Author's Corner

Thank you victoriarogue and Skystorm320 for your comments over on AO3! I hope you're all having a good summer.

Before I forget, someone asked why Rin didn't just use the akai shi flowers to colour her lips like the girl from the story did. Basically, even though Tsunayoshi promised he wouldn't force her to sleep with him, she thought he'd do a lot more than kiss her, so she decided to play it safe and cover herself with poison in case he changed his mind. There was also no guarantee that the demonesses helping her get ready would let her choose her own lip colouring, so it was much easier (and safer) to sneak the bottle of homemade body oil in with all the other skincare products. I hope that clears things up a little.

Take care everyone and enjoy the new chapter!

EIGHTH BLOOD

Chapter 88: Smokescreen

.

.

The air was imbued with the stench of blood.

The Eastern and Northern Wolf Tribes were in the midst of honouring their dead when Sesshoumaru's group arrived in the valley and saw the aftermath of their battle with Tsunayoshi's forces. The usurper had deployed a squadron of elite soldiers to intercept the former warlord on his way to the rendezvous point; however, the wolves had gotten there first. Their leaders had both survived the violent onslaught, but the two tribes had suffered major casualties.

"This is all your fault," Koga chastised, glaring daggers at his ex-wife. "I told you we should've gone south and then circled back around."

"How was I supposed to know there'd be an ambush!" Ayame rebuked.

"Because you always know best. Even when you're wrong, you're still right."

"That's not true—"

"See! You're doing it now! Why can't you just admit that you're to blame for this!"

She bared her teeth at him. "Because I'm not! You were the one who insisted on travelling together, not me! So much for safety in numbers! If it's anyone's fault, it's yours—"

"Enough!" Sesshoumaru snarled, silencing them. "This was no one's fault. Bickering will not bring your fallen comrades back to life. Now, set aside your differences for the time being and listen to me." They both turned and gave him their undivided attention. "The Tenseiga can only revive someone once," he explained. "If I use it to resurrect them, they cannot be saved a second time."

"We understand," mumbled Koga.

"Do what you must," agreed Ayame.

Unsheathing the blade, Sesshoumaru used it to slay the pallbearers of the Underworld in one fell swoop. One by one, the wolves opened their eyes and glanced around in confusion. Overcome with emotion, their companions embraced them and wept. Koga and Ayame both dropped to one knee and bowed their heads in unison.

"Your decorum is wasted here," remarked Sesshoumaru. "I appreciate the sentiment, but my ego isn't as frail as you think. It will not be undone by a lack of feeding."

"If only it were that easy."

Koga's and Ayame's heads whipped towards the source of the voice. Ayame seemed shocked that someone would dare crack a joke at Sesshoumaru's expense, but Koga's face lit up when he saw who was walking towards them with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"You found her, then?"

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. "Obviously."

Koga rose to his feet and grinned. Ayame did the same – minus the grin – and whispered, "Who is she?"

"A friend," replied Sesshoumaru.

Her eyes widened, but she didn't question the response. Neither did Koga. The wolf looked strangely content after hearing Sesshoumaru's answer. He couldn't help but wonder why, until he noticed the warmth in Koga's eyes when Octavia greeted him. Sesshoumaru's stomach turned. He'd been aware of the wolf's flirtations for a while, but the lack of follow-through had stopped him from taking them seriously. What a fool he'd been.

.

.

Octavia massaged the aching soles of her feet, which were hard and covered in blisters. She should have just accepted Ah-Un's offer to ride on its back with the little ones, but her pride couldn't handle appearing weak in front of the others, so she'd soldiered on through the pain, refusing to stop until they reached a suitable campsite for the night. They were situated on a hill about an hour's walk from the rendezvous point. The overabundance of trees provided plenty of shelter, and the high altitude lowered the chances of another ambush. However, Octavia couldn't help but feel restless as the sun completed its descent and disappeared behind the mountains.

"The others said I might find you here."

She turned and met Koga's warm gaze. Smiling, she patted the grass beside her and waited for him to accept her invitation to sit. The twilight gave his eyes a purplish tint, and his hair seemed more blue than black, as if mirroring the ever-growing night sky.

"I'm sorry for dragging you all into this," Octavia said. "What happened in the valley was all my fault."

"Why would you think that?"

She sighed. "I did something stupid. I tried to save everyone, but I just made everything worse. I thought that if I faced my fears instead of running from them, it would fix everything. And when it didn't, I assumed that the problem was me. I decided it would be better for everyone if I just stayed away. But then Sesshoumaru came for me, and I realised I was wrong. You see, things break, but they don't have to stay broken. The first step when fixing something is acknowledging the damage, and understanding that although the effects of that damage can't be undone, we can learn from them."

Koga nodded in agreement. "I get that."

Octavia's curiosity finally got the better of her. "What happened between you and Ayame?"

