Chapter 17
They were silent.
Kitsune refused to speak, Yua peering at her knowing there is something to be spoken. 'The children I lost… were taken to the heavenly realm, weren't they?' Yua asked.
Kitsune nodded. "Yes, the old goat brought them to me."
She sighed to this. 'Did something happen to them there? Something… good?'
This took her aback. Kitsune peering into Yua's eyes, her look softened as she nodded to her. "Despite… despite the fact the children you were forced to give birth to were premature… to a fox… they were fully developed." She said as gently as she could. "The heavenly realm prevented them from becoming curse objects… I… I infused my power into them… and it took… Yua… I… I wanted to…"
Yua was tearing up to the news. 'They didn't die then?'
Kitsune paused, but sighed. "They died as your children… but then… they became mine. Yua… I had children before… and much like you, mine were taken from me as well. I kept their souls with me, always… hoping and praying for a chance… I… I hope you don't think less of me… but… I have two wonderful sons and a very smart daughter…" she shed tears telling her this.
Yua wept as well knowing what became of those she lost. She will never be able to call them her own, but the fact remains… three lives got a chance to live.
'I'm glad' Yua whispered in her mind. 'I'm glad to know they are happy'
"They are powerful. In fact, there were divine legions sent to try and finish what had happened to you by Lady Tiamat uncle's order. But, they were no match for those within the domain. You have plenty of powerful allies" she explained. "The triplets helped out as well… did you know that all three are nine tailed divine foxes? They are at a level not even I have been able to achieve. In fact among us foxes… it's the rarest form one could have… and they have it." She said proudly.
'They learned well from you,' Yua said and smiled at the notion. 'Kitsune… not now… but… later when I am better and… I have the guts to ask… can… can I meet them?'
Kitsune paused to this. "Of course!" she said but, looked to Yua oddly. "You… don't want to reclaim them?" she asked with concern.
No doubt she is worried, Yua could understand. Kitsune fears she would be forced to give up the three to Yua once more. But she knows they are no longer her children, as well, they have a mother who loves and tends to them.
'My children passed away in the earthly realm. The fact they were saved by you and your family… I have no right to demand them back. I didn't save them, take care of them or nurture them to this point. That was you. But, I am glad to know… they are looked after.'
Kitsune sighed, she approached Yua and gently placed her hand on her scales. "I wish to make an offer, as a token of respect and as well as honor to our fox legion. My three children will like to be guardians for if and when you have dragon younglings." She said with determination. "They are ready to be guardians. Yua…"
She shied away.
'I don't know if I ever will' she said. 'What happened… every time I think about it, a fear just… festers in me!' She explained and shuttered.
Kitsune suddenly looked to the water.
Yua peered over and saw black sludge leech out of her scales and fizzed the moment it struck the water!
"It appears the fear has festered within you. Lady Tiamat made the right call in bringing you here… would you like some company? I was here to refresh myself as well, but I can go…"
'Please stay… it would be lonely being here by myself… I can't leave the lake anyways until I am told so…'
Kitsune smiled. "I would be delighted to stay… now… what dirt do you have on Ryomen Sukuna, don't hold anything back. I want to hear some good stories from you!"
Yua giggled as she got comfortable. 'Did Lady Tiamat tell you what happened on our honeymoon? Satoru and I went with Chusi and Sukuna…'
Kitsune's eyes widened, she got comfortable and anticipated a very good story was about to be told…
#
Outside of the spa.
Lady Tiamat sat with the best healers she knew.
The old goat being at the head of the table, but, surprisingly enough, Calypso sat next to him! "Oh child! Congratulations!" Lady Tiamat cheered.
Some healers were begrudging this.
"Of course, it's HER granddaughter…" one managed to say loud enough.
Calypso peered over at the one who said it. She was an elf of course, but Calypso merely smiled to her. "Being the granddaughter of a great dragon like my grandmother, has its burdens. I ensure I never bring shame upon her name, by never using it as leverage in my studies…"
The elf froze but didn't say a word.
"Now, about Miss Tooru's treatment…" The old goat began to explain what he had observed as well as other news. "We did hit a bit of a problem… for when I brought the infants Miss Tooru was forced to birth so soon… Kitsune was able to save them."
Lady Tiamat froze.
"What?" she demanded. Since this happened in the heavenly realm, she is not privy to know what occurs here as well as what happens on earth. "Are you certain?"
