Encounters

I stood there face to face with death. The forest went into a craze as burning amber orbs boar into my chocolate brown depths. Then the howling wind had suddenly stopped along with the forest creature's sounds. His eyes were very similar to the ones I'd come to love, accept for one aspect... His were deadly cold. "Lord Sesshomaru," I glanced at my wounded body and set my eyes on him again.

His silver hair shown almost see through in the moonlight which made him look more like a god than a fearsome demon lord. He made no movements and the emotionless look in his eyes did not change. He could kill me at any moment and his motive would only be to get back at Inuyasha. I breathed what I thought to be my last few breaths.

It all came down to this... We were both in this forest, far from Inuyasha, and I was badly hurt. Whether he witnessed my last fight or not, here we were.

"Miko... Should you not be with Inuyasha? Or has he finally abandoned you for that dead wench?" He asked in his famous monotone voice.

"He hasn't abandoned me..." I sounded as if I was in denial.

"If that is true... Why is your blood mixed with his scent and that of the dead Miko?"

"I didn't say we've never got in a fight before." I glared at him for a slight second then let my gaze fall to the ground.

"He has abused you." He wasn't asking a question more like stating a fact.

"It's none of your concern, Sesshomaru." And it truly wasn't, yet he was compelled to ask. Interested in this little onna who he has hated for quite some time.

He watched the girl lift herself from her spot on the ground and wince. She showed little pain in her facial features although her wounds were great. Her right side had three huge claw marks, her left shoulder had been clipped by an arrow, her face was covered in mud and little cuts, she had multiple claw marks down her back and legs as well.

So fragile humans were. He watched her with complete interest as she limped off into the forest. He could smell the fresh scent of tears mixed with blood. The air was heavy with them when he had arrived but they were not as fresh. Her blood was tempting to his inner beast which howled at the sight of her exposed body. She had always been attracting just not his type.

He was unsatisfied when she was out of sight. He wanted to follow her, see what her next move was. He knew that mutt had no real idea of honor. He stepped lightly and hid behind the trees. She came into view quickly because she hadn't gotten very far. She was half submersed in a pond as she cursed at her reflection.

"Look at me... I should have fought back at least," I sighed. "He has no real idea how much power I really have." I looked down at my reflection and splashed the water. "Dammit. I must seem like a fool right, Lord Sesshomaru?" I asked turning slowly. I could feel his presence, and it made me shiver.

His eyes hardened. How had she noticed him? He stepped out slowly and gazed at the miko. Even all cut up and half submersed in water she was a sight to see.

"Hardly," he said flatly.

I looked at him questionably. Why the hell was he following me? It's not every day the handsome demon lord of the western lands follows a human like me. "What business do you have with me?" I asked slowly.

"I was seeking Inuyasha... Naraku has advanced on my land. Therefore I was going to ask Inuyasha if he would be willing to fight for the land his father once ruled..."

"Seeking Inuyasha? Him? Help someone? Hah..." I started to wash my wounds.

"Yes... I no longer require his help."

I looked up at him quizzically, "And why is that?"

"It would seem he lacks more honor than I thought," he said quietly, "And... You have much more potential than that mutt."

"Potential? Potential for what?" I asked curiously as I turned my back to him.

"To help me kill Naraku," he replied emotionlessly.

"I see..." I said, finishing up bandaging my wounds. I made sure I had a tank-top on just in case someone peeked. Though never had I thought of it being him.

"If you tire of Inuyasha's abuse, meet me here tomorrow," he said while turning away.

"Then I might as well camp here tonight," I said quietly. "I don't have to think twice about letting that bastard go."

This made him stop and turn back towards me. He was probably making sure he heard me right which was impossible for him not to.

"Then we shall take our leave tonight if you are sure it is what you want," he said as I got out of the water.

I had a towel wrapped around my waist the whole time and I smiled a little when his lips parted but he said nothing. I stepped behind a tree to get dressed. I walked out and he was looking at the moon. I smiled slightly until he looked over at me.

"So, where to?" I asked lightly.

"My castle," he replied as if it was obvious. He then held his hand to me and I took it with a little doubt in my mind. Any fear I had had earlier quickly vanished as curiosity took over as a cloud appeared beneath our feet. I was betting that the look on my face was quite comical because when he glanced over at me I saw the slightest twitch of a smile forming on his lips. I almost started laughing, but I figure it was best not to act like a lunatic around him. With this conclusion we were off to the mysterious and regal Lord of the West's castle.