3-23-2015

Man, I sure have a knack for long chapters all of a sudden; this one is even longer than the last two. Here I thought I would wrap the whole story up into about 20k words but with the next chapter I will be over 40k… I suppose that means more goodiness for you guys after all of the short chapters you had been given. Well, it is my niece's birthday, I live in WI, we had this awesome spring weather and I woke up with almost half a foot of snow. My niece is lucky though, I think she is down at the grand canyon…. Well so much for the 3rd day into spring, I should head out to shovel. Or… start typing Chapter 16.

Thank you again everyone for the reviews, I would put this in the other chapters but they are already loaded. I was happy to give you several chapters to read since you made me feel so tickled. I have put out a lot of chapters in total since I update several stories recently. You guys might like Retribution, it is my other IY x Naruto crossover story, and the pairing is Itachi and Kagome. Give it a shot; I am quite proud of the story line. I'm trying to bring it to a close but it will take a few chapters yet and a lot of typing. If I can keep on a roll I will be bringing several stories to a close finally.

Taking Chances

Chapter 15

They quickly exited the hospital, leaving behind that storm of chaos. It would seem they were having an early lunch that day and Tsunade left to her favorite establishment to treat Kagome and Shizune to a good meal. Walking through the village it was much calmer even though she still had an ongoing comedy around her, watching as a guy walked right into a pole.

She winced knowing that must hurt as she heard her innocent companion gasp behind her and Shizune just hurry her along. When she began to see their destination ahead of her she realized this might not be such a good idea after reflecting on the hospital.

"Oh what the hell; what's a little danger with a good meal?" She remarked out loud catching the interest of her companions.

Pushing the doors open she immediately seated them at a booth, Kagome tucked into one corner looking like she could go for a nap and thinking it might not be such a bad idea for her. When the, thankfully, waitress came, she immediately took the orders for their drinks and left. Tsunade was almost feeling spent just from dodging so many objects at the hospital.

"Kagome, I think it would be wise if you rested a while, I can have someone come get you when I'm ready to get into your training," she instructed, watching the girl cover a yawn and rest her head on her arms as they waited.

Once the food orders were placed Tsunade sunk a little in her seat, wondering just how long she could get away and take a rest of her own if the food doesn't help perk her up. Shizune watched the restaurant attentively, seeing the other ninjas in there grabbing a bite to eat. No one seemed to have caught sight of Kagome and she hoped for the time being it would stay that way.

Looking down next to her she found her asleep. "Lady Tsunade, she appears to be asleep already," watching her lady eye the slumbering woman.

"She can rest her eyes for a few minutes; it will be a bit for us to get our order anyways. I'm tempted to join her," she admitted but fought the urge. "What did you teach her yesterday?"

"Nothing much, just how to bring the chakra out and flow it to different parts of the body. When I left she was meditating. I guess her experience in already having priestess powers and using them to her advantage she could control the chakra effectively but finds it hard to control both. Honestly I think it would be a good idea to recruit Naruto if she continues to struggle. She certainly won't need a lot of help with how well she did just yesterday," looking back over to her she idly wondered what the future would hold for her.

Sitting in a comfortable silence the place continued to buzz around them with the laughter and chatter of other people. The day produced a few fluffy white clouds in the bright blue sky, the warm breeze easing through the streets and buildings. Occasionally the door would ding with a new customer coming into the establishment and they were happy for the calm.

The steaming food was on its way and they nudged Kagome a few time to wake her up before the waitress arrives. Seeing her drowsy eyes they were happy to see her look a little more alert when the food began getting set down in front of them. They all dug in eating, until it would seem like their bellies could burst from being so full. Awake and chatting with the other two she enjoyed having lunch with them.

After having a plan set for her to take her leftovers home and then rest for a while, she would send someone over to get her if she didn't show up first. The walk home was a bit slow, she seemed to be bumping into all sorts of familiar faces, all of them male, but she was nice all the same. Climbing the stairs she headed to her door and opened it up. Greeting her empty apartment she did her best to not let it get to her. After putting the food into the empty fridge she plopped down in bed, staring up at the ceiling for a minute.

