A.N. I do not own Inuyasha or Naruto.

"I think she likes you better. Or at least she likes being around you more right now." Naruto frowned, his eyes narrow as he flopped beside his friend on the office couch.

"Probably due to the fact that I do not attempt to kiss or touch her everytime she comes near me." Gaara appraised the blond male, his skin even bronzer than usual from all the desert time, further highlighting the oddity of his own pale skin. "She is good at planning-The feudal lords will be sitting through a tea ceremony and a host of other frivolous tasks."

"At your side for the whole thing," Naruto groused, stretching out. He leaned in close to the other male and rested his head on his shoulder, nosing his collarbone. "I said we should share her… We could come up with ways to pass the time til she's ready for that."

Seafoam eyes dropped to sky blue. "You embody the fox already."

"That doesn't sound like a no," Naruto chimed, grinning broadly at him.

"It was not a yes either," Gaara replied simply, though he hesitantly rested his hand on his back.

x~x~x

Temari looked at her friend with a smile. "You look good. I bet those feudal lords try to whisk you away." She moved behind her, tying her hair back with a simple silver ribbon, peeking over her shoulder at the woman in the mirror. The kimono fit her body flatteringly and the color matched her sapphire eyes, the little silver accents perfect.

Kagome did not smile though, her heart clenching. "Sesshomaru, the man I thought loved me… he gave me something like this once."

Frowning, Temari wrapped her arms around the younger woman. "Yeah, and I gave you this and I want you to be happy. I can't even knock you up, so I'm not thinking about the young I could father on you."

Laughing, but breaking into tears at once, Kagome collapsed against her. "I just… I'm sorry."

Tucking the smaller woman in close to her body, Temari rocked her back and forth. "My brother isn't like him, and neither is Naruto. I can't make decisions for you and I won't try. But you are safe here."

"The screwed up part is that I miss him… I miss the way he made me feel, the way my skin tingled when he touched me, the affection I believed he had for me…" Kagome shook her head. "What a naive little girl I was…"

"We all make mistakes, and we all get our hearts broken sometimes." Temari stroked her hair, trying to be compassionate to her friend yet not knowing all of the details. "It means you'll be able to see through it in the future."

"What if I can't? What if I repeat my mistakes over and over again?" Kagome asked, tone soft. "Always falling for men who can never really care for me…"

Snorting, Temari flicked her forehead. "You have two guys that already care about you majorly and frankly, I'm pretty sure Kankuro had the hots a bit too. You'll have your options, when you want them. For now, just be you."

x~x~x

Face contorted with what seemed to be pain, Naruto stood in sharp contrast to the calm demeanor of Gaara, radiating youki and discomfort as he tried to focus on controlling the immense power within him. "It hurts…"

Gaara watched his friend, grateful for the much more diminished level he had to contain, yet also vaguely threatened by the superior strength of the kitsune. "You're getting fangs."

Kagome rested a hand on Naruto's chest, the seeping red youki moving out of her way. "Press it down, accept it within your network."

Red eyes cracked open and his sharpened canines threatened to cut his own lips. But slowly, as he looked at her, he forced it all inside. He grabbed her around the waist to make sure she couldn't pull away. His eyes faded to purple, and then back to blue, the slit remaining for a long time. He panted and brought her to his chest, inhaling her scent. "Ugh… How much more time before it's over?"

Patting his back, Kagome kissed his cheek. "You're moving more quickly, both of you, than I expected. Maybe just five more months."

Tensing slightly, Gaara felt worry creep in that she might try to leave at the end of it. Slowly, he stepped forward, his chest pressed to her back, sandwiching her between them. He watched her muscles twitch with trepidation, but he also smelled her arousal. He dipped his nose into the crook of her neck, his lips hot on her skin.

"Gaara-" Kagome began, breath catching in her throat when Naruto nipped just under her chin. "I-"

Naruto bit her lower lip lightly and sucked it into his mouth, soothing away her pain. His eyes were glimmering, pupils slits once more as he drew Gaara up by his chin and pressed their lips together, greatly pleased when he scented the spike in Kagome's arousal. He pulled back and turned Kagome's face towards Gaara's and watched the two lock lips.

Eyes wide, Kagome felt herself getting lost in the sensations the two were causing, feeling their hands sliding over her body. She kissed Gaara back and closed her eyes, heat stirring in her flesh. She jumped when she felt a hand creep between her thighs and she suddenly wrenched from between them. "I think we're done for the day!" she squeaked, bolting from the room.

Disappointed, Naruto thumped Gaara on the shoulder. "Should have waited a little longer," he chastised.

Eyes showing slits as well, Gaara was poised to go after her, but refrained. "I was going on instinct."

"Yeah, well, start with the top half next time." Naruto was grinning though. "That was definitely progress though. She wanted us. Even liked seeing me kiss you."

