Okay, here it is! sorry it took so long to post this, I really tried to update it sooner, but things had been a little crazy with my studies and stuff that I could hardly find some time or inspiration to write. But I did it! I hope you enjoy it =)

Chapter 12.

He was aware that he was growling to his father. He knew it was ridiculous but he couldn't help it. Something inside him, the same thing that had him making this stupid claims on Kagome, made him feel threaten by his father request. He didn't want him to see her mark even though he knew it wasn't a real one, it just didn't feel right for him to have his father seeing something that he felt only he had the right to see.

So, before he consciously realized what was he doing, he had gone into a defensive mode once he heard him ask for her to show her mark to him the second time. He was really fighting to regain control over himself, but Kagome wasn't helping much. Having her scent so close to him distracted him on a normal day but now it was even worse. He hadn't notice before (or he had just ignored it) but his own scent was impregnated on her and it was stronger than ever before, it was interlaced with hers and that cause a possessive feeling on him that he hadn't felt before, it was almost the way his mother carried his father's scent on her but not as strong, at least not yet… he thought and felt another wave of possessiveness washed inside of him, and the fact that it didn't bother him at all, even though, he knew it should scared him to no end.

If having her so close and smelling like him wasn't distraction enough, Kagome had apparently made her goal to keep his instincts on edge, adding more things to his list, first of all she was agitated and her scent told him that she pass her initial displeasure of hearing him growling to his father she was starting to feel afraid (which was no surprise given the circumstances). But there was also another thing that had been bothering him since she came into the room, she was hurt, and bleeding, though he could tell that it was an small cut for the amount of blood wasn't much, but it bother him nonetheless. So he was divided between his desired to assess her injuries to heal her and eliminate the immediate threat that was causing her to feel scared, that or take her as far as possible from that room.

So yeah, he was currently a mess and had to put all his mind in one task at a time, which was proving to be really difficult, seeing that his number one priority seemed to be his number one distraction. And he still didn't know what had come over him to start crying in her arms once she came into the room… maybe it had been because he felt relieved to see her alive? Though, to be honest a big part of him knew she hadn't been dead at all… that he hadn't done anything irreversible yet… or maybe it was because he felt relieved to know she didn't hate him for what he had done… althought, he was painfully aware that she had no idea of what was going on…

He took a deep breath, and ordered Kagome to not move when he felt her writhed in his arms, and pressed her more to him. He was trying to find an explanation for the anger he was feeling towards his father, and to his instincts that were screaming at him that his father was a threat to his claim on Kagome (one he wasn't supposed to have but still...) and that he had to protect what was his, even if that meant that he had to fight against his own father. And he couldn't for the life of him stop that damn growling! not even when he saw the worried expression on his mother's face.

He was about to go for his third option: taking her as far as he could from that room, all the possible consequences be damned, when his father sighed, and after silently ordering his mother to go out of the room with Keiko, he answered his growling with one of his own. Up until that moment, Inuyasha hadn't realized how much of a dog they really were… and that had him mentally rolling his eyes…

Even though it was just a growl he could perfectly understand what his father was telling him. It was between the lines of "back the fuck off, NOW!" and "I'm your father, and the fucking alpha of the fucking pack you belong to" with a bit of "if you don't submit I'll wipe the floor with your sorry ass, I don't care what your mother thinks about it!" the last one did the trick and help him regained his senses. He stopped growling but he didn't dropped his defensive stance. He somehow understood why his father had to see the mark he had done on Kagome's chest, and decided that if it could help him understand what was happening and most importantly how to undo whatever shit he had done then he would allow him to see it. So he moved and placed Kagome in front of him so that he could show his father the mess he had made...

All this was getting on Toga's nerves.

Since the moment his son entered his study almost crying and saying he had killed Kagome, to her coming in saying that she though he was the one being hurt. On top of that he was feeling extremely confused by the scent he was getting from her. She smelled like his son that was for sure, and to anyone not paying enough attention it would seem as if she was Inuyasha's mate no room to doubts, even he had jumped to that conclusion the day of the funeral when he had first heard from Sesshoumaru the news, but now that he was putting all his senses into it he could notice the subtle signals, even though his son scent was all over her it wasn't coming from her, it was interlaced with hers but not in the way it would if they had completed the mating ritual. And more importantly she still had a pure scent in her, indicating that she hadn't been with any male whatsoever.

