I somehow managed to get this chapter out too. I'm so tired by now but oh well. I swear I can hear thunder or something outside but it's hard to tell. Be sort of nice to get the first storm of Spring. I hope I didn't make a ton of mistakes; I kept trying to catch them all as I typed it since this is possibly the longest chapter yet.

Taking Chances

Chapter 13

The sun filtered in through the blinds and warmed her skin where its rays were unobstructed from view. A breeze sent the vertical blinds swaying from their holds. The light swung across her skin in reaction causing it to keep hitting the closed eyes that still lay there. Like a ceiling light is being flickered on and off she mumbled as her sleep was being disturbed by the annoying light that kept hitting her eyes.

"Go away Souta," she mumbled tiredly.

The breeze gently passed through the blinds again knocking them around, keeping them swaying as they light continued to hit her eyes. Getting annoyed she grumbled before sitting up shortly, eyes a glare she yelled, "knock it off Souta, stop being so childish!"

Eyes blinking she realized he wasn't there, she didn't have a ceiling light or a light switch, and this isn't her room. Yamato poked his head into the room to see who she could be yelling at. Her confused face steadily turned to despair as everything began to sink in once again. Tears collecting in her eyes as she knew her younger brother could never annoy her like that again, it tore at her heart. Seeing Yamato she somehow managed to get off the bed without falling and launched herself into his chest where he stood in the doorway.

At a loss he realized that this 'Souta' might have been a brother or someone else she cared deeply for. Trying to console the weeping woman he looked over his shoulder seeing Sakura and Ino there still. They looked at her with sorrow in their eyes, only Sakura would be able to know what it almost felt like having been to an alternate universe at one time.

She though, knew she would at some point find a way home, this lady was stuck away from all of it. Having found out that she was still struggling to settle in she spoke to Ino about it and wanted to befriend her. Everyone was still a bit shaky in the village with the impending war but it would be nice to make a new friend, one that maybe she could enjoy helping get on her feet since she recognized that she is also a warrior deep down.

Walking into the bathroom as Kagome continued to sob uncontrollably; she grabbed the tissue and handed it to Yamato before pointing in the direction of the patio. Letting them be for the moment as she pulled the saddened Ino away, they didn't want interrupt, this might be the first time she has been comforted since she came here.

It had been a couple days since she had fallen asleep after eating and after her mind was invaded once again. He was worried again when the two kunoichi had stopped by with a few gifts for her as a way to cheer her up. They hadn't expected she would still be out like a log but after checking on her themselves they reassured him she was fine and should be waking up at any point.

After chatting for a while to keep him company they had dived into this business with the Akatsuki. Sakura revealed that Lady Tsunade had shared her concerns and thoughts with her and that is when she had found out that these last few months have been quite harsh and depressing for their newest resident. With them for support they will help her when they could between their missions and jobs. Ino was happy to help and promised Yamato with her loud mouth to help him setup a date night that will make her melt.

Sakura had of course casted a sly glance at him and at the mercy of the two kunoichi he was pressured to spill about his relationship familiarity, including the progress with his current one. Though awkward he confessed he was by no means a virgin, just refused to kiss someone he held no further feelings toward. Though understanding they were surprised and thought it was sweet that Kagome may very well take his first kiss.

With that sunny afternoon they could clearly hear her stir and mumble with their keen hearing. Taking it as a dream at first they started to continue on when they heard her shout angrily, "knock it off Souta, stop being so childish!"

The outburst and sudden movement of the bed made them realize she could be awake or something else. Silence ensued, allowing Yamato to be the first one to check on her and hanging back in case he may need their assistance. Seeing the sobbing woman crumble in his arms in a fit of sobs had been a sad sight but they knew it was a tough time and it made them want to finally see her laughing and smiling they Kakashi had described.

After retrieving the tissue and handing them to him they quietly left, letting him know they will wait on the balcony while they have a private moment. Speaking quietly amongst themselves they focused their attention on finding a way to make her slowly feel welcomed here at the village.

"I think once she is definitely doing better physically it would be nice to go out shopping or even have a spa day," Sakura suggested.

