Chapter Twenty-Three

The next day found Kagome humming lightly under her breath as she made her way towards Bai's home. From what she had heard the head of the Ape clan had given it to her seeing as she was also from the same tribe. It was on the very edge of the city due to the fact of the very real fear of Curtis showing up to drag her off again seeing as Bai refused to cancel out the matting mark.

Stockholm was strong with that one, but that was her deal.

Hanging from her arm was a basket of pre-packaged herbs and dried-out meat and berries. While Bai had been assigned a guardian she doubted he knew how to take care of a human and Bai was doubtfully going to come clean with him even if it would make things so much easier for everyone involved in the situation.

Coming upon the large home she could only blink as she caught sight of Bai sitting on the ground, a male sitting very close to her, far too close for it to be considered appropriate considering Bai was a mated woman who had been very vocal on only ever having one partner.

Arching her brow she calmed her facial features as they both turned to face her, the male with a small frown on his lips as a blushing Bai shifted to put space between them. "Kagome!" Her voice was shocked yet happy and it made Kagome crack a smile, nodding to the male she moved to sit down next to Bai, holding out the basket.

"Hey Bai, I figured I'd bring you a welcoming basket. Some herbs and meats and such." Bai happily accepted the basket and handed it off to Muir. "Muir, can you put this in the house? Kagome and I want to chat outside for a bit longer." The male now identified as Muir nodded his head and entered the home, shutting the door behind him to give them some privacy.

"Oh, Kagome, I was so worried about you! They wouldn't let me see you after you woke up!" Her voice held a bitter note in it, much like a child when told no. "I didn't know if you were okay or not! A day after I woke up and met Parker's mom they took me to meet with the Ape King, I think he's suspicious but he's playing along. He gives me the creeps Kagome, have you met him yet?"

Kagome closed her eyes, holding her hand up to still Bai from asking any more questions. The girl was rattling them off like a machine gun.

"Um, let's see...I'm fine. Really I am, I was more worried about you. Last I saw you were unconscious in the claws of a bird beast man." Bai nodded, "Yeah, that was Muir, he's been assigned to watch over me in case Curtis comes looking for me. He's really nice." Kagome narrowed her eyes as Bai cut her off, the hero worship in Bai's tone making her eye twitch yet she bit her tongue.

"Ah, that's good. It was super hectic after I woke up, Parker wouldn't leave my side, he had so many questions and we spent a whole day just catching up. Afterwards we met with his parents and decided it would be best for us to stay here in the beast city. In case Curtis decides to lash out at the old village for you being taken away." She ignored Bai's souring look, no doubt wanting to defend Curtis.

"Plus now that Parker and I are mates he figured it would be the best time for us to settle in a larger city and I agreed." Kagome laughed as Bai's mouth literally dropped open at her confession. Her hands grabbed her own as she gushed and asked for details. "Yes, it was mutual and it was...amazing." They shared a small look, flushes on their faces. As modern-day girls they weren't averse to talking about sex yet they were also aware of prying ears.

"I want details later..." Bai's voice was a light whisper that made Kagome giggle and nudge her shoulder playfully. "Yes, yes. Anyways I have yet to meet the Ape King, from the way things sound maybe you should come clean? I mean..." She leaned in so they could converse in quiet whispers. "If he decides that keeping your white like quiet isn't beneficial to him he might let it slip..."

Bai gave a low whimper, fear swirling in her eyes, this was a thought that crossed her mind more than once but she was far too deep in the hole to get herself out, she would have to ride it out and hope for the best. "It's too late for that, what have you been telling everyone? I know at the other village you feigned a head injury to avoid it..."

Kagome nodded, resisting the urge to snort at the semi accusatory tone. "I've told Parker and his parents the truth and they all think it I keep it between us, and if anyone else asks I just redirect the question, no one has really pressed too hard...though I assume from what you've said about the Ape King I might have to figure out what to tell him...while I want to tell him the truth I don't want to endanger you...so I might have to twist the facts...after all humans were said to be descendants of apes so in a sense we are distantly related to the ape tribe."

