sunset orange with yellow hibiscus flowers, and the obi was the colour of olives. Octavia helped her fasten her hair into pigtails, which were secured with two marmalade-coloured ribbons. In return, Rin twisted Octavia's hair into an updo, emphasising the harsh slope of her neck.

Jaken grew bored of waiting for them to finish applying their makeup and entertained himself with Octavia's sunglasses. Unfortunately, they were far too big for his tiny head, so he had no choice but to hold them in front of his face and peer through them like binoculars.

"What a peculiar contraption," he muttered to himself. "Why are the lenses so dark? No good for late night reading, that's for sure . . ."

Octavia chuckled as she coloured Rin's eyelids yellow.

Once they were done, Sou escorted the three of them outside. Pots of bamboo had been spaced around the gardens, and strips of brightly coloured card hung from their branches, along with windchimes and paper lanterns. They navigated their way through to the main plaza, where a group of travelling vendors had set up their stalls and were selling their wares.

Rin begged Jaken to buy her a quaint little papier-mâché doll, but he refused. Sou waited until the imp's head was turned to approach the vendor and hand her a small velvet pouch. The vendor weighed the pouch in her hand before smiling appreciatively and giving him the doll. He then presented it to Rin, who was so overjoyed that she threw her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. Sou's face turned beet red and the feathers on his arms bristled drastically.

Jaken reprimanded him for being a pushover and ordered him to return the doll, but Sou didn't work for Jaken, he worked for Sesshoumaru. Thus, Rin got to keep the doll in the end.

"What's with all the shouting? Ain't this supposed to be a party?"

Octavia turned her head and saw Koga marching towards them with two other wolves. Rin's knuckles turned white as her grip on the doll increased, and she took a couple of steps backwards.

Jaken noticed her discomfort and moved in front of her, his anger forgotten.

"Back already?" Octavia asked dryly, trying to diffuse the tension.

"Sure am," he said with a wink. "I was invited this time."

Her eyes shifted to the duo behind him. "Who are your friends?"

"They're my comrades. Ginta and Hakkaku."

"It's v-very nice to meet you!" they said together, bowing their heads frantically.

They seemed intimidated by her. She had no idea why, though.

"When is dog-breath getting here?" Koga asked Jaken. "It feels like I haven't seen him in forever. Kagome, too. It'd be nice to catch up."

Jaken snorted. "You think Sesshoumaru-sama would allow that filthy half-breed to enter the stronghold? Don't be ridiculous! This place already reeks of human! The last thing we need is his foul stench lingering in the air and upsetting our esteemed guests!"

Octavia felt a pang of disappointment. She'd been looking forward to seeing Inuyasha and Kagome again. She should've known that Sesshoumaru wouldn't invite them.

"I asked if they could come," Rin said abruptly, purposely looking at Octavia instead of Koga. "But Sesshoumaru-sama told me it wasn't possible. He and Inuyasha-sama might share blood, but he's still a hanyou, so the other courts would never accept him."

"He said that?" Octavia asked, surprised.

"Not in so many words."

"Of course they wouldn't accept him," Jaken grumbled. "The whelp doesn't even wear shoes."

"Neither do you," countered Rin.

"At least my feet aren't offensive to look at!"

"I beg to differ," mumbled Sou.

The imp glared at him.

"Speaking of dogs," Koga started. "Where's Sesshoumaru?"

"Milord has better things to do than stand around all day making small talk," replied Jaken.

"Isn't he the host, though?" asked Octavia.

"Sesshoumaru has never been particularly sociable," chimed a new voice.

The Lord of the Eastern Lands joined them in the plaza. They all bowed out of respect and waited for Susumu to elaborate. Alas, he seemed to have other things on his mind.

"Have any of you seen my son?" he asked. "I've been looking for him all morning. We usually write our wishes together as a family and then tie them to the same branch. My daughters aren't as sentimental as I am, so they're keen to get it over with, but we can't proceed without Yuudai."

"I regret to say that we haven't seen him, my lord," answered Jaken.

"Neither have we," said Koga, whilst Ginta and Hakkaku shook their heads in agreement.

Susumu sighed. "I see. Never mind, then. Do continue."

"Wait," Octavia called out unexpectedly. "Before you go, how long have you been the Lord of the Eastern Lands?"

"Goodness me," he chuckled. "It's been about nine hundred years, I think. Why do you ask?"

Nine hundred years. And that was just the length of his reign, not his age. For all she knew, he could be over a thousand. She didn't know how old Sesshoumaru was, but she'd suspected that he was a lot younger than the other warlords. No wonder he was trying so hard to prove himself.

"I just wanted to know if you knew Sesshoumaru's father."

