In the Eyes of a Stranger by m1s7resss

Chapter One

Authoress Notes

Enjoy the first chapter folks. Anticipate updates to be slow.

Summary: Finding out her true parentage, Kagome takes her father's place after he dies, as Lady of the Southern Lands. Kagome and Sesshoumaru start making plans for announcing their engagement. SESSKAG

Pairings: Sesshoumaru/Kagome, InuYasha/Sango, Miroku/Kagura

Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha. They belong to the wonderful Rumiko Takahashi.

CHAPTER ONE

SOUTHERN LANDS

Kagome Higurashi sat still; she relished the feel of the black leather that was beneath her. Her fingers delicately ran over the leather, she was nervously anticipating her mother to return from being outside in the garden calling her little brother Souta.

When she had gotten back approximately five minutes ago from the feudal era, her mother had said that she needed to tell her something of great importance. So, she was currently in the garden, calling her little brat of a brother inside. Something about Suteki Higurashi's tone of voice, made Kagome feel very nervous and uncomfortable.

The sound of heavy feet and complaining voices reached her ears. Black hair whipped around to find Souta and her mother currently arguing. Kagome sighed, and clutched her skirt while Souta sat next to her grumbling under his breath.

"Shut up brat," she said to him. "The less you talk, the less time we have to stay here listening to mom."

Souta found this idea appealing, and instantly shut his mouth. Suteki Higurashi sat down on the couch opposite them, while Kagome's Grandfather sat beside her. Kagome could feel her heart start to pound in her ribcage faster, faster, and faster.

"Where should I start?" Mrs. Higurashi said, more to herself however.

"Beginning always helps," Kagome offered helpfully.

Mrs. Higurashi nodded her head, and began to mutter incoherent things to herself, before closing her eyes. The woman took a deep breath, before opening them again, only to stare into two pairs of concerned sapphire and azure eyes.

"First of all," she said her voice trembling slightly. "You both are not my children. In fact, I don't have any children at all."

Kagome felt all the heat rush from her face, her hands started to become numb, while Souta could feel himself getting dizzy. It wasn't possible, how could they not be her children?

"You were given to me by a good friend. This friend just happened to be my employer. You see my real name is Suteki Takashi, not Higurashi. You belong to Hiro Higurashi, he is your legitimate father."

Suteki watched the bewildered looks that replaced the concern, which the children had for her. 'This is for the best,' she kept telling herself. She had been given strict orders to tell them what has happened. She hadn't planned on telling Kagome and Souta, until Kagome was 18 years of age. That had all changed, when she found out that Hiro Higurashi was currently on his deathbed.

"You're lying!" Kagome shouted as she stood up, her fists clenched in anger. "You're lying! This isn't true I--"

Suteki raised a hand to silence her she still wasn't finished. "You have only learned half of the basic fact of your life. Please Kagome, sit down and let me continue my explanation." Kagome narrowed her eyes, but grudgingly sat down. Souta had moved closer to her, his eyes were still set on his mother. Or whom he thought was his mother.

"The other half of the truth is this." Suteki looked to the old man beside her. She nodded her head, giving him the signal that it was time. The old man nodded his head in response. Each of them closed their eyes, and started muttering things under their breaths. They were saying an ancient incantation that hadn't been said for nearly fifty-years.

Within minutes, the two that sat before Kagome and Souta were no longer ningens. They were youkai, panther youkai to be exact. Kagome was instantly taken aback, they weren't humans, they were demons. Demons, and they had humanoid forms, meaning they were quite powerful.

Kagome sat on the edge of her seat, she found herself not trusting the two in front of her.

"Be calm," the panther youkai said. "We will not harm you."

"Not likely," Kagome replied. "I don't know who you are, but I'll fight you if I have too."

"We do not wish to result to violence, milady."

"What?"

Suteki sighed, she felt like whacking the kitsune upside the head.

"That is the other half to the basic part of your life," she whispered. "You are not normal human beings Kagome and Souta Higurashi. You are remarkable beings, these beings are called youkai."

