A.N. I do not own Inuyasha or Naruto. Thanks for sticking with this story! I know it's had some ups and downs and lengthy hiatuses.

Sasuke laid in his bed, staring at the ceiling. His eyes narrowed as he tried to process what was proposed to him. Working with Kakashi-sensei again, under her nose… He turned in bed and actually got startled to see his Hokage, leaning against the wall.

She lowered herself to sit on the ground across from his cell, back to the wall. "We're preparing for the last portion of the Chunin exams now. It makes me think of you, you know. I even had my most loyal companion to patrol and make sure no one could take advantage during the Forest of Death…"

"I thought you killed Orochimaru," Sasuke sneered, sitting up on the bed and giving her all of his attention now, assessing her.

"You aren't so dense, Sasuke. The snake was hardly the only threat to the village." Kagome shook her head and sighed. "Did you ever care about this place? Really care about it, call it home?"

Closing his eyes, Sasuke felt uncomfortable as faces flashed through his mind, memories of warmer times. "What does it matter?"

"It matters because I believe this place is worth fighting for. I would rather fight together." Kagome stood and offered a soft smile, her expression more open than it usually was in his presence. "I'll check on you again when I can." With that, she disappeared.

Looking at the place she had been, Sasuke contemplated her words. Deciding he had enough introspection, he just laid back down and shut his eyes.

xXx

Sakura sat down on a blanket across from her Hokage with a slight nervousness to her mannerisms. It was strange to be called to join her for a picnic of all things. "You wanted to see me, Hokage-sama?"

Pouring her a drink, Kagome nodded and smiled. "Yes. Oh, Shizune-chan, glad you came too. For this, we can all just use first names." She poured a drink for Shizune and finally for herself.

Eyes soft, Shizune lowered herself to the blanket as well. "Thank you, Kagome." She accepted the drink and toasted with them before downing the sake.

Sakura winced, confused why they were drinking so early in the day. "May I ask why you invited me here, Ho-Kagome-sama?"

"Don't you see? We're her students." Kagome smiled and put the bottle away. "Today is her birthday. She didn't like celebrating much, but I thought we should have a tribute to her anyway. So, no better way than to kick off with sake and cards." She pulled out a deck and began to shuffle. "We of course have plenty of food as well."

Surprised, Sakura's eyes softened. "Yeah, I guess this is about the only way she would generally celebrate." She put her cup aside and took some food from the basket, selecting some onigiri to help fight the effects of the alcohol already flushing her skin.

Grinning, Shizune took one as well and picked up the cards she was dealt. "So, what are we betting? This is only complete with bets."

"Hmmm," Kagome fished in her bag and pulled out gold foil wrapped chocolates. "Take your chips." She smiled and then grabbed a steamed bun to eat before the game really began. "I warn you, I really like chocolate."

The day was spent drinking, eating, and playing an array of betting games. By the end, they'd all laughed, cried a little, but appreciated that their bonds as Tsunade's students ran deep. Genma saw them all home dutifully.

xXx

Shikamaru studied Itachi thoughtfully as he watched him finish in the garden for the day and walk instead to work on the home he was refurbishing down the road. "Do you really expect he will live there?"

"No, I expect he will live at the main house, once he is back. I will live here," Itachi responded simply, working as he spoke.

"You are the older brother," Shikamaru pointed out, sitting on a broken down fence post. "And the garden you've made is at the main house."

"I didn't say I expected it to be this way forever. But I doubt I will ever stand as the Head of my clan." Pausing, considering the window frame, he frowned. "Besides, every building needs to be assessed for restoration or destruction anyway."

"Do you expect to fill it up then? Make the Uchiha district full of people? You must think you and Sasuke have some really intense times ahead if you do," Shikamaru commented, looking at all of the land around them.

"Who says everyone living here will need to be Uchiha? One of the greatest flaws was the separatism," Itachi replied easily, pulling the broken frame free.

"You sure seem to have a lot of plans for someone who doesn't intend to be the Head," Shikamaru remarked, flopping back into the grass to cloud watch a bit.

xXx

Kakashi laid in his own bed for the night, his eyes on the ceiling. He felt a surprising amount of dissatisfaction not being next to Kagome. He knew it was impractical to always be in her bed, but he still felt drawn to her. Sighing, he got to his feet and dressed again, going out the window to get some air.

The night air was refreshing and he began to flit along the rooftops, careful not to make a sound. He moved until he found himself at the memorial and sat in front of it. He reached out, touching it. Many faces passed through his mind, but he was surprised and physically recoiled from the memorial when they were chased from his mind.

He stood up straight and looked back towards the village proper. It had been years since the faces of the living could take precedence over the ghosts in his mind when he was here. He clenched his fists, trying to process the realization.

Before he finished considering that thought, his body was moving. When he got to her window, he slid through with only a warning look from Kirara. Before he was at her bedside, she was awake and on her feet, alert and ready to fight. He cupped her face and drew her into a kiss.