Susumu's face brightened. "Oh, yes. I knew Touga tremendously well. He was a dear friend of mine and a powerful ally. We fought side by side on numerous occasions. I miss him greatly."

"Does Sesshoumaru remind you of him?"

"Sometimes. Truth be told, he's more like his mother."

"In looks and in personality," remarked the Lord of the Southern Lands, meandering over to where they were standing. "He certainly didn't inherit that cold demeanour from Touga."

Susumu arched an eyebrow at Taiki's comment. "Whatever do you mean? Megumi-san is lovely."

"That's not the word I'd use."

"She's an acquired taste, yes, but a fine woman nonetheless."

"I'd rather bed a human." Taiki turned to Octavia and added, "No offence."

She forced herself to smile. "None taken."

"Is she here?" Koga queried.

"No, er . . . I don't believe she was invited," Jaken mumbled awkwardly.

"Good!" Taiki cheered. "I don't think I could stomach another conversation with her. Horrible creature. She makes my skin crawl. Touga was one unlucky bastard."

"One shouldn't speak ill of others, my old friend. Especially those that aren't here to defend themselves."

The Lord of the Northern Lands strolled towards them with a neutral expression. Jaken was now in a permanent kneeling position, overwhelmed in the presence of three demon warlords. Even Koga seemed more compliant than usual.

Octavia met Arashi's grey eyes and swallowed, desperately trying not to think of Nagisa. Lying was going to be harder than she'd thought.

"Their mating might have been arranged," Arashi continued. "But Touga still held Megumi-san in high regard. She comes from a purer bloodline than all of us combined."

"She seemed okay to me," Rin said. "She saved my life, after all."

"It was her fault you needed saving," Jaken muttered.

Octavia wanted to know more, but the warlords bid them farewell and returned to their families.

Ginta and Hakkaku left to mingle with the other guests, but Koga remained with their group, much to Rin's quiet dismay. Octavia felt guilty when he offered her a pear that he'd bought from the fruit stall, but she accepted it anyway, not wanting to offend him. It tasted hard and sweet.

Cyril showed up an hour or so later with two cups of sake. At least, Octavia thought it was sake, but the steam suggested otherwise. He gave one to Sou and the other to Koga. Jaken complained about being left out as they downed the contents of their cups without offering him any.

"Relax," Koga told him. "They ain't rationing the stuff. Yet."

Jaken sped off to get himself a cup.

"What is it?" Octavia asked suspiciously.

"Nectar," replied Susumu's eldest daughter, Kazane.

She and her sisters flocked around them with cups that were filled to the brim. Octavia's eyes bulged wide as they offered her one. "What does it do?"

"It makes you feel good," answered Chiaki.

"Really good," added Ahmya.

Octavia liked the sound of that. She glanced over at Cyril for guidance, who shook his head discreetly. She really ought to decline, but the temptation was in her like a poison, already coursing through her veins. Besides, hadn't he told her to never refuse royalty?

She brought the cup to her lips and took a tiny sip.

It was like swallowing a dream.

The princesses beamed as she quickly drank the rest, succumbing to its effects almost instantly. Her serotonin levels skyrocketed. Giggling, she laid on the grass and stretched out her arms and legs. The four demonesses joined her and parted her lips with their fingers, before teasing more liquid into her mouth. She accepted it readily, devouring every drop, until a heavy cloud settled over her vision and made her brain feel like it was full of explosives.

The last thing she registered before she blacked out was Rin's anxious face as she got up to dance.

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Sesshoumaru disliked hiding, but he disliked socialising with strangers infinitely more. Conversing with his father's old friends was already hard enough. They still looked at him like he was a child, rather than recognising the man he'd become. He was no longer the naive little boy that he'd been all those centuries ago. He was just as strong as they were, if not more.

The only thing you have to surpass is your own judgement.

If only that were true.

He wondered if she was staying out of trouble.

Luckily, none of the other courts saw her as a threat. Except for Hiroto, but he'd always been overly paranoid. The others, however, clearly thought that she was some kind of pet or fetish. He'd seen the way they looked at her. They pretended to be interested, but with the mystery now gone, their hearts were no longer in it. Their smiles were empty. Their words were empty. Everything about them was empty. Octavia might not see it, but he did, and he'd be damned if he let anything happen to her whilst she was under his roof.

You're the only one who looks at me and doesn't see what's missing.

The scent of blood drifted into his nostrils and made him tense.

It was hers.

His youki became restless. Why could he smell her blood? What had they done to her? And if she was hurt, why couldn't he sense her fear?

Rising from his seat underneath the beech trees, he followed the scent to its source.

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"Take your shoes off," Doi urged, pointing to her own bare feet. "It's much more comfortable."

