Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or it's characters, that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Nor do I own Naruto or it's characters, that right belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.
Author's Notes: Kikyo/Kagome 6, Itachi 5, Shisui 9, Bankotsu 13, Kakashi 14, Asuma Sarutobi 13, Rookie 9 Not born yet. So if you do not like that, I politely ask you toturn around and leave now. Because I don't see the point in you wasting your time and mine.
It was taking a long time; the cries from inside the room had long ceased. It left those in the hallway on edge. None of them sure if everything was okay. Blue eyes met blue as two men looked at each other. Their noses twitching as they caught the new scent that only comes from a baby. Though as their eyes widened, realizing it was not just one new scent, but two distinctive, they turned as one to the double doors leading into the room. Which opened, but seconds later, as one of the Higurashi clan elders, Kaede opened it.
"Sir Ryoga, young master Bankotsu, you may enter, Kun-loon requests your presence," she spoke.
Not needing another invitation, the two moved as one. Their eyes focused on the large, simple four-poster bed behind the short woman. Where a flush-faced, raven-haired woman, lay holding two small pink wrapped bundles. It had them happy and confused. It was not heard of in the Higurashi Clan to have twins. This was an omen, but neither was sure of what kind as they came to a halt by the bed.
"Ryoga, love... darling Ban... I'd like you to meet the two newest members of our family," Kun-loon said as she shifted the bundles just slightly so that the two infants could be seen.
The men took matching deep breathes as they stared down into two similar heart-shaped faces. The first little girl had dark-brown eyes, while the other looked back with blue eyes. Each knew that in the Higurashi line that all females had black hair and brown eyes. It was some type of given, but to see dark ocean blue eyes were odd. The littlest of the two had eyes like her father.
"Anata, what are their names?" Ryoga asked.
A smile flashed briefly across Kun-loons face, "The one with brown eyes shall be known as Kikyo. The other, Kagome."
At that, the men smiled and reached out to take the little ones from her. The awe on their faces at the tiny little pink bundled babies, who just stared back at them with matching calm looks, that seemed just to assess everything in an odd manner.
"Have they been tested?" Bankotsu asked his mother.
The fact that there was no immediate reply had the men looking from the infants to the woman in the bed and seeing a dark, almost stormy look on her face. Both were knowing that was not good. So, silently they waited until their clan leader gave her reply.
"Kikyo tested positive and strong. Kagome... she is... a null," she muttered.
The matching frowns that the men had at that was telling. The Clan didn't outright kick those females with no spiritual power out. But they tended to be treated as lesser. But there would come a second chance to be tested for Kagome upon reaching puberty. It was known that sometimes the holy powers were latent and took adolescence to kickstart. But until then, they knew the only thing that would protect Kagome was that her mother was the Matriarch of the Clan, it's leader.
A frown pulled the small pink mouth down into a frown as blue eyes bore into brown. It was another full-blown staring contest between the two girls. And, of course, the outcome was evident as the owner of the brown eyes face became stormy. Bottom lip trembling, ready to cry aloud. It was annoying, but there was nothing that could be done since the brown-eyed girl was the pride and joy of the Higurashi Clan Elders — leaving the girl very spoiled to the core, haughty, and self-righteous. Which the girl took advantage of when she wanted something or was denied.
A small huff came before the object that was being fought over was thrust at the girl. The blue eyes darkening dangerously as their owner turned and ran away. She was leaving the brown-eyed girl to smirk happily as she threw the doll on the ground. She had a matching one and didn't need this one. It was just fun for her to tease and pick on her sister. She knew that she was not able to do a thing about it.
Neither had been aware of the two silent watchers from across the courtyard. Blue and Black eyes had watched the whole exchange from beginning to end. Both knowing who was at fault as they shook their heads and walked over to the now dirty doll. One was bending down and picking it up and dusting it off.
"I think this is ridiculous."
"Oh, I agree with you, Kakashi, but there is nothing I can do. It was decided the moment Kagome tested as null," Bankotsu said as he sighed.
With a shrug of his shoulders, he looked in the direction his youngest sister had gone. He knew exactly where she was at. He'd give her a few more minutes alone before he followed. It hurt him that his usually happy-go-lucky sister was made to be this way. He loved both of them dearly. But because of the Elders filling Kikyo's head with how much better she was than her sister, Kikyo had become cruel and selfish — often making Kagome's life hell. And the worst part was that they were only four years of age.