Souta could barely contain his excitement. He was a youkai? His dreams had finally come true. Yet, it had came at a price, this price was losing the only parent figure he ever had. Was he willing to accept it? Frankly, he wasn't sure he wanted to accept the fact that he was going to lose his only parent figure. Sure, he welcomed being a youkai whole-heartedly. Losing a parent after you only had one? That was a different situation all together.

"So you're a youkai too? Then--"

"I am not finished."

Souta stopped talking, and continued listening to whatever it was the woman had to say.

"You are inu-youkai, you too have humanoid forms such as myself and Hoshi. Not only that, but you two are the children of Hiro Higurashi, currently the reigning Lord of the Southern Land."

Silence met this explanation. No one moved no one talked.

"Why now?"

That was until Kagome Higurashi decided to break the silence.

"Why now of all times? You could've told us before!"

"It was too much of a risk back then. Now, it is different."

Kagome could feel her anger start to boil. "How is it different? What difference does it make?"

"Your father is dying."

The two children were taken aback at this comment. Their father was dying? How could he die? They hadn't even met the man, correction youkai, yet and he was on his deathbed?

"He has been injured in battle," Hoshi supplied for them.

Kagome could feel tears start to well up in her eyes, her father was dying, and she didn't even know him.

"What are our humanoid forms?" Souta questioned.

Kagome blinked; for once the brat had an intelligent question to ask.

"Would you like to find out?" Suteki asked, with a slight smile on her face. Souta nodded excitedly. "You too, Kagome?" Slightly curious as to how her humanoid form would look like, she nodded her head. She would ask questions about her father later, if being in her humanoid form would help her get one step closer to her father, she'd do it.

Suteki beckoned for the two to come closer. Kagome approached her closely, while Souta went to Hoshi. The two elder youkai placed two fingers in the middle of their forehead, and started chanting.

After a few minutes, pink light surrounded Kagome, while blue light surround Souta. The opened their eyes, and looked around. Straight off the bat, they noticed something that was a great difference. Their vision was better, as well as their hearing. Kagome walked towards the television screen, and peered into it.

Because of her supervision, she could see the colour of everything. Her eyes were still azure, but her hair was longer, and it was now a midnight blue colour. She bared her teeth, and could see the pointy fangs she had. She also had pink stripes across her cheeks, wrists, and ankles that symbolized she was part of the Inu-Youkai royal family.

She had grown at least two inches from her original height. She looked to her brother, who had currently run down the stairs after checking out how he looked like in the upstairs bathroom. He too had grown from his original height.

He had jet-black hair, with dark blue stripes across his cheeks, wrists and ankles. His eyes had a changed of colour. Instead of dull sapphire eyes, they were now a deep sapphire colour, and they were shining with exhilaration. His pants that were normally around his ankle, was now at least a three inches above them.

Souta was in heaven; he could now show InuYasha that he was a youkai too!

"Kagome," Suteki said beckoning the girl over to her. "You have a choice, to either stay here for a night and to go back to the feudal era tomorrow. Or, go back to the feudal era tonight."

Kagome thought about it for a second. It would be better if she and Souta were to leave tonight. She didn't feel comfortable staying in a home with a woman who had lied to her for practically her whole life. She was assuming that she would be able to leave her possessions here, which would be a whole lot easier for Souta and herself.

"I'd like to leave tonight if you don't mind," Kagome said.

Suteki nodded her head, understanding the young girl.

"Souta," Kagome said to the boy. "Go get your things ready, we'll be leaving soon."

Souta gave her a look, and looked down at his clothes. "I think none of my clothes would be able to fit me sis."

"That's true," Kagome said as she tried to suppress a chuckle.

"I forgot about your clothing," mused Suteki.

"Hoshi, where did you put their clothing?"

"I suppose there in the empty room," he answered thoughtfully and went upstairs. He came back later with a brown box in his hands. He set it down in front of Suteki, and opened it. Dust particles had piled up on the box over the years, but it still was in good condition.

Hoshi pulled out to garments, and set them on the black leather couches. He gave one to Souta, and another to Kagome.

Kagome took the article of clothing carefully, and unfolded it. She gasped it was so beautiful. It was black, with light pink Sakura blossoms print. The outline was in a dark pink colour, Kagome could feel the soft velvetiness of the silk. The end part of the sleeves, were also a light pink colour. On the left breast area, Kagome noticed a silver dagger in the middle of a sun, which was in the middle of a circle.

