"What's wrong?" Kagome asked worried.

"Why would you ask that?" Kakashi countered as he threw his kunai target.

Kagome just stared at the back of his head with an open mouth. He's been weird all day and she was getting to the bottom of it. So she did what she always did to get his attention- she threw a rock at his head.

He turned abruptly to catch the rock and just raised an eyebrow. Kagome smiled innocently as she said, "Just testing your reflexes." Her smile turned into a glare. "Now tell me what's wrong."

He looked away as he dug into his pocket. "I got you something." He mumbled as he handed her something.

Kagome smiled broadly. "It's not my birthday."

"I know."

"It's not any special holiday." She continued with shining eyes.

"I know."

"Sooooo," she trailed.

"Just look at it will you." He said lazily, but his blush gave away his embarrassment.

Opening the cloth bag, Kagome found a silver chain that had a pendant with an inscription saying, 'Kagome Hatake'.

"It's tradition in the Hatake clan to give their betrothed gifts…" He turned to look at his target so he could hide his emotions from her, she could read him well. "It's to show that I'm always thinking of you or something. No big deal."

Kagome smiled at him openly, naturally he couldn't see it, so she did what she did best- she threw a rock at him. Kakashi turned to look at her and got a hug in response.

"Thank you," she said quietly. Their fathers were best friends, so the two of them were always together. Recently their fathers thought that them getting married was a great thing for the two clans; so an arrangement was made.

"Kagome," Fingers snapped in front of her face. "Are you all right?" A male voice asked.

Kagome shook her head out of that memory. "I'm fine Hojo." Kagome smiled warmly at her friend.

"Oh, good, I thought you were maybe getting sick again!" Hojo smiled as he asked, "I was just wondering where you got that necklace- you're always wearing it so it must be important to you."

She touched her necklace that she got so long ago. "Yea, I've never taken it off." She smiled thinking of her friend she hadn't seen in fifteen years. "A friend from my home town gave it to me."

X

X

"Kagome, he says he has something important to talk to you about…I think he's serious!" Kikyo said sarcastically.

"Ugh…" Kagome groaned as she threw her hair up into a pony tail. "Tell him I'm feeling sick and needed to get fresh air…that he just missed me or something like that!" She smiled cheekily to her cousin as she snuck out her window.

Even from a distance she could hear, "Sorry Hojo, you know how sick Kagome get's when she eats peaches…well she forgot…and ate them…so sorry you missed her. She went for a walk to feel …better?" Kikyo covered for her horribly, but innocent Hojo believed her.

"Of course, I forgot that she was allergic too! Maybe I should write it down so she won't forget again." Hojo looked at Kikyo for guidance.

Her face went emotionless and said, "Yes."

"You're right! I will do that, thank you Kikyo. Please remember to tell her I have something really important to discuss with her!" Hojo left quickly.

She rolled her eyes as she entered her house. She grabbed a quiver and bow and headed out to follow her cousin.

X

X

Kikyo found Kagome practicing some katas in the clearing and looked for an opening. Seeing one, she grabbed a shuriken and threw towards Kagome's thigh only for it to bounce off a barrier.

"You're getting rusty in your old age cousin." Kagome said smugly as she continued on with her kata.

"Maybe that's why Hojo is pining after you." Kikyo teased back.

"Ugh, he's a nice guy, but he's too clingy." Kagome grumbled. "Sometimes a chase is fuuuun."

"Hmmm, I always forget that you're instincts are unlike the typical Higurashi." Kikyo wondered aloud.

Kagome smirked showing her longer canine. "Who wants to be a boring Higurashi?" She challenged.

"You don't have a dog…what good is an Inuzuka without a companion?" Kikyo taunted back.

"Ohhh I'm gonna get you!" Kagome yelled as she lunged at her cousin with her fists.

They were each other's best sparring partner. The Higurashi women were only allowed to use bows and arrows, so they only could fight each other in secret. When Kagome first moved to the Higurashi compound as a child- she begged to be allowed to fight with the boys- but she was always turned down. Her Inuzuka nature refused the docile life of the Higurashi priestesses but she had no choice to live there.

Eventually Kikyo agreed to spar with her so she would know how to defend herself with more than a bow.

When the girls got home, Kikyo's little sister was there waiting for them with a message. Apparently there was an important meeting going on that they needed to attend. The meeting was in their house, so they didn't need to go far.

In the office were the elders of the Higurashi line and the clan head- Kikyo's father.

Upon entering the office, all eyes were on them. (They changed out of their dirty clothes.)

"Thank you for coming girls." Daichi Higurashi said calmly. "Please sit." He pointed to two spots left for them. "We were just discussing the future of the Higurashi line." Kagome rolled her eyes to the heavens. Daishi continued on, "Kagome, you know I love you like you were my own daughter." He paused wanting a response.

