If Only in My in Dreams

If Only in My Dