Steel and Ivory
Chapter 2: Wife in View
…
Despite the unspoken marriage proposal in the air, Sesshomaru kept Kagome and Naruto separated from each other for the rest of the foreign ninjas' stay with them.
She was absolutely mortified when over udon one night at dinner, her brother had the audacity to tell Jiraiya that he expected his sister's virtue to be kept until after the wedding. Despite it being her favorite food, she quickly excused herself to her bed chambers least she pass out from the shame at the dinner table.
Naruto hadn't faired much better mumbling to Jiraiya he was only fifteen and needed to bring someone back home before he could settle down.
Kagome didn't take it too personally, at only fifteen herself and recently promoted to Chunin she felt quite similar in the fact that she was not ready to settle down. Despite being legal adults due to their ninja status neither wanted the responsibility of a spouse quite yet.
Jiraiya had laughed saying he would sooner break up one of their spars on their way to Konoha than another make out session. Apparently being caught by their parental figures scarred them enough to where they did not want a repeat. Sesshomaru wasn't quite convinced and said due to their natural instincts if left alone long enough it was bound to happen again.
She wanted to agree with Jiraiya more than her brother but she found she couldn't. Something about the loudmouthed blonde called to her like a beacon inviting her home. At least she knew she wasn't the only one, she felt the stares he would give her when he felt no one was looking. It was endearing and she wondered why he didn't already have a girlfriend back home.
He was definitely unexpected. She could feel the power roll of of him and yet his loudmouthed attitude made it clear he was used to being underestimated.
It was something they had in common. She was used to people thinking her weak thanks to her short stature and feminine curves. It was a double edged sword. One she wasn't even sure she was willing to learn at the tender age of 13 but now, looking at Naruto she was grateful for the seduction lessons she went through. Powerful did not always equal intelligent when it came to these matters and Naruto did seem a bit dense when it came to the opposite sex. After that first make-out section he couldn't even look her in the eyes for the rest of their visit; something that grated her nerves quite a bit.
She sighed as they made their way through the forest, Konoha should be about another hour away.
She stretched languidly on the tree waiting for Naruto and Jiraiya-sama to catch up. Naruto was right about her speed the first time they met. Though she was more impressed with the compliments the Toad sage gave her than the genin. She couldn't believe he didn't get promoted during the last Chunin exams but under the threat of Orochimaru's attack she could understand why not many did. She was lucky that she got promoted after a mission with Sango and Ayame. It was unanimous by not only Sesshomaru but his council as well. Miroku, Inuyasha and Shippo were quite put out of it until they were promoted a few months later after completing a few more missions of their own.
"Kagome-chan! Do you have to run so fast?" Her musings were stopped by Naruto's whine and she smiled seeing her betrothed and his teacher a bit winded due to them trying to keep up with her.
"Gomen'asai, Naruto-kun. I didn't realize how fast I was going, I'm a bit excited to see Konohagakure. I've never been."
At this his look turned sheepish and he rubbed the back of his head nervously, "I'll show you around as soon as we finish reporting to Baa-chan, Dattebayu!"
"Arigatou, Naruto-kun! I can't wait to see everything" Kagome smiled hugging the boy as she thanked him.
Naruto recovered fairly quickly patting her back causing Kagome's eyes to narrow.
'This awkward, shy phase of his is getting old." she thought to herself; still he was trying which was better than the stammering mess he was in front of her brothers after they got caught kissing.
Jiraiya chuckled as he watched the two, "We're almost to the gates let's hurry up and report to Tsunade-sama so we can relax and you can show your girlfriend the town Naruto."
"She's not my girlfriend!" he shouted and Jiraiya looked thoughtful for a moment before agreeing with him.
"Your soon to be fiance then."
Kagome giggled at the man's antics noticing the blush on the blonde's face.
Their "Marriage Proposal" was quite unorthodox but the longer she was around the blonde and he shared with her about his teammates and his goals of rescuing Sasuke and becoming the Hokage the more she genuinely found she liked the boy walking with her currently. She grew up as "the Princess". Tsukikage are hereditary unlike other villages. Her father Touga was before Sesshomaru and all three grew up with the possibility of an arranged marriage. Naruto never had that growing up and she realized it was probably quite a shock to him. She did know that she was attracted to him and he was definitely attracted to her and she was willing to "date" him until he realized that their union could be beneficial for the both of them not just their villages.
Kagome's stealth and brilliance in genjutsu was just as powerful as Naruto's ninjutsu and taijutsu where he was weak she would be able to cover him they could be a formidable power couple given the chance.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Naruto sped past her in his excitement and she and Jiraiya hurried to catch him all three stopping at the gate before him.
"Well, well, look who's home! It's good to see you, Naruto-san."
"Izumo-san, Jiraiya-sensei and I brought a guest from Tsuki!"
"Hello, my name is Taisho Kagome! It's a pleasure to meet you!" Kagome said bowing next to Naruto.
