Taking Chances

Chapter 5

Over the course of the next few days he found his gaze watching the young woman, after a day off she appeared to be trying to keep busy, when a week since the whole thing occurred he realized she just looked lonely, even depressed. He wondered where her family or any friends were but there was never anyone that she would visit, or would visit her. Just flirty guys yet they didn't seem to move her any.

When she wasn't home he peeked in her windows to see what her place looked like and it was even more bare than his own. He at least had pictures and other things but hers was so sparse if not for the clothing in the closet he never would have guessed someone actually lived there. He did notice the bow and quiver of arrows that she kept in the corner of it but from the dust setting on it; it seemed she hadn't used them in a while.

Wondering just what her story is he decided to visit Lady Tsunade, maybe she would humor him a little. It was clear Yamato wasn't sure why he was kept out of the loop regarding the new resident. With a knock on the door he allowed entry.

"Kakashi? What do you want, isn't it your day off?" She briefly checked the date before bringing her gaze back to him.

"Yes it is but I'm actually quite curious about something, or more like someone. Who is this Kagome Higurashi?" He casually asked in his usual bored manner.

She looked at him closer to see what might really be eating him but this time she couldn't read any deeper than his words. "Well she is a special case."

"That's what I heard," he drawled, clearly wanting something more.

"Do you know she was found in the woods by Yamato and your team, minus Naruto?" With a nod she continued on. "Kagome is a priestess we discovered. She is from the year 2002 and would go 500 years back into the past because of a quest to piece back together a powerful jewel that she was the unknowing guardian of. When it was whole again she was facing one of her biggest enemies but inside the jewel, after defeating him and the jewel she was stranded in that forest. I encouraged her to start a life here in the village instead of leaving and so far I haven't had a single complaint." Looking him over again critically, she wondered what the sudden questioning was for.

"Is something the matter Kakashi?"

"Not really, I was just curious I guess. Seen her get attention from a lot of guys and yet when she thinks she is alone it looks like she is depressed or something. I have a few things to go do, thank you for your time Lady Tsunade," then he 'poof' out of the room before Tsunade could stop him.

'Well that really solves the mystery, she is lonely. Her friends, comrades, and loved ones have all perished by now and then Yamato makes a mess of things.' Hanging his head at the stupidity of this friend he walked off, determined to at least do something.

Swinging by Yamato's apartment he knocked on the window, waiting to be allowed in. Hearing the shout from him to come in he slid the window open and made his entrance. "I figured it might be you," he said as he walked from around the corner. "What is on your mind?"

"I thought I might mention that in a few days the kids will be released on break, meaning Kagome will suddenly find herself with too much time on her hands. I was thinking you should ask for a few days off, really wow her and cheer her up," he shared as he regarded his friend.

"Well, I was hoping to invite her over for supper on my night off; it wouldn't be such a bad idea to see about getting more time off." The thought of it floated around his head; he was really beginning to like the sound of it.

Turning around he decided to leave his friend to his own devices, in the meantime he thought it might be a good idea to introduce himself to her, see if maybe he can at least keep her a little company while Yamato got his head on straight. "I will be seeing you around," he called over his should right before he departed.

Slumping down to his couch he began thinking about what he could even cook. Thinking things over he figured maybe he should find someone to give him some good advice, someone he could trust to keep quiet, and find a way to start saying he is sorry. Heading out the door he walked the streets when he noticed a guy giving his girlfriend flowers while apologizing profusely for something or other. Eyeing the flowers he knew the first place to go.

Arriving at the shop, the bell rang overhead and soon a blond figure came out. Judging by the surprise on their face he knew it was a first, the only other time he had been in here was for flowers for gravestones and funerals. "Captain Yamato, is something wrong? Did someone die?"

"Eh?" He responded, rubbing the back of his head uncomfortably. "Well, no."

"Whew, you had me scared for a second there. Is it the anniversary of someone's death then?" They asked; trying to gauge just what was needed so they could help him.

"Not that I recall," he replied, suddenly realizing that he came to a great idea but should have maybe picked a different shop. After-all… Ino isn't known for being on the quiet side. "Look Ino, I need you to keep this quiet. Let's just put it this way. I need flowers for a lady friend to say sorry, I would like a small card to go with it too. I want it to also be something that is uplifting to a person's mood."

He was met with dead silence as Ino stood there with her jaw slack. "Wait, you mean to say that-,"

"Yes, Ino, I have a romantic interest but I screwed up. Can we just focus on things here presently, I still have a lot of planning," he let out.

"Wait planning, planning for what?" She questioned, eyes shimmering with her insatiable curiosity.

Feeling like he just stuck his foot in his mouth he figured she would at least be a good source so long as she kept quiet about it. "To have her over for dinner, I want to make it up to her."

With the squeal she let out he knew he was in for a long day. She put together a bouquet that was very tasteful and exactly what he was looking for. After that was done he got it out of him who it was for and with another burst of excitement she immediately decided to help him fix things after hearing what went wrong.

By the time he left he knew she would be done at work soon and so he went home with the bouquet and freshened up before waiting outside her door. Then he waited some more, and when the sun dipped below the horizon he sighed and wondered just what was keeping her. An Anbu showed up with notice that the Hokage wanted to speak with him. Looking at the door before looking around to see if he could catch sight of her he left the bouquet in front of her door with the note neatly tucked in.

Arriving before Lady Tsunade he figured now might be a good time to ask for a few days off. "Yamato, good you're here." She was standing in her office, looking outside the window when he arrived; she remained there a moment longer. "I have a mission for you, I need you to leave ASAP, plan on being gone for at least a week. Once you get back you can have a couple days off if you would like." Turning to him she gave him a file that showed him what his mission would be.

Noting how serious it is he gave her a firm nod. "I will be ready within the hour." Leaving her office he went back home to ensure he was set for this mission, after looking through the peep hole he noticed the flowers were still there before he set back out. True to his word he was already on the road an hour later.