I never thought I could put together a pairing that is so unpopular. I really don't mind seeing Kagome paired up with most characters, keeps things interesting. Really, when I started this story it was only going to be about 3000 words and a total one-shot but once I reached 8000 words I realized a one shot was not happening; it would likely be a story around 20,000 words. But hey, the more the merrier for you guys to read, right JJ? :-)

Taking Chances

Chapter 12

She couldn't recall much about the journey home other than waking occasionally to Yamato carrying her. Once again he was taking her back to his village. She figured this must be a lot like the previous time, just much further. When she woke up it was in someone else's room, it wasn't familiar to her at all. Looking out the window as she rolled on to her side she could see Konohagakure outside, the site familiar to her. Feeling lethargic but wanting to know where she was it took a few minutes for her to finally stand and cross the floor to the door.

Still being in her clothes she felt gross and hoped she wouldn't be far from her apartment. Walking into the living room the whole place looked similar to hers but more furnished. Hearing voices she padded across the floor, reaching an open patio door with closed curtains. Pulling them back she was only faintly surprised to see Yamato and Kakashi looking over their shoulders at her.

"I see you're finally up," Kakashi commented in his usual tone.

"I guess, I still feel like I could sleep the rest of the day away," she commented while feeling her powers were still trying to recover. She had never expended so much; it must have been a big strain on her body. "I'm going to start my own training, so I'm ready for the future."

They both studied her for a couple seconds; she appeared to be ready to go back to bed. "How about you rest some more, I will grab some good food. That should help you recover your energy and strength."

With a nod she walked back to the bed and let her tired body sink into the mattress. A minute later she was peacefully asleep as a warm breeze came in through the window making the parted curtains billow out. A couple minutes later Yamato came in to see what she would prefer to eat but it was clear she was out like a light. Closing the door softly behind him he relished the picture she made sleeping on his bed.

Kakashi joined him for the meal before departing to go do other things. Yamato cleaned up the small mess they made with the food and beer before laying it out neatly for Kagome to enjoy. If it wasn't for the simple fact she needed to eat then he wouldn't even think about waking her but she must be starving by now. He has already been home for a full day and she slept like a log.

"Kagome," he called before giving her a light shake. "Kagome, you need to get up and eat," he called.

Slowly she stirred, it was clear she would have a hard time staying awake for long. "Come eat, it will help you feel better," he pushed.

With a tired yawn her cracked eyes finally looked around the room once more, remembering she must be at someone else's home. Rolling on to her back she dazedly looked up at the blurry image of Yamato above her. Focusing on him she nodded before stretching, entirely unaware what her innocent actions were doing to the man.

He backed up, giving her space to get up. It sometimes really killed him to be so respectful; one of those times was right now. The woman had no idea what she does to him; it wasn't fair that she could so easily heat his blood in such a pleasurable way. Slowly she made it to the cushion at the table and took a seat, her drowsy mind still piecing things together as she stared blankly at the food for a few moments.

Still being hungry he began dishing his own out before she realized that she should be doing the same. Blinking a couple times she quietly began to dig in and chew up the meat and veggies she dished out on to her plate. Though tired, she felt a bit better after another nap. Her memories of her last couple weeks kept floating to the forefront of her mind.

Able to read that she is clearly thinking over something he let her be while he studied her without being obvious about it. Walking over to the stove as the tea kettle sounded out, he grabbed a couple cups for the both of them and poured the steaming liquid in. It wouldn't be for a few minutes until she finally spoke up.

"Yamato," her quiet voice came out. Catching his eye she continued with what was on her mind. "What is a nine tailed beast?"

Taken by surprise, he realized they had never spoken to her about it. It might have been a good thing to have told her but she didn't seem to sense it or realize it at least. "Where did you hear about it?"

"Well," she thought but drew a blank on the name. "I never got their name, it was that rogue leaf ninja. He really didn't fit the bill of being evil. I was given instructions by him I guess you could say," she remarked, not noticing his alarmed expression as she stared off, focusing on remembering the events that took place.

"Instructions," his voice gaining a sudden edge, she didn't catch on to it as she continued speaking. He knew about the massacre, everyone did, except her.

"He only grabbed me so he could get me away from everyone. He wanted to talk in private. He said the Akatsuki will soon be coming after the nine tailed beast and he wants me to get stronger and protect the village," she rambled before recalling, "Not everything is what it seems, I did what I did to protect the village, then he was adamant that I not get captured or my powers will not be used for the greater good," she finished, looking to him for answers.

Yamato was having a hard time believing this came from Itachi Uchiha. He couldn't see what he could gain from her getting stronger and protecting a village where he slaughtered his own clan. Narrowing his eyes he wasn't sure what to make of it. "It's hard to say, I guess I am quite surprised he said all of that. It might be best to speak with the Hokage, some of the villages affairs are not something we can speak of freely."

It was disturbing that he had even spoken about protecting the village at all. Shoulders hunched as he sat thinking, he wasn't happy that an Akatsuki member could sense her power. With her under that barrier for so long he must have gotten a good judge of her current strengths and seen the potential for more.

She could become a new target but it would be hard to say if they would eliminate or use her. He had a feeling she would be back to the interrogation room having her memories of the whole thing being documented.

"How about we just enjoy the rest of the day and we can worry about the rest in the morning," he suggested taking her mind off of things.

