Chapter Four
"Hokage-sama, I didn't know you had a daughter."
Minato mentally rolled his eyes as he turned around to meet the dark figure of Fugaku Uchiha. "Yes. Kagome is Naruto's twin." Minato replied, glad that he had had Jiraiya take the kids home as soon as they walked off stage. It was bad enough he had introduced them to Konoha as per tradition; no way would he subject his children to clan politics at such a young age.
"Greetings Hokage-sama. Shouldn't Kagome be in the Academy already?" Minato groaned as Hiashi Hyuuga joined Fugaku on the prowl for information. "Whenever Kagome enters the Academy, rest assured that she will be more than capable of keeping up with the other children." Minato said, moving around to greet other dignitaries.
"Speaking of other children, I'm sure my daughter Hinata and my nephew Neji would be delighted to have Naruto and Kagome over." Hiashi suggested. Fugaku quickly jumped aboard and said that he was more than sure that Kagome and Naruto would enjoy his two sons. Minato gave them a vague answer and nearly groaned again as the Clan Heads continued to follow him around like hawks.
He knew they would be all over the kids tomorrow, especially Kagome. He would send somebody with them to fill his spot, but Kakashi had a mission tomorrow, Tsunade would be busy at the hospital, Jiraiya was meeting with his publisher, and he had Hokage duties. Then, Minato remembered Kagome's temper and smirked.
They'd be fine.
"Kagome! Hurry up or we'll be late!"
Kagome sighed and cursed her brother's impatience as she finished tying the letter to the messenger bird's leg. The bird took off into the sky and Kagome closed the window, scooped Kilala onto her shoulder and ran downstairs to the foyer where her family was waiting.
"Wow Kag-chan. You look like a real ninja." Naruto whistled. Kagome wore a dark blue tank top with a black jacket over it and matching black capris. Dark blue ninja sandals covered her feet and her weapon holster was tied to her right thigh. White bandages covered the middle of her left thigh and a dark blue ribbon held her hair up in a ponytail.
The young girl blushed as her family stared at her with looks of admiration and pride. Today, she would finally be going outside! However, Minato wasn't quite ready for them to go yet.
"Do you both have your bento boxes?"
"Yes."
"Do you have my special kunai?"
"Yes!"
"Remember to stay together on the way to the Academy."
"Okayyy."
"And remember- For crying out loud!" Jiraiya interrupted, "Stop being such a mother hen! They'll be fine!"
Minato sighed and ruffled Naruto's hair before bending down to give Kagome a kiss on the forehead.
His babies were growing up.
"Okay class, I know it's crowded but as soon as attendance is done we'll be going outside to evaluate your skills." Iruka announced and several children groaned only to get silent reprimands from their parents. They had to be on their best behavior in front of the other Clan Heads.
Fugaku was bored out of his mind, but he kept a stoic face on display. The only reason he was even here was because of his eldest son, Itachi, and because he couldn't be shown up by the Hyuuga Head.
Itachi sat next to his younger brother Sasuke, whom he could tell was ecstatic to have his "cool" older brother and father on either side of him. The ten year old Chunin mentally sighed. Sasuke would always be his number one priority, more so than his training, duties to the clan, or even himself and his needs.
Hiashi glared at his daughter, telling her without words to stop fidgeting and pay attention. The pale eyed heiress started tapping her fingers together out of nervousness and, not for the first time, Hiashi wished Neji had been his son instead of Hinata. The Uchiha Clan already mocked them for how weak Hinata was; they didn't need anything else to laugh about.
"Naruto-'' Iruka was interrupted in his roll call when the room door slammed open and Naruto ran in the class. "Naruto! Why are you late?" Mizuki demanded and he scratched his head awkwardly.
"Please excuse our lateness sensei. I hadn't eaten breakfast so we stopped on the way here." A small voice spoke up and Naruto shook his head. He went out in the hall and pulled a dark haired girl inside the class.
"Who is this?" Iruka said kindly and Naruto looked up with a proud smile on his face. "This is my imouto Kagome!"
