Chapter 25

"Wow… so that's hunting huh?"

Yuuji smirked as they finally returned home. Kiyoshi has been able to go back and forth between his human state and dragon form, as well, he ate very well in the time they were gone. He also grew quite a bit too, not to mention has some broader markings on his body.

He was always worried about the extra limbs he may grow, but at the moment, it appears that won't be happening, what looks like curse marks around Kiyoshi's stomach are really the extra limbs. Contained in the markings, this is how his extra limbs are going to be hidden. Either way, his son was thrilled he didn't have them physically in human form.

"You did very well Kiyoshi, have you eaten enough?"

His son glared at him. "I ate just as much as you did!" he protested. "If you're not full, do you think I am?"

Yuuji snickered to that, his son might think he has eaten as much as him, but he has a long way to go!

Before Yuuji could say another word, he froze. Kiyoshi did too as they both sensed it. "Dad…" he whispered.

They didn't utter another word, they rushed through the village until they came to the nursery. Yuuji paused and gently knocked on the door. "Dad, why are you…"

"Just wait." He said gently.

The door crept open a little. He saw the eldest of Toji's five children peer out. "Hi big brother, I don't think you can visit right now." He whispered. "But big brother Megumi hatched,"

He was stunned by the news. "Everything okay?"

"Yes, he is very strong, but still asleep. Dad won't let anyone near him that isn't family… mainly blood related, you understand, right? I had to kick out Yua earlier. She came back to visit after tending to Gojo sensei's wounds."

Kiyoshi snorted a laugh. Yuuji sighed aloud, he heard from Nanami before that Gojo sensei wanted to throw a 'gender reveal' party for Toji but was convinced other wise not to.

Yet judging by the oddly scattered confetti on the ground…

"Dad… did Gojo sensei really…"

"I think you already know the answer to that," Yuuji snickered. "But we will come back another time. Thank you for looking after everyone," Yuuji said with great sincerity.

"Oh, big brother… you can call me Ankoku,"

He paused. "Oh? Mom named you?"

He shook his head. "Dad did," with that, the door was closed up once more. Yuuji smirked and turned to Kiyoshi. "Looks like you can train with uncle Fushiguro too," he said.

"I can't wait!" Kiyoshi then paused oddly. "Dad… something else is going on, I noticed before we left… I haven't sensed Uncle Choso."

Yuuji got that too, Choso isn't here… in fact, he can't sense him at all from where he stands! This wasn't normal, but, he should be able to detect him. He has the same ability as his brother too to sense the others. But… it was strange. "It's not just Choso too isn't it?" he whispered.

#

One week ago…

Choso was led out of the village by his wife. She said she wanted to talk to him about something, however, didn't want anyone else listening in on their conversation. He understood, but didn't know what she wanted to speak about.

They were at the far end of the domain. She turned to face him and smiled warmly. "Choso… I want to be honest with you… the form you see me, the human form… isn't my true appearance…" she looked into his eyes to see if he was upset or angry. But, he kept a calm look on his face.

"I have no doubt there was a reason why you and your sisters all took your mother's appearance. But at the same time, I felt you were not comfortable in this state. If you wish to, I would love to see who you really are."

Rhea was nearly in tears to his words, but, it was the sign she was looking for. Using her energy, she stripped away her disguise and revealed herself.

She stood tall, strong and powerful, she was still rather large for a woman, however. She was rather muscular! Her hair was long, straight and black. Her eyes a piercing yellow, her face long and angular but she still bore a gentle look. She shied away at first. "I'm known as a warrior dragon. I can hold my own well in a fight, not to mention battle strategies and tactics are very well known to me. However, such a title never goes to a female dragon… those who have bore such an existence… are executed after birth. Mother saved me, she saved my sisters by altering our appearance. Since we hid in mother's image… no one knew what kind of dragons we were, let alone what we really looked like or knew what we were capable of."

She looked into Choso's face once more. His eyes glimmered at her. "You're more beautiful than I thought"

Rhea couldn't believe his words at first, but nonetheless, it brought a smile to her lips. "I never thought I would find a male like you. Mother was right…" she said offhandedly.

"I… never thought I would have the chance to have a family myself…" he said and blushed at the notion. "I am truly grateful I met you."

"So am I… but… at the same time. I would outlive you."

"Rhea…"

"I don't want to… I don't want to think about that either, which is why… I am not going to let such a thing happen."

"What do you mean?" Choso asked gently. "I am part curse, so I will be around for some time, according to Suiryu. I won't age as much…"

"But you will still age." She said in a correcting tone. "Choso, if what is happening now any indication to what is to come… I want to be sure you can stand your ground and help protect our family."

He didn't understand her concern, however, he knows he has to be stronger to keep his children and wife safe from any and all harm. If he tries going up against a dragon, he would be swatted off like a fly. How could he get strong enough to hold off a beast like that?

"What do you suggest then? I will do whatever it takes to keep our family safe!" he said with great determination.

