Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters; that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Nor do I own Naruto or its characters; that right belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.

Five years past

He stood staring dispassionately down at the cowering man, who was hugging the old tattered suitcase to his person as if it were his lifeline. It could have been for all he cared, but that was not his concern. No, the man was his bounty, owed his current employer money, and was trying to skip out on it. And one thing Kakuzu valued above all else was money. This job would net him a tidy little profit to be stashed away for later.

"Please... I had the cash, but... I can make it back double...no triple-fold if you can convince him to give me a few days. This suitcase contains something that is beyond priceless and will make me rich."

Staring down at the man, watching as he flinched under his pupiless green eyes, Kakuzu didn't even blink as he killed the man with a blindingly fast slash of his kunai across his throat. The spray of blood from his throat a dark crimson fountain in the setting sunlight, as he waited for the man to bleed out so he could take his head back as proof, he completed the job.

The soft sound of his 'current' assigned partner coming forward had Kakuzu turning to glare at the man and leveling him with a look that had the man stopping and glaring back at him. He hated having a partner, the idiots always irritated him to no end, meaning he killed them rather quickly. Though this one had lasted longer than the last three, after two months. But even then, his patience was wearing thin with the man; he was growing bold.

"I don't wanna take no part of your bounty. Curious about the suitcase, though. I mean it belongs to no one right now...So let me have it."

Kakuzu was about to give a sharp retort when a thudding came from the suitcase as it wiggled on its own from the now dead man's grip — followed by an annoyed grunt from the what or who was inside it. Not surprising since they had caught up with the target as he exited from a black market auction, that was exclusive invite-only, so a person wouldn't be far-fetched to what was in the damned piece of ratty luggage.

Waving a hand at his partner to stay, Kakuzu shuffled the few steps to the body, as it lay lifeless, eyes glazed now in death, before finishing removing the head. Then out of spite, he kicked the suitcase the rest of the way from the man's arms, earning a small, heavily muffled yelp before low rumbling followed. He was drawing his attention further as the brown square began to move over the sandy ground. Like it was trying to get away from him.

Moving without a sound, he stood in front of the suitcase, which stopped just before reaching his feet, to only move to his left. It was strange, so he moved to stand in its path again, watching as it stopped and went back the other way. Who or whatever was in there was able to sense him. So completely masking his Chakra, he once more blocked its path. Only to hear what could be a curse, before once again, the piece of luggage moved away from him.

Intrigued by this, since whoever was in the damned thing could sense him, even with Chakra masked. Kakuzu knelt and grasped the handle of the suitcase, pulling it back to him, before opening it. What he saw was a very tiny, bandaged wrapped girl glaring at him from a pale face covered by her long black hair. Her blue eyes were flashing as she grumbled around the gag in her mouth. She was pissed off.

"Oh, looky there. You have a pretty little thing. As I said, I want the suitcase."

The look he shot the man told just how he was not amused. Letting the killing intent roll off him as a choked gasp came from the girl in the luggage before she muttered a single word, which had his lips curling just a little behind the bandana he wore over his mouth. He wanted to know just how she was able to sense him when he could tell she had no chakra at all, let alone any training to be a ninja. Also, he wanted to know what that man had meant, now seeing the contents, could make him rich. The girl could not be more than fifteen or sixteen years of age.

Reaching in, Kakuzu grabbed the girl and pulled her up as he stood, uncaring if he was rough. He was keeping his eyes on her as she just glared at him, not one looking intimidated. Her lack of fear of him was disturbing, making him feel the anger bubble through his veins. So with a quick shake, he set her on the feet, getting a good look at her. Noting from the neck down, her whole body was bound in Bandages that had kanji drawn intricately over her person, all sealing runes.

He knew from experience not to underestimate small, harmless-looking things; they could be the most deadly. Even if the girl before him didn't register as a threat, he would treat her like one. So with a swift jerk, he pulled the gag from her mouth, earning a low, animalistic growl from her as she worked her jaw.

