Chapter 17
Choso felt it.
It radiated in him. Ever since the incident in the city, he could feel something was happening to Yuuji and Junpei. He settled though when Junpei returned and explained what occurred. Yet there was still something going on. "Choso?"
He snapped out of his blank stare as he heard his name called. Sho was concerned. "You're really focused. Everything okay?"
He shook his head. "I just… felt something change in our little brother Yuuji," he said gently. "It's radiating off of him, as if something is about to happen. I'm worried…"
Sho nodded. "Ever since Suiryu told us about what occurred in the city, I agree. These divine users appear to be just as difficult as the curse users."
"Not only that, but they are working together, using different factions to gain what they desire… The odds are starting to stack against us."
Sho sighed and nodded to the news. "So, what do we do? We have to protect little brother, now more than ever before."
"I agree, but how?" Choso wanted to have Yuuji move into their dorms so he will be close by, however the idea was refused. He insisted he was fine where he was. But as of late, there have been some strange things happening.
For one, all their best towels and blankets have disappeared over the past few days. No one knows where they went to, Junpei was the last to do laundry and insisted that he everything properly. "You know how Eso is when it's not clean around here," Junpei stated in his defense. "I swear though, I put all those away."
Choso decided to do a little investigating.
He went to the boy's dorms, he invited himself in but found no one was home. Everything appeared to be normal here as well until he checked their linin closet. It had been cleaned out completely. Same with their towels in the bathroom, a few were left behind but they were old and a little ragged.
"Even here too,"
"Can I help you?"
Choso turned to see Megumi lingering behind him. "Are you the one stealing our stuff?"
"No," Choso said. "I am trying to see if maybe some of our things came over here. We're missing all our best towels and blankets, no one knows where they have gone to."
"Strange, Nobara and my Saipan have said the same thing."
Choso paused to the news. "Have you checked the rooms?"
Megumi hesitated to speak on the notion, but then it hit Choso too. "Do you think…" he began to ask.
However Megumi merely nodded his head to him. The two turned and stared down to Yuuji's room. With a collective nod of agreement, they went to see for themselves. Choso opened to be the one to open the door, when he did though, a moment of pause came over him.
The room was full of bedding and towels!
"What the hell…" Megumi whispered as he peered in. "He's taking all the stuff?"
Choso was concerned. "Why is he hoarding bedding and towels?"
"I don't know, but it could be something serious right?"
Neither knew what to do at this point, Yuuji is gathering all these materials for a strange reason. But why?
#
Yuuji couldn't help it.
Let alone understand why he couldn't stop himself.
He's been a bit of a klepto as of late, taking anything he found soft and comfortable back to his room and keeping it in a corner. At the moment, he's found himself unable to leave Gojo sensei's room. He snuck in without permission, all because he saw his sensei return from the city with something that caught his eye. Peering about the room, he found what gained his attention. Sensei just got a new terrycloth bathrobe and to Yuuji, it felt like heaven! 'It's so soft... so warm… I want it!' he thought to himself.
Normally he would feel guilty about taking something, yet as of late, that sensation was gone. He felt if he wanted it, he could have and take it for himself without asking or permission. The bathrobe was the latest treasure to be added to his collection.
He was quick to sneak it back to his dorm, when he came into the room he started to arrange everything on the floor. Towels went first, giving a firm and yet soft base, and then the fitted sheets would go around the pile but keep everything together. He would then place down the loosely fitted one, then the comforters and bigger blankets, and top it all off with the softest things he could find and liked.
He smiled to his work before he eased himself onto the odd contraption. Yuuji nearly startled himself as a deep purr escaped from him! 'What the hell…' he thought.
"Oh young master. What a lovely nest you made!"
Peering up, he saw Kitsune who smiled so proudly at him. She even took a closer look at it all and nodded her approval. "It's sturdy and yet soft and functional. Well done." She said again.
He smiled to her, and then his stomach rumbled.
'Umph," he said aloud.
She giggled. "I figured that hard work would make you hungry…" She merely reached behind her and took out the large bottle once more. But, it looked different this time around. Yuuji paused and stared at it oddly. "Oh, you noticed it's different right? I had to move you on to a bigger bottle. The other one wasn't filling you up anymore." She explained gently.
He merely nodded his head as he took the drink, somehow it was becoming a lot sweeter to him, it tasted better and the thickness of the milk really filled his stomach. He didn't realize until he was done that Itadori was lying on his back and suckled away at his drink! When he suddenly noticed his own actions, he sat up right away and appeared embarrassed.
Kitsune giggled. "You are adorable," she cooed gently. "You don't have to be embarrassed young master, you are merely ensuring your comfort, and baby dragons do that. They will gather up the softest things they can find and make a bed of it."
He looked about and realized he did just that too, he sighed aloud to his own actions. 'Why am I doing this though? I have a bed. It's soft, warm and comfortable, why am I making a bed like this?' he thought to himself.
"Young master?" he peered over to Kitsune once more. She smiled warmly to him again, her hand gently cupped the side of his face. This time, he leaned right into it, savoring the sensation of being held. "You are going to be a remarkable dragon, you do know that right?" she asked of him.
'Me? Remarkable? I doubt it,' Yuuji thought. She took her hand away, he nearly called out for her to bring it back, but soon stopped himself. He's acting too childish, he can't allow himself to do such a thing!
"I want you to know, we are aware of those who tried to take you a few days ago, they are some of the stronger divine users that they have. One is a concern to me though. He is quite powerful himself. Know his name young master and avoid him at all costs. Leo Adonis" she stated.
'Leo Adonis… why does that sound familiar?' he thought. But he nodded his head to her, if he ever encounters someone with that name, he will make sure he puts a lot of distance between himself and that guy.
"I do believe though that Suiryu will be dealing with him far more than you, to the humans, he was a rather important model. But as of now, Suiryu has taken that title from him. No doubt the two will clash once more, sooner than later." Kitsune stated. But then she smiled oddly to the notion. "All of the divine wish to see Adonis get his to be honest with you. The one time we would all approve of Suiryu's use of force to say the least. Not to mention… he could ruin those looks of his…"
'Man, you really hate this guy huh?' Yuuji thought.
Kitsune cleared her throat. "But the fact remains, young master. Avoid him at all costs. Leave Suiryu to deal with him, can you promise me that?" she asked.
He nodded. Despite his situation, Yuuji was still strong, yet as of late, he is hesitate to even watch a fight now. Hell, Nobara arguing with Fushiguro bothers him!
He jumped a little as a gentle hand came on to the top of his head. A small purr escaped out of him as he felt Kitsune's fingers gently rub the top of his scalp. It felt nice once more, but then again, any form of touch feels good to him. "I have to go now, young master. But I suggest you get plenty of rest."
He nodded to her, Kitsune smiled warmly once more before she vanished.
Now that she mentioned it, he was feeling sleepy…