If Only in My in Dreams

If Only in My Dreams Part Three By: boysluvcraft

I. Hiei in Ulthar: Where No Man May Kill a Cat

The demon vaguely recalled there being two others who accompanied into dreams. However, their names, their faces, even their race, were all memories stolen by forgetful dreams. He had been separated from them almost immediately after passing the Gate of Deeper Slumber.

Hiei had spent his first year in the Dreamlands searching for his mystery companions. He sailed to Andahad and Barharna, on the Isle of Oriab. He went to Cathuria in the west and to Celephais in the valley of Ooth-Nargai, and to Dylath-Leen on the river Skai. Then, he went to Ilek-Vad on the Twilight Sea and to the floating sky city Serannian. He even trotted though Isharra, which was home to some of the ugliest people Hiei had ever seen!

It seemed as if he’d scoured nearly every city in the Dreamlands, but found nothing. There were times that he questioned whether or not his lost companions were even real. Still, he diligently continued his search. The search that now landed him in the great stone built City of Ulthar.

Ulthar was known as the city where no man may kill a cat. Apparently, there was some archaic law that was passed for gods-knows-why, which dictates that it is a crime to kill a cat within the city. Consequently, the cat population out numbered the human population nearly twenty to one.

Hiei actually liked the cats. Their smell overpowered that of the humans. Also, he found it amusing how they seemed to run the city. They roamed the streets freely. If they were hungry, humans were expected to feed them. If they wished to enter a human’s home, the humans must open the door for them.

Hiei had been searching in Ulthar for the last two weeks. Though he was not exactly sure what he was looking for. He roamed to the city’s boarding houses, inns, and bars, hoping to feel some spark of recognition.

Feeling the first prangs of hunger, Hiei headed for an eatery that he knew of, on the western side of the business district, the Kitten’s Kettle.

Aside from the silly name, the Kitten’s Kettle was a man’s restaurant. The tables and benches were made of polished granite. Such furnishing was common in this city. Ulthar was near a quarry and was home to some of dreamlands finest craftsman. The building was refreshingly free of lace doilies, table clothes, and flowery center pieces. And there were only four kinds of dishes at the Kitten‘s Kettle; bowl, mug, fork and spoon. No knifes, though, the meat was so tender that it practically fell off the bone.

Hiei entered the restaurant and took his seat at the bar. Immediately, a Dreamlander, whom Hiei recognized as one Clyde Gaffney the proprietor of the Kitten’s Kettle, appeared before him.

Clyde Gaffney inherited the place from his father, Gale Gaffney. Clyde was a young, native-born man. He was tanned and had thick, dark brown hair. He was externally tall for a native, standing at six foot, five inches. His looks could be compared with that of a wolf from the waking world, with his handsome, unshaven face, and his broad-shouldered, and lean body. But if he were a wolf, he was a tame wolf, or perhaps only dog. In spite of his sharp looks, he was gentle as the myriad kittens that the rule the city.

“Back again, Hiei?” Gaffney gave the demon a smile that was a little more than just friendly.

“What are we having, today?” Hiei was referring to the food. See, unlike most restaurants, the Kittens Kettle did not have a menu. The costumers would eat whatever it was that Gaffney decided to cook that day or they could go someplace else. This did not deter business in the least, because everything Gaffney cooked was delicious.

“Let’s see,” Gaffney pretended to think, “Roast Beef Cutlets topped sautéed Portabella Mushroom and Green Onion. On the side, we have Garlic Roasted Potatoes and Fresh Steamed Greens. And of course the house specialty all Sweet Butter Rolls you can eat.”

Just hearing the names of the dishes was enough to make Hiei’s mouth water. Nonetheless, Hiei tried to sound indifferent when he responded, “That will do.”

In sort order Gaffney had supplied the demon with a mug of cool beer and a bowl brimming with the aforementioned foods. Hiei closed his eyes as he took his first bite. He’d learned from his previous visits to this establishment that the food was tasty, nearly to the point of orgasmic. This time was no exception.

Hiei opened his eyes to witness Gaffney wearing smug grin.

“Do you always moan when you eat?” He said.

“Hn.” The demon turned his head to hide his embarrassment.

Gaffney absently cooed. “Don’t be mad. It’s… cute.”

Gaffney suddenly looked panic stricken as that last word left his mouth. Furiously blushing, he muttered, “Uh, I… have things to do.” Then he hurried himself beyond a curtain covered doorway.