It was a few seconds before he saw her flick her tongue out and moisten her lips as she looked him up and down. As if appraising him, before flicking her gaze to his partner only to dismiss the man and look back at him.

"I suggest you do it now instead of later."

Her voice was cracked from not being used in a while. And she flicked her gaze from Kakazu to his partner and back, eyebrows raising as she seemed to be waiting for something. Kakuzu didn't know what to make of this, though he could tell she was putting on a brave face for whatever she was expecting.

"What the hell?"

At the three words from his partner, Kakuzu reacted, finally reaching the end of his patience with the man. Spun, flinging his kunai with deadly accuracy, as it flew and embedded itself into the man's forehead to the short handle as he dropped a look of surprise permanently etched onto his face. Feeling satisfied, he looked back at the girl, noting that she was looking at the man with a sad blue eyes though she didn't seem to be fazed by his death.

"Why should I let you live."

He spoke, keeping it short and to the point as the girl looked at him, her blue eyes running over him again. She was leaving him feeling as if she was looking directly through him before she sighed and let her shoulders slump. Defeat rolling off her in waves.

"Kagome. And I can make you the money you crave, without you having to lift a finger. I am a... special... type of healer."

PRESENT DAY (July fourth)

He shuffled through the trees, walking silently with his current partner of a year behind him. Glad for once that the man was silent, even though it was due to where they were heading, and he didn't want to go anywhere near the person Kakuzu was to see. It had been rather amusing when the Jashinist had met his pet Kagome last July. Sparks had flown between the two, with his pet coming out on top, surprisingly enough.

But it was time for the Bi-annual collecting of the money she made him. He had people that kept tabs on her for him. Even after five years of her loyalty to him, not once trying to run away, steal or lie to him, which he knew she was incapable of it, he didn't trust anyone though it was hard not to believe her, with as open, earnest and honest as she was to him.

And he had some concerns regarding her as she was ill for over a month and a half, before suddenly taking to staying in her home and clinic. Only leaving when she had to get food, though from the reports he had received, she hadn't done that since the end of May. It was very peculiar behavior for his pet since she was very social to the point he was sure he would strangle her to within an inch of her life.

Breaking through the treeline, he saw the small house that set a few miles from the village she had chosen to set up shop in. The faint glimmer of light through dark pink curtains that he thought were hideous, as the sun continued to set below the tops of the trees behind the building. He could sense she was inside, not moving.

"Can we just get this over with?"

Shooting a dark glare at the Jashinist, Kakuzu broke from the trees and walked steadily to the building. Noting quickly that the door was unlocked, the sign for her business pulled in for the night, the air tinged with the sweet and bitter smell of the herbs she used in her practice wafting from the open window.

He stood there waiting at the door for her to open it like she always did, greeting him with a smile, eyes dancing as she looked at him with adoration in the blue depths. When nothing happened after a few minutes, he frowned and opened the door, already knowing she hadn't moved from where she was at. So stepping in, he looked around the dimly lit area, he saw four briefcases on the small table in the middle of the room.

Shifting his gaze around the room until it landed on a head of black hair that was spread across the desk as his pet was hunched overwriting. Blatantly ignoring him in favor of making the notes for her clients and the ledger for the day's accounts. He knew she was well aware of not just him, but the Jashinist, though she didn't look up or even verbally greet them. Odd.

"Kagome."

Not even looking up, she pointed past him to the table with her right hand while continuing with what she was doing. Narrowing his eyes, Kakuzu took the three steps from where he stood just inside the door to the desk. Placing a hand on the surface, he grabbed at the paperwork she was so focused on. Watching as she stiffened and the air became charged with a faint pink light.

"What you came for is on that table. Please, just take it and leave."

The slight quiver in her voice as it sounded strained his ears as if she was upset about something. Not once in five years, she had belonged to him after proving she could make him money, quickly, had she ever just dismissed him like this. The low whistle from Hidan as he used his other arm to motion for the man to gather the cases. He is keeping his gaze on the woman before him.

