Shura's Quest - A New Situation

Thanks for the reviews, they are greatly appreciated. I had a birthday this week, so I've kinda been in a downer mood. You know the old saying, sorta, 'Another year older and deeper in debt'. Yeah, that's the story of my life. Eh, but I am thankful for a few things like family, shelter, and my laptop.. knocks on it gently. Okay, enough about me, I'm sure some of you have been wondering "Whatever has been happening to Koenma?" sometimes when I write with my flow I tend to lose some characters in the shuffle. I noticed that with this story so I added this scene in to rectify that. Now, I'm not going to go into great detail here but, once again, insert imagination here. Oi.

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Scene 3 ------------------------------------------- Shura's Prison Dungeon

* Before he enters through the heavy steel doors that lead into the innermost prison area, General Mukakai pauses to brace himself up. It's been a few days since he's been able to come check up on their most important prisoner. With the two mages turning up missing, then his searching for Banashima before having to escape that koorime to go get Youda the general just hasn't had the chance. Mukakai takes a deep breath, but just before he enters he hears his name hailed.


Guard- General, sir..


* Mukakai turns to face the guard.


Mukakai- Arlon.


* The younger demon looks around, then back up at the newly appointed chief of Shura's military.


Arlon- Forgive me, sir, but I've heard.. through the vine.. that you brought that old demon here..

Mukakai- I'm assuming you're referring to Youda.

Arlon- Hai.. Do you have any idea who he is?


* Arlon glances around nervously again.


Arlon- He was.. his.. top advisor..


* Mukakai tilts his head.


Mukakai- His..? You mean Lord..

Arlon- Shh!! How long have you been away?

Mukakai- I was out searching for Kandero's replacement for a few days..

Arlon- Then you haven't heard about the newest law from that.. Form Lord Shura?

Mukakai- Do fill me in, Arlon.

Arlon- It's now against the law.. punishable by death, even.. to mention the previous ruler.


* Mukakai rolls his eyes, then curses quietly as he lifts a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose a moment.


Mukakai- Okay. I'll try to keep that in mind..

Arlon- Permission to speak freely, sir?


* Arlon glances around again. Mukakai sighs then lowers the hand to grip one of the younger demon's shoulders.


Mukakai- No, Boy.. You go back to being a good soldier and leave.. politics to..

Arlon- You're going to go in to check up on Lord Koenma?

Mukakai- Hai..

Arlon- I've done my best to make him as comfortable as possible..

Mukakai- Thank you. I'll see that you're rewarded..

Arlon- I tool pity on the prince after some of the other guards.. took their liberties with him a couple days ago.


* Mukakai scowls down at Arlon.


Mukakai- What are you talking about?


* Just then the heavy door swings open and a small group of guards push Mukakai aside as they pass.

Sgt. Sylvus- Okay, Arlon, time for you to clean him up again..


* When the sargeant now recognizes the demon they shoved aside he and the other three guards' laughter stops immediately. Sylvus quickly salutes.


Sgt. Sylvus- General, please forgive me, I..

Mukakai- What were you guys doing in there?!


* One of the other guards waves a hand, still a bit excited from the "activity" they just indulged in.


Myoku- Ahh, relax.. We were just doing our new assignment, General.

Sgt. Sylvus- Yes. We were commissioned a couple days ago to.. make this prisoner's stay a bit less.. pleasant..

Mukakai- Commissioned..? By Shura, you mean?

Myoku- Yes, sir.. His correct words were for us to feel free to make sport of..


* The general's growl sobers the lower soldier up some. all of the squad, but Sgt. Sylvus, take a couple steps away.


Mukakai- If this prisoner has been fatally injured..

Sgt. Sylvus- That has been forbidden. We can do anything we want, but take his life.. If you have a problem with our orders you can take it up with Lord Shura, yourself.


* When the sargeant waves the other three soldiers continue on down the hall toward the exit quickly. Arlon looks up at Mukakai.


Arlon- Give me a couple moments to clean him up, sir..

Mukakai nods, keeping his eyes locked on Sylvus. Arlon slips into the inner prison. Sylvus slowly drops his eyes.


Sgt. Sylvus- (Quietly) Some of us don't have the luxury of being able to voice our opinions or defy orders.


* The general closes his eyes and takes a deep breath to gather himself and calm down.


Mukakai- (Quietly) Sargeant,..

Sgt. Sylvus- (Quietly) Just continue doing your part to end this tyranny.. The rest of us will do whatever we can to stay alive that long.


* Without further delay or more words the sargeant turns and continues off to catch up to his squad. Mukakai stands staring at the soldier's retreating back a moment then turns away to enter the dingy room. The sight, though somewhat cleaned up by Arlon, makes the General turn away. After a couple moments, Mukakai swallows hard and hurries over to help Arlon free Koenma from the table he was restrained face down on. Mukakai studies the various bruises, scratches, and cuts all over the blind Prince's body. Koenma trembles until Arlon begins speaking with him quietly. The teen is in terrible need of a shower amongst other things, the general notes. He helps Arlon wrap the dingy, thin kimono around Koenma. Then they help him over to his usual place: The corner furthest from the heavy door and the dimmest lit area in the large room. The Prince is so exhausted that he just curls up in the corner immediately and passes out. Arlon shakes his head sadly.


Arlon- (Quietly) Enma have mercy on Lord Shura..


* Mukakai scowls and stands.


Mukakai- Let's hope he doesn't..


* Arlon half glances up at Mukakai, but the general turns away.


Mukakai- Pay no mind to me, boy.. Just do what you can for the prisoner.. He must be kept alive.

Arlon- Yes, sir.


* Mukakai takes a last glance at Koenma, then shakes his head and leaves. 'Yet another d--- sacrifice for the cause', he grumbles to himself angrily until he's through the heavy door. He stands in the silent hall as his thoughts once more turn to the other victim of this mess. With a frustrated growling curse the general leaves the prison in a manner that gives any of the soldiers he passes good reason and plenty of warning to stay clear of him.