So saying he was confused was an understatement. This was like anything he hadn't seen or heard before, and that was saying something because he had live a very long life. The only way for him to try to find an answer was checking her mark, if there was one, though, he was pretty sure there was none judging her reaction. but then his son had said something that puzzled him even more and then he was sure that he must see whatever mark she had on her.

He knew problem was bound to happen when he asked Kagome to let him see the mark, as it was something special and very delicate for his kind, no other than the owners of the mark were allowed to touch it, and having other youkai touching it implied a challenge over the claim done, that most of the time ended in one of the involved dead. It was especially delicate for new mated pairs, the mark holding the new bond together, male mates, especially canines, were overprotective of their mates, he knew that very well. So Toga was expecting that by asking her to show it to him, Inuyasha would interpret it as a challenge over his claim on her. So he wasn't surprise to see his son's reaction, especially after seeing were exactly ha had made the mark.

Inuyasha's posture was clearly defensive, he was prepared to jump off and defend what was his, and his youkai blood was waiting to take over again in preparation. He was emitting a warning growl telling him to stay away. Toga let out a sigh, and turn to give his own mate a warning sight, she immediately understood and hurried to get out of the room, pulling Keiko along with her, much to the woman displeasure. Once the women were out of potentially harm's way (though he really hope it wouldn't come to that) he responded to Inuyasha's growling with one of his own. Now that his son was somehow in tune with his canine instincts this should be more or less easier, they were a pack, and he was the pack leader, Inuyasha would have to submit and follow his command, that was what the hierarchy of their pack demanded of him. If he were to challenge that hierarchy then… he really didn't want to let his mind wander there…

After a couple of moments of them growling to each other Inuyasha stopped. He felt relieved to see that he was able to understand that he didn't mean to harm him or Kagome and that he could trust him as his pack leader. Though, his defensive stance disappeared, he had not completely let his guard down, the purple marks on his face never leaving, but his eyes stopped going from golden to red and he took that as a good sing. Although, Toga didn't let his guard down either, seeing how he was practically half way on his transformation… he couldn't believe how that was even possible either…

He took a couple of steps closer dragging Kagome with him, and turned so that she was in front of him, the poor girl looked concerned, her chocolate eyes jumping from him to his son and back. -"breathe, Kagome, nothing is going to happen to you…" Inuyasha whisper in her ear, and then he saw him bit her on the base of her neck, and she let out a heavy breath but after that she visibly calmed down. Toga only furrowed his brow, not sure how to react to what he was witnessing. Once Inuyasha was satisfy Kagome was no longer in distress, he face him with hard eyes, it was clear he didn't like what he was about to do.

Toga stood his ground, he didn't move, he wanted to make clear that he didn't meant a threat to neither of them. He saw Inuyasha rise his right hand and cup her left breast, kagome's face turned red and he could smell the embarrassment and discomfort coming from her -"I won't do it if you don't want" he told her. She denied with her head and motioned him to continue, but she closed her eyes all the same. He used his tomb to pull down the collar of her blouse and expose to him the flesh of her breast, covering with his palm all the important places. Involuntary Toga felt his eyes go big at the saw presented to him, it wasn't exactly what he was expecting to see (but to be honest he wasn't sure of what he was expecting at all) as he suspected there was not a mark, but a scar on her breast, three thin vertical scars to be exact, so that's what he meant by doing the mark… he had literally scared her… that wasn't good Toga thought… when Inuyasha deemed that it had been enough, which was exactly after three seconds, he fixed her clothes and turned her again to press her to his chest. "Sorry…" he murmured.

-"we need to talk." Toga simply stated. Inuyasha lifted his face, from which had already disappeared his purples marks, all defensive posture already gone and concern now palpable in his face.

-"I know" he said "Kagome you should go find your mother, I need to talk with my father." He then told her letting go of his hold on her.

-"what? No! I'm not going anywhere, at least not until I know what is going on!" she practically screamed.

-"Kagome…" he started but she interrupted him.

