Chapter 11

Back and forth, to and thro, Toji contented with the pain of his son fighting back, but, it wasn't a bad thing. The movement allowed him to shift Megumi to where he needed to be. Then, he felt the orb in his son break, Megumi fought even harder. He could hear his son scream, calling for him to let him out, at the same time, he yelled that he was burning up. Until…

He went still.

It had to happen.

With everything in place, Toji turned back to the mountains, he found a small cave to reside in for now. His mind was no longer his, his body, on autopilot. His first instinct was to make a comfortable bedding, then gather food, lastly to wait it out. He needed a month's time to be certain, but also, he wanted to be sure that no one would interfere with this delicate situation.

There are very few in this world that he would allow to assist him at this point, and they just arrived.

The five children he had with lady Tiamat appeared before him, their eyes widened in shock. "Father… you have older brother?"

He merely growled at them before trying to find a place to settle. He ended up sitting in the back of the cave, facing towards the entrance, at the ready should an attack come. All the while, trying to sooth his belly.

Yet his children looked about. "This isn't good enough for you and older brother, we should bring you back…"

Growl…

His eyes glared at the children who froze from it, they realized then and there, he won't be leaving this cave. "Very well then father, we will help you and ensure big brother is taken care of."

True to their word they gathered materials. Discreetly they came too and from the village with blankets, towels and other soft things, the eldest daughter went to work making the nest and ensuring it was to her father's liking. It was big with room to grow, he accepted the offering and snuggled himself in.

They took turns bringing him food and other materials for the nest, he only left the cave to relieve himself and nothing more. However, his absence and that of his son's didn't go unnoticed…

#

A few days have passed since.

Nobara was getting the girls ready, however, Suiryu couldn't help but notice the cheeky grin on Nao. "Did she swear or something, I don't like that look on her face."

Nobara peered but sighed. "That's your evil look, evil knows evil right? Besides, I think she is waiting to see if you are going to swear. She takes that as an invite to do so herself. Thank goodness Chiyo doesn't…"

"So Nao DOES take up after me huh… darn."

He saw Nao's face drop. He said darn, not damn. She went as far as pouting! "Really? YOU'RE upset daddy didn't say something worst?" he questioned her. She continued to pout!

"Just try to keep to the non offensive ones?" Nobara pleaded.

"I'll do my best, but if they slip out, please remember where I originally came from."

Nobara sighed aloud. "Okay, fine… huh… have you seen Fushiguro?"

He paused to consider the question. "Not since we had breakfast a few days ago. He went to check on his old man about something. Maybe the two went out to hunt or something?"

She shook her head to the notion. "He's careful and he always let's us know where he's going. He wouldn't just go on a random hunting trip with his old man that he hardly talks to. Something's wrong…"

Suiryu did admit, he hasn't been able to sense Megumi for the past three days. Also, the half siblings are acting odd too, they were taking things and leaving rather quickly, perhaps trying not to be seen or to be caught for that matter. He was going to excuse himself to see where they were going, but paused as he felt it.

Mom has just arrived.

"We will look into it, but first, we should greet mom." He whispered to her.

Nobara nodded as they went to Lady Tiamat's home. Mom was there and yet she looked about oddly. "Lady Tiamat, something wrong?" Nobara asked.

"Toji…" she said.

"We haven't seen him for three days, nor have we seen Megumi. Is something wrong?" Suiryu asked. "I mean, Toji was gone three days before, and then… now… huh…"

She paused, the look on her face was one of shock, but then, the smile appeared. "No, actually, I think everything is just fine… ah, I sense them now…" her smile suddenly grew. "Wonderful… this is wonderful…" she said proudly.

Suiryu was confused as hell. "Uh… okay…" he said awkwardly. "So, everything is fine then?"

"For the time being, and I can assure you, your younger siblings are not up to anything mischievous. Just leave them be and don't confront them for the time being."

Stranger still, he didn't know why mom would insist on that, but he nodded in agreement to it. Yuuji soon join. "MOM!" Yuuji cheered.

"I actually have a favor to ask of you two."

Yuuji and Suiryu nodded. "Of course, what would you like us to help you with?" Yuuji asked.

She paused. "Do you know, by chance… how many dragon souls you have contained in yourselves?" she asked.

"I need some of those if you don't mind," she said gently. "Would it be too much trouble…"

"No trouble really…"

"Bro, ask the real question here… WHY does mom need dragon souls?" Suiryu snapped back.

"Does it matter? It's mom!" Yuuji insisted.

True.

"A dragon's soul huh mom?" Suiryu asked. "Yuuji and I got plenty of those in stock, right bro?" Suiryu snickered as he slapped his stomach proudly.

Yuuji was a little embarrassed on the notion. "It's not like we had much of a choice but to do so…" he muttered.

Their mother snickered. "You are too sweet at times Yuuji. You always think of others, and even those who have acted against you. When they never would have batted an eye in harming you for the sake of power." She said. "But what Suiryu said is true, all the males you two have consumed, you have kept their essence within yourselves to ensure the power did not leek out into the earthly realm. As well, you two have been the only ones to contain such a thing…" she said offhandedly.

"Well, we don't digest them, so…" Suiryu muttered offhandedly.

"For good reason, we would have too much power!" Yuuji protested.

"What?" demanded Nobara. "So how many are you holding?"

Suiryu paused as he tried to count in his head the number. But then he shrugged. "I lost count after the last ones we ate from the attack against the sisters…" he said. "But at least seventy by now."

Nobara appeared stunned. Yuuji nodded. "Sounds about right."

"Anyways," mom said aloud. "I would like to take those from you, if you don't mind. I found a need for them." She said gently.

"No problem," they insisted. "But… the Fushiguros…" Yuuji said.

"Not to worry, everything will be fine, but first the souls…" Her hand came before their naval. Then, the demon mouths on their stomachs formed once again. Yuuji and Suiryu rolled up their shirts as the demon mouths manipulated something. Suiryu felt as if marbles were gathering within the odd aperture, until, they were coxed out and floated to their mother.

It was strange and yet interesting to see these chrome marbles gather into her hands. She sighed with relief as he clenched them like treasures.

"So, what are you going to do with them?" Yuuji asked.

"I can't speak of it now, but know it will be for the greater good." She said gently.

"So, about the younger sibs, what's going on with them?" Suiryu asked.

"Something wrong?" Yuuji asked.

"Mom saying they are doing things, but to leave them be. I am just curious in case they needed help or something."

Mom snickered once more. "You are adorable, it's not every day I see the older siblings become concerned for the younger ones. It's very refreshing for me. But I assure you, they are not up to anything serious. But I do suggest you leave them be and not interfere. Understand?"

Suiryu sighed aloud and nodded. Yuuji nodded as well, but appeared curious to what was going on. It was a short while ago that the younger brothers and sisters have started to approach them. As strange as it was they appeared to have bonded over bathing of all things! Suiryu remembered it well. Yuuji was converting Kiyoshi, and he was tending to Yuko in his place. The brothers were thrilled that they would be able to help them bathe in their odd situation. Only to learn that for dragons, when the young are allowed doing an important task for an older sibling or dragon, it means they are being acknowledged and accepted among their kin.

Sometimes, being a dragon is complicated…

Still, Suiryu was curious. Wondering what the younger sibs were doing...