"Kagome-hime, it's wonderful to meet you as well, Lady Tsunade warned me we'd have a special visitor today, when I saw Naruto I assumed it was him and Jiraiya-sama."
"Please just Kagome is fine, I like to think of myself as a ninja before anything else." she waved him off as Jiraiya led the two away towards the Hokage tower.
"Why'd he call you a princess?" Naruto asked to her quietly.
Kagome looked at him over, he appeared deep in thought so she whispered back, "Tsukikage positions are hereditary, not like in Konohagakure. Before Sesshomaru our father, Touga was the village leader. I'm not really a princess but because it's a bloodline thing a lot of people, outsiders especially refer to me as '-hime'" Kagome explained with a tight look upon her face as Naruto shook his head understanding her words.
It didn't take long at all before they were in front of Lady Tsunade, it was an even shorter amount of time before her assistant, Shizune lead Kagome to the quarters they have when diplomats from foreign lands stay. Naruto being urged to meet up with his normal team so he could be tested on his skills while he was out with Jiraiya. The two sages were left to talk in private and Kagome had no doubt that he would be bringing up their "betrothal" and her brother's arrival in about a weeks time.
"This is where you'll be staying, Kagome-hime. You're free to explore Konoha at your leisure, of course."
"Thank you, Shizune-san. Please call me Kagome. I'd hate for people to see me as a princess here, instead of a ninja."
"Of course, Kagome-chan." Shizune agreed bowing before walking away from the girl.
Kagome took in her surroundings, pleased that she wasn't led to a grander room, suitable for Daimyo's and actual royalty.
Her first order of business before she went exploring for the training grounds though …
A shower.
…
Naruto was quite pleased with himself.
Spoiling Icha Icha for Kakashi-sensei wasn't the most noblest of ways to win the bells for himself and Sakura-chan but he figured it was karma for the '1000 years of death' Kakashi pulled on him two years ago.
"I can't believe that actually worked, how about I treat you to ramen for coming up with that plan." Sakura told him happily.
"Really that would be awesome!" Naruto cheered but then thought of something before continuing, "I really need to check on Kagome-chan make sure she's okay before we go. We can invite her too, if you don't mind, Sakura?" Naruto asked as an afterthought
"Kagome-chan? Did you go out and find yourself a girlfriend, Naruto-kun?"
"Jiraiya-sensei says negotiations are being made between the Tsukikage and Baa-chan for a marriage proposal." he said quietly and Sakura fell over at his words.
"Are you serious?" she recovered quickly.
Naruto nodded once in the affirmative, "Jiraiya said that the Third actually thought of it when we were first born but Kagome's mom wasn't a big fan. Truthfully I think I do like her." he admitted and Sakura smiled softly noticing the blush on his face, "I'm not sure about the whole 'wedding' thing but Pervy sage says I should take her seriously especially since he knows for a fact I like her."
"Well then she definitely needs to come with us for ramen." Sakura decided
"Where is she staying at?"
Naruto hummed in happiness at Sakura's welcoming attitude before he answered, "I have no idea."
Sakura was determined Naruto wouldn't make her trip again at his blasé responses.
…
Kagome had finished her shower enjoying the hot water and steam that filled the bathroom.
She quickly wrapped the towel around her and grabbed her red ribbon once her hair was dried off tying it into a high ponytail so as not to get into her face and proceeded to get dressed in her normal ninja clothes. A white top with red outlines was quickly tied on her; with a pair of matching shorts followed by her black bandages she wrapped around her arms, one in a crisscross pattern going up to just below her elbow and the other around her wrist where she placed her small black and gold gauntlet, each knuckle holding a small seal for emergency adrenaline pills should the need arise. She placed a matching black and gold obi around her waist. She finished her ensemble with crisscrossing her black bandages up her right leg and doing the same to the bottom of her left foot and ankle before slipping her sandals on to go exploring.
When she opened the door she was pleasantly surprised to see Naruto poised to knock on her door.
"Naruto-kun! I was just about to go exploring your village. I didn't think you or your teammate would have finished so soon."
Naruto took a loud gulp of air and Kagome smiled as she watched him look her up and down.
"Naruto-kun? Aren't you going to introduce us?"
Kagome tilted her head and looked at the slightly taller girl, and smiled warmly at her. "You must be Sakura-san, Naruto spoke fondly of you and your other teammate along with your sensei. It's a pleasure I'm Taisho Kagome."
"Haruno Sakura." she answered with a smile, "Cha I can see why Naruto got with her, the pervert!"
"I was just telling Naruto I would take him out for ramen since he came up with the plan that let us finally defeat Kakashi-sensei."
"I'd be delighted, Haruno-san." Kagome said bowing slightly
"Sakura please."
"Then please call me Kagome! I'm excited to have met one of Naruto-kun's friends."