-"no, Inuyasha. I need to know what is happening to you! This morning we were… we…" she turned to see Toga, biting her lip, her face going red once more "we were fine" she decided at the end "did I hurt you? I swear I was trying to keep my powers down, but your youki was too strong all of a sudden and it was difficult not to react, I'm sorry… I didn't meant to"

-"you didn't do anything wrong, Kagome. I promise, this had nothing to do with you and everything to do with me being an idiot again" he assured her, cupping her head with both hands. "I messed up as always… I lost control over my blood and I was afraid I would hurt you so I had to leave"

-"that is another think I was worried about!" she said as she had just remembered "you went through the barrier! do you know how scared I was that you would be laying on my front yard purified? How is it even possible that you could cross it, and in your youkai self nonetheless, and didn't get hurt?" this time was Inuyasha's turn to look confused, mirroring his father expression as well.

-"I didn't see nor I felt any barrier, there was no barrier Kagome" he told her

-"it was! It is still up actually, I didn't have time to drop it with all this mess" she retorted

-"well, if it is it didn't hurt me. So don't worry." He tried to rest importance to the matter

-"still, I'm not going. I think I have the right to know what is happening here, and what is this mark thing about?" She stomped her feet to make her point. Inuyasha sighed and lifted his head to see his father with begging eyes. Toga had to suppress a laugh, the human had a temper.

-"I need to talk things with my son alone now" he finally intervened "and I'm sure that your mother is waiting for you down stairs. Inuyasha will have his time to give explanations to you after he gives them to me" she was clearly looking for reasons to debate but he had made sure to infuse all the authority he had on his voice. "Besides, if my understanding is correct you have other important things to take care off as well" he added and she looked confused. "haven't you talked to Kaede?" she denied with her head "well, the date for the competition have been set, you need to start preparing if you still want to be taken into consideration" Kagome's eyes went wide. That had done it. She turned to see Inuyasha obviously split between what she wanted and what she should do.

-"It's okay. You need to go. I'm fine now, and I promise I would explain everything to you latter." He assured her again

-"but… "

-"no buts, go. I'll catch up with you at school" he promised and kissed her head. She bit her lip not at all convinced.

-"It can wait, Kaede would give me time if I explain to her what happened. I don't need to go. I …don't want to leave you now." She whispered, and he sighed again. He hugged her, and sent another begging glare his way, Toga shrugged, at the end there was nothing he could do, this was all in his hands. Inuyasha rolled his eyes to his father, not at all happy with his lack of interest, and went to do the same he had done before to calm her down. He bit her on her shoulder and Toga could only assume what he was telling her. When he let go of her neck he kissed her forehead one last time and it was her turn to sigh this time.

-"that wasn't fair." She accused him, and he smirked.

-"you wouldn't have listen to me otherwise. Now go. Your mother is really worried. I guess I owe her another apology"

-"you will tell me everything later" it wasn't a question. He nodded. Satisfy she turned to leave, and sent a half apologetically half embarrassed look to Toga.

-"oh, and Kagome" Inuyasha called "have someone take a look to that cut on your foot, as of now"

-"how did you…?" Inuyasha only tapped his nose and she rolled her eyes. "I will. See you at school. Goodbye, Toga." She said and leave the room.

Only when she was out of hearing range did his son let himself fall to the floor once more. He gave him a moment to pull himself together again, he imagined his son was having a very bad moment. He himself was having a bad moment as well. All this situation was beyond his understanding, and that's saying something. Having lived for as long as he had, there was almost nothing he hadn't seen or heard, so you could imagine his discomfort when he was faced with something that escaped his vast knowledge.

Before he could do or say something, Izayoi came rushing into the room again, but didn't go all the way to her son. She stood by his side watching him with questioning eyes begging for an explanation. When all she got was a negation from him her palpable distress just increased and he had to act to calm her down. Pulling her in his arms, just as his son had been doing before with Kagome, he tried to calm her nerves with a short nip on her shoulder, "he's gonna be okay, I promise. We'll figure out what is going on. You have nothing to worry about." He tried to soothe her. She sighed and kiss his cheek and pulled herself free from his arms. Encourage by his words she made her way to her son and took his hands off of his face to pull him up and guide him to the couch on the other side of the room, far from the disaster he had made when he came into the room.

-"now, let me see you" she started with all her motherly love impregnated in her voice. "are there any cuts not healed yet?" she asked taking a look of his face and neck, Inuyasha didn't answer just denied with his head, still she continued with her explorations, palpating his arms and checking his palms. She let out a sigh when she didn't find any open injuries and eyed the mess in the room "you know you'll have to clean that, right?" her son just rolled his eyes to her. "I mean it, Inuyasha" she told him "but first I need to know what happen to you? Keiko told me that you also went out Kagome's window, and Kagome was pretty sure that you were hurt from trespassing her barrier earlier."

