A.N. I don't own Inuyasha or Naruto. Thanks for continuing to read and review! I know that I am inconsistent and I truly appreciate all of you.

"You are reckless and stupid," Kakashi bit out harshly as he came through the window. "You could have sent the entire village spiraling down into a bloody civil war. For what? To posture in front of the Hyuga?"

Looking up from her desk, Kagome rested her chin on her hand and peeked up at him without a shift in expression. "Thank you for your confidence in me, Kakashi."

"Kagome, you could have been killed. What of the village then? Your ten year plan would be completely useless, Naruto isn't ready, and all of your changes would be left behind as failed ideas of a dead and prideful Kage that did nothing for her village," Kakashi continued, one visible eye narrowed as he approached her.

"I took a calculated risk, and it was right. Kakashi…" Eyes slipping down tiredly, she put her paperwork to the side before standing, meeting his gaze. "If I let the Hyuga go on plotting even one more night, I would have had to draw in others. I didn't want that, and I didn't want them to send Branch members at me either. I am tired of killing nin brainwashed and controlled by those without their best interest in mind."

Kakashi frowned beneath his mask. "You still should have asked for help. Risks like that are not worth it. You are Hokage."

"We disagree," Kagome replied, sighing softly as she walked towards him, taking his hand and looking up at him. "I will talk with you next time, if there is an opportunity."

Threading their fingers together, the gray haired ninja drew her in and kissed her softly. "Have you slept?"

Leaning into his chest, she shook her head. "No. Once the sun goes down, I will head to my apartment to sleep. Do you want to join me?"

Running his fingers through her hair, he rested his head atop hers. "I suppose I should make sure you actually rest."

xXx

Ino hummed as she made her flower arrangements, a little nervous as she worked. Having to stand for her clan later was important in a way she was not used to, and in the last couple of days, the whispers of unrest had her stomach doing flips.. Her light blue eyes flickered up when she heard the door. "Oh… Uchiha-san."

Itachi stood in the doorway, offering her a polite nod. "Good afternoon, Yamanaka-san." He gave her a nod before walking towards some of the potted plants.

Instead of remaining outside like he usually would, Shikamaru came in a few moments later. "Hey Ino." He leaned on the counter, looking bored, though the blonde knew that he was being deceptively attentive despite his demeanor.

"Shikamaru… why is he here?" Ino whispered, perking and flashing her best customer service smile the Uchiha's way when he looked up. When the moment passed, she just looked at her old teammate curiously.

Shrugging, Shikamaru looked at a collection of wildflowers idly. "He's headed to that meeting in a couple of hours so he wanted to run errands first. I think he wants to have some house plants. He's actually been gardening a bit outside, so I think he likes plants."

Coming to the counter, Itachi had a small list in hand. "I am planning on doing some more shopping today, but there are many things I am interested in. May I leave this and payment, then return to pick them up on my way back?"

Taking the offered slip of paper, Ino read it over, surprised at how many things he wanted, but nodded. "Of course. With this much, I can deliver it tomorrow morning instead if you like."

"Thank you, that would be appreciated, Yamanaka-san." With that, he took out the money and set it on the counter. "I believe I calculated correctly."

Counting, Ino rang the sale in and handed back a receipt. "Yes, perfectly… Well, I will see you later, I am sure, Uchiha-san."

"Of course." With his deal done, Itachi turned to go, Shikamaru following behind him.

Standing alone in the shop, Ino looked down at the list curiously before setting to work gathering the inorganic items for the order. "I guess he really must like plants."

xXx

Hanabi watched her father carefully as he argued in hushed tones with some of the elders of the clan. Her expression was carefully blank, having thus far not been found out as the leak, though Neji and her father had their suspicions after she explained her absence. Her defense of Hinata had raised an eyebrow or two, but there were more urgent matters.

Coming to sit beside his cousin, Neji watched the interactions before them with the same impassiveness. "Hanabi-sama."

"Neji-kun." She shifted a little and glanced up at him, knowing he had been freed on some level. "You seem lighter."

Nodding, the older ninja stood when he felt eyes on him. "I feel lighter." With that, he moved towards his uncle, knowing he was needed.

Eyes following him, Hanabi glanced at the time and decided to slip away. She was no longer needed here, and since going to the Hokage, she felt as if people were watching her, even if it wasn't true.

xXx

Jiraiya leaned back against the wall as Kagome instructed Hinata on what to have handy for the clan heads. "So you're keeping a pretense of a social gathering?"

Turning from her assistant with a thank you and dismissal, Kagome sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I am trying to be a considerate Hokage as well as a firm one. They're all going to have to accept some big change. I can have tea and food available."

