Chapter Twenty-One

Kagome let Parker carry her through the still dark village, the sun was just starting to come up. Parker knew Kagome didn't like the attention so he decided to go early in the morning before the village was full of people to take them to their new home.

"It isn't that much further. It is near the treeline and close to the river. I figure that would be a good location.." Parker told her as he looked down at her with a smile. Kagome gave a nod, that did sound nice.

"And one of the jewels had paid for that?" She really hadn't learned all the currency here yet. She knew trading was a big thing, but on the actual money part, she hadn't really asked about it.

"Yes. The jewels pay for everything, some provisions and other small things in the house. It only cost one, so you can have the rest back for things you want or if you want to make them into something. " Parker stopped in front of a good-sized stone and wood building, it had a fenced area and as he said it was not far from the treeline and she could hear the sounds of a river not far.

"Did someone else build this or has it been empty?" Kagome wondered as he gently sat her down on her feet.

"They were built by my ancestors. They get passed down to those who need them. There are plenty of them still open. Our ancestors tried to always have extra housing in case of trades and newcomers." Parker spoke proudly as he motioned for her to enter the home.

Kagome looked around, the light coming through from the now rising sun, creeping in. They would need to have a fire going as well, maybe some candles to keep light in here. But it seemed pretty big, there were another two areas that were blocked by curtains.

Kagome moved through the main living area, she could see a kitchen area with storage for food and where a fire would be. Moving the curtain for one of the areas, it looked like a bedroom.

"Bedroom?" Kagome asked, looking at the large room. It probably held more than one person. Since most women had more than one mate a bigger room is a must. Everyone must sleep as a pack, together.

"Yes, the other room is for our cubs for when they get a bit older. If we need to, we can always get a bigger place, but this will be a good place to start our family." Parker said, coming over to wrap his arms around her, letting his chin rest on her shoulder as he nuzzled her neck.

Kagome felt her heart warm at the thought of a family. It is something she wanted. To be a mother. She had always thought for the last few years it would be her and Inuyasha and maybe children. He never talked about children and always avoided it, but eventually, everything fell apart. She stopped asking such personal questions after so much being brushed off by her advances to him...and him going back to Kikyo.

But now...she was in the arms of her mate. The male who loved her for her and didn't want anyone else. Kagome was happy with that. She can have the family she always wanted. A house full of laughter and love. It wasn't how she envisioned her life, but she wasn't complaining. She didn't think she could have gone back to a normal life in the time she was born. It was too dull after all that she had been through.

Though Kagome had wished she got to say goodbye to her family to tell them how much she loved them. Though none of those were possibilities. She made her choice and was fine with it, she had memories that she would cherish forever.

Shaking the depressing thoughts out of her head, she gave Parker's head a pat, before breaking from his embrace.

"We probably have work to set this place up then." Kagome grinned, looking at the place that would be her home now. There were some things, but she didn't see a bed set down or any greens or furs.

Those would be things they would have to gather.

"If you would like to go hunting, I think I will gather some herbs and maybe some vegetables I find around here..." Kagome glanced at Parker who was giving her an approving smile on his face.

"I will hunt and get the materials for a fire tonight as well as the hay and furs for a bed." They both had tasks to do now. Parker leaned down and stole a kiss, making Kagome raise an eyebrow at him when he broke the kiss.

"To tide me over while I am away from you." His tail twitched behind him, making Kagome laugh and lean forward to give him a small peck on the lips before moving out of his reach.

"There you go, now go. I am going to empty one of the baskets to use. I may see about gathering some bamboo while out too." Kagome told him, as she waved him out. She would be fine on her own.

He gave her a grin before leaving, transforming as he quickly made his way into the forest. Kagome shook her head at this, and went to look around the kitchen area. She could see a small bag of what looked like wheat when she opened it. She could figure a few things to do with it at a later date. There were some wooden utensils as well as some pots.

To the left, stacked together were three baskets. It was the same kind of basket she used when back at the other village to gather herbs. It would be good to fill it up today. She could dry some out and some she could use to make salves and healing remedies. She would have to ask Paker if there were jars or vials that were made in the village. Worse comes to worse she would have to put herself to work to make her own, it would be time-consuming but she could do it.

The one thing about living in the Feudal Era, she learned a lot on how to make things and live off the land. Things she never had even thought about doing or making, she did. Sango and Miroku and even Shippou had been a great help and patient when teaching her things.

She was very happy she learned them now. They were helping her live easier in this new world that was going to be her home. Kagome had accepted that this world would be her new home. She wasn't going to leave Parker, and it was definitely a new adventure for her.

Grabbing one of the baskets, she made her way out of the house. The sun was fully out now and she could see everything around her. This place was beautiful. There was a small fence around the property, there were flowers here and there on each side of the path to the house. She could probably plant a small garden and still have plenty of room still in the yard. She would talk to Parker about it, he usually didn't mind her little quirks on the things she wanted. She didn't see this being a problem either.

Though she would have to see what vegetables were available. She had learned some differences already. Like mushrooms were very poisonous here, compared to her world. There were plants that were like potatoes as well. She had seen things that looked like carrots but came in three different colors she wasn't used to.