"Oh I love that idea. Maybe we can introduce her to some of our friends. You know I have a feeling that actually enjoys working, maybe she can hang out with me at the shop, be nice to have someone there or even go for coffee," she imagined how fun that would be.

"Lady Tsunade is planning to ask her out for drinks," Sakura remarked getting a look from Ino before the two burst into giggles trying to stifle them.

Really, they almost felt bad for her knowing she might require saving. At least it wasn't from imminent danger, just their drunken Hokage. Kagome might soon have so much attention that she will have to trying and find a place to hide from everyone. For now they just needed to help her get through this rough patch. Hearing movement in the house they heard them sit down on the edge of the bed and speak quietly while she hiccupped.

Feeling her beginning to calm down Yamato guided her to sit on the bed while he continued to hold her in his arms. She just snuggled deeper into his embrace while small hiccups wracked her body. "Would you like to speak about it?"

After a few moments she took in a deep breath, trying to get rid of the hiccups, before nodding. "Souta," she mentioned the name she yelled earlier "is my kid brother."

'So it is like I thought,' he tuned back into her as she softly spoke.

"It just hurts, to know I will never see any of them again, in turn they will never know what exactly happened to me," she spoke, her eyes threatening to spill tears again.

Handing her the tissue he let her wipe her tears. "If InuYasha was able to go to the other side of the well in search of me and find me missing there too," her voice cracked and he understood. They would know something happened to her, never knowing if her life was sacrificed or something else. They would spend the rest of their days never knowing what actually happened.

She was certainly a caring person to be also weeping for the hurt her loved ones would, or had gone through. Though this will be a hard thing to move past, a sorrow that she will never fully escape, it was still nice that she could finally express it and it made him wish he would have just sucked it up a long time ago, then she wouldn't have been so alone all time. He should have realized it, should have noticed instead of feeling inadequate and jealous.

"Kagome," deciding it is now or never. "I'm sorry; I wish I hadn't been such a coward."

Looking up at him a bit confused, she had never seen him in that light. Was he talking about that night a few weeks ago? Wanting clarification she opened her mouth to voice it but he beat her to it.

"I was drawn to you since the day we found you sick in that forest. As a ninja we are trained to keep our emotions out of situations but I had a hard time doing so," the beginning of an explanation, she wondered what it would lead up to.

"I have certainly helped others but you were the first, a total stranger, which I actually visited on my own terms. That is how you had actually met me first. I wanted to check on you before I received another mission, it wasn't the first time I had stopped by either," he chuckled at his next thought. A bit embarrassing he still went on, hoping she will feel better even if it was at his expense.

"I had even asked Ino and Sakura, the two nurses seeing to you, if they would contact me should you wake up or need anything. When it came to your arrangements for living I had even mentioned the vacant apartment and though wanting to be helpful I had also done it for my own self-serving ideals," he admitted, seeing her gradual surprise, he only hoped nothing he says will hurt her view of him.

"After I walked you home the first time, when you first made it to your apartment I had wondered if I even had a chance with you but instead of getting to know you, I watched you from afar, the only thing that kept willing to try was the fact you never accepted the advances of the other men. I wish I could have seen past my own inadequacy and jealous feelings and seen how much you needed someone there, I guess everyone just assumed you would be able to make friends easily," he swallowed thickly.

Though the last part was hard to admit, this next part would possibly be a bit more. "About that night, I am sorry I left you hanging. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings I just panicked when I realized I was about to kiss you and thought I was pushing things too far. You would have been the first to receive it," he coughed out, trying to fight back the blush.

"Wait, what -," her eyes widened.

Coughing again he tried to figure out how to word it, admitting it twice in one day was certainly not making it easier. "I have had relations Kagome," he said a bit vaguely, "I'm not a virgin, just couldn't bring myself to ever want to kiss any of them since they were basically one-night stands. I had no deeper feelings, let's put it that way."

Kagome was blushing bright red as she stared at her hands that were currently wrinkling his shirt, she realized belatedly. "I'm not exactly experienced in either department. I had only kissed someone once but they were also on the verge of transforming into a demon, that's really all I have ever done."

