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

Catching Naruto spying on him, not for the first time, Itachi turned to look at the blond. "If I had not been told otherwise, I would think you were the shinobi assigned to watch me." The older male let his eyes wander to the setting sun.

"It's been two weeks… Do you think he's on his way back?" Naruto asked as he came to sit down beside the former nukenin on the porch.

"Unless Orochimaru has him firmly in hand, I imagine so." Itachi let silence fall between them for a long moment. "Before his betrayal… Was he happy at all?"

Scoffing, Naruto shook his head. "No. He was always scowling at everyone. The whole village practically loved him, y'know? The last Uchiha and all that… But he was never happy. Sometimes, just sometimes, he would be okay, not such a teme."

Lips twitching upwards in the tiniest of smiles, Itachi nodded. "I'm glad he had you around, Naruto-kun."

x~x~x

Kakashi didn't even glance up from his book when Genma suddenly appeared across from him at the table. "Good evening Genma." He turned the page, still reading.

"Kakashi," Genma greeted in return, studying him intently. "Do you intend on killing our Hokage?"

"I'm insulted you would ask me that," Kakashi replied nonchalantly, his one visible eye still focused on the words before him rather than the very real threat Genma could pose. "Is Hokage-sama worried about such a thing?"

"I am her guard and worried on her behalf." Genma shifted the senbon to the other side of his mouth. "She likes to see the good in people. She's gotten good at hiding that to some extent. She'll kill a man without flinching, but only if she cannot find a solid reason to keep him alive. You are not a good man though, Kakashi."

Finally peering up from the book, Kakashi met Genma's gaze. "I am an excellent shinobi though, Genma. Possibly the best in the village."

"Not going to defend yourself?" Genma shot back, leaning forward a bit. "You never answered my question."

"Because it doesn't need to be answered. My loyalty is to the village, and cannot be questioned. If she were to not be in the best interest of the village…" Kakashi shrugged without feeling to his manner. "But she is." With that, he disappeared, leaving the other man to scowl in his wake.

x~x~x

The shouts of children made Kagome smile faintly as she stood at the treeline of the park, observing the little ones at play. When she sensed Jiraiya behind her, she turned her gaze on him with a sigh. "Coming to chat about what I may or may not be doing wrong?"

"Sometimes I enjoy standing back and listening to the sounds of peace just as much as you," the older man groused, coming to stand beside her. "Many are second guessing the decision to bring Itachi back into the fold, yet many also think it best… Put aside the discomfort for the potential power gains."

"Hm, so much for the sounds of peace," Kagome remarked with a huff, watching a little girl push a little boy on the swings with soft eyes.

"They are sounds I know you think will end for a time… And I am inclined to agree. Akatsuki is moving in closer. With Orochimaru out there, you might be facing a two front war." Jiraiya let his eyes move over her body, taking in her lack of response.

"Sasuke will come home… And Orochimaru will follow. We will crush him here before we seek out Akatsuki," Kagome told him softly, her eyes full of regret.

"That Nara should be playing shogi with you," Jiraiya declared simply.

Kagome flinched. "This is not a game…"

x~x~x

Shizune laced her fingers with Shikamaru's as they stared up at the night sky together. "What's it like living with him?" she asked suddenly, unable to resist the question.

"Boring… He's quiet. Trains a bit, but mostly just works on the house in the day. I think he wants to prepare it for Sasuke." Shikamaru wrinkled his nose a little at the name. "It's sorta creepy."

"Agreed," Shizune responded with a slight smile. "At least it looks like Kagome is right about him."

Exhaling through his nose, Shikamaru rolled to his side and lazily pressed a kiss to her lips. "I don't want to talk about work."

"Oh yes, we should put your troublesome assignment out of your mind," the older woman teased and wrapped her arm around his neck, kissing him a little more fiercely.

x~x~x

A feeling of heat bubbled beneath Naruto's skin, a desire that was impossible to ignore. He walked over to the window and opened it up, inhaling the scents of the night. It only stirred him further and he leaned out, seeing different women milling about in the streets.

