The tension broke when a familiar figure crashed through the underbrush. Miroku, his monk's robes splattered with mud, stopped short at the unexpected group. Behind him, Sango rode Kirara, her demon-slayer outfit battle-worn but impressive.

"Well," Miroku said, taking in the bizarre scene, "this is... unexpected."

Shippo peered out from behind Sango's shoulder, his fox ears twitching curiously. "Are these more of Inuyasha's weird friends?"

Kagome stepped forward, her eyes narrowing at Heather. A rustling in the nearby bushes made them all tense. Kagome stepped out, bow drawn and arrow nocked. Her eyes went wide, darting between the unfamiliar faces.

"Inuyasha?" she looked confused, then suspicious. "Who are these people?"

Inuyasha stepped forward, an arm protectively around Heather. "Kagome, this is complicated."

Sesshomaru moved closer to Heather's other side, creating a protective flanking position that left no doubt about their relationship.

"She is mate to both this Sesshomaru and the half-breed," he stated coldly, leaving no room for argument.

Kagome's jaw dropped. "Both of you? At the same time?"

Heather raised an eyebrow. "Demon mating is... complicated," she explained, feeling both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's possessive energy radiating around her.

Koga, who had just arrived, looked even more shocked. His planned attempt to make Kagome jealous suddenly seemed far less important.

"Wait, WHAT?" Koga sputtered.

"This Sesshomaru does not share details of his mating," Sesshomaru intoned, "especially not with a wolf demon."

Miroku leaned towards Sango. "I have SO many questions," he whispered.

Sango just rolled her eyes. "Men," she muttered.

Inuyasha, sensing the building tension, growled. "She's OUR mate. End of discussion."

The clearing fell into a stunned silence, everyone processing this unexpected revelation.Jaken, who had been quiet until now, suddenly waddled forward. "A HUMAN mate? To a full demon and a half-breed?" His voice rose to a high-pitched squeak of indignation.

"Lord Sesshomaru would NEVER—"

Sesshomaru's cold glare silenced him mid-sentence.

Jaken continued anyway, unable to help himself. "But she's HUMAN! And mated to Lord Sesshomaru AND the half-breed? This is an OUTRAGE!"

Inuyasha's ears flattened. "Watch it, you walking toadstool," he growled, a hint of old pain in his voice.

Heather squeezed Inuyasha's hand, sensing his sensitivity about being called a half-breed.

"He's not just a half-breed," Heather said firmly. "He's MY half-demon, and just as powerful as any full demon."

Sesshomaru, surprisingly, nodded. "The half-breed has proven his worth many times."

Jaken looked utterly confused by this show of support.

Heather raised an eyebrow. "Are you applying for the position of third mate?"

The clearing went dead silent.

Jaken turned an alarming shade of green, sputtering. "I—WHAT—NO!"

Sesshomaru's eye twitched dangerously. The temperature seemed to drop several degrees.

"One more word," Sesshomaru said softly, "and you will discover why demons fear this Sesshomaru."

Inuyasha's trademark "Keh" broke the tension, his ears perking up with a mix of annoyance and amusement.

Phoebe leaned to Piper. "Is this normal demon family dynamics?"

Piper just shrugged. "Seems about right."

Rin tugged at Heather's sleeve. "Mother, can we get flowers now?"

And just like that, the bizarre moment continued.