Reasons

Sesshoumaru watched her from across the room, glancing up every now and then from his chess game with his father. Despite his attempt to put some distance between them, the demon Lord found it was near impossible to stop what had already begun. His traitorous heart was already starting to thaw, the years of ice he had built around it cracking.

Toga followed his son's gaze and smiled. "She isn't poisonous, you know," he murmured, returning his attention to the game and moving a rook.

"Hn. This one is well aware of what she is and is not." Sighing silently, he glanced at the board and moved a pawn to take a bishop.

"I'm not so sure of that, my boy," said the elder demon with a chuckle. "No male will ever know everything of a woman."

"What this one does not know about her are minor, unimportant details that do not bear learning." He didn't look at her again, instead focusing his attention solely on the board and his father.

Toga laughed out loud at that even as he moved his rook again, taking one of the boy's rooks. "It is the details that matter, Sesshoumaru. Always look for the details." Shaking his head, he turned to look at the girl again and sighed. "She is a strong young lady; you would be lucky to have her as your mate."

Sesshoumaru snorted and took the rook with his queen. "I will not mate. You know this. Especially not to a nigen."

Raising a brow, Toga leaned back in his chair for a moment to study his son. "Your Rin was a human, since you seem to have forgotten. And your human over there is also a Miko who has proven time and again she is more than capable."

"It matters not. I will not mate her. Once the pup is born, she will return to her life and we will share custody." Narrowing his eyes at Toga, he castled his rook and king.

"Then you are leading her on, Sesshoumaru, and that is a disgustingly dishonorable thing." Sighing, he moved his queen to a defensive position. "If you have no intentions towards her, you should not have invited her to share this home with you."

Shaking his head, he said, "It was for her protection. She is a grown woman and fully capable of refusing such an offer."

"Then why are you so bent on protecting her? She has barriers around her shop and apartment, yes? Discounting the pup, why do you care so much that she is safe?" demanded the elder sharply but quietly.

The sneer rose without thought and Sesshoumaru stood. "It matters not. It is not of your concern."

"She is entirely my concern," Toga answered coldly, standing as well to glare at his son. The only thing that stopped him from unleashing his yoki was the children in the apartment and his desire to keep this between them. "She carries my grandpup. That makes her Pack, Sesshoumaru and if you will not do the honorable thing and mate her, I will."

Gold eyes immediately started to bleed red and he grabbed his father's arm, his claws digging into the older man's skin. "You will not touch her," he snarled softly.

Toga smirked and easily pulled his arm free. "You should stop pushing people away; it only handicaps you." Shaking his head, he left the board game and went into the kitchen, mockingly demanding his dinner.

o.O.o

Word Count - 505