Life Goes On

chugqueen, thank you so much for your kind and exhilirating words! I was starting to think nobody, but Thoth, cared anymore. As far as apologizing or explaining things, I apologize for length of some scenes mostly because some may not like reading extremely long 'scenes'. I won't apologize for my style of writing, it's not going to change so what's the use? I explain things because I feel it helps you, my valued readers, will understand my twisted thoughts better.. hehehe. As far as the characters changing, hey, we all gotta grow up sometime, lol. But I'm trying not to change them too drastically.


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Scene 23 ------------------------------------------- Spirit World

* Ryuji is pacing angrily in his cell. Pehjo sits on the single cot and just watches his cellmate boredly. Finally, the outer door opens and Koenma, in his Teen form, enters. Ryuji turns to face him, seething.


Ryuji- I do hope you're Koenma! I've never seen so many d--- ogres in my life..!

Koenma- Ryuji of the Da-kuhisaki (1) clan, I presume.

Ryuji- Look, I have no time for pleasantries! my brother and sister are in trouble..

Koenma- You were with the gang that kidnapped said sister and possibly killed an important human..

Ryuji- First of all, if you call Mukuro she can clear up why the h--- I was even there in the first place..

Koenma- So you're saying Lord Mukuro was behind all of..

Ryuji- No!! That's it. I'm not saying another.. Enma-d---ed word until I talk to Koenma!!


* Koenma merely shrugs at the fire demon's anger. After having had Hiei living most of the past two years up here has pretty much jaded the godling to temper tantrums.


Koenma- Then keep talking.. I'm the one and only Lord Koenma.. And watch how you use my Father's name, if you don't mind.


* Ryuji eyes Koenma up a moment. Koenma feels the calm brush that he also recognizes as a jagan scanning his mind.


Koenma- So, you possess a hidden jagan. I'm impervious to such attacks..

Ryuji- I didn't come up here to attack anyone.. My brother and sister are in trouble.. I thought you were Hiei's friend.

Koenma- I am..

Ryuji- Then you have to listen to me..


* Koenma motions toward Pehjo.


Koenma- Who is he?

Ryuji- Some skink..

Pehjo- Hello, your mighty Lordship! It's a pleasure to meet you.


* As Koenma half bows to acknowledge Pehjo's praise Ryuji reaches through the bars and gets ahold of his tunic.


Ryuji- Now, you listen to me!! There's a demon down there named Garuyun! He has Hiei and Yukina.. He's demanded that if I don't kill Lord Mukuro in less than a week..

Koenma- Kill Mukuro?! Release me!!

Ryuji- Do I have your attention now? Hiei is in a cell with Yukina..

Koenma- Then he'll protect her.

Ryuji- He'll be in High Heat in a week, you idiot! Do you have any idea what that means?!


* Koenma stares at Ryuji blankly. The fire demon growls and leans closer.


Ryuji- Let me say it again slowly.. Hiei - is - in a - cell - with - Yukina.. He goes - into - High Heat - ..


* When the Teen's eyes finally widen as the message gets through to him Ryuji nods and releases him.


Ryuji- Have I finally gotten through to you?

Koenma- But I can't just let you go kill Mukuro.. It's not her time yet.. Do you have any idea the extra paperwork that would..

Ryuji- Then let me show you where the portal is so you can get your troops through it.. The bracelet, skink.


* Pehjo searches a couple pockets on his vest until he finally locates the bracelet. He tosses it to Ryuji.


Ryuji- Do you think any of these ogres cxan replicate this somehow?


* Koenma takes the bracelet to examine it.


Koenma- Replicate a bracelet?

Ryuji- It triggers Garuyun's portal through the large black okunenju.

Koenma- They could replicate the bracelet easily.. but not this energy I feel coming from it.

Pehjo- Excuse me.


* Ryuji rolls his eyes, then he and Koenma look at the relaxed skink.


Pehjo- I can.. do that.. It's one of my special talents that I rarely ever use.

Koenma- Who are you?

Pehjo- My name is Pehjo.

Koenma- Why does that name sound so.. familiar..


* Pehjo sits up and shrugs as he scratches at one of his big floppy ears.


Pehjo- Beats me.. I'm just a lowly skink.

Ryuji- Figure it out later.. I need to let Mukuro know about Garuyun's plans.


* Koenma just turns to leave studying the plain brass bracelet, his mind begins to work in another avenue. Ryuji growls angrily and slams the bars. Pehjo feels the temperature in the cell raise a feww degrees and closes his eyes as he sighs.


Pehjo- Ahh.. That feels soo good..


* Ryuji turns to scowl at his cellmate.


Ryuji- Good?

Pehjo- Oh yeah.. The warmth, man.. It's heaven for us reptillian types.


* Pehjo lays back on the cot and looks at Ryuji as he waves his tail beckoning to the fire demon.


Pehjo- Why don't you bring that hotness a little closer?


* Ryuji's anger turns into a malicious smirk.


Ryuji- You like it hot, do you?

Pehjo- Ohh yeaahh... Ahh!!!


* The next instant the skink finds himself smoking on a smoldering cot.


Pehjo- Woah! Hey!! Too.. hot!!


* Ryuji crosses his arms and relaxes with a chuckle. Pehjo coughs out a puff of smoke as Ryuji turns away to glare toward the door that closed behind Koenma.


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(1) Da-kuhisaki - Means Dark Flame.