Curling up on her side she fell asleep with the warm sun streaming in through her window. Her dreams were unfortunately not innocent. Her brain thought to bug her with her hormones and she was soon letting out breathy moans. Her fantasy taking over her body it felt like it was real, totally unaware of how sweaty she was getting in the conscious world.

Her thighs rubbed together as she let out another moan, whispering his name and aching for him to repeat what he had done in the last couple days. Her sheets were getting tangled up around her legs as she continued to enjoy the vivid dream.

She pleaded for more in her sleep, begging her lover to sate her body again. Just as he was finally about to enter her she woke up panting, hair wild and spread out around her. She fought the urge to touch her body down there. 'I can't believe I'm so horny,' she thought mournfully as she realized it wasn't going away yet. Sitting up while she still attempted to catch her breath she slid her feet out of the covers and made her way to bathroom.

Flushing the toilet she felt better, after washing her hand she used a washcloth damp with cool water to calm down her heated skin. Her locks were getting tangled from all of that excitement and she didn't dare think of just how wet she was down south. Laying the washcloth down to dry she picked up her brush and started on her long locks, deciding to French-braid it into a low pony tail.

Just as she finished up in the bathroom she could hear someone knocking on her patio door. Pulling it open she came face to mask with one of the Anbu ninja. "Hello, I'm guess it is time to head out?"

"Yes, Lady Tsunade wants you to meet her on the roof of the Hokage Tower," they informed her.

"Okay, thank you," she said cheerily before they left after a nod to her.

Slipping on her black sandals she left her apartment, leaving her new ninja tricks for when she is in the presence of the Hokage. With a somewhat hurried pace she walked down the streets, taking a few minutes to reach the tower. Searching around for the stairs to the roof she headed up finding them already there.

Tsunade snapped her to attention right away, watching her display of control over her chakra. Pushing off she launched into the air, seemingly landing on an invisible platform that only she could feel. She pushed her chakra further having it fuel her steps as she easily walked around several feet above them. Forming a bow out of her priestess powers they could see her power whip around her even though her balance was faltering.

Shooting the arrow into the sky she faltered, the descent took them by surprise. Tsunade rushing to catch her when suddenly she stopped…

It was like she was reclined back, holding her torso up with her hands as if there was solid ground. Looking down at the rest of the six foot fall she grinned at becoming so good at catching herself, being her own hero.

After righting her body she dropped down, landing before the two women who looked like they were extremely relieved but felt like they could strangle her for worrying them so much. Shrugging her shoulders she didn't realize a few others were on the surround buildings watching what was going on. Her admirers were beginning to grow with that spectacle.

"That is the majority of it minus climbing trees and increasing my speed even more than I could before," letting them be the judge of her progress.

"I have to say, you are the first to catch on so easily but like Shizune suggested to me, it is probably because you already had your priestess powers and learned to manipulate them after spending time around ninja and the academy," leaving it off at that for the time being.

"I would like to see you start using weapons and getting a feel for them, I have a feeling you will be fine to start with, other than that you need to learn hand-hand combat, I will help you along with the others so you can adjust to different types of fighting styles. Otherwise I think you will be fine minus the control issue," she bit her thumb as she thought about that one issue. She could soon be producing clones, if she even knew what they are.

"I want you to start with meditating for now and find your center again," she instructed. "After that we will try figuring out your problem with control and I will show you your new weapons that I want you to practice with every day."

Nodding she sat down and started on her meditating, it would be a while but once she found it she came back out of her meditative state, ready to continue on. She was immediately instructed to stand on air again and produce a bow but to not fire. Keeping that pose for as long as she could a few minutes ticked by of her holding it. Slowly she adjusted and instead of rushing with shooting off an arrow she was able to slowly become steadier, almost like the first time she went ice skating.

A few more minutes ticked by before she was asked to come back down again, instructed to practice holding the position before firing an attack. Moving on to a new thought she was curious to see something else that had been reported a while ago.

"Kagome, I want you to produce a barrier and see how big you can create it. If you can, allow it to just pass over the citizens instead of pushing them away. See if you can create one to the size of the village," she asked finally.

Eyes wide, having never tried to produce such a large barrier she figured she could produce one bigger than what Kaede was capable. Sinking back down to a sitting position on the edge of the building, she could see the village before her. Slowly her barrier shimmered into existence, going from a small dome and growing steadily as she concentrated.

The tower was soon fully under it, her barrier quickly raced towards the other edge of town, slowing down shortly after getting halfway there. Pushing hard her neck and forehead were drenched in sweat, as she focused on a single point, a tree, just beyond the wall. Gritting her teeth she forced more of her power into the barrier. She couldn't hear anything going on around her, missing the call of Lady Tsunade telling her that is enough. Her mind was running on a single track, pushing her shimmering pink barrier to reach that one single tree.

She was only feet from it, still pouring more of her power into it even though it was wavering a little. Inch by inch it moved over Izumo and Kotetsu at their station by the gate. Eyes wide they watched it pass over them and head towards the gate. Neither knew what to say or where it even came from, keeping their guard up, they noticed it felt like the power of that new woman, Kagome.

"I suppose this is part of her training," Izumo commented, feeling a little more at ease after recalling that tidbit of information.

Just as it reached the tree line outside of the gate it stopped, being held there for several long moments before the wavering started again like pulses in it. Then it dropped with shimmering pink sparkles that slowly faded away.

Kagome wavered, her breath heavy as she collapsed forward and fell face first off the building. The shouts didn't reach her ears; the sudden wind rushing by her did not even register enough for her to question why it was. Several bodies sprang into action to catch her before the ground claimed her life quite possibly.

A streak came out from the shadow of the building, jumping up and catching her in their glove covered hand. Clearing the top of the building they fell into a crouch before standing tall with the limp body in their arms.

"I thought you wanted me here to prevent this from happening," he pointed out.

"Shut it Kakashi, just go ahead and lay her down, I need to examine her," she tapped her foot, angry at suggesting for the young woman to make a barrier of that size, which she did with much struggle but she didn't know.

He slowly rested her on the concrete before sitting back on his haunches. He was quite impressed with her power, he had used his sharingan on her to watch with more detail how much she was struggling to produce it. Letting Tsunade take over he watched her worry over the young woman. He wondered what Yamato will think once he catches wind of this.

"She should be okay, I don't think she will be asleep for very long. Take her home and wait with her there, if she wakes up by the time of the last meal just come by with her and we can head out, she doesn't have hardly a thing to eat in that apartment. I will be in my office," she tore her eyes away from her feeling guilty but nothing can change what has already happened. She didn't expect her to not be focused on her surroundings by that point.

Kakashi quickly took her home in a whirl of speed, finding her place unlocked he set her down on her bed, covering her up and leaving the room to sit and wait with his book. Feeling giddy he pulled it out, opening it back up and relaxing against the wall as he played caretaker of Kagome since Yamato was still gone. 'I could get used to having this much time on my hands since all she does is sleep,' he thought, pleased with his current task.

Flipping the page he continued to dive into the contents of the page, being thoroughly enraptured by the story line of his favorite author that was unfortunately deceased now. The afternoon passed by in that way, no one bothered him and he was happily reading the story that Naruto attempted to use against him in the last bell test he gave him and Sakura.

The rays of the sun were barely splashing over the horizon when he was pulled from his book at hearing her stir. Slowly getting up he stood in her doorway and waited for her to notice him.

Blinking a couple times her eyes focused on him almost instantly, somehow sensing he was there which made him feel a bit curious. "I hope you slept well," he casually remarked in his usual lazy manner.

"Kakashi? What happened, how did I end up here?" She sat up letting the covers fall down knowing that her clothes were still on.

"Let's just say you were pushed too far and fell almost to your death. But no worries, I caught you before you could splatter the pavement," the dry look she gave him made him smile, his eye crinkling in his mirth. "Now that you are up we can head off to eat, the rest of your training is called off for the day," he informed her.

She nodded and got out of bed, they walked casually out of the apartment without further ado. They continued out with a companionable silence, Kakashi coming up with questions and ideas to test in the future. Kagome was noticing she wasn't being approached by the other males and felt thankful for it. It always made her feel a little uncomfortable but the daggers that were being glared into her and him had increased. Kakashi just ignored it, there was absolutely nothing wrong with them walking together, they can keep being petty.

Kagome for someone could feel it more than usual; making her wonder just what happened that she can sense everything clearer. Watching children run around playing ninja a few waved at her that she recognized from her time at the academy. She smiled and waved back, completely confused by the calamity of emotions that almost plowed her over.

Seeing her trip a little over her own feet he watched her from the corner of his eye before voicing his question of concern, "Are you okay still?"

"Uh, yeah- I will just explain later," not comfortable bringing it up with others might hear her easily.

Accepting her suggestion he continued on with her through the streets. Arriving outside of the tower he watched Lady Tsunade and Lady Shizune come out of the building just in time to join them. Seeing the two of them they both looked relieved to see Kagome looking no worse for wear.

They all headed out for their last meal, talking amongst themselves as they followed the Hokage to the restaurant she picked for them. Arriving at the front door she recognized it as being the place Yamato had chosen when he took her out. They were quick to take a larger booth so they had room to sit comfortably. Getting their whole order in they waited for the food to come.

"So Kagome, being you have learned more about life here in the village, why don't you describe things from where you came from and journeyed to," Tsunade suggested, hoping to hear about her life before she came here.

"Well, thankfully it won't be so far-fetched for you guys to accept compared to where I was born," she thought a bit happily that for once she could share her once double life.

"I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. It was a huge city with skyscrapers and millions of people. The technology was very advanced and we all attended school for 12 years roughly, going until we were 18 years of age or graduated. We learned about things like math, science, languages, history, health, and many other subjects but those ones were required. I basically live a normal life of a school girl like any other normal human being. I of course didn't know that I was not normal and it took me some time to get used to it, I kept thinking it was a dream," she lead them up to where she would begin her journey after laying out the base of her childhood.

"As a kid I had this uncanny ability to always know who stood behind me and of course the game we were playing shared my name." She thought of the tune that practically haunted her as a child, "

Kagome Kagome The bird in the cage,

When, oh when will it come out

In the night of dawn

The crane and turtle slipped

Who is behind you now?"

Looking at them she continued, "Outside of that there was nothing else to show I was different minus my eye coloring. It was uncommon for a Japanese person to have blue colored eyes and I might be the only to have this particular coloring. I can draw you a map of the world and the Island where I came from, I might even be able to find where it floated off to on one of your maps," she offered, getting a fascinated nod as they realized this slip of a woman just might be smarter than them in some aspects with such studies.

"Well, as I was saying, I for the most part was just like any other. I lived on a Shinto Shrine with my mother, grandfather, younger brother Souta, and my fat cat Buyo. My grandfather was always going on about myths and legends, always having some 'demon part' that he would swear is the real thing. I never believed him and neither did anyone else in the family. Demons were just that; a myth, legend, even just something made up to scare your child into behaving. So growing up with the naïve belief that humans basically ruled the Earth and no other I was in for a shocker. See, humans then were like your civilians now, no powers or anything unless it was something explained away by scientists," she further elaborated to ensure she set the stage to ensure they understood the sudden turn her life took.

"Our shrine was famous for the legend of the Shikon No Tama, a jewel that we even sold fake replicas of as a suvenior. It was my 15th birthday and go figure my grandfather had given me I believe the hand of a kappa demon, which I fed to my cat. I left for school but before I made it off the shrine grounds I found my brother standing in the doorway of a well shed that was off-limits to us. Apparently my cat Buyo had slipped in there and Souta was too chicken to get him out," she laughed at the banter she could still recall to this day.