Before he could make a decision that he was very likely to regret later, there was a knock on the door, drawing him back within. Growling, Naruto pressed the feelings down and went to the door, flinging it open to come face to face with Jiraiya. He deflated, shifting a bit. "Hey."

"Hello. Going to invite me in?" Jiraiya asked, not waiting as he breezed past him easily. "So, you look ready to tear something apart."

Threading his fingers behind his head as he kicked the door shut, Naruto scowled. "I just… Ugh, wish your pervey books did something for me…"

"I write romance novels of the highest caliber!" the white haired man shouted angrily before calming down. "So, why are you all cooped up? Go out, chat up some beautiful ladies… As a beautiful lady even…"

Wrinkling his nose, Naruto frowned. "You're not a closet pervert at least… Just a shameless one…" He kicked at an imaginary scuff in the floor and sighed. "You know what I am now, I bet, cause you're always sniffing around Kagome. I can't just talk to a lady. I might accidentally… I don't want to be that."

"Good." Jiraiya eyed him a beat. "Now come on, let's go eat."

"Your treat?" Naruto demanded, not willing to take anything at face value with his sensei.

"Sure kid," Jiraiya agreed with a chuckle.

x~x~x

Hinata brought in her Hokage's usual tea and some onigiri with a small smile. "Good morning, Hokage-sama."

"Good morning, Hinata-chan," Kagome greeted in return, smiling back at her. "Did you bring me all of the archive data I asked for?"

Pulling the file from beneath the tray, Hinata nodded and offered it to her. "There you are." Swallowing, she shifted from one foot to another, obviously wanting to discuss something still.

Picking up on it, Kagome gestured for her to sit. "So, what's on your mind, Hinata-chan?" She rested her chin on her folded hands, appraising her idly. "You seem like you want to talk."

"I kissed Naruto-kun," Hinata admitted, cheeks pink. "I-I wanted to so I did. I've never done anything like that before." She looked down, her heart thundering in her ears at the very memory of the action. "But he hasn't come to see me or sought me out since…"

"Then seek him out again." Kagome rested a hand on hers and squeezed lightly. "Naruto might be more scared of you than you are of him."

"Scared..? Of me?" Hinata murmured, confusion in her light irises.

"Just keep at him. You are stronger than you realize." Kagome smiled and pulled her hand back. "Thank you for the tea."

Getting to her feet quickly, Hinata nodded. "You're welcome, Hokage-sama."

x~x~x

Naruto's nose twitched as he let himself swing back and forth in the swing. "Hey Hinata-chan."

Swallowing thickly, Hinata took the swing beside his. "Hello, Naruto-kun." She glanced at him shyly and drew circles in the sand with her foot.

Blue eyes flickering over to the shy girl, Naruto remembered that chaste little kiss and the heat he had struggled with since he had become a youkai returned. "Ugh… You should go." He got up, his eyes averted.

Hinata got to her feet though, wanting to follow him. "N-no. I just.. If you don't like me, that's okay. I wouldn't want to pressure you… But I like you, Naruto-kun. I have since we were little. I-"

Whirling around, Naruto grasped her hand and yanked her forward, sealing their lips together. When he pulled away, his eyes were practically red as he struggled to control himself. "Hinata-chan, you should go."

Raising her hand to press against his cheek, Hinata met those crimson eyes. "Naruto-kun… What..?"

Recoiling from the question, the blond pulled back and turned away. "Just go."

Lurching forward, Hinata wrapped her arms around his waist and held him tightly. "No… I care about you, Naruto-kun. I… You can tell me anything, and I can and will accept you. I promise you, nothing you say will scare me away."

Fists unclenching, Naruto rested his hands on hers. "I'm not human, Hinata… Not anymore."

x~x~x

Panting, Kagome rolled off of her lover, her chest heaving. Skin flushed, she looked at Kakashi with her eyes a little inquisitive. "Something on your mind?" She turned on her side to look down at him.

