Chapter 10

It was oddly… comfortable.

Yua was left to tend to Toji's kids and her son, but they were very well behaved little ones. After having a big lunch, they wanted to merely sleep but be close to someone to do so.

In other words, it was just like looking after Suiryu and Yuuji when they weren't in their right frame of minds! Toji's children were quiet, yet, when they slept, they were certain to rest on Yua, some even dared to hold on to her and brace her close to themselves.

She didn't mind the least bit.

"Yua?" came a gentle voice.

Peering to the doorway, Choso had come. He smiled to her as he looked at the children. "I see they are still full from their meal."

She nodded. "For the time being yes, but I think they are going to wake up soon and be quite hungry. How's everything?"

"The venue is all set up for the show. Suiryu has Sukuna with him and is making sure he stays there for the duration of it. Little brother told me he is having trouble with Kiyoshi… he's drawn to Sukuna."

She heard about it too, Kiyoshi has the same innocence as his father does, but at the moment, he doesn't appear to be aware of the danger before him. "I want to help out with this too, but…" she said and peered at the children. "I worry that Sukuna has a terrible plan in place…"

Choso agreed. "Lady Tiamat was concerned, but she didn't appear worried about it. At the same time, perhaps she is leaving this to Yuuji for it is his child…"

She nodded to that.

"We will keep a close eye on this, at the same time… something is happening to Sukuna."

Choso pulled up a chair. "Would you explain to me what you see?"

She was surprised but nodded to him. Yua explained ever since her curse energy returned, she can see things a lot more clearly again. Sukuna's curse energy… was something she has never really seen before. "It's altering, at the same time, I can sense so much of it trying to penetrate his body. But the collar and the cuffs on his person, is blocking and absorbing that extra curse energy away from him… I am starting to think he didn't go mad with power on purpose."

Choso paused to her observation. He considered her words carefully. "You believe that he is the way he is because he couldn't control the amount of energy entering his body?"

She nodded. "I think it does something to him, but I also believed whatever his reasons are for being born… was to become something like a monster, blinded by power and lashing out against the world. What we see now, is nothing compared to what he should be acting like. Even with all the terrible things he has done, I think it could have been a lot worst."

Choso was silent.

Perhaps this maybe too far fetched to believe, but at the same time. Yua is sensing this, she is seeing it far more clearly than ever before. But, why is she only noticing it now? This phenomenon should have occurred when he possessed Yuuji, and yet…

"So his actions aren't completely his own, are they?" Choso asked.

"Some of them, no, but, if he is like this, how did he get a clear head? How was he able to become… rather conscious of his actions? That I am still trying to figure out. Also, my family… they are connected to him."

"You think so?" Choso asked curiously.

"Like it or not, I have some of his abilities too. My natural ability to pick up on a person's technique and expanding on the notion, I had that before my reincarnation. But he has that ability too…"

"He has killed many of your kin too, in order to obtain power, hasn't he?"

"That's the other factor I am taking into consideration." She sighed aloud, not knowing where to go from this information. Before the conversation could continue, Shin cried out.

"PHEW you need a change don't you?" Yua snickered.

"Allow me," Choso was gracious, he took Shin and changed him for her. She was grateful for his help as well, he has always been courteous to Yua.

"Thank you Choso, you would make a great father,"

He froze to her comment, yet. He peered away. "Considering what my mother went through… I wouldn't dare put anyone else through such torment. I'll be happy tending to the young of others. For children of my own are not in the realm of possibility."

She felt terrible after. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to sound…"

But he smiled to her. "The fact that you believe in such an idea for the likes of me… it's truly a compliment I could never return. Thank you,"

Yua will be far more mindful from this moment on as to what she says around Choso and the brothers.

"Umph…" little calls came from Toji's children. Their eyes slowly opened up as they stretched themselves out and yawned. They appeared content, and weren't startled by where they were.

"Did you rest well, young ones?" Choso asked gently.

They nodded. "I'm hungry," came from one of the boys.

"Me too," chimed the other two and the sisters.

"I'm rather hungry too, let's go get some dinner." Yua said gently.

#

Yua was able to cook a good meal for the children, herself and Choso. When she served them their dish, they were surprised to how much there was. "Don't hold back," she insisted.

The boys dug right in, using their hands more than anything, yet, they paused and saw Choso eating with chopsticks. It took a little getting use to, but they were able to copy him and ate more politely. The girls caught on fast after Yua showed them how to use the utensils.

They ate rather quietly, but the children appeared pleased with their meal. "Are you going to be staying with your father from now on?" she asked them curiously.

The children nodded. "Mom said that we should, but also we need to observe dad very closely. At the same time, I want to know big brother Megumi more!" said one of the boys.

"Me too!" chimed the other two.

"Momma told us we need to see how males interact with females, since the dragons have it all backwards." Said one of the daughters. "We know we don't like the way dragons try to get a female, she we want to see what is proper"

"You sound a lot more mature than you look," Yua said and snickered.

"We're dragons, we learn fast and grow faster!" said one of the boys. "But… I want to learn from Choso too… he takes good care of you, and yet, he's not your mate or anything!"

Yua smiled to him. "Choso is a very dear friend to me." Yua said. Which took Choso by surprise! "He has had some difficulties in life, as have I. At the same time, I find he has excellent insight on many things that I might overlook myself. Young ladies, Choso is a male you would want. He listens to what you have to say and make suggestions if perhaps the idea is not as sound as you believe it to be. I also trust him very much."

"Yua…" he whispered.

"It's true Choso. If anything, if they want to learn how to be a good person, especially the boys, they should learn from you."

Suddenly, the young males peered over at him, then, they huddled. "What do you think? We have a father and older brothers…"

"But we don't know if older brothers are going to eat us yet…"

"Same with father…"

"I can assure you right now, that won't happen. Especially on MY watch." Yua said with great determination. "As well, you don't have to learn everything from family. Others like Choso can offer you great insight on thing. Also, take into consideration, HE looked after your mother when she was carrying your older brothers, and look how powerful they turned out to be."

Their eyes widened. The three boys peered at Choso once more. "Will you teach us?" they asked of him.

He smiled. "I will do so proudly."

"What about us?" asked the girls as they pouted. "How come the boys get everything…"

Yua snickered. "I'll teach you ladies as to what you want to find in a male, but, what I explain is merely a suggestion. Every female has a trait they like to see in a male for themselves. What you like may differ from your sister too. One may like a male who is funny and fun. Another may want a male who is mature and well read."

"Mature?"

"Funny?" the girls asked.

"You are going to meet lots of new people, and you will see how everyone is different. Then, you can start deciding what you wish to have in a partner. My male is a bit off… he's funny but at the same time, he acts like a child. BUT I know I can count on him when I need him." said Yua. "Also, what Choso is teaching your brothers can also be taught to you. It's not limited to males or females"

They appeared to be considering her words carefully. Choso nodded with approval as they did so. "How would you boys like to learn to make blankets?" he asked.

They paused. "You mean the really soft ones on momma's bed?"

"He made most of those, and your father made some too." Said Yua.

They turned back to Choso with great interest. "Teach us!"

"Us too!" said the girls.

"I do believe we have our after dinner activity." Choso said proudly.