Shura's Quest - A New Situation

Thanks for the great reviews so far! Please forgive me if I don't update as normally as I usually would. I'm experiencing some.. womanly problems lately and I'm lucky I have the motivation to get out of bed some mornings. Well, 'nuff said about me, on with the story.

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Scene 4 ------------------------------------------- Very Late That Night

* General Mukakai is pacing in his house as Youda speaks with Master Agaliarept through a glowing orb.


Youda- Yes, Master, he's found that book.. But it appears as if he's made some modifications to the old formula you concocted to create him.. The child is not of his own body as he was of yours..

Agaliarept- Where did he get the child, Youda?

Youda- According to his own admission.. He found Lord Mukuro to be pregnant with twins when he.. had her killed..

Mukakai- He used a coyote demon that was skilled in transformation, as well as vine handling, to slice her apart..

Agaliarept- Is that Mukakai there with you?

Youda- Hai.. He's very disturbed over this whole matter.

Agaliarept- Where is Banashima?

Youda- I have neither seen nor felt..

Mukakai- I think he had a run-in with that mage Kandero.. Neither has been seen since before I came to get Master Youda.. That's why he was brought here, remember?

Agaliarept- You need to calm down, General.. Your anxieity could blow everything.


* The general comes over to look down at the glowing orb that Agaliarept's voice is emanating from.


Mukakai- Pardon me, M'Lord, but I just happen to be dreading your decision concerning the poor, innocent child..

Agaliarept- Are you suggesting we allow it to be.. spawned?


* Youda sighs deeply.


Youda- Regrettably, I must suggest that we destroy this.. creation.. before the brat can..

Mukakai- Well, I say we rescue the.. boy!

Youda- That.. mutant.. has the blood of the most powerful demons in Demon World flowing through it right now! Do you have no idea what type of weapon this will be in Shura's hands?!

Mukakai- While the crazy brat was telling you about how he did that to his mother I was watching the boy.. He understood every word and it upset him.. There may be a chance that we could sway this powerful weapon to our side..

Youda- For all we know this.. thing.. could be nothing but a murderous monster that'll be worse than he is..


* Mukakai balls his fists as he glares down at the older, shorter demon scientist.


Mukakai- The.. thing.. is a living child.. An innocent child whose real Father doesn't even know he's got..

Agaliarept- What? To whom are you referring, General? - Wait! Are you saying that the boy is Hiei's son?! Well, that was a bit slow on the grasping, wasn't it, my friend?


* Mukakai looks back down at the orb, baffled at the slight changes in the voice for a moment before answering.


Mukakai- Yes.

Youda- Well, of that I cannot argue, Master. The only difference between Lord Hiei and the child in that tank is the boy's solid black hair.


* For a few moments there is silence as the orb flickers eerily in the darkened room. Youda, more attuned to the holder of the voice that speaks through the orb, half glances up at the general as he senses the struggle going on inside the orb. Finally Agaliarept's deep voice breaks the silence.


Agaliarept- Youda,.. I trust your judgment.. Be my eyes there.. See if you can communicate with the child in some way.. If you think he's a risk.. Yes, it must be done! - If you think he'll be trouble, deal with him!


* Mukakai shakes his head and snarls.


Mukakai- Just let me go on record, Master. If we kill Lord Hiei's son without mercy we are no better than Shura.. And Lord Hiei will no doubt hunt us down next.


* There is another short silence.


Agaliarept- Your concern is noted, General. But I must give Master Youda the decision on this.


* At that the small orb goes black. Youda sighs as he gathers it up into a pocket. He then turns to glance up at the general.


Youda- Tomorrow Shura is going to program my identity into the room's security. I have convinced him to give the child a couple days rest to be sure the final transfusion.. of the mazoku's blood.. has settled well.. So the official releasing is scheduled for the day after tomorrow.

Mukakai- Master Agaliarept said that the mazoku and his group are on their way here..

Youda- True, but they won't get here in time. Tomorrow night I will make my decision.


* Youda looks up at the general again.


Youda- Do not attempt to make me out to be the criminal here, General Mukakai.. You have experienced as many tough decisions to look away for the greater good as I have.. Indeed, the decision will not be an easy one.


* Youda shakes his head. Mukakai's shoulders slump as the smaller demon moves toward his front door.


Youda- Just be sure to keep Lord Koenma alive, that is your duty from now on, general.


* Mukakai looks at Youda surprised as the elder leaves.