Gaara nodded. "We will give her a little more time before approaching again."

x~x~x

When Kankuro found Kagome on the roof later that night, he sat beside her without waiting for an invitation. "So, you think you like them?"

Sighing, Kagome looked at the crescent moon in the sky with a little annoyance. "What did they tell you?"

"They didn't have to. Naruto was bouncing up and down all day and Gaara was pleased about something. I figured something nice happened to get them both all head in the clouds…" Kankuro glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "So… you like them?"

"What is it with your family? Temari, you, Gaara, everyone wants to know how I feel. Go contemplate your own feelings for awhile," the miko bit out, sighing. She was silent for a long stretch after that, but Kankuro didn't move. "I'm sorry. I just think I'm owed a little more privacy than that."

"You hold the heart of my brother in your hands-He's the leader of this village. Naruto is a pretty incredible shinobi himself and you've got him too…" Shaking his head, Kankuro looked her over. "Like it or not, you've got a lot of impact."

"I can never just have a normal relationship," Kagome sighed, slipping off the roof and down through her bedroom window.

x~x~x

When the feudal lords began arriving, there was no time for the continued awkwardness between Kagome and the two transitioning demons, all of her time dedicated to being the perfect hostess. She was charming and sweet, keeping them busy with social niceties and being a barrier between them and the Kazekage.

"No, I do not have family here, nor anyone outside of Suna. I am pleased to be of service to my Kazekage though," Kagome expressed simply, as yet another nobleman asked her about her parentage and where she called home.

"Well, if you would rather serve one in a more comfortable climate, please, keep me in mind. I can be very kind to my, vassals," the middle aged man told her, grinning widely.

Features blank as ever, Gaara appeared beside them then. "You are needed at the hospital," he Kagome abruptly.

"Kazekage-sama," the miko murmured, bowing first to him, then to the feudal lord as a means of excusing herself.

x~x~x

Temari watched Kagome warily as she noted the sweat dripping down her brow. "Are you alright?" she asked, worry in her tone.

Breath a little uneven, Kagome nodded and sipped from her water bottle. "So many of them… Whatever team is using that poison, they've got something quite effective on their hands. I can't believe no one has the antidote."

Nodding, the blond woman took her by the elbow and lead her to sit down. "Well, with you being able to purify it from their systems, at least they have a chance. It's lucky that we hosted this year."

Leaning back in her seat, Kagome mumbled her agreement and her eyes suddenly shut as she slipped into a light sleep.

Naruto frowned, watching from the end of the hall. "She's really tired herself out." He walked up close, realizing she was falling into a deeper sleep. He smiled warmly, realizing she was trusting him to protect her. "I'll be glad when it's all over. She's been as busy as Gaara." He reached out and stroked her hair gently.

Watching the tenderness exhibited by the younger blonde, Temari folded her arms over her chest. "I hear you want her and Gaara."

"Yeah." Naruto met her eyes. "Maybe I'm greedy, but I like them both. Gaara is the only one like me really, and Kagome is just… Well, you know." He shrugged and grinned down. "She doesn't ever turn away from helping anyone. She just gives of herself completely." He knelt, looking up into her sleeping face from lap level.

"Don't hurt them," Temari warned after a long moment.

Pupils becoming slits, Naruto looked back at her. "Never." With that, he scooped Kagome up tenderly and disappeared.

x~x~x

Waking up to the warm sun coming through her window, Kagome felt a momentary bliss at the feeling. Her bed was comfortable, the warmth seeping into her muscles in a way that was delightful… And then she remembered that she had to be at Gaara's side by lunch and she was very likely past her usual wake up time. Cracking her eyes open, she spotted the time on the clock and groaned.

The door opened after a moment and Naruto grinned at her. "Hey! Morning! Gaara was already by, but I told him I'd send you out when you woke up. Tournament phase is today and I want to see too, so c'mon, let's eat!"

Surprised, Kagome sat up and looked down at her rumpled clothes from yesterday. "Um, give me a minute to change."

"Okay, but hurry up-I made ramen and eggs!" Naruto beamed and shut the door to give her privacy.

Floored a moment, Kagome pressed her hands to her eyes and slipped from the bed. She grabbed a comfortable dress and shorts that would keep her cool in the desert heat. Brushing out her hair briefly, she checked herself in the mirror before walking into her little sitting room.

"Morning!" Naruto repeated with a bright smile. "You passed right out after helping Temari-chan with all those genin, so I brought you home and tucked you in. Slept on the couch, sorry to intrude, but I wanted to be close, but here's breakfast, so itadakimasu!" he declared before beginning to eat his own portion.

A smile tugged at Kagome's lips, and she sat across from him, digging in. "Thank you, Naruto."