"Want me to come with you?" Kakashi asked.
"Sure, you always make her smile," Bankotsu said, his voice getting a bit icy around the edge, as his friend chuckled.
The whole council, Hokage included, we're staring at the two young Chunin that had burst into the meeting. All of them were surprised that the two of them would dare interrupt. So, as the two teens stood there wide-eyed and looking frantic and fearful, everyone gathered knew it was serious.
"What is the meaning of this, Asuma? Bankotsu?" The Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi asked in a calm, but authoritative voice.
A faint flush appeared on both young men's faces as they straightened up. Sharing a glance and unspoken words.
"Fath... Hokage, Higurashi Kagome... has gone... missing..." Asuma said, cringing.
It was silent for all of four seconds before pandemonium broke out. Those gathered were having varied reactions. The other Clan Heads who held a position on the council looked either amused, intrigued, or outright horrified. The two elders looked shocked, scandalized. Danzo looked like he had been given the best present ever, while the Hokage and head of the Higurashi Clan just stared coldly at the two young men.
"And... just how did a six-year-old girl get away from two fully trained Chunin?" Sarutobi asked.
All commentary had ceased at those words, as several eyes focused on their Hokage and the woman the child belonged to next to him. It was a well-kept secret amongst all the council members that the Sarutobi clan was second cousins with the Higurashi Clan Matriarch. Since all but the Senju and Uchiha, the founding clans of Konoha were married into the Higurashi Clan. And that their Hokage was exceptionally fond of his cousin, and both of her daughters, especially Kagome. Who most of them had never seen before.
"Well, you see, sir... Kagome had been acting a bit funny all day... Had a mild fever, was glassy-eyed and kept staring off in a particular direction," Bankotsu said.
Asuma sighed, scratching the back of his head as he spoke up, "When asked if she was alright. She just nodded and walked away. We kept track of her and made sure she wasn't hurt or anything. But, we took both our eyes from her when Kikyo started to scream... When we looked back after making sure she was alright, Kagome was gone."
At this, the silence in the room was deafening. Before, a small cough drew everyone's attention to the Higurashi Matriarch. Her brown eyes were tranquil, face blank as she stood up. Smoothed out the front of her robes and kept her gaze on the two boys.
"Did at any point while Kagome was acting weird, did she say anything?" she asked, her voice calm, though it held a small worried tremor.
It took a few seconds before both teens nodded their heads yes. Only to see a dark eyebrow arch up impatient expectations.
"She said something about finding someone..." Asuma said, confused.
This brought a small groan from the Higurashi Matriarch.
"Of course, Kagome would have to do things backward..." Kun-loon said as she plopped down into her chair.
The room filled with silence as the others thought about it. There was very little known about the Higurashi Clan, other than that they were run by a female, always. They had spiritual abilities. And that the females always knew who their future husband was. In fact, it was quite an honor for someone to be chosen as a spouse to the Higurashi's.
It was this thought that had Fugaku tilting his head and looking at Kun-Loon. A small smile twitching at the corners of his lips.
"Oh? How old are your twins again?" he asked politely for him.
This had the other clan heads stiffening in the realization of what he was getting at. The sharp look from both the Hokage and Kun-loon as well didn't seem to phase him as he waited patiently for an answer.
"They are a year older than your Itachi, so they just turned six at the beginning of July," Kun-loon answered, her eyes narrowing she watched Fugaku smile widely.
"I see... This should be interesting... has something like this ever happened before? At this age?" Fugaku asked, keeping his voice polite, almost neutral.
"Yes... a long time ago, before Konoha was founded... It was the founder of the Higurashi Clan, the priestess Midoriko. She knew who her spouse was at the age of eight," Kun-look groused, not pleased at all.
There were very few boys near the age of the Higurashi twins. One was none other than Fugaku's son. But then again, there had been matches were the spouse was up to ten years the women's senior and almost five years younger. But never had a Higurashi been drawn to a Senju or Uchiha. Though with the Clan having had twins, this threw things a bit off. So, now there could be a chance for that to happen. But there was no Senju left, as the only survivor had left Konoha a while ago. And as far as they all knew, Tsunade didn't have any children.
TBC!
