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 3

Toga was thoroughly amused as he watched the muscle in his son's jaw jump erratically. He'd never seen his son's cool demeanor destroyed by anyone other than his mother and him. However, here was a ningen girl-child that was doing spectacularly on her own by doing nothing but staring at his son who tried to keep his aloof mask on.

"Little one, why are you staring at Sessho in such a way?" He grinned as Sesshomaru's whole body seemed to spasm at the nickname. Blue eyes looked up to him with a shy smile before tiny fingers entwined with his tail. "Does he always look so boring?"

It broke, shattered really. The boy let out a strangled sound of outrage as he glanced up at the little girl who merely giggled. "Vile little ningen! How dare you call this Sesshomaru boring!"

She giggled again before saying, "I didn't. I said you look boring."

Toga watched his son blink at that and Toga smirked. "He does look quite severe, doesn't he?"

Kagome made a small noise of agreement as she made a game up of trying to catch his snow white hair from over his shoulder. Sesshomaru sent his father a frigid look as he realized he was being teased and sped up his pace so he was walking ahead of them. A full bellied laugh escaped Toga and he was glas to scent that he little girl in his arms was delighted and amused. It was a much better scent than that distraught scent that lingered on her earlier. She wiggled in the taishou's arms in what he realized was her silent way of telling him to put her down. A little reluctantly he did so and watched as she rushed up to Sesshomaru. Toga noticed his son glance back and huff, looking up in a very 'why me' like way before slowing his strides down slightly. A small smile tugged on the older taiyoukai's face at that little display. Kagome grinned before mimicking his aloof mask as best she could. It was quite amusing sight to watch as once again the muscle in his son's jaw jumped. It was always a sign that he was fighting with himself or his temper. While he could remain cool headed like his mother, Toga was proud to say Sesshomaru had his temper.

They continued on like that before the small girl began to stumble as she grew more and more tired. A soft smile curled Toga's lips and he reached out to scoop the girl up and cradle her to his chest. Kagome smiled sleepily at him before curling up in his arms. After a minute or two her breathing evened out and she was fast asleep. Toga watched the little girl in his arms knowing he had something to say.

"She is ours?"

His voice was curious yet soft as though he was considering something. Toga nodded slowly knowing what he said could greatly affect how the boy looked at her. "She is pack now."

Gold eyes glanced up at him before resting on the girl. "She is weak."

A small twitch was the only sign of Toga's displeasure at his son's statement. "You only view her as weak because she is ningen. There are other strengths."

Toga remembered how she hadn't shed one tear when those men were chasing her and she hadn't shown an ounce of pain, even though he was sure her little ribs were bruised. Sesshomaru's eyes turned steely and he studied her intently before speaking more firmly, "She is weak."

A low growl was about to rise up from the Inu no Taisho's lips before he realized what his son really meant.

She cannot protect herself with claws and fangs. How are we to keep our female safe?"

Softening a little at his son's hidden worry for the ningen girl they'd adopted into their pack he spoke reassuringly, "That merely means that we must protect her all that much more fiercely. She will not be defenseless for long."

Molten gold eyes looked up at him studiously before Sesshomaru merely grunted. Toga chuckled again before turning his thoughts inward. Sesshomaru had a point, she was ningen and not many youkai would welcome her into the fold very willingly. He winced as he thought of his mate and hoped that she would be melted by those blue eyes as he had. They continued on their way, using their youkai speed now that Kagome had fallen asleep completely. It only took them an hour or so before the castle was in sight. Halfheartedly, Toga shifted the little girl in his arms to jostle her slightly so she would wake up. At first she merely curled into a tighter ball before his insistence made one blue eye open. A moody seven year old stared back at him, making Toga chuckle at her obvious displeasure at being awoken. She huffed lightly before sitting up and then she saw it. Both taiyoukai males were pleased by the awe that was clearly on the girl's face as she looked at the castle they were approaching.

"Amazing…"

She whispered softly, her eyes alight with happiness. Toga chuckled softly as he said playfully, "Isn't it? The fortress was created long ago by the first Great Dog General."