Fruits she had seen as well. She would love to grow strawberries! She missed the modern conveniences of going to a store, but nothing beats growing your own things and feeling accomplished.

Kagome made her way into the shallow entrance of the forest and to the riverside, that had an open clearing. She could pick some of the herbs and still be safe in the open area. She didn't want to go too far in the village yet when she didn't know anyone. It was her first day in her new home and by herself completely in the village.

Kagome went through the edge of the trees picking all kinds of herbs and throwing them in the basket. She also picked some of the medical plants, from flowers to berries. She could separate and buddle them later, for now picking them was the objective.

About ten minutes of going through and finding plants to pick she made her way to the riverside and sat so she could soak her feet and go through what she found. She would separate them that way she could put the herbs she would use for food separately from the medical ones.

Slowly she ran her fingers over the leaves, a soft humming leaving her as she did so. She kept her voice low as she went through her task. Her head shot up when she heard footsteps, her voice that had been filling the clearing stopping as she saw the two who entered.

A female and a male.

The female had a little under shoulder length light purple hair with purple eyes that had slits. She was very pretty too. Prettier than most of the women she had seen so far. She wore a green top and bottoms and was barefoot. She had pure curiosity in her eyes as she looked at Kagome.

The male had a shade of dark blue hair and ears atop his head to match, with three facial markings. One on each cheek and one on his forehead, all a deep blue. He had a loincloth on and the whole air of alpha male radiating off him.

"Um...hello?" Kagome greeted, blinking as she didn't really know what else to say. She hadn't met anyone by herself in the village as of yet. She would like to make friends but she didn't know how to go about it yet. Customs were a bit different here, and she hadn't learned everything she needed to as of yet.

"You're new here...one of the new arrivals..." The female spoke, eyes narrowing as she took her in. Kagome didn't know it, but she had a feeling this woman would be a lot of drama.

"I am...my name is Kagome. It's nice to meet you." She gave the woman a smile, trying to be as friendly as she could. She had no desire to make any enemies out of anyone. She didn't like petty drama when she was in school, and doesn't like it now. So she would be kind and hope to stay nice to everyone.

The woman gave a hum, stepping closer so she could look at what Kagome was doing, "I am Rosa. Daughter of the Tiger King." Kagome held back a laugh at that. She knew that being a girl was a good thing, and bet the Tiger King doted on this woman, hence why she flaunted her fathers status around.

"Is there anything I can do for you? I highly doubt what I am doing is interesting. " Kagome laughed lightly, trying to keep the atmosphere light.

Rosa scratched her cheek, a small blush coming to them, "I don't know what you are actually doing...sorting weeds?" The last part came out as a question.

Kagome laughed loudly, "I guess it could seem that way if you didn't know anything about these plants." She motioned to Rosa to sit.

The woman glanced at the male behind her, before she sat down. The male didn't say anything but watched from a distance.

"Some of these are medical herbs and the others are herbs to be used for various things. To put taste into meat...washing hair to even help with making cycles a bit easier." Kagome told the girl, who was watching her with interest as she listed everything.

"How do plants make our cycles easier?" Rosa tilted her head, curiosity full in her voice. If something made her cycle easier she was all for it.

Kagome grinned as she picked up two different herbs, one with a yellow flower and another plain green one with the edges of the leaves a bright red, "These two I use in three different ways. First, I put in hot water and drink. It helps with the fatigue and replenishes some of the lost blood..."

Kagome took a breath, "The second being I mix it in the cotton during the cycle, they help with making the cycle less noticeable to others...and the third make it into a paste and put on when cramping is bad."

Rosa was looking at the plants with awe as she looked back at Kagome, "You have tested this out...I never heard of this..."

Kagome nodded, "I used them for my cycles...and they work very well. It is very common where I am from." It was common in the Feudal Era. Kagome had made plenty of all those to help her and Sango through their travels.

Kagome grabbed a bundle of each plant and handed it to the girl, "Here. I can pick some more in my free time. You can use them even when they have dried out. It would be best though to find a place to store them until you need them."

Rosa blinked, not used to having another female be so nice to her. Usually, they were jealous and snubbed her, or talked about her behind her back, "Thank you."

Kagome waved it off, "It is nothing. I am happy to help." She was too. The last village no one had been wanting to receive any of the herbs or things she made, so to have someone interested was a welcomed change.

Kagome stood with the rest of the basket, sending a smile at her and the male, "I best get home. My mate should be back from hunting. It was nice to meet you and...your mate?"

Rosa nodded as the male gave a small smile to the female, "Bart is my name."

Kagome grinned, nodding to the both of them, "Bart...Rosa. I hope to see you again." She gave a final wave at the woman who now held the bundle of herbs in her hands and was quietly talking to the male now.

Kagome quickly made her way home. Parker may not be home yet, but she had enough interaction for today. She needed to talk to Parker about customs around here before she wanted to interact with others.

She didn't need to make a mistake and accidentally offend someone. That wouldn't be a good way to start life in this city. Not at all.