"Kagome, you will look at me."

At his command, she hissed low, like a cat giving warning as the pink light she gave off grew brighter. He was well aware of her moods, the power she had that was uniquely hers. But never had it been directed at him before. She was pissed, and it was at him. Reaching out, feeling that power crawl over his skin as his fingers threaded through her hair and jerked her head up, he saw those blue eyes start to glow.

"Cease this right now. What is wrong with you."

She glared at him in silence before speaking, her voice low and seething.

"Six months, three days."

His mind quickly did calculations realizing that was how long since he had been here last. He was late due to a job that his Leader had given him. Capturing the two tail as a bit more complicated than they had guessed, add in drawing it from its vessel had set him back almost two weeks. Though her being petty and angry about him being late, this was not normal for his pet. She was well aware of what he did and that it came first before anything else.

"This is beneath you, being like a child because I am late."

The reaction he got for his words had him jumping back as she struck at him. Blue eyes glowing eerily in the dim lighting of the room, the candles flickering wildly as an unseen breeze blew through the room. Hidan muttering, he would be outside, not wanting to be in between this mess. Though it didn't go unnoticed by him that the man didn't shut the door.

"Six months, three days."

Again Kagome spoke the same four words. Glaring back at her, he moved quickly to stand behind her, grabbing her roughly and jerking her upright from the chair she sat in and making her cry out in shock, anger, and fear. Her arms were wrapped around her body, protectively as he spun her around to face him. Letting his eyes rake over her, stopping once they reached her slightly swollen abdomen.

Instantly his mind recalled the short reports he had gotten about her being sick for a month and a half before vanishing from the public eye. It was apparent why she had, as rage bubbled like hot scalding water through his veins. She was his property. And now she was damaged goods. He would kill whoever did this to her, touching what belonged to him.

"Who Kagome did this to you."

When she didn't look at him, just hugged herself tighter, small body shaking, he squeezed her arms and shoulders tighter, making her whimper in pain.

"Who, tell me. You are mine, and I will not tolerate anyone touching you."

"Six months, three days."

Again she repeated herself before sniffling and hiccuping softly. Letting her go, Kakazu stepped back, knowing that hurting her would not get him the answers he wanted. And she was withdrawing away from him, leaving a bad taste in his mouth. This woman was not afraid of him ever, always challenged him, pushing him — the only one he wouldn't kill for doing it, other than the Leader.

"Fine. Are you well acquainted with who did this to you? And were you willing?"

He bit the words out. When Kagome lifted her head and looked at him, he saw that fiery spark in her eyes as she gave him her typical glare.

"Oh, yes...I am very well acquainted with the man. And yes, I was...I practically threw myself on him. He denied me at first, but eventually, he caved, and I loved every fucking moment of you limp-dicked asshole."

The venom in her voice, accompanied by the snickering of his partner outside, had him looking at her closely. Something was trying to click into place in the back of his mind. She gave a time frame. A concrete time frame, that was very familiar to him.

"Kagome."

"Six months, three days."

Growling in frustration, he let his gaze sweep over the room, taking in the floor, decor, and walls. Where he stopped and did a double-take. Plastered on the walls were the pages of a calendar, marked up in red ink. Taking a closer look at them, counting back from July's, they went to January. Which was the last time he had been there? They had set up a Bi-annual meeting on January first, and the first of July as that was a perfect six months apart.

It had been exactly six months and four days since he had left this place. He had come alone since Hidan needed to make a ritual sacrifice to his damned god. Upon arrival, his pet had asked if he would be staying to welcome the new year with her. Of course, he didn't want to, but being tired, wet, cold, and hungry, he agreed. His pet was one hell of a cook, and the clinic had delicious smells of soba noodles filling it from the back portion, that housed her.

