Look After You

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Inuyasha.

Kagome walked through the dunes of Wind Country quickly. She loved the sand and how it was constantly shifting, but it was hot.

She slipped slightly in the sand and barely was able to catch herself in time. She had heard of an organization that was after powerful demons, and that the Kazekage of Suna had one of those demons sealed inside of him.

The miko began to climb one of the dunes and watched the sand fall around her in fascination. After she had woken up in this universe, she had sought out any rumors of powerful demons, because she had no doubt that that would be where her friends were, especially Sesshomaru. When she heard about the bijuu and the cult that was after them, she had decided that she would either keep the demons away from them, or join them for the sole purpose of seeking out her companions. After that, she was sure that she would probably betray them for her friends' safety.

The wind whipped around her as she made it to the top of the dune and she smiled at the sight of the endless desert. She wasn't sure which of her choices she would prefer, so it mattered entirely on the situation that she came upon.

"You seem lost." The miko whirled around to face a red-haired boy no older than herself standing behind her. He watched her dispassionately through pale eyes and he had his arms crossed confidently over his chest. The kanji for love was imprinted on his forehead and he wore an old guard across his back. "What is your business here?"

He's cute. Kagome smiled kindly at the boy while focusing on his aura. This must be the Kazekage… a tanuki, huh?... Wait... That youki is familiar… "Hachi?" The whispered word caused a spike of surprise and recognition in the youki, but the boy's eyes narrowed.

He seemed about to ask her something, (probably more of a demand than a question,) when another spike in the youki caused a pained look to cross his face. Kagome's eyes widened in shock. Hachi, the shape-shifting tanuki that had sometimes accompanied her and her friends due to Miroku's 'persuasion' had never been this strong; of course, she wasn't about to say that out loud.

-

Harm her, boy, and I will make your life more miserable than I did before the chuunin exams. Gaara reached one hand up to clutch his head as the pain decreased considerable. She has my respect and deserves yours.

Before the Kazekage could respond, he felt Shukaku's chakre reach out to the girl and surround her. "Forgive my vessel, Kagome-sama, but he does not share my memories of you." The girl, Kagome as Shukaku had called her, smiled kindly and seemed to dismiss it.

"It's alright, Hachi-chan." Gaara's eyes widened considerably. '-chan'? And why did she keep calling him that?! "How long have you been like this? I don't remember you controlling sand." He heard the tanuki chuckle, but he had the strangest feeling that, if he had been visible, Shukaku would have been blushing.

"We were all given new elements when we were… transferred here. I was given wind and sand, the nekomata was given death," Gaara was feeling left out since he didn't know what was going on, but he noticed that the girl seemed to be confused as well. "Sesshomaru-sama was given illusions, though I believe that he still is able to wield his poisons, and your kit was allowed to keep fire."

The Kazekage saw the girl's eyes light up and he was even more confused. Kit? Wasn't that short for kitsune? His brows furrowed. Kyuubi? And what did Shukaku mean by 'her' Kyuubi? If anyone owned the Nine-tails, it was Naruto.

"I'll warn you now, though, Kirara-chan and Shippo-sama are sealed just as I am, but I believe that Sesshomaru-sama still roams." The light in her eyes faded a little and Gaara found that the dullness didn't suite her very well. The strangest thing was that she tried to hide it.

-

"Well, I'm glad to hear that you guys are okay, but shouldn't you be introducing me to the Kazekage?" She saw the boy stand a little straighter at the mention of his title and felt the pride in Hachi's youki, though he would never let his vessel feel it.

"I am Sabaku-no-Gaara, Godaime Kazekage." She bowed to him, probably shocking him, after all, she spoke to a demon freely, yet she bowed to a human, a supposedly lower race. She had to hide her smirk at the confusion coming from him.

"I am Higurashi Kagome, Shikon-no-Tama-no-Miko; (Miko of the Jewel of Four Souls;) it's an honor to make your acquaintance, Gaara-sama." She smiled at him as she straightened, much to Hachi's disgruntlement. "I was actually going to Suna to meet you."

Gaara nodded his head in acknowledgement and reached his arm. "Come; y way of travel will take us there without you having to go through the tedious security."

The miko smiled gratefully and walked to him She really didn't want to go through security, especially when she didn't have any legal documents about herself. He gently held her, no doubt with a few threats from Hachi about what would happen if he didn't, and they disappeared in a flurry of sand.

-

Kagome stood anxiously at the window of the apartment that Gaara had given her. The organization known as Akatsuki had come for Hachi, but Gaara had forbidden her from confronting them. He had come to care for her at least a little bit, and no small part of that was due to how she kept Hachi in line.

She was brought out of her thoughts by a familiar aura. Her eyes widened and she ran to the door, only to find it locked. She tried to unlock it, but grains of sand held it in place. She slammed her hand against the door and cursed Gaara and Hachi; they weren't taking chances about her escaping to help them… or to find her son.

"Damn…" She turned her back to the door and slid down until she was sitting on the floor. The miko covered her face with her hands. "Shippo-chan…" He was still a long ways off, but he was there, and she couldn't see him.

Grains of sand fell to her shoulder, causing her head to snap up. Are they coming back? Hachi either was coming closer and he threat was over so they were going to allow her out, or they were in trouble.

"The Kazekage has been kidnapped!" The call came from the streets and Kagome cursed harshly.

"Gaara… Hachi… Don't die." She looked helplessly across Suna, not knowing what was happening to them.

-

Kagome looked across the endless sand dunes of Wind Country. She felt Gaara come up behind her, shortly followed by his now protective siblings, but she could bring herself to face him. It felt odd to not have Hachi's aura mingling with his.

Hachi was gone, taken by Akatsuki, and the seal on Shippo was too strong for her to even talk to him, though he had known she was there when she passed his vessel. So, needless to say, she wasn't as chipper as she had been before. She was happy that Gaara had been resurrected though.

"You will be leaving, then?" She heard the disappointment in his voice and bowed her head a little more, but didn't say anything. "Suna's gates will always be open to you, Kagome." She nodded, not wanting to see his face yet; she might change her mind about leaving to find Sesshomaru.

"It's been a please to be here, Gaara-sama. Sayonara." The miko had a feeling that, had Temari and Kankuro not been there, he would have done more to keep her with them. After his resurrection, she had come to her to 'fill the emptiness from where Shukaku had been.'

She began walking away from him when she caught a mumbled phrase on the wind. "Thank you…" It brought a smile to her lips and she paused to smile back at him, careful to keep her eyes closed yet still appear happy.

"I'll be back, Gaara-sama; I always look after those close to me."