The Inu family's dynamics took an unexpected turn in the halls of the Inutaisho Palace. Heather hesitated, suddenly self-conscious about her curvy body.

"Are you sure?" she whispered to Sesshomaru, her hand unconsciously smoothing her stomach. "I'm not... exactly like demon mates usually look."

Sesshomaru's golden eyes traced her body with an intensity that made her blush. "This Sesshomaru does not want a fragile creature," he stated coldly. "You are strong. Powerful. Curves mean survival in our world."

Heather raised an eyebrow. "Did you just say 'This Sesshomaru' again?"

"This Sesshomaru speaks as he wishes," he replied.

"Sit," Heather said casually.

Immediately, both Sesshomaru and Inuyasha face-planted into the floor.

"WHAT THE—" Inuyasha sputtered, his face pressed against the ground.

Sesshomaru, equally flattened, looked utterly shocked.

Jaken's jaw dropped. "LORD SESSHOMARU?! SITTING?!"

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha slowly lifted their faces from the floor, identical looks of bewilderment on their faces.

"How..." Sesshomaru started.

"Did..." Inuyasha continued.

"THAT HAPPEN?" they finished together.

Heather just smiled. "Magic, boys. Pure magic."

Then Inuyasha resumed what his brother wanted to do a moment ago after getting up off the floor, catching her moment of vulnerability, nuzzled her neck. "You're perfect," he murmured, his ears twitching. "Any demon who says otherwise gets my claws."

Sesshomaru nodded. "The half-breed speaks truth for once."

Heather's insecurity softened, replaced by a spark of confidence.

"You," Sesshomaru said, pulling her into a secluded corridor, "require... attention."

Before anyone could respond further, Sesshomaru had Heather pressed against the wall, his typically controlled demeanor replaced by something far more primal. A heated kiss that made the ancient palace walls seem to vibrate with supernatural tension.

"MINE," Sesshomaru growled.

Inuyasha, determined to prove he was just as devoted, practically teleported next to them. "MY mate TOO!"

Kagome, who had been walking by, stopped dead in her tracks. Her eye twitched.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?" she shouted, then muttered, "I'm going to SIT you SO hard later, Inuyasha."

Jaken, witnessing the scene, looked like he might spontaneously combust. "A HUMAN MATE? WITH CURVES?"

Another cold glare from Sesshomaru silenced him instantly.

Rin, completely unfazed, looked up at Piper. "Grown-ups are weird."

Piper could only nod in agreement.

Inuyasha's ears flattened slightly. "She's beautiful," he muttered, a protective growl underlying his words.

Heather, feeling loved and desired, could only laugh.

"Boys," she muttered, "seriously?"

And in the halls of the great Inutaisho Palace, supernatural drama continued to unfold.