Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Shura's Quest ❯ Scene 23 ( Chapter 23 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

I apologize for the slow update, but I've had a bout of stomache virus that had me sick for a couple days, not to mention my arthritis ailments in just about all of my joints. Not to mention that April Showers bring slower connections. Feedback hasn't been much for this piece, but I'm not giving up on this story!

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* The giant man is standing near his large window looking out over his kingdom. A royal page enters and bows to the floor behind him.


Page- Mighty One.

King Enma- Speak.

Page- Your daughter, Princess Durga, requests your...

King Enma- Tell her to wait in my sitting room.


* The page bows again.


Page- As you wish, Mighty One.


* When the page leaves King Enma stands where he is a few more minutes. He has a pretty good idea why his daughter is there. Now that he has settled down some he has been considering his options. In the sitting room, Durga moves to the table where a bowl of fruit and various pastries have been set out. She glances at the man standing off to one side, Hytuka, her father's loyal butler for many years. The butler bows his head toward her respectfully.


Durga- He was expecting me.

Hytuka- Yes, Princess.. He knew the order would bring you here.


* Durga scowls and gestures angrily toward the table as her father begins to enter the large room.


Durga- So he attempts to placate me with these frivolities?!

King Enma- Calm down, Durga.


* The princess turns. Immediately she remembers her place and bows her head to her Father.

Durga- Father.

King Enma- You should know by now, daughter, that I do not send orders out lightly.


* Durga watches King Enma move to his royal fton on the slightly raised dais.


King Enma- Some wine, please, Hy.


* The butler bows and moves to fulfill the order.


Durga- I understand this, Father.. I also know why you've acted so hastily...


* Now Enma glares at her.


King Enma- Hastily?!


* Although his voice roars through the room, it secretly impresses him that it doesn't rattle his daughter. Or the butler who brings him his large goblet of wine.


Durga- Yes, sir.

King Enma- You do realize that Kurama has kidnapped your brother?


* Durga crosses her arms.


Durga- Yes. But do you realize that my dear brother has become powerful enough that he wouldn't have allowed himself to be caught if he didn't wish to?

King Enma- Watch your tone, young lady.


* The King thinks as he takes a slow drink, 'She does have a point.. What were you up to, Koenma?'


Durga- Father, I apologize.. May I show you what I have learned?


* Enma sighs and looks at her.


King Enma- Durga,..

Durga- Please, Father. I have an idea of what your judgement may be should Kurama be captured.. I don't want you to sentence an innocent demon to death.. You've never judged unfairly before.


* The King studies his daughter a couple moments. The look of determination on her face makes the decision for him.


King Enma- Very well, Durga.. Show me what you know.


* Durga goes over to the large, ornately-framed mirror that is there to serve purposes such as this. Durga closes her eyes, touches the mirror, and begins to show him Koenma's capture.


King Enma- I have already seen..

Durga- Patience, Father.


* The scene continues until Koenma pauses beside Lazurama to look at him. His thoughts are audibly heard.


Koenma- This isn't Kurama.


* King Enma's eyes stay glued to the mirror as he gives the half-empty goblet back to Hytuka so he won't drop it. When Lazurama and Koenma disappear through the gateway Durga lowers her hand to turn and face her Father.


King Enma- If that wasn't.. Kurama..?!

Durga- It wasn't.

King Enma- Durga, I can see through demons that disguise themselves in the Human World.. That was definately a silver kitsune! Isn't there only one left?

Durga- I understand your confusion, Father. Indeed, silver kitsunes are very rare.. endangered, even.. So much so that there are only three left at this time.

King Enma- Three? All of my records show that Youko Kurama is the only one left.. Do not treat me as a fool, daughter.

Durga- I'm not intending to, Father. We both know that your records of Demon World aren't complete.


* Enma leans forward to study Durga. If anyone would know about this species of demon it would be her.


King Enma- Do you have more proof?

Durga- As soon as Mother showed me the situation I recognized who this kitsune was and went to Demon World to confront him.

King Enma- Show me.


* Durga nods thankfully and puts her finger back on the mirror. King Enma sits quietly watching her account of the meeting with Lazurama. Durga then turns back to face him.


King Enma- Lazurama?


* Durga nods sadly.


Durga- He is Kurama's half-brother.. They have the same father.. Azurama was their clan leader, he was also a silver. But only two of his sons inherited his color.

King Enma- He said they killed his mate and kits?

Durga- Yes. You won't have to kill Lazurama, Father.. He'll die alone within a year..

King Enma- I understand demon bonding, Durga. But doesn't this also condemn the remaining two kits?

Durga- Only if he cannot get them to a relative that will take over their raising... Right now, the only relative he has left is Kurama.

King Enma- I see.. Did you happen to learn who these.. vermin are that's done these crimes? The vile demons that attempted to make a fool out of me?

Durga- No. Sorry, Father. Lazurama was too nervous to reveal much more to me. He claims that they are watching him.. But I do know that Kurama is right now on his way to catch Lazurama and clear his name..

King Enma- What?!

Durga- I warned him not to go into Demon World. But kitsunes can be as stubborn as they are loyal.. Kurama also intends to rescue Koenma, Father...

King Enma- I have already dispatched several SDF troops into Demon World! If I couldn't tell the difference between those two, they sure won't be able to!


* King Enma raises one of his hands to rub his forehead. After a moment, he rises from the futon and moves away from Durga. He moves across the large room, rubbing his chin as he tries to think. Durga recognizes her Father's thoughtful mannerisms.


Durga- Father,.. I know that any law or judgement you pass is final.. I also trust that you will judge fairly..

King Enma- (Quietly) I have ordered that Kurama be taken.. Dead or alive.. I.. have made a grave mistake..

Durga- Even though we are supreme beings we must realize that we are not perfect, Father..


* For several moments, the King doesn't move. Then he turns back around to look down at her.


King Enma- What are you planning to do, Durga?

Durga- I intend to return to Demon World and aide Kurama in any way I can..

King Enma- No. You cannot be near the kitsunes. I have ordered my troops to take anyone aiding Kurama into custody as well.

Durga- Then you intend for me to stand up here and do nothing?!

King Enma- No. I want you to do something.. I want you to find Lazurama's two kits. Perhaps once the kitsune sees that they are free he will stop what he's doing.


* Now Durga nods, seeing the sense in this.


Durga- Yes. I will do that, Father!


* She starts to turn to leave.


King Enma- Durga,..


* Durga looks back at him as she pauses at the door.


King Enma- Be careful, my duaghter. While some of my laws may reach into Demon World.. my full protection does not.


* After a moment, Durga nods.


Durga- I understand, Father.


* The King sighs deeply as he watches her leave.