Chapter 25

A day passed.

Toji was feeling rather odd at the time, since he hasn't seen Megumi recently. In fact, no one has seen Megumi either! His siblings have been asked to leave the house for the time being, Ankoku, Daku, Nisha and Amaya have been staying at the curse womb estate for now. Tiamat insisted, and yet… "What about Megumi?" he asked of her yesterday.

Tiamat was also taken aback as she hasn't seen him either. "I am certain everything fell into place, he should still be at his residence but he's not?"

Toji shook his head, hell at this point, he can't even pick up his scent!

He spent all day yesterday trying to find Megumi with no luck, he started his search early this morning too with little results.

He sighed with defeat as he ate breakfast at the communal area. Chusi and Sukuna happened to be there as well, their son, Ryoto was sleeping in today.

"What's with you?" Sukuna asked.

Toji sighed and explained he has lost track of Megumi and hasn't seen him for the past day. "Nothing new for you… oof" He smirked as Chusi gave him a firm elbow to the side.

"I'm certain he will show up again, sometimes people need time to themselves…"

"He's the master of that," Sukuna muttered. "That boy has issues,"

"What the hell makes you say…"

Only to get glared at by Sukuna, at the same time Toji glared back and growled. "Of course YOU would know through THAT method, but that doesn't mean you know my kid!"

There came an odd look on Sukuna's face, he set aside his meal before looking Toji in the eyes. "Despite being a sorcerer, death should be the final option, your son had NO issue in the notion that his actions will CAUSE his death. On more than one occasion I have seen this in his memories. At the same time, your boy has nothing to live for!"

It was silent.

Oddly silent and yet, Toji peered at Chusi. She would butt in if he was out of line, but, she continued her meal and said not a word about it.

'Shit, he's right isn't he?' Toji thought.

"What's with the ruckus?"

He turned and saw Tiamat. It was rather odd to see her wear something so casual, everyone was use to seeing her in a long, black dress. This morning, she wore rather comfortable clothing, sweatpants and a thick sweater.

Toji peered back at Sukuna, who was now… staring oddly at Tiamat and tried not to! "What's with that look on your mug?!" Toji demanded.

"Ahem…" he said clearing his voice and then focused on his food.

This was weird even for him. At the same time, Toji picked up on an odd scent emulating from Tiamat. "You smell… wonderful today…" he said to her, in fact a resonating growl came out of him nearly mimicking a purr.

She giggled to his attention. "Oh you…"

"AHEM!" Sukuna said aloud once more as he kept his eyes down.

"What? Frog in your throat?!" Toji snapped.

He appeared flustered and sighed aloud. "I don't want to be saying this, not in the least bit…" he muttered. He turned to Chusi who was giggling but nodded to him. With a sigh, Sukuna stood up and said. "Take your wife home and change her shirt!"

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"Huh…"

Lady Tiamat even paused until she crossed her arms… only then she realized something, grabbing Toji, they rushed back to his residence. "What?! What is his issue!?" he demanded.

Tiamat only smiled and excused herself. She went into the guest room as Toji waited, when she came out a short time later… she carried a little bundle in her arms.

He froze again. "Kids don't happen THAT fast!" he protested.

Tiamat laughed aloud and shook her head. "It's Megumi" she said and presented him to Toji. "The regression worked, I didn't realize it happened as fast as it did."

"Where the hell was he?!"

"Well… he somehow slipped into my bra…" she began to explain. "And when I tried to take him away, he was nursing…"

At this point, Toji had NO idea how he should feel about this. He kept staring at Megumi… and his heart felt strange.

"Toji?" she asked with concern.

He reached out and took him. Toji… for the first time in a long time… held his son. His blessing…

"Toji, speak to me, what are you feeling?!" Tiamat demanded.

He didn't know, his mind… was all over the place. A swirl of instinct, emotion and memories began to consume him, until, he felt as if he lost his mind.

Take care of Megumi, okay?

Her voice… the voice of the first woman he ever loved… the one who gave him his blessing.

"Toji…"

He was coherent enough to look to Tiamat, but, he couldn't bring himself to do much else, his body was frozen, paralyzed as to what he should be doing. "Toji… your dragon side has woken up. How do you feel about your son in your arms?" she asked gently.

He looked back to Megumi, his hand, despite how rough they were, became gentle as he caressed his son's small cheek. 'Protect… must protect him…' he growled out. 'My son… my blessing…'

Tiamat shed tears of joy to him. "Good, this is good. I want you and Megumi to bond. Take him to the guest room and stay with him for a moment please. I need to prepare a few things."

He nodded and did just that, he brought Megumi to the room, but instinct took over. Toji grabbed every blanket, pillow and towel they had, and made a proper nest before settling his son and himself into it.

'I won't make the same mistake again' he vowed before resting his eyes and nestling his son closer to him.