Just a short story with a possible love triangle in it. Kagome is around 19 or 20, Gaara is ten months older than Naruto so I am putting down that he is 22, Naruto 21. Hoichi looks to be at least a couple years older than Naruto and Gaara so I'm putting him down as 24 just in case you guys want these details. Naruto is with Hinata, they started dating when he was 19. This was started as a one shot and then turned into a longer story so I'm unsure at this time how it will end or if I will even actually pair Kagome up with anyone specifically.

Ambushed 1

They were ambushed simply put. It was to be a simple rendezvous point where Konoha and Suna were to meet as a partial escort and now he is rushing to find someone to save his friend as the poison worked through his bloodstream. His friend who has found love in Hinata Hyuga and will soon become the seventh Hokage. With him upon his back he made his way through the trees with the others around them, retreating to safety through the forest as new enemy nin pursued their fleeing forms. He doesn't even recognize the headbands; he could only assume them to be from a new village with instructions to take them down in an effort to weaken their two great villages.

'I will get you help Naruto,' he promised.

Blocking another onslaught of attacks through the use of his sand Gaara found them unexpectedly passing through a pale lavender barrier, the pursuers hit it hard. Growing cautious he thought it might be some other trap and soon heard movement from another.

"Halt!" A delicate voice rang out with an arrow glowing pointed in their direction, the same color as the barrier. Her clothes looked like they could use some repairs as she stood there with determined eyes. "What is your reason for coming here," her eyes studying each of them with a wary look in her periwinkle eyes. Eyes flitting towards the barrier she felt and heard the shinobi outside attacking it, trying to make it shatter with no success.

"We were ambushed and now my friend is injured," Gaara spoke up being the one with the highest authority here. He could see her eyes looked conflicted, her actions speaking for self-preservation rather than any other reason to hold that arrow pointed at them.

She has only been here for a few months and she quickly learned this place is far different from what she is used to and is very alone in this world. After trying to see if she could adjust to a village she stuck out like a sore thumb at times to the point where she was as uncomfortable as the people around her were with her. With some searching she found this abandoned place in the woods and after ensuring it truly is without claim she staked her own, learning to do her best to live off the land with no money to buy food from any nearby villages. Time and time again she had to defend herself from different shinobi; rogue, mercenaries, or not and through that she learned her purifying powers do no damage to them but yet she had one thing to aid her. She could pause time long enough to hopefully disappear long enough for them to lose interest in her and move on.

With keen eyes he took in the red pants tightened as far as they could go and still were a bit loose on her frame, her body showing signs of hardship in terms of sustenance even though she looked determined to defend herself against them. The overall confidence she has against six shinobi made him wonder what strange power she has. Naruto gave a pained moan, his left arm turning purple and stretching up his neck, catching her attention while she wavered in her stance.

"Was he poisoned," her voice softer than before as she looked at the blonde on the red head's back.

"Yes," he answered trying not to show his impatience.

"I will help him if you promise no aggression," she offered even if she looked like she is afraid she will regret it.

"As the Kazekage I promise no harm will come your way from us," he surprised her, she has heard of these Kage's, they are leaders of shinobi villages and he appears to be the one in the neighboring country, the sand village leader.

"Go ahead and set him down before me," she eased her stance, putting the arrow back in her quiver with quick precision, the light fading on the tip, dull from reuse. These were all things the ones before her were taking notice of as she knelt down setting the bow next to her while remaining tense as shown in her movements. With unhurried steps he did as she requested, setting him down and remaining by his side as he continued to study this strange woman.

"Are you sure we should trust her," Kankuro said, wary of her barrier ability and what other powers she might possess.

"We have little choice, we are in the Land of Rivers, far from help from our village or his and this unknown enemy is still attacking the barrier. I can't guarantee I can protect everyone with so many after us, she is the best choice we have," he kept his eyes trained on the two before him as she removed Naruto's top.

"You act as if we can't defend ourselves," Kankuro grumbled.

"I consider Naruto as being stronger than me and look at him now. He stepped forward to even out the odds and with a few attacks they took him down with poison." The facts all lined up to them needing to watch their steps as the barrier shimmered from the attacks.

"Do you have a clean blade I can borrow," she asked while wiping the sweat from Naruto's brow with her sleeve.

He reached into a pouch and pulled out a kunai, watching her cut her finger deep, placing her bleeding wound over the open length of Naruto's arm as that same finger glowed. He has never seen such a way of healing or powers like these. Kagome tried to ignore the fact they are all watching her so seriously, if she doesn't heal their friend they might take that as her going back on her word to help him and attack. Feeling the barrier waver she placed a glowing hand in front of her in prayer before grabbing the purple hand. No one expected it to finally clear up around the area of his heart so fast rather than clinging to it longer.

"I'm going to cut his palm," she informed him, taking the kunai and slicing it before stabbing her own deep enough to get the blood coming out steadily. No one had expected her way of healing would involve her harming herself but they could soon see her whole body glowing as the barrier wavered, her power shooting up towards the top strengthening it while also helping their fallen comrade.