"The dagger, the sun, and the circle are the three symbols of the Southern Land." Kagome looked up from her inspection of the garment, to find the panther youkai smiling at her.

Her brother's garment looked like hers as well. Except, he had silver paw prints printed on his.

"We can't take this," Kagome said folding it up again, and started to give it back to Suteki.

"What?" Souta cried.

"This is probably too expensive, we can't take them."

"They are yours," Hoshi said, and by the tone of his voice it seemed like he wasn't going to take it back. "They have been yours since you two were born. They were also the clothing that you have used, since you two came from the feudal era."

"What do mean 'since you two came from the feudal era'?" Kagome questioned.

"Never mind, never mind. Just take the clothing and go change."

"I want to know what--"

"Change."

Kagome bounded down the steps, with Souta on her heel. She quickly put on her shoes, relieved that her feet didn't grow.

"No, no," Suteki said from behind her. "That will not do. Here," the youkai handed her a pair of sandals. Kagome frowned, but took the wooden sandals. She put them on, and remembered that people from the feudal era wore these kinds of shoes.

Souta eagerly took a pair, as he shifted his pack. "I don't think you'll be needing those."

Kagome shook her head, she wasn't going anywhere without her yellow pack. Suteki merely shrugged, not wanting to pursue an argument with her.

"Here are a few instructions," Suteki said. "Kagome, I know it means something to you, but you cannot, by any means cannot continue your hunt for the Jewel shards. Kami forbid something happens to your father; you shall be the one taking over as Lady of the Southern Lands. I know you feel that it is your responsibility, but it is your duty to protect your people, is that understood?" When Kagome nodded her head reluctantly, Suteki continued. "You both will be able to make it to the Southern Citadel by night fall. Make sure not to run in with any of your companions along the way, it is vital for the safety of the both of you. From this Naraku character you've told me about, I suspect that he will be a very dangerous character."

Kagome nodded again, understanding what she meant. Naraku would simply find it delighting that she had became a youkai. InuYasha on the other hand, won't find it completely delighting. Though, she would rather tell the Inu tachi face to face about what is happening.

"Please watch out for one another. Once you two get out of the Bone Eater's Well, you two will instantly focus on your inner strength, summoning your ki. It isn't very hard, to do. If it helps Souta, think happy thoughts." The woman paused for a second, before speaking again. "I think, that I have covered it all."

"Be careful."

"Wait," Hoshi called. He came running in, and handed the girl a piece of paper, and two envelopes. "The piece of paper, has all the spells that you need to help you on the journey to your father's citadel. The bigger envelope is supposed to go to your father, no matter what. The smaller one is for you and Souta to read once you arrive at the Citadel. Alright?"

Kagome nodded, she pulled on her little brother, and the two departed.

Kagome made sure that Souta had a Jewel Shard in his hand, before the two joined hands, and jumped into the Bone Eaters Well. The two could feel the blue magic pulse through them, as they time travelled. Once the two were out, Kagome took the Shard back, and put it into the small glass container, where she usually kept the Jewel Shards.

Kagome ran a hand through her midnight blue hair in anxiousness. She could hear InuYasha's voice in the distance.

"Don't be nervous," a voice said from beside her. "We're doing this for dad, and for the people living in our land."

Kagome didn't say anything, but that slowly eased her thoughts. InuYasha would wait for her to come back for him, she was sure of it. She motioned to Souta to follow her; they silently crept between the trees.

Suddenly, Kagome could hear InuYasha arguing with someone. A woman's voice followed InuYasha's, making Kagome feel very angry. That voice was Kikyo's voice! What was InuYasha doing with her? He had promised to be with her, didn't he? Kagome had thought of coming back after a few weeks, to explain everything to InuYasha.

"Is this how you repay me InuYasha?"

InuYasha resisted the urge to shiver at the sound of the woman's voice. "I told you Kikyo, just leave me alone."

Kikyo smirked, but did the opposite of what InuYasha had just requested. "I think not, InuYasha." The undead miko wrapped her cold arms around the inu-hanyou's neck, and pulled him close.