Octavia stepped out of her sandals and left them on the edge of the path. She couldn't remember when they'd stopped dancing or how they'd lost Rin and the others, but she didn't exactly care. For the first time in her life, everything was perfect. Kazane looped her arm through Octavia's and tugged her along the path. It sounded like she was singing. Or maybe it was the trees.

"Show us again," Ahmya begged. "Please? Show us the magic."

Octavia smiled and tried to figure out whose youki belonged to who, but it was no use in her inebriated state. Shrugging it off, she reached out and caught one – which ended up being Chiaki's – and dragged it into her. Chiaki squealed with delight as the magic amplified her youki, before unleashing it in the form of purple lights. Eventually, the lights morphed into shapes that resembled tortoises. They flew in circles several times before disintegrating, creating a shower of purple sparks that rained down on them from above. The princesses laughed and applauded her.

"That was amazing," Kazane praised.

"Do me next!" shouted Doi.

Before she could even try, a pulse of youki travelled across the gardens and forced theirs to submit. Sesshoumaru emerged from the shadows and glared at the princesses, who all swiftly dropped to their knees. Octavia saw them all sitting on the ground and decided to do the same, not wanting to be left out. Sesshoumaru's gaze landed on her, and he narrowed his eyes.

"Explain yourselves," he hissed.

"We were just playing," Chiaki answered. "We haven't done anything wrong."

"The state of her feet suggest otherwise."

Octavia glanced down at her feet and was surprised to see that they were covered in cuts. The blood reminded her of rose petals. She laughed and rolled onto her side.

Sesshoumaru's eyes darkened. "You let her drink the wine."

"She wanted to!" Kazane insisted fiercely. "We didn't force her. And we didn't mean to make her bleed, either. Humans are so fragile. We forgot that sticks and stones can damage their skin. We should have made her keep her shoes on. We're sorry."

"Forgive us, Sesshoumaru-kun," Ahmya murmured.

"Please, forgive us!" they all cried at once.

"Silence!" he growled, frightening them. "Was I not clear when I said that the human was mine? You four haven't changed in the slightest. You still haven't learned how to keep your hands to yourself." He bared his teeth. "The next time you touch what isn't yours, I won't be so lenient. Now leave us, or I'll have no choice but to tell your father what you've done."

They instantly fled, leaving Octavia alone with an enraged Daiyoukai.

She pushed herself into a sitting position and searched for the princesses. Once she realised what had happened, she shifted her gaze to Sesshoumaru, who looked like a statue cut from marble. Her pupils dilated and her breathing hastened. She imagined him storming over to her and pinning her down, then sinking his fangs into her neck as he shoved up her dress and—

"It's a good thing I found you before some other male did," he said. "They wouldn't have cared that you weren't a demoness. Or that you were badly intoxicated. One sniff and they would have mounted you right here in the open. Is that what you want?"

Yes.

"No," she breathed, shaking slightly.

The lust was now impossible to ignore. Was it intentional or a side effect? She hoped it was the latter. Susumu's daughters wouldn't do that to her, would they? The white noise in her head made it hard to concentrate on anything that wasn't sex . . .

Until she remembered that this was the first time Sesshoumaru had spoken to her in days.

The fog cleared and she glared at him, the ache between her legs finally easing.

"Then I suggest you come with me," he said.

She dug her heels into the ground. "Not happening."

The anger left his face and he sighed through his nose. "Let me rephrase that – you will come with me."

"No, I won't—"

He lurched forwards and picked her up by the waist. She struggled as he threw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and started walking, ignoring her loud cussing and shouts of protest. Eventually, she tired herself out and ceased moving, accepting defeat. However, since she was upside down, the blood rushed to her head and her stomach groaned, threatening to eject itself back up her oesophagus. She closed her eyes and tried to think of something else.

"Where are you taking me?" she asked quietly.

He didn't answer.

Your power belongs to me now. You will use it to carry out my bidding and mine alone.

Her eyes stung with tears. "Why are you so mean?" The words were out before she could stop them. "You're always so fucking mean . . . Why do you even bother looking out for me?"

"Because I have a duty of care," he said. She didn't expect him to elaborate, but he did. "I was lying before. You weren't a mistake. My intention was to make you hate me so that the other courts didn't misinterpret our interactions. I should have told you the truth. I apologise."

"I don't hate you," she whispered. "I could never hate you."

He set her down by the edge of a large rectangular pond and crouched in front of her, keeping his eyes fixed on hers. The ache between her legs returned when his hands cupped her ankles and lifted her feet for inspection. The blood no longer looked like rose petals. She watched him run his thumbs along the many scrapes and gashes, feeling for splinters. Once he was satisfied that there weren't any, he gently guided her legs into the water, which was cold, but not unpleasantly so.

"The wine will soon wear off," he told her.

She nodded absently.

