A.N. I do not own Inuyasha or Naruto. If you happened upon my work for the first time and are now looking to read more, I have been around the fan fic world a good long time and some of that work shows its age poorly. More in my profile. Oh, also, for November I will be quiet on the fan fiction front. Going to be putting my focus into NaNoWriMo.

"This is ridiculous. This woman is no Kage of mine. All of the changes she wants to implement interfere with our ability to run our clan as we see fit," the elder decreed, his eyes falling to Hiashi. "You must take actions against her."

The Hyuga head eyed the table of elders and a few members of the Branch. Some of the changes he had thought to include himself, but to bend to an outsider… "We do not know for sure these changes will be ordered. The information came leaked to us, not by decree."

"Still, this needs to be taken care of. Hiashi, if Hinata can be cajoled, you should use her. She has access to her food and drink, yes?" the elder pressed.

"We cannot be so rash," another elder cut in, her lips in a fine line. "You all have been looking for a reason to cause conflict since she was accepted." She eyed the others and put her hands in her sleeves. "Hiashi, don't be a fool. Striking against her would only cause civil war. This village will not fall because of the hubris of a few old men."

Hiashi frowned at the table and glanced down at Hanabi, always at his side now. She would be restricted with these new regulations proposed… "I have much to think about."

xXx

Sasuke turned away when he saw the blonde, laying facing the wall. His back to him was a definite insult. "Go away, Dobe."

"Shut up, Teme." Naruto plopped on the ground, back to the wall across from the cell. There was a time he would have exploded, but that felt so long ago in the moment. "Sakura is still at least a little in love with you. She's dated a little, but it's always you. She wants to come see you soon, but I told her she should wait."

"I don't care how she feels about me," Sasuke snapped back. His body was still faced away, eyes on the wall.

Ignoring the petulant response, Naruto looked up at the ceiling, smiling a bit. "Maybe when you are ready to get out, we can do like a group date. Hinata-chan and I are getting pretty serious, but we could invite a few people so you don't feel pressured to pair off."

There was a pause before Sasuke glanced over his shoulder. "You finally realized she's been stalking you since the academy?"

Laughing, Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Not really. She finally told me. She's actually really strong and sweet and thoughtful. Her dad hates me, but whatever."

Snorting, Sasuke shook his head. "Of course he does. She's his heir and you're just a clanless screw up."

Glaring, Naruto pulled his knees up and rested his arm on one. "I don't need him then. Hinata-chan is my family. He can accept it or not."

There was a stretch of silence then. "Is Itachi really free to go wherever he wants? That woman has just forgiven him?"

"Kagome-chan has Shikamaru living with him. You might not remember, but he's actually super smart. Itachi is way stronger, yeah, but Shikamaru can outthink almost anyone." Naruto nodded, agreeing with himself. "She'd forgive you too, if you were sorry."

Sasuke looked at the wall once more. "I'm not."

xXx

Neji narrowly avoided being struck as he sparred his youngest cousin, noting that she almost seemed to be fighting with a killing intent today. Spinning his chakra to avoid another strike, he moved it and sent the little brunette flying. "We're done today. What is wrong with you, Hanabi-sama?"

Coughing, she got to her feet again and wiped a little blood from her lips. "Nothing."

"A nin should be a better liar," the older Hyuga commented before turning to go, not interested in dealing with her.

"What would you do if you knew something terrible was going to happen?" Hanabi asked softly. She stared at his back, swallowing thickly.

"If you can do something to change fate for the better, you should." Neji glanced back at her, thoughtful. "Do you need help, Hanabi-sama?"

Shaking her head, she straightened up. "No. Thank you, Neji-niisan."

xXx

Iruka's cheeks were tinted just a little pink as he sat closely with his Hokage, her shoulders close to his as they poured over the list of potential nin teachers. She was close enough that he could faintly smell her shampoo and he was more than a little distracted for a moment. He cleared his throat to refocus though. "I believe the best and most low-impact way to incorporate additional classes is to institute a rotating schedule for instructors."

