Imprisionment and Freedom

Shen and Vine reached the town, they were ordered by Hanji to investigate. The name of the town was Shinga. As soon as Shen and Vine reached there, they went to meet the Mayor.

"How may I help you?" The Mayor asked.

"I want an audience with your King." Shen replied.

"What? Why? And why you asked me for that?" The Mayor asked with hesitation.

"You know it very well. Right Reynard?" Shen said.

"How? You? You are that kid from that night?" The Mayor said in fear.

"You owe me one, don't you? This is the time you repay me the debt you owe me." Shen said in a calm tone, with a straight face.

"Alright sir." The Mayor said, admitting defeat.

Shen and Vine left the Mayor's office.

"You have any doubt?" Shen asked Vine.

Vine nodded.

"The Mayor was a thief in Underground. Once he was caught and was about to be beaten badly, when I interfered. I was just a kid, but I defeated a huge group. He said he owe me one, hence, this was the way I asked him to repay." Shen said.

Vine nodded again, listening carefully.

Suddenly, a group of guards appeared.

"You and you! We are ordered by the Mayor to capture you both. You both have infiltrated our town as Survey Corps, but we know you are thieves. Come!" one of the guards said.

"You thought I'd help you? What do you expect from a thief kid?" Mayor said grinning. "Take both of them."

Vine started panicking, but Shen walked with them silently.

"Shen? You accept to be caught?" Vine asked him.

"You trust me?" Shen asked.

"What?" Vine asked.

"You trust me?" Shen asked.

"Yes, I do but..." Vine said when she was cut off by Shen, "Then come." he said grabbing her shoulders.

The moment Shen touched her shoulders, Vine started feeling calm. She followed whatever Shen said, and went with him to the jail.

They were placed in different cells, just the opposite of each other. Shen was fast asleep as soon as he arrived. On the other hand, Vine was panicking inside, but she tried to hide it from Shen.

Two guards arrived.

"Are they the ones?" first guard asked.

"Yes brother." second guard replied.

"The man sleeps like a baby, he doesn't care." First guard said.

"Let him sleep brother, soon he'll be dead already." Second guard replied.

"True." First guard said and laughed.

"What about the girl?" Second guard asked.

"Probably, she would be sold to Marley, to serve as a slave." First guard replied.

Vine heard their talk, covering her mouth.

As soon as the guards left, Vine whispered Shen's name to wake him up.

"Shen! For God's sake wake up! Wake up Shen!" Vine whispered, but Shen didn't wake.

Slowly, it was next day, then the hour came when the guards would come in and execute Shen. Vine was panicking, but Shen was still sleeping.

"Shen, please wake up! I beg you! I don't want you to die! Please!" Vine started muttering to herself.

Suddenly Shen woke up yawning. Vine was forming tears in her eyes, as if she saw Shen being resurrected from death.

"Oh thank God Shen you woke up. Shen! Get up!" Vine started screaming.

Shen was rubbing his eyes. "What? Is it morning already?" Shen asked.

"Yes." Vine replied, in a little loud tone.

"Ah! I had a good sleep. Now I'm hungry." Shen said and got up to stretch.

"Where will you find food here?" Vine asked.

"Let me help you Milady." Shen said and went near the cell. He held the rods in front of him, pulled them aside. "See. We get out."

Vine's jaw dropped at that moment. "Shen you can do that?" she asked in amazement.

"Yes." Shen replied. "Come, lets go." he said.

When Shen came out, the guards approached.

"Look! He's out! Stop him!" they screamed.

"Stopping me? You think that's possible?" Shen said with a smirk and vanished.

"Where'd he go?" one of the guards asked.

"I'm here." Shen replied appearing behind, hitting the heads of two guards in front of him.

"There! Attack!" other guards screamed and approached Shen with their spears.

Shen dodged them easily and quickly, as if he didn't move from his place. He then flicked the guard in front, punched the guards sideways, hit the guard behind with his elbow, and then kicked the guard.

"Area clear I suppose." Shen said to himself. "Thanks for making me more hungry." Shen said to the guards on the ground. "Oh I forgot." Shen said, when he realised Vine was still inside the cell.

On the other side, Vine stood like a dumb, unable to register what all occurred in front of her.

"Come, let me free you Vine." Shen said, and broke the rods of her cell, freeing her.

"Come Vine, lets go and have some food. I'm hungry." Shen said, while caressing his stomach, like a kid.

Vine smiled.

They both left the cellar, towards the kitchen of the building.

As soon as Shen entered, he held one of the chefs and said, "Make something good, in large quantity for both of us. If you try to act smart, or do something like poisoning my food or stuff, believe me, you'll regret so bad, not even your soul would forget. Go and make something good, quick! It should be tasty, else everyone will suffer. If you have doubt, look outside."

One of the chefs peeked outside via the keyhole, he saw a pile of unconscious guards, lying on ground. Some probably dead.

The chef, in fear, went to his team hastily, and everyone started making food quickly. They served Shen food, starting with rice.

Shen ordered to give Vine some food as well. The Chef obliged.

They brought some rice for Vine as well.

Shen took the spoon and took a bite of Vine's food. Vine was confused. Shen understood Vine's confused look, and replied, "I was checking if in case they poisoned your food or not." with a smile. Vine understood. Shen handed her the spoon he tasted her food from and continued eating food from his bowl.

Vine started blushing, but took the spoon and started eating, thinking about the indirect kiss in her mind.

Vine was eating her food slowly, while Shen was eating it hastily. He had to beat his chest many times, so the food doesn't get stuck in his food pipe.

Slowly, chefs brought other items, side dishes, main courses, etc, and Shen ate all. Slowly, there was a stack of bowls. Few minutes later, Shen was full. So was Vine.

"Lets rest for a while, then we'll seek an audience with the King." Shen said.

"As you say Shen." Vine replied, still lost in her thoughts about the spoon and indirect kiss.

"Chefs, lead me to a place, where I can rest." Shen ordered in a heavy tone, scaring them. They took him to their dormitory.

"Come Vine. Lets rest." Shen said and laid on one of the beds.

Vine nodded and laid on a bed near Shen's.