Kagome hummed softly in acknowledgement as they finally got near the gates and Toga put her down on the ground gently. The little girl looked up questioningly at the taisho, noticing the worry etched into his face and eyes. "Look strong, little one. You are pack now."

Kagome bit her lip and looked around for Akimitsu but the fox was nowhere in sight. Suddenly, Sesshomaru was in front of her, almost like to block her view and he sniffed delicately as he said, "This Sesshomaru will allow you to cling this once upon his person. Be honored."

She blinked slowly before a nervous smile twisted her lips but shook her head. Instead she squared her shoulders, stood straighter and furrowed her brows a bit as she looked ahead while she walked. Both Inu's nodded their heads approvingly and continued on even though as they got closer she moved towards Toga more. Both youkai could hear the shouts from the fortress gates calling their arrival out and announcing the ningen. By the time they got to the gates both Inu's flanked the girl protectively but she continued walking with her head high. A guard greeted both youkai warmly but eyes lit up hungrily when they fell on the girl.

"Inu no Taisho, Sesshomaru-sama it is good to see you have returned safely. I see you come baring gifts as well."

Sesshomaru gave the youkai a disinterested look but Toga looked down coldly at the male. "Excuse us, we have to be on our way to see the lady."

The youkai gave them peculiar looks but stepped aside, not stupid enough to question the Great Dog demon. As they entered Sesshomaru and Toga changed their positions around the girl, the young taiyoukai slightly in front of Kagome while Toga walked slightly behind. It was all that was needed to start the talking as many demons caught sight of it. Kagome's eyes flickered a few times to look at everything around her but barely paid attention, the soft murmurs catching her attention more.

"They talk of the fact you are now pack."

Kagome's eyes zeroed in on Sesshomaru and unconsciously moved closer. "What do you mean? How do they know?"

Sesshomaru glanced back at the young girl, noticing she was paler than before and he could scent the nervousness around her. He would have to teach her it was unbecoming of one of the house of the moon. Emotions were weakness in front of others, especially emotions such as fear. "I am first because I am heir, you are second because you are second in line and then father is last because he is most powerful in command. Youkai hearing is very good, Inu youkai hearing is even better."

It was curious to see her head cock to the side in a very inu manner and both youkai's wondered if she would naturally latch on to their mannerisms. "I am second in line for what?"

Just barely stopping himself from showing anything other than annoyance he gave her a cold look over his shoulders. "As pack until you are returned home you are part of this family. Therefore, you have equal rights to the Western Land."

A light seemed to dim in her eyes and she turned quiet, her scent going from fear to sadness within seconds. Sesshomaru shot his father an annoyed look over her head at her changing scent but the older youkai just shook his head before nodding forward. Letting out a soft growl, Sesshomaru decided it was just best to ignore the confusing girl-child.

When they got to the audience hall, Toga paused and the two pups followed suit. Kagome looked up at him with wide eyes and he allowed a flicker of a smile to grace his features before they were hard gain as he looked at his son. "I will call for you both. Stay."

"Hn."

Toga entered the hall and for a second Kagome saw many youkai crowding the area. Moving closer to Sesshomaru, he glanced at her when he felt her fingers curl into his haori and her eyes dropped to the ground. "I think I'll cling for just a little."

Sesshomaru watched her for a moment, silently taking in her embarrassment and anxiousness before looking back to the front with a soft grunt. He heard his name from inside and straightened his stance a little more, unconsciously moving closer to the girl to hide her from view a bit more. "We are going."

He heard her take a shuddering breath before releasing his clothes and standing straighter as well. A determined expression on her face as her scent slowly faded the anxiousness and embarrassment away. Internally, Sesshomaru quietly admitted to himself that this little ningen was somewhat impressive. The doors were opened for them and they walked down the long hall, he smelled her scent quiver for a moment before steeling itself again and he guessed she must have glanced around. 'Foolish…' He thought to himself for a moment but then he noticed what really must have gotten her. Behind his father on a throne-like chair was his mother and her eyes were narrowed on the little ningen girl. Gold eyes flickered to the ningen girl close to him and noticed her eyes were down, staring at his honorable mother's hem instead of her face. 'Not so foolish then…'

Finally her eyes moved towards him when she noticed his protective stance in front of her and an eyebrow raised, he noticed the sly smile on her lips and felt his hackles rise slightly. His mother took far too much joy in playing games and most of them were at his expense. "How nice of you both to bring a meal. However, I do not think it will feed one inu youkai let alone a whole court."