"Oh, man. Where do I even start?" He stapled his gaze to the horizon. "It was the week before my coming-of-age ceremony. I was out hunting when I came across this kid being chased by the Gokurakuchō. I had no idea she was Choro's granddaughter. After I saved her, I made a joke about how if her training ever got too much, she could always come down from the mountains and marry me." His tone softened. "I didn't mean it. I was still just a kid myself. I forgot all about it until she showed up years later claiming to be my betrothed."

"But if you didn't mean it, why did you marry her?"

"Remember how I used to have a thing for Kagome?"

"Yeah. What about it?"

"Well . . . It was more than just a crush. I really liked her. I'd never felt that way about anyone before, and for a while, I thought I had a shot at being with her. But I was wrong. She cared about me, but it was nothing compared to the way she felt about that mutt, Inuyasha."

"So Ayame was your Plan B?"

"More or less. It didn't take her long to figure it out. As soon as she realised that my feelings for her weren't genuine, she walked out of our den and never came back."

At least he had the decency to sound ashamed.

"You could have just turned her down," Octavia said.

"I know I could've."

"Then why didn't you?"

"Because I had a duty to carry out. Our children would've united the tribes. It was her grandfather's dying wish. And . . ." Octavia held her breath whilst she waited for him to finish. "I didn't want to be alone anymore."

"You weren't alone. You had an entire pack at your beck and call."

"But I still wanted more."

Octavia held in a sigh. She knew how it felt to long for something that would never be yours. Laying her hand over his, she gave it a firm yet gentle squeeze. Their gazes locked and he threaded their fingers together. Her heart sank to the bottom of her ribcage as he closed his eyes and lowered his face to hers.

"Please don't," she whispered.

He reopened his eyes and gave her a puzzled look. "I wasn't gonna—I mean, I thought you wanted me to . . ." Releasing her hand, he scooted away from her like she was an exposed flame. "I'm sorry—"

"Don't be. I'd be lying if I said the thought had never crossed my mind, but things are different now. I'm different. It's not fair to keep stringing you along. You deserve better than that."

"Does this sudden change of heart have anything to do with Sesshoumaru?" Her pulse stuttered at the mention of his name. Though Koga's face betrayed nothing, she knew for a fact that he'd heard it. "Well?"

"I don't know what you mean."

He didn't seem convinced. Panic bubbled in her stomach. Did he know? She doubted that Koga would blab to anyone if she confided in him, but this wasn't a secret she could share. There was far more at stake than just hers and Sesshoumaru's reputations. If the truth got out, it would put both of their lives in danger. She had to nip this in the bud before things got ugly.

"I may be his ally," she said, raising her voice on the off chance that anyone was eavesdropping on their conversation. "But I am also his subject. Therefore, your insinuation is both insulting and absurd. Shame on you for even vocalising it."

Koga's mouth curved into a smirk. He seemed to have caught on to what she was getting at. "Apologies. I didn't mean to imply that our lord would ruin his good name in a human's bed. Now, that would be ludicrous. I, however, have zero qualms about bedding a human. Especially one as ravishing as yourself."

She returned the smile. "Then why don't you go ahead and put your money where your mouth is?"

.

.

Rumours of her involvement with Koga had already spread through the camp like wildfire. No one accused her outright, but she could feel their eyes on her as she passed. Not wanting to fan the flames further, she avoided meeting Koga's gaze and marched towards the edge of the camp, where Haru, Mari and Hoka were asleep with Ah-Un curled around them protectively. She paused when the dragon youkai lifted its two heads and nuzzled their sleeping faces.

"Human." Sesshoumaru was standing on the edge of the campsite, clad in his new armour and with one hand resting on the Bakusaiga's hilt. "Come with me."

His commanding tone and stony expression left little room for argument. Octavia refrained from rising to her full height when she stood and trailed behind him in silence. She kept her manner meek and subdued as they exited the camp, ignoring the tense murmurings of their fellow survivors. She must have been imagining the concerned looks they threw her way.

As soon as they were out of sight, she dropped the submissive act and straightened her spine. She kept her comments to herself as Sesshoumaru wandered into an earthy alcove that was curtained by hanging tree roots, then motioned for her to follow. Moonlight filtered through the roots and made his hair shimmer like the surface of a diamond.

"Rumours are like wounds," he said. "Unless tended to, they will fester."

"And? We've had too many close calls recently. These rumours should cancel out all the other ones."

"Nevertheless, lies breed consequences. Proceed with caution, or this will soon spiral out of control."

"Are you jealous?" she teased.

He clenched his jaw. "Ever the perceptive one, aren't you?"

Her eyes widened. She hadn't expected him to admit it out loud. Heat flowered in the pit of her stomach as he reached out and caught her wrist. Her breathing turned shallow when he lifted his free hand and caressed her jawline.

"Don't fight him," she whispered.

"What?"

"The usurper. You don't have to face him alone. Let us help you."

"I am perfectly capable of fighting my own battles."

"I know. But why should you? That ambush in the valley was meant for us. Why should you care about integrity when he doesn't? Screw the agreement. Forget your principles and make him regret ever crossing you."

