After supper, Kagome announced she wanted to go for a walk and get an ice cream sandwich. Because they wanted some time alone with her and they needed to talk, this was perfect for Kouga and Sesshomaru.
There was a small ice cream store just down the street from her house so that’s where they went. Picking up her craving, she also grabbed each of the men a strawberry cone. It took a couple minutes of explaining what it was and a bit of persuasion to get them to try the frozen treats but once they did, it was gone quickly. Before going back to the house they took a walk through a small park that was nearby then sat on one of the benches next to the duck pond.
After a couple exchanged looks, Kouga started the ball rolling. “Kagome, we wanted to talk to you about your relationship with us.”
Eyes getting big, she looked back and forth between the two. “Please don’t tell me I have to choose between you because, honestly, I can’t and I don’t want to hurt either of you by doing that!” she said softly.
That statement told them both a lot of what they needed to know. Immediately, both slipped an arm around her to give her some reassurance. Smiling, Kouga replied, “No, Kagome, we won’t make you choose, we can tolerate each other and get along. We just wanted to know where we stood with you, whether it was just friends or if you saw us as something more.”
Smiling, she reached out and put a hand on each of their legs. “I want to be with you both forever. If that means as mates, then that’s what I want.”
Looking at Kouga, she gave his leg a soft squeeze, “I’ve love you for a long time I just couldn’t tell you with Inuyasha around because of the ramifications of it, something I’m sure you understand.”
Looking at Sesshomaru, she giggled a bit, “Quite frankly you scared the pants off of me, and still do to some extent, but somewhere along the lines something happened and I felt drawn to you. Waking up in the hospital with you there made me happy and cemented those feelings.”
Both men gave her a one armed hug and pressed themselves closer to her. Kouga grinned and even the corners of Sesshomaru’s mouth turned up slightly.
Eyeing both of them cautiously, she asked, “Can demons mate with another demon’s … well ... mate?”
“It’s not unheard of.” Sesshomaru said. “Usually it’s done for political reasons but if we do it won’t cause problems or raise eyebrows.”
After sitting quietly for a few minutes Sesshomaru said, taking her hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze, “We need to talk to you about Inuyasha and your relationship with him. Kouga and I can get along, but there will probably be some rough spots at first, but neither of us could tolerate Inuyasha in that way for long.”
Sighing, she looked down at her feet. “If what you are asking about is a romantic relationship between him and I, the answer is there isn’t one. I don’t know what he’s thinking but that ended for me when he started leaving at night to be with Kikyo. I still do love him but not in that way, if you can understand that.”
Both demons gave a mental sigh of relief and nodded. Kouga then said, “Before we can mate you have to tell him that Kagome. Right now I’m sure he’s sitting in Edo making all kinds of plans for you and him. We’ll be joining you for the shard hunt and looking for Naraku so he has to be told or it will make things miserable for all parties if he isn’t told.”
Nodding, she sighed, “I’ll talk to him and make sure he knows. It’s not going to be easy, knowing the way Inuyasha is, but I’ll do it.”
Sitting there quietly, she watched the people passing by, deep in thought. There was so much they needed to talk about and work through but she really didn’t even know where to start with it.
Sensing her anxiety, both men gave her a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry Kagome, we’ll work out any problems there are or anything else that may arise.” Sesshomaru said softly, nuzzling her a bit with his head.
Leaning over, Kouga kissed her softly on the temple, “Don’t worry, Kagome. We’ll work it out as it comes.”
Smiling, she nodded.