Rhea smiled. "I'm so happy to hear that…" she reached out for his hand. From there she placed a single orb into it. "You need to put this in your mouth, but only swallow it when the world around you becomes dark…" she explained.

"What…"

Before he could ask her what she meant, he felt his body suddenly ensnared! Choso was forced to his knees and down into a fetal position. He remembered what she said and was quick to put the orb into his mouth and swallow it. Just as the world around him began to turn dark, he was trapped. At the same time, he felt his body revolt and burn from the inside out.

"AAAHHHHH!" he screamed aloud, he tried to move but was constrained, he couldn't break free, he didn't have the strength to. Worst of all, his heart… he felt his heart fall out of rhythm and then… suddenly come to a stop…

#

He sat up.

The world around him was pure white and he was free of the pain. "What… wait… I've been here before…"

"Big brother?"

Choso froze as he saw Kechizu approach him. His young sibling was stunned. "Mother! Choso is here!" he shouted with worry.

He saw his mother appear out of nowhere, she was stunned to see him and yet, at the same time she appeared to be relieved. "Mother… Kechizu… I… died?" he asked innocently enough.

"I think so, but it's not permanent…" Kechizu explained. "Right mother?"

She could only nod her head to him. "Oh Choso… I'm so happy for you!"

He didn't understand it, and yet, he felt his heart once more ach. "Ah!" he said in a startled tone. "What…"

"Big bro, don't resist it," Kechizu said gently.

"Resist what?"

BADUM

His heart suddenly jump started. The world went dark around him once more, Choso remembered waking up, but he was confined and unable to move. 'I… need to get out… of here!' he thought.

He began to push at his surroundings but found there wasn't any give to his method. He grew frustrated that he rammed his head to the confined ceiling…

Crack!

He froze, a small current of air began to fill the small space. "Wait…" once more he bashed his head upward, this time it created a greater hole than before! He was determined now!

He kept pushing, forcing his power upward to where he made the hole, until…

He heard an unusual shattering sound.

Choso stood, but was quick to fall to his knees. His body ached, he didn't feel the same as he did before.

"CHOSO!" Rhea rushed to his side with a blanket and embraced him. "Choso, Choso, answer me, are you okay?" she begged.

"I… I feel strange…" he said offhandedly. "I feel… cold…"

She braced him closer to herself, Choso felt her warmth radiate off her body and began to warm him up. It took a little while, but he began to feel his senses slowly return. His eyes were a blur at first, but now sharpened. He saw things far more crisp and clear than before. He began to hear things, different things all around him. But then… his heart ached once more.

Badum!

It took a moment, but he suddenly became connected to his brothers again, yet, it was odd. His blood brothers, their connection became strained, and yet, the one between him, Yuuji and Suiryu… became stronger.

Choso slipped out of his wife's arms. He was kneeling on the ground, trying to wrap his head around it all. But then, his gaze turned to Rhea. "What… happened to me? What… did you do?" he asked.

She smiled to him, before tears came from her eyes. "You hatched, it took a week, but you hatched!" she said with glee.

"Hatched…" slowly, he peered over at the broken eggshell. It was the same color as dried blood, and yet… did he come from that?

"CHOSO!"

He jumped as he heard someone else call his name. Rhea was stunned she peered outward. Choso did as well, and saw Yuuji coming towards them. "Little… little brother?" he whispered.

He didn't have the strength to stand yet, however the moment he saw Yuuji, he felt oddly relieved. "Choso? Choso!" Yuuji rushed to his side. "Are you okay? I was asking around about you, no one has seen you for a week!" he protested.

"Yuuji… he hatched," Rhea explained.

He froze to the news. "Hatched… you mean…" but then his eyes lit up. "You got turned!"

He was slowly getting to his feet once more. Yuuji helped him up as he tried to regain his bearings. "Hatched? Wait… did… did I…"

"Yes," Rhea said gently. "You've been turned into a dragon, mom's method worked… it really worked!" she said joyously. "I will have a mate for a very long time now… I didn't want to lose you Choso!"

He was still a little shaky on his feet. Yet, he saw Yuuji smiling with great pride. "I didn't realize you were gone until I came back with Kiyoshi, I had to take him hunting for the first time… wait…" Yuuji suddenly turned to Rhea, who merely smiled and nodded to him. "The others will be turned soon enough."

"Others?" Choso asked.

"Your brothers," she said. "Eso, Junpei… all of them. My sisters and I will not go without good mates! And these males are some of the best we have ever encountered," she stated in a matter of fact tone. "Our children are strong and smart, as well, they have excellent role models. We are not about to give that up so easily."

Yuuji snickered. Choso on the other hand felt the world was spinning. "I'm so tired…" he muttered.

There was no hesitation. Yuuji first took off his sweater and wrapped it around his elder brother to keep the blanket in place, then, he hoisted him up and over his shoulder and started to carry him back home. "We're going to put you to bed, after we get a good meal in you. I don't care if it's a protein shake. You need something on your stomach,"

He snickered. His little brother was starting to sound a lot like himself.