At that moment, Hiei felt a spark. Not the spark of recognition his mind that he’d been searching for. No, this spark was located much farther south. Hiei tried to put it out of his mind while he ate the rest of his meal. It was no use, he knew what he wanted.

What the hell, he thought as he stalked after the fled Dreamlander.

Hiei discovered Gaffney moving things around aimlessly on a shelf, in the stock room. The Dreamlander stiffened when he heard the dull thump, of the door closing behind him, followed by the sharp click of the lock. He spun to find Hiei leaning against the locked door.

“Hiei?” Gaffney gasped.

Hiei peered up through eyelashes at the stunned and blushing Dreamlander, “That was a pretty good meal,” “But it was missing something.”

“Something?” The other mindlessly repeated the last word.

“Desert,” Hiei purred in a dark sensuous tone.

“D… D… Desert?” the other repeated shakily.

The demon advanced on the stunned Dreamlander, “Yah, I’m in the mood for something sweet.”

Later, Gaffney was sitting up against the store room shelves, with Hiei’s head resting on his bared chest. His fingers played lazily with Hiei’s dark hair and massaged his scalp. Outwardly, the small demon was the very picture of contentment. Inside however….

What the hell did I just do?! He shrieked inside his head. Never in his life did Hiei ever think he would reduce himself to having sex with a human. And not just any kind of human, but a docile puppy dog, born of the Dreamlands. The memories rushed through Hiei’s mind as sure as the adrenaline from their fierce coupling that still surged in his veins.

He found the flustered Dreamlander fiddling around in a storages room…. They kissed. Hiei instigated it by hauling the man down to his level and lying siege to the others mouth. A hand tightened around his waist, fingers ran through his hair. Oh, that felt good…. Clothes fell to the floor as the owners striped and tasted one another. Mmm, he tasted good…. On the floor, hard wet bodies ground against each other. Rough hands desperately mapped out and teased every inch of his body. Damn, he’s good…. He sat stride the human’s thighs, a full member poised beneath him. In one quick movement, he felt sharp pain, mixed with the undeniable feeling of fullness as he took in his lover. Shit! That hurts so good!…. He rode the man for all that he was worth, sliding up and down on that velvety hot pole. The pressure was building, each downward thrust sent a sparks of pleasure rippling through his being. He was on the edge. He screamed…. AH! Ah! So GOOD!!!

Yes, not only did Hiei have sex with a human, but he willingly BOTTOMED! Hiei never bottomed. But here, he couldn’t wait to get that cock up his ass. And, dear god did he love it.

What is wrong with me?! His mind reeled. It’s Dreams. Dreams were impairing his judgment, causing him to do things he would never do awake. When dreams are your reality, desires easily become your actions. Hiei was loosing himself in Dreams. What to do?

Ah, what the hell, Hiei thought as the fingers in hair lulled him into contentment.

Hiei did not go back to the Kittens Kettle for a few days after his little indiscretion in the stock room. But, somehow Hiei found himself gravitating back to that establishment. He tried to tell himself that it was lure of the food. But, once he was there it was only a matter of time before he and the owner were once again rutting in the stock room.

In spite of himself, Hiei had considered the idea that he might be in love with the Dreamlander. After some soul searching he found that, no, he did not love Gaffney. He liked Gaffney. The two had compatible personalities and physical attraction for one and other. What more should it take for two people to love one and other? He couldn’t say, but Hiei was sure that he didn’t have it.

No worries, in the end it didn’t matter. As it turned out the human was suffering from the same dilemma. That he was also experiencing feelings of like and attraction that he could not honestly call love. The only difference was that Gaffney had the bravery to broach the subject. Which lead the two into a very uncomfortable conversation that concluded with a very palatable agreement.

If both of them were okay with the fact that there was no love between them. And no harm could come from it. Then, there was no reason why they shouldn’t indulge their desires. Isn’t it wonderful how simple things can be in dreams. They sealed the deal with a hard core session in the storage room.

* * *

II. The Second Toughest Cat in Ulthar

Two weeks ago Hiei and the restaurant owner Clyde Gaffney entered into a type of ‘friends with benefits’ relationship. Hiei has been more or less living with the man, in the apartments above the Kitten’s Kettle, since he had chosen to stay in Ulthar.

Hiei had decided to end his aimless search. It had been nearly a full year of searching for his comrades to no avail. Nearly one year in dreams, that is, no telling how much time has passed in the waking world. Hiei barely cared. But, one year of searching… It was a waste of time.

If only there was a better way. Hiei thought as he relaxed in a hot bath. .