It was typical, he had thought. She would be the type to admit something as well to help him feel better. Although they were embarrassed, mutually they felt closer and better. "Thank you Yamato," she hugged him, "for everything you have done."

"I would do everything and more, even change any hurtful actions if I could. I just want you to know if you ever need a cup of sugar…" he smiled.

"I will know where to go," she finished, remembering the first time they spoke those words she smiled as she found she could look back up at him now that he cleared away the air of embarrassment. She just now really realized that she had yet to let go of his shirt, with a squeak she apologized trying to ease out the wrinkles.

Capturing her smaller hands he laughed, "Its fine Kagome, I don't mind the wrinkles and if I did I could easily just wash it out or change shirts."

"Oh yeah," she thought dumbly. Feeling how gross she felt once again she began feeling self-conscious. "Would you mind if I went and showered, I feel gross?"

"I wouldn't mind, you are your own person. I have a couple friends that wish to meet you, would you mind coming back? Well actually, I don't want to sound like a pervert but after you suddenly collapsed I hope you don't mind if I insist on you showering here if I wait for you in your apartment, Lady Tsunade even ordered that you're not to be left alone but I didn't plan on it regardless," watching her face in hopes to detect if he made a foul.

"Uh, well now that you mention it, it might be best since I still don't feel quite well," the confession making him a little worried.

"I will be over in a minute then," he helped her to her feet and out the door, once she was in her home he walked to the balcony. "Kagome is going to shower and then be over. I am going to wait for her over there, how about you two order something and I will pay you back, just let yourselves back in," he instructed.

"Sure, be back in a jiffy," Sakura remarked before they flashed off his balcony.

Walking out the door and to her unlocked door he could hear her in the shower already and had to keep his mind on other things so he didn't give himself any visuals. He was content to let her take her time while he watched people going about their business down below. His ears still focusing on the noise coming from the bathroom hoping she didn't come to any distress even if a small voice inside spoke otherwise.

About half an hour later she emerged and walked straight to her bedroom. She fumbled around in there having" trouble getting anything to fit and getting the tangles out of her hair. Huffing she stomped her foot in aggravation, the noise caught his ears and he knocked on the door, "are you okay?"

"I am, just having a bit of a struggle," she replied back to ease his concern.

"Anything I can help with," he offered.

"I doubt it," she mumbled irritated as yet another skirt fell and she couldn't get the comb back out of her locks.

"How about I come in and at least see what is troubling you, are you decent?"

"Um, just a second," she picked her robe up and tied it tightly around her waist and tried to get the comb out of her hair. With a pull she couldn't stop the, "ouch," that came out, nursing her head but sourly thought, 'at least I got it out.'

"You can come in," she sighed as she looked at the mess she made in her quest to find something that would fit.

Opening the door he took stock of the situation and looked at the remaining clothes she had yet to try on. "You did lose a lot of weight again, maybe I can find something."

Searching around he couldn't come up with anything that would work, it appeared nothing minus a robe or towel would work, not even her undergarments that he was trying in vain to ignore. "The friends I spoke of are women; they might be at my apartment now. Would you mind if I ask them for help?"

Turning around he did his best to not stare at her inappropriately, "I guess it couldn't hurt, maybe they can help me with this as well," she indicated her knotted locks.

"Don't worry, I'm sure they will be the best experts, they were your nurses and had been the ones to take care of it when you were in the hospital. I will be right back," he said before leaving to go check on if they were back.

Opening the door to his apartment he caught their attention as they set the table for all of them to eat. "Hey, could you two come over to her place; she needs help with a couple things?"

"Oh like what?" Ino asked, wondering what they could possibly do for her.

"Her hair is knotted and nothing fits, she lost a lot of weight again," he lamely explained.

Walking straight over to the apartment they found her in her bedroom cleaning up the mess she made. "Kagome, I'm Ino and this is Sakura," she gestured to her friend. "Let us take a look see and I'm sure we can help," she smiled to the other woman.

"Thank you," she spoke quietly, feeling ridiculous.

