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. 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 to Inuyasha.

EIGHTH BLOOD

Chapter 13: Demon court

.

.

Octavia waited for Rin to finish doing her hair. The ends skimmed her shoulders, making her hair 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. As if sensing her anxiety, 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 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 had been brushed and darkened.

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 sparse, but the few pieces of finery Rin had chosen for her were 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.

"Who's being branded now?" she complained.

"Being permitted to wear Sesshoumaru-sama's crest is a huge honour," Rin said. "Plus, it sends a 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 shot her an expectant look. "Well? What do you think?"

Octavia smiled. "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 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 in an effort to lighten the mood.

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

"You're still annoying."

Rin stuck out her tongue.

Octavia smiled sadly. "I wish you were coming with me."

"Why? You're not scared, are you?"

"Weren't you?"

"A bit. It wasn't as bad as I expected. They thought that the situation was kind of weird, which 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 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."

"What about those two Daiyoukai with the bat wings? I think the man's name was Kanetsugu. He mentioned 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 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 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.

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

Rin averted her eyes. "They have a complicated relationship."

"What's complicated about abandoning a child?"

Before Rin could respond, someone knocked on the door. Cyril was waiting for them 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. Unbeknownst to both Rin and Cyril, Octavia had hidden the sheathed Reikon Blade in the layers of her junihitoe. It was a terrible idea, but she didn't feel right without it.

"You clean up nicely," said Cyril.

She smiled. "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. 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?"

"You're a natural," he said.

Octavia's cheeks warmed. "Thanks."

"I was sorry to hear about what happened last night. That can't have been pleasant."

She shrugged. "I survived."

"Thank the gods. 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 a powerful Daiyoukai called Taigokumaru. After their father's death, Taigokumaru declared himself the new leader and cast them out like garbage. Sesshoumaru-sama's father found them and claimed them as his wards."

"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?"

"Rin told me about the affair." Cyril stiffened. "She said he loved her."

"That he did. He loved her more than anything. And she loved him. Everyone adored Touga-sama. He was the greatest ruler these lands have ever known."

"Even greater than Sesshoumaru?"

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

"Does it make him angry?"

"What?"

"Being compared to his father all the time. No wonder he's so grumpy. Being unpopular sucks big time."

"Sesshoumaru-sama isn't unpopular."

"But if everyone had to choose between the two of them, they'd pick Touga, wouldn't they?"

Cyril didn't reply. He stopped at the top of a staircase and bowed to someone at the bottom. Octavia followed his line of vision until her eyes fell on a man dressed in furs. His black hair was secured in a neat ponytail, fabricating the illusion of elegance, whereas his blue eyes sparkled with mischief.

"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."

Octavia fought the urge to smile. Koga's eyes slid to hers and he smirked. "I don't believe we've met," he said. "Well? Aren't you gonna introduce us, Cyril?"

Octavia followed the warlock down the stairs. "Of course. This is my apprentice, Octavia-san. Octavia-san, this is Koga-dono, the leader of the Eastern Wolf Tribe. He and Sesshoumaru-sama shared a common foe several years ago and have since become 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 pretending that he hates them?"

"She is not—"

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

Koga snorted. "That's harsh."

"I mean it."

Cyril winced. "Don't be so 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. Anyway, I was only joking about him getting married. He doesn't have a romantic bone in his body. If he ever does marry, it'll be for politics, not love."

The warlock frowned and folded his arms across his chest. "Speaking of marriage, how's Ayame-san?"

Koga's face fell. "How should I know? We ain't seen each other in years."

"Who's Ayame?"

"His wife," answered Cyril.

Octavia's smile faded. "You're married?"

"Not anymore," Koga said.

Octavia shot him a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry to hear that. Breakups are the worst."

"You're telling me." 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?"

"It's a long story. What about you?"

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

"You mean Kagome?"

"Yeah. You know her?"

"You could say that." They were 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 something he would say."

Koga leaned closer and asked, "By the way, is there a reason you smell so delicious?"

She almost choked on her own tongue. "What?"

"I don't mean in a creepy way. It's just . . . Your scent is super appealing. I've met other humans that smell nice, but with you, it's 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," Cyril said.

Koga didn't need to be told twice. He unlinked his arm from Octavia's and took a couple of steps backwards.

"Are you ready?" Cyril asked.

She nodded.

"Good. Then let's begin, shall we?"

The doors to the Great Hall swung open, revealing an enormous crowd of demons. Octavia walked behind Cyril in silence. The air inside was thick and oppressive. She noticed Kannika and Kanetsugu kneeling in the front row. 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 hooded figures seated on either side of him. They must be the magistrates. Was this an introduction or a hearing?

"Greetings, O great and powerful Sesshoumaru-sama," Cyril said, sinking to his knees. Octavia copied him. "It is 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.

"State your name," Sesshoumaru told her.

"Octavia Petridis."

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

"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. "And to use my power to destroy your enemies."

His eyes narrowed. "And?"

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

Sesshoumaru responded with a satisfied nod and shifted his attention to the crowd. Rage exploded in her chest when she realised what he'd done. He had 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 started. "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 great depth before his demise at the hands of Ryukotsusei. It has recently come to light that the jewel was created using this very magic." The muttering grew louder. "If you wish to speak, do so now."

One youkai stood and bowed his head. "My lord," he said.

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."

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. She inhaled before turning to Sesshoumaru and saying, "To answer his question, if I put even a toe out of line, you can kill me. Does that sound fair to you, my lord?" She hoped she sounded convincing enough. There was no way that she was going to let him kill her, but if she wanted to stay here, she needed them to believe it.

"It does," he answered. His eyes were red and blue, only this time, he wasn't angry. Octavia's face heated. She had never seen him look so pleased. And was he smiling?

The magistrates glanced at each other and nodded. "Will that be all, my lord?" they asked. Their voices were low and raspy. Octavia wondered what they looked like underneath their hoods.

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

.

.