I've been pondering some more. That opening scene where Sesshou sees Teles for the first time really kicks out a few stops.

What I finally figured out is that the opening scene does more than just show us the sizzle between the two protagonists; it also highlights those characteristics of theirs that will change by the end of the story. Who is Sesshoumaru when the story starts? He's the all-absorbed Lord of the West. Who is Teles? She's the personally invincible goddess of the sirens. What personality traits do they have at the beginning? How will this change by the end?

So what's your lit teacher's journey and what does our dryad learn from him? Paint the negative space around whatever he's missing and chuck your chick in the middle.