Chapter Twenty- Two

Kagome sat at home. She didn't gather much beyond the herbs and plants. She had gone around the house and cleaned and made sure everything was dusted and organized. She had put the herbs away in their separate places so they could be used later. The ones for cooking she left out on the table so she could choose to put on the meat that Parker was sure to bring back.

She felt restless like she wasn't doing enough. She should be out there hunting with her mate but they had agreed that while they were in a larger city like this one it would be best if he was the sole hunter of the house, at least until they made connections and wouldn't have to worry about being chased off for their 'radical' ideas.

If there was one thing that never changed it was the fact that whether they be human, youkai or beast, they loved to single out those who were different and make them regret it. Once upon a time she had been naive and thought it was only a human trait but it was one shared by all no matter the race, era, or world.

"I'm back!" She blinked as Parker's voice echoed from the front of the house, she smiled as she entered the front hall, under his arm was a roll of straw and some hay. Over his shoulder was a skinned and gutted boar. He beamed as he sat down the hay and furs, moving to place the meat on the table.

His hands now free he moved to pull his little mate into his arms, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I missed you, how I wish you could have been there with me. I know we would have easily gotten another boar or two." He smiled as she flushed at his praise, he knew she was bitter about having to stay home while he hunted and provided for him.

"Oh hush, without my bow I would have been lucky to get a few rabbits." A small frown marred her face, she missed her bow, sure she could have used her powers to make a bow and arrows but that would have been a waste of power.

Pulling her closer to him he purred as she wrapped her arms around him. "I'll have to find a time to go back and get our things. Anyways, how was your day my love?" Smiling, she bent down to grab the hay furs and moved into their bedroom, propping the door open so they could converse as she made their nest and he cut the boar into strips to roast over the fire.

"It was okay, I gathered some herbs and vegetables. The ones I left on the table are for dinner, just rub them in before you put the meat on the fire. Anyways, while gathering herbs I met another female and her mate!"

Parker paused, in his task to arch an eyebrow in her direction. From what he had seen in their old village the female beasts were very catty to each other, hell even now Bai and Kagome were holding tension between them at the moment...

"Really, how did that go?" He hoped it went well, his little mate needed more female companions besides Bai, the young girl only seemed to drag his mate along on her crazy adventures and he was more than done with it yet if she wished to continue to associate with her who was he to say anything? He lived his life wanting to provide for and make her happy and if being friends with the other female made her happy he would deal with it...though he wouldn't like it.

Kagome could feel his apprehensiveness, hearing it in his voice and it made her sigh under breath. She knew he was thinking about Bai and all the drama the young girl seemed to always be the center of. Exiting the bedroom she moved to stand next to her mate and began to rub the herbs on the meat before setting them to the side to be grilled.

"It actually went better than I had expected, she was not only interested in what I was doing but open-minded to it! Maybe I can teach you guys that 'grass' has more uses than bedding and butt cleaning." She smiled as he flushed, recalling that he once told her that the only uses for grass and etc were for wiping one's ass or sleeping on.

"You're never going to let me live that down are you?" Though his lips were pouted his tone was playful and it made her laugh as she bumped her hip into his. Dancing away from his hands as they made a grab for her. "Ah, ah, ah. Go wash up, I'll put the meat on the fire. Oh! I was thinking, maybe tomorrow or the day after I'd go check in on Bai. Lord knows I can't leave that girl to her own devices for too long." While she was disappointed in the other girls' choices the fact of that matter was that they were hers to deal with.

She just wanted to remind the girl that she wasn't alone. Even if they weren't on the best of terms she wouldn't just abandon her, she might not like Bai's choices but she did still like and care for Bai herself.

Parker sighed but nodded, "Yeah, ask her if she wants me to bring anything back with me from the village. I only want to go back once. It's a five day trek and I hate being away from you longer than I have to." He shivered as his mate ran her fingers through his hair, her fingers ghosting over the tips of his ears, his hands clenching in the cloth he was using to dry them.

"You truly are the best Parker. I love you." Her cheeks flushed as he grinned, letting out a feline chirp. It was odd, being so open and loving with her words after fighting against it for so long but it felt nice, she was pulled from her thoughts as he pulled her into his arms, his face nuzzling her neck making her laugh and throw her arms around him, this was what she had wanted ever since she was a little girl.

To love and be loved in return, it was the best feeling in the world and she wouldn't give it up for anything or anyone in the world.