Chapter Twenty-Six

Kagome hummed as she sat on a branch of the tree, the basket sitting next to her feet as she slowly picked the berries off the tree. She wanted to dry them and this way she could save them for later. She wanted to have a bit of a stock for food in the house, and Parker wanted her to be stocked up when he left to go get their things from the old village.

Kagome wouldn't really want to go out during the rainy days, and she didn't want Parker to have to go out unless he needed to either. She knew in his animal form it would be harder to get sick but still...

She had seen a couple pass her, but they just gave her curious looks before going on their way. Kagome had yet to have a lot of interaction with people in the village, probably because she tended to keep to herself. Rosa and her mate, Bart, are the most interaction she had with others. Bai seemed to be in her own world as well. Curtis has yet to make his way into the city, but Kagome had a feeling he would make his way here for her sooner than later.

Reaching for a few last berries, she threw them in the basket, but she moved her foot too much when she shifted and ended up hitting her basket over.

"Oh no!" Kagome cursed and she saw it fall and her eyes widened as she saw it fall on someone's head and the berries and the other herbs she had gathered today falling out all around him.

"I'm so sorry!" Kagome called down to the male, who lifted the basket off his head. Kagome looked down at him, a blush on her face from embarrassment.

The male had light blue borderline teal-colored eyes and dark blue-gray hair with matching ears upon his head. He had a handsome face with two red triangle markings on each cheek, under his eyes.

A blush came to the man's face as he held the basket then looked down at what was on the ground, "It's fine...no harm done." He then started to pick up the item. Kagome blinked at this, he seemed kind.

Kagome tilted her head, sitting down on the branch so she could scoot herself off without flashing anyone. Her feet touched the ground, as she quickly made her way to where the male was picking up the berries and herbs.

She quickly helped pick them, up as she flashed him a smile, "Thank you. You didn't need to help. It was my fault for not paying attention and knocking it over. Again I am sorry."

The male gave a hum, as he handed the basket back to Kagome when the last of the fallen items were put back in, "It isn't a problem. Though you should be careful when up in the tree. If you aren't careful you could be the one falling out and getting hurt, not your basket."

Kagome blinked at this but gave a grin, "I am stronger than I look, but thank you for the concern." She adjusted the basket in her arms, "My name is Kagome. Thank you for helping pick everything up."

The wolf man rubbed the back of his head, a blush lightly on his cheeks, "My name is Shuu..." his eyes looked over her as if looking for something, Kagome didn't know what so she just gave him another smile.

"Shuu!"

Both heads turned to see Bart calling over the wolf. Kagome tilted her head looking at one than the other.

'Brothers?' Kagome thought seeing how similar the two looked.

Bart stopped as he looked at Kagome with questioning eyes than to a still semi-blushing Shuu. The other wolf gave a grin to Shuu, causing him to give Bart a light glare.

"Father is looking for you." He relayed to Shuu, who gave a nod of understanding. He gave Kagome a smile.

"It was nice meeting you." Shuu's eyes lingered on her before he excused himself, leaving Kagome with Bart who raised an eyebrow to her.

"What?" She sniffed, not knowing what to say to that reaction.

"Shuu doesn't have a mate yet..." Kagome's eyes widened and her cheeks stained red as she gave the male a glare.

Bart laughed, "My brother is very kind and a strong wolf. He would be a good mate if you are looking for another one."

Kagome didn't know what to say to this, she hadn't actively been looking for another mate and hadn't even really thought about it, "I haven't even thought about getting another mate. I only have one mate at the moment and we haven't even discussed me having more than one..." She trailed off. She knew it was something that was common, but Parker and her hadn't talked about it at all. It has always been something not brought up.

Kagome didn't even see anyone really being interested in her, because she was a bit odd compared to the other females around here. She may be pretty...but there was Bai too. Kagome knew she had started getting males sniffing around her from one of the times the girl complained about a bear trying to court her but Muir scaring him off for her.

"Don't most females want more than one male to protect them?" He was genuinely curious. This girl had been friendly with his mate and he also hadn't seen her interact with anyone else.

"Most females are not...weird I guess. I can protect myself." Kagome shrugged. She knew her liking to hunt and her love for herbs and such were different, "I also want to love each mate, not just have them for protection."

Bart gave a hum, looking at Kagome in a new light. She was definitely an interesting female, if he wasn't in love and mated with Rosa, he would have gone after the girl himself. She was definitely strong and kind, something he respected.

"You should. Because from the look on my brother's face, you just made a lasting impression on him." Bart gave a fanged grin, as he saw Rosa starting to make her way over to them. She had a bemused look on her face.

Kagome didn't say anything but gave a sigh, "I will think about it. I am going to head home. Tell Rosa I shall see her sometime else. Have a good day." Kagome gave a wave to Rosa before she made her way back home, her head swimming from the words the older male had said to her.

Rosa, who finally made it to her mate, grinned, "So, Shuu looked a bit flustered when he came to talk to your father..." She left it at that as she saw her mate give a laugh.

"It seems he has taken an interest in your little friend." He watched as Kagome disappeared into the distance, as he turned his attention back to Rosa.

"It seems like her mate and herself haven't had the talk about a second mate yet..." He trailed off, a frown on his face, "Do you know who her mate is?"

Rosa shook her head, "No I haven't met him yet..." She was curious about who would be good enough for Kagome. She hoped she figured it out soon because she was rather curious. She leaned into her mate's side, "I may have to figure it out..."

The two stood in silence as they both were thinking how things have changed since the new arrivals came into the village.