Ino checked her hair over while Sakura looked through the clothes. With an angry glare she looked over to Yamato, "why didn't you brush it or even let me take care of it again?"

Rubbing the back of his neck, uncomfortable with her glare and the topic, he chuckled nervously before giving his excuse, "Ino, it isn't like I have to ever worry about my hair, I never gave it much of any thought since I didn't really notice."

"You're impossible, well the good news I can fix it, I will just have to go home, I think I might have some kind of solution to her lack of wearable clothes," she informed them.

"I think we're on the same wavelength, we will be right back," then the two disappeared for a few minutes before reappearing, startling Kagome a little. "Okay, now Yamato, go take care of the food, we will help her get ready, now shoo," she pushed him out of the room and shut the bedroom door.

"Now as for you, since as ninja we quite often have wardrobe problems of our own we definitely know what to do," her happy expression making Kagome feel relieved.

They bound her chest, found shorts that would fit snuggly under her clothes and still fit even after she filled back out. Grabbing a stretchy shirt they let her pull it over her head before giving her a skirt that tied shut so once again, she could easily wear it again in the future when she gained back her weight.

Finally they all sat down on her bed, Ino having a good leave-in conditioner to use on the locks while they used combs to get rid of the knots. Their skillful hands were quickly taming the mess she woke up with while Sakura lightly hummed a tune, keeping her nerves calm and relaxed. With a few more strokes she felt her hair lay gently across her back. "Great, we are all done!" Ino cheered, happy to see her locks back in good order.

"If you ever go comatose on us again I will just have to impose on Yamato, I just hope there will never be a need to. Honestly that man is like a mother-hen in some ways when it comes to you, never seen him like this before," she rambled.

Kagome fingered her long locks, seeing the natural waves in it coming back as it dried. "Thank you both for your help, I would have hated to be forced to wear a robe until I figured something else out," she attempted to joke.

"Oh it is no trouble at all, lets head back over, we ordered food and you need to eat up," Sakura's stomach rumbled, "I guess I need to as well," she laughed getting smiles from the other two.

Kagome eased up as they all dug into the food, she tried to eat more but after not eating in so long her stomach was having a hard time eating more than a small plate full of food. Having the insight ahead of time she ate mostly healthy food to help her body along. She let them converse while trying to keep up with what they were talking about, hoping to come off as nice even though she hadn't much luck.

"Hey Kagome," Ino looked her way; "Sakura and I were wondering if you would like to hang out sometime? We were thinking about maybe a spa day, shopping, or something along those lines. We have friends we could introduce you too as well," the hopeful looks on their faces sort of surprised her being it was mainly the female population that had spurned her.

Sakura chimed in, "though I would be wary, Lady Tsunade is hoping she could have you for a drinking partner," she warned her light heartedly.

"A drinking partner," she questioned, not able to picture the woman as they type.

"Yeah, she loves booze and gambling so should you ever get caught up then expect a long night if you can't escape," the three ninja laughed while Kagome was still having a hard time picturing it.

"I guess it is hard for me to picture her as the type," she sat there trying to imagine it but her mind was still a bit groggy.

Steering the conversation to another topic they wanted to broach with all three of them there Sakura went on to say, "not to be a sour sport, I do feel it would be best that we inform you that a few things have changed pertaining to you although nothing has been set in stone."

Kagome looked at her curiously, waiting for her to continue. "It looks like you will no longer be working at the academy," she started.

Gasping, she forgot all about her job. "Oh no, I've been fired haven't I?"

"No, no, no," she quickly said. "Lady Tsunade made the decision after what happened with the Akatsuki. She actually wants you to spend your time training since it has been discovered that you do have chakra."

"I'm to be a ninja," she questioned, unsure if she liked the sound of that since her version of a ninja was never clarified on if that is what they are actually like here.

"Not exactly," Yamato decided to answer. "More or less it is to prepare for the worst. We are expecting an attack from the Akatsuki and we are still not on the best of terms with other villages. More or less she wants you at the village to protect the people in case an attack should occur. On top of that we fear they will either kidnap you or eliminate you. I honestly share her thoughts," he admitted, hoping he wouldn't upset her.