"They fought recently when the divine legion sent in tried to take out Yua, the three fought exceptionally well." The old goat explained. "However, since this has happened, I wish to explain something. Kitsune did this on her own accord, for she sensed there was still life in the infants. Their souls were gone since they are linked to curse energy, but, she still had three souls of the children she, herself lost."
"That's why she isolated herself for some time…" muttered Lady Tiamat. "How are the children?"
"Since the souls were old, they grew and developed rapidly, they are fully grown now and very capable guardians." The old goat explained.
"Does Yua know?" Calypso asked. "We shouldn't keep this from her."
"She is being informed now. I have invited Kitsune here to explain herself to Yua. She agreed to this." Said the goat.
Lady Tiamat was stunned, but nodded to the events before her.
"Can she heal?"
The table was silent.
"We have looked over her condition…" the elf from earlier explained. "We think she can, but mentally, she may not be able to handle it anymore."
"Psychological… I never thought to address this as well…" Tiamat muttered to herself.
"Perhaps she may wish to consider the services of the nursery dragon…" the elf stated.
"My father would help in a heartbeat, but I don't think this is going to be the direction for her" Calypso explained.
It made the elf healer go pale in the face, she turned and stared at Calypso with utter terror. "Your… father?" she asked slowly.
"Yes, my father is a nursery dragon… I am just glad he has taken a break from it all… I lost track as to how many adopted siblings I have now…"
It wasn't a lie either… Even Tiamat lost count… Rhea too!
But that does explain the population boom on Ether too. It's where he takes them afterwards and lets the older siblings train the younger ones.
"I don't think she will ask Choso for assistance. As much as your father would be willing to help…" Tiamat said gently to Calypso. But she nodded in understanding. "We will monitor her from here and keep a close eye on everything. Good work everything, and keep me posted."
There were ten healers in the room, many approached the old goat after, but others were sneering at Calypso. She didn't pay any mind as she walked about the room. There were various plants but one caught her attention. "Why is this here?" she asked aloud.
Everyone stopped their conversation as she peered at a single plant in the room.
"That's a divine plant, child…" the elf began to say.
"No, it's poison" she replied. "This plant is similar to what I have seen on the earthly realm. This has a poison in it, I am aware sometimes it is brew for a tea to promote vomiting, but this shouldn't be here among medical herbs"
Tiamat hung back and watched as the elf took offence. "I CULTIVATED that!" she protested. "What gives you the right to say it is dangerous?"
Calypso didn't falter. "Because, this plant although rare on earth is toxic, it can be the equivalent of a venomous snake. But due to the fact that it IS a plant and rare, there is no counter to it. I know this plant because my other sensei is very knowledgeable about them too, he has used this as well. So he knows it is poisonous"
The elf trembled. "Who… who is this other teacher you speak of!" she demanded.
"Ryomen Sukuna"
The room was silent.
The elf snorted a laugh. "And you think that means something?" she demanded of her. "You maybe Lady Tiamat's granddaughter, but to claim you gained knowledge from Ryomen Sukuna shouldn't be something to brag about…"
Calypso sighed as she took the plant out of the arrangement. The room was lined with herbs and other plants used in healing, all who become healers must add a plant not already on the wall in order to be recognized. Calypso took the one the elf was so defensive about and place it on the table.
"Before you is a poisonous plant. I can understand why you are so upset in me calling you out on this. It's because despite how it appears there is one that is similar to this one that IS a healing plant. You got them confused."
The room began to watch as Calypso explained the properties to the masses. The plant itself has thick, waxy leaves similar to that of a holly plant. "This is associated with the holly family, for their leaves are poisonous too. The healing one you were thinking of has four points. This one only has three."
The old goat looked over the plant and nodded. "This is indeed poison holly. Calypso what is the healing one called?" he asked of her.
"The healing one isn't waxy in feel, it's actually soft like lamb's ear. It's called the 'soft vine' since its uses are associated to healing wounds but can also be brewed into a tea for internal wounds."
Lady Tiamat peered at the elf who froze to this.
She went and looked over the plant and froze, realizing Calypso was correct in her accusation.
She assumed this elf would become jaded for having her donation be revoked, but, there was a look of sincerity. "Miss Calypso… I offer my deepest apology…"
Calypso displayed grace and dignity of her father. "Mistakes happen, I am sorry I was very blunt about this."
There was no rubbing one accomplishment into the face of another. Calypso is humble, and the elf learned her lesson.
"Now that we have the matter resolved, I wish for everyone to focus on Yua's recovery if you please" Lady Tiamat said gently.
They all agreed and began to work out a plan to help Yua Tooru heal.