Chapter 1: Lovely Acquaintance

Leaves cracked and twigs twisted, as the Demon lord's graceful feet gently walked upon the forest's un leveled flooring .He had been traveling in his lands as any demon lord would, with his noble pride, and unnerving confidence of a God. His golden orbs slowly cast their stoic gaze past the twisted trees and pale shadows. What was he looking for? what was he in search of? He was drawn to the same place. This single place where the moons ray's would barely pass through it's web of leaves and branches. casting shadows darker than the night itself throughout the forest. And so this Demon Lord...who graced the forest with his deathly presence, made his way deeper into its darkened depths.

And so the woman, that this very Demon Lord knew was there, but could not see, made her way down the fog filled path. And as her delicate feet touched its leaf and twig littered flooring, the fog cleared. She walked with an angelic flow, her green-blue eyes cast downward with their gentle, but firm gaze. As the demoness stepped off the path, walking gracefully down to the valley like clearing, where the moons light spilled into the ocean of green swaying grass. Each blade danced in the gentle wind, the fresh air tingling the young woman's delicate nose. She suddenly stopped in mid-step...sensing that aura once again...it was the same aura she had sensed before...the one that always seemed to make anything that breathed, silent around her when it could be sensed including herself. She once again began to walk, ever so slowly through the twirling blades of green. Though this aura..was something she had never sensed before. One so strong and noble as it was, she continued her walking. For she was, by no means, a feeble creature, meek and helpless like some lost animal. But this aura...intrigued, if not intimidated her. She knew her way around these woods, and she had only been in the heart of the Western Lands but three days. Little did she know, that she was stirring the senses of a certain demon Lord.

And the senses of this Demon Lord that she so easily stirred, was no longer curious of this... this scent...that was running through his keen and fragile nose night after night. He was irritated and most annoyed .Whomever it belonged it did not have the mere right to take a single step on his lands. And he would kill whomever it was. Let it be a sprite, or a simple toadstool. Not only was his trekking...after this creature his first priority, But the recent news ofhis lowly hanyou brother's death, and that of his worthless friends lingered in the back of his mind. They had all failed. Naraku had used the power of the jewel, taking all of their souls as his own. They all sickened him. He was Most enraged of his brothers death. Not that of mourning his loss, but that of the simple fact that he was to die at his hands, and his hands alone. The damned hanyou. Always so reckless as to one day it caused him his life. The Taiyoukai stopped, tipping his head upward ever so lightly, his golden orbs casting upward to the blood red moon, which poured its gloomy shadow over the dancing trees of the forest, as they swayed in the passing wind .As he stood, he took in that scent, closing his eyes...remembering it yet, once again. He let a low growl of irritation rumble deep in his chest he would find this creature, and he vowed to end its life. He then began to walk, entwining through the trees as he walked with elegant precision. As he did, his silver hair moved in the wind ever so gently, tangling in the wind.

The young demoness, with her cat like ears swiveling in confusion as she suddenly snapped out of her daze, glanced over her slender shoulder. What was that Aura doing……coming towards her...Was it one of Naraku's spies? Keh...the though of him sickened her. She had been his toy, his means to an end. Saiko narrowed her eyes at the mere thought, looking downward towards her small hands. Though delicate with perfection, her slender claws could kill anything in reach as so she wished. So why did she not kill this sickening beast, who controlled her life as it ran? Why...? because he had it...but in the palm of his hands. A jewel within this young demoness, was the key to her life as of that. She scowled inwardly. Being controlled by one such as him. Even with the Thoughts of hate and scorn still running fresh within her mind, she walked on. Picking up her pace as she sensed the Demon...who seemed to be following her quite closely neared. Her small shadow engrossed the forest floor as she walked, turning off the path and into the dense brush.

Sesshomaru felt himself nearing the predictable prey. He was on the verge of letting the worthless demon go. He did not have time for such things. He was but a mile or so away, and picked up his pace, taking to the air as he followed closely. After but a few mere moments...he came upon her. This Sesshomaru, he had been following her for three days straight now.