-"I'm okay. I don't know if there was or not a barrier, but it didn't hurt me, I didn't feel it when I…got out" he said though Izayoi didn't seem too much convinced.

-"Izayoi, could you give us a minute. There is something I need to discuss with our son." Izayoi nodded and stood up, but made sure to show her displeasure on her way out

-"I let you guys talk, but you consider yourself in big trouble for hiding things from me." She spoke, and Toga was surprised yet again for the way in which she could speak threats in such a sweet voice. When his mate was out of the room he addressed his son once more.

-"I need you to tell me exactly what had been happening with Kagome since the day her father died." Toga asked "and I need you to be honest and tell me everything, because for a moment there I was lead to believe that you had already taken Kagome as your mate" to that Inuyasha's eyes grew impossible big, color leaving his face.

-"What? No! I haven't done anything like that!" he managed to let out. "I swear I haven't, I have made sure to keep my distance, apart for what happened this morning it's never occurred to me to actually do it" he continued defending himself.

-"and I believe you, son. At the beginning it is difficult to notice, with your scent all over her, but even though she is carrying your scent, it isn't coming from her, and I can tell she hasn't lost her innocence yet. Thought I'm still confused because the difference is so subtle that you could definitely pass as a mated couple now. No wonder why your brother and the elders that saw you that day on the funeral jumped to that conclusion." To that Inuyasha's eyes grew incredibly big.

-"they think what?" he asked not believing his ears.

-"calm down, Inuyasha. First things, first. Answer my question. I noticed how you bit her back then. Since when has that been happening?" he asked raising his eyebrow, to that Inuyasha took another deep breath and straighten his back, he knew this moment was coming so better to finish this quickly.

Inuyasha wasn't comfortable sharing with his father what exactly had been happening since day one. It felt like an invasion to his and Kagome's privacy. But at the same time he found that he had a very strong motivation to share it with him. His words echoing in his head, every youkai elder in the board thought he had mated Kagome, what the hell did that mean? that thought made it easy for him to tell him everything. He told his father how he had felt when he saw her so sad for her father's death and how it had occurred to him to help her by imitating what he had saw him do to his mother, and how he had felt afterwards. His father never interrupting him.

He felt his face grow hotter when he admitted how difficult had it been for him to stop himself from biting her after that, always finding a reason to do it again, and was sure that his neck and face were completely red when he got to the events of that morning. His father's face was the usual mask of serenity he wear when he wanted to conceal his emotions. Only his eyes revealing his thought every now and then, Inuyasha had to avert his own eyes from the scrutiny that his father's were doing, he didn't need to see them to know how disappointed he was feeling on him right then. He finished his tale and there was a pause, air heavy with the tension he was feeling, Toga let out a breath and pinched his nose with his index and thumb.

- "tell me, son, why did you ever think it was okay for you to bit her in the first place?" that had been the only question that Toga had keep repeating in his mind the whole time, why? Among all the different youkai species out there, only Inu youkais were known to bite their mates on a daily basis, more or less, the rest only did it during the mating ritual to create the mark. And Toga knew for experience that one would never ever go and bite someone that wasn't their mate just to help them "to feel better" as Inuyasha had said, it didn't work that way, it was as if he went around licking other people's wounds just because he had a healing component in his saliva! It was something intimate that was meant to be share only with one's mate.

-"I already told you, I didn't like to see her so sad, and I wanted to take away her pain. I remember you doing it to mother and how she always felt better afterwards, then I just did it and it worked so I didn't think it was something bad."

-"have you ever thought to help anyone else the same way?" he asked again, he had a theory he wanted to prove, maybe it worked that way for him because he was half human?

-"No! Why would I want to take in other people's feelings?" he asked, indignation in his voice and Toga lifted an eyebrow. "I only do it because it's Kagome." hearing that Toga had to discard his theory.

-"this morning when you said you'll fix her mark, you licked her, you knew what you were doing or just acted on instinct again?" he demanded just remembering then. Inuyasha turned red again and avert his eyes from his.