He touched his fingers to his forehead, as he often did, half expecting to find something there. But no, his touch was met only by the sooth skin of his brow. Then he glanced down his right arm, again, like he expected to be something there other than his clean, fair skin.

“Something wrong, Hiei?” Gaffney had come into the room to see his bed partner examining his arm with a deep frown.

Hiei shook his head to clear his thoughts. He responded, “No, I’m fine. Just… memories, I guess.” Like most men of the waking-world, he’d left most of his personal memories behind when he entered the dreamlands. At times he would have the strangest feeling that he had left more than that behind.

“Well if you’re sure you’re fine,” he bent down and gave Hiei a kiss, “I’ve got to go cook the lunch special.”

Hiei hadn’t completely given up on finding his friends, no far from it. This was more like a change in strategy. The Dreamlands were vast; they could roam around for centuries and never bump into each other. So, rather than traipsing about looking for them, Hiei would situate himself in one place and wait for them to find him.

And what better place to stake out than Ulthar? It was an old city that lay on a major trade route. It was also the site of the Temple of the Elder Ones. Hosts of travelers came through Ulthar everyday. His friends where bound to come there eventually.

Not to mention, that if Hiei remained in Ulthar, he would have free access to good food, warm bed, and hot sex whenever he wanted it. It wasn’t a bad plan.

Hiei got out of the bath and was drying off his hair when a strange sound reached his ears. It was a hoarse yowling sound. It was a cat, no doubt. But what a peculiar sound for a cat to make. It sounded more akin to the voice of a teenage boy, whom was getting his ass kicked by puberty.

Hiei opened the door leading out to the balcony. On the balcony, sat the biggest, gangliest, and most orange cat Hiei had ever seen. He was all beat to hell, covered in scratches and had patches of fur missing. He looked dazed and was swaying a bit where he sat.

The cat looked up at him. “Meow,” in that hoarse voice.

Just then a lithe black cat jumped onto the balcony. The ginger cat rounded and charged at the black one. At the last possible second, the black one jumped to one side, leaving the ginger one to plow head on with the balcony’s stone wall. Then the black one swatted the ginger one on the rump, before leaping from the balcony. It almost seemed like he was laughing. The ginger cat directed a stream of hoarse yowls at the retreating figure.

Hiei watched this entire exchange. He could the muscles in his face twitch in conspiracy of a smile. On impulse, he went over and picked up the over-sized kitty.

“Meow.”

He took the cat inside and proceeded to first aid. While he was cleaning bandaging the feline’s wounds, Hiei absently started to talk to the cat.

“I don’t recall having seen you around here before. Or have I?”

“Meow?”

“You seem oddly familiar.”

“Meow.”

“Perhaps, I knew you in another life, or someone like you.” Hiei mused as he lifted the bandaged kitty onto his lap.

“All of these wounds, you do get beaten up a lot don’t you?”

“Meeoooow!”

“Oh, did that make you mad?” Hiei chucked. He stroked the cat‘s fur until he settled. “I understand, winning isn’t why you fight him….”

Hiei’s mind drifted off into half formed memory. He was in a cave, but not in the cave. He felt confined, yet the space was boundless. There were four people with him. One who he knew for long and one that he’d only just met. One that he threatened to kill, but wouldn’t and one that he wanted to kill, but couldn’t. All of them were very intently watching what was happening outside of their space.

Outside, in the cave, two men faced off. One of them was the enemy. Hiei wanted him dead, pure and simple. The other was more of a boy than a man. Hiei’s feelings for that one were far from simple, and probably less than pure. Hiei felt anger, jealously, pride, comfort, caring, and…affection?

The boy had no chance against their enemy. He viewed the last few moments of the battle as if it were in slow motion. His heart beat so loud he could hear it. The boy’s limp body fell, partially suspended time as red bloom spread over his heart. Hiei felt the blow as if he‘d received it himself.

Time caught up with him. The world was staking apart. Somewhere, over the sound of the blood pounding in his ears, he could hear harsh yowling and sobbing. Hiei wanted to cry too, but he was too well practiced in controlling his emotions. Instead his sorrow mixed with hatred and anger, and boiled inside of him until it turned into raw power….

Hiei was suddenly very tired. He allowed his eyes to droop, and then fall closed altogether. Sleep took him so swiftly; he hadn’t the time to notice that where he once held a bundle of extra bandages, in his right hand, there was now only a fist full of ashes.