Saiko, becoming most agitated, stopped. turning slowly, and looking up to his obvious presence. She leapt back a few steps, narrowing her eyes, regarding his presence coolly. Sesshomaru took calm steps forward. watching her with an almost scoffing expression, mocking her presence from where she stood. And in return, she tipped her head upward, looking down on him, eyeing his hand is it slowly went to his sword hilt. He narrowed his eyes at her gesture. What nerve she had, to look upon a demon Lord as she is at this very moment. To look upon him with such mockery. He would surely end her life at this moment...but first he would wish to know who this female was.

And so, he took a step forward, still gripping his sword in a protective gesture. Almost to show, what his intension was before he acted upon it. This only caused her to step to the side, and he rose a brow in mock amusement. She mocked him. and feared his presence at the same time. What amusement she was!
" What is your name, and explain what you are doing, in the Western Lands. This Sesshomaru, will not have scavengers running about my territory." He stated, voice low. His words were harsh, and showed no emotion to the situation. He made this sound like a simple errand. And the female spoke, in a soft, but determined voice in return, showing no weakness...to this god, this Demon Lord. She wouldn't have it. She thought her words over carefully.
" I, Lord, am no scavenger." She stated in a delicate voice. She minimized her words...talking as less as possible. As she looked up at him from under her golden bangs, she took in his gestures, studying them carefully.
" then, par say, explain to me what you are." He said in

mockery.

" I would only assume you are a demon female...though this Sesshomaru is almost never wrong...I could be."

This conversation was losing it's civilized matter, and quick at that.

" Are you a Demon Lord who uses his sword, or do you hide behind your sarcasm and wits on your enemies" She said, tipping her head to the side slightly, slowly backing up. Wherever this was headed, it was sure to be, a quick battle. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes once again at her impudent comment,

brushing it off as if it were the air that surrounded them. Meaningless as not to be noticed. In fact, that's how he thought of her, or any other demon within the sight of his eyes.

" A lowly demon as yourself, should hold your tongue, before your words end your very life." He stated, watching her closely." You are the one who walked upon me, do not expect respect as well." She stated, voice devoid of any emotion for the time being. She was on the run! His cold words and difficult attitude was only slowing her down! She then turned her back to him, walking away, as if he were never there. And, of course, this only angered him. And he once again spoke out.
"Woman. Do you think you can just walk away, from this Sesshomaru?" he exclaimed, stepping forward.
Saiko kept working,
" That's…….what I seem to be doing……" she stated, as if it were obvious and in which it was.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened slightly, then narrowed. He suddenly leapt forward with grace, though only his blurred outline as he whizzed past her, grabbing her arm as he hauled her back against him. She yelped out, slamming against his armor. Saiko snapped her head up towards him.
"Bloody hell! Let me be!" she yelled angrily, her green-blue eyes, meeting his golden ones. She was enraged. Who did he think he was…….throwing her around like this.
" No." He stated, looking down at her. Her expression faltered momentarily, but returned back to a most enraged one. She knew him but five minutes…….five minutes……

Her thoughts were cut short by his deep velvet voice.
" Now……..that I have you in one place……." He paused, looking her over slowly. His nose twitching. Their proximity……opening a new scent to him.

" You can tell me……why you reek of Naraku's scent……" He stated, his voice going low, and his eyes narrowing at her.

Saiko slowly put her cat-like ears back, looking up at him from under her bangs.
" Why should I"
" because I said. And you''re endangering your own life if you refuse."
" If you''re trying to get information out of me, why would you kill me? I certainly cant tell you anything dead"" She said, trying to pull away. Sesshomaru only pulled her closer, his claws pressing against her soft flesh warningly.
" Either way……." He stated lowly, leaning in dangerously close.
"I'll get it out of you……." He finished, their faces inches away. Saiko leaned back away from him. Her teeth clenched in anger before she tried to rip away again. Sesshomaru growled. She was being difficult……..and so, he picked her up gently, throwing her over his shoulder. Saiko screamed out.
" Let me go you……you beast!" She tried to push off of him……but failed miserably.

" …….." he ignored her, keeping a steady pace as he walked. She was coming with him, and sooner or later ,he would get what he wanted out of her. Then he'd kill her. But that's what they always say.

And so, he casually walked through the calm forest, the trees swaying gently, where the moon fell over the two casting their shadows far and wide as he walked...with a screaming demoness, over his right shoulder.