"Anytime," the kitsune answered warmly.

x~x~x

Relief flooded Gaara's chest when he spotted Kagome entering the stadium, Naruto towing her along quickly. He remained outwardly impassive, but sensed eyes on him regardless.

Tsunade rested her chin on her hand. "Is that the one that is helping Naruto?" she guessed, looking to where his eyes had fallen. "She's a pretty girl."

Tensing slightly, the Kazekage turned to look at the Hokage. "She is a very helpful assistant to me." His eyes found Kagome's as she entered the private seating area. He nodded his head to her, and he faced forward once again to watch the tournament progress.

Huffing, the blond bombshell did the same.

Sitting in content silence, the miko watched Gaara watch the tournament, vaguely wondering if he even needed her to be there. He was utterly in control… A pang ran through her and she looked away. How long would it be before he, before they, didn't need her? Before they pushed her away?

As if sensing her self doubt, Gaara sent a tendril of his youki to Kagome, wrapping her up in the safety of his embrace.

Merely pretending not to sense it, Tsunade watched the events before her with curiosity, though when a match lagged, she found herself searching for Naruto. When she caught his gaze, she could have sworn his eyes had slits rather than pupils.

x~x~x

When the exams were over, Kagome was just teeming with relief to not have to be the Kazekage's perfect attendant. Her first action was to change into her training clothes and hunt down Kankuro to spar.

Amused, the puppeteer eyed her up and down. "Isn't Temari all territorial about training you these days?"

"I have to fight someone other than her to see how my progress translates to other opponents," Kagome pointed out simply. She moved into a defensive stance and nodded to him.

Kankuro ran his eyes over her form, noting the improvements and the echoes of his sister's stance. He felt eyes on him and almost groaned. Not only would he need to deal with his siblings, but now Naruto was watching them. "Straight taijutsu, no weapons or specialized jutsu."

Nodding, Kagome moved in first, her speed much improved since their last exchange.

Slapping her arm down, Kankuro blocked each blow as she kept coming at him, kicking out at her gut. Pain shot through his leg when she caught him and slammed her palm into his thigh.

Not backing out of the close quarters combat, the miko kept going at him, directing heavy blows at his side.

Grunting, Kankuro grabbed her wrists and spun her around, pinning her to the ground. "Ugh, Temari always teaches to be the aggressor at first. Gotta strike a balance. I'm stronger than you." With that, he released her and disappeared.

Sitting up, Kagome turned her head and got caught in Naruto's gaze as he crouched beside her. "Hello. We have a control session in about an hour, in the meantime, I'm training."

The blond man shrugged. "We could train together."

"Not the best idea until you are fully in control. My abilities are a natural enemy to yours." Kagome gave his shoulder a little pat.

"Okay… then scratch training for a little while. You've been stretched really thin lately and you deserve some fun. Let's go grab something to eat and hang out-If you want, we can call it stealth training!" Naruto's grin was infectious.

Unable to stop her smile from mirroring his, Kagome nodded. "Alright. What sort of stealth training did you have in mind?"

x~x~x

Gaara looked at Naruto with irritation in his seafoam eyes. "You took her out paint bombing?" he asked, clearly thinking it a childish venture.

"Hey, it was fun and teaches about stealth to not get caught and speed to… well not get captured once caught in the act. She had a blast." Naruto grinned and plopped down next to him. "You get to have her for all those official things-You two are respectable. I just try to be fun."

"Well, you can clean up the mess on all the buildings," Gaara told him simply.

"Fine, fine, but you should lighten up…" Naruto stole a quick kiss and disappeared.

Kagome wandered into the office, smiling. "Should I help him clean it up?"

"No, he can handle it." Gaara reached out and took her hand, threading their fingers together. "Do you… Are you pleased when you are with me?"

Eyes softening, Kagome nodded. He was so much more vulnerable than Naruto, and he was endearing himself to her… She was still scared, but his affection was not something that she shied from anymore. "You are respectable, but you're fun too."

"Are you going to accept us?" Gaara asked, tone soft.

Leaning in, Kagome pressed a kiss to his brow. "I'm getting there. I'll know for sure, when you're both done with your transition. I don't want to be discarded."

Resting his hand against her cheek, Gaara looked into her eyes. "I would never… If it makes you more comfortable, we can wait. Naruto is different though. He is… loud in his affections."

Giggling a little at his choice of words, Kagome nodded. "Yes." She leaned into his touch, eyes gentle. "You both have your good and bad points." She kissed his palm and moved to pull away, but found Gaara was not about to let go. "What?"

"Just a moment." Gaara pulled her into a hesitant embrace, simply cradling her to his chest. "I just needed to hold you." He released her after a moment, kissing the top of her head. "Until you are ready, I will not pressure."

"Thank you." Kagome pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth and got up. "I will see you and Naruto tomorrow for our usual session."