"Of course you have." Kagome responded in a monotone voice.

"Yes, well, I know you can't help the taint of Inuzuka in your blood, and we have all agreed on the best solution on solving this matter." Kagome's eyes were hard but said nothing. This wasn't news to her. Her uncle was very closed minded on all things Higurashi. "While you have your father's blood- you also have your late mother's strong Higurashi one. We want to make sure that you pass on your talent with your miko powers with the right husband."

Kagome looked shocked. "What are you saying exactly, uncle?" Kagome asked slowly.

"We have arranged a marriage for you with Hojo!"

Kagome was too shocked to say anything.

"Father, surely you must be joking." Kikyo spoke up for her cousin.

"He is the perfect match for Kagome." Someone spoke out. "She is so hot tempered and strong willed- Hojo will be able handle her with his calm attitude and obvious adoration with her."

"I refuse." Kagome said simply.

"You cannot refuse in this Kagome." Daichi announced.

Kagome stood enraged. "How could I not refuse this insanity you suggest? You want this kind hearted boy to dilute my so called tainted heritage so we can make the perfect Higurashi children!"

Daichi stood saying, "You may not like this, but you will grow to accept this decision. The paper work has all ready been submitted. You cannot back out of the arrangement."

The next day when the kids met, Kagome gave Kakashi a present. "I want you to know that I'm always thinking of you too!"

He took the ninja mask out of the wrapping and looked at her questionably. Twirling her toe shyly in the ground she said, "The mask will help you hide your emotions from people without turning away."

While the elders were yelling at her, Kagome had an epiphany. "I'm engaged?"

"Finally she accepts it." Someone said.

"No! No, what I mean is that I'm all ready engaged." Kagome started to speak fast. "When I lived in Konoha my father promised me to someone all ready! I even got an engagement gift from him!" She held on to her necklace like a life line. "So really that means you can't force me to stay here anymore because I have ties to Konoha!"

Daichi said smugly, "If it was a Konoha nin, then they're probably dead and you'll still marry Hojo."

"He's not dead, I hear rumors about him all the time from others in the village. He's Kakashi Hatake- and he's very much alive- and very much engaged to me." Kagome said with a sweet smile.

X

X

Her uncle had sent a letter to Konoha's Hokage for confirmation on the engagement. Kagome was supposed to wait for the response before and steps were taken with Hojo.

"Hell no, I'm not waiting…I'm finally free." Kagome whispered to herself as she ran through the trees. After Kagome's father died in a mission, she and her mother were forced to go back to the Higurashi's compound. When her mother died soon after, her uncle took over her upbringing and never allowed her to return to Konoha or have contact with that village.

The sun was setting when she made it to Konoha's front gates and she was confronted with a tough question: "What's your name?"

Kagome scratched the side of her face. She whispered to herself, "How do I answer this?"

She smiled big, trying to look friendly, and unintentionally showing her longer canines, and said, "Hi, um, I was born Kagome Inuzuka…but due to clan issues, I also go by Kagome Higurashi…it's a long story…" Kagome kept on talking- she did that when she was nervous- not realizing that the guards were having a conversation amongst themselves.

"That is a load of shit, she has to be insane." One guard said.

"But look at her teeth." Said another chunin.

"Look at her face! She doesn't have the marks like the clan she claims to be from."

Kagome eventually stopped babbling when she actually heard them talking. "They aren't even watching me." She thought to herself. "I could have jumped this freaking gate if I wanted and they would still be talking."

"Hey," She yelled to get their attention. "Just get my Aunt Tsume! She'll be able to tell I'm an Inuzuka."

The guards were saved from answering when someone intervened saying, "I'll take you to the Inuzukas."

Kagome smiled gratefully at the brown haired jounin as she walked over to him. She looked first at his mouth, noticing the senbon needle that occupied it. "Thank you for taking me."

He smirked slightly as he nodded lightly.

They walked in silence toward the Inuzuka residence until Kagome got uncomfortable and had to say something. "So have you ever cut your tongue on that?"

He smirked and said, "I have."

"Huh," Kagome made a face trying to think of the pros and cons have having your weapon in your mouth…

"Looks like we're here." He said. "Good luck cutie." He winked at her pink face.

"Psh, can't even tell me his name." She mumbled to herself as she walked to the door. She knocked and waited until she heard small quick steps rushing toward the door being followed by a four legged animal.

The door opened to reveal a tiny boy with red marks on his cheeks and his puppy at his heals.

"Hi, I'm Kagome…is Tsume Inuzuka available?" She asked politely. She watched him sniff delicately, trying to see if he knew her, until he yelled childishly, "Mom!"