Everyone gasped and Iruka turned Kagome to face the class. "Well Kagome, please introduce yourself." The girl was silent for a moment until Naruto elbowed her in the side and she finally opened her eyes. "Ohayo, my name is Kagome Namikaze."
Itachi sucked in an inaudible breath. The girl had the most stunning eyes he'd ever seen. They were a dark blue, almost as though she had sapphires for eyes framed by long, thick eyelashes. Even though the cat she was holding looked as if it had been mutated or something, the girl was beyond adorable.
Fugaku stared at the girl, if her eyes were a shade or two darker; she could almost be mistaken to be an Uchiha. Her beauty and title as the Hokage's daughter, as well as her fresh blood would be highly welcomed into the prestigious clan. Undoubtedly, she was strong as well as smart, and she seemed quiet, unlike Inoichi Yamanaka's atrocious daughter. And, if her brother became Hokage like his father, the Uchiha clan would have ties to the highest position in the village. In short, Kagome would be a perfect balance to Sasuke.
"Now Kagome, who would you like to sit next to? There's an empty seat by Shino Aburame, Uchiha-san, or Hyuuga-san." Iruka said and Kagome bit her lip. Her father had told her to avoid the Clan Heads if there wasn't a trusted adult with her, and now she knew why. They were scary! "To become the center of an Uchiha's attention is to be evaded. They will not stop until they get what they want from you." Her Aunt had once told her.
"Ano, I'll sit by Shino-san." Kagome replied, and was immediately disconcerted when the whole class looked at her strangely. Even kind Iruka was giving her a weird look as he directed her to her seat next to the shades wearing boy. Iruka returned to roll call and Kagome soon drew Shino into a quiet, yet animated discussion about different types of butterflies.
Fugaku and Hiashi were practically seething by the time the class was told to report outside for their evaluation. Shibi Aburame looked smug as he watched Kagome grab the blushing Aburame heir's hand and drag him outside. "Looks like the Aburame clan will have first dibs." He smirked before striding outside.
"Itachi, Sasuke. Both of you will befriend the Hokage's children no matter what." Fugaku said sternly, his black eyes glinting. Meanwhile, Hiashi was giving Hinata the same order while making a mental note to tell Neji the same when he got home.
The fight for Kagome and Naruto had begun.
"Alright class, the evaluation this semester will be based on your sparring abilities. First up, Naruto Namikaze and Hinata Hyuuga." Iruka announced. Kagome looked up from rubbing Kiba's puppy Akamaru and wished her twin luck. Hinata nervously slipped into her Gentle Fist stance and Naruto stepped into his own stance.
"Go!" Hinata rushed forward, her fingers darting forward to hit Naruto's tenketsu points. He grabbed both her wrists in one hand and swept her feet out from under her. Hinata fell to the ground and Naruto looked at her in concern. She opened her eyes and jumped to her feet, intent on at least hitting her opponent. Her father was watching as well as the other clans. She couldn't let him down again.
Naruto sidestepped Hinata and tried to trip her but she jumped over his feet, and twisted around, her index finger hitting the junction between his shoulder and chest. Naruto winced as his arm hung loosely and Hinata panted as she tried to get in another strike. Naruto jumped overhead and his knee connected with Hinata's back, making her fall face first into the ground. Iruka declared Naruto the winner when Hinata didn't get up within the time limit.
"Hinata-chan! I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" Naruto said frantically as he helped the dazed girl up. She nodded her head faintly and he helped Hinata back to her surprised father who unsealed Naruto's tenketsu point. Sasuke sniggered at Hinata's dirt covered face, not noticing Itachi's disapproving stare. Kagome noticed Sasuke's behavior and it irritated her.
"Next up, Kagome Namikaze versus Sasuke Uchiha." The arrogant boy strode to the designated area, and waited as Kagome handed a concerned Kilala to her brother before joining him. "You are in so much trouble Sasuke." Naruto stated seriously and the boy only scoffed while Kagome merely looked at him blankly as she slipped into a defensive stance.
"Go!" Sasuke was surprised that Kagome took the first move and darted towards him. His moment of hesitation cost him as Kagome landed a solid punch in his stomach and he went flying back. Everyone's eyes widened as Iruka declared Kagome the winner and she stiffly walked over to Hinata.
