Shura's Quest - A New Situation

These last few scenes were necessarily split up due to my 'occasional' habit of getting lost in my own plots when I write them down on paper, lol.

###########################

Scene 13 --------------------------- The Gate


* As Mukakai approaches the gate the hooded figure hops off to the side when the general glances back toward the direction of the blast. The two guards at the gate are watching the area nervously, also. Mukakai moves up to them calmly and waves dismissively.


Mukakai- Don't pay it much mind. Our mighty ruler just woke up on the wrong side of his Father's bed this morning.


* As the guards relax and exchange chuckling glances at each other Mukakai continues on his way through the gate.


Mukakai- Just keep up the good work, guys.

Guard #1- Where you off to, General?

Mukakai- Just taking my morning stroll and trying to keep out of the way, Guys.. Carry on.


* The two guards salute and return into the sentry building. The hooded figure watches Mukakai continue off a moment, considers his direction of travel, then uses his powers to make a portal and step into it quickly. With all the racket and nooise, neither guard pays the energy flux much mind. When Mukakai is a good distance away from the gate he glances back to make sure he's not being watched.


Mukakai- Okay, Boy. I'm going to move a little quicker now.. Just keep holding on.

(#) Boy- Must.. get further away.. He was back there..


* Mukakai pauses briefly, puzzled a moment, glances backward once more, then takes off. For several moments the general makes his way quickly and unhampered toward the glen where he would usually meet with Banashima. He quietly hopes that maybe the mage's presence will return to him there and give him some clue on what to do next. When he finally reaches the area, though, he skids to a stop so quickly he almost falls back on his rear. There in the middle of the glen is the one person he certainly didn't want to encounter right now.


Mukakai- M-Master Youda,..

Youda- Mukakai, please remove your cloak.

Mukakai- I'd r-rather not, Sir. It's a might chilly this..

Youda- Take of the d--- cloak! That's an order!


* Mukakai raises up to his full height, sighs deeply, and carefully removes the cloak. He feels the tiny body on his back hunker down to hide better from the "mean" old demon.


Youda- Stand at attention, General!


* Mukakai military training causes him to habitually obey. Youda clasps his hands behind his back and calmly makes his way around behind the general. The boy begins to crawl around to hide against Mukakai's chest, but he still emits an angry hiss. Mukakai rolls his eyes, then raises his arms to embrace the boy. He murmurs quietly to calm him down as Youda moves back around to his front.


Mukakai- (Murmurred) Shh, remember what I told you.. He's on our side.. Calm down, Little One.


* Youda remains quiet but he alertly watches the exchange. The boy soon grows quiet but continues to cling tightly to Mukakai's chest.


Boy- I don't make him dead..

Mukakai- That's right.. He's our friend.. Don't be scared, now.

Boy- Not scared!


* Mukakai chuckles and continues to stroke the little boy.


Mukakai- I know. You're my brave boy..

Youda- General,..


* Mukakai shifts his gaze down to Youda.


Mukakai- Move aside, Sir.. I'm taking this boy to his Father. I'll take full responsibility..

Youda- He's already killed.. He's unpredictable..

Mukakai- He's a child, Youda. He felt threatened by those "strangers" and defended himself like any orphaned child would do..

Boy- Man in white hurt me.. You want to hurt me.. But I can't hurt you..


* The boy scowls up at Mukakai.


Boy- Not fair!

Mukakai- Shh, I won't let him hurt you.


* Mukakai looks back down at Youda.


Mukakai- He learns quickly, Master Youda.. He trusts me.

Boy- You friend.. Make me shirt, give me food.. Little One listens to you.

Mukakai- Yes, you do. You're a very good boy.. See, Youda? He's just an innocent child.. He says he heard Shura calling for him, but he begged me to get him away from there..


* The boy hisses again.


Boy- I want to kill B------! He hurt mother.. Wants to kill my Fathers..


* The child looks back up at Mukakai, his red eyes flaring.


Boy- Can I make that one dead, Mu-ka-kai?