Kagome looked at the roster, nodding. "Go on." She sat back in her seat, appraising him. She definitely had been lamenting that they just didn't have as many eligible to teach as she would like.

"Well, most of us in the current system are essentially full time teachers. When our resources as a village get stretched too thin, we often wind up just sending students home, only keeping them for half days or less." Iruka pointed out some of the red marks in the calendar from a few years back. "Instead of full time instructors, I propose that we have instructors that teach semi-self contained lessons that stretch for about two weeks at a time."

"That way, we can keep more nin on the roster without interrupting lessons as frequently in times of stress, and we expand on the knowledge set of the students. It's an interesting proposal." Kagome tilted her head back, thinking. "Of course, this means taking you more frequently from the career you love."

"An unfortunate circumstance," Iruka admitted, though he smiled a little. "I really believe in your plan though, and sacrifices sometimes have to be made to make things work."

Smiling brightly, Kagome nodded. "I like your proposal. I might alter it a little-I think that at least the first few years, we might be able to supplement with some of the genin that have been in the field already. Have some weeks where they can lead work study programs with localized instructions, doing things like gardening and helping to replace training dummies and the like. With that, we might be able to extend it to month long stints instead of two weeks."

xXx

Kirara leapt through the trees swiftly, patrolling just outside of her mistress's home, the cool night air ruffling her cream colored fur. Her orange eyes held focus as she paused to perch on a rooftop. She stared hard for a long moment and dodged when she sensed the kunai headed her way.

More projectiles went sailing her way and the cat dodged carefully, keeping her smaller form to dodge more easily. A growl rumbled through her little form, her fur standing on end. She realized she was being pushed further and further away from her mistress.

Kagome appeared suddenly, sword in hand to block another blade. Her eyes were narrowed as her companion transformed. "Who dared to attack my oldest friend?" Her voice was low, more for herself. The moonlight glinted off her eyes as they narrowed.

Genma, always near, came from the shadows with her attacker restrained. "Hokage-sama, I was handling it."

"Yes, thank you, Genma." Scratching Kirara behind her ears, she straightened. "I will be by in the morning. If you could put Yamanaka on information extraction?"

Preening under the attention, Kirara shrank and jumped into Kagome's arms.

"You aren't coming in with me now?" Genma shifted the senbon in his mouth to the other side. He was surprised. Her eyes had been so fierce for a moment. The cat was obviously a soft spot for her.

"No. I still have work to do." Kagome nodded to him and then disappeared back into her apartment, sealing it behind her. She sat at her little table, Kirara in her lap as she looked at the young teen before her. "I must say, I was surprised to see you, Hanabi."

Light eyes, the same color as her sister's, narrowed slightly at her. "Hinata-nee is loyal to you now. You and Naruto."

Kagome blinked at that and rose as the kettle sounded. She set up two cups with tea and then poured the steaming water in, coming to place a cup of tea to steep before her. "As Hokage, I make decisions for the village. I expect her loyalty to the village to carry over to me because of that. As for Naruto, she loves him." She sat with her own cup in her hands, the warmth feeling good as she waited for her tea.

Meeting her Hokage's eyes, Hanabi swallowed. "There is a leak. Someone has let the elders know of your plans to alter the way ninja are educated and promoted. They've also suggested you would forbid clans using curse marks."

Smiling, Kagome looked at her thoughtfully. "Well, these changes sound like something some clans might have a problem with."

"The elders want you to be… taken care of. At least some do," Hanabi sniffed her tea and fished the diffuser out with her spoon. She put it to the side and took a sip. "Father is not pleased at your interference, but I don't believe he wants to incite violence."

"So you came to me. Which could be seen as betrayal of your clan." Kagome pulled her diffuser out and sipped her tea as well. "Instead of remaining loyal to your whole clan, you instead side with the one your sister does."

