I enjoy being able to share my ideas with all of you, here is the next piece… so you know I have no idea how long I will be making this, I guess it depends on the reviews and the demand… because why write if people don't read it?

Natural Balance

Courtship and Kisses

Kagome handed Midoriko a bowl of miso soup as they sat in a clearing some distance from the one where Naraku was defeated. The demons; who had been glaring when the miko's left had arrived and kept close as the group relaxed after the battle. Kouga checked his wounds once more and sighed before looking at his father.

"So since you're back will you be challenging for Alpha of the tribes?" Katsuro shrugged looking at the warrior miko.

"I think I am going to concentrate on my mate right now." Midoriko growled, quite convincingly for a human, and stood looking to Kagome with a soft smile.

"Do you and the slayer wish to clean up from the battle this morning?" The girls nodded grabbing their supplies and following the miko into the forest in search of water. They came upon a small hot spring and quickly disrobed and entered the water. "I missed bathing in the afterlife."

"So you were with them in the afterlife, even though you were only there for a few minutes before you all came back?" Kagome watched Midoriko close her eyes and lean her head back to rest on a rock.

"The afterlife is like… a sand clock. At times the sand passes quickly and you hardly notice until later and other times it passes grain by grain for what seems like years. So that few minutes I was with them as you say felt like centuries to the three of us…" Midoriko chuckled cracking one eye to look at the miko. "But what we were doing probably would make you wanton for the two pining after you."

"Midoriko you mean…" Sango blushed unable to finish the statement.

"Yes girls, I have seen all of them and I can tell you, male canine youkai are very well endowed… should that gene have passed to their offspring." Kagome dipped up to her nose in the water to hide the red on her chest and cheeks. "It's nothing to be modest about, I enjoyed them and they enjoyed me… and we are happy like that."

"I am glad that Kagome comes from a less modest era." Sango giggled looking at the flustered miko. "But you're still really innocent. I remember telling you about the habits of demons during rut season two years ago."

"Well if it wasn't for stupid InuYasha I would have gone home during that week and we wouldn't have had to pin Sesshomaru and Kouga to the ground of that cave for two weeks." Kagome defended coming up from the water. "I swear their stupid high senses, and their stupid pretty hair, and… uggh!" She growled glaring at the water with her lips puckered in frustration.

"Just, if you will be with one of them I would not just base it on their instincts for you or their hair…" Midoriko stood and exited the water followed by the girls. "I would base it on how they court you."

"Meaning?"

"I mean, I liked when Katsuro would bring my village wood in the spring for building, and when InuTashio would give lavish kimono to the women I was trying to help." She sighed tying her armor to her chest once more. "I enjoyed when Katsuro would walk with me in the woods and sit with me under the stars and hum… InuTashio was big on rubbing the strain from my back as I lay on the thick grass."

"Oh." Sango said as they walked. "Like Miroku giving me that beautiful comb for my hair that he actually paid for."

"Yes, it is all about how they display their desire to make you happy." Midoriko sighed. "I created that jewel while they were courting me. I never got to pick which one meant more to me. I was happy when I was free of it that I got to catch up on all that they did. And that I get to meet their boys." She laughed then as they came into the clearing her eyes dancing on the men as they stood to greet them. "It seems to me that demons have a thing for only producing males… no wonder their numbers are shrinking."

"You wound us Midoriko." InuTashio touched his breastplate for effect. "I only aimed to produce an heir… my second would have pleased me as either gender."

"Right…" Katsuro scoffed. "And I am a gray ookami." They packed their things and moved out heading first in the direction of the village where Keade lived. At dusk the group broke to make camp in a clearing off the main road. As they settled in to sleep Kagome glanced around to make sure everyone was covered when her eyes landed on Midoriko with InuTashio on her left and Katsuro on her right. She glanced around to make sure the two fighting for her did now get the same idea and tucked herself into her sleeping bag with Shippou at her stomach and Rin curled against her back.

As birds chirped Kagome stretched, feeling the warmth of bodies against her. Opening her eyes to greet Shippou she found the covered chest of Kouga giving a yelp she stood swiftly looking to see Sesshomaru watching her from his place behind her. "What in the hell are you two doing?" She snapped pointing at them. "I could've had a heart attack because of you! Then there'd be no more fighting because I would be gone!"

"Kagome calm down." Kouga said standing. "The kids wanted to get up but they wanted you to stay warm so we volunteered so they could go and wash up with Miroku and Kohaku and my underlings." He rubbed her arm to calm her and she began to relax at the touch. "I promise we didn't mean to frighten you."

"Well, next time cover me up… don't give me a heart attack." She growled grabbing her clothing and disappearing to change. InuTashio was chuckling as Katsuro opened a blue eye to watch the boys.

"They are going to drive the poor girl away." He yawned snuggling into Midoriko as InuTashio sandwiched her in between their hot bodies. She panted opening her eyes with a glare before wiggling away and standing to watch them. She extended her hand and gave a gentle shock to get them standing. "That wasn't very nice."

"I think I'll teach that one to Kagome so she can defend herself… I might teach her this too." Midoriko pressed a kiss to a cheek a piece, leaving a scorch in the shape of her lips before giving a wink and walking away.

"That tease." InuTashio muttered glaring after her as the boys watched them.

"I really hope Kagome doesn't learn that." Kouga gulped, not noticing the talk said miko was having with the other. InuYasha came into camp from the forest with a sullen look about him; he refused to speak on it and sat silently through breakfast. He did not lead them so the adults took point. They arrived after dinner and Kagome went into the hut with Midoriko to speak with Keade. After everything was finished the large party moved into the forest and arrived in the clearing of the bone eaters well.

Kagome and Midoriko set up camp and when they finished the older miko nudged the younger forward, watching as she approached Sesshomaru and Kouga. "I wanted to thank the both of you for helping in the final battle, and for being interested in me." She leaned onto the tops of her feet to plant a sizzling kiss to first Sesshomaru then Kouga's cheek before smiling and walking back to lie down for the night.

"Vixen…" Sesshomaru growled turning to see his sire nursing a similar mark on his cheek. "It would seem the older miko has been teaching Kagome horrible things."

"I don't know about all that, but I kind of like it…" Kouga gave a wolfish grin. "It turns me on." Sesshomaru rolled his eyes as the demons moved into the group to lay with their females and let sleep claim them.

Enjoy and remember feedback is fuel.

Also I will be taking a vote for who Kagome will pick and for who Midoriko will choose. The next chapter will be the wolves and their wooing and then a chapter on the dogs and their attempt. You can private message me with your choice and I will count them up for a winner.

Addy Eli