Kagome felt as if something was tugging at her navel.
A sense of foreboding crept through her as she stood in the bathtub. Snapping her hand out, she grabbed her robe and threw it on.
The tugging became more insistent as she rushed from the bathroom. Her feet slid on the wood floor.
Swallowing as she began to panic, Kagome ran to where her yellow backpack sat. The door opened as her hand grasped one of the straps, and she was forcefully pulled through it.
Her last thought was she'd be utterly embarrassed wherever she woke up.
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"Naruto, come with me to the tower."
Silence filled the hospital room as four eyes looked at the speaker. None could figure out why the Hokage, himself, had appeared and given the command.
Then again, the person being commanded had just been reprimanded for their mouth.
"Uh, sure?"
With that, Naruto stood and followed the third Hokage. He could not figure out what he had done-now- to warrant being commanded to the tower.
Staying silent as he followed, Naruto let his mind wander.
A week ago, he and team 7 had returned from wave country and their escort mission. However, they'd all been surprised two days out from Konoha.
Naruto smiled and fought not to laugh at recalling the barely dressed girl who had jumped out from the bushes. Her face flushed as she stumbled and her face planted.
None of them had sensed or heard her. But when she stood and cursed as she turned to tug a large, beaten-up yellow backpack from the bushes she had jumped out of, the sound of people shouting alerted them.
The girl thought only frowned and cursed even more colorfully than some of the senior shinobi. She noticed them then as the back came free from the bushes.
She had called them innocent bystanders, complaining she'd have to protect them. It made Sakura huff, Sasuke snort in irritation, and Kakashi-sensei chuckle. And he had laughed openly since all she was wearing was a simple red sleeping yukata that was torn and dirty. And Naruto was sure there were a few blood stains.
As she stepped towards them, men in armor, like samurai, came crashing onto the road. The way they were an organized group indicated they belonged to Fire's Dynamo.
He and his team had readied their weapons only to be left stunned. The girl reached them, and a silver-pink-purple shield appeared. It had made his skin crawl as the girl raised her hand and flicked her wrist while speaking in a strange language.
The people dropped where they stood, sound asleep. The girl acted like nothing out of the ordinary had just happened as the shield dropped, and she turned and bowed to them, apologizing for involving them in her affairs and problems.
Naruto only had a few seconds when her blue eyes met him as energy from the Kyubi stirred. The girl passed out; her face had gone so white it was like she was dead.
"Quit daydreaming, Naruto. The girl requested you be there for her interrogation. Otherwise, she'd do to us what he did to those Samurai."
Naturo missed one of the steps and stumbled upon hearing the Hokage's words. At the same time, the Kyubi stirred inside him again as if interested.
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Kagome sat staring at the two men in amusement. She could tell these men were skilled in their respective professions after two lifetimes. She was still reeling; she'd fallen into a world of Ninja.
Arching an eyebrow, the man named Yamanaka tried to enter mine again and was once more rebuffed for the umpteenth time.
"It's futile, sir. My mental shields are instinctual," She said, smiling warmly at him. "I told you, having someone rummage for two days against my will in my head made those shields strong."
Watching as their aurae danced in agitation and disbelief.
Soon a knock on the door pulled their attention from her. And Kagome smiled as she interlaced her fingers on the metal table. She could feel the demonic-like energy from the other side of the door.
"Lord Hokage, Naruto," The man called Ibiki said after opening the door.
She kept her eyes forward as a giddy feeling had her heart beating faster. She had been correct. It was an old, powerful kitsune sealing in that boy's body behind his navel.
"Miss, I have brought Naruto. Now will you cooperate?"
Kagome lifted her eyes and looked at the old man in white robes and a conical straw hat.
"My name is Higurashi Kagome. I am thirteen. My birthdate is July second. I have no affiliation with any village or country. My weight is forty-four Kilograms(98 lbs). My height is one hundred and fifty-two centimeters(60in/5ft)."
Kagome answered the prior questions while making a huge show that she was sincere. However, she secretly observed the boy whose blue eyes were wide as his whiskered face echoed the shock in those blue eyes.
"And if you think I am lying, ask the kitsune in the boy if I am or not," Kagome said.
