The group stayed a few days. Stressed out and bone weary, this had given them time to relax and re-group a bit. It had been just what they needed.
Mrs. Higurashi decided that once her stitches were removed she could go back to the feudal era and resume their hunt. Since her Dr.’s appointment was just a few days away they began to gather provisions.
The morning of her final doctor’s appointment Inuyasha and his pack along with the two wolf demons went back through the well. It had been decided that Kouga, Sesshomaru and Kagome would return the following day.
By this point Kagome was slowly becoming her old self again. With the pain killers discontinued, she didn’t sleep most of the time. She had also adjusting to the side effects of the other meds, reducing her stress level. Kouga was thrilled by that; ‘his woman’ was coming back to him! Although he was his normal stoic, emotionless self, Sesshomaru was happy to see her fire back as well. He wasn’t as comfortable with displaying his emotions as Kouga did but he let her know he was happy, such as a pat or rub on the back. He even snuck a couple kisses when she wasn’t looking at him.
Even though she was much better, and out of danger, the two youkai refused to give up their place in her bed. No, there was nothing sexual going on; everyone knew that, but the wanted to stay right where they were. Both demons had come to enjoy holding her while she slept.
There was a behavior that they found odd though. It seemed that somewhere in her mind there was an alarm of some kind would go off. She would be cuddled to one of there chests then and hour later turn over and snuggle up to the other. It was as though she was sub-consciously telling them she could give them and equal amount of attention and love. No, it wasn’t a conscious effort either but she did it. It was the same when they were awake. She may not have noticed, but both men did.
~~~~@~~~~
On their final day, after the two women left Kouga found the Western Lord outside staring up at the tree his brother had been pinned to. Coming up behind him, Kouga said, “We need to talk before they get back.”
Nodding, the taiyoukai looked over his shoulder at the ookami and nodded, “Yes, we do.”
Walking back to the house, they found a comfortable place to sit. Both men were quiet for several minutes, just staring over at the tree, watching it’s leaves ripple from the soft breeze. Finally, Kouga sighed, “So, what are we going to do?” He asked. “I refuse to let her out of my life again. From the way you’ve been acting I doubt you would willingly let her go either. I don’t want to fight you but I will if you try to take her from me.”
“I won’t.” Sesshomaru said quietly. “She’s been through enough right now and certainly doesn’t need us to start acting like Inuyasha by snipping and fighting with each other.
Grunting, Kouga nodded, “Yeah, that’s true.” Then he was quiet for a couple minutes, looking down at the shrine. Finally, he pulled out of his musings and said gruffly, “What are we going to do then? But more importantly, how are we going to do it?”
“It’s not an odd situation for youkai to share mates. It’s usually done as a political maneuver to unite factions. We can do that. She’s proven, even if it is unconsciously, that she can divide her attentions equally.”
Stopping, he shut his eyes for a couple minutes, sighing. Then he began to talk again. “Our first step, if she agrees to the mating, is that we need to join the baka half-breed on his jewel hunt. I don’t want Inuyasha to have her alone any more. Who knows what the fool will do if that happens?”
Growling, Kouga nodded, “She needs to also make it clear to him that any romantic aspect between them is over. That has to come from her, not us. Until she does that we shouldn’t make any plans about mating or marking her.”
“Agreed.” Sesshomaru said, “It has to come from her, he isn’t about to listen to either of us. The best course of action, in my opinion, is for us to hold off marking her until that comes to fruition.”
“Yeah,” Kouga sighed, “it does. She’s the only one that can get it through his thick skull of his.” Shaking his head, he rubbed his eyes, “We also can’t leave her alone with him until it does sink in. You have no idea how that abusive asshole can manipulate her.”
Shaking his head, Sesshomaru sighed, “I haven’t witnessed it personally but I can well imagine it knowing Inuyasha.”
Snarling, Kouga shook his head, “No, you can’t. You’ve never heard the foul names he calls her or some of the downright hateful things he says. Then he will turn around to run off to fuck Kikyo, who only exists on this plane because she holds a part of Kagome’s soul.” He growled, cracking his knuckles, eyes getting a slight red tinge to them.
“Hn…” Sesshomaru said, shaking his head, “I guess I can add abusive to the list of traits I find detestable about my brother.” Leaning back, he sighed, “We have a foundation for the whole thing in place but we need to put it on hold until she tells us her feelings on the matter. I would suggest that after eating the three of us go somewhere and discuss the situation.”
Nodding, Kouga said, “Good idea.”