A.N. I do not own Inuyasha or Naruto.
Blood soaked into the ground around Kagome, distaste marring her features. She looked up to meet Genma's eyes and swallowed. "Gather them. We bury them with all due respect of Konoha shinobi."
"This many…. Hokage-sama, whoever is pulling their strings now clearly wants you dead. Perhaps we should use Danzo, negotiate-" Genma began, looking at the bodies. In the month since seizing Danzo, they'd lost more shinobi than he'd thought existed in Root.
"The time for negotiation is soon, but if they know Danzo lives, they will only become unmanageable in the quest to get him back. This is… a test." Kagome flicked the blood off her blades. "They come at me to see if their Hokage is strong. I kill them, the survivors will learn to live with me." She shook her head. "They thought they were serving their village. Danzo perverted their sense of duty. Bury them discreetly, but with honor." With that, she disappeared.
When Kagome reached her apartment, she stripped off her bloody clothes and stuck them in a bin before making her way to the running shower. She saw the silver haired man within and got in behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist, her front pressed to his back. "Please say that's the last attempt."
Kakashi saw the blood on her hands and threaded his fingers through hers, sharing it. "Yes. I will select and emissary to meet with you. You have… proven ruthless and cunning enough to do what is necessary for the village."
"And I killed most of your radicals," Kagome whispered, her stomach churning.
"Yes." Kakashi turned and took her into his arms, kissing her heatedly. "Besides, if you get out of hand, here I am…"
Cupping his face in her hands, Kagome met his gaze. "Yes… Here you are." She stood on her tip-toes and kissed him searingly. When he pressed her to the wall, she wrapped her leg around his waist.
x~x~x
Hinata brought her Hokage her usual tea with a gentle smile. "Genma said you worked very late last night. Did you have time for breakfast this morning?"
Kagome's stomach growled and her cheeks tinted pink. "You know me so well!" she declared simply, taking note of the snacks on the tray. "Thank you, Hinata."
"You're welcome, Hokage-sama." Hinata smiled again and straightened up, her eyes lit with curiosity. "You've been more driven lately."
Wondering if she should inform her attendant of some level of the situation, Kagome sipped her tea. "Mm. Well, we've been dealing with some internal conflicts."
Nodding, Hinata swallowed sat across from her. "I know. I mean, I guessed. You've been sending me away for meetings and you have been changing your clothes midday at times. I understand that you need to keep secrets, but you can trust me, Hokage-sama."
Looking thoughtful, Kagome eyed her a moment. "I know. However, there is another matter I wish to discuss with you. I have been thinking on it for some time. You see, Naruto-kun is my protege. One day, I want him to take my place." She peered at the younger woman thoughtfully.
Shifting in her seat, Hinata nodded. "Yes, I know. You've been training him rigorously."
"And you still watch over him. You do not faint on sight anymore, you have given up on the idea of you two together… But you still want him." Kagome measured her response, the suppressed blush, the way she shifted to look away. "He's going to need someone in his life, someone to keep him steady, to keep his confidence and accept him."
"Naruto-kun is in love with you," Hinata whispered softly, a tinge of sadness in her eyes. Her hands moved in closer to her chest for a moment before she forced them back to the table without engaging in her customary finger twiddling.
Drinking deeply from her cup, Kagome watched her. "Naruto is young. As are you for that matter. But he can be swayed in his affections. When he returns, ask him out. Take some time to show him who you are. Not the shy girl too scared to speak, but the woman who wants to be seen as the strong kunoichi she truly is. When he trusts you, you will have him."
Blushing, Hinata got to her feet and bowed before leaving her.
Kakashi slipped through the window, eying her lazily. "You are meddling in his love life now?" he asked, curious as to her reasoning.
"A little push to get him to stop sniffing at me… And also, it will help him become Hokage to have the support of a core family. Besides, Hinata loves him." Kagome rested her chin on her hand, looking at Kakashi. "Naruto has a good heart, but one that can be swayed. His first love was Sakura, then me… He overlooks a woman that is devoted to him because she does not show her feelings. I think with time, they could be a good match."
"I think you're planning too much now." Kakashi slipped away once his piece was said.
x~x~x
The moon was high, the night air cool as Kagome stood on the top of Hokage Tower. When she sensed the shinobi behind her, she had to admire Kakashi's twisted sense of humor. "Hello, Torune-san." She turned to meet the bug user's gaze. "I knew you would not be one to go against me, but your selection as emissary is not something I predicted."
Face impassive, the Aburame regarded her coolly. "So you tortured Danzo-sama before you killed him." There was a tightening in his features then, slight but noticeable.
"Loyalty should always be prized. However, Danzo was a traitor who was loyal to himself before his village. The one who sits in his place, however, I am willing to work with." Kagome was calm as she regarded him. "Tell your new master I will take meetings with one emissary once a month. Any missions that he believes in the best interest of the village are to come to me first. In exchange, I will offer all of you immunity for the crimes committed under Danzo's instructions."