-"I know I can heal her with my saliva. I have done it before…" he mumble…

-"before? You mean since the first time you bite her?"

-"before that… I" he stopped…took a big breath in and turned to look at him "when I first discovered I could help my wounds heal faster if I coated them in my saliva I shared it with her, she was amazed and said something like it would be wonderful if I could help others to heal fast… I told her it would be weird since I had to lick them, but she told me she wouldn't be bother, so the next time she fell and scraped her knee I... healed it for her…" Toga's jaw fell open… "I've been doing it for her ever since…" he finished, and was sure that the red was more or less permanent on his face by that point.

-"you meant you been doing it for what? More than ten years now?" he couldn't believe…"do you help your other friends as well?" he asked sarcastically

-"of course I don't!" he answered. "I do it just for Kagome… I …"he let his sentence hanging… not knowing what exactly he wanted to say…. This wasn't helping, his questions weren't helping, they were just making him feel more and more guilty, because it made him think that everything he had done so far, his mere existence in Kagome's life, had been a mistake. "What does it matter anyways? It doesn't have anything to do with me attacking her this morning…." He called it for what it had been, an attack, he had harassed her that morning, even if she didn't feel it that way.

-"you actually don't see it, do you? You have been doing things that a male Inu youkai would do only to and for his mate. You have been acting as her mate all this time. And she does seem to be your mate. She carries your scent and your youki with her, and I think that is because you have been biting her, which is something we only do to our mates. Your instincts are telling you that she is the one. There is no mistake about it." At least that was the only explanation Toga could came with from what he had heard. Still he thought it was good news, in fact. Though It bother him to no end the fact that she seem to be his mate without actually being his.

-"I think I told you that I don't trust my stupid instincts. They have brought me nothing but problems." His son told him. "All I want to know right now is how I undo whatever it is that I have done to her… I don't want anybody thinking that she is my mate when she isn't." now he could somehow understand the wary looks Koga and the other youkais at his school have been sending him all along. They all seemed to keep their distance from him and Kagome but none of them had said a thing. They must have been confused as well, not knowing what to believe from the mixed signals they must have been sending, for one part Kagome smelling like him and in the other both saying they were still only friends. He wished they had told them sooner. Maybe that way things wouldn't have gotten this far.

-"I don't know if it can be undone. It seems to me that a bound is in its process and, as I told you, that is something we cannot break. That is why I told you that we must be careful when choosing a mate. But this may be a good thing…"

-"it is not a good thing!" he shouted "you don't seem to understand what is at risk here! I have placed kagome's life in danger! I'm in the same place I've always been, the fact that she smells like my mate doesn't make her mine, and doesn't discard the possibility of her dying during the mating ritual because of me, or the possibility that the mating doesn't work at all and she ends up tied to me in an shallow bond. I don't want that for her! I can't do that to her!" his breathing was shallow with all the emotions running through him, and he seemed on the verge of crying again.

-"listen. I´m also concerned with her smelling like your mate now, and though I have my suppositions I know it is not an real answer, I will look into it, I'm sure that if we understand this we would be able to find a way to undo it" Toga told him but even he knew that he didn't sound too convince of what he was telling him. "There is something that bothers me, though, besides the obvious, why did you make that mark on her breast? Why three cuts?" Inuyasha sighed.

-"I'm not sure…"he was hoping with all his might that his father didn't ask that specific question because there were some facts that he had hoped he could keep to himself, now though it was useless. "Like I told you this morning when I got my powers back, I guess my blood took over immediately, and I remember…uhg… I remember thinking that she wasn't wearing my scent so I bit her because somehow I knew that would fix that and then I forced her to say that she was mine…" to that his father just narrowed his eyes. "She said it and that is when I cut her with my claws to mark her as mine… I remember thinking that mark would do until the full moon…"

-"why three cuts though?" he had to ask.

-"one for each week between now and the next full moon… I guess…" he answered her…Toga only hummed, lost in thought. It was something unusual in fact.

-"is there anything else that may happened last night, son? It seems that there are more that you are not telling me. I was thinking that maybe the new moon had something to do with your morning episode but somehow I think that it wasn't only that. Something must have happened that triggered your instincts, something that broke the walls that had helped you until now." Inuyasha sighed, defeated.

