Chapter 14

They were able to bring Junpei back home, much to the delight of Yuuji who appeared to have been worried sick about him. From the corner of his eye, Junpei saw Itadori pacing about, as the brothers were careful to carry him back to his room. He kept close by until Junpei was settled in his own bed again, from there. Yuuji climbed up the side, sat next to him and said.

"UMPH!"

Junpei smirked a little as he heard Yuuji. But, the smile quickly vanished as Itadori was on the brink of tears. "Hey… it's okay… I'll recover…" he whispered weakly.

Yet something troubled him as he looked over the wound. The gash has yet to heal, it bothered Yuuji until he made another called. "UMP!"

"Young master?"

Peering up, Kitsune appeared, but once she saw Junpei, she froze. "What… How on earth did you survive!?" she demanded and began to inspect the wound.

"Survive?" Junpei whispered. "Oh yeah, the blade as covered in something…"

"Basilisk venom!" she protested. "That should have killed you nearly instantly! How did you survive that!?" Kitsune demanded once more.

Junpei shrugged. "Luck?"

She glared at him and went to work suddenly. She inspected the wound herself and nodded. "Definitely basilisk venom… and yet…" she peered up at the bruise on his chest over his heart. "Someone… gave you an anti venom… that's even more rare than the Basilisk venom!"

"But, will I be okay? I still can't move anything…" Junpei asked.

She nodded. "The anti venom was injected shortly after you were wounded. Whoever did this… knew what they were doing. The fact remains though what they put in you was powerful, the counter had to be made from a stronger venom… who possesses such a thing?" she muttered.

"Umph… mp.. Um!" came out of Yuuji.

"What did he say?"

Kitsune sighed. "I don't know the full speech pattern of a dragon, but I think he is asking me to heal your wound."

Yuuji nodded and tapped the side of his nose. "Young master, I cannot." She said gently.

His shoulders slumped instantly, then, he paused for a moment before he pointed to himself. "You are far too young to do something so big. Your strength has grown, I do admit, young master. However, the more power you use, the longer you will remain in your current state. As well, you have yet to show if you can use your abilities yet."

"It's okay Yuuji…" Junpei said weakly, however, there was that look in his eyes. "Don't even…" but he paused as he felt four little hands press on his wound. Junpei froze, the wound felt as if someone poured molten lava on his body!

"GGGAAAAHHHHH!" he roared in agony.

Yuuji suddenly pulled back as Junpei suddenly folded over in pain. It spread through his core once again, but it stopped as quickly as it occurred. Junpei was sweating blood at this point, he was somehow, able to roll himself onto his back once more.

"LITTLE BROTHER!"

Choso came bursting into the room, he was quick to inspect him and yet, he looked relieved. "Thank goodness, wait… it healed over…"

"What did?" Peering down, the hole that was in his stomach had vanished. Yuuji's chest puffed out proudly.

"Well done, young master, you healed him perfectly. But no more. If you use any more of your gathered strength, you will be stuck a while longer in this state, perhaps another two years." She warned.

Yuuji froze however he put his hand over his heart and right hand up, as if he vowed he wouldn't do so again.

"So, his power is returning?" Choso asked.

"Some of it, this is the point where a young dragon will learn of their energy control. He has a ways to go yet, but he was confident enough to try and heal Junpei. He did well, not to mention, he should start singing soon."

"Singing?"

"Umph?" the room questioned.

She giggled at their reaction. "Of course, when a young dragon learns to sing, they strengthen their vocal cords, it helps with their speech later on,"

Suddenly, Yuuji's wings when up, covering his whole upper body. Junpei froze as he did such a thing. "Yuuji… are you embarrassed?" he asked with a slight snicker to his voice.

"Umph…" came out of him.

Kitsune giggled with glee. "He is so adorable when he is embarrassed." She said offhandedly. "Young master, this is part of growing up… especially for a young dragon. The louder one sings, the stronger their voice is. Which means, they will have a mighty roar as an adult!" she said with great passion.

Yuuji was silent on the matter. He kept himself hidden. Junpei smirked as he found the strength to pull Yuuji into his right arm. "Hey, it's okay…" he said. "None of us are going to mock you for it."

Choso froze, as did Kitsune. "Since when could you move your arm!?" she demanded.

He paused oddly. "Well I was folded over in pain earlier, my sense of touch is slowly returning… I think I can almost move again."

"You shouldn't have been able to recover this fast…" she said.

"Perhaps little brother is a lot stronger than he appears." Choso said proudly. "Still, I won't let you push yourself too much. Rest, okay?"

Junpei nodded, as he got comfortable again. Choso was quick to take Yuuji back. "Come little brother, I think we need to help Suiryu with what he wishes to do next…"

Choso left before Junpei could ask him what he meant, yet sighed aloud. Much to his surprise though, Kitsune remained at his side. "Anything else you wanted to say?" he asked of her.

"Basilisk poison can come in waves. However, whoever gave you the anti venom, ensured it was far stronger than the poison you took in. In due time, you will recover completely with no adverse side effects. Remarkable… I do wonder if Choso is to thank for this as well…"

"Choso?" he asked.

"He was with you in close proximity, correct? He has the dragon's blessing. I have heard rumors, those who are close to one with a blessing like that… then to benefit from it as well."

Even when it doesn't seem like it, Choso is still protecting him and his brothers. "Kitsune… thank you,"

"I didn't do a thing."

"Not, but thank you for answering Yuuji's call. You didn't have to."

"I will always answer his call, he is my young master and I have pledged myself to him." she said in a matter of fact tone.

Junpei smiled and nodded as he began to fall back asleep…