Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters; that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Nor do I own Naruto or its characters; that right belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.

Author's Note: Kikyo/Kagome 8, Itachi 7, Shisui 8, Bankotsu 15, Kakashi 15, Asuma Sarutobi 15, Rookie 9 are 1 to 2 yrs old, Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee 2 to 3yrs. So if you do not like that, I politely ask you to turn around and leave now because I don't see the point in you wasting your time and mine. (Shishui hasn't reached his 9th Birthday if we are only in July. Itachi's Birthday is June 9th. Think chronologically in order based on months.)

Bright laughter was heard from the Higurashi compound, causing those passing by to stop and smile. It was a well-known fact that today, July 2nd, was the Clan's very own Twins birthday. And while the Twins were currently the talk of the town, since last December when the Matriarch Kun-Loon had been seen rushing through the snow-covered streets, daughter in tow to the Hyuga Compound, rumors had flown.

The Hyuga Heir had been born, a little girl named Hinata. But that was eclipsed when it was leaked that the Clan Head Hiashi twin brother, Hizashi, son was then bonded to the eldest and Heir for the Higurashi Clan. This had caused a stir, for a servant had verified getting to see the moment, which was usually a very private thing. Though it was clear as day that the elder Higurashi Twin didn't seem happy about it, since it was clear she favored the Uchiha's whom her younger sister was close with. Leaving more rumors of whom the young Kagome was bonded to between Itachi or his Cousin Shishui.

"Itachi, over here!"

At the sound of his Cousin's voice, Itachi stiffened slightly before slowly turning. He was leery with Shishui calling out to him. Especially after the 'surprise' party that had been thrown last month for him on his Birthday. He had been prepared for a potential attack for training purposes after coming back from his genin mission and had pulled out several exploding tags and kunai only to have people jump out shouting at him. If he had been less trained or prepared to assess the situation and react accordingly, he would have hurt quite a few people.

What irritated him about it all was that his sensei and team members had been in on it and hadn't given away anything. Which, to Itachi, had been strange because he could read them all like an open book, most of the time. Then again, Kikyo and Kagome had been there, and the former of the two twins had been in the right mood. She had her bonded with her as well, meaning that there was a Hyuga (even if a baby) in the Uchiha compound.

"Itachi, would you just look, darn it!"

Pulling himself from his thoughts, Itachi finished turning and went very still as he saw Kagome standing by his Cousin. She was in a pale green and red summer Yukata that stopped just below her knees, while her hair was pulled up into a ponytail with the red and yellow ribbon that he had given her for Christmas. Suddenly, Itachi felt his face begin to heat up as Kagome smiled shyly at him.

"Well, go on."

Flicking his eyes to his Cousin, then back to Kagome only to see her stumble a few steps before walking normally. He was curious about what was going on? Today was her Birthday; he should probably tell her 'thank you' for being invited. Then again, it also meant he had to talk to Kikyo and tell her the same thing. A thing he did not want to do. In the past few months, she had become very unbearable. He was well aware of why to; she liked him and would rather have been bonded to either him or Shishui. Even now, after a slight attitude adjustment, she still coveted things that Kagome had.

"Hi, Itachi."

Blinking slowly, Itachi looked down the few short inches to see Kagome peeking up at him through her bangs. And though he wouldn't say it aloud, he found her to be very cute when she got like this.

"Hello, Kagome. Happy Birthday, adn thank you for inviting my Cousin and me."

The way her face turned a darker shade of pink as she blushed had him fighting to keep a smile from his face. All while he took another glance at Shisui, who was giving him a semi-dark glare. This was a point for him on the mental tally sheet he kept and knew that Shishui kept as well.

"OH, oh... um, you are welcome. I was wondering, Itachi, if you liked how your present looked in my hair?"

Finally, Itachi allowed a smile to appear on his face as he stepped back and walked around Kagome. Pretending to take a closer assessing look. Giving a small hum as he watched her began to fidget nervously.

"You look very pretty. The colors compliment your natural coloring," Itachi said, coming to a halt before her with a mock-serious look and speaking in a teasing tone.

The way her eyes went wide before she puffed up her cheeks, teasing her before giving her an answer.

"That's mean, Itachi. You could have just told me."

He halted when a sharp cough came from behind him, giving a small shake of his head and opening his mouth to reply. He didn't need to look to know who it was because Kagome's eyes became dull and dark, while Shishui gave a soft annoyed hiss. Knowing he had a duty to perform, Itachi turned a forced polite smile on his face and looked Kikyo in the eyes.

"Hello, Itachi. I hope you are enjoying yourself at my birthday party. And I am curious what you think of how I look? Since you complimented Kagome."

The level of arrogance she displayed as her jealousy shown through had him wanting to cut her down verbally, again. But he knew it would cause problems for Kagome. Since the Elders of the Higurashi Clan still tried to find every little fault with her.

"You look nice, Kikyo," he stated in a bland tone. "But I am curious, where is your handmaiden and the young Hyuga? I was hoping to get to see Neji again."

The way Kikyo shut down, her brown eyes flashing in anger and fear, let him know she had snuck away. He had learned that even though the bonding had taken place, it was still weak, and Kikyo had to stay near baby Neji to make it stronger. And that she would get in trouble not just with her mother, but the Elders of the Clan as well, for wandering off as she had. It was his way of getting back at her for trying to take the show away from Kagome.

Several sets of eyes watched the interactions of the four children. Each was showing mild amusement or annoyance at the scene before them. It was interesting to observe the dynamic of three of the children, where it was like a bumbling love triangle, though none of them were aware of the obvious feelings that were starting to show. However, it was clear that the inclusion of the fourth was still tenuous at best.