"I would rather die with honour than live as a fiend. I thought you of all people would understand that."

"I don't want to lose you."

"Everything dies eventually."

"Except you. You said so yourself."

"That was my arrogance talking. No living creature is immune to death."

She shook her head. "You're not allowed to die on me. I won't let you. I'll kill Tsunayoshi myself if I have to—"

"Enough of this foolishness. We both know that I must bear the weight of this burden alone."

"But you're already carrying so much! What if this is the thing that crushes you?" The tears were like shards of glass cutting into her eyeballs. "What am I supposed to do then?"

He didn't respond.

"We need you," she murmured. "I need you. Please don't do this."

"Have you forgotten our promise?"

"What promise?"

"The one we made in the boat. You asked why I allowed a human child to follow me. Do you remember?"

Promise that you won't let anything happen to her. Ever. She's your responsibility. You have to keep her safe, no matter what. And don't abandon her, either. Don't leave her behind one day and never come back.

"I remember."

Determination flared in his eyes. "I will not forsake her." Despite the certainty in his voice, Octavia could feel his palm trembling against her cheek. "If I die, Rin's life will pass from my hands to yours. Find her. Protect her. Do whatever it takes to get her out of the stronghold alive."

"And then? Suppose I do find her. Suppose we make it out, after all. What happens then?"

"Whatever you like."

"I don't understand."

He sighed and closed his eyes. "Live, Octavia. I don't care how. Just live. You and her, together. Leave these cursed plains and secure a future for yourselves elsewhere. Promise me."

Her tears dissipated as a sensation of numbness rolled over her like a wave. "You want us to forget you."

"Forgetting will make things easier in the long run."

"You're wrong."

"Why do you insist on making everything so difficult?" Sesshoumaru grumbled, removing his hand from her face.

"You should be used to it by now." His attempt to muffle a snort melted the tension between them and made her smile. "I'll find her," she said, reaching out to tuck his hair behind his ear. "I promise."

.

.

For the first time in decades, Sesshoumaru allowed himself the luxury of self-indulgence. Whilst she played with his hair, he concocted a scenario in his mind where he was no longer bound by the expectations of others. He imagined a future where he renounced his title and left the Western Lands in pursuit of a simpler way of living, before resisting the urge to roll his eyes. The very concept was laughable. He'd experienced countless adventures throughout the centuries, but even he wasn't equipped to handle one like that.

And yet, the prospect of her being the first thing he saw when he woke up in the morning was more enticing than any other treasure that he'd set his sights on. He could see it all so clearly—the life they might build together. Rin would thrive wherever they ventured, and Octavia wouldn't have to constantly prove herself the way she did amongst his youkai brethren. They could be happy. And if they were happy, he would be, too. He doubted that Jaken would appreciate being demoted to peasant status, and Ah-Un would be forced to live out the rest of its days as a glorified beast of burden, but they were welcome to come along if they so desired. A part of him hoped that they would. Things wouldn't be the same without them.

"I need you to understand something," Octavia said. "I won't try to steal your thunder, but the usurper will die at some point, either by your hand or by mine."

He couldn't help but smirk. "Are you saying you'll avenge me?"

She nodded.

"What would you do to him?"

"I'd burn him alive until he begged me to stop."

Sesshoumaru's entire body vibrated with pleasure. "And would you? Would you stop?"

"No," she answered. "I wouldn't. I'd keep going until there was no doubt left in my mind that he was dead. Until there was nothing left of him but dust and ashes."

He chuckled. "Your thirst for blood continues to beguile me."

Before she could respond, he leaned in and planted a firm kiss on the corner of her mouth. She attempted to chase his lips with her own, only to have her efforts dashed when he pulled her into a tight embrace. He wished he'd thought to remove his armour before summoning her so that he could feel the full extent of her warmth, but this was no time for regrets.

"I'm not saying you can't beat him," she murmured against his shoulder. "I just want you to know that you're not alone. I'm going to fight for you. Even if you don't want me to. Even if no one else will. I'm with you until the end."

His chest felt like it was caving in on itself. Never before had he encountered such unwavering devotion towards his person. Never before had he experienced such a profound feeling of affection for another living being. She truly was cut from a different cloth because here she was, declaring herself as his protector even though he hadn't come anywhere close to deserving it. But that wasn't the way things were supposed to work. He was supposed to protect her . . . Wasn't he?

The miko's arrow breaking his shoulder plate into pieces sprung into his mind. The young woman had often placed herself in harm's way in order to protect her precious Inuyasha, even long before she'd developed feelings for him. Sesshoumaru still remembered the fire in her eyes each time she'd warned him to back off. He'd always looked down on Inuyasha for requiring the protection of a weak human, but the truth was, there was nothing weak about Kagome.

I'm with you until the end.

"As am I," he said, holding her tighter. "With you by my side, there is nothing I cannot do."

In a sea of raging uncertainties, there was one inevitability. The usurper was going to die tomorrow.

.

.

Author's Corner

Gokurakuchō = Birds of Paradise