Taking Chances

Chapter 3

Two Months Later

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Hearing the knocking at the door, Kagome was doing dishes. Turning the water off she dried her hands on the nearby towel before approaching the door. Opening it up she was pleasantly surprised to find it being Yamato. "Hi Yamato, come in, I was just doing some dishes."

He walked into her still sparse home with a smile. "Hello Kagome, I wanted to stop by and see how you are doing and if you would want to join me dinner if you're not busy."

Eyes widening, she had been so busy with learning about life in this time and working that she didn't often get to see Yamato, even in passing. "Oh I am doing great, a lot to learn but it isn't my first time being in an era not my own. Thank you for the invitation, what do you have in mind?"

Happy that she seemed open to spending some one on one time with him he gave a mental cheer. He hadn't spent much time with her but he did at times spot her, usually with some guy that would be flirting with her while she remained oblivious. He hoped it would remain that way minus with him.

"I thought I would treat you to Yakiniku Q, I figured you might enjoy the experience if you haven't been there yet," he informed her.

"I hear the place is really good, would you mind waiting a minute while I finish up," she gestured to her apron and the last dishes in the sink.

"Go right ahead, I'm in no rush," he followed her into the kitchen and relaxed back against the counter while she finished the last few dishes.

Once done she hung her apron up and went to the bathroom to freshen up a minute before grabbing her money and walking out by him and grabbing her keys. Seeing her ready he opened the door and held it for her before they proceeded on their way after it was locked. He never mentioned that most don't lock their doors but he let her keep her old habits, enjoying that small quirk about her.

Arriving at their booth they ordered sampler platters and drinks. He started off with just a cup of sake to calm his nerves while they waited on their food. Taking a couple small sips while she enjoyed her iced tea he wondered what he should bring up for discussion. Setting the cup down he looked across the table at her and smiled. "How is work at the academy going for you?"

She looked like she couldn't settle on one emotion as she sat their thinking of a reply. "It stays quite interesting. My first week was definitely something."

He could see as much as she must have felt irritated by something she had also found it quite humorous. Watching her shake her head before that smile dazzled him. "Since I'm not a ninja the kids thought they could try getting away with things. When I became the target they were surprised to find their spit wads repelled back at them and the chalk eraser hitting a barrier before it fell to the floor harmlessly. Slowly they learned to not mess with me."

He chuckled remembering his days at the academy, a kid always needed to test his reflexes and skills. "So do you work with any one teacher in particular?"

"Not really, I just do extra things that would help them out like grade tests and quizzes, clean things, and such. They have a list posted each day of things needing done from the most important to the least and I just go about my day checking them off," her eyes reflecting her happiness.

"What about you, is there anything you can share about what you do?"

"Well let's see," he thought for a moment. "In a couple days I need to go to the land of Iron for a mission. I was just on a few easy ones that didn't remain that way. We have enemies out there; they really are enemies to all of the great nations. Just stay away from anyone wearing a black cloak with red clouds," he said with a serious note.

He had a feeling that she would be one that would confront them or step in if required but he hoped that she would consider his words first. "I can't really reveal most of my missions but I would have to say on one I enjoyed scaring Naruto with ghosts. I was filling in for his team captain, Kakashi, a friend of mine. I certainly don't mind filling his shoes occasionally with the team he has."

"Naruto, I hear that name a lot. I wouldn't think a ninja would be scared of such a thing as ghosts," she rambled.

"Yes well he sure is something. You can best identify him by his blond spiky hair and sky blue eyes," he helped, wondering what she might think about meeting such a hyper and curious kid.

In the short lull of conversation the food arrived and he showed her how to go about preparing it. Excited to enjoy the delicious dinner she took sneaking glances at the male across from her while trying to cover the blush on her cheeks. She idly wondered if this was supposed to be a date but couldn't be certain.

They enjoyed their time, most of his fellow comrades choosing to say 'hi' another time as they noticed his company and his enjoyment of having said company. Kakashi was one of them after just catching Asuma with Kurenai once again, but wisely decided to bug him another time. It would be nice to corner him later about it. Keeping his eyes on the pair he chose to get a booth within eyesight of them, by the time they left he was certain they were sporting feelings for each other.

After strolling around town with their full bellies they began the path leading to their respective apartments. Kagome was starting to feel like a blushing teenager with how often she needed to calm herself. The other feeling was all women; she felt urges and emotions that InuYasha had never stirred in her. Arriving at their doors she turned towards him at the same time as he did her.