"I went in there to retrieve my cat, of course I found him and showed Souta he was worried over nothing but that came too soon. His eyes had widened and I felt a sudden breeze behind me. It's a bit nostalgic thinking about when I felt those arms grab hold of me. I let go of my cat and I screamed as I was pulled down into the well that had been sealed up until a few moments ago. Souta had witnessed the whole thing and had a hard time getting anyone to believe him. In the well there had been a flash of blue light, I was floating in this seemingly endless blue void that looked like thousands of stars lit up around me. When I turned around there was this ugly demon called Mistress Centipede, I wanted to get away from her and as I pushed I witnessed my purification powers for the first time, claiming an arm or two of hers. When I finally landed at the bottom of the well I watched a butterfly flutter around for a moment and after calling out for my brother I began climbing up these old roots," she took a break as the waitress had arrived with their order and drinks.

Quenching her thirst and deciding to let her food sit for a couple more minutes she continued on. "When I came to the top the shrine was gone, the only thing I could identify other than the well was the Goshinboku tree that was still standing impressively. Running out of the clearing of the well I ran to the tree, hoping to somehow find my home although I must admit it was foolish. My attention was taken to a figure resting against a tree, an arrow pierced in there chest and roots wrapped around his from. It was the first time I had seen a boy with silver hair and dog ears on top of his head. I couldn't help myself and I climbed up there trying to determine if the ears were real and if he was dead or something." She took another drink of her soda noticing they were listening with all of their attention focused on her.

"I was then found by the priestess Kaede and the villagers, they shot an arrow at me and I was soon bound by rope and put on display in the village while Kaede tried to banish me like some demon. They thought I was a fox or something," she laughed remember that moment. "It wasn't until I got mad and glared at her that she suddenly started looking at my features very closely, turning my head this way and that. I bore an uncanny resemblance to her deceased sister, the priestess Kikyo who had died 50 years earlier," she paused more or less for dramatic effect.

"While there Mistress Centipede began to attack again, I realized she was after me and talking about the jewel. I still don't know to this day if I was really that brave or just that stupid but I ran, informing Priestess Kaede that I would lead her away from the village. I could see the light coming from the Goshinboku and ran to it. When I got there the dog eared boy on the tree was awake and yelling at me, calling me Kikyo. I got mad and yelled right back at him that I am Kagome, Ka-Go-Me. Go figure he then insults me by saying I'm right because Kikyo smelled much prettier than me. What basically happened from there is Mistress Centipede caught up and began squishing me against him, he wanted me to try and pull the arrow out and ignoring the priestess Kaede I released him but Mistress Centipede attacked, flinging me into the air while taking a chunk out of my skin where the jewel then came out. Needless to say she was defeated and the rest is a story for another time because I'm famished!" Ignoring their shocked looks she dove in, cooking her meat and trying different dipping sauces while the gears in their minds continued to try and click.

Letting things sink in they were surprised that she had been introduced to a world of demons, and things legends were made up of, in such a way. As the meal progressed they each shared pieces of their backgrounds so she can learn about them as well at the same time. Somehow a bottle of sake ended up at the table when Shizune was using the restroom.

"Come on Kagome," said a rosy cheeked Hokage, "give it a try."

Looking hesitant, she figured maybe one try wouldn't be so bad. Then she soon found her cup refilled and trying to eat the drink just kept popping up, the small cup never staying empty for long.

Kakashi had seen the danger, even wanted to find a way out of it while saving Kagome at the same time but with an insistent look from his Hokage he sheepishly accepted it, taking his time to drink it much to her chagrin. Glancing down at his small female companion he found her cheeks becoming quite rosy too. By the time Shizune came back the damage was done.

She somehow managed to wrestle Lady Tsunade out of her seat before it could get any worse. Leaving the two of them alone Kakashi sighed as he looked down at the possibly drunk young woman that was literally playing with and talking to her meat. Cursing internally he realized that the other males in the restaurant had become quite aware of her sitting in that booth. Excusing himself from the table he checked to see if the bill was paid while tossing back another cup of the sake.

Somehow it was arranged for Lady Tsunade to pay for it, he was at least thankful for that as he slid back into the booth, trying to gain the woman's attention. ''Hey Kagome, we should head out," he tried capturing her attention. A waitress came by and dropped off boxes for leftovers.