She fumbled in her pocket and finally pulled out a handkerchief which she handed to the heiress before going to sit by Naruto. He put a comforting hand on his sister's knee, she didn't like when people were being made fun of for no reason. After the fights were over, Iruka declared a lunch break and Kagome went to sit under a tree by herself to eat.
Kilala mewed happily when Kagome handed her a small fish to nibble on as the dark eyed girl was lost in her thoughts. Kilala's hissing was the only thing that alerted Kagome that someone was near, and sure enough, several girls were coming towards her.
She dimly recognized the two leaders of the girls, both were in her class that morning. Ino and Sakura if she remembered correctly. Ino stepped forward, her hands on her hips and a frown on her lips.
"Can I help you?" Kagome asked curiously. The blonde's eyes narrowed and Kagome was confused. Did she do something wrong? "Just because you're the Hokage's daughter doesn't mean that you can come here and act like you run the place!"
Kagome was even more confused. When had she ever acted like she ran the class? How exactly did one "run the class" anyways? "I'm not sure what you mean." Kagome said slowly and this time, Sakura spoke up.
"Y-yeah! You come here and talk to that creepy Bug boy and then show off by "beating" Sasuke-kun!" Sakura glared. Kagome's eye twitched. What was wrong with them? "Are you...Uchiha-san's girlfriend?" Kagome asked and was even more confused when the group of girls broke out in sighs and giggles. Sakura flushed pink and glared even harder at Kagome.
"No! Not yet I mean." She added. "Well then, I don't see why you would be mad that I beat him. That was the point of the evaluation. I won mine, and I'm pretty sure all of you lost your fights." Kagome pointed out and the girls looked away shamefully before resuming glaring at the girl.
"Oh shut up! Just stay out of our way and leave Sasuke-kun alone!" Ino yelled before she and Sakura led the girls away. Kagome was at a lost as she finished her bento and began chewing on one of her sticks of dango. What just happened? Kagome got up to throw the fish bones Kilala had left and ran into Itachi Uchiha himself.
"Oh, excuse me Uchiha-san." Kagome said, bowing and biting her lip nervously. Itachi shook his head, got on one knee and bowed his head. "My apology, Honorable Daughter." Itachi said to the mystified girl. She blushed and pulled Itachi's head up so he could meet her eyes.
"No! Please, no honorifics. Just Kagome is fine, Uchiha-san!" She blushed. His face was so smooth. Itachi touched one of the small hands on his face and startled sapphire met bottomless onyx. "Well then Itachi is fine." He replied, his eyes trained on her young face. Kagome flushed as she realized the suggestive pose they were in and backed away a few steps.
Itachi rose to his feet and Kagome asked if he liked dango. The Uchiha heir nodded and watched as the girl ran to her lunch spot and returned with two sticks of the colorful treat. "Here you go Uchiha-san! Enjoy!" She said and ran off with her cat hanging to her shoulder for dear life before he could correct her about his name. Itachi bite off a piece of the sweet and chewed slowly as he thought of small hands and blue tinted hair.
The Academy let out after lunch and Naruto was waiting for Kagome by an old swing. "So, how was your first day Kagome-chan?" Naruto asked curiously as they walked home. Kagome rubbed Kilala absently and thought of deep black eyes and smooth skin.
"It was great."
Yay Itachi finally makes his appearance! Sorry if Itachi seems out of character or slightly creepy, I iddnt make him that way of purpose. A couple things to note. Mizuki is in here, and he will be used for a purpose. Kilala will show off what she can do either in the next chapter or the chapter after that. I'm still debating where I wanna put the big action. And sorry for those who wanted GaaraxKagome as the pairing! There will be some moments between them in the future, but ultimately it will be ItachixKagome. However, if enough people ask, I will make my next story, GaaraxKagome.
Also, thanks to all my reviewers! I get hundreds of story alerts, author alerts etc. every day and I love when someone takes the time to write me a review! It really gives me motivation to keep going! Also, as a reminder, I try to update at least weekly, give or take a couple days. But thanks for staying with me so far!
Your reviews channel my imagination,
- Verdant