"I am Gaara of the Sand," he introduced himself to her in acknowledgement of her dedication to helping his injured friend while also wishing to gain some sort of information on this woman.

"Kagome," she returned the gesture.

Kankuro watched the exchange with Korobi, Ino and Sai. The woman looked a little thin but her power made her look more like a goddess as her eyes glowed a more purple hue, ranging on unearthly but they are well accustomed to strange happenings. The glow soon encompassed Naruto, his face smoothing out from the pain of the poison making them feel more at ease around her. Watching his little brother he seemed more fascinated than concerned as he could easily see the healing taking place. Kankuro felt certain that several minutes had to have gone by, maybe ranging on an hour by the time she finished and pulled back.

"I think I got all of the poison but just to be sure you may stay until he is up on his feet. I have shelter if you wish to use it." She cleaned the kunai of her blood before returning it to its owner.

"Thank you, I greatly appreciate your generosity," Gaara picked his friend back up, following her to the small house that could use a few repairs he noted. She pulled out a blanket for Naruto to rest on before departing, letting them have use of the place as she still felt wary of being in close quarters with them. Pulling her body up on to a low branch of a willow tree by the babbling brook she rested there instead giving them privacy to speak without her in hearing range.

Dozing off for a short while as the attacks on the barrier came to a halt, she felt her powers begin to recover faster than her self-inflicted wounds would clot. With her body low on iron she knew it was a bit foolish but it wasn't life threatening, just foolish. When night fell she moved further away to rest against a different tree on the forest floor, surprising a few as she basically gave up her own shelter for the duration of their stay showing a lack of ease around them. Looking around the place they could see she had little to call her own so it wasn't like she thought anything of hers would be of value to them. Still with the worn yellow bag sitting against the wall Kankuro decided to see what is in it with only Sai agreeing to check things out further being they are shinobi so something like this is seen as a precautionary measure not being a snoop.

"I found some pictures," he mumbled out looking them over. "Heh, she must not be from around here but she did definitely lose weight," he glanced them over noticing how in the one she also appeared a few years younger. He found a hairbrush and other hygienic products, a worn out change of clothes, a box of matches, and little else. For the most part she really had little of interest to worry about getting stolen from her so he just set it all back.

Ino looked out the door after glancing around the two room place. "You know she is quite pretty, why is she out here in the woods?"

"Well she doesn't have money so I am sure that is a big reason," Kankuro replied to her.

"Yeah but still she could find a way to earn some and a girl that pretty should be able to draw a few suitors to her side," she countered. "Well if she isn't from around here maybe she had a hard time adjusting or something," she put the thought out there remembering how wary she was of them because of what they are.

Gaara listened from where he sat near Naruto, patiently waiting for her return. When the night grew late he instead got up deciding to look for her and see what is holding her up so late at night. Stepping out the door he turned right, the same direction she had gone, his sand spread out to track her down, leading him past the willow tree and along the babbling brook until he found her curled up asleep between the roots of a tree. He felt a little surprised but he supposed she is really that uncomfortable around them but still they had not done anything towards her in a threatening way. Studying her unguarded sleeping face he does agree with Ino, she is pretty and yet she is out in the woods rather than living in a village where she would have an easier time trying to survive in his opinion. Perhaps the villages around here do not take to someone with unusual powers. Turning away he went back to the small place choosing to leave her be.

That following morning Kankuro went out searching for her, walking through the trees in the direction Gaara pointed in. Parting the branches of the willow tree he kept searching around with his eyes to see the white and red clad form somewhere. Walking beyond a few more trees he could see part of her pant leg up ahead and found her still asleep much to his chagrin. Not seeing a stick to poke her with he used his foot to nudge her a few times. "Hey our friend needs your help again," he gained her attention as she tried to focus her sleepy eyes on the world around her.

Pushing up into an upright position she nodded feeling her body protesting a little at getting up even though it has been several hours. Carefully she stood and walked back to her place with him, hand working on getting any dirt or leaves out of her hair, combing through it with her fingers alone. Entering the place she could see the poison had managed to survive her treatment yesterday. With a fingernail she painfully reopened her own wounds, letting her blood flow back into him as she did her best to purge his body of the poison, working in equal length to yesterday. A tired sigh escaped her lips when she sat back, seeing the man's healthy tan glow return. Shortly after she wandered back out of the hut for a sip of water from the brook and to freshen up a little with her brush in hand, her eyes easily spotting the shinobi on the outside of her barrier. Splashing water on her face she rubbed the grime from her face before quenching her thirst.

Seeing her brush out the long raven locks Gaara approached her with at least one question he would like answered. "Kagome," he brought her attention to him, "I wanted to ask, do you know where those shinobi are from, I have never seen the symbol on their headbands?"

"I haven't had a good look at them, I'm not well versed with the shinobi villages," she replied back.

"They held three horizontal zig-zag lines," he watched her shake her head in a negative.