As they watched the confrontation take place, several of the onlookers couldn't help but notice the reactions to not just the very loudly and rudely spoken request but the physical response that two of the three others were having. The boys didn't like that the 'interloper,' as they silently termed the eldest Higurashi twin, wanted to take all the attention for herself. While the youngest just smiled and looked on with dull eyes. It was clear that she wouldn't speak up for fear of retribution.

There was nothing much more that could be done to help her out without making it seem like favorites were being played (not that the Elders of the Higurashi Clan didn't already do that with the eldest of the twins). A sad fact that everyone in attendance knew. When Kikyo turned and ran off, her face splotchy with her temper, they all wondered just what would happen? Because it was not Kagome who had spoken up and rejected her sister, no, it was the Heir to the Uchiha Clan and his Cousin, a notable and respectable ninja in his own right.

"Thank you."

Her words were spoken very softly, so only the two left standing with her were the only ones able to hear. Keeping her eyes cast to the ground, Kagome wanted to cry. This was supposed to be a happy, joyous day for her sister and herself. Yet, thanks to Kikyo, she felt as if the mood was spoiled. A part of her wanted to accept that this was her plight in life and push away the two she called friends. Yet, Kagome knew that wasn't going to happen; they could tag team her and out stubborn her in one go. And the other part of her wanted to put on a smile, act as if nothing was wrong, or nothing bad was going to happen after the party was over and everyone left or went back to their daily lives.

Since last October, things have gotten strange for her. And something, some little voice in the back of her head, told her that she shouldn't speak up about the changes she noticed in herself. When she looked at people, she could see a faint, blurry cloud of colors and sometimes images? That she seemed to know things when she shouldn't. Proof came last December with her speaking up about the Clan Heads Twin Brother having a baby. It was as if something inside her (the voice maybe?) compelled her to speak up on knowledge Kagome knew she didn't have.

"Hey, it is okay. And you know if there is trouble, you can always run away and come to us in the Uchiha district."

Blinking her eyes rapidly, Kagome let a small smile appear to show how happy she was at Shishui's offer.

"Indeed. Do not forget, Kagome, that you also have this Sesshomaru."

The way that both Shishui and Itachi stiffened at the deep, calm, and cold voice had Kagome spinning around. She didn't care if the shock she was feeling showed upon her face. Sesshomaru was not (one to be) meddlesome, let alone generally friendly or offering up comfort or protection like that. If anyone asked her, she would have told them that he would protect her if he felt she needed it, or only intervene if it would kill her.

"Thank you, Sesshomaru-sama," Kagome said, bowing politely to acknowledge his offer, then turned to Itachi and Shishui, only to feel her eyes go wide at the sight of three people standing behind them.

Giving a soft squeal, Kagome thanked her friends as she ran between them without a second thought. Her arms thrust out as she slammed into Kakashi, who just rubbed at her head affectionately. She couldn't help it; she liked him a lot. But Kagome knew that it wasn't love, nope, that her heart belonged to her bonded. And that her natural reaction to her brother Bankotsu's best friend and teammate would make her bonded jealous. She privately thought it was cute to see it appear on his face because it was so out of place.

"Kagome? What about me? Am I chopped liver now? Not worthy of my little sister's love and affection?"

The sound of mock sadness mixed with annoyance as her brother spoke had her giggling as she peeked around Kakashi and winked. The way she felt the energy from both Shishui and Itachi shift and change was very telling. Neither liked it when Kakashi showed up and took all her attention away. Soon, though, Kagome knew she wouldn't be able to do this. That same feeling she got near people told her that things would change for Kakashi soon enough.

"But, Ban, you know that you're always the first guy in my life until I marry. You're my big brother and the best big brother in all of Konoha!" She quipped as a faint blush colored Bankotsu's face.

"Well, then Birthday girl, how about giving me a hug before I go with dumb and dumber to report to the Hokage about our mission?"

With a soft laugh, her mood lightening a little, Kagome let go of Kakashi, waved to Asuma, and threw herself into the waiting arms of her older brother. When he squeezed her before picking her up, Kagome squealed and laughed. All while letting her blue eyes meet the matching ones of her elder brother. In the span of a few months, she had learned to talk with no words with him. He was well aware of Kikyo's attitude and the Elders trying to hurt her in any way possible.

A single dark eye narrowed as a thin smile played across his lips. He had a grudge and intended to act on it soon enough. But right now, he let a serene smile show on his face as he tilted his head in acknowledgment of a Higurashi Elder. It was obvious that the smile was fake, put on for show. And while normally he'd take offense to it, this was a prime opportunity to observe the Higurashi Clan from within while they had their guards down.

He had a theory about the twins, based on stories that were (now) mere rumors currently. The Legend behind the Higurashi Clan was well kept Clan Secret. But it was public knowledge that it was started before the first Shinobi war and was tantamount during the founding of Konoha. They had a strange, unique power that wasn't Chakra, and it was something that he wanted to explore. Each head was supposedly from Midoriko, its founder, who even the First Hokage Hashirama and Madara Uchiha respected.

All he had was a theory about that power, and he was sure that it revolved around the Twins. Turning his gaze back to where the youngest was with the two Uchiha and now three others, and the girls' summons. It means that approaching her would not go well. He was pretty sure he'd be met with outright hostility. And the Elder Twin was currently with her bonded, a Hyuga. That was a situation he could potentially manipulate to his advantage at a late time. Since it was obvious, the girl wasn't happy to be bonded to the year-old Neji Hyuga. And while the Clan was honored at it, it meant that as soon as the boy would be placed in the Higurashi Clan and not have the seal that the Main House put on Clan members to protect them.

It would be the perfect amount of chaos to interject with no one noticing. But only after the boy was old enough to leave his parents. Biding his time, being patient was an art long mastered.

TBC!

The next story to update is Into the Lake.