Title: Through the looking glass
Author: Celestial Seraphim
Warning: angst, OOCness, Kagomeness, childish cuteness, mild violence
Pairing: SesshomaruxKagome
Side Pairings: Inu no TaishoxSesshomaru's mother
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters those go to their prospective owners but I'm currently in negotiations for a Sesshomaru plushie :3 I do not own the cover art it belongs to YoukaiYume and is one of the Inspirations of this story.
Summary: What if Kagome had fallen down the well much earlier in life? What if she'd known Sesshomaru first, grown up side by side with the Taiyoukai but couldn't remember? Like Alice falling into Wonderland only to wake up with no time going by at all? What story would their forgotten memories tell?
Through the Looking Glass…
Chapter 2
Shin walked back towards the well with the little girl in her arms, Kagome's body tense and shivering not that she blamed her. When she'd seen the man kick the little girl into the tree a fire had blazed inside of her. She didn't usually use the forest or animals against humans but even the forest and animals had been enraged. It had been a relief when she felt the youkai's youki speeding towards them just as she'd set the wolves on the human men. She'd told Kagome to close her eyes to save the little girl's innocence because these men would die for trespassing in her forest and hurting her charge. She watched with dark satisfaction as the great general severed both men's heads with one swing of his sword and the wolves set upon them. It was gruesome and suddenly Shin felt heavy with sadness. Sad for the human men who stood no chance because they'd been corrupted so absolutely, sad because the great general had to dirty his sword on ningen flesh that was unworthy, sorry for the wolves that now had a taste of man flesh, sorry for herself because as a higher living she should never have felt such anger but most of all sad for Kagome because she was such a sweet innocent child she did not deserve to be treated the way she has been.
So with a heavy heart she'd carried the girl back to their makeshift home with the general in tow. "Is she yours?"
Shin blinked before looking back into gold eyes. Toga…the Inu no taisho was such a strong youkai yet also very honorable. She blinked slowly and shook her head slowly before stopping mid shake and nodding. She felt the girl shudder and held her closer still. "In a way she is mine…"
Toga made an understanding noise in the back of his throat and suddenly she recognized a second youki heading towards them but smaller. She blinked once more but this time in surprise before asking, "Yours?"
He cocked his head to the side in a very inu manner before grinning slightly. "Indeed. I told him to wait but it appears he has gotten impatient."
Shin chuckled lightly and looked down at the little girl in her arms once more. She would continue to be hunted in this forest if she let her stay…she could not protect her from that she could not touch and she refused to use the forest in such a way again. Closing her eyes, she knew what she had to do but it hurt her terribly to think that she would. Taking a deep breath she looked into the taiyoukai's eyes and spoke in a soft voice.
"I would appreciate if you would grant me one more very important favor, Toga-sama."
Gold eyes flickered to the little girl in her arms and they softened considerably. "Ask it of me, Goshinboku-sama."
(OoO)
Toga looked at the little girl in the great God Tree Soul's arms and felt his heart melt to see the haunted look in those blue eyes. Blue…it was such a strange color to find in a ningen in this era and her Kimono was equally as strange. It was far too short for an innocent child such as her and it bothered him. Paternal instincts instantly roared to life for this little ningen girl-child, knowing in youkai years she was merely a baby. It hurt a little when she scrambled for the safety of her guardians arms but understood that after her recent run in with those human men, males were very low in her list. He glanced up at Shin as she crooned soft words to the little girl and the fox shot him an irritated look. He could feel his son's aura quickly approaching and hoped to gain her trust before his son threw his 'youkai's are better than humans' speech around.
When she peeked at him once more through her hands he reacted instinctively, his tails instantly invaded her space and tapped on her nose. For a moment she went crossed eyed as she followed the action, too stunned to really react before a soft sneeze broke through. A slow tentative smile curled her lips as both wagged in front of her face enticingly and much like a babe with a rattle shaking in front of its face she made a grab for it. He quickly moved it out of reach for a second before bringing it close to her again. He continued this until high clear ringing laughter filled the area, a squeal escaping her once or twice when she caught his tails. When he felt his son about to enter the clearing he retracted his tails and she let out a dissatisfied sound, pouting slightly. Shin chuckled and told her there would be another time to continue the game. Sesshomaru stepped through the foliage and everyone froze, especially Kagome who had finally relaxed. Toga let out a soft dismayed sound as she once again shyly burrowed into Shin's collar. Sesshomaru arched an eyebrow in a move that was far too much like his mother although it was fairly amusing.
"Sessho…I'm sure your remember Goshinboku."
The small youkai boy threw his father a look for calling him that before bowing slightly at Shin as he greeted her. "It is nice to see you again, Goshinboku-san."