-"I think it was because she was with Hojo, and I had this thing with Kikyo, I've been thinking that maybe that served as an obstacle to me. I keep telling myself that she was out of reach because she had choose to be with someone else and I too had someone, but then, yesterday Kikyo and I ended things, and last night Kagome told me she is planning to break up with Hojo, and… well, then we kissed." He lifted his hands to cover his face again, the embarrassment to much for him "I think it was because of that that all this happened, the only thing that was actually in my way disappeared and I kissed her and I thought it wouldn't matter since it happened when I was a human, but this morning the first thing that come to my mind was her and that kiss and that she was mine and that I had to make sure everyone knows…" lifting his face and locking his gaze with his father he added "please, help me undo it. I don't want this for her."

-"I believe you are jumping to conclusions, son. This could be a good sing" Inuyasha was ready to protest again so he rush to add "but I understand your worries. I'm afraid I don't have any answers myself, since I have never encounter nothing like this before, not even in my own experience, because this was nothing I have done, I never bit your mother until the moment we mated and I never ever offered to heal her wounds until after she was my mate, not did I felt the need to do it before. So you must understand why I'm as confused with all this as you are. I going to look for answers. I promise, and we are going to work things out. But you have to promise to me you would stop biting her, even though it's difficult, or think about giving yourself the opportunity to trust your instincts."

-"that's out of question" Inuyasha let out bitterly. Toga only sighed.

-"then keep your distant from her. And find a way to let her know what is happening, she deserves to know."

-"I know that." and he did but wasn't sure how was he going to tell her without having her hating him or worse, having her acting all understanding and trying to minimize his worries as his father had, and that was the thing he feared the most, because he knew that if it was her the one to tell him to trust his instincts and go with them he may as well go and do just that, and he definitely couldn't afford doing that.

Toga left right after finishing his conversation with Inuyasha, the seriousness of the matter too heavy on his shoulders to postpone it any minute more. After a quick call to Sesshoumaru to let him know he had to cover for him with the board (and insistently asking him to behave himself) he headed up to the western mountains, looking for the only youkai that had lived for as long as he had, or even more, and that may had the knowledge he so desperately needed. It was almost sunset when he got to the mountains where the great youkai wizard, Yourei-taisei, had his dwellings. Toga wasn't surprised to see him waiting for him at the entrance of his concealed home, one cup of tea on his hand and a knowing look on his wrinkled face.

-"So… did your pup do something again" he started with a concealed smirk on his face motioning for him to follow him inside.

-"In fact he did. But is something for what I do not have an explanation, and that's the reason I have come all the way to see you." Was Toga's answer. The older youkai just hummed in response and went to sit in front of the small table placed in the center of the room.

-"let me hear it, then. Let's see if I got an answer for what concerns you." he told him and motioned for Toga to sit with him.

–"he bit Kagome." Toga simply stated, taking the cup of tea he was offered.

–"you mean to tell me he mated the human?" the youkai wizard asked sipping on his tea.

–"that's the thing, he hadn't. he said he had just bitten her. Yet she carries his scent and some of his youki whenever he is not near her. And he acts with her as if he had already claim her, but he had yet to perform the mating ritual."

–"and you believe his words?" he asked tilting his head to the side.

–"None of them have a mating mark" Toga stated

–"that doesn't necessary mean they didn't mate, it could imply that she was not the one for him, the mark doesn't appear when the mates share a shallow bond."

–"I know that. But I still believe in my son's words. He hasn't mated with her. I know what you are thinking, because I thought the same when I first saw her, it is simply ridiculous, and yet it is true. Once you look at her closer, or better to say sniff her closer, you easily realize that. She is still a virgin. Her scent has not been perturbed by his the way it would had he taken her, it's more like it is embracing hers…? Like shielding her." Toga tried to explain what he had discover the best he could.

–"hum, that's it something I had not hear about in ages…" Yourei mused, taking another sip of his cup.

–"but you have heard something then" Toga pressed.

–"I have... back in the day there were rumors of humans carrying the scent of youkais without actually being their mates, it was long before we discover it was actually possible to find our perfect mate among these fragile creatures" he commented placing his cup on the table once more. "I believe everyone called it the intended mark"

–"intended mark?"