Twin growls echoed through the hall and her eyebrow arched in mock surprise as her eyes flickered from Toga to Sesshomaru. Both inu's had gone tense and neither had appreciated her jibe at the little girl-child that was now pack in their minds. She huffed softly and snapped her fan open, covering the lower part of her face so only her eyes showed. "Enough! Men and their instincts."

There was a sweeping murmur of half nervous laughter and chiding remarks before all grew quiet once more. Kimiko's eyes rested on Kagome once more and they narrowed slightly before she spoke, "Come here, ningen."

The little girl wavered slightly, eyes flashing from Toga to Sesshomaru. "Come."

Kagome jumped slightly and took a step forward but Sesshomaru's hand shot out and he held her wrist so that she could go no farther. In an exact imitation of his mother –yet still somehow making it look condescending- he arched his brow at Kimiko and said, "Mother, the forest child has been through much today. Is it necessary?"

This time real surprise crossed Kimiko's face at the words 'forest child' and she looked sharply at Toga who shrugged. "She is Goshinboku's. I was asked to keep her safe."

Kimiko's fan snapped shut as a sign of her displeasure and once more she sat straight as she studied the girl seriously this time. "Come here, child. Sesshomaru release her."

The small youkai was tempted to disobey his mother, his inner youkai working into a frenzy as not completely developed instincts screamed at him not to release her. However, at the girl's wince and his father's hiss the boy realized his grip had become too tight and let go. Kagome gave him a small smile from the corner of her eyes but he ignored her, not willing to show anything in front of these youkai. Slowly, she approached the Lady of the West never lifting her eyes from the hem of her long Kimono. When she finally stood directly in front of Kimiko she stopped and waited for the demonness to speak but nearly jumped out her skin when she did.

"If you are pack why do you not look upon me?"

Instincttively, the little girl knew there was something in that question so steeling herself she looked up into the Lady of the Wests face. She let out a little gasp and a murmur filled the room as her blue eyes widened. Kimiko looked at her curiously and she asked, "What is it?"

Sapphire eyes warmed as a grin curled the little girl's lips as she continued to stare at Kimiko with something like awe. "You, my lady. Mama told me about celestial maidens one time…are you not one?"

Kimiko blinked before looking at Toga who was smiling gently at the little girl who wouldn't take her eyes off the lady of the west. Huffing out a soft chuckle Kimiko laid a hand on the little ningen's head, shifting her tails closer around her and said, "No, I'm completely inu youkai."

The little girl pouted before cocking her head slightly, "Then you are much prettier than Toga-sama and Sesshomaru-kun but I think that's only because Sesshomaru looks like you…does that count?"

Her eyebrows furrowed as she seemed to ponder this, her earlier fear forgotten in the face of her question and Kimiko's calming. Kimiko's eyes flickered to her son and a devilish smile curled her lips as she noticed her son's tense figure. "Oh Sessho-kun is quite pretty."

The muscle in his jaw spasm and there was a murmur of chuckles at the words. It was well known Sesshomaru took after his mother in the looks department among those in the court. Leaning back, Kimiko looked out about the court at the surrounding youkai. She gave the mass a critical look before nodding her head and saying, "You've heard my mate and seen my pups acceptance. Now you will hear me. As Lady of the Western Lands, I hereby accept this ningen pup as pack. All who seek to harm her, seek to harm me. All who insult her, insult me. Let it be heard."

There was a murmur of approval and some of dislike but none openly defied Kimiko's wishes, with good reason. While her mate, the Inu no taisho, was known for his temper Kimiko was known for her sadism and pleasure of causing others harm. She was the deadly sort of beauty. One that now was on Kagome's side and as she looked up at Kimiko in wonder, she did not realize how much of a privilege that was.

TBC…