"But – but what would I do?"

Ino chimed in then before the other two could make it turn for the worst. "Actually, my parents have a flower shop and when I'm away on missions it can be hard for them to run it when things come up. I thought it would be nice if you worked with me when you can and took over when they need you to. It would certainly help us out and we could get to know each other better," she suggested.

Before she could answer there was a strong knock on the door. Standing up, Yamato answered the door. An angry Hokage stood before him, letting her in with a gulp he grabbed a cup and plate, along with chopsticks for her to use.

"I guess Ino isn't the only loud mouth here. I hadn't even sorted things out, honestly you three she only just woke up again and you're already worrying her," she glared at them.

"Now Kagome, don't worry about what these loud mouths are saying, I wanted to speak with you first since it is your life we are talking about here. Unlike ninja, you are free to walk out of this village at any time, not that I want you to, I'm just saying these brats signed their lives over to the village until they retire or any other circumstances befall them," she grumbled.

Kagome nodded dumbly as she glanced at the guilty faces before focusing back in on the current leader of this village. "I'm not exactly against what has been discussed so far."

"Really?" Tsunade blinked.

"You have already done a lot for me, a total stranger that is causing a lot of problems. I should do something that would help the village," she admonished.

"Kagome, compared to the majority of the knuckleheads, you are the least troublesome person I am acquainted with," wanting to ensure she didn't make the girl feel like deadweight. "Anyways, I still want you to feel like you have a say in your life. We are the ones that wanted you to stay and make a life here, don't feel bad about anything because we certainly expected much worse, like you turning out to be an enemy that was brainwashed or something. We basically live by expecting the unexpected, anything that can go wrong, will go wrong," she droned on.

"Umm, Lady Tsunade, I am honestly concerned," she tried. Seeing they would let her talk she continued. "I have often been called a 'trouble-magnet,' I certainly don't mean to be but it always seems to happen. I really don't want to cause problems for the village when you already have so many."

'This girl,' Tsunade thought, 'any confidence she might have had doesn't seem to be coming back none too soon. What to do, what to do...' she continued to think. "You know Kagome," pausing for a moment, "as much as that could be true I still stand by what I said. Naruto I'm certain is more trouble than you, I would even gamble on that… well maybe not since I have a losing streak unless something is going bad. Look, just don't worry about it, we are happy to have you here and neither of us would have it any other way. I will just have to keep you away from Naruto. If you are truly a trouble-magnet, it could easily get worse with my #1 knuckled head ninja," she joked with a hint of seriousness in her eyes.

With another dumb nod she tried to stomach another bite while she thought things over. Hearing an excited yell, she was startled and almost choked on her food, starting a hacking fit. "Eh? I'm sorry Kagome; I was just excited when I remembered the gifts we brought you," Ino apologized feeling bad for startling her so.

"It is okay Ino, I just got accustomed to more quiet settings," she tried to not wince. "Really, with my previous adventure you would think I wouldn't be so jumpy," she thought humorously over her companions in the Feudal era.

Ino nodded before jumping up and grabbing the small gift bags and vase of flowers. "You can consider these as a mix of welcome to the village, house-warming, and get well soon. I didn't know what you had for taste in flowers so I did my best to mix it up for you."

Eyeing the flowers she looked at the extravagant bouquet and knew it would have cost a few pretty pennies. Accepting the vase she smelled a few of the flowers as she admired them. "Thank you Ino, they will really brighten up my place," giving her a smile.

Being handed the gift bags she opened the first one and pulled a pretty perfume jar, taking the cap off she smelled it. Loving the feminine scent she thanked them before going to the next bag. Inside was a gift basket of chocolates and other sweet treats, along with a bottle of champagne. "Oh my," she whispered before giggling. "I suppose this would go good with a chick flick," she joked with them getting a few chuckles.

From the next bag the tissue was wrapped around a few glasses of champagne that had a pretty infinity scarf holding them together and makeup tucked into the glasses. Smiling at this she turned to them, "thank you, it was very generous of you. Maybe we can have a girl's night sometime and put it to great use," she included Lady Tsunade with it.