Naruto watched the interaction with baited breath. It was one thing for Sakura to pretend to like the girl when he spoke of her earlier but he was nervous what would happen once the two actually met face to face.
He let out a laugh as he heard Kagome whisper to Sakura lightly, "Is your sensei really as perverted as Naruto-kun said?"
…
The trip to Ichiraku's was uneventful as the two kunoichi whispered to each other. Naruto falling back as he listened to the two gossip.
"And Kurenai-sensai and Asuma-sensei have been skirting around each other for weeks now, when everyone who's around them knows they like each other."
Naruto sensed the other two teams before he saw them and quickened his pace to catch up to the girls. Grabbing Kagome's hand in the process.
Startled, Kagome looked down at their hands and smiled shyly up at the genin.
Sakura watched the cute display on side of her, before she saw Ino, Shikamaru and Chouji arrive and she was able to head off the trio before Ino could start questioning the other girl.
"Watch what you say Ino. Naruto is very protective of her." Sakura warned as Ino moved her gaze to the couple.
"How did a dobe like Naruto get with a girl like that?" she whispered back to the pinkette
"They met on his travels with Jiraiya-sama."
The Ino-Shika-Cho team watched as the shorter girl leaned up to whisper something into Naruto's ear and he nodded though his eyes narrowed a bit at Shikamaru and Chouji.
'I never had an issue with Shikamaru or Chouji. What the hell gives!"
"We shall be quite possessive of the girl until the mating is complete. Do you ningen learn nothing of the youkai you seal yourselves with?"
Naruto swallowed heavily before putting on a smile and tugging Kagome's hand toward his other friends.
"Ino. Shikamaru. Chouji. Allow me to introduce Kagome-chan …" and he paused for a moment as if debating his next words, " … my girlfriend."
He was nervous about using the term but he did not regret it to see the smile on her face once the word left his lips. He also did not miss the fact she squeezed his hand back tightly.
"It's a pleasure to meet more of Naruto-kun's friends."
Ino looked back and forth between the two before she whisked Kagome right out of his hands and led her over to Sakura to continue catching Kagome up on Konoha's gossip.
Naruto looked awkwardly at the two other boys, before Shikamaru broke the tension with his standard, "Troublesome." before leading Naruto and Chouji to the ramen bar where the girls were already waiting. Once their orders were placed Naruto heard Sakura call out to Hinata and the shy girl made her way over to the other girls, while Kiba and Shino joined the other boys.
Kiba whistled looking Kagome up and down before speaking more loudly than he probably should, "Who's the babe? And where did she come from to have an ass like that?"
"Shut your mouth, before I shut it for you mutt!" Naruto growled taking a step towards the Inuzuka.
"Hey man what gives?"
"That Kiba," began Shikamaru, "is Naruto's girlfriend."
"No shit, how'd you trick her into dating you?" he asked back to Naruto,
"Well it wasn't so much as trick as I was showing him to his room and he pinned me to the wall for a make out session. Had to stay with him after that, see what else his tongue could do." Kagome spoke to him as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. She had had enough of the boys' conversation.
Naruto was the first to break the silence by nervously laughing, "She's joking, of course."
"Mostly." Kagome agreed as Ayame came out with their orders.
"Who knew Naruto had it in him." Sakura spoke to their group, "How is it kissing Naruto?"
"Oh yes, we need to know all of the details." Ino prodded
It was the quiet Hinata who stuck up for her though. "Perhaps Kagome-san wishes for her and Naruto-kun's relationship to remain private. Kiba-kun was really crass calling them out the way he did."
"Thank you Hinata." Kagome nodded. "Between us though Naruto-kun can be almost animalistic when it comes to that. Gentle and soft at the same time though, if that makes sense."
Ino and Sakura both nodded in the positive, "Nope not a lick of sense," Ino joked
"We better stop talking and eat Naruto is already on his second bowl."
"You should have known better than to offer to pay, Sakura-chan." Ino fussed lightly as Sakura slumped over.
Kagome looked over at Naruto laughing at something Shikamaru had said and she smiled sweetly when their eyes met and he rubbed the back of his head nervously.
Kagome could definitely get used to Naruto and Konohagakure.
…
AN: I am having so much fun writing this. If Kagome seems a little ooc it is because it's an alternate universe where she grew up as a ninja, studied the art of ninja seduction, and had the thought that an arranged marriage could possibly be in her future due to her status as "royalty". I am a bit torn on where I should place Hinata in this story given her longstanding crush on Naruto. I'm aware it will need to be addressed but as of now I'm unsure where it should leave the two kunoichi.
AN2: There is currently a poll up on my profile about which story you've all missed the most and are dying for an update. Some of my stories are from several years ago and need revisions and updating before I can update a new chapter. I have posted a new chapter to one of my longer stories Lunar Love if you'd like to check that out.
AN3: As always constructive reviews are appreciated it really does help to keep me motivated on if you all like the plot I've written.