Chapter 23
"YOU WON'T DO THIS AGAIN, UNDERSTOOD!"
Suiryu had to grab a snack to watch and record this, prostrating on the ground was Sukuna after Yua told him to heel. She hasn't done that in ages, and yet, he found it oddly appropriate. When she was done, she took a deep breath and calmed down. "You can stand," she said in a bitter tone.
Slowly, he picked himself off the ground. "Well, at least you aren't abusing the collar privilege…" he muttered.
"Yua… why are you angry with him? He was helping you!" Chusi protested.
"I didn't ask for his help!" she snapped back. "Look, if I wanted it, I would have requested it. But to go behind my back and do this, no, I draw the line!"
Chusi usually… 9 times out of 10 would side with Sukuna on a matter where he is 'helping'. But this time about she understood. "He made you the tea despite the fact you didn't ask for it, okay, that I understand… Ryomen, no more of that!" she scolded.
"Okay…" he muttered in defeat.
Suiryu on the other hand snickered, he loves it when he get beaten down like this, broken in a sense since before, none of this shit would ever fly, let alone he would endure being scolded like a toddler. But that also means that if this worked and the time was perfect. Yua could now be expecting. Which means more kids to look after! It wasn't that bad of a notion, but at the same time, Yua is the glue around here. She keeps everyone together and ensured all is well. Perhaps that new nursery will be of use to her too?
"So, what's the game plan for today?" Suiryu asked aloud as he stopped recording. "We got time before Megumi returns to us, and a little longer until he hatches…"
"I got to go see Kiyoshi," Yuuji whispered discreetly. Suiryu nodded as Yuuji excused himself.
Suiryu himself had some words to exchange as well with his own children…
#
BASH!
"GAH! WHY IS IT SO ITCHY!"
Kiyoshi has found himself acting strange. For the past hour he has been doing nothing but bashing his head into an iron tree. He heard from the cousins that this was a good method to help with the itching sensation he has been enduring. Yet for the hour he has done it, there has been little relief. Worst still, he felt bumps on his head and they were only getting worst.
"Why! Why is it so itchy!" he protested once more and began to scratch at his scalp like crazy.
"Kiyoshi?"
He froze.
His father had appeared but looked worried. "I'm fine dad!" he stated bitterly. "Just fine!"
His father was silent as he peered him over, he must have noticed the large lumps on his head. "Your horns are coming in," he said gently.
Instantly, Kiyoshi froze. "What…"
"Your horns, I see your horns are starting to form, you've grown up so much…"
"I don't WANT horns!" he snapped back. "Dad, I don't want ANY of this! Why… why is this happening now of all times?!"
He tried to find an answer in his father's face. But he was oddly silent. Perhaps deep in thought. Kiyoshi knows he is still going through human puberty. Grandma even explained that to him. Despite being reborn as a dragon, he will still endure a normal human life cycle in a sense, puberty being one of them to ensure that no human notices he isn't like them. Yet with these lumps on his head, it became rather worrisome.
"Dad… Am… am I going to be okay?"
His father nodded and smiled to him. "Just fine, in fact you have already surpassed me when I was becoming a dragon. Yet, for now, let's just focus on your horns. Because the moment your horns break the skin, you and I have to leave for a little while…"
He froze. "Leave?"
"Yes, you see, mom… your grandmother, had to stop your uncle and I after our horns grew. It means that the body is maturing, and a young dragon needs fuel to grow. We became so hungry and would devour anything. I know you have gained quite an appetite as of late, which means, you are gathering energy to grow. However, the moment your horns break the skin, I have to take you away so you don't turn your hunger on everyone here…"
"I would never…"
"I nearly did," he confessed.
Kiyoshi froze to the news. Mom never told him this, and yet, his father speaks freely of it? "Dad…"
"It was shortly after my horns came in, little nubs at the tip of my head and out of forehead, it was no more than a week after that happened that I grew hungry, ravenous if you will. Same with Uncle Suiryu." He explained gently. "We kept eating but it was never enough, it got to the point where we felt as if we were starving… we nearly attacked Yua Tooru to consume her. We saw her a prey."
He froze to the news, his heart skipped a beat for a moment. It… it becomes that serious? "I… I wouldn't…"
"Yua is like a mother to me, and I nearly did that to her." His father said. "Kiyoshi, you cannot hide something like this on me. I know you have spoken with Sukuna on the matter, but I want to be the one you turn to for help!" he protested.
Kiyoshi felt as if he were punched in the stomach, he never knew his father felt that way. But then again, he never thought Sukuna would give him the time of day, let alone be upfront with information. "I'm sorry, I felt you were tiptoeing around me on this."
He heard a depressing sigh come from his old man. "I was," he confessed. "I am new at this, I don't know much about being a dad since I didn't really have one. My grandfather raised me. I am trying though, and I promise, from now on, I will be more upfront with you."
He was about to speak, until the itch grew unbearable, Kiyoshi turned and bashed his head into the iron tree again. This time, he felt some relief… and then a trickle…
#
Yuuji jumped as Kiyoshi turned and smacked his head once more. But he smelt blood upon the strike. "Kiyoshi?!"
His son turned, despite the blood the trickled down his face, he looked relieved. "It's stopped…" he said with a content sigh.
Yuuji took a closer look and found the horns were breaking through. He felt two small sharp points protruding from Kiyoshi's scalp, however there are two lumps on his forehead that have yet to break free. "Two out of four isn't bad…"
Kiyoshi paused. "Four?" he asked.
"You're a demon dragon like me," he said gently. "You are going to have four horns,"
The once content look on his face vanished, Kiyoshi worried once more as to what will happen to him. "Dad… does this mean I am going to look exactly like you?" he whispered. "Will… will I have your… features?" he asked nervously.
Yuuji never considered that, he though because he and Suiryu were twins, that their current appearance is the way it is. But, if this is the standard for a demon dragon to become…
"I don't know," he said gently, and he meant it. "I really don't, perhaps we can consult with Yua on the matter."
He nodded in agreement, he sighed aloud to it all. "I am not going to be shocked if I do take on your appearance dad… at the same time, I nervous as hell."
It was understandable.
"Let me say this, you got it WAY easier than what I had to go through…"
He turned to leave, and yet, he felt Kiyoshi grab his arm. "Dad… you never did tell me what you went through… would you?" he asked.
He paused for a moment, it was true, he never told his son what he has gone through, what was endured and the lengths he suffered. Yuuji never thought such a thing should be told to his children, but, Kiyoshi genuinely wishes to know. He's old enough to understand and perhaps, they will become closer after this?
Yuuji took a seat. "How far do you want me to go back?" he asked.
"I know a little bit about Sukuna… but, perhaps if you start from the beginning, I would have a better understanding…"
He smiled and nodded. "Okay then, this happened a few years back. I was at the occult club with the other members…"
