Chapter 48

The months drifted by.

Before long, Yuko was released from Suiryu, as awkward as it was, she was no less grateful for his help in her time of need. Yuuji on the other hand as been merely sleeping and eating, nothing more or less.

Yua kept track of everything, and yet she still wondered why the curse womb children insisted that everyone here eat dragon meat until it was done. Perhaps it's the notion of not wanting to waste a life that is taken.

But what became of their essence?

When a dragon dies, their soul energy gets unleashed into the world unless it is contained by another. Yua had given the odd pearl to Calypso, who passed it along to Lady Tiamat when she came to check on Yuuji. She was rather surprised to this, but smiled and thanked Calypso for the trinket.

It would be the start of winter when Yuko gave birth to a baby girl.

The healthy child came into the world without incident, and much to Yuko's relief, Dr. Shoko had learned all of Sukuna's methods in childbirth.

Yuko wasn't the only one to give birth either.

Yuuji began to make strange sounds. Low growling was heard as he became rather restless. Yua was keeping a close eye on him when such odd sounds began to come out of Itadori. Then, she heard his stomach churn and moan.

Since it was an emergency, she felt terrible to rip the garment Choso made for his brother, but time was of the essence. By the time she cut the odd garment off, Itadori's stomach turned black, something was shifted back and forth in his abdominal before his naval cavity began to expand. He roared out in pain, he howled in agony until… it was rejected out.

An odd looking egg.

If one were to imagine, it was black, with strange veins all over it, it did indeed look like an organ but it was solid. "Well done, Yuuji," she whispered.

However, despite the process, Itadori was quick to cling on to the egg and brace it against his body. He refused to let it go!

"Yua!?"

She jumped as Lady Tiamat suddenly appeared. Yua turned to Yuuji. "He just got the egg out of him…" she said gently.

Lady Tiamat approached cautiously. Yuuji peered up and was gently calling to her. 'Not hatching… why?' in his dragon voice.

She sat on the edge of the nesting bed, her hand went on to the egg and she paused. Yua held her breath worried that Kiyoshi didn't survive, but then…

Tap…

Tap

Tap

Tap.

There was movement.

Yuuji released the egg and began to circle it carefully, all the while he called to Kiyoshi, encouraging him to keep going, he's was almost free.

The egg shifted back and forth until it went silent once again.

Itadori appeared devastated until…

There was a small explosion!

Yua ducked and managed to avoid the flying egg fragments, when she dared to look again. Kiyoshi laid there, but he was cooing.

"Umph, umph… umph"

Yuuji instantly swooped in, he picked Kiyoshi up and braced him. His wings came down protectively as he held his son close.

Lady Tiamat, shed tears of joy.

"It works…" she whispered.

"Lady Tiamat?"

"Kiyoshi hatched, and he's a true dragon. It appears he is just like his father and uncle…"

This… was startling. "He's a demon dragon? But I didn't see…"

"Give it time, right now, everything is settling in. He just hatched so he is going to take some time to gain his strength again." Lady Tiamat said. "How wonderful, Kiyoshi was able to endure and join his father. And now I have another granddaughter too, how is Yuko?"

"Mom and baby are fine, She has been reluctant to name her daughter without Yuuji, but Suiryu gave his blessing since we didn't know how much longer this would be. So she named her Ena."

"I like that name," Lady Tiamat said, but her sights remained on Yuuji. "I never would have seen a sight like this in the heavenly realm. My son truly loves his children…"

Yua nodded to that.

"Is everything going to be okay with them?" she asked.

Lady Tiamat smiled and nodded. "Not just them, but for all…"

That… was rather ominous.

Perhaps, while she is here. Yua would ask why they were told to eat the two dragons that came, yet, as soon as she opened her mouth to ask such a thing, Lady Tiamat spoke.

"I had a feeling about this place, those who have come to congregate and live in peace as sorcerers… even those finding redemption for unspeakable crimes. No other place on earth would a land like this be. As well, to show the way to those so lost in their minds and past…"

"Lady Tiamat…"

"Dragon meat, as taboo as it should be, isn't among the dragon. The strong eat the weak has always been my uncle's way, until it no longer serves him as it should. Yua, do you understand what I am trying to say?"

"Honestly, not a clue,"

She gave a gentle smile. "Then perhaps soon, it will be shown. For now… I am greatly inspired… Please, continue to look after everyone in my place. I trust you,"

Yua could only nod her head to her, however, she couldn't help but dread something more was coming. Lady Tiamat excused herself, Yua opted to go inform Yuko and the others what had happened.

Just as she left the room, she didn't notice that Kiyoshi's eyes fluttered open…

#

"Ugh…"

Kiyoshi felt weak, but, he felt safe. Peering about, he didn't know what room he was in, and yet, why was he braced to his father so closely?!

He sighed and was able to slip out of his grasp, his father didn't react. He must be out cold or something. 'I guess Raynn did a number on me huh? He was that worried, he didn't leave my side.' He thought.

However a newer thought came to mind.

He was starving!

Kiyoshi slipped out of the room and snuck to the communal dining hall. By the time he arrived, it appeared lunch was being served. Yet, the moment he walked through the doors, everyone froze.

"What?" he asked.

Suddenly, he was swarmed! Teenagers who looked like his uncles converged on him fast!

"What are you doing up without any clothing on?!"

"You should know better than to walk outside in the cold like that!"

"Sisters, get the food ready!"

In the confusion, he was pulled every which way. How did he not notice he was naked?!

He was suddenly seated. Then, all these dishes came before him. "Eat up cousin!" they said with great encouragement. "If you need more, just ask!"

"Thanks… hate to say this but… who are you?"

They snickered aloud. "We're your cousins, but eat up first, you need your strength."

He didn't refuse, but the fact is they filled a table for him to eat from! "I don't know if I can finish all of this, but…" he took the first mouthful of food.

Then, his hands blurred as he shoved anything and everything into his mouth! He could get it into his stomach fast enough! 'Did I not eat when I was unconscious? How long was I out for?' he thought.

To his surprise, he cleared the table and was full. "Oh, that was a good meal… but… what happened? Did Raynn get kicked out of me or something?" he asked.

Before anyone could answer, they froze.

A low dragon call was heard. Kiyoshi even paused to it as it sounded worried.

Kiyoshi…. Kiyoshi… where are you!?

"What the hell…"

It was resonating to him, as if someone was saying his name in this odd tone.

Then, his father appeared.

He was the one making such a sound, but the moment his eyes came upon him he rushed into the dining hall! Kiyoshi was suddenly smothered against his father!

"DAD! I'M OKAY, LET GO! DAD!" no matter how he tried, his father kept gathering him in his arms, refusing to let him go! "DAD!" he protested.

"Give it up, he's not going to let you go for some time…"

Peering from his father's arms, he saw his aunt Rhea. She smiled as his other aunts giggled aloud. "How adorable!" the others cooed.

"What… why is he doing this?!"

"Oh child, you just hatched! He's a worried and brooding father!" aunt Rhea said gently.

Kiyoshi froze. "What?" he whispered. "What do you mean I just hatched?"

But no one could answer him! His father carried him out, brought him back to his grandmother's residence and placed him in the bed. But, that wasn't the strangest part. His father began to alter, grow and turn INTO a dragon before him!

"D…dad… what… what are you…" his father grabbed him by the feet and dragged him into the center of the nest, from there, he positioned himself until… he sat right on top of Kiyoshi and refused to move from there!