They sat in silence for a while, simply listening to the cicadas sing. The pond reflected the sky perfectly, making it look like someone had captured a piece of twilight and trapped it there. Half of it was orange and purple, whereas the other half was dark blue and swimming with stars. She stirred the water with her legs, creating ripples that made the stars tremble like sailboats.

"What's this festival about, anyway?" she asked. "I thought worshipping stars was heresy."

"The tale of Orihime and Hikoboshi isn't like the one about the God Stars. They don't claim to be the creators of the cosmos. They may not even exist. It's just a harmless fairy tale."

"But if it's not real, why do you celebrate it?"

"Because it's fun."

She smiled, taken aback by his response. "Fun?"

"Is that so surprising?"

"Kind of. I didn't think you were the type."

"There are lots of things you don't know about me."

Her smile widened. "Who are they? Ori-thingy and Hiko-what's-his-face, I mean."

"Haven't you ever heard the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl?"

She shook her head.

"Interesting. Does Tanabata not exist in the future?"

"Not where I come from. It might in Japan, though. I didn't do a lot of research before hopping on the plane, but I know they have a ton of holidays. How does the legend go?"

"Cyril will happily recite it to you as soon as you're back in his care."

"But I want to hear it from you. I like the sound of your voice."

He arched an eyebrow, and she quickly averted her gaze, embarrassed at her own honesty. She made a mental note to never drink again, regardless of whether the wine was magic or not.

"Very well," he said. "I'll tell you."

She shuffled closer and waited for him to begin.

"Orihime was the daughter of Tentei, the Sky King, and she had a talent for weaving clothes. Her father was immensely proud of her, but she was sad, because her busy work schedule ensured that she would never be able to meet someone and fall in love. Moved by her sadness, Tentei arranged for his daughter to meet a man that lived on the other side of the river next to their home. The man was a humble cowherd called Hikoboshi. When he and Orihime met, they fell in love straight away, and married shortly thereafter.

"Initially, Tentei was pleased with the match, however, things soon began to change. After they were wed, Orihime and Hikoboshi abandoned their respective duties. She would no longer weave clothes for her father, and Hikoboshi became careless with his work, allowing his cows to wander free. In his rage, Tentei separated the two lovers and forbade them from meeting.

"But the heartbroken Orihime still wouldn't weave, so her father made her a deal. If she worked hard and finished all of her weaving, he would allow her to see Hikoboshi once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month. She agreed and resumed her work, but when it came time for her and Hikoboshi to meet, they found that there was no way to cross the river."

"So, what did they do?"

"Orihime cried so much that her tears attracted a flock of magpies. They promised to create a bridge with their wings so that she could cross the river and meet with Hikoboshi. The magpies did this every year, unless it was raining, because magpies cannot fly in the rain. Therefore, if it rains on Tanabata, Orihime and Hikoboshi must wait another year to see each other again."

Octavia gazed up at the sky and smiled. "I'm glad it's not raining."

"As I said, it's just a story."

"I know, but it's a nice one."

She peeked at him out of the corner of her eye and saw that he was watching the sky, too.

"Orihime was a bit of a pushover, though."

"How so?"

"If my father told me that I wasn't allowed to see my own husband, I'd tell him to get lost."

"I don't doubt that for a moment."

She laughed.

His eyes were warm and inviting when she asked, "Do you ever miss it?"

"What?"

"Being told what to do. I know it sounds crazy, but I wish I had someone who cared enough to boss me around. It's different when a parent does it. They usually do it for your own good."

"I despise being bossed around," he said. "It makes no difference who is doing it."

"I suppose."

She lifted one foot out of the water and examined the cuts. They still stung like a bitch, but at least they were clean now. She remembered the princesses' frantic pleas and excuses and wondered if they'd been telling the truth.

"What did they want from me?" she asked.

"They're all fascinated by you," he answered. "But not in the way that you think. Magic aside, they cannot fathom why you are here. Even the other warlords doubt my reasons. To them, you're just a toy to be played with. You must be more cautious going forwards."

Her chest tightened. "Is there anything I can do to change their minds?"

He shook his head. "Don't stoop to their level. Outside criticism is irrelevant. What matters is how you see yourself. You're strong and capable. Don't let anyone make you think otherwise."

"An apology and a compliment? You're full of surprises today."

"I told you there was a lot you didn't know about me."

Smiling, she linked arms with him and rested her head on his shoulder. She felt him tense slightly, but he soon relaxed and murmured softly, "I have no intention of being your keeper."

You're either my friend or my keeper.

Her heart pounded at the confession. "Good."

His youki curled around her like a house cat, enveloping her in its warmth. She closed her eyes and inhaled his strange, inhuman scent. He smelled like the air did before a thunderstorm. It was incredibly comforting.

Meanwhile, the stars were restless above.

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