Chapter VII: Fu's Observations, and Lao Shi's Condition

Canal Street Electronics had seen better days. But after years of Lao Shi protecting and defending it, while still in his old age, it was now begin to show wear and tear after so much time. Still, Lao Shi remained in a state of almost paralytic agony, his entire form held together through sheer willpower, and the simple emotion of love.

Fu Dog, his faithful Animal Guardian again dabbed a cool rag against the old dragon's steaming forehead; he was stretched out in dragon form, his scales much paler than before. Lao Shi was near to death, and he knew it.

"Water please, Fu," said Lao Shi softly, his voice an almost inaudible crack.

Fu Dog winced inwardly as he pattered to the kitchen to fill a glass with water. His paws were trembling as he walked back to the old man slowly, relishing every moment of life that he still saw within his body.

The bell above the door of the shop rang as someone entered, Fu held his breath until he saw Justin Long's head poke around the corner and into the back room, "How is he?" said Justin, worry etched on his face.

"He's doing even worse kid," said Fu Dog, as he helped the old dragon drink the water.

Lao Shi gulped down the water weakly, and glanced in the direction of his youngest great-grandson, "It's good-," he coughed and wheezed wetly, his breath coming out as smoke, "to see you Justin," he coughed again, "Damian was here, a while ago," he motioned to a cup of tea on the counter, and smiled, "he brought me tea,"

Justin sniffed the tea with disgust, he hated jasmine tea.

He turned back to his great-grandfather with worry, "I brought you something better," he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small muffin, "your favorite muffin,"

Lao Shi smiled, It brought joy to his heart to see the beautiful muffin that had become his favorite over the years, "With pixie dust toppings?"

"It wouldn't be a Deluxe Pixie Muffin if it didn't," said Justin with a smile.

"He can't eat that junk kid," said Fu with a serious face, "you have better hand that over to me for safe keeping, to make sure that gramps doesn't eat it,"

Justin frowned, "At least give him a small taste of it," he broke off a small piece of the muffin and held it to his great-grandfather's mouth. The old man chewed vigorously, enjoying the amazing taste of the muffin.

Justin broke the remaining muffin in two and shoved one half into his own mouth, throwing the remainder to his faithful animal guardian.

"Thanks Kid," said Fu with a grin, his tail thumped joyfully against the ground.

"Djon't menchtion it," replied Justin with his mouth full of food, he turned to get a glass from the counter, accidently knocking the cup of tea over, "Crap, I'm sorry Fu," he muttered apologetically, "disgusting tasting thing anyway,"

Fu shrugged, "The old man didn't like it anyway, said it tasted funny,"

Justin laughed, "I could imagine, that tea always tastes bad Fu," he paused, "Dad said that you had information on those two shade demon things,"

Fu nodded as he walked over to the wall of books, pulling a green one from the shelf he opened it on the floor, the image of a black scaled appeared, "A few good years ago, long before you and Damian were born, there was a dragon called the Dark Dragon,"

Justin nodded, "The one that mom and dad sent into the next dimension?"

"The one and only," replied Fu, he turned the page, lesser formed shade demons materialized above it, "the shade demons were connected to the Dark Dragon's own dark magical powers, he was too powerful for any one dragon, the only dragons to ever survive against him are actually of your bloodline, the old man and your old man,"

Justin flashed a lopsided grin, "What can I say Fu, my blood is simply gifted,"

Fu scratched behind his ear vigorously, "Pretty much kid, from what we saw that night, and from what my research shows, the arrival of these shade brothers as they call themselves, can mean only one thing,"

Justin nodded, "The Dark Dragon is back,"

Fu frowned, "No, it would mean that his powers are somehow leaking through the dimensional gateway. We need to find the leak and clog it before he himself manages to ooze his way into our dimension once again,"

Justin nodded, "I hear ya Fu, I'll update dad on the status,"

Fu smiled, "You do that kid, and tell your mom I said Hi,"

"I will," replied Justin, he walked over to his great-grandfather and embraced the older dragon, who was now in a deep sleep, "sleep well great grampa, I'll see you tomorrow okay?"

Lao Shi's steady snoring was his only response. Justin turned to leave, when Fu Dog stopped him at the door, "You shouldn't think too much about gathering more power for yourself Justin, I know that both you and your brother desire more power, he to protect you, and you to protect yourself, but it'll come in time," he smiled, "look at your dad, do you think he got that powerful over night? Hoo-boy, I think not, he took years to reach that level,"

Justin grinned, "I know Fu, I know,"


NOTE: The Thousand Year Curse Will Be taking a brief two week break from updates so that I may work more closely on The Blood That Binds Us' plot and chapters, as well as a few oneshots and other possible stories. I look forward to your continued support AND reviews to assist me in my writing progress.

Chapter 18 of the Thousand Year Curse will be uploaded on the 20th of July 2010.

Updates for the Following Weeks are as follows:

Week 1 (4th July-10th July)

Blood That Binds Us Chapter 8

Blood That Binds Us Chapter 9

The Paradise Snare

Week 2 (11 July-17 July)

Blood That Binds Us Chapter 10

The Paradise Snare

During the two weeks at any point in time:

Two/Three Untitled Oneshots and a single oneshot/possible story

Please read and review, lend your support so I may continue writing as much as I can. Thanking you in advance for your loyal support and reviews.

JakeRoss2