She met his gaze and felt her heart flutter, her body anticipating something other while her mind told her they were just friends. "Thank you for the great time Yamato, I really enjoyed myself," she fought the urge to play with her locks of hair or fidget.

"I really enjoyed having you for company. Maybe we can do this again," he commented hopefully.

"Yeah, maybe," she agreed with a breathy voice as she began to notice his face was closer.

She wet her lips, the anticipation and feeling that he was about to kiss her goodnight and hoping he does. "Goodnight Yamato," she said while staying in place, tempted to invite him in but knowing she shouldn't.

Closing her eyes, she heard him whisper, "Goodnight Kagome," his breath fanning against her lips as she waited for him to close the gap knowing he had dipped his head. She even heard his hands on either side of her head as the back of her skirt brushed against the wall. The cool breeze and silence met her ears instead. Cracking her eyes open she noticed his absence and looked around, not finding him anywhere.

The weighing disappointment hit her suddenly and she wasn't sure if she was looking into things too deep, if he got cold feet, or was teasing her. With him nowhere in sight and not looking like he was coming back she sighed, feeling a bit upset but figured it was probably for the best. Opening the door to her apartment feeling a tad rejected the emptiness greeted her.

The only reason she even came home beyond to sleep and shower was to hopefully bump into him. After shutting the door and locking it she slumped down against it feeling overwhelmingly lonely in this new time. It wasn't like her era, or the Feudal era where she felt like she was already home, instead she just continued to feel like a stranger here. Realizing she didn't even really have friends she wondered why that would be. She had never been mean to anyone; the only guy she really had eyes for has been Yamato even if it was still just a crush.

At this rate leaving the village to live in the middle of nowhere and deal with rogue ninja was beginning to feel appealing to her. At least she would know that she isn't surrounded by people and yet have no one to call a friend or lover. A few tears escaped her eyes as she thought of her mother and Sango, she really needed them now but neither would know she is now years after they lived. For as much as she could see it, everyone she ever cared for is dead.

With a choked sob she stood up and headed for the shower, she couldn't bear to look at that empty room any longer or linger in the doorway with a heavy cloud hanging over her there. Turning the knob to adjust for it to be more of a cool shower she stepped in after discarding all of her clothing on to the floor. The cool water hit her body and she began to feel drained and numb inside. Scrubbing her hair she didn't linger in the shower for long.

With a towel around her body and another around her head she dropped on to her plain grey sheets. The color in her life had drained away, even her towels and dishes were a pristine white. The bed was one of the few things she had for furniture, the only other thing being the table to eat at. Thinking it over she knew that her home depressed her, that her only break from the storm was going to work and just being elsewhere entirely.

It wasn't like her to be like this but she couldn't help it, a home was supposed to feel like home, not like the slap of reality when she realized that her loved ones are out of her reach. Tears leaked out of her eyes before she curled up in a ball realizing tomorrow is her day off, the day she dreaded each week. Feeling a tightness forming in her chest her eyes looked into the tree outside that obscured her view of the moon.

Fitfully she drifted off to sleep, not waking until later that night when the chill began to seep into her towel clad form. Letting both towels fall off her body she walked to her closet and pulled pants and a shirt on before crawling under the cover, waiting to warm up. Rolling on to her side she looked at her large bed that only she ever occupied, even the absence of Buyo was making her sad. Though a pet would be nice, it wouldn't fill in all of the gaps.

The thought of travelling around to see other places crossed her mind but then she realized, once again she would be alone and possibly a bit defenseless without her barriers. Where would she even go? It was hard enough just to become a resident here; she could only imagine that she would be equally harassed elsewhere. It was like some of them knew she is different and that to them is dangerous. Taking in a withering sigh she couldn't fall back to sleep, the bed just felt too big for her now.

Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed she sat up. Standing she made her way out of the bedroom, her feet padding across the wooden floor boards. Not even tea suited her mood so she sat at the table and just stared straight ahead of her at the window. Mind still for a few minutes while the silence of her home let her sink deeper. It bothered her but leaving the apartment this late at night she knew it would be no better and like asking for trouble.

Her mind drifted back to traveling, even if just a little to see what else is out there beyond this village which she found herself in. With a long depressed sigh she hoped this was only a harsh stepping stone in the path of her life. Maybe it will pass; tomorrow always has a chance at being a better day. She just needed to give it more time.