Latter, Gaffney returned to the apartment, bearing two bowels of the lunch special, to find the most adorable taboo waiting for him. Hiei was curled up, asleep on the window seat, clutching a huge, bandaged up ginger cat like a teddy bear.

Gaffney placed the bowls on the table, and then went to Hiei’s side. He kissed Hiei’s cheeks until his eyes fluttered open.

“Hey.” Gaffney greeted him. “I see you made a friend,” he indicated the ginger cat.

“I see you brought lunch,” Hiei countered pointing to the table.

The three then, enjoyed a peaceful meal. Gaffney pulled his chair around the table to sit next to Hiei. The large cat sat on Hiei’s lap as both men fed him bits of meat and cheese.

Scratching between the cat’s ears, Gaffney inquired, “So, what are you going to name him? Ginger? Tuffy? Hank? I‘m thinking Red. He looks like a Red.”

“His name is Kazuma.”

“Ka-zu-ma.” He tried the name out. “Where’d you that name from?”

Hiei could only shrug. For some reason when he looked at that cat, the name Kazuma just popped into his head.

Hiei hugged Kazuma, and Kazuma said, “Meeeoww!”

Then the two men laughed for no apparent reason, other than making the scene into a pleasant ending.

Of course everyone knows that in dreams it’s not over until the alarm goes off, and that is never pleasant.

* * *
III. Meanwhile in the Waking World

“Uh, ma’am?” Kuwabara broke in the frowning Oneiromancer’s thoughts.

“Something has gone wrong,” she told him, “Our boys, they have scattered to distant places in Dreams. Can you feel it?”

Kuwabara concentrated on the three demons. “Yeah! I see what ya mean. It feels like there’s a lot of space between them, but they’re all right here, ya know.”

“I may have been too hasty in sending them into dreams.” The old woman was wringing her hands.

“What you mean by that?”

“There are many paths to the Dreamlands and a mind will take the path it feels most dawn to. Sending a single person into dreams is simple enough, you point the way and they go.” She explained, “It is much trickier to send a group of people as a single unit, because they may end up on different paths. It works best when those concerned had, what you say, the ties that bind.”

“Okay, I get that. But, we’re all pretty tight, what went wrong?”

The woman chewed at her lip. “I hate to ask it, but have Kurama and Yusuke been having relationship issues?”

“Kurama and Yusuke?” The ginger haired boy looked confused.

Varvara elaborated, “Before we sent them into dreams, those two were being far too quiet. At the time, I chalked it up to embarrassment because I caught them kissing in the bath.”

“What?!” He shrieked.

“Now don’t be that way,” she admonished. “Homosexual relationships are quite common among demons. If you are to keep company with demons, you’re best to get used to the fact.”

“I know that, and I believe it or not I’m used to it. Anyway that’s not what I was reacting to.” he corrected her. “I thought Urameshi had a thing for Shorty. Shoot, he was practically humping his leg in the waiting room. Then again I guess I could see him going for Kurama, too. They about each other a bunch and stuff.” Kuwabara looked thoughtful.

Blank faced Varvara said, “You are a far more perceptive young man than anyone gives you credit for. Also, I think we’ve hit on the root of the problem, an unresolved love triangle of all things!”

“What do we do, then?”

“Let’s check on the boys.”

Varvara and Kuwabara each placed a hand on Kurama‘s brow.

“I feel him,” the boy said, “he’s strong and focused.”

“But there is no definite pattern in his movement. He’s most likely looking for clues.” She moved to Hiei, “Shorty has stopped moving.”

Kuwabara was pleased to note that the old lady had picked up his nick name for the small demon. “For a minute there, I thought I lost him. The link between us ain’t weak, but he’s been resisting it. Probably cuz we don’t get along, right?”

“Yes,” Varvara confirmed. “However, it seems that he‘s starting to give in. In any case, we must keep a close watch on this one.”

On to Yusuke, the woman reported, “He’s been moving a lot. Hmm. There’s an influence near him that I don’t like.”

“Is Urameshi in trouble?” The boy looked ready for a fight.

Hesitantly the lady said, “I don’t know.”

They moved to Koenma and unsurprisingly there was no response.

A servant girl brought them another pot of coffee. The night had just begun.

* * *

A/N: Nothing scary happened in this one. I had this part half finished and started second guessing myself. I considered scrapping this whole plot thread, but then I got a review from Dark light, who wanted to know what Hiei was up to. Ask and you shall receive. So, everyone please review. Well I hope you liked this part. Next time we find out what Kurama was doing in those casinos.