Kagome broke the kiss and pulled back, looking up at him. "What is it? Is everything alright?" She rested a hand on his arm.

Drawing her into an embrace, he held her to him and just closed his eyes to enjoy it. "Kagome, I want it to be real."

Freezing, she pulled away, eyes wide and expression worried. "Kakashi, I know you have gotten attached, but-"

"So have you. I don't think you ever held yourself back, even if you let me think you were. I think you love me, you just intend to leave anyway." Kakashi let her go though, not wanting to come off as if he was trying to force closeness.

"Are you trying to get me to stay longer? What is the goal of this conversation, Kakashi? I can't commit to a life together with someone." Kagome touched his hand gently. "I can't be the kind of person you build with."

"You assume what kind of life I want. I just know that I don't want to pretend that we are together. I want to be together. I don't want you to push me away and tell me not to be with you, or tell me not to come be with you just because you think it's good for me to stay away." Kakashi tucked her hair behind her ear, looking at her with a certain intensity.

Eyes soft, Kagome rested her hand on his chest and looked up at him. "Kakashi, you're not thinking clearly. I won't stay. I know you know. I haven't had to tell you."

"That you will live long past me? I made an educated guess. You aren't using a technique to appear youthful, you're using one to seem older. You were untouched by time from meeting you over a decade ago, but now after seeing you every day for months, I see the barest hint of lack of sleep aging you around the eyes. I'm not a fool." Kakashi rested his hand on top of hers. "We could have a real relationship anyway."

Snorting, Kagome slapped her hand against her forehead. "Really know how to woo a girl, bringing up her crow's feet."

Smiling, Kakashi slipped his mask down and drew her gaze up. "You know what I mean." He leaned in and kissed her searingly.

Melting into it a bit, Kagome groaned. "You are a dangerous man, making me want things that I shouldn't."

"You haven't given me an answer," Kakashi pointed out, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Though I suppose the Hokage and the leader of Root being a true relationship is perhaps the stuff of nightmares for the elders."

Laughing again, she drew him down for a kiss. "Alright. I won't tell you to go away, we can admit to feelings. But if I think you are going to make a reckless decision over me, to do something that I should not allow, I will end it."

"Because you care about me," he responded, looking amused.

"Yes, because I care about you." Kagome pecked his cheek and then pulled away, shedding her robe. "Now come to bed."

xXx

Pouring her friend and once rival some tea, Ino sat down across from her. "You really got drunk with Hokage-sama? She didn't strike me as the type."

Sakura sipped in and nodded, sighing. "Worse, I couldn't hold my sake nearly as well as her. But she didn't poke fun." Smiling a little, she looked her way. "So, still running into Uchiha Itachi a lot?"

Rolling her eyes, Ino poured herself some tea. "He's a customer, and Shikamaru's assignment, of course I am." She watched the steam rise off of her tea a moment before glancing up at her. "What about you? Is Sasuke getting any better?"

"I hope so, but…" Sakura sighed and looked away for a moment. "I want to help him get better, I want to beat the shit out of him for all he's done, but even once he's a part of the village again, I know it would be a step back for me."

"Good." Ino grinned at her friend, taking a drink from her cup. "I also think him coming back is good for the village, good for him. But he's not good for you, and I am glad you're seeing that now."

Sputtering, Sakura reared back. "Wow, you sure had that ready to go!"

"Yeah, and I would have said it whether you were over him or not." Ino set her cup down and looked at her, uncharacteristically serious. "I know you will never stop caring about him. We all do, to some extent. We were the Rookie 9, we grew up together. But he was willing to hurt all of us for power, and I can forgive that, but I hope you never get blinded to his flaws the way you were before."

A touch embarrassed, Sakura scowled. "Like you weren't too."

"Not so much as you. I know you loved him. You really did, it wasn't that you just liked him. But I hope you can move past that fully." The blonde smiled at her, eyes soft. "You deserve better than that, better than him."

"I am the cutest kunoichi in Konoha," Sakura agreed, though her tone was teasing.

"You wish!" Ino shot back, grinning at her.

xXx

Just before the tournament, the Kazekage arrived to watch. It was the first time since the attack by Orochimaru that the two Kages planned to view it together. Gaara was also somewhat eager to meet the new Hokage with so little known of her.

"Kazekage-sama, your presence is an honor," Kagome greeted as he arrived at her offices, no entourage present. "I thought you might be hungry." She gestured to the meal she had spread on her desk.

The redhead appraised her. "It is an honor to be hosted, Hokage-sama." He timed his bow to make it unison, despite their lack of audience. He straightened after and then came to sit across from her at the desk once she sat.

Kagome poured them each a cup of tea and then settled back. "I am never sure if I should provide the familiar, or offer up the fare of the region, so I got a bit of both."

"Considerate." Gaara sipped his tea, and then began to serve himself from the food provided, being polite and making sure there was a portion for her of everything. He waited until she chose her own meal before beginning his.