Kagome watched her aunt come out of the shadows and sniff the air; recognition shown on her face.

"Hi Aunt Tsume," Kagome said first. The boys mouth fell open and looked at Kagome and then quickly looked at his mother.

"Kagome, Kagome, how did you get them to let you leave their iron hold?" Tsume asked in a ruff voice that brought memories from her childhood back.

Kagome stalled before saying, "They didn't necessarily 'let' me leave Aunt Tsume…it's complicated."

Tsume gave her a tight hug and said, "If it isn't complicated, then it isn't fun." Letting a watery eyed Kagome go, Tsume pointed toward the gaping child, "This is Kiba my youngest, and by his side is Akamaru. Kiba, this is your cousin Kagome I've told you about." Looking at Kagome a patting her arm roughly Tsume said, "Let's get you a room."

Kagome was smiling happily as she was shown a room by her aunt, Kiba watching curiously until he asked, "Did you leave your suitcase somewheres?"

"Somewhere," his mother corrected.

"I kinda left in a hurry and didn't bring anything with me." She said shyly.

"No kunai?" He asked again.

Kagome frowned before covering her anger with a smile so her cousin wouldn't see it. She told him softly, "The Higurashi clan doesn't think women should use any weapon other than a bow." She showed him her empty hands and said, "I've learned other ways to fight while I lived there." Her hands created pink chakra-like kunai.

Kiba and Tsume's eyes got a little wide at that. "Wow, that's cool." Kiba declared.

Kagome shrugged as she closed her hands and got rid of her chakra. "Well kunai would be cool I think."

A young girl knocked on the door before entering, "Mom, I tried to make some tea for our guest…and I might have burned the pot?"

"How do you burn a pot?" Tsume asked before rushing to the kitchen.

The embarrassed girl introduced herself, "I'm Kiba's sister Hana, nice to meet you."

Kagome smiled saying, "I'm Kaogme. Your mom was my dad's younger sister."

They all heard a yell from down stairs, "Hana! How did you accomplish this? If you were making tea, why is there flour everywhere?"

X

X

After the mess in the kitchen was cleaned, they all sat outside under the stars.

"Since you're back in Konoha, you can have access to your father's money that was left all to you." Tsume said before growling out, "The money was considered dirty by the so called 'holy' people and they didn't want you to have it."

Tsume looked at her children who were pretending to play, but were listening to their conversation. She called out to them, "Kids, get to bed you have school tomorrow!"

"Aww mom…"

"Maybe Kagome will walk you tomorrow?" Tsume asked as she slid a glance toward Kagome.

Seeing Kagome nod, Kiba got excited. "Awesome! Will you show some of the kids the glowy kunai! I can't wait to see their faces! Hana stop pushin me! I can walk…" His voice was fading away as he entered the house.

Kagome laughed, "Your kids are great Aunt Tsume."

"They're the best." Tsume agreed with pride as she watch Kuromaru sit down next to her neice. "Now that they're gone, let's get down to business. How did you get away?"

"Even though I'm only half Higurashi, my talent has exceeded everyone's expectations. My uncle wanted to pick the proper husband that would quell my Inuzuka attributes yet strengthen my Higurashi ones in my children." Kagome raised her voice in her anger. "He said there was no way for me to back out of it because the contract was all ready made…but then I remembered that Dad made an arrangement when I was a kid…so that means my uncle's contract means nothing!"

Tsume wasn't fazed by her heated outburst but grinned like a predator. "Are you talking about…?"

"Kakashi," Kagome filled in.

Kuromaru said, "There's no way then for them to force to you to go back."

Kagome said hesitantly, "…until Kakashi denies the engagement and then I'm screwed."

X

X

The next day Kagome was walking with her cousins toward the ninja academy. She borrowed clothes from Tsume until she could buy clothes later that day.

"I can't believe you're gonna marry Kakashi Hatake!" Hana whispered excitedly. Kiba was uninterested in this conversation. There were a few ninja who heard the whispered declaration and spread the rumor like wild fire.

Kagome giggled at her, "He doesn't even realize I'm home yet…plus it's been like fifteen years so I doubt he remembers me."

"Who cares about girl stuff…?" Kiba grumbled.

Kagome nudged Hana and said, "I bet us girls can beat him to the academy, don't you think so Hana?"

"No way! Akamaru and me would so…Hey! Hana you cheater!" Kiba chased after his sister with determination. Akamaru was trying to keep up but it was harder to get through the crowd as a small puppy.

Kagome scooped up Akamaru as she chased after her cousins.

Hana won easily and did a tiny victory dance at the school entrance.

"That's not fair you cheated! And your legs are bigger then my whole body!" Kiba complained.

Kagome got behind Kiba and tickled him making him laugh, "Awe Kiba, you beat me and Akamaru! That's not fair!" Kagome said making him happy.