"Okay," she agreed, not really wanting to wait to get her answers but understanding why.

Fighting back a yawn it was really something how tired she could still be. It made her wonder just how long she has been asleep already. "Yamato, how long have I been sleep?"

Recalling her promptly passing out after they found her in the forest he remembered it took them a few days just to get home, without Sakura there to reassure him she is just tired he would have thought the Uchiha had done something to her. He certainly didn't like seeing him holding her, it was almost like lovers but that wasn't the case thankfully. "Today would be your fourth day," he casually remarked, watching her to gauge her reaction since he wasn't sure if this was common.

"Oh," she looked down at her plate, moving the food around in a lazy motion. 'I guess I must have really pushed myself to the limit, what would happen should I need to face off more attacks? Can I really even get much stronger or is it I need to learn control?'

Finishing her food she used his bathroom to freshen up and relieve herself. The fatigue was really starting to set in again; her body was beginning to feel like lead. Twisting the doorknob she called over to Yamato. "I'm going to head-,"

Watching her come out of the bathroom he knew she was getting really tired again. Seeing her stumble lightly as she tried to get out her sentence he reacted quickly when her eyes rolled to the back of her head. Catching her before she could bang her head on the doorframe of his bedroom he took a deep breath.

It concerned him that she was so fatigued, it looked like she was beginning to lose weight again. Though he was tempted to take her to the hospital he figured he would just ask the Hokage for more time off to take care of her. He doubted she would object but if she went practically comatose then he will be rethinking things for her health and the village's safety.

Quietly he made his way into the bedroom, laying her back down on the bed. He pulled the sheet over her and left to clean up after dinner. Having her over for dinner like this hadn't been his plan but he did feel better knowing he was at least making up for his lack action, again and again. Hearing a tapping on the patio window he left the kitchen to see who it was. Seeing an Anbu he was handed a message.

It looked like they were still keeping watch over her and overheard the encounter she had with Itachi. "Understood, I will have her there," he remarked.

"Lady Tsunade also wants to see her afterwards, she is concerned about her health," they added. He figured she would be; he has been.

Finishing in the kitchen he left to gather Kagome up, they wanted to see her ASAP. He felt like he was in for a bit of a late night. Hopefully she could just go back with him. It did disturb him that she is still being watched, he hadn't been given the orders even though he is also Anbu but he figured that might be due to his romantic feelings. Stepping out on to the patio he left, they will be reading her memories tonight and see what happened in her encounter.

It made sense they would, even if they wanted to question her she could hardly stay awake to eat and could be like this for a few more days yet. Arriving to his destination he walked straight in and placed her in the chamber, still not caring to see her in such a position.

Lady Tsunade came in shortly after with an unreadable expression as she looked at Kagome. Then they started, it took far less time since that was basically her last memories beyond the short periods that she was awake today.

No one said much but it was very detailed and when it was reported to the Hokage of what transpired he was surprised at the aces she had held up her sleeve. It would appear that she had gotten away twice, but primarily because of Itachi.

The length, size, and strength of her barrier were impressive as well, and then the forming of the second one, it was apparent she is not defenseless. With a Hyuga among them it was detected that she did have chakra and with that he had a feeling he wouldn't like the result.

With her, he wanted to keep her out of the world of ninjas. He would prefer she stay in the village where she would be safest, not being trained to be a ninja and going on dangerous missions. He knew her history, just didn't want her to be forced to fight. She was more of the type to protect than anything.

With them done, they were then at the Hokage Tower, Kagome laid out across the desk that was cleared of the papers. Tsunade began to check her over, it was apparent she wasn't happy that Kagome really was practically in a coma. Silently watching the exam going on he waited patiently, hoping to be able to go home with her and fall asleep.

"Her powers are quite fascinating. She has shown abilities that were never documented by other priestesses. The thing that bothers me is it seems her body is very taxed by using them in such heavy amounts," she commented while writing down her findings. "I think once she is better I would like to have her training instead of working. Itachi was right, she has potential for growth and that barrier, as we discovered, and he could not penetrate it with his sharingan to get at her. He was testing her, as hard as it is to believe, but it would be for the best if she does this."

"Lady Tsunade, I really don't feel she is cut out to be doing missions or being a ninja. She was always a protector, not someone who liked fighting," he expressed his concern.

"You're right, but if she is trained and was here when the village is attacked, she would protect the people of it readily. It is in her blood to be that way. Though it is different for Naruto, I don't want to see her leaving the village, especially without someone with her. Yamato, I will be having Anbu keep a watch on her but I think I need to make a few changes. Once I figure things out I will call for you and her, hopefully she will be awake. Until then just take care of her, I don't want her alone when she is this fatigued," she commanded.

Nodding his head he approached to pick her up. He was just grateful that she seemed to share some of his thoughts on the subject. He just hoped Kagome wouldn't be too upset since her future with the village is basically being set without her knowing it. "Goodnight Lady Tsunade," he called over his shoulder before he disappeared to his apartment.

With that done and over with he laid her down on the bed again before getting himself ready for it. Watching her so still in her sleep it was almost like looking at a photograph but knowing this is reality and he just might see a lot more of it in the coming days was a bittersweet feeling. His primary silver lining is being able to be with her and even share a bed.

Laying down he faced her on his side, letting his fingers curl into a few strands of her hair. She is worth taking a chance on; he just hoped he could keep her safe.