"Of course, some of them might wonder about poison after your clash with Hyuga." Jiraiya came to sit across from her at the desk. "You really amaze me. You're as brash and reckless as she was, despite all of your pretty words."

"Have you been talking to Kakashi then?" Kagome stood and walked to the window, looking out to make sure her lover wasn't in fact perched outside. "It had to be done."

"You were always running away from responsibility, and I thought it was just because you didn't want it, not because you couldn't manage it." His eyes were sharp as he looked at her, evaluating.

"I'm not a child, Jiraiya. You won't rile me up with insults. What you call reckless, I call strategically bold. Or at least that's how Shizune might sell it for me if she were here. I made a decision, it was the correct one. You don't agree, but you are not Hokage." Kagome turned from the window and met his gaze.

His lips quirked upwards at that, the measured way she looked at him bringing to mind people long gone. "You should tell them to hurry up putting your face in the mountain. You're shaping up to be a memorable leader."

"I don't need it. If I wasn't already making so many changes, I would pass." Swallowing, she went back to her desk. "If you could pretend to be supportive for the meeting, I would appreciate it."

xXx

Naruto flitted soundlessly through the window, grinning as he found his girlfriend setting up for the meeting. "Hinata-chan! I brought you ramen since I knew you wouldn't eat while you were doing all this."

Not startling despite his quiet entrance, Hinata straightened and smiled, cheeks turning a little pink when her stomach growled. "Naruto-kun, I am not sure I have time-"

"Sure you do." Forming handsigns, he made two clones, one of them transforming into Hinata. "They'll finish. Let's go eat for like ten minutes, ne?"

Kissing his cheek, Hinata nodded. "Okay, but only ten minutes."

Finding a spot a few rooms away, Naruto set two bowls of ramen from Icharaku out and grinned. "You must be super busy. Eat up!" He broke his chopsticks and began to slurp his own noodles down with his usual gusto.

Watching with a softness to her gaze, Hinata ate a little more demurely, but still quickly given the time constraints. "Naruto-kun?"

"Mm?" he responded, noodles flicking him in the face as slurped harder. "What is it, Hinata-chan?" He straightened, looking at her with a smile.

"Thank you." Leaning in, she dabbed his face with a napkin and then kissed him lightly before turning back to her meal.

A dust of color passed over his face despite the intimacy they shared. "Of course. We have to take care of each other, ne, Hinata-chan?" He reached over and squeezed her knee lightly, a warmth in his chest.

Setting aside her meal after a few more bites, Hinata covered it and then walked to the door, her face beet red as she locked it up. "We have a little time… Naruto-kun."

His grin delighted and decidedly that of a fox, Naruto put aside their food and leapt to his feet, drawing her into a deep kiss.

xXx

Sipping her tea, Ino made herself comfortable at a little table with Shikamaru and Itachi, feeling it the less awkward choice than finding a place amongst the elder Nara and Akimichi. "So, did your father tell you what this meeting was about?"

"No, he wouldn't say. Troublesome." Shikamaru murmured quietly.

Itachi looked at the blonde, gaze thoughtful. "I believe Hokage-sama will make her wishes known soon." Taking a sip of his own tea, he looked over at the table where their Hokage sat, her lover on one side, her student on the other, Jiraiya sitting beside Naruto, and chairs kept free for different heads to come and chat in turn.

Ino watched as Akimichi Choza meandered over with a good natured grin and took the spot, Naru Shikaku going along. She knew her father would have been with them normally. "Ah. I should…" Sighing, she schooled her features into a mask of calm and rose. "I'll join them."

Itachi watched her go and turned back to Shikamaru. "You won't go with her? You're an heir and historically your families are aligned."

"No need. I'm not here as a representative of my clan. Between her and my father, I would learn sooner or later. Besides, I assume I'll go up with you. Or do you not intend to have a sit down before she makes whatever speech that's planned?" Looking from his food, he glanced at Itachi, expression bored as always.

Lip twitching almost imperceptibly, Itachi met his gaze and nodded briefly. "I'll go after Hyuga Hiashi. I am not looking to insult by presuming Uchiha comes before him."

At the Hokage's table, Ino settled across from Naruto, finding it the least intimidating spot, leaving Shikaku to sit opposite the Hokage and Choza on his other side across from Kakakshi. "I am honored to represent the Yamanka clan here tonight, Hokage-sama."

"As I am honored to have you, Yamanaka-san," Kagome replied with an easy smile, having expected the three families to come as one. "Thank you all for joining me here tonight."

Choza nodded and took a plate of barbecue pork to eat. "Of course, Hokage-sama. Besides, we could hardly be in the dark when Hyuga already had your attention."