Kagome tapped her finger to her lips, now that she was here really planning it out it seemed like that would be her best course of action should push come to shove. She would revaluate when the situation finally presented itself. Instead, she decided to redirect the conversation.

"So I heard you refuse to remove the mating mark?" Bai flushed, not only hearing but feeling the smidge of judgment in her voice.

"Ah, well he's not that bad...when it's just the two of us he's so sweet and caring...and it's not his fault...he's been shaped by his past and it wasn't a very good one...I want to give him a chance...is that so wrong?" Her voice was light, barely a whisper as she ended her sentence.

Kagome swallowed, honestly it was possible that Curtis was everything Bai was claiming when they were alone, had Inuyasha not also been that way in the very beginning? Yes, hell half of her best friends had started out their relationships with her trying to either kidnap, steal from, or kill her...so maybe there was hope for Bai and Curtis.

"I-I guess...I mean if he only shows those sides to you then I just have to take your word for it but please promise me you'll be careful. I don't want to see you get hurt anymore. If he does anything that scares you or hurts you please don't feel afraid to come to me. We might not have known each other for long but I've grown fond of you, you're one of my closest friends here and I only want you to be happy and healthy."

Bai nodded, tears gathering in her eyes as she threw her arms around Kagome and hugged her close. The girls cried a bit, holding onto each other, letting go of the fear and confusion they had lived through together, it felt better to let it go. They were both starting new chapters in their lives and it made them both feel better to get whatever negative feelings they had brewing between them out.

Moments later they pulled away sniffing and dabbing at the corners of their eyes. Bai was the first one to speak, nudging Kagome's side. "So you and Parker huh?" Kagome fought the blush down but could not get rid of the sappy grin on her face.

"Yeah, what can I say, he wore me down...I'm so lucky he decided to wait for me..." Bai grinned, happy her friend had stopped fighting the obvious attraction that was always between the two.

"So, it's just the two of you in your new home right? You're not planning on taking another mate? I can't see him agreeing to that...plus you know..." Bai trailed off not really knowing how to voice her train of thought.

Kagome gave a small frown at the judgment in Bai's voice but decided to let it slide, they were finally on the bend and there was no use letting petty words undo what healing they had begun. "Yes, for now it's just us as for taking another mate further down the line I'm not sure, that's a decision we both have to agree to. While I'm not averse to it I'm not going to be actively looking for another mate but if it happens it happens and we'll deal with that situation as a couple."

Bai frowned her mind still very human like in its line of thinking. Yet at the same time, she knew that trying to make Kagome change her mind was not only going to be impossible but honestly was it any of her business how many mates Kagome took? So long as her friend was happy that was all that should matter, right?

Forcing a smile Bai nodded, moving some of her hair behind her ear in a nervous habit. "Yeah, well it's getting late. I'm glad you came to visit, we should hang out more after we're more settled in..."

Kagome nodded, she could practically feel Bai's need to run away. "Yeah, oh before I forget Parker will be going back to the old village soon, is there anything you want him to bring back?" She had after all promised to ask Bai for her mate so he wouldn't have to make more than one trip.

Bai blinked but nodded, a smile blossoming on her face. "Oh, if you could have him grab my bag from the common hut...and maybe get some herbs from Harvey?" Kagome nodded as she stood, dusting off the skirt of her dress.

"Sure, also if you want, maybe another day I can take you into the forest and show you more about herbs and such, I found some vegetables that resemble potatoes and carrots. They just come in three different colors." Bai nodded, glad that Kagome was still willing to overlook her less than satisfactory ideals when it came to mates and monogamy, to each their own she guessed.

"I would like that, please send my thanks to Parker." Kagome smiled as she waved goodbye to Bai and began her trek back towards her home, a hankering for lavender tea growing with each step.