Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters.

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Chapter two: Enter the trapper

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The cool evening air drifted in through the bars that stood about five feet in front of him.

He shivered as the cold metal beneath his backside chilled him to the bone.

The youkai rested his head on his knees.

It had been ten days. And dusk had fallen again.

But it mattered not. The days in this accursed forest were almost as black as the nights.

And both just as dead.

Sesshomaru lifted his head and spotted the twinkle of the first star of twilight, almost hidden by the branches of an old oak.

It would soon be joined by its eternal celestial companions.

While he remained alone.

After the first five days, the demon's anger had diminished, leaving him with a cool head to think.

When the ninth day had arrived, he began to worry.

Now, on the sunset of the tenth day, the need for survival took presedence.

What if no one came?

Would he die here?

Die of starvation?

But no....he would die from lack of water first.

Licking his dry lips, he almost wished for rain. But the ever cloudless sky only stared back at him with harsh cruelty.

Why would someone set a trap and not check on it?

What would be the purpose if they never came back for whatever they had wanted to catch?

The thought crossed his mind that this may be a forgotten snare.

But with magic this powerful and fresh, it had to be set recently.

Whoever it may be could turn out to be a deadly enemy, one that would have no trouble with a dangerous demon such as himself. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Sesshomaru heard the faint rustle of parting underbrush.

He stood....and waited, then picked up the sound of human footsteps along with the padding of a feline gate.

An unknown source of light invaded the clearing beyond the cage.

A figure in a long dark cloak emerged from the bushes.

Behind it trailed a black panther, it's carnal yellow eyes reflecting the shallow light.

The inu youkai eased closer to the black metal bars.

The hooded figure turned in his direction then stopped about ten feet in front of him.

A hand snaked out and stroked the black cat's ears.

From under the dark hood came a soft female voice.

"Well, well. Look what we have caught, Shi'an. I never believed we would have the pleasure of catching such a royal treat."

The panther growled.

"Now, now, Shi'an. Is that the way to greet our honored guest?"

The figure pulled the hood back to reveal a shockingly beautiful young woman.

Her gypsy like features glowing under her long, obsidian hair.

She reaked with the scent of magic and herbs....a miko.

She smiled at him. "Forgive me lord Sesshomaru, I came as soon as Shi'an informed me of your predicament. But I shall not keep you waiting much longer, I have other ...... appointments.... that need my immediate attention."

Sesshomaru stepped up to the bars, his stoic features revealing nothing . "You will release me....now."

The female sighed and turned away. "I....am afraid that is not possible...I do not purposely go out hunting youkai. But if any demon should happen to fall into one of my....traps. Then they become, rightfully mine. You now belong to me."

Sesshomaru stood very still. "I belong to no one."

She chuckled and stopped before a clean cut tree stump.

Sesshomaru watched the miko with contempt. 'Bitch.'

The young woman looked over to him. "My, my.... what colorful language. But I guess that would be a compliment coming from a dog demon."

The youkai blinked. ' Telepath? '

"Oh, yes." She half smiled. "I can read all demon's minds who are near...... A gift, bestowed on me, to aid in my....work."

She then frowned. "But sometimes it is more of a curse. Demons have such.....twisted thoughts."

Sesshomaru tried to push the uneasy feeling in his gut away. "Who are you?"

She grinned widely then turned back to the flat tree stump before her. From out of her robe she pulled out what appeared to be a small wooden treasure box.

It was covered in glittering gems.

She gave a short bark of laughter. "I have been called many things in my life. To you, in this time , I am a miko since I have the same powers as one. But considering your education you should know exactly who and what I am."

She offhandedly glanced at him with a smirk. "Don't tell me those tutors of yours haven't told you about me."

The woman sighed. "I am so disappointed."

Sesshomaru swallowed and took a step back.

The pieces were falling into place.

Her scent; ancient and full of natural magic.

The box; small, wooden, jeweled, timeless.

Her beauty; beyond any he had ever known, with the air of a greek goddess.

A sinking blackness tugged at the back of his mind. 'It can not be....She is only a legend...a myth....a horror story to frighten little youkai pups.....No....It can not be..'

The woman stroked the small wooden box she had placed on the tree stump. "Oh, so you have heard of me."

Her voice became wistful " This has been my task for centuries. Ever since I.... unintentionally set them all free..They bred, and spread, became a plague on mankind. Now I am left with the sole eternal purpose of putting them back."

The young woman opened the lid and a blackish purple mist rose up from the depths of the wooden box.

The smokey tendrels floated towards him.

Sesshomaru backed up.

His back hit metal.

He was trapped.

Bowing his head, he surrendered to his fate. "At least tell me the name of the one that brings my death and takes me from this mortal plane."

Her feminine voice echoed in his ears as the mist engulfed him.

"For what little time you have left, youkai, you may know me by my first given name."

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"Pandora."

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Hello, Ras here, I hope you all were entertained by this chapter. Sesshomaru may seem a little out of character here. But he had come upon something unknown. I didn't know how he would act in such a situation. If it seems to OOC please review and tell me. Thanks to all who read and like! Ras.....

Reveiw resonses:

Breshcandra: It won't be easy to explain, but I am taking a crack at it. He is very powerful so I had to find someone who was his opposite and be just as powerful. Did I do a good job?

Laura: I don't think anyone will leave you that kind of flame. (Now watch me get one) anywho, I would like to see what you have written so far on the Sess/Rin. And I do like Kouga/ Kagome too. I think Inu and Kag have been done to death. I kinda got disenchanted with Inu when he picked Kikyo over Kagome anyway. Idiot dog! Hey I like the pen name.^_^. Rated R is good. I only wish my mind would work that way. everytime I try to do it something happens and it doesn't turn out that way. I am so strange. OH and about Captive soul. There won't be any lime until after Rin goes on the date with Naraku. You'll have to see why! ^_^. gotta go! hope you and your family is doing well too. Drop me a line. Ras.

Sunflowerseed: no, it will not be a one shot...to your utter delight it will be about 10 to 15 chapters long.

Shinoku:I update about once or twice a week on both. But writing both is taking major time. whew! Where do you get Pocky? I live in the U.S. and someone said that they don't sell it here. *sighs*

Thanks to all the other's who reviewed!

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