Chapter 17

Three weeks have since passed since the diagnoses.

Toshi was told of his appointment with the old goat and Calypso as they gauged his progress.

They arrived and went right to work, he ordered Toshi to remove his shirt and the inspection began from there.

He was reluctant to disrobe since he wasn't comfortable with his size. He already knew he has grown out quite a bit… he just doesn't need to be reminded.

The old goat went around, pressed into his sides with his hand firmly before making notes. Calypso was watching from afar making notes herself on the technique her master was using. It was uncomfortable, but apparently had to be done. All the while, Syrax was on the side watching with baited breath.

"Everything looks good so far" the old goat decreed. "Now, before this month trimester is over, we need to have you engorge yourself. So for today, I want you to do nothing but eat! No naps, no snacks, just eat!" he decreed.

"But…"

"Do not question my methods young dragon. I may not have seen this since I was but a child myself, but I know what I speak is for your benefit!"

He hasn't seen the old goat this worked up before, yet he sighed with defeat and nodded his head. "Very well…"

"Good, now, I have already spoken to the cooks here. Your brother has been working all day and apparently a young female dragon is assisting in the preparations. So, no matter what, eat, even if you must swallow your food whole, do so!"

That thought hasn't crossed his mind yet, then again he has seen Suiryu do that to a whole chicken once before…

#

"UGH!"

"Little brother?"

Toshi did what he was told, the odd thing was that he kept eating all day without pause, without feeling full or anything… until now. He felt as if his stomach stopped accepting food! "I… can't eat another bite…" he moaned painfully. "I really can't…"

Eso peers at the table and nodded. "You have done more than enough little brother. It's time you rest now."

Toshi nodded, but, there was another problem. "Eso… I… I can't bring myself to move." He said meekly.

Eso was about to speak but froze as he saw something under the table. Toshi peered and was startled by a large serpent tail that suddenly came under him. "Ease him back."

Toshi paused to this, he barely turned his head and saw Megumi lingering… but… he was summoning something. "Fushiguro…" Toshi began to say, until a shadow snake formed under him.

The serpent body was large and flat, with more than enough room to hold him in place. "Ease him on to the back, I'll bring him to the nursery." Megumi explained.

Eso agreed. Slowly, he eased Toshi back from his seat, when he felt his back connect to the shadow snake, he was slowly slithered out of his chair. It was strange for him to be on his back and watching the world sway before his eyes, but he was soon back at the nursery, then again, he's been staying here more often than not. He can't fit anywhere else!

The shadow snake was able to ease him into the sunken floor bed and disappeared without a trace. "Thank you, Fushiguro" Toshi said with great sincerity. He thought Megumi was having trouble with his power, but he was able to summon a serpent rather easily…

Megumi said nothing else. He merely nodded and left. Toshi's eyes closed as he fell into a deep sleep.

#

There was something in the nest.

Toshi's mind wasn't all there, since after all, he was fighting an instinct in him. Something… someone whispering in his ear, filling his head with such words. 'You are not a man if you are going to birth your own children, what kind of a sick joke are you?'

'You're disgraceful! Some dragon you are!'

Constant and hateful words kept filling his mind, he knew these were not his thoughts but he couldn't ignore them either. "Shut… up…" he hissed to the words.

But then, he felt this strange calming energy wash over him. The voice went silent and soon, he was able to rest his mind and body. He could feel himself changing and it was happening fast.

Yet his attention shifted to the movement in the nest.

'What… what is that?' he thought to himself. His voice suddenly vanished as he felt his mind slip. He felt a little more wild and defensive of himself… but then he felt it.

Peering up he saw a blanket, slowly coming over him and yet, it was far too small for him. But, pulling that blanket… was Ryoto.

He tried his best to cover him before he started to set up his sleeping spot. Ryoto always brought a blanket with him everywhere he went, he was fearless as he got himself settled in and nestled up on Toshi's belly.

A part of Toshi… wanted to destroy him.

An unwanted visitor in HIS nest, he could be a threat!

But… he soon regained himself. Ryoto, despite being so young, tried to offer him comfort as best as he could. He's barely two and yet he was making sure Toshi had a blanket before he settled himself in.

This child is no threat.

His mind relaxed, so did his body. Ryoto got comfortable before his eyes grew heavy and he fell asleep. Toshi followed suit shortly after.