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: [CHANGING UP HOW I AM DOING THE AGES! Months will be at the start of chapters, so progression is shown! {is the age at the time of the chapter being written}]

Kikyo/Kagome {8} (July 2nd)

Itachi {8} (June 9th) is his birthday

Shisui {9} (oct 19th)

Bankotsu {16} (August 30th)

Kakashi {16} (September 15th)

Asuma Sarutobi {16} (October 18th)

Neji {2}(July 3rd)

Tenten {34} (March 9th)

Rock Lee {2} (November 27th)

Shino Aburame {2} January 23rd

Sakura {2} March 28th

Choji Akimichi {2} May 1st

Kiba Inuzuka {1} July 7th

Sasuke {1} July 23rd

Shikamaru Nara {1} September 22nd

Ino Yamanaka (1}September 23rd

Naruto {1} October 10th

Hinata Hyuga {1}December 27th

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 wasting your time and mine.

JUNE 9th

The sound of laughter filled the head of the Uchiha Clan's house. Many were gathered (most feeling out of place) in the back yard watching the children talk and play. It was the Uchiha Clan Heir's birthday, and he'd been adamant about a party for himself.

The Clean Elders knew the amount of coercion Itachi, Shisui, and Makoto had used. It terrified them. Those three as a team were no joke. But a compromise had been reached between all parties.

Itachi had readily agreed to extra training classes and missions with his Genin Team. All of whom were also in attendance.

Many of the Clan members were disgruntled about non-Uchiha being inside their compound. However, no one was brave enough to speak up and earn Makoto's wrath. She'd been scary when she was an active Kunoichi and still was as their Clan Matriarch.

They let their gazes shift to the person of honor. Those of the Clan watching felt awe at the smile on Itachi's face. It was mesmerizing but so out of place. But who put it there wasn't surprising. It was the younger of the two Higurashi twins. Who still seemed to shuffle between Itachi and Shisui. Though they all knew it could not be both.

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"Itachi, what do you want for a gift?"

Smiling warmly, Itachi looked down at Kagome. After his most recent growth spurt, he was no 122 cm(48in/4ft). Thus making him taller than Kagome, who was 109cm (41in/3ft 5in). Her blue eyes were wide and expectant.

Itachi cocked his head to the side, pretending to think. He knew what he wanted.

"So, Kagome, I'm?" he asked, not being altogether subtle.

How her pink lips pressed into a thin line, Itachi knew she knew what he was asking of her.

"Hmmm, Itachi," she mumbled. "When?"

"The way you are is obvious since I know you well enough." He whispered to Kagome ignoring her question.

"Our secret then?" Kagome mumbled in response. The worry on her face was evident for him to see.

"Is there a reason?"

His words had Kagome nodding her head. Itachi had figured as much, and he already despised most of those in the Higurashi Clan.

"I'll ask no more," He finally said.

The sudden hug had Itachi chuckling as he responded in kind.

"Then I'll give you a different gift. A better gift for being my secret keeper."

Itachi blinked as Kagome rose on the balls of her feet. The second her lips touched his cheek Itachi felt his ears burn! A lot of people were watching them.

But it was a good mask as he felt her holy power burn through him like ice water. It rushed to every place he'd ever suffered a wound, and his lungs and eyes had him breathing deeply and easier. But the sharp clarity with which he could see now left him speechless.

Amazed instinct had Itachi grabbing Kagome and already knowing the price she paid for using her Holy powers. When a shadow fell over him, he just calmly looked into her angry older brother's dark, stormy blue eyes.

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A sharp tingle ran chillingly down his spine. Pausing his conversation, Bankotsu narrowed his eyes and looked around. He'd only arrived a few minutes ago.

When his gaze landed on his little sister and the Uchiha Heir, a sudden quiet descended around him told Bankotsu his anger was showing. However, he did not care as he walked away from those talking to him.

Bankotsu couldn't help but wonder what this little boy had done to get his Kagome to kiss him. Let alone heal him. Bankotsu frowned at the fact that someone other than him and Kakashi knew about Kagome's hidden Holy Powers. So as he reached the children, Itachi's dark gray eyes lifted as he supported a now sleepy Kagome.

