Disclaimer: Inuyasha and Naruto belong to their respective authors/owners.

A/N: Feeling a bit guilty with the lack of updates, so thought I'd submit something. May or may not turn into a series of interrelated drabbles since they're easier to update, depending on response.

"I'll take full responsibility."

"I will take full responsibility." The statement was uttered so solemnly that it took a while for Kagome to fully register the words.

Slightly recovered, she stupidly asked, "What?"

"I took your first kiss, so I will take full responsibility for my actions. I will marry you." And promptly regretted her question, forget that, she was regretting her decision to wake up.

She tried lamely protesting, "There's no need for that...really..."

"I disagree. As Kazekage, I must demonstrate that I am a reliable figure and I cannot do that by disregarding responsibility." He wasn't even blinking when he said that!

"That's very honourable of you...but don't you think marriage is a bit too much?"

"Not at all. Temari is a woman, so would know how a female mind works and she said that first kisses are very Important." Kagome could practically hear the capital letter.

"But, but...marriage!"

"It is a suitable course of action. You are useful, you can subdue my demon and marriage will provide you a short-cut to becoming a Sand citizen, which would allow you permanent residence."

Kagome just gaped at him.

"Not to mention that you have a pleasant presence and you are not 'troublesome'." What had Temari and Shikamaru been telling the socially-inexperienced red-head?

She tried being more assertive, "But what about my side? What about my feelings?"

Gaara stared at her, "You will be given citizenship, you are marrying the Kazekage and you do not fear me."

"What about love? I'm only going to marry for love!" Kagome withheld a triumph smirk, thinking that she had a very valid reason.

"Then that should not be a problem. I love you." Of course, Gaara spoiled it.

"What? Since when?" She asked, honestly confused, "Then what about my feelings?"

"I cannot accurately recall, but probably around the same time that you proclaimed your love for me."

Kagome blinked, trying to remember the incident. A memory came to mind, one where she had thrown herself on the red-head. She had hugged and proclaimed her love for him when he had found and returned her beloved yellow bag. She blinked again. "Surely you're not thinking about..." She trailed off pathetically at his intense stare and sighed. This wasn't what she signed up for.

...

Past

The miko had finally finished her duty in the Feudal Era and had jumped into the well-house when there was some sort of earthquake and she found herself covered with sand. The next thing she knew, she was plucked from the sand like a magician pulling out a rabbit, which in many ways it was true. She was the rabbit, who was only slightly better at defending herself than the civilians but Kagome was no match against trained ninjas. As for the magician, that was Gaara, a person who could easily perform feats that most couldn't. He had pulled her into a new world and took care of her.

As a powerful but curious Kazekage, he kept Kagome near to evaluate her. At first she had to remain within eyesight, then it progressed to within his range of detection and now she just had to stay in the village and return to his and his sibling's house at night. He even covered all her expenses and she wasn't pushed to do anything. As a result, their arrangement by day may seem like she was his pet, but it was the other way around during the night. Previously, Gaara was unable to sleep from fear of Shukaku taking over but ever since the miko's arrival, he was able to experience the pleasures of sleep and dreams. They would often sleep on his rooftop with his head on her lap and her fingers stroking his hair.

Though to Kagome, she felt like a burden and so eventually managed to convince Gaara for permission to find a job. Of course, the conversation went more like this:

"Gaara," she began while still stroking the red hair, "You know that I don't intend the village and its people any harm, right?" She received a slight nod and continued, trying to hide the bubbling excitement from her voice, "So maybe I should get a job, that way I'll be contributing to society and I'd have something to do."

"You are already providing a positive influence."

"Thanks, but I'm not really doing anything..." She frowned but then tried to be more direct, "I just feel so...useless. I want something to do."

Silence and then, "Be my personal doctor."

Kagome blinked, "But I don't have the knowledge or experience and besides, you don't get sick or injured..."

"I do get bored and Shukaku can get annoying. A Kazakage's mental health is also very important."

"So...what would I be doing?"

"Stay nearby and use your own judgment."

"So...basically what I've been doing so far," she deadpanned.

"In a manner of speaking," he replied lightly.

If Kagome didn't know better, she would've thought that Gaara was mocking her but this was really due to his severely deprived social history. In the end, Kagome asked Temari to forward her request and the blonde did. She had told Kagome that her job wasn't finalised and to wait in Gaara's office and stay very still because it would be part of her initiation. Doing as told, she didn't react fast enough when the Kazekage mysteriously tripped and ended up kissing her. Both victims were so surprised that neither noticed the swiftly retreating stretch of shadow hurrying back under the door. Gaara had recovered first and that was how the conversation started.

A/N: Mother's Day ~ celebration of love for your mother ~ Gaara's lack of opportunity ~ his celebration of love for a woman ~ Kagome's flabbergasted reaction

It made sense in my head.

Thanks for reading and enjoy Mother's Day! (...while I better go and work on my assignment that's due tomorrow -cringe-)

Airily