From there, they had drunk several bottles of Sake and Whiskey. How she procured the whiskey was a mystery to him, but he didn't turn away from the robust, aged, and smokey flavored liquor. And at some point, after the started to rise, she had asked him to sleep with her.

Pausing in mid-thought as he replayed what she had just told him about throwing herself at him. He blanched before looking down at her, seeing her head was still down, arms loosened enough that she was rubbing her swollen stomach. Horror was what he should have been feeling, even anger and rage that she had kept this from him. But instead, Kakuzu felt numb, just like he had before he killed all the elders of his village and went rogue.

This was not what he had wanted or even expected. Still, being drunk and not having satiated his more carnal desires before visiting like he usually did, Kakuzu just stayed silent. Not often was he at a loss for what to do. Usually, he would just kill and be done with it, but Kagome was a good source of income, her ability to heal damn near anything, and gather information to valuable. And, frankly, he just didn't want to kill her, he was partial to her.

Letting out a slow breath, he began to figure out things. He knew when he slept with her, even though his drunken haze, Kagome had been untouched. He the only one to have touched her person. Raising a hand, he ran it over his face, stepping away from her. He needed to decide on what he was going to do with her. Cause getting rid of a source of income was just blasphemy.

"Stay. I will be back."

With that said, Kakuzu stepped around her and out the door, looking at Hidan, who was oddly silent as he looked back. Giving a shake of his head, he put some distance between him and the small house. Sitting down, he began meditating, funneling his Chakra into his ring and hoping for a response was quick coming.

"What is it, Kakuzu?"

There before him was a faint image of Konan floating in the air. Her face an empty mask as she looked at him.

"We...No, I have a problem."

"That is rare. Is it solved by eliminating the issue."

"No. And it is because I refuse to erase it."

"...What is this 'problem'?"

"I need to bring someone to the base to be protected. Someone who is a good source of my income and discreet."

.

"That is not something I can give permission for. Let me ask Leader."

"Understood."

As he sat there, he could feel Hidan still over by the house, since Kagome inside, though she was sitting down at her desk again. If the killing were an option, then he would do it without hesitation. But it was not, and he knew it was not just because she was a great source of money. That was something he refused to delve deeper into.

"Leader wants to know how it would benefit him and all of the Akatsuki to have this 'problem' protected at the base."

"They are a great healer. Something I have kept hidden from you all for the last five years. Hidan even gives this person a great amount of respect because they can hurt him."

The slight widening of Konan's eyes at his statement before her eyes narrowed at him. They didn't have a healer and had looked for one, and he had been sitting on one for a long time saying nothing. And his partners never lasted long, other than Hidan since he was a fucking Cockroach and couldn't die.

"Oh. Well, that is good. The Leader wants to know what this problem is before he allows you to bring them here."

"I got her pregnant, on news years day. And before either of you ask, I assure you I was the first she ever been with, her loyalty is to me and me alone. She is too honest, earnest, and just plain well. Easy to get along with. She is incapable of lying; it is part of why I have never disposed of her."

When Konan's image vanished, though he still felt the connect, Kakuzu wondered if the new-made the woman pass out. It was not far-fetched that he would have occasional liaisons. But then again, he got rid of said liaisons, or now let Hidan make them disappear.

"You have a woman pregnant; she is a healer and loyal to you alone."

Kakuzu blinked twice when Leader's image popped up and fired those questions at him. The man was downright scary, not just in appearance but in sheer, raw power. He respected the man.

"Yes."

"Bring her. I am intrigued by this girl that could make you stray from your normal ways. And if you are certain that she is carrying your child, then we will protect her."

Giving a small nod of his head, Kakuzu waited till the image vanished, and the link was cut. Standing up, he walked back to the house, knowing Hidan had heard every word of the conversation. The look on his face said he was shocked and not happy.

"Be ready to burn this place down. I will get Kagome, and we are off to Amegakure."

Now he had the hard task of removing a pregnant, hormonal Kagome from her house and those that she cared for. A job he didn't want to bother with.

THE END!