"I have come across them before but I don't know where they came from. I know there is hidden village further south not even a whole day's travel from here but they don't have symbols like that." Her knowledge only gained from what she hears from others, nothing else but hearsay to help her learn more about this world.

"Yes that is the Hidden Valley Village," he looked beyond the barrier, seeing the shadows move and dark figures in the trees. "It appears they are still determined to kill us. Is it me they want dead or just all of us in general," he mumbled a little in thought. "Thank you for your time," he left the area trying to think of how he can get them out of this situation.

Ino came out from behind a tree gaining her attention on her. "Hi I am Ino from the Hidden Leaf village," she introduced and knelt down by her filling up her canteen with water. "I heard you introduce yourself as Kagome earlier am I right?"

"Yes, that is my name," she responded trying to be polite but not quite used to all of this sudden company.

"I came here to thank you for letting us take refuge here and treating Naruto. I know some medical ninjutsu but I'm not trained in poisons. If you will let me I can heal the wounds on your hands," she offered as a way to repay her kindness.

"Umm," she wasn't sure what to say.

"I guarantee it won't hurt," she promised holding her left hand out.

"Okay," she held out both and watched her gently hold her left hand while the right one glowed green over top of the gash in her palm. Slowly it healed up not even leaving a trace of a scar then Ino moved on to the finger Kagome had cut, healing that one even faster. "I didn't know shinobi could do this," she watched the glow die down until she stared at both hands.

"Yeah we can do a lot of things but everything has its limit. What about you, I have never seen chakra like yours before," she chatted.

"Chakra?"

"Yeah that is what we use," she informed her.

"Oh I don't think I have chakra, I'm merely a priestess, that is all," she replied almost wishing she does have this chakra, it might make life easier for her.

"Well I guess that might be why your power looks lavender in color rather than the standard blue or green. Do you always have to hurt yourself to heal someone?" She asked wondering if maybe that is why she doesn't work as a healer.

"No I only did that because my blood will help his fight off the poison. I purified it from him with my powers but something was fighting me off too," she thought it a bit weird but wasn't sure what had happened.

"Really, I wonder…" she thought about Kurama. "Well at least he is looking well again thanks to your efforts. I can tell we put you on edge but don't worry we won't harm you, I can only assume you have had a few brush ups with others. You could say we are more about peace than anything," she tried to explain. "Obviously I don't know why you live way out here but you could come with us, we will all have to go to Suna and alert the Hokage but both of our villages are nice. I'm sure Lord Gaara will be fine with it especially with all of these shinobi that are attacking us. Just give it a thought," she left it at that. With that off her chest she began chatting about different things, nothing all that important just girl stuff that had Kagome feeling more comfortable.

Later in the afternoon she could hear some commotion inside of her home and though tempted to see what was going on she instead kept her distance. Remaining within the branches of the willow tree she watched at the blonde came out shouting, "I'm going to deal with those bastards personally! Who do they think they are just attacking us for no good reason?!"

"Naruto I said no," that was Gaara's voice; he came out of the hut then. "Getting you healed again was no simple task I will not have you putting yourself in that position again and straining the woman who saved your life. For now we will go to Suna and I will send a letter to the Hokage."

"Maybe I can just talk some sense into them, I mean seriously we have never met we didn't even know what village they come from and yet they attacked." Naruto has grown used to the shinobi of the main villages and a few smaller ones looking at them as comrades.

"They wouldn't listen before Naruto. I would rather settle this without the possibility of injury to anyone. They could be a group of rogues banned together or something. For now we will retreat to my borders," he ordered out knowing his friend wasn't happy with this setup but they have little choice.

"Fine," he gave in even though his eyes were still trained on the outside of the barrier.

When it looked like they were getting ready to leave she could feel the pounding on the barrier again, no doubt the other shinobi could tell they were preparing to flee. Approaching the one in charge she is received his attention. "I can buy you time to get away if you can disappear quickly," she offered to him.

"Wait, how are you supposed to do that," Naruto jumped into the conversation after looking her over.

"I just can," she said.

"Kagome, I thought you might decide to come with us," Ino looked over at the girl not wanting to leave her behind.

"No I will stay behind to allow you guys the chance to get to safety once more, I will only hold you back if I go," she decided. Turning her eyes on Gaara she could see him nod his acceptance so she departed to go where the majority of them are. In unison they departed from one end of the barrier going straight for Suna while she stepped out of the barrier on the other end. "Freeze jerks!" She called out and sent a blast of her power at them. A sudden slash to her abdomen had her holding it in pain as she stumbled backwards into the barrier, her breath coming out in a hiss but she was successful. If they can disappear within the next minute they should be fine.

The trip to his village didn't take long, as soon as they were out of the area he paused to form his Desert Suspension technique and let everyone get on as they fled. After the initial flee from the barrier the trip went smoothly and she had kept to her word in buying them time but he hoped it didn't come at a price. When they were finally back to the village he issued the Konoha nin rooms at an Inn so they could eat, shower, or bathe. Returning to his own home he did all three with periwinkle eyes on his mind…