With the gifts cleared away sat down to a game of cards for the next hour before the other three left after noticing her eyes were beginning to droop. Yamato went to his room and put fresh bedding on the mattress before stuffing the old bedding in a hamper of things to be washed later. Kagome was tiredly at the sink trying to clean the dishes when he came back out.

"Kagome," he murmured before wrapping his arms around her and taking over the scrubbing of the dishes as he rested his head on hers. She leaned back against him, finding it hard to stay on her own two feet once again.

He was tempted to kiss the creamy flesh of her neck but recognizing she needed to sleep he hoped she would soon be back up to par. Finishing the last of the dishes, they were all set out to dry on the rack. Scooping up he settled her down in bed, lying with her as her tired gaze looked out at the sunset, admiring the splashes of color in the sky.

"Yamato, how long have I been like this now?" Her tired mumble barely caught by him.

"Six days now, but you are doing better," he rubbed her arm in a comforting motion.

"Do you think I will wake up in the morning?"

"One never knows what will happen in the future," his wise words dodging a bullet hopefully.

"If I do, could we maybe go do something together," she asked hopefully.

"Yes, we can. I would enjoy an outing with you any day."

"Hmm," she sounded before turning over as the sky had grown dark. Looking up at him she studied him tiredly, trying to stay awake as long as possible. "Maybe I should drink coffee," she suggested, getting tired of knowing she is sleeping her life away when it has finally gotten better again.

"Kagome, if your body is saying it needs rest then rest you should," he firmly replied, seeing her pout up at him.

"I don't want to sleep my life away," her body just simply wouldn't get out of this rut it seems. "This isn't normal," she commented.

"As a ninja I know that we go through a similar state for using too much chakra. I'm sure you will be fine within the next few days, you just can't overdo it," she could easily see he wouldn't be caving when it involved this subject.

Burying her face in his shirt she smelled his cologne while sighing, a few moments stretched by before she realized what she was doing. A blush forming, she looked up at his thoughtful expression; he looked so natural holding her in his arms. Remembering that he had saved her twice and had to carry her multiple times now it made her feel like such a burden. She had unknowingly forced her presence on his life.

With a frown she looked down, eyes staring unseeingly at his dark blue shirt. She wondered what he could possibly see in her or why he felt drawn to her in the first place. Honestly she felt like more trouble than she is worth but he didn't treat her any different, just went with the flow of things. He was practically her sitter and personal nurse.

Thinking back to the nurse she wondered, "Why wasn't I hospitalized again?"

Glancing down to her hidden face he replied easily. "There wasn't any need to at the time. I was happy to have you here instead of at some boring building. No one really needs me for any missions and I wanted time off that I planned on spending with you anyways. Is something on your mind?"

"I, well – never mind," she dropped the topic, curling in on herself.

His right hand rubbed her back, trying to be comforting instead of turning her on. If she wasn't so tired he would be more tempted to kiss her but it wasn't the time for that sort of thing. He really hoped to blossom things further with her.

"Yamato, can't we go do something, I really don't want to fall asleep," she stifled a yawn.

Pausing in his actions he looked down at the stubborn woman. "I think we already discussed this," he chuckled at her expense. "I'm not budging. You need to sleep and I'm sure I will be joining you soon too. If you want to have a better chance at waking up tomorrow then you need to sleep now before you undo any progress you have made."

"You're just oh so clever," she replied as she pouted.

"I didn't live this long by being a dud," he quipped back.

She smiled at that and found her face nuzzled into his chest without further thought as he went back to rubbing her back. He was such a sweet man, thoughtful of her, and so easy to be around. Easy to be wrapped up in his arms even though she felt guilty that he was practically on house-arrest because he was taking care of her. She felt guiltier for the fact she wanted to kiss him and see where it leads but not wanting to spoil things she kept her urges and moments under lock and key.

Not long after she stilled in his arms and he realized she finally gave in or lost the battle. Pulling her tighter to him he decided to join her in slumber and closed his own eyes while he kept her wrapped up in his loving embrace.