The two had started to kiss. InuYasha first didn't respond, but couldn't resist. It was her kiss, which made him weak at the knees. He snaked his arms around her waist, and pulled her closer to him.

Kagome watched from behind the trees, and resisted the urge to make herself known. No, this wouldn't do. She unmasked her scent as well as Souta's, using the spells that Hoshi had written on the piece of paper she had received.

Kikyo pulled away from the kiss she shared with InuYasha. "Promise me InuYasha, that you'll come with me, to hell?"

"I promise."

"Come on sis," Souta nudged his sister, and the two sped off. Kagome could barely contain the hurt that she felt inside of her. She just pushed the emotions to the recesses of her mind.

They had reached Kaede's village without a mishap happening. The two quickly made sure that the rest of the inu tachi were distracted.

"Listen sis," Souta said in a whisper. "I know that you're not happy about leaving the group, but it's for the best. Especially after you heard InuYasha ..."

"Lets not talk about him right now Souta," Kagome whispered back, she was trying to keep her voice steady. "Right now, we have to make sure that the group get the Jewel Shards, make sure that they know it was me who left it, so that we won't have to deal with anything else afterwards."

"Won't they come by the citadel anyway?" he asked as Kagome slammed the Jewel Shard glass case into the wood.

"We'll let someone else deal with it, then," Kagome said. She stuck one of her arrows above the glass case, and scattered the rest of them at the bottom. Using one of her nails, she carved the symbol of the Southern Lands.

"Perfect."

"Did you hear that bang?"

Kagome felt sick that was Miroku's voice.

"Let's go Souta."

The two jumped onto the roof, just in the nick of time. They jumped off the roof, and ran off towards the Bone Eaters Well.

InuYasha hurriedly ran towards Kaede's village, he heard frantic yelling coming from the group. Seeing Shippo's reddish brownish hair, which stuck out quite clearly. They were all gathered around the entrance of Kaede's home.

"What the hell is going on here?"

"InuYasha," Miroku said in a startled manner. "Look at this," the man pointed to where everyone was looking at.

He frowned when he saw the Jewel Shards indented into the wood, he saw Kagome's arrow on top of them. His stomach started to churn. 'Did something happen to her?'

Noticing a symbol carved next to the arrow, he was quite taken aback. Why would the symbol of the Southern Lands be there? Did someone from the Southern Lands take Kagome?

"What the fuck is that doing there?"

"InuYasha," Kaede called as she moved towards them. "Watch ye language around Shippo. He is merely a child, ye know."

"I am not a child," Shippo cried indignantly.

Kaede ignored him, and fingered the symbol. "Ah, so it begins, so it shall be. Thy Lady is back, and ready to rule."

"What the fuck are you talking about old woman?"

"Never ye mind, InuYasha." Kaede waved him off easily. "Kagome is safe, that is all ye should know."

Kagome and Souta finally reached the Southern Citadel. They were both slightly out of breath, which felt slightly normal for the two. There was a huge brick wall, with an iron gate in the center. Two guards were stationed outside of the gate.

"Who goes there?" one called.

"Kagome and Souta Higurashi."

One of the guards was a fire youkai; he conjured a fireball in the middle of his palm, and brought it closer to the two.

He gasped when he saw that the two really were Kagome and Souta Higurashi.

"Quick, inform Tin that the Prince and Princess of the Southern Lands has finally arrived."

After saying all the hellos to all these people, Kagome and Souta followed Tin to their father's quarters. Tin, was a short, stout man who had white hair. He was a neko youkai, and he a bright disposition. He was her father's personal advisor, and Kami forbid, if her father were to die he would be her personal advisor.

"Now children, please remember that your father is really ill. Though I don't see why the Lord cannot see his children." Tin slid the shoji door open, and stepped in. He beckoned to Kagome and Souta to follow him. The two stepped in obediently.

There, on the futon was Hiro Higurashi. Kagome walked towards her father, he looked extremely pale. He had long black hair, which went past his shoulders.

"Chichiue..."

Something came over Kagome, she didn't know what, but it was something. A part of her seemed to feel so familiar with this man. Yet, what was so familiar?

The man opened his eyes, and looked at both of his children.

"My children..."

There you have it people! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter; it's completely redone and everything. What do you think?

Please read and review!

m1s7ress