Mukakai- It would be great, but back at the house you said it wasn't time..


* The little demon quiets, then lowers his eyes and shakes his head.


Boy- No.. Have more to learn.. Must find them.. My Fathers will name me and teach me to be stronger.


* Youda had continued to watch the exchange, quietly using his senses to feel out the small hybrid's feelings. It does surprise the older demon when he can only feel sincerity in the boy's words and actions. He finally drops his eyes and takes a deep breath.


Youda- The decision is still mine to make, General.. I've been monitoring his words and feelings. It is, as you say. He is just a child.. But then so was Shura once..


* The boy growls and looks at Youda.


Boy- I'm not his son! I will kill him!!


* Mukakai calms the boy back down, quickly placing a hand over his forehead.


Mukakai- No.. Close it, Little One..

Youda- He has a natural jagan..

Mukakai- Yes, he does. But he's closed it.. Unless you want to see it, Master Youda.


* Youda quickly throws a hand up placatingly.


Youda- No, no. I'm good, thank you.. I need to keep my mind intact if you don't mind.


* The old demon shakes his head again.


Youda- I may regret this.. Maybe I won't.. But if the boy is going on mostly instincts it may be to our advantage that you do take him to Lord Hiei.. No child with normal capacity would harm their own sire.


* Youda motions off toward the West.


Youda- From what I could make out by that idiot spy's video I would say the group wasn't far from the Blood Stream in Morbid Flats.. It would make sense since they're obviously heading this way from the Forbidden Forest.. If you go now it'll take you a couple days to reach them.

Mukakai- If they're coming this way it might not take us that long to meet up.

Youda- Indeed. The Fox is coming to reclaim his place.


* Mukakai looks back down at Youda.

Mukakai- Lazurama?

Youda- No. Kurama. The one called Lazurama has been killed battling wolves in the Forbidden Forest.

Boy- Father?


* Mukakai pats the boy's head gently.


Mukakai- No, Little One. Shh.. Get back onto my back. We'll be moving fast again.


* Youda watches the boy crawl back over one of Mukakai's large shoulders.


Boy- Claws?

Mukakai- No claws. Just hold on tight like before.

Boy- Hn.


* Youda's ears can't help but twitch at the child's grunted response.


Youda- He really is Hiei's son.. Enma help us all..


* Mukakai smirks at the shorter demon.


Mukakai- Maybe he already has.. Master, last night before I fell asleep.. I felt Banashima's presence around me.. I felt him inspiring me to keep this Little One alive.. My actions were not meant to be treasonous.

Youda- Just be careful, General. I'll do what I can to cover for your absence..

Mukakai- Just tell the b------ that I found out about the escape and I'm out trying to find him.


* Youda nods.


Youda- Get going then. Go as swiftly as you can.


* Mukakai nods and takes off toward the West until he forms his green transport sphere around him and takes off into the air. Youda calmly takes the small glowing orb out of his pocket.


Youda- Did you get all of that exchange, Master?

Agaliarept- Yes, Youda.. You did well to let the boy live for now.

Youda- Honestly, I don't think I could have killed him.

Agaliarept- Getting soft, Old Friend?

Youda- No. You could hear words through this blasted orb, but you can't feel energy.. That tiny boy's already nearly an S, Master.

Agaliarept- Perhaps Lord Hiei will make him an asset to our cause.

Youda- Hai, he does carry a lot of contempt for Shura already.. Somehow he has the intelligence, it seems, to have a complete understanding of what that brat has done.


* Agaliarept gives a slight purr through the orb.


Agaliarept- Perhaps things will get interesting. The group has set up their camp on the bank of the Blood River. No doubt the boy's instincts will help to guide General Mukakai straight to them. Carry on, Youda.


* When the orb dulls Youda places it back in his pocket and reopens the portal to return to Gandera. He steps out in front of the Laboratory building. When he hears the tantrum still going on inside the building he takes a deep breath and moves toward the entrance.

###########################

This section will be wrapping up very soon. But don't party yet, lol, there will be another sequel to continue the story.