Flinching, Hanabi looked down at her tea. "What are you going to do?"

"Given that your loyalties are certain to be divided, I will not be sharing my next course of action. Thank you though." Kagome set her cup aside and stood. "Hanabi, you should go spend the night with Hinata at Naruto's."

A tendril of fear wrapped around her heart, but she put her cup aside and stood. "Hokage-sama-"

"Hanabi-chan, don't worry. I have no desire to shed Hyuga blood," Kagome told her softly, her eyes gentle. On her shoulder, Kirara meowed in agreement.

xXx

Neji came to stand beside Kagome as he caught her standing on the roof looking into the Hyuga compound, noting the stiffness to her stance. "What brings you here at such a late hour, Hokage-sama?"

"I need to speak to Hiashi. Will you bring him to me, or me to him?" Kagome asked softly, eyes intent on him. Something about her manner was more forceful than usual. Though her hands were in her sleeves, she seemed very ready to attack or defend.

Frowning, Neji eyed her. He knew this was not truly a request. "Hokage-sama, can this not wait until tomorrow morning?"

"No, Neji, it can't." Kagome knocked his headband up with a suddenness that left him shocked. Not hesitating, she touched a glowing hand to his forehead and then caught his wrist when he lashed out. Her grip was gentle, but unmoving.

They stood, locked in a fight that was not truly happening, for a long moment, Neji straining against her unexpectedly strong stance despite his greater height and size. "The seal…" He felt it breaking down, the experience painless but strange, and froze. "How…?"

"It will still work to keep the secrets, but it will no longer subjugate you. Now take me to Hiashi." Kagome released him and grabbed his headband, offering it so he could replace it. "Please?" She wanted to settle this tonight, before anyone else could know.

Swallowing, Neji nodded and brought her into the compound, sneaking her into the main house. His Uncle had taken to training him, but he still would not be welcome here in the night, especially should anyone perceive the change in him.

In moments, they were standing just outside the meeting hall, perhaps a dozen Hyuga within. Kagome did not wait and strode in, sitting at the end across from Hiashi, the elders within looking aghast. "Good evening."

"What is the meaning of this? Neji?" Hiashi called, eyes narrowed at him and then the Hokage, his Byakugan activating for a moment to study the alteration.

Clearing her throat to draw his gaze anew, Kagome's body was alert and ready. "It's all true. I plan on changing how nin are educated and promoted. I plan to break some of the seals you have on your Branch Clan. I have come here, recklessly, because I am convinced we can solve this with no bloodshed. Prove me right." Her hands disappeared into her sleeves once more, as if she felt no threat.

Hiashi's eyes darted between her and the men of the family, tensed and ready. He glanced up to Neji, remembering Hizashi. He also remembered Uzumaki Naruto, years ago at the Chunin exams, changing his nephew's heart, how he had allowed himself to feel a shred of respect for the boy.

Neji met his Uncle's gaze. "Hiashi-sama-"

Raising his hand to silence him, the head of the family stood and frowned, deactivating his byakugan. "Hokage-sama, we should speak privately."

Following suit, Kagome followed him into another room, giving her back to the table as she left, pleased when she sensed Neji moving to stand between the two of them and the table of elders. "Hiashi, I know that you are a proud man. I had hoped to talk to you and the other clan heads more, but apparently, you have a spy." She spoke openly as they walked into the Head's private rooms.

"You realize the position this has put me in?" Hiashi demanded only once the doors were shut, his eyes hard. "They will expect me to take actions against you."

"Here I thought you were the Head of the Hyuga clan, Hiashi." Hands still in her sleeves, she met his gaze evenly. "I am prepared to offer Hanabi a position at the academy. She has already been working missions, but under the new policies, she would be restricted. As a student-teacher, she would be able to run local work study and have a place of respect. Neji, will be brought into my personal team. You will save some face by saying that these were concessions you got from me in exchange for cooperation. They will all likely assume Neji could be used to kill me."

