Chapter Thirty

Kagome looked at Bai who held a good sized bag of something in her arms and two bamboo flasks in her arms. She raised an eyebrow at the girl who only gave her a bright smile.

"What can I help you with today, Bai?" She hadn't been expecting the girl today. Then again she seemed to show up whenever she felt like it. Her eyes looked around her and didn't see her friend but she could feel him around.

'He probably is in one of the trees' Kagome thought as she moved her attention back to the younger girl who seemed to be in a very good mood.

"I brought you some gifts. I didn't have anything to really do today, so I thought I would come and see you.." Bai smiled, as she motioned to the items in her arms. Kagome sighed, she didn't want to have her over at the moment but knew it would be rude to send her away when she brought gifts.

"We can talk for a bit. I do have some things I need to gather though today." She wanted to go check the fish traps and check for more fruit so she could start doing batches of dried fruit.

Bai let herself come in and sat the things on the counter that was cleared of anything but some empty baskets, "I brought you over rice flour and some wood oil! I had time to make some and thought you could use some here."

Kagome gave a smile, "That was very thoughtful of you. Thank you." Though she wished she had more warning for the girl coming over. She didn't want to deal with Bai drama today. She really really didn't. The girl was nice, but she was selfish too.

"Not a problem. I haven't seen you in a couple days so I wanted to see how you were. I haven't gotten to make many friends here yet. I tried but a lot of the women seem to be...um...rude.." Bai told the older girl as she gave a sigh.

Kagome motioned for her to sit down so the two could continue to talk, "Rude?" Kagome hadn't met anyone that was rude. Everyone had been open and friendly to her. Could it be because who Bai had as a mate...could word have spread around about that.

Bai nodded, moving some hair behind her ear, her face scrunching up in thoughts of her biggest bully. "Yeah, one in particular. I don't know what her problem is but she really has it out for me." She huffed, "I didn't even do anything to her!" Kagome blinked as Bai went on a small rant and resisted the urge to sigh.

Bai might think she didn't say or do anything but knowing the young girl she had. It wasn't a slight on the younger girl, it was just the fact that from what she had seen Bai didn't make it a real effort to try to understand the many cultures and differences between the various tribes that made up the beast world. Plus the girl had a real track record of bending the truth to suit herself and her needs...

"Ah, maybe you accidentally said or did something...have you tried asking her?" She blinked as Bai gave a huff as if annoyed at the mere idea.

"I think it's far too late for that...anyways how are things with you? I haven't even asked!" A light flush dusted Bai's cheeks, here she was complaining to Kagome when she had come over to check up on her and catch up. She missed the older female, who was quickly becoming her only female friend in this whole damn world.

Kagome blinked, a small smile appeared on her face, she had to keep reminding herself that Bai was young, she had much to learn. She felt like the Sango in this situation and she only hoped she hadn't been as nieve and semi- annoying as Bai was being.

"I'm doing very well actually. It seems there's a real market for herbs and what not. The females and even some of the males are eager to learn what 'magic grass' can do for them! Which is promising! That means they're open to change and that's always good." She paused, wondering if she should tell Bai about her pregnancy but decided against it, wanting to wait until she was, further along, to spill the beans to anyone outside of her family and those with whom she wanted advice from.

Bai blinked but nodded, "Yeah, a few of the others were interested in the rice flour...its good to see they're not completely barbaric, maybe we can teach them to be more civilized..." Bai missed the way Kagome narrowed her eyes, her mind preoccupied with other things she could introduce to the backwards society to make it more human like.

Kagome bristled at Bai's choice of words, sure she didn't mean anything malicious by them but it still ruffled her feathers. The young girl really needed to learn to watch her words and the intent behind them. Forcing herself to let go of her ire she gave a stiff smile.

"I wouldn't call them barbaric, they are civilized in their own ways. Just because they aren't human ways doesn't make them any less valid but I do agree we should do our best to help them learn how to do things better and more efficiently. Maybe it can help their lives become easier and that's good for everyone." Bai blinked but nodded, licking her lips as she shifted in her seat.

"Yeah, so have you had any troubles with any of the females?" Kagome wanted to sigh, of course Bai would circle back to the drama between herself and the other females of the city.

"No, I mean a few of them are wary of me but no real drama. Nothing worth mentioning, actually I have a few orders I need to fulfill before Parker and I head back to the old village to grab out things." She hoped Bai would catch the hint.

Bai blinked, clapping her hands happily, "Oh, I can help and we can keep chatting! I've missed our girl talks!" She missed the grimace on Kagome's face.

Forcing a smile Kagome nodded, grabbing two baskets. If she was going to be stuck with Bai she was going to put the girl to work.