Taking Chances

Chapter 9

Relaxing back, Kagome enjoyed a natural hot spring she happened upon in her travel. She needed to get heading back to the village but it was a nice trip if not a bit lonely. Still she did enjoy it, finding it refreshing. She was tempted to not go back but things were starting to look up for her in those last few days. 'Maybe something will change,' she thought.

It was so easy to just let the time go by when sitting in a hot spring; she didn't rush it by any means. After having secured a map that was detailed about the surrounding area she decided to go just a little off course and follow this other trail back to the Land of Fire where she can enjoy the hot springs as she went. The two weeks though was not nearly enough time.

After the long soak she slowly dressed again and headed on her way, she only had a couple days left to get back to the village; 'it wouldn't be too bad if I just continued at this pace'. With a happy smile on her face she merrily headed on down the trail knowing she would be at the border within a day.

As she was going down the trail the next day she noticed that she wasn't alone. Walking along she noticed a demonic looking blue man but what he also wore stood out to her. A black cloak with red clouds and his attractive partner also donned it wearing a Hidden Leaf forehead protector with a line cut through it. They are the ones she is supposed to avoid.

Doing her best to remain calm and act like she has no idea who they are she walked past them without a problem and continued on her way, holding her breath a bit. So focused on getting out of sight of those two she didn't realize that they had stopped and watched her continue on her way heading right for the Land of Fire. On her bag though, was the leaf symbol, signifying that she at least bought it there or possibly resided there?

When it was certain they were far away by now she took a few shaky breaths, the blue guy was definitely not good news and that weapon he had felt like it wouldn't be fun to go up against. The former leaf ninja was surprisingly nothing like his partner. He was more peaceful, with a bit of a dark feeling like guilt weighing on him. Either way she was warned to stay away from them.

The day crawled by and she relaxed in another hot spring just a few miles inside of the Land of Fire. The night had grown dark and her flashlight was low on battery so she decided to settle down for the night and enjoy her possibly last free hot spring where she could have some meditative peace. Roughly one hour drifted by in that way before she reluctantly got out and setup her sleeping area for the night.

With a sigh she let the land of dreams claim her, her hopes of a surprise from Yamato when she got back floating pleasantly through her mind. Content to see life in a lighter note her dreams were equally as good.

The coming morning she could feel her senses warning her to wake-up; she carefully opened her eyes knowing something was indeed wrong.

"Hello," the blue face of the fish looking man was her first greeting to the morning; she screamed and smacked him, hand glowing with her purification abilities. Scrambling back, her bow was the first thing she grabbed, the quiver of arrows and her bag last.

"Bitch, is that how you greet someone first thing in the morning?" He growled out, his skin burnt from her touch.

"You shouldn't go sticking your face right in front of someone that is sleeping, it should be the expected reaction," she bit back heatedly as she stood quickly, immediately on guard.

"Likely excuse," was his reply just before his weapon moved on his back. It sounded like it was growling in excitement. "Calm down Samehada, you will get a chance to play soon."

Kagome looked at the sword questionably before going back to watching him. If he was here then where did his partner go and what did they want with her. She should have been no different than any other traveler in their eyes.

Back in Konoha, Tsunade was grabbing the paper with dread; she had just won on her latest lottery ticket. Shizune was very concerned and she immediately began preparing for something, looking out the window and seeing a pleasant day. Nothing in the village was off but still, she knew it wouldn't be long and the danger will find a way to present itself.