Kakashi looked up at the remark, surprised to hear it from the generally good natured man. "Hyuga often can be very demanding."

Kagome rested a hand atop her lover's a moment and smiled. "I trust you all don't require quite so much of my… contemplation." Her manner was light, practically friendly despite the vaguely threatening undertone to her remark.

Shikaku tilted his head, rubbing his neck in a way that reminded the Hokage of his son. "We're loyal to our village, Hokage-sama. No one could ever argue otherwise. Still, it seems a little aggressive to act in such a way. We would hope that talks might be a better first step with Clans in the future."

Swallowing, Ino looked at the two men, practically her uncles before bowing her head. "With respect to the Nara and the Akimichi, I believe that Hokage-sama is doing that now. You are right, Hokage-sama. Our clans do not require the kind of contemplation that Hyuga and Uchiha have both needed in the past."

Naruto grinned broadly, thinking it was strange to see his old schoolmate in this light, but delighting in what she said. "Ow." His expression soured when the pervey sage stepped on his foot beneath the table. "Wha-"

"Don't grin like you're rubbing it in on the other two. Inoichi isn't here and things could have been different. Keep your face in check, Kid," Jiraiya urged quietly, keeping his posture neutral despite his words.

Clearing his throat, Shikaku nodded to his Hokage and stood. "As I said, I only hope to discuss before action. Thank you for your time, Hokage-sama."

Squeezing Kakashi's hand briefly, Kagome smiled a little blandly as Hiashi came to the table along with both an elder and his younger daughter. She raised her hand for Hinata to join the table, causing the elder to bristle.

The song and dance that followed was watched intently by all others in the room. Tepid smiles gave way to aggressive gestures, then cold stares that made even seasoned nin shiver, before soft words and gentle cajoling, followed by both Hyuga girls raising their heads to whisper something that obviously displeased the elder. In the end, Hiashi held his hand to cut off argument, Byakugan active as he stood and finally bowed stiffly.

A collective sigh passed through the room at that. Conversation resumed, and postures relaxed. Though despite the tension, the eagle eyed present could note that the Hokage's hands never left the table but to steady Kakashi, her lack of defensive motion speaking of a sublime confidence, or a reckless abandon of sense.

Itachi allowed nearly every other clan head go up in turn before he rose, sensing that Aburame was planning to go last given he didn't accompany any others. He waited for Shino to stand before walking to the table, choosing a seat directly in front of the village head, the move perhaps bold to some. However, she was simply the one at the table he had the least bad blood with.

"Uchiha, Nara." Kagome smiled politely and sipped her tea. "I hope this has given you an excuse to see more of the village, Itachi. If Uchiha are to be welcome again, you'll need to be friendly."

Lips twitching, Itachi gave a small nod. "I am working on it. Though I think even those at this table might feel that it is too soon."

"Well, they certainly can speak to me if they like. So, any questions for me?" Touching Kakashi's elbow lightly when he shifted, Kagome met the misunderstood young man's eyes without flinching.

"No, Hokage-sama. The Uchiha have absolute faith in you, and I remain a loyal shinobi of Konohagakure." Itachi inclined his head to the others. "Naruto-kun. I hope you and I can visit Sasuke together soon." Without waiting for a response, he stood up to go.

Shino blinked at that, his expression puzzled as he got up to walk back to their table together. "Hardly seemed worth it to go over."

"You know as well as I that appearances can be everything, Nara-san." Itachi settled again and watched the last few stragglers go up. "One day you will be the one that must go and sit opposite your Kage and decide whether or not your clan will be 'troublesome' or not."

Finally, after all of the more personal audiences had been taken care of, Kagome rose to her feet and smiled warmly. "Thank you all for coming to join me today. I will not patronize any of you by carrying on–most of you have an idea of the changes that are to come. The era of the child shinobi is coming to a close. Our village will no longer allow children under the age of eight to join the academy, and there will be no more early graduation. A genin must be at least 12, and they will need at least three years of time to move onto chunin. Hinata will be coming around with full outlines of the new structure. I hope that I can count on your support in this transitional point."

Pleasant atmosphere compromised, the arguments began. Still, no one's hands twitched anywhere they shouldn't. It was practically an auspicious start.

xXx

Curled up in bed that night, Kakashi ran his fingers along Kagome's jaw. Her face seemed peaceful, breathing even. Blinking, he realized she truly was asleep, maybe even peacefully so.

Kirara jumped from the head board to sit on his shoulder, bumping her head against his. "Mew."

Scratching the cat behind her ears, Kakashi glanced at her. "Your mistress is still a mystery to me at times. I don't suppose you can share some insights."

"Mew." Kirara leapt towards the window, going out to patrol, assured that he would guard her slumber.