When she walked into the room, her scent called to him and unwillingly, Toga tightened his grip on the young woman in his arms. Her voice was soft, light and melodious yet still stern. He listened as she scolded but eventually returned his attention back to Kagome. When she came to stand beside him and set her hand on her daughters head, Toga finally allowed himself to look at her.
It took everything he had, his vast amounts of self-control, to hide his reaction to her. His beast clawed at the bindings, itching to scent and to mark, to claim. He couldn't allow it, not now, possibly never. Already the situation between the two families was convoluted. Closing his eyes, he turned back to Kagome and carefully set her away from him. "Chin up, pup," he said quietly, chucking her under the chin.
Kagome, calm and ready to face the world again, nodded and smiled softly at first Toga and then her mother. "Thank you, for helping."
Nodoka couldn't help herself as a little bit of color rose to her cheeks. It had been a very, very long time since a man had looked at her like that. Licking her lips and resisting the silly urge to pat her hair into place, she turned to her daughter and pulled Kagome to her feet. "I want you to move back home," she said softly, glancing back at the still closed-off bedroom.
Blue eyes closed for a millisecond, before Kagome shook her head. "I can't do that. The only reason I panicked so much, aside from all the blood, is because I honestly never thought I'd see him again. Now that I know he's back, I'll be on my guard." Disgusted and allowing the first surge of anger to rise, she glanced dispassionately back at her room, before turning back to the two before her. "He won't know what hit him, if he tries to come here again."
Toga hid a smile. "Would you except an offer of an alarm system?" he asked.
Kagome studied him, once again taking in the similarities between him, Sesshoumaru and a male that was oddly quiet by the door of the apartment. "You're going to install one whether I want it or not, aren't you, so why ask?"
"Kagome!" Nodoka was both shocked and pleased; it was good to see the old sparks of her daughter return.
"That is quite alright, Higurashi-san, your daughter is correct," he couldn't help himself and winked at Kagome. "As part of the Tashio pack now you would be asking us to ignore our instincts. As a trained miko, I'm sure you're aware such actions do not garner positive consequences."
o.O.o
Word Count: 316