A loud hiss of breath was drawn in as cold tension filled the room.
"Look, I noticed you sealed the spirit of a demon in a human container when I first saw him. And not just any old demon spirit, not an old and powerful Kitsune, probably a nine tails," Kagome continued. "And from my knowledge, Kitsune are social and territorial. So you're only pissing it off more and more, keeping it sealed. That might be best for humanity and this village's sake."
There was silence before the boy, Naruto, spoke.
"Miss, how do you know so much? You have no chakra and still put those men to sleep."
Kagome hummed and looked at Naruto. When his eyes flashed red, and a matching aura popped out, the three adult men went on high alert.
The moment Kagome made complete eye contact, she felt her mind slip into unconsciousness as her Horeiki flooded out of her. She faintly heard Naruto speaking.
"She's telling the truth; Kyubi said it'd be wise to keep her. She is a miko, and other Bijuu will want her."
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Naruto stood there and looked at Kagome. He had become close to her in the two and a half months since he'd met Kagome. She was a warm, sweet, loyal, and accepting person.
Though Kagome did not seem to like Ero Senin, Naruto knew that with him leaving to train and Kagome staying in Konoha, he'd miss her.
"What's that long face for? You're not leaving forever, Naru!"
Kagome's teasing had him blushing as she hugged him.
"Besides, I promise to be more useful when you and him return. So don't pick up any bad habits from that ancient white-haired weirdo, okay?"
Unable to help himself, Naruto laughed. Jiraya-sensei was pouting like a small child at Kagome's blatant insults.
"Naruto, Kagome will be studying under me and alongside Sakura. And I promise that no other country will take her away," Tsunade Baa-chan, their new Hokage he'd helped bring back, said.
He knew Baa-chan's promise was legit. Yet he could feel Kyubi's reluctance to leave her. Especially after the one-tailed seal in Gaara had met Kagome after he and Gaara had fought.
Gaara's look of awe made him feel exceptionally protective of Kagome after learning what she was.
Then there was the Third's funeral and everyone who had died in Orochimaru's attack, followed by the loss of Sasuke, who went to Orochimaru's side.
Naruto knew he'd have been able to work through it independently. But having Kagome be by his side, enveloping him in her warmth and comfort, was priceless to him.
"I know Baa-chan. And when I come back, I promise, Kagome, I'll be both a Ninja and a man, you can rely on," he said, knowing Kagome was still not fond of Ninja.
Before he could react, Naruto turned with Kagome wrapped around his neck and crying.
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Kagome looked out the window at the sky, smiling.
"I'm leaving early, Sakura," She called as she ran out of the hospital's front door.
The loud, frustrated growl from Sakura, who she'd become friends with, made Kagome giggle. It was a good-natured growl.
Kagome felt unprecedented excitement fill her as she ran to the village gates. It had been three long years, and after meditating last night, she felt a familiar dual chakra aura.
"Miss Kagome?"
The cry of shock from the guards on duty did not deter her. Kagome flew out the gates and down the road.
Soon she saw two very familiar people. Raising her hands and waving them, she ran to the duo, who paused.
"Naruto! Welcome Home!" she called out, jumping at him when she got close enough.
She saw the amusement in Jiraya's aura as he pouted playfully at her ignoring him. She was in Naruto's arms as being spun in a circle.
Once her feet touched the ground, Kagome could see the difference in their heights. She was still the same height as three years ago. Yet, Naruto had grown from one hundred and sixty-six centimeters(65in/5ftr 5in) to about one hundred and eighty centimeters (70in/5ft8in), making her feel tiny.
"Dang, Kagome, you haven't grown; you're really short now."
Kagome felt her neck grow tight as she twitched before kicking Naruto in the shin with Horeiki reinforced foot. The pained scream from Naruto, who began to jump up and down on one leg, was soothing.
Sticking her tongue out, Kagome turned and walked back toward Konoha.
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Naruto watched as Kagome ran to Sakura and Chiyo's side. She ignored him, but he was okay with it, having come to learn from the Kyubi Miko's had an inborn instinct to help others.
