Chapter 6

Lady Tiamat needed her. Yua didn't understand why but she agreed to go with her. It's been a week since Toji started his 'brooding' with Megumi, so far things are going okay. "Both are fed and taken care of, I am just concerned that this maybe going on too long… It's not that normal for a male to brood with his children…"

"Well for earthbound dragons it is, it's one of their duties, but perhaps Toji maybe giving it 110%" Yua said offhandedly.

"Indeed, I am seeing things in these males that I have not seen in a very, very long time…" lady Tiamat explained, just as Toji came out of the nursery... topless.

He looked like he had a belly on him, and yet… there appeared to be a hole under his pecs!

"Is that…" Yua began to say, until Toji saw them.

He smiled…

It was a very odd smile as he approached, but, in his eyes, he wasn't all there. Second, he grew… he was about a foot shorter than Sukuna! "Oh my… I think his dragon form is triggering…" Lady Tiamat said offhandedly.

Then, he looked to Yua. He had a soft look in his eyes as he reached into the hole on his chest. Very carefully and gently, he took Megumi out. Megumi was half asleep, limp and didn't pay attention to the world around him while chewing his knuckles. Then Toji leaned in and let Yua get a closer look.

'He's cute isn't he? My son? He's adorable! Don't you think?' Toji was speaking nothing but dragon and bragging about Megumi. He then peered about, and found Rhea and Choso. But, Yua noticed something, he did the same thing to Rhea as he did to her. Showing Megumi off once more.

"This… is odd isn't it?" she asked Lady Tiamat. "He's showing Megumi off again, but just to the women. Is this a defense thing?"

"Sharp as always," Lady Tiamat said with a smile. "Indeed, this is rarely used, Toji is showing Megumi off to the women, since he knows if something were to happen to him, they are aware that he has a little one. A female will be more willing to fight, save Megumi if needed than a male. Females are very protective of young to those they know. Toji knows you, and he trusts you."

"Damn…" she muttered.

He did this for most of the morning, but shockingly, Toji showed Megumi off to not just the women he trusted, but to Suguru, Shin, Rook and Chusi once more. Perhaps he is trying to solidify the bonds of those within the domain? Still, Yua kept track of him as he did introductions. Yet, the biggest shocker came when Ryoto accidently wondered into the communal dining hall. Toji locked eyes with him right away, yet Ryoto as smart, the moment their eyes met, he went submissive!

Forehead on the ground, his hands flat against the floor and he stayed there!

"Smart kid…" Yua was about to approach, when Lady Tiamat held her back.

"Wait, look" she whispered.

Toji first tucked Megumi back into his pouch on his stomach, then, he approached Ryoto. Deep, resonating growls could be heard as Toji walked around Ryoto carefully inspecting him. Ryoto didn't move an inch.

Then, something odd happened. Toji peered to his pouch, he took Megumi out once more but had him look at Ryoto himself.

Yua half expected him to wail out, but instead, Toji brought him closer. Megumi did a small inspection himself until…

"Umph" came out of him.

Toji gave a gentle growl to Ryoto.

"You can sit up" Yua called gently.

Ryoto did that, very slowly. He kept seated yet his head down to Toji. Toji reached and lifted his head up to look him in the eyes.

'You sure?' Yua heard Toji growl once more.

"Umph!" came out of Megumi.

Toji nodded, he leaned down and had Megumi stare at him. Ryoto didn't move, he kept himself calm and smiled warmly to Megumi.

Megumi smiled back at him.

Then smacked him in the face!

Ryoto laughed it off of course, but… why did Megumi do that?

"Interesting…" Lady Tiamat said. "Very interesting…"

"What do you mean?"

She explained that she is keeping the other brothers and sisters away from Megumi so what has happened before between him and his sister, won't happen again. As such, she is aware she is going to need a babysitter. "I think I am going to ask Ryoto to be it"

"Ryoto?" she asked curiously. "Okay, what's the hidden meaning?" Yua demanded with her arms cross, but then paused to consider it. "You are trying to gain a grandson in law aren't you?"

"Oh my dear you are getting too observant… but yes" she whispered the last part. "Marceline you see, is maturing faster than her siblings since she has bounded herself more or less to Ryoto. Right now, she wants to see his parenting skills… what better way to highlight them, than to have him babysit Megumi? I will need one, if Toji's dragon state is forming, he will need to go to Ether to change and eat." She explained. "However, we can't bring Megumi along, it is far too dangerous. So, a babysitter is needed… I was going to ask you but knowing Satoru…"

"Wise call. Toji hasn't even introduced Megumi to him yet…" Yua said with a sigh. "Honestly, I think Ryoto is very capable. We will help him if he needs help and he is smart enough to know when to ask for help too…"

"Then it is settled, Ryoto will be our babysitter." She decreed.

'I hope someone tells him that in the meantime…' Yua thought.

"By the way… when a young dragon slaps the face of someone older then them… and an invitation to play." Lady Tiamat explained.

"I was just about to ask you what that meant…"

#

Tiamat excused herself and went to see the curse wombs.

Ankoku, Daku, Nisha and Amaya were outside along with Toshi's children. It was interesting to see as Marcy was in the faces of Nisha and Amaya. "TELL! TELL!" she was pleading.

The moment her daughters saw her, they rushed over. "Mom… Marcy is a little intense." Warned Nisha.

"Intense how?" she asked.

"She keeps asking us about boys. We haven't been dating anyone so we don't know, but she wants information…" explained Amaya.

Curious, Marcy shouldn't be thinking of a mate now, she is far too young. And yet, she has oddly always been like this. "Grandma!" Marcy cheered. "Grandma, can you tell me about boys?"

Her siblings collectively sighed.

"She hasn't stopped asking!" protested her sister Sora.

"Seriously grandma she has boys on the brain" her second youngest brother Miyo stated. "It also doesn't help that she had Ryoto withdraw…"

She pouted. "I saw him just yesterday when he was having dinner! His father told me I couldn't see him since he was unconscious at the time!"

Although true, Tiamat had wished Sukuna merely told her he was resting, if he is unconscious she would panic and think something horrible has happened to him again.

She sighed, sometimes men don't think straight if at all!

She forced a smile. "Let me explain…"

However, she wasn't given the chance, Marcy was peering about until she sensed him. "Ryoto…" she whispered and was gone in an instant.

Everyone stared at Tiamat oddly. "This… is a little much," said her grandson Doi. "No offence, but does this happen often?"

Tiamat sighed and shook her head. "This is one of those rare exceptions to the rule. You see, your sister did something when she was younger. I thought perhaps she may grow out of it, but that is not the case. It is clear though, she has her heart set on someone. I won't interfere with that."

"But why now?" asked her grandson Kazz.

"Also why is Hoshi more mature than us?" questioned her son Daku.

"Perhaps I should explain things. Have a seat children, I might be a little while. First off, what happened with Hoshi…"