Pause

Toga, Inu no Tashio, was an old man. Perhaps not as old as Bokusenou but he was getting up there in years. He had two sons, a daughter-in-law and he'd had, at one point, a granddaughter. A year ago, it never crossed his mind that he would be worried about his eldest son. Having just signed over the company to Sesshoumaru and preparing for Christmas with his small, diverse family, he never would have guessed the world would come crashing down around his ears.

Now, as he leaned back in his chair and studied the report he'd received earlier in the evening, he was concerned. He knew many still lauded him as a brilliant tactician and warrior, an opponent never to be underestimated. However, for the first time in many years, Toga was stumped.

He knew of everything Sesshoumaru planned, from the brother in university to the eventual removal of her son. It both shamed and filled him with pride, the lengths he was going to. On the other hand, he also knew of Touzuko and his supposed disappearance after the accident that had taken little Rin's life. There were times, especially after the loss of that bright little girl, that he wondered what the Higurashi girl had been thinking to remain with an obviously mental man. He wondered, if she had left sooner, if Rin would still be alive.

All of that aside though, Toga was also very much aware of the child growing in her womb. Completely ignoring the issue between the two parents, he was very well aware of the physical problems the pup would provide, considering his youkai and miko heritage.

With everything to consider, the Inu no Tashio was for the first time in centuries, given reason to pause before he jumped into action.

o.O.o

Word Count: 299