"It's the least I could do." Kagome ate calmly, glancing up at him occasionally. It was a comfortable enough silence after that, only the sounds of dishes moving and chopsticks touching plates.

Once he was finished, Gaara sat back and waited a few moments before speaking. "You can sense it in me still, can't you?"

Pausing, Kagome set aside her dishes and then met his eyes. "Yes. They said that Shukaku was gone, but he was only weakened. He lives in you still."

"I suspected as much." Gaara took a drink of his tea, and held her gaze. "I can sense the difference in Naruto. He does not host Kyuubi, but he is him now. Was this a natural occurrence?"

"Such matters are private, and I won't speak on my nin. I can tell you that Shukaku is still very weak. He will not recover for years yet. When he does, he will be desperate to make sure you are not a vulnerability to him. If you prefer it, I could break the barrier between you while he is weak. The adjustment will be minimal. Otherwise, it will be a fight for control later." She studied his face, waiting for a reaction.

"Your offer is something to consider." He stood up, waiting for her to rise before inclining his head. "I thank you for your hospitality. I will see you tomorrow at the tournament, Hokage-sama."

"Until tomorrow, Kazekage-sama." Kagome walked him to the door and watched him depart. She turned to Genma, who waited just outside, arching an eyebrow. "I told you it was not necessary to wait up for me. It was an amicable meeting between allies."

Swapping the senbon to the other side of his mouth, Genma nodded. "So you did and so it was. I never will feel comfortable leaving you unguarded, even if you're one of the most capable of the village."

"One of?" she echoed, a little amused at his choice of words. "I do appreciate your candor, of course."

"Hokage-sama, you are strong, fast, wise, and powerful. You swept through here without anyone having any idea of what you are. But I wouldn't name you the most capable." Genma shrugged, his tone honest.

"Let no one say you try and flatter," she replied, smiling a little. "Would you name Kakashi above me?"

"More powerful? No. Faster? Maybe. You have greater stamina. In a battle to the death, I don't know who would be the victor. The key to your chakra seems to be finding corruption and purifying it though, and despite his flaws, I don't think you can purify him." He settled back against the wall, at ease.

"I will let you make your assumptions." Kagome smiled though, thinking again that Genma would have been a fine partner as well. Calculated, ever assessing, he might have been able to keep his feelings out of it. She looked past him though, seeing the subject of their conversation.

Kakashi walked past Genma to stand at her side. "I believe I can escort Hokage-sama home." He took her hand, the display more open than they often were.

"Of course. Goodnight." Bowing, he departed.

Once alone, Kagome smiled a little. "Are you really so jealous, Kakashi?" Her tone was teasing though.

"My lover had dinner with one man, then chats with another in the late evening. A man could be jealous." Kakashi walked her back into her office and began to clear her desk. "You didn't keep Hinata or anyone else?"

"No. It needed to be a private discussion." She helped him with the dishes, saving the leftovers and placing them into her little office fridge. When she turned, she was unsurprised he had already taken the dishes out and returned. "You're feeling helpful tonight."

He touched her cheek lightly and backed her up against the desk. "Well, the sooner I help you finish, the sooner you might return the favor."

Cheeks tinting just slightly, Kagome yanked him into a kiss. "Crass tonight too."

"Let me make up for it." He pushed her to sit on her desk, sliding his hand into the slit in her dress. "Unless Hokage-sama would prefer another method to express my contrition?" He was already slipping his fingers between her thighs and expertly moving aside her undergarments to touch her just the way she liked.

Shuddering, Kagome looked into his eyes as she clutched his arm. "Did you mean it?" she breathed out, arching into his touch.

Pinning her back on the desk and reveling in her letting him, Kakashi's fingers moved with a practiced ease, taking control of her. "You know I do."

Gasping and clutching at him as she rocked her hips in time with his motions, Kagome bit his shoulder to muffle herself. She let out a groan when he pushed her back down. "Too hard?"

Kakashi kept her in place and kissed her throat, his every movement practiced. "I want you to say it."

"Ung… Say what?" Kagome moaned, letting out a sound of frustration when he pinned her hands again in response to her reaching for him.

"You know what I want. So tell me." Kakashi stilled his fingers, keeping her just on the precipice of climax.

Biting her lip, Kagome swallowed. "Kakashi-"

"Kagome." He didn't move, keeping her pinned, though they both knew she could break his hold if she wanted to. He kissed her jaw, then her neck, moving every few moments to keep her at the edge.

"It's real, Kakashi," she whispered softly, then cried out as he resumed his full attentions, sending shockwaves of pleasure through her. She grasped at him when he released her hands, holding him as he filled her, whining with how sensitive she still felt.

"Thank you." He rocked into her, setting a swift, almost desperate pace.

By the time they finished, Kagome was satisfyingly sore and tired. She let Kakashi take her home, leaning on him when they appeared in her room. "Stay for awhile?"

"For as long as you will let me."