In Thy Orisons by Philosophia.

Encounter

Disclaimer: Inu Yasha and all it's characters are not mine.

A/N: Feedback is appreciated, as this is my first foray into the realm of lemons.

Won't you wish me luck?

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"Your attempt to hide yourself, though prudent, is futile."

Despite the truth in the words, the young woman continued to remain behind the tree. Only a few moments prior, she had felt a strong demonic presence approaching the hot spring she had been soaking in. As quickly as she could she had scrambled out of the water and into her clothes in her haste to duck behind a large tree. She had had the sense to grab her bow and quiver, leaving everything else to remain between her and the interloper.

His rich, deep voice was all she needed to recognize him and with that knowledge came the fact that whatever her next course of action, she would only get to do it once.

"I can smell and hear you, human."

She could try her best to hit a vital area with an arrow and call for help. If she only called out, it would no doubt be her last act in that life. Might as well try the arrows. Maybe I could distract him for a few seconds before help arrives.

Heartened by resolve, she deftly notched an arrow, edging around the side of the tree, preparing to infuse it with her power and confront the threat.

"You handle that weapon as if you know how to use it."

She stiffened at the words, feeling her heart rate increase as warm breath tickled the side of her neck. She immediately whirled around, instinctively wrenching herself from the sudden proximity of the youkai. Unfortunately, this landed her on her backside, her bow and arrow still prepped in her hand. So much for small miracles.

"Back off Sesshoumaru," she said with all the bravado she could muster, which was exceedingly difficult, what with her wet and harried appearance and the intimidating image of the tall demon lord nearly towering over her.

"One should not play with sharp objects, miko. You could hurt yourself."

He didn't even look at her weapon.

He's laughing at me!

Her pride pricked, Kagome defiantly glared at the eyes that bore into her with their golden intensity.

"What do you want, Sesshoumaru? If it's Tetsuagia, it'll have to wait."

"Ah, yes. The hanyou is off, performing some service for some humans, no doubt in his usual boorish manner."

Kagome's eyes widened. How does he know that Inuyasha went to investigate the neighboring village's demon attacks?

"As I understand it," the pale youkai continued, not bothering to acknowledge the surprise plainly visible on her face, "that village is quite a distance away. He will not return in time."

"In time for what?"

"Why, to save you."

Again, her heart sped up its pace. She had to get out of this.

"If you think that trading me for Tetsuagia will work, forget it. Inuyasha doesn't feel that way about me. Why don't you try Kikyo?"

She said the last in her most helpful voice, hoping that the taiyoukai would heed her and seek out the clay miko. Of course, it wasn't nice to sic the demon lord on his brother's former love, but Kikyo was a big girl and could take care of herself. Look how good she was at opening portals to Hell.

Unfortunately, Sesshoumaru ignored her advice.

"At one time, a wise tactic," he conceded. "But my plans would prove ineffective were I to use the dead miko."

Kagome paled, but did not loose her determination.

"But you wouldn't be hurting Inuyasha by killing me! You'd only be taking away his shard detector, which would give Naraku an advantage. Surely you must see the danger in that."

She fought back the cringe that welled up at admitting aloud her place in Inuyasha's mind.

"This Sesshoumaru has no reason to fear a filthy hanyou who would use artifacts rather than his own power."

Seeing how far reason had got her, Kagome took one last chance and fired the arrow that had been aimed at the youkai's chest as they spoke. He caught it easily and flung it away. Absently, Kagome's mind registered the sound of it hitting a tree on the other side of the spring as the demon lord adroitly hauled her up by her shoulders. She immediately began to struggle as one hand slid to the small of her back and the other to the back of her neck. Peering down at her fearful face with his cold, indifferent eyes, he elaborated on his plan.

"There is more than one way to hurt the hanyou."

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to be continued...