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

Sapphires eyes met sky blue as the blond boy woke, a smile settling on her lips as she appraised the youth. Resting a hand against his whiskered cheek, she studied him curiously. "Your eyes have changed." She held up a mirror revealing, where there were once rounded pupils, demonic slits. "I have a charm for you to wear that will hide your new traits."

Shocked, the male looked at his reflection, touching his now slightly more jagged markings as well as his fangs and pointed ears-Even the action of touching the changes brought his attention to the claw-like shape of his nails. "I'm a demon..."

"You are." She handed him a ring that would fit his middle finger, the seals of both the Namikaze and Uzumaki engraved into the silver. She held up the mirror again to show him that he now looked fully human. "The ring will keep you looking human in more than one way." Indicating her own hand, she had a plain silver band. "When I was making one for you, I thought it might make it easier on me. From the point you first put it on, it adapts the image to age you accordingly. You are the only one who may remove it, and if you do so for more than three days, the aging illusion will reset next time you put it on."

Looking down at the seals, his heart warmed a little. She had gone that extra step, not just a charm, but something he could take pride in wearing. "Thank you, Hokage-sama."

Surprised by the tone of quiet respect, the older woman smiled softly. "You're more than welcome, Naruto-kun. Though the merge is complete, you'll need to take it easy a bit and be careful as you train. I'd like us to meet once a week to make sure you are handling the changes well. I also want to let you know, that when the time comes for me to resign, you are my first pick for a successor."

Shock rolled through him at that. Not many people even gave his want to be Hokage a passing thought. To think she would actually support it, knowing he was what he was, truly stunned him. He grinned, not his usual too bright smile that hid his feelings, but a true expression of happiness. "Then I'm going to train to be even stronger than you!"

Mirth entered her eyes and she stood, squeezing his shoulder lightly. "I look forward to that."

x~x~x

Pocketing the coins after the routine loss by the medic-nin, the Nara sat back. "You seem pretty distracted." Typically, it took him a bit longer to win.

Onyx eyes flickered to the younger male, thoughtful. If there was anyone in the world to have private conversations with, it might be him. He was too lazy to gossip and might have some insight if he didn't find the problem too boring. "I've been thinking of taking more field missions, maybe having Kagome-sama get a new assistant."

That surprised him a bit, having thought she would remain on hand, just as she had for Tsunade-sama. But it was probably better for her. Remaining in the same position could leave her with unresolved emotions that were never allowed to process. "Perhaps it's best, if that's what you want. Plenty of others would like the position." Not him. But others.

His answer was simple and Shizune smiled a little, giving him a grateful nod. "Thank you, Shikamaru."

x~x~x

"Naruto has improved quite a bit since his top secret mission," the silver haired jonin commented as he slid through the window. "But he prefers to train alone now." There was a curiosity in his one visible eye.

"Perhaps he wants to keep his techniques to himself, Copy-nin," the Hokage replied with a slight tease in her voice. "Now, why are you truly here?" His surveillance of her was not unusual, but he typically had something to say if he approached her.

"Shizune is going to ask to be moved to the active roster and have you choose a new assistant." His tone was neither positive or negative, simply neutral on the matter. However, he wanted to offer his wisdom to her. Perhaps it was the teacher in him. "You will need someone loyal to you, not just Tsunade's memory. Though she prefers the field, Inuzuka Hana could be someone to look at."

Gaze softening a little at the realization that he was offering council, she nodded. Though part of her thought he should have allowed Shizune herself tell her these things, she could appreciate that he wanted her to have time to select someone, even giving her a name. "I will take your recommendation into consideration."

Bowing, he disappeared, his piece said.

As soon as he was out of sight, the door opened, revealing the very woman the jonin had brought news of. She smiled, a little nervous. "Kagome-sama, how's the paperwork coming?"

Groaning, the miko-nin poked the pile in irritation. "It never stops. Ever." Flopping her head on the nearest pile, she sighed. She knew it was coming and thought it best that she allow the pretty medic-nin to break the news herself.

"No, it never does." Smiling at the very Tsunade like action, Shizune's resolve solidified. She could never grieve properly here. It wasn't Kagome's fault, but it was too easy to fall into the familiar pattern. "I think... Kagome," she began, addressing her informally to try and break the strange surrogacy she had placed upon her with Tsunade gone, "I think I need to return to the field. It would be a good change of pace for me and it would give you an opportunity to choose another assistant, build up ties to the village beyond myself."

Having just heard the news from Kakashi first, she only gave a slightly sad smile. She understood all too well that this was what she needed, and she sincerely wished she could help her in her grief. "Alright. I will return your name to the active roster and start looking for a new assistant. Though, I hope you'll still eat lunch with me occasionally."

Happy that the ageless woman had agreed so easily, she nodded. "Of course. I took the liberty of preparing a file with possible candidates. I thought you might try Hyuuga Hinata. Hiashi-sama is still a bit bent out of shape, so I thought that selecting her might smooth over some of the ill feelings."