Giving it another shot he was able to get her to look up at him, "Kagome, we should leave," he pressed.

"I don't want to leave, actually… I want Karaoke!" The sudden excitement from her had him pulling back and taking a nervous glance around the bar, hoping a karaoke machine was not in sight.

His eyes found something better; excusing himself again he went around the bar and found just the person he needed. Popping up in front of him he started with usual, "Yo," and caused a few girls to faint.

"Hello Kakashi," he studied the man after catching traces of alcohol on his breath.

"I see you're back," he commented.

"Yeah, not too long ago, decided to stop here and hang out with the guys, something on your mind?"

"You could say so," he paused a moment making the man across from him wondering if should be nervous. "I came here with the Hokage to eat supper but she got drunk and Shizune managed to take her home. The problem is she isn't the only that became drunk," he ended vaguely.

"Okay, then who?"

"Well you could say they are attracting lots of attention. There are several men in here that are more than happy to take her home, or to theirs," he trailed off.

"You can't mean-,"

"I certainly do, just look over there right now. Now that I'm over here they think I don't know they are trying to make a move on her," he threw a rock that he got from who knows where and hit a guy square in the head.

"Oww," they yelled before turning around. "Who the hell did that?!"

Kakashi looked him dead in the eye, "I did," he admitted, "so hands off," the threat clear while several guys took a few big steps back.

"Now what I am wondering is if she has someone other than me to take her home," he continued unhindered by the distraction. "If someone has asked the lovely female out I would be happy to turn her over, otherwise I guess it will be up to me to see to her return. Now are congratulations in order?" Kakashi looked him dead in the eye, waiting for the answer.

Somehow Yamato got the hidden message that said his friend is interested in her as well but clearly is waiting for him to give some signal to back off. Chuckling he grabbed the drink he had, ordering a round of shots for the two of them.

With shot glasses full he finally replied, "As of yesterday morning she is officially my girlfriend," he finally let out with a happy smile and a glance her way, seeing her asleep at the table.

"That a man," Kakashi smiled, happy for his friend. They tapped glasses and swallowed the contents, "Hey, I need another round," he called to the bartender. Looking up around the room he cleared his throat before addressing the masses to the congratulatory news.

"I have an announcement everyone," he spoke up, the bar becoming much quieter. "My man here Yamato is celebrating the start to a new relationship with a lovely young woman, let's all give him a cheer at the good news."

The bar cheered but Kakashi wondered how long that would last as his second agenda came out, "He has captured the interest, and possibly heart, of the lovely lady Kagome."

Several jaws hit the floor; Kakashi disappeared for a moment to grab the food and Kagome. Handing her over to Yamato they both balanced what they carried and took one last shot before leaving a nice tip on the bar and disappearing out of the deathly silence.

Walking through the streets they animatedly talked and laughed about Kakashi's announcements at the bar. Yamato looked over at his sly friend, knowing things might be easier for them in the future now that word will spread like wild fire about Kagome being taken and of course by him.

Walking into his apartment Kakashi put the leftovers of Kagome's food in the fridge before leaving him and heading back home. Yamato watched the door close, feeling a small buzz as he looked down at the slumbering beauty. Finally walking to his bedroom he was quick to set her on his bed before taking her sandals off.

He left the room for a few moments to get ready for bed as well. Seeing her stir on his bed he pulled the blinds closed wanting to have privacy in his own room knowing Anbu was still out there watching. He left the light to the bathroom on so she could see her surroundings. She began muttering in her sleep and he crawled on to the bed, hoping she just might wake up.

A soft moan came from her lips and he stopped all his thoughts, she stirred again and he hovered over her while running a hand up and down her thigh, enjoying how she squirmed in her sleep. Calling out to her softly he kissed her on the lips.

Her body twisted beneath him, still caught up in a dream. He sat back watching her feeling highly aroused. Grabbing her hips she moaned out again, her shirt slipping up, showing him the creamy flesh there and the scars he discovered. Kissing her skin he lightly sucked on the scar as she writhed beneath him, he could feel how hard he was getting, almost to the point of hurting. Wanting her to wake up he began kissing her neck while his hands disappeared into her locks.

