Chapter 8

The children woke.

The moment they did, they paused when someone unknown entered the communal kitchen. However, unlike all others they have seen, this one was interesting to them.

Toji could tell by the looks on their faces. "Papa, who is that?" one of the girls asked.

He peered over. "Oh, that's Yua Tooru" he explained. "Why do you ask?"

They were silent, but kept peering at her oddly. "Oh? It appears the children are aware of those around them…" Lady Tiamat stated.

Yua, oblivious to what was going on, suddenly turned but jumped a little. "Oh, I didn't realize everyone was here… sorry, baby brain at the moment…" she said offhandedly.

Lady Tiamat smiled. "Yua, are you going to Suiryu's concert later?" she asked.

Politely she shook her head no. "It's too loud for Shin, I don't think it would be best if I went." She said gently.

"May I ask a favor then…" she stepped aside, Yua froze to the five new little faces looking at her. "Toji and I had children of our own, I know he has to be in the concert tonight, can I trouble you to babysit?"

Yua continued to stand there frozen. "You… and Toji… already?!" she asked with amazement. "I shouldn't have underestimated him…"

"HEY!" Toji snapped back.

"I don't mind, but will they be comfortable around me? I haven't been properly introduced…" in the blink of an eye, the children went from Toji's lap to standing before Yua, they inspected her oddly, looking at her up and down and went as far as sniffing! Toji was a little taken aback but the children settled.

"She's okay mom, if you trust her, so do we." One of the sons decreed.

She smiled and nodded. "I trust Yua very much, she helped raise your older brothers, Yuuji and Suiryu." She said gently.

Suddenly, they were rather interested in her. "They helped big brothers get really big and strong… so she can help US get big and strong too…" the brothers whispered.

"BUT" chimed in Suiryu. "That only happened since we listened to those who took care of us. Even if she isn't mom, you need to respect her like mom, understood?"

They froze to the decree but understood, Toji smirked, they believe that if they do as they are told, they will grow up to be just as powerful as Yuuji and Suiryu… damn, why didn't he think of that?

"Isn't there something you want to say… DAD!" Suiryu said in a stern and yet overly obvious tone.

He sighed aloud. "Yua, I would appreciate your help in looking after my kids as I do this concert… I'll… pay you." He said the last part reluctantly.

Yua laughed it off. "If anything Toji, just keep up with the hunting. I appreciate all you gather for us, since it allows us to have such great food all the time. We'll call it even at the moment."

He was rather taken aback, normally everyone wants something from someone. Yua… is oddly reasonable. He smirked a little. "A favor then, I owe you a favor." He insisted.

She agreed to that. "Are you five hungry?" she asked.

"We just ate, but we are tired." Said one of the girls.

"I am just going to have something to eat, we will go and rest after, okay?" she said gently.

"Yua, use my chambers, it's wide enough for everyone to rest in comfort." Lady Tiamat insisted.

Yua accepted the offer. She was quick to get something to eat before tending to Shin. He was fed and changed before she ushered the children out and to lady Tiamat's residence.

"She's a remarkable young woman…" Lady Tiamat said. "But she is about to become even more so…"

"What do you mean mom?" Yuuji questioned.

"I even smelt it." Toji said offhandedly. "Ever since she had a kid of her own, curse energy around her acts differently. No doubt the big bastard is observing it too, he has been avoiding Yua, haven't you noticed?"

Suiryu was silent on the matter. "I have, but didn't know what to make of it. The curse energy too, it's different around her."

Yuuji nodded in agreement. "Is something happening to her?" he asked in a concerning tone.

Lady Tiamat merely smiled to them. "Yes, but now is not the time to speak of it. Besides, nothing has been written in stone yet. A few things need to occur still before I can explain any farther."

"Occur?" muttered Suiryu and Yuuji.

"But that is all for now. Toji, I leave our children in your hands. Since I know my uncle will not be pleased to learn of our new editions. I wish to keep them here for safe keeping."

"Uh…"

"I knew you would understand. Megumi, please keep an eye on your siblings."

He sighed with defeat, but nodded in agreement. She left as quickly as she came, yet Toji still couldn't wrap his mind around it.

A father yet again…

"You better raise them better than how you raised me," Megumi warned him. "I am not going to pick up your slack either." He then paused. "How on earth do I be a good older brother?"

Choso, still lingered, a gentle hand came onto Megumi's shoulder. "You already are one, you have looked after Yuuji and Nobara as a protective older sibling. You know the basics, just put them into practice when needed." He said with great encouragement. "I'll assist however I can…"

"Thanks Choso…" he sighed aloud still. "I better get ready, I really don't want to be in a band…"

Suiryu smirked. "Until I find a replacement bass player, you need to stick it out for now, or there are going to be bad rumors about us."