–"yes. It was said to served as a mean to mark the one you wish to take but for some reason or another couldn't or wouldn't do it at that moment. It was the way to say that this human had been chosen and to keep any other that wish to take them away from them. In a way it had the same purpose as the mating bond, at least for the youkai, it was said that they acted with their intendeds like they would with their formal mates" he paused to take another sip of his tea. "has your son decided to take this human for a mate?" he added, and Toga denied with his dead. " then why did he bite her to start with?"

–"he said it was to help her calm down. He said he did what he had seen me do to Izayoi when she is having a bad moment."

–"oh, I see, that thing you have for biting your mate to submit her to do as you wish." he said rolling his eyes.

–"hey, it is not that!" Toga defended

–"and yet that is exactly what you do. I swear, for as long as I live I would never understand inu's antics towards their mates. Why is there a need to bite them, Toga?" he asked curiosity clear in his eyes

–"it is not an antic. Is part of our instincts! And you are getting out of topic here." Toga said dropping the topic

–"ah, yes, yes. The girl. What did he need to help her calm down?"

–"her father died. Remember him, Keiichi Higurashi?" the hermit nodded "well, it was hard on her to accept it, and Inuyasha told me that when he saw her hurting he felt like he needed to do something to soothe her and that was when he remember me biting Izayoi and he just did it. After that he keep on doing it because it seem to help her overcome her grieving. He honestly believed he was just helping her. You should have seen the horror in his face when I told him that I believed he had taken her as his mate without telling me. That is the last thought that crossed his mind."

–"he is still against the idea of taking a mate?"

–"He is sure he will end up killing her"

–"and yet he had already set a claim on her, one that has not kill her yet."

–"I also doubt that such an outcome would come true, but that is what he believes, and had asked me if there is something that could be done to undo what he has done to her. That's why I request your assistance. Since you hear of this intended mark, you must know how it works and if it could be undone. It must be, right? Since it is not an official one."

–"hum. There is a way, but I don't think he would manage to make it." the hermit said this time scratching his belly

–"what does that mean?" Toga asked raising his eyebrow.

–"well, as you said it is not an official claim. So in order for it to continue existing it has to be maintain. Rumor has it, that if the youkai that set the intended claim on the human didn't come back after three days to redo it, it would cease to exist. But that only happened if such youkai was either dead or had lost his interest on the human. As I told you, the intended mark mean for the youkai the same as the mating one. And I'm pretty sure you understand what I mean." he told him, a tone of finality on his voice.

And he did, once claimed a youkai would never, never willingly leave their mates alone for long periods of time, nor would they be willingly relinquish their claims (not that that would be an option anyways). It was simply impossible even if they try, their instincts would pull them back to them. And it was even worse in the case of Inu youkais like them, their instincts demanded complete loyalty, and devotion to their mates, add to that mix the fact that his son was clearly in love with the girl and you would get an impossible mission there.

He still remember how he looked like when he had been apart from her for almost two days, searching in the forest, it was the exact reaction you would expect from a newly mated male, on edge all the time, his soul demanding for him to get back to his mate. But still, Inuyasha was not aware of the seriousness of his actions then and clearly didn't understand what was happening, now thought, he knew what was at risk, maybe that would be enough for him to stand being away from her the enough time for the mark to disappear.

–"I have to thank you Yourei. You proved yourself a great help today." Toga said

–"I doubt I had been of any help other than giving you information. I seriously doubt your boy is going to be able to relinquish his intended claim, and even if he manage to be away from her the enough time for it to disappear I can assure you that it wouldn't take long for him to set it again. The boy should stop being an idiot and listen to what his instincts are telling him and take the human as his mate."

–"believe me when I tell you that I wish it would be that simple. I'm afraid I understand my son's fears on the matter. From the beginning with his unexpected transition to the moment in which he turned into full youkai, all had been everything but normal with him, so I understand the reason behind his reasoning and unwillingness to trust his own instincts. I know how important Kagome is for him, and I would not want to see my son suffering a lost like that just because we were willing to gamble with our possibilities."

–"hum… I still believe he is being an idiot." The wizard said and turned to get out of the room. "Still it was nice to see you, Toga. I sincerely hoped things work out well for your pup."

-"I hope the same, old friend, I hope the same." Toga murmured, but was sure the old youkai heard him. He took his leave then, somehow pleased to have an answer for what was happening, though it seemed that it would require more than just the knowledge on the matter for things to go the way his son wished.