"Kagome," he nipped her ear, "wake up."

She mumbled something that was incoherent to his ears and he went down to her breasts, biting a nipple through the fabric making her stir again. His left hand abandoned her locks to rub against her shorts making her give a small buck. Teasing her he pinched one nipple while his mouth went after the other one, not taking her clothes off.

She slowly stirred with a moan, her eyes blinking into the darkness of the room. She could feel her body being teased while her back arched. Before she could focus on much else lips claimed hers as they rubbed their body against hers.

When they parted, both needed to catch their breath, her hands sought to touch them and figure out who was currently kissing their way down her body. "Yamato," she questioned.

"Yes," he replied back from his position over her southern lips.

They both tasted of alcohol and he found himself tempted to find something sweet to drizzle over her body. He took her in from his position down there, looking at the shorts and skirt he slowly took them both off. Her breathy moans like music to her ears as he assaulted her down there with his mouth taking pride as his fingers teased her entrance.

She was so sensitive to his touch, his rough calloused hands roamed her body until they came to her top, quickly getting it off and soon revealing her breasts. His fingers finally entered her and felt how wet she was. Kissing a boob he greedily latched on to a nipple as she continued to moan beneath him.

He was later on happy with his perusal of her body and his ego soared knowing he is the one that has her so spent again. His black briefs were still on as he laid down next to her and pulled her up against his naked chest. He collected his breath and kissed her shoulder.

"I missed you," the tender words coming out easily.

"I did my best to stay busy while you were gone," she opened up. "I didn't like the thought of going home."

"Was getting drunk in your plan," he teased.

"Not at all," she thought about her drunken Hokage. "Where did everyone go," having noticed that she fell asleep at the booth alone?

"Home," he mumbled. "Shizune took Lady Tsunade home before she could get too out of hand. Kakashi had spotted me and after hearing that we are together he decided to announce it to the bar that I had a girlfriend. Everyone was happy until he finally let out that it was you. We left shortly after that," he let out a laugh remembering the interesting time.

"It's a good thing we have Kakashi as a good friend, he kept you safe while trying to figure out what to do with you, I guess you suddenly wanted to play Karaoke," he grinned knowing the copy ninja would dive out of the way of that bomb.

"Others don't like me, do they?" The sudden question took him by surprise. She turned over in his hold, resting a cheek against his chest.

"I wouldn't say that," thinking with a groan as to how much some of them did like her.

"They were happy for you until they found out I was your girlfriend," trying to understand what was the problem that others had with them being together.

"Kagome, it was mostly men in the bar at that point," he tried to explain. "Let me put it this way; you were ripe for the taking, I took what they wanted, and now I am most likely the enemy."

"You?"

"Yes because you were basically a bachelorette and guys approached you often because you are beautiful and honestly your priestess powers are comforting, you have a nurturing feel. They all basically think it should be them in my position right now," seeing her look of disbelief.

"I have a hard time believing that," she looked up at him, trying to find any signs that he is joking.

Shaking his head he looked down at her, "You don't know you're beautiful, you have no idea how much you light up my world," he said seriously.

Kissing her, their lips moved lazily while he enjoyed having her right there in his arms. He pulled the covers up around them as they relaxed and cooled off. His tenderness warming her heart, easing away that flood of emotions that almost bulldozed her over earlier, now only their emotions made a difference.

Kissing him on the chest she attempted to snuggle deeper into his embrace. She could see in her mind's eye that she will readily fall in love with him, it wouldn't take much with the feelings he evoked. He was nice and considerate from the start, doing quite a bit to take care of her over these past few weeks and she could feel how happy it made her that he didn't view her as a pain.

Her brain still felt woozy with the influence of alcohol sitting more heavily in her system, it thankfully had not turned into a headache and cleared a little during their activities. This moment felt nice; for once she got the guy she wanted, didn't have to live a double life, he already knew her secrets, and he wanted her, just her not anyone else.