The slight curl of Itachi's lips spoke of both smugness and (forbidden)knowledge. It had Bankotsu freezing as it dawned on him; Itachi had known about Kagome's Reiki for a while.

"I'll say nothing," Itachi whispered as he shifted Kagome toward himself. "But it looks like Kagome's still tired."

Bankotsu felt his lips twitch as he fought to keep from smiling. Itachi was too intelligent and perceptive for his age(and own good). And Kagome still had problems after her kidnapping that made Itachi's words so convenient.

"Yeah, let me take her to rest," he said.

"Okay, you know where the guest room is. I'll let our mothers know."

He gave a slight nod as Bankotsu took Kagome and watched Itachi walk off once she was secure.

"Did I miss something?"

"Kaka!?"

Bankotsu rolled his eyes at his best friend's words and the sleep-slurred mumble from his sleeping sister. It frustrated him how (even asleep) she always knew when Kakashi was nearby. It had him thinking his best friend was her bonded.

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Kakashi accepted the silence as he followed Bankotsu into the Uchiha Head's house. His finger was in the death grip of Kagome's hand. IT had him feeling warm, safe, accepted, and loved. Odd by itself, yet Kakashi acknowledged it. Kagome was indeed an enigma to him.

A quick movement had Kakashi turning his head to meet his mentor's gaze before stepping into the house.

"You want to hold her?"

Whipping his head around, Kakashi looked at Bankotsu. He was surprised at the question. Everyone in Konoha knew about Bankotsu Higurashi's sister complex he had toward his youngest sister.

"Nah. I think Kagome's happier in her big brother's arms," he replied.

The quiet grunt he got had Kakashi chuckling softly. Bankotsu was so easily riled and appeased it was amusingly cute.

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Minato listened as Kun-Loon, Makoto, and a few Uchiha Elders talked. His mind was elsewhere. He had long noticed Kun-Loon's secretive behavior since last year. Yet something kept him from prying.

Looking around, he felt a murderous aura, and Minato laughed as he watched Bankotsu march toward a surprised Itachi, who Kagome was kissing. The reason for the young Higurashi's murderous aura.

"I see your eldest child's sister complex is getting worse, Kun-Loon," Makoto teased.

"So it seems," Kun-Loon replied, not hiding her exasperation.

Minato's eyes followed Bankotsu as he walked into the house with Kagome when he saw Itachi walk toward them. Minato met Kakashi's gaze for a few seconds.

"I'll go check on the situation. Besides, Naruto, Sota, and Sasuke should be awake from their naps," he said.

The gentle smile Kun-Loon gave him told him she was grateful. Same with Makoto. With a bow, Minato excused himself and made his way into the house. A part of him felt leery when Fugaku stepped out of his study. But the polite yet distant hello was enough to give Minato a bit of ease.

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Fugaku watched as Minato walked down the hall to the nursery. His youngest was there sleeping with Kun-Loon's son and Minato's son. The fact that the Jinchuriki was in his house didn't sit well. But he knew enough of the Higurashi Clan not to worry the child would go berserk.

He'd heard Kakashi (whom he detested for having an Uchiha Sharingan) and Bankotsu going to the guest room. Kagome had passed out, which worried him. He hoped his son was the bonded with the girl. But a frail wife was a concern.

Fugaku did not care if Kagome was born without her Clan's Genkai. She could pass it to her children, which could(and would) strengthen the Uchiha Clan. And Kagome becoming Makoto's daughter-in-law would make his wife happy. She'd always wanted a daughter.

Smiling to himself, Fugaku made his way to the backyard.

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'How are things progressing?"

"Smoothly. No one seems to have an inclination about our plans."

"Good. We have to wait until their birthday. According to the scrolls and what we can translate, it's the best day as it was the original bonding day."

"Perfect. And the place has been confirmed? Though I am questioning this person's reason for helping us."

"I've no clue. But they're from one of the original Clan's and have always done what's best for Konoha."

"True, true. Let's adjourn. Our Matriarch and the outsider will return soon with the children."

Soon a group of people left the small, hidden chamber. None the wiser about the small tan and black interloper. Who knew that what was overheard wasn't good? But then again, they were sent to watch because of their idiocy.

With a soft 'poof,' the watcher went back to report. There was now a date and potential location for the switching ritual. And the great lady had been rather specific in learning about this information.

TBC!