Arching an eyebrow at the recommendation, she hid her smile. She had just received good but conflicting advice from two different sources. "Thank you, Shizune. I'll think it over carefully." She took the file and got back to work.

x~x~x

"Naruto-kun!" Sakura bellowed, running to catch up to her old teammate.

Pausing mid step, the blond man whirled around and grinned. "Sakura-chan!" Not thinking about it, he hugged the girl, releasing her quickly with a blush on his face. It was not a blush of a bashful boy with a crush though, no he was rather embarrassed that his new senses told him she had recently been intimate with someone. "H-How was your mission? And Suna? Did you get to talk to Gaara much?"

Glad for the subject change as she wasn't in the mood for her friend to hit on her, she smiled. "Went pretty well, I thought. Reconfirmed the treaty for Kagome-sama. Gaara was good." She shifted a little, curious when her friend looked uncomfortable. "Er, anyway, I should really get my report in-Just wanted to say hi. Maybe you, me and Kaka-sensei can have dinner together tonight?"

"Yeah, that would be good! See you later, Sakura-chan!" he called, retreating with a wave. He needed to talk to Kagome about managing his sharpened senses. It really was just plain awkward at times.

Blinking after the blond's hasty exit, the pinkette brushed it off before continuing on her path.

x~x~x

"Kakashi tells me you're training more and more alone. Are you having trouble with your control?" Setting tea before the younger nin, Kagome tilted her head to the side, studying his expression.

Shaking his head, he sipped the herbal blend, finding it soothing and just sweet enough. "Not with the chakra. I'm doing pretty well with that... But, my senses. I smell everything. I can smell what people have eaten, where they've been, how they're feeling and even..." His cheeks flamed. "Even what they've been doing and who with."

Covering her mouth, she couldn't help the giggle that escaped, his discomfort summoning some of the more pleasant memories of her past. "That's something I'm afraid I can't help with. Kitsune have very keen sense of smell." She sat across from him, sipping her own beverage. "Just try to let it be normal. Eating, emotions, even the intimacies you're now detecting are all a part of life. The way you experience them is a little different now, but they were always there."

"But I don't want to know when people had sex or are getting horny!" he exclaimed, flushing when he realized he'd yelled such a thing at his Hokage.

Chuckling, she reached over and squeezed his hand. "Look at it this way, you'll have an easier time finding women because you'll know who's spoken for and be able to scent if they desire you." Releasing him, she smiled as she sipped her tea.

Expression becoming a little somber, the orange clad male slumped. "But I can't really get with ladies... What if I lose control of my instincts? And what if I fall in love, but she shrivels up and dies while I'm young and strong forever?"

Heart clenching, having experienced that same dilemma, the beauty let out a slow sigh. "Well, it is different as a kitsune than it is for me as an immortal human. You will crave intimacy, the instinct to take lovers being a strong one in your breed. If you do fall in love, your instincts will guide you to claim your lover as mate. This would match their life to yours. However, I do hope you would talk to them about it and get consent beforehand."

"What about you?" Sky blue eyes met sapphire with curiosity. "Do you ever get close to people?" He didn't mean sexually, just in general. She often seemed so distant even when she was right next to him, apart from the world. Would he be like that?

"I was close to Tsunade-sensei," she whispered quietly, the pain in her heart intense. Hiding her pain, she smiled gently at him. "I am here to help you, but you have your own path, Naruto-kun. You don't need to look to me for a way to conduct yourself in your life. Like I said, the rings will make it easier, and when the time comes, you can simply move on if you like, or live out your days as a normal man and fake your death. Either way, it's your choice to make, not mine."

Wondering if he'd overstepped a bit, the kitsune frowned but nodded. But he could tell she was hurting, the changes in her scent making it obvious. "It's just... You seem so lonely. I wish I could help you like you're helping me."

Meeting his gaze, she couldn't help but be reminded of the time so long ago when she had so wanted to be allowed to help the fourth Hokage, his father. She smiled faintly. "Who do you think I should pick to be my next assistant?"

Eyes widening a bit, he looked shocked. "Is there something wrong with Shizune-neechan?!"

"Oh, no, no!" Waving off his concerns, she shook her head. "No, Shizune just wants to return to the field. So I'm going to need someone else to keep me on track." She chuckled a bit, thinking of the few times she had snuck off to enjoy some moments by herself and Shizune's panic about it.

Studying her a moment, he looked thoughtful. "Hinata-chan. She's really nice and calm and smart. She's getting stronger all the time and I think she'd be good to help you." It was hard to remain somber with the quiet girl, her reserved nature causing most to want to make her smile.

"She'll be my pick then." Seeing him grin with pride, she decided not to tell him Shizune recommended her too. He needed to feel confident in himself, and what better way than to listen to his opinion and take it under advisement. He was going to be her successor and she was happy to help groom him for it.