"Naruto, Miss Higurashi is truly an amazing person. She embodies the meaning of youth and fierceness."
Feeling that Lee's comment was odd, Naruto grunted in response.
"Lee isn't wrong," Neji said. "I knew she had been training with the Hokage and Sakura, yet seeing her fight was impressive."
His attention now captured, Naruto looked at Team Guy.
"Indeed. We came across some Akatsuki, and Guy sensei ended up fighting him. Kagome put a strange and perfect three-sixty shield," Tenten whispered to him. "She handed Lee a strip of paper cloth before she walked out of the shield, and a silvery bow appeared in her hands. From there, she helped Guy sensei by attacking the Akatsuki member, who was not pleased and seriously hurt by her strange chakra."
Naruto knew he was smiling because of what he was hearing.
"Yeah, she can fight. She has smacked Kakashi sensei a few times, and he couldn't avoid any of her hits," Naruto said in a smug tone.
Turning his attention back to Kagome, Sakura, and Chiyo, he saw that Gaara was now awake, and Naruto felt a slight twinge.
He knew Gaara lost his Bijuu, but his friend stared at Kagome as if she were a gift from the gods. It made him uncomfortable.
So, taking that first step toward the group after Gaara's siblings rushed over, Naruto met Kagome's gaze. Not thinking, he ran to her side as her eyes rolled into the back of her head as she lost consciousness from overusing her powers.
The shock from those around meant nothing to him as he cradled her petite body in his arms protectively.
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Kagome fought the urge to hit her knees. The horrors of war didn't phase her, no. She had done both fighting and healing.
But this nightmare before her instilled fear. Everybody was in odd cocoons sleeping. And the one who cast it was staring down at her.
"How are you not affected by my jutsu?"
Kagome swallowed as she looked into the eyes of Madara Uchiha. At the same time, she was feeling the familiar presence of another that she loathed, Kaguya. Though it was familiar, it was still different at the same time.
"I'm special, I guess?" she said, trying to be flippant.
Mentally Kagome was praying that Naruto would pull a miracle out of his ass.
"You do not belong in this world," Madara said after a long while.
Kagome stayed silent. Madara was right and wrong but wouldn't confirm or deny it. Instead, Kagome forced herself to gather her Horeiki slowly.
She was no match for this man or the bitch backing him. And Kagome knew this body was only a clone as she couldn't really read the aura.
When Madara began moving toward her, Kagome did her best to wait until the last second and then released her Horeiki in a massive burst. The look of shock and horror on Madara's face was a memory she'd keep in her mind forever.
Then the sound of something breaking filled her ears as Kagome realized her vision was growing dark. She hoped that black and white zetsu wouldn't harm her vulnerable body.
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Naruto smiled as he threaded his fingers through Kagomes. It was Kakashi Sensi's inauguration day. He still had the goal of being Hokage and understood now that there was still a long way to go.
But shooting a glance at Kagome, Naruto knew he'd be fine.
The war had come to an end. And Naruto immediately tried to find Kagome because he couldn't sense her, nor could Kyubi.
Choji had found her unconscious, prone body in a shield of her Horeiki with vines and flowers growing over it. It looked like something out of a child's fairy tale.
He had pulled her free when she'd awoken and knew she'd been attacked. So he had interrogated her to learn a Madara close had been left and was none too pleased she wasn't affected by the Jutsu he'd cast. That and she had defended herself to the point of passing out.
Soon cheers rose around them, and Naruto felt his hand being squeezed. Turning to face Kagome, Naruto went still as heat rushed up his neck to his face.
Silence slowly descended around him as he finally reacted and wrapped his free around Kagome's waist, pulling her close and deepening the kiss.
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Laughing at her daughter's antics, Kagome looked at her exasperated husband. He just took on the mantle of Hokage. Thus achieving his dream.
Feeling the need to stand, Kagome rolled herself the best she could out of the chair as their second child seemed to protest at her actions; Kagome pouted.
Seeing her struggle, Kagome soon had her husband and daughter helping her to stand.
She was happy and proud of her family. This life had started on an embarrassing note and had grown in many ways. And Kagome would not change anything since she loved them very much.
THE END!