Chapter 2

Kyoto school.

It was an odd day today as Ryoto saw many of the students outside. It was a free day today and the teachers explained that the children today are going to play with their technique and show off to the others.

He didn't understand the reasoning for this and yet, Ryoto was curious enough to see for himself.

The younger students were playing around with their technique, nothing has been turned into a proper one yet, but they are fine tuning the control of curse energy. But as they grew older, the more refined they became and they started to develop into something.

He began to watch a group of second year students, when his head began to hurt oddly. "Are you okay, Ryoto?"

He paused to see Kiyoshi lingering near by.

"I think so… my head just started to hurt as I watched everyone training… this didn't happen before…" not only that, but he felt weird too, as he watched, he swore there was something within him absorbing everything.

In fact for some reason, the image of a Dharma came into his head and it was turning. "Kiyoshi… how DID my dad learn techniques? Besides eating people…" he muttered.

"Observation was one of the main ones, the more he saw it, and the more he figured it out. And I am certain when he is in battle; he picks up on the technique far quicker. Like a fight or flight method but for him, it's learn or die. Why do you ask?"

"My head hurts just watching everyone here. The more refined the technique, the more my head hurts." He explained.

Kiyoshi nodded. "Perhaps you may want to excuse yourself for the day? The principal is very understanding."

"I just don't think it's that big of a deal right now…" Ryoto whispered, but then, he peered beyond Kiyoshi, he saw techniques he has yet to see before and then… the headache grew worst!

"Gah!" he moaned and held his head.

"Seriously, take time for you. No one is going to notice if you went home."

"I think the teachers would…" Ryoto however knew he should endure, after all, it's his first day back without having to tend to Megumi! He was grateful he returned to normal from being a baby dragon, now he can focus back at school. But that in itself is hard to do when his head feels as if it is about to split open.

He kept himself back and away from the masses, yet, every time he saw someone using curse energy, the headache would grow and get worst. Then his flesh started to crawl and itch so badly he couldn't get rid of it. It all came to a head before lunch, Ryoto's head throbbed in agony, his body was trembling and itchy and nothing would quell it.

Desperate, he texted his father, saying he thinks he is going mad!

Just as his father was writing back, Ryoto paused as he saw a white rabbit before him! "Is that?" he reached and touched the rabbit, the moment he did. Ryoto was back at the domain!

"You okay?"

He paused and peered to see Megumi lingering over him. "Kiyoshi sent word to his father you weren't well… I thought I would return the favor in the times you helped me."

"Thank you… my head is killing me, I want to rip off my skin… Gah, I feel like I am going nuts!" he protested.

Megumi sighed. "Then you need to speak with your father on that, I don't think you are. I just think you are overwhelmed."

Ryoto pause to this as he peered to Megumi oddly. "Ten shadows… you have that don't you?" he asked bluntly.

"Yes…"

"Therefore you have Mahorage's Dharma don't you?"

"I've… feel like that is being used every time I see something new…"

"That's because it is." Megumi said. "The Dharma is used to learn, adapt and counter. Your father used it to adapt to Gojo sensei's technique, the more you fight someone, the more you learn and the more Mahorage adapts. Before long, there won't be a counter that Mahorage won't know. At the same time, this is being use without you realizing it, you are learning the techniques of those around you."

Ryoto froze to this. "That's why my head hurts, but my skin…"

"Take off your necklace, and look at yourself. No doubt they are curse marks coming in."

He paused to this and took his necklace off. He had some curse marks coming in, but realized, the ones on his arms were dark and thick now, before they were light and not noticeable. "What… this is why I feel so itchy?"

"I am not the expert on that, but he is." Megumi peered behind Ryoto, he turned and saw his father lingering in wait. He didn't approach since Megumi was there and knew better by the looks of it. "It would be best if you spoke to him about it, I can only assume."

He left shortly after, not another word or even given time for Ryoto to thank him for his help. Ryoto turned to his father who was now beside him, he looked over the markings on his arm and nodded. "Let's get this over with,"

"What do you mean?"

His father forced a smile. "I'm about to show you everything I know and can summon at this time, the sooner you learn, the sooner your marks come in and your headache goes away. This way, boy,"

Ryoto gulped his pride but nodded. Today is going to be a long day…