Chapter 36

"YOU ARE NOT DOING YOUR JOB!"

"I AM TOO YOU DAMN OLD FOX! I AM TRYING TO MAKE EVERYTHING APPEAR NORMAL!"

Choso was at a loss as he stood there and watched Suiryu and Kitsune bicker back and forth. It's been going on for three weeks. Three weeks and every day, the two butt heads over how things need to be done or should be done. Kitsune doesn't like the fact that Suiryu isn't with Yuuji 24 hours a day. Suiryu is trying to explain that they have to maintain a routine or those who are against them are going to notice something wrong.

Despite the constant care Yuuji does need. Choso had to agree with Suiryu on the aspect. After all, since Junpei is currently posing as Yuuji now, it has brought a calm to the school. The council doesn't follow them like hawks to say the least, but they are eyeing Junpei oddly throughout the day.

But now, it's trying to get these two on the same page no less. Neither one refuses to back down on their concept as to what is the proper thing to do. Yet at the same time, Yuuji suffers as they yell.

He gets upset as their voices grow stronger. It got to the point where he could no longer stand it himself. Tucking his little brother into his sash, Choso approached the two who continued to argue. He firmly clapped his hands right in front of their faces, breaking them from this odd and loud stand off. "That's enough, you are upsetting my brother." He said in a calm tone. "Kitsune, I agree that my little brother needs to be tended to very carefully. However, taking into consideration who we are up against. Suiryu's argument is just as important as Yuuji's care."

The two glared at him. "BUTT OUT!" they snapped.

He wasn't startled by it, however when he felt Yuuji clench on to him fearfully, his calmness began to fade. "If that's the case, BOTH OF YOU go," he stated and pointed to the door. "If you wish to argue, take it outside and away from my brother. You are scaring him, and I don't appreciate it the least bit. OUT!"

They froze to his stern tone, yet, Kitsune and Suiryu removed themselves from the dorm and went to argue elsewhere.

He sighed aloud, just as he heard his brother acting up. He was weeping oddly. "Oh, my little brother… don't be sad, oniisan is here." He said gently. He took Yuuji from his sash, from there he rocked him and started to settle down his brother. Yuuji was quick to settle as the room became quite now. "Much better, don't you think?" he asked gently.

But Yuuji fell asleep.

Choso smiled to it all, just as the brothers returned. The moment they saw Yuuji, their eyes widened. "Oh look, baby bro is sleeping…" whispered Sho.

"When do we get to hold him, we haven't yet," protested Sanso.

Tanso nodded. 'I want a turn' became etched on his skin.

"He's sleeping now, and if we move him around too much he will wake up and cry. I promise, everyone will get a chance. I had to settle him since Kitsune and Suiryu were fighting again."

The brothers rolled their eyes. "Those two are always at each other's throats to say the least. What the hell is with them?" asked Noranso.

Choso shrugged. "They have a different view as to how to tend to Yuuji. Both are valid, but there has to be compromise, and it appears neither one is willing to do so."

"They need to understand, little brother's needs come first!" said Sho.

"That is true, yet at the same time. Those who wish to harm him, will be keeping an eye out for things out of place. I am grateful Junpei learned to transfigure himself into Yuuji for the time being. The council and elders will back off, and perhaps those divine users will too. He's gone out with the others to take down some curses."

"Still, it doesn't seem fair." Said Sanso.

"It's not, brother, but at the moment. I rather have peace than to be at war and constantly worry for our youngest sibling."

The family agreed.

"So… what do we do?" asked Sho.

"We can't just stand by" protested Eso.

Choso paused but sighed. "At the moment, it is for the best. I already tried to intervene between the two, but was quickly told to shut up. Right now, they have to work it out for themselves."

Looking to the time, Choso realized Yuuji will have to have his meal before bed, he sighed aloud and decided to venture to the other dorms and return him to his room.

Excusing himself, he made his way.

Choso kept Yuuji hidden, just as the council walked by. They paused and stared at him oddly, before peering down. "Can I help you?" he asked calmly.