Shaking his head, a smile in place, he eyed her. "You are a terrifying woman, aren't you? You come here, making your demands, so self assured? Do you not even see me as a threat?"

"Of course you are a threat, Hiashi." Looking suddenly tired, she pulled her hands from her sleeves, a flash of light against metal revealing senbon sewn into the sleeves. "I came here, before anyone could find out about your treasonous talk so that I could settle this without costing lives. If you did not agree, I had no desire to watch my nin die for me."

"What if I had killed you?" Hiashi asked, arching an eyebrow. Surely she did not believe herself invulnerable.

"Then there would have been bloodshed on all sides. You don't want that, Hiashi. Neither do I," Kagome responded, her tone soft and maybe a little sad.

Appraising her, Hiashi thought of his daughters and nephew, how they had suffered under the rules of his clan. He also thought of all the dead, the nin barely out of the academy that left this world bloody. "You will apologize formally for intruding in my home."

"I can do that," Kagome agreed, smiling brightly. "Thank you, Hiashi-sama. I am sure that in time we might be more amiable with one another."

xXx

Inoichi handed over his report, sipping his tea. "Hokage-sama," he greeted as she walked in. "Full details in the report, but to summarize, the nin was one of Orochimaru's. He seemed to have lost his mind and thought that if he captured you, you could revive his master."

Kagome, not having been to sleep, opened the file and thumbed through tiredly. "Thank you, Inoichi." Her head felt a little pinched. "We are going to need to tighten security along the borders. I also am going to call a meeting of all of the clans the day after tomorrow. I checked the roster and saw you will be on a mission. Can I expect your daughter?"

"Hm, Ino will attend in my absence of course. May I ask to know what it is ahead, so I may prepare her?" The blond man took another drink from his cup.

"I have new policies to unveil. I am going to be altering the academy and how it is run." She handed back the file. "Make sure there is nothing else to purge and deal with him. Thank you for your quick work."

Inclining his head, Yamanaka sealed the file and made it disappear. "I regret that I won't be there. Such changes are sure to incite… excitement."

"As do I. I could use a friendly face," Kagome replied, smiling slightly and turning to exit the room. "Morning, Nara-san."

Shikaku nodded to her. "Hokage-sama." He sat down at the table and when she was out of earshot, he looked at his friend. "You should seal the room."

"Done." Inoichi kicked up an eyebrow at his old friend's request. "Not like you to initiate a private conversation this way. What is on your mind?"

"Apparently, Hokage-sama thwarted a coup before it began last night," Nara told him, his eyes serious. "Things are not as stable as she would like us to believe. She quelled it, but it will be trouble if they start up again."

Frowning, Inoichi pinched the bridge of his nose. "You know about the meeting the day after tomorrow?" When his friend nodded, he sighed. "She's going to introduce some changes. I won't be here. Just… Try to pretend to be enthusiastic. We need to stabilize Konoha. We're supposed to host the next Chunin exams again in just a month."

"Hm, I'll do my best," Shikaku sighed, the trouble that was coming already exhausting him. "Is there more tea made?"

xXx

Hanabi yawned as Naruto put some ramen and eggs in front of her. "Thank you for letting me stay the night, Naruto-oniisan."

Grinning, Naruto nodded. "Course. Hinata-chan and I are together, so you're family too." His words and expression were surprisingly sincere.

Hinata walked out of Naruto's bedroom, a little pink when her boyfriend kissed her affectionately and handed over her breakfast. "Oh, you cooked for us. Thank you, Naruto-kun." She smiled sweetly, his actions making her feel taken care of.

Watching, Hanabi finally understood what her sister saw in him. "After breakfast, I should go home. You should… Tonight, you should come too, both of you. I'll talk to him."

Looking at his love, squeezed her hand. "Maybe. We'll talk about it at lunch and tell you later, Hanabi-chan."