Shin smiled warmly, amusement shining in her eyes as his eyes lit with curiosity at the little girl in her arms as he breathed in deeply. "Hello, little lord. It is good to see you again."
She shifted her arms slightly so she could see Kagome's face and asked, "Won't you say hello, little one? You don't want to be rude do you?"
Kagome blinked at this before frowning in displeasure, somewhat annoyed with herself for being a scaredy baby. She wiggled in the woman's arms until she put her down and then grinned at the boy who looked to be about her age if not a year or two older.
"Hello! I'm Higurashi Kagome!"
Toga watched his son's nose crinkle up a little, gathering his mokomoko around him as much as he could and knew instantly he was about to go into his holier than thou routine. He was right. He had to fight back a grin as Sesshomaru began to detail the reason why he would not associate with a human let alone a girl of all things. The general glanced at Shin, sharing a look before he glanced at Kagome who was looking at Sesshomaru's mokomoko longingly. A wicked thought coming to mind Toga let his tails poke her forward a little and she looked at him in shock but he merely winked and nodded towards Sesshomaru. Her eyes lit up and she took one step then another and another until she kneeled down infront of a still talking Sesshomaru and cuddled his mokomoko.
A strangled sound escaped the boy and he –he would never say squeal because taiyoukai never squeal- yelped in outrage. A soft pink tinged his cheeks and he tried to gather his mokomoko away from her as he said (read squealed), "What are you doing?! You do not touch mokomoko."
Kagome looked up and blinked at the boy who looked adorable holding his mokomoko away from her or at least trying to. A giggle escaped her lips and she buried her face in it as she said happily, "But it's so soft and beautiful!"
The boy opened his mouth to protest before closing it, he'd never really spoken to females before. The ones he had were annoying but this overly happy female ningen child that smelled of dew drops and dawn wasn't really annoying him…She simply…confused him. He glanced at his father who was grinning widely at him to Goshinboku who had a warm apologetic look on her face before letting out a long suffering sigh and giving the girl a look. "Fine."
She laughed happily and lifted his mokomoko over her head where she kneeled grinning up at him. A soft tinge colored his cheeks as he gave her an uncertain rather exasperated look. This was not going to end well for him. He could feel it. His thoughts were only proven when Toga turned to Shin and gave her a meaningful look. "It is time."
The girl-child continued to play with his mokomoko but Sesshomaru's eyes were on the adults and he instantly saw the change in Shin's face when she looked at the little girl. Slowly the young woman came up behind Kagome before lifting her up into her arms, Kagome immediately let go of mokomoko much to his relief and he instantly started grooming the areas she had touched. "Kagome-chan…We need to talk."
Kagome stiffened at that tone. She'd heard it before with her mama and papa when they were going to say something that would hurt her and themselves in the process. She looked up at Shin through her eyelashes, "Yes, Shin-san?"
"You remember all those stories I told about Toga-sama?"
Blue eyes flickered towards the older youkai before resting back on the ethereal woman in front of her. "Yes…"
"And do you remember I would do what I could to keep you safe and return you home?"
The little girl wavered slightly, not liking where this was headed but she replied nonetheless. "Yes, Shin-san."
The young woman smiled warmly and nuzzled her cheek, "Good because you are no longer safe here. I can't protect you Kagome-chan. You have to go with Toga-sama."
Blue eyes watered up and her bottom lip quivered for a moment before Kagome sniffled greatly and held the tears in. "Do I have to? I'll be good and stay by the well. Promise."
Shin gave the little girl a sad smile and hugged her tightly, "I'm sorry, little one but that won't be enough. You have to go, okay?"
Kagome nodded her head solemnly and hugged Shin tightly, which Shin returned as she said warmly, "Have no fear little one. You will always be welcomed here. Visit me whenever you like, this is your home after all. When I find a way to get you back I will send for you."
Kagome sniffled lightly as she pulled away, "Promise?"
Shin nuzzled her cheek once more, "Promise. In the meantime Akimitsu will be with you. So even when you're not with me there is a part still with you."
The little girl beamed at the woman she thought of as a second mother before reaching out her hands for who she now knew was definitely Toga. He blinked in surprise before a warm smile melted the hard edges of his face and he brought her into his arms. Shin and Toga chuckled at Sesshomaru' s disgruntled words but then he stood straight and fixed the mask that was so like his mothers on. "Farewelll, Goshinboku. I will see that she visits as often as possible."
The woman gave Toga a wan smile at his promise but nodded in appreciation nonetheless. Akikitsu having had laid down and dozed for quite a bit, woke up and followed them with a soft yip as they left. Shin watched as they left and felt her heart throb with sadness and love when the little girl that was her charge looked over Toga's shoulder, watching her as they walked away.
TBC…