Kakashi sat up and kissed her heatedly, his hand running from the side of her breast down to her hip, holding her close. "Mm… Your captain of the guard thinks I plan on slitting your throat in one of these interludes."

Arching an eyebrow at him, Kagome bit his lip lightly and rested her hand on his neck. "Oh? And should I worry, Kakashi?" She tightened her hand a moment before she let it slide down to his chest, her nails raking the skin lightly.

Shivering with pleasure, Kakashi eyed her thoughtfully. "A Hokage should always worry about her own safety." He let her press him back to the bed and reached up to cup her cheek. "I told him that so long as you were good for the village, I would be loyal."

"That sounds like you." Kagome leaned in and pressed her forehead to his, kissing him more thoroughly than ever before. "You would kill me if you thought it was necessary. Even though you'd be hurting yourself." She pulled away from him, sighing. "You're getting attached."

Sitting up, Kakashi pulled her back against his chest. "Or maybe it's all an act so you lower your guard with me."

"No, it isn't. You're no naive boy mooning over me. But you are getting attached. Somewhere in that twisted mind of yours, where duty and emotion lay coiled and fighting like two violently mating snakes, you are starting to feel for me." Kagome leaned back into him.

"Hm." Kakashi turned her towards him, looking into her gaze. "Does that mean you will banish me from your bed?"

"You know better than that, Kakashi. If I send you away, you will come back. You have to make the decision." Kagome stood and grabbed her robe, tying it around her waist. "I'm hitting the shower. If you've left by the time I'm out, I'll know you're taking steps towards your own sanity." With that, she walked to her bathroom.

Waiting a beat, Kakashi followed her when he heard the shower start.

x~x~x

Shizune stared at Kagome with slightly widened eyes. "You think that Hatake Kakashi is falling in love with you?"

"I think the potential is there and it is very detrimental to his own health." Kagome sighed and stirred her tea. "Not to say that he cannot still be comfortable in his roll as my opposition. Feelings or none, he'd still kill me if he needed to."

Eyes widening further, Shizune shook her head. "You two are the most bizarre couple I have ever seen. You are a headache of a woman."

"Exactly! That's why we were never supposed to be a couple. We were supposed to be two people that were seen together and enjoyed themselves…" Kagome sighed and closed her eyes and took a long drink of her tea.

"Then why have this at all? Why not simply pretend to have the relationship?" Shizune demanded, frowning. "You asked me to be honest with you, and honestly, I do not understand you even a little with this."

"It can't just be pretend, Shizune. It shows… And who would monopolize themselves from anyone for ten years knowing they would never have any element of connection?" Kagome countered softly.

"Ibiki?" Shizune suggested weakly. "I thought you picked Kakashi because he wouldn't be an issue."

Kagome sighed. "I didn't think he would be an issue. And I'm not Ibiki's type-It would have been found out that we were not in a relationship. I thought about plenty of candidates Shizune."

"Just dump him and pick a new one if you're worried about his feelings," Shizune told her, frowning. "Spare him and rip off the bandage quickly."

"If it was that simple, I would have done it. Kakashi is a bit of a masochist… If I hurt him, he's more likely to come back for more. I need him to make the decision," Kagome sighed and looked at her friend. "Know any old flames to distract him?"

"You know I don't," Shizune murmured and took a drink of her own tea. "Who else did you consider, out of curiosity?"

Smiling slightly, Kagome rolled her neck. "Your new boyfriend for one."

Choking on her tea, Shizune cast her a disbelieving look. "Shikamaru? You thought about Shikamaru?"

"Nara-san is good at compartmentalizing. Don't worry about it though. I backed off the second I saw you two playing shogi," Kagome told her, handing over a napkin.

Shizune dabbed at the spit up tea on her clothing with a frown. "You haven't said the important part… Do you care for him?"

"That is a very complicated question," Kagome answered simply. "I will see you later."