"So we would cease to be autonomous, bowing to you?" Torune demanded, his posture not friendly.
"And any Hokage after me. The choice is assimilation or annihilation. We all want what is best for this village. Civil war does not appeal to me, and I doubt it will to your leader. Take back my message. And on a personal note, Torune, I want you to consider getting out. You still have a family that is fond of you. There is a reason I sent Shino away. Had you come at me, I did not want the one you see as your brother to suffer a conflict of interest."
"Are you threatening him?" the young man accused, eyes narrowing on her.
"No. You see, I do not threaten loyal Konoha citizens. I care for them. I do not strip them down to a level that rejects their humanity so they worship my actions and obey my every whim. When you pledge yourself to me, you pledge to every citizen of Konoha, not to the ideals of a warmonger." Kagome's tone was biting but honest. "Now go."
x~x~x
"Assimilation or annihilation. Very strong words," Kakashi drawled as he ran his fingers over his lover's back. "I will tell you, it took a lot to quell the call for blood with that comment."
"I imagined as much. But that you quelled them lets me know that they are in hand." Kagome tilted her head back and let Kakashi kiss and nip at her throat. "You are very strong. Better at this than you realize."
"What are we talking about currently?" Kakashi teased as he found the spot that made her turn to warm goo in his arms.
"Ugh, you know." She turned and claimed his lips heatedly.
x~x~x
Shino pushed up his glasses as he regarded his partner. "We were successful," he reminded him, knowing the blond was greatly dissatisfied.
"We delivered a scroll to Uchiha Itachi. Itachi is the reason Sasuke left… And if the Hokage is talking to him, then maybe he's still working for the village. Sasuke would never come back." Naruto's eyes were narrowed, feeling at odds with the goals of his Hokage.
"Hokage-sama must have her reasons. Besides, Itachi-san's crimes against his clan predate her by many years." Shino eyed Naruto, wondering if he would break with the woman who was grooming him.
"Indeed she does," a cool voice reasoned, the subject of their conversation emerging from the shadows of the trees. "You should not linger here."
"Were you ordered to slaughter your clan?" Naruto demanded suddenly, needing to know. He needed to understand why he was being sent for.
"I am not authorized to speak with you on these matter, Naruto-kun. I am asked to return with you to Konoha, under the pretext of capture." He offered up his wrists for restraint. "Put your chakra feeding bugs on me to keep it believable."
Not waiting another moment to consider, Shino complied.
x~x~x
Danzo was a broken mess of a man by the time Kagome entered his jail cell. "Come to face me finally?" he asked, tone still surprisingly steady.
Expression empty for a long moment, Kagome knelt before him. "You have given us all the information that you are going to… It is time for you to die." Her eyes glimmered with compassion then, saddened that it had come to this. "You had all the potential for good and you chose to use it for your own selfish agenda."
"Get on with it then, if you're going to carry out the sentence. Or do you hope I will beg for my life and give you more information?" Danzo snarled, disgusted with the pity in her eyes. "I will not give you the pleasure."
"You cannot offer me any more." Kagome sighed and stood. She formed several hand signs in rapid succession and her hands glimmered pink as she stole the sharingan eye with one and struck his chest with heart stopping precision with the other.
Kabuto walked in as he went still and held up a jar to contain the eye. "Who is that for?"
"An emergency," Kagome replied, taking the jar. "Thank you, Kabuto-kun. You will return to your cell and keep your silence, I trust."
Bowing, the gray haired young man walked back to the door where Inoichi waited.
Genma shifted his senbon to the opposite side of his mouth as he walked in, eying the body of the Root leader. "What will you have me do with him?"
Pressing her finger to her lips, Kagome formed a few more handsigns and pink fire consumed the body, reducing it to ash. "Keep my secrets, like you have so far."
Looking at his Hokage, Genma came to stand beside her. "Can I offer you some advice?"
"A part of being a member of my guard means that you will have my ear, Genma." Kagome turned to meet his eyes, feeling a level of trust with him that she did not often bestow on others in this day and age.
"Kakashi-I don't know if you put him in place or if he used his connection to you for it, but he's the new Danzo. Be careful with him. Danzo courted him for years." Genma eyed her thoughtfully, measuring her reaction.
"Thank you for coming to me with this, Genma. You are exceedingly loyal." Kagome smiled warmly at him, knowing he really would have been a good choice as well. But she had grown fond of Kakashi. "Kakashi and I have an arrangement. But in the event that it ever needs to change, your warnings will be remembered."
x~x~x
"I'm impressed. You've been taking your lessons with Shino to heart. Or perhaps you spent more time with Jiraiya learning the secrets of peeping than I realized," Kagome remarked, turning to meet her protege's eyes. "Ibiki already informed me of your success. Congratulations."
"Was Itachi ordered to murder his clan?" Naruto asked, tone hot. He had been stewing since they started back, needing to know what secrets were being kept from him. The second he'd returned, it only worsened with the feel of the village, a conflict beneath the surface.