Maybe her coming here was a reward, not some cruel act. Never would she have found a man like him in the modern era and she doubted that she would have been this happy with someone in the feudal era because of the prejudices and society norms. Smiling, she was beginning to become glad that she ended up here where she found someone so loving and yet dangerous to any who cross him. Raising her head up she looked at him and found him in his own thoughts. Pushing up she initiated the kiss first, surprising him but he didn't complain and instead enjoyed her affections that she peppered him with.

He rolled on to his back, pulling her along with him. She blushed realizing the new position and felt at a loss of what to do. His left hand rubbed her back soothingly while his other rested on her thigh. Somehow she forgot her own nudity as she looked at him, not noticing he was drinking in the image of her sitting on top of him.

"Want to share your thoughts?"

Her eyes went back to his as she recalled what was on her mind. "I'm starting to wonder if I wasn't sent here by some cruel act but instead as a reward."

Knitting his eyebrows together at her new view on things he wondered what part of being ripped away from her loved ones was a reward. "I guess I'm having a hard time following you with that sentiment."

"I suppose it would be until I tell you the differences between the two eras and my life before the battle in the jewel," she really didn't want to get into anything big like the storytelling earlier.

He patiently waited for her to collect her thoughts, "My era, the modern era was one focused on advancements in technology, my city had I believe over 13 million people in it. There women are treated as equals like they are here. Though we knew ninja existed, they were known to be just average humans, just highly trained assassins, no powers. So stories like my own life were believed to be fairytale and made up. I lived a double-life, only my family knew of it in the modern era."

He nodded, starting to understand why she might not have been happy there. "I certainly wouldn't want to keep such a big secret from my husband but if I told him I would soon be labeled insane and maybe divorced as well. So I partially planned to try and stay in the feudal era but it wasn't such a clear cut choice. The feudal era had demons, I was regarded as a priestess that should be purifying demons, not trying to find love. Women were not regarded as equals and though I did have a romantic interest, I was also the reincarnation of his former love. It is hard to tell if we could have ever made it over that. If I aimed to settle down with someone else then it was likely I still would have been forced to keep the secret, I certainly didn't want to be used by a demon to tell him what to expect in the coming 500 years."

Thinking it over he could see how things may have ended up hard for her even back then. Here they were able to confirm that she is telling the truth and just like that they accepted it. Back then they didn't have their abilities to explore another's memories it would seem. He listened as she finished what was on her mind. "Here I was able to get my past confirmed to be true, I made new friends that know of my previous life and I am happy I can now just be me with no secrets," she blushed, a bit embarrassed at what she would admit. Doing her best to just suck it up and not let the past dictate her actions.

"Here I also found someone I like and for once I was lucky enough to have the feelings returned and only to me, no love triangles, heartbreak, or dead girlfriends rising from the grave," she gave a dry laugh at how that must look.

Studying her eyes he could still see an old pain lingering in there. 'That is why, her confidence in her love life has been weighed down by her past,' the thought lingered and he felt angry she had been hurt so much. Sitting up he wrapped her in his arms as he kissed her, pouring his feelings into it.

The openness between them had served to draw them even closer, both letting go of their personal insecurities as much as they can. They felt at peace in the warm embrace of the other and Yamato began thinking, he knew already that she doesn't care to be home, she was sleeping here most of the time anyways. "Kagome," he parted their lips and could see she didn't want to have the broken contact. "Would you like to move in with me?"

Her eyes widened a little at the offer, knowing that when he is gone on missions she would be back to her lonely place. Here she could smell him on the sheets, see things of his here and there. "You're sure," she asked, wanting to be completely positive that he wanted this too.

"You practically live here anyways, I would much rather have you here anyways, it would make me feel better," he replied sincerely, wanting her to see it.

"Thank you, I would like that," she smile shyly at him, happy she felt like she is really beginning to belong somewhere.

"I want to see you happy, I would do a lot just to know that you are," he closed the distance and continued the sweet moment with his affection. It was quite late out when they were finally resting peacefully again; he looked forward to moving her items over here for her in the morning.