"Why are you and the other curse wombs here?" one dared to ask. "Why come to this school when you know very well we don't want you here… in fact…"

"Enough!" another scolded. "We will not waste our time with such a thing, move along." They were quick to keep going, but Choso already felt something was off and wrong about this.

"As long as they didn't noticed Yuuji…" he muttered to himself.

He made his way to the dorm, and took Yuuji to his room. He woke up from his brief nap and looked about. He did his hungry call once more, but found Kitsune wasn't responding as fast.

"Umph?"

Then the tears wielded in his eyes.

He was on the brink of tears when Choso picked him up again. "Shhh, it's okay, I know you're hungry, just a moment okay. You will be fed, I promise…" he said in a soothing voice.

The door opened when they two appeared once more. "I told you before, YOU have to stay with him!"

"And I told YOU before, I ain't doing it every single night! What if I traumatize him?" Suiryu snapped back.

"IF you two are done… my brother is hungry," Choso said in an annoyed tone.

Kitsune froze as she quickly vanished and returned with the bottle. She was about to feed Yuuji when Choso took the bottle from her. "Not this time," he said in a scolding tone. "You two… have done nothing but yell at each other for the past three weeks. Apparently nothing either one of you is doing right by the other. I suggest you stop arguing and work out an agreement!" he began to feed Yuuji who was quick to take the bottle. "Your bickering has done nothing but hinder little brother's progress. He called for you ten minutes ago, Kitsune. You PROMISED to feed him, and you made him wait… at a young age and so vulnerable!"

Kitsune was stunned as she then appeared ashamed.

Suiryu bore a smug look, however, Choso's sights set on him next.

"Brother, you are busy, I understand that. I also understand I am not as strong as you, but, for the good of the family. Know when to ask for help!" he scolded. "I am capable of defending Yuuji, you know that, this burden isn't yours alone to bare. Older brothers look out for the younger ones and there are also eight others who can fight and defend him if needed. Know that it's not a sign of weakness to ask for help from us. As well, tending to an infant is difficult and a learning process, Sukuna has no knowledge of tending to one so young, neither do you. So, for the sake of OUR brother. Please, let us help you."

Suiryu was silent, in fact, they both fell silent as Yuuji finished his bottle. Choso passed the empty container back to Kitsune as he gently patted Yuuji's back. A burp came out of him and he settled once more.

"I know how to tend to a young dragon, but he doesn't understand the complexity of it!" Kitsune protested.

"You have no idea how mortals live, let alone how sorcerers go about their day and the tricks they have." Suiryu snapped back.

"What I do is for the benefit of Yuuji!" they both stated at the same time. Yet neither one agreed.

"Work this out later, little brother is tired."

Suiryu sneered as he went to change into his PJs once more. He glared at Kitsune. "Knowing you, I wouldn't be allow to leave this room unless I stayed." He muttered. "Choso could do this too you know!"

"However, little brother sleeps better when he is with you." Choso admitted. "I've seen and sensed him sleep, when he is with you, it more deep and restful. When it's with me, it's short but nothing beneficial to his growth."

Suiryu sneered as he took Yuuji from him. He got down on the nest and Itadori managed to alter his position and cuddle right into him. "I'll take my leave now," Choso stated. "But from this moment on, if you two have an argument, you will have it away from Yuuji!" he ordered.

He left shortly after, but sighed aloud. He was going to ask Kitsune about this marking on the palm of his right hand, but now wasn't the time to speak of it. He went back to the dorm, yet wondered if there would be a way for Suiryu and Kitsune to work out their differences.

#

Choso was gone. Suiryu looked up and saw Kitsune was still here. "Just go already," he growled to her. "Not like we can keep arguing when he needs his sleep."

"That, we at least agree upon." Kitsune muttered. She sighed aloud before glaring down at Suiryu once more. "You fail to see that I have more experience with this than you do, you should just accept my suggestion and advice…"

"You don't live in this realm, you have NO idea how shit works anymore. You're out of touch."

"Oh really?" she demanded of him. "What makes you say…." Suddenly, she went limp!

Kitsune collapsed, yet somehow, Suiryu caught her just in time.

However, as he did, his mind and body suddenly shut down…