"By a man who did not have the authority, yes, Itachi was ordered to kill his clan. After committing such an action, he could not come back, and his newfound infamy allowed him to infiltrate the criminal organization Akatsuki. The time is coming for us to bring our assets home, however," Kagome told him, not hesitating.
"So, you had me bring Itachi home… What about Sasuke? Sasuke will never forgive Itachi," Naruto pointed out.
Coming to stand before the young man, Kagome rested a hand on his shoulder. "If Sasuke can be brought in, he will be welcome too… So long as he can put aside his vengeance and his power acquired from Orochimaru."
"Basically, you're picking the stronger brother then!" Naruto accused, glaring. "Sasuke never would have-"
"Sasuke had a choice and he made it, Naruto. I have met people shunned by society who have found a way to keep going, to be good." She gave him a meaningful look. "Sasuke chose a path that was twisted and dark. I understand that you love him as a brother, but he will never be loyal to this village above his agenda if he cannot accept the past."
"You have no idea what it was like for him-" Naruto ranted, voice rising.
"I have an idea, Naruto." Kagome's eyes softened slightly. "You did well. You should take some time off. Rest, enjoy yourself."
Shaking his head in anger, Naruto stormed out of the office.
x~x~x
Itachi sat in his cell and looked up without emotion when Kagome came to the bars. "Hokage-sama…"
Unlocking the door, Kagome stepped through and with one hand sign sealed the room from all listeners. "Itachi-san. Your cover has been exceptional I had no idea of it until I began in my role as Hokage. But it is time for the charade to end. Your reports have indicated Akatsuki is getting closer to their endgame and I need the assets of the village to come home. Including you."
"That hardly seems feasible." Itachi watched her, curious about this woman that was so very different from the Hokages before her.
Pursing her lips, Kagome went to his side and a glowing hand rested on his chest, a touch of healing. "Your diseased need not be a concern any longer. You have been loyal to this village, and to your brother. Now is the time for those loyalties to become one. When word gets out that you are here, he will return, and if he can be calmed, I will accept him back. I want the Uchiha Clan to become strong again."
"Why?" Itachi suddenly asked, tone soft. "Why do you want to give that power back to those who have very nearly destroyed this village you care for?"
"Power is a responsibility, one you have proven capable of handling. Your choice was… wrong. I will not tell you differently. But you have learned from it, and you are a man that I know I can offer some degree of trust." Kagome met his gaze evenly. "If you can bring your brother peace, I will take him back too. He is not evil, but he has it in him, and he must overcome it."
"What is the next step?" Itachi finally asked, his eyes betraying nothing.
"Now you will give every ounce of information you possess about Akatsuki to Ibiki. After that, you will be released into the care of a trusted individual to help you accommodate to your life here," Kagome told him with a smile.
"Who?" Itachi questioned, curious who would be trusted with him.
"Nara Shikamaru. He will move temporarily into the abandoned Uchiha compound with you. I think he's the only one who might be able to out think you," Kagome declared with a smile. "So don't go thinking of becoming nukenin for real this time."
x~x~x
Hinata swallowed and walked into the ramen stand, taking a seat boldly beside Naruto. "Welcome back, Naruto-kun."
The blond looked up at her in surprise, but smiled. "Hey, Hinata-chan." He wasn't all there, prodding his ramen a little listlessly.
"Are you alright?" the Hyuuga asked, light eyes taking in his lackluster eating.
"Yeah… Just… Have you ever done a mission that left you feeling sorta dirty?" Naruto inquired after a pause. "Like, you did something that you don't agree with?"
"I think all nin do, at some point…" Hinata looked at him with gentleness in her manner. "The thing that helps is if you trust your leader. And I trust Kagome-sama." Heart thundering, Hinata took his hand and leaned in, kissing his lips chastely. "And I trust you, Naruto-kun." With that, cheeks red, Hinata got up and walked away hurriedly.
Touching his fingers to his lips, Naruto watched her go. "Hinata-chan…"
x~x~x
Shizune eyed her Hokage and friend with something akin to astonishment. "You think that you can rebuild the Uchiha clan… Are you serious?"
"Yes. Shikamaru has already been briefed on his mission, and Itachi will be cooperative. Shizune, I am really looking to set this village up for longevity. I trust you to help me with this." Kagome looked at her longtime friend with a smile.
"What is it that you think I can contribute to helping rebuild the Uchiha clan?" Shizune asked, disbelief to her tone.
"Support. You are respected greatly by this village and I know you and Shikamaru are growing close… Just support my actions… And don't let me get off the path," Kagome added suddenly, her eyes downcast.
"Off the path?" Shizune echoed, her lips twisting downward.
"With Tsunade-sama gone, you know me best. I have been at this awhile now and… It is changing me. I can feel it. I have avoided nin duties because I abhor killing and I have done more in my time here than I had in the last ten years before it… If you see darkness threatening to overtake me, tell me." Kagome met her gaze with a tiredness, a vulnerability.
Shizune stood and walked around the desk to embrace her. "You have my word."