He smile cheekily, "So I beat Kagome and Akamaru! Woohoo! Tomorrow I'll beat you Hana!" Akamaru was yipping at heals unhappily. "Don't be mad at me! I'll carry you tomorrow and we'll both beat her, ok?"

After saying goodbye to her cousins, Kagome headed to the Hokage tower.

She noticed as the closer she got to the tower, the more people would turn in her direction and whisper to each other. She checked out her clothes to see if there was something amiss. Her clothes hugged her tight, but everything was in place.

She wasn't sure where to go to when she got in there, so she quickly asked a ninja who was exiting the building for some directions, and quickly regretted it.

"Um, excuse me? Could you help me for a minute?" Kagome asked a ninja in green spandex.

Gai's eyes went wide when a beautiful woman stopped him for help. He would do everything in his power to help her, and told her so. "I will do everything I can to help you! A beautiful woman like you should never want for anything if I was there to help you Miss…"

"Kagome," she squeaked out embarrassed. This man was really loud and boisterous causing more people to stare in her direction. "I just need to talk to the Hokage." She said it quietly hoping it would have him tone down his voice in response.

He just got closer to her and grabbed her hands, bringing them close to his chest. "Kagome, what a beautiful name! Don't worry because Gai will take you personally!"

She was worried how he would respond but still asked, "And who is Gai?"

He faltered for a second before recovering, "I am Gai! Come, I will take you to the Hokage!" He kept her hand in his and dragged her to the Hokage's office. "Here you are! I will wait for you, my flower, so I can walk you home!"

"No!" She yelled a little loud, then said softly, "No, there's no need for that. I'm not sure how long this will last…and a strong ninja like yourself must have a lot of training that you need to do right? So, thanks again." She knocked on the door and heard, 'enter', from the other side. "Oh, looks like I can go!" She quickly entered the Hokage's office with a panicked look.

Sitting at the desk, Sarutobi was smoking his pipe, but laughing on the inside. "Come and sit Kagome, Gai will not be entering."

X

X

Kagome left the Hokage's office nervous. They had a good talk, and he understands everything, but what he told her to do next was putting butterflies in her stomach.

Apparently everyone in Konoha found out that Kakashi had a fiancé, so Sarutobi said she wouldn't need to worry about finding him, because he would find her.

Sneaky ninja…

What she was tasked to do, was ask Kakashi to train her so she could become a nin of Konoha. She was terrified that he would say no…terrified that he would reject her.

While she waited for the inevitable, she bought some clothes with the money that was once her fathers. The first shop she went to had a young woman working there who was out right rude, so she left. The last one she went to had an older woman there who was happy to help Kagome pick out clothing; she became even happier when she realized how much Kagome was buying.

Everywhere she went women were giving her death stares, while men checked her out. It was never ending and had her growling all the way to her house to drop off her clothes and all the way back to the school to pick up her cousins.

Someone actually pushed a cart into her side, causing her to wince.

"So sorry," A woman said with no remorse. "Oh, wait, aren't you Kagome Inuzuka everyone is talking about? What kind of ninja would run into this?"

Kagome's eyes narrowed in anger but she kept her wits about her. "I didn't run into anything, I believe you pushed this in my way by accident."

The woman huffed in mock anger, "How dare you! Why don't you be a good dog and apologize." That had some people gasping but she egged Kagome on saying, "Now that I have a better look at you, I bet you're lying about being an Inuzuka! Where are your face markings or your little doggie?"

Kagome growled deep in her throat. It was true that she didn't have markings like other Inuzuka, but she still gained other…inu qualities. "You don't even know me," she stepped foreward like a predator, "yet you talk to me like I am the dirt under your little civilian shoe." The woman backed away but still tried to look cocky around her girlfriends.

"I bet you thought you were being so tough pushing a little cart into my path." Kagome looked feral as she said softly, "How brave will you be when you're all alone and you hear my little doggies barking in the shadows."

"You don't have a dog!" The woman said urgently. Kagome just raised an eyebrow. The jealous woman looked around at the shocked crowd around them and the dogs that were amongst them watching intensely. "You don't deserve him!" She finally yelled at Kagome.

Kagome showed her teeth unconsciously as she said, "He's mine, right Kakashi?" The civilians gasped as Kakashi jumped down next to Kagome with Pakkun at his side.

Kakashi grabbed Kagome with one arm and pulled her tight to his side and said, "Yup, she's my future wife." And he poofed away with Kagome leaving the crowd.

Pakkun looked at the jealous woman and said in his deep voice before he left, "Not cool lady."

The crowd had mixed reactions. Most looked at the woman in disgust, but there were some –fan girls- that agreed with her.