His Son

The leader of the pack looked around the den, pretty surprised. It wasn't normal for the den to look so clean and in order. He had six daughters, there were always toys and clothes laying around, no matter how hard his mate was scolding their offspring.

But now the den was in a neat order, which was a bit anxiety-inspiring. For a moment he was thinking if he could goad his youngest - three years old - girl to throw some of her toys across the room. The lengths the females had went to put the den in the order just for this one day made him a bit jealous, because they never had done it for him. He just shook his head and looked at all seven of his women. They were finishing preparing the table in the corner of the den. The table was another thing that came to his den after the mating - his beloved lady did want them to enjoy meals around it. With a hint of annoyance he realized every single one of them had her hair done and was wearing her best clothes.

'As if the guest was coming to see all of them, not only Tohru. He doesn't care for the rest, don't they know that?' He sighed and frowned, thinking about the boy he was about to meet for the first time in his life. He didn't like the idea of his girls having suitors or admirers, but it was a rule of life, he had to let them find their mates. And all of them were pretty, strong girls, true gifts from the heavans. Still, he was going to test the lad to make sure he was worthy of his precious daughter. 'Hell, he isn't worthy!' He growled and saw his oldest girl approach him. She looked collected and determined.

"Dad," she said. "Stop growling. And be civil when he comes, okay? I really want you two to get along."

"He's a sweet boy," his mate piped in. "You really should be home more often, dear, he visited us already twice and you always were away."

"Because you were inviting him when I was away!" he glared at her and she smiled innocently.

"Oh, don't be so grumpy. It's a happy day, you're going to meet Tohru's future mate," she teased and he growled.

"He first has to go through me!" he hissed. The females just giggled at him. He was the leader, he could prevent the mating if he wanted, but he knew the females of his family would give him hell if he did that without a good reason. Aki, the youngest, called from her spot by the entrance to the den.

"He's coming!" And just like that Tohru was gone, obviously to meet the boy, followed by the flock of girls. He straightened his clothes and went after them at a much slower pace. He was the male of the family, he had to appear regal and not anxious and annoyed at the guest.

"Tohru!" called a happy male voice. It sounded rough and strong. When the not-too-happy father took a tentative sniff he could smell a canine. 'At least he's not a cat,' he thought.

He froze when he saw the youth handing flowers to each of his women, starting with his mate and then Aki, following their age order until he reached Tohru. He felt his youki rise when he saw the boy nuzzle her cheek affectionately and put a red chrysanthemum behind her pointed ear. The girl giggled and gave him a nuzzle of her own.

The boy was tall and lean. He was moving with the grace of a predator, someone who was used to fighting. But there was no anxiety in his body language, just warmth, kindness and a cocky confidence. His hair was long and well-kept, his ears alert to every noise, turning this way and that. At the boy's hip hung a katana which looked like a less battered replica of a sword the pack leader had once been fighting against.

"You!" the father roared. Everyone froze and looked at him, the girls moving to the sides when they saw their father practically running towards them. The boy's golden eyes looked straight into his, challenging him as the boy wrapped an arm around Tohru's waist. The girl didn't move away from him, just glared at her father. He growled and pointed a finger at the white-haired, dog-eared youth in red and green kimono.

"You're his son!"

"Feh," the boy shrugged. "My old man told me to say hi from him to you, old man," he was obviously unafraid. The older male readied himself to jump and kick the youth's behind.

"You...!"

"Kouga!" his mate grabbed him by his arm, digging her claws in his skin. "Behave!"

"But, Ayame, he's his son! I don't-"

"So what? Tohru loves him and they'll be mates soon, so get used to seeing him around," their daughters led the boy inside the den, happily talking to him and ignoring their father. Kouga saw the son of the inu-hanyou look back over his shoulder at him and pulling his daughter closer to his side before the couple went inside. The annoying golden eyes held amusement and smug confidence in their depths. They were just like the eyes he had hated all those years ago and still didn't like.

"Inuyasha!" the wolf leader roared.

Far, far away, in a hut in Kaede's village, a single white ear twitched and a smirk spread across one smug hanyou's lips.

"Touga's at Kouga's again," Inuyasha informed his wife and mate.

"Ah, that's nice. I hope Tohru will come over for a dinner again soon," Kagome replied, focused on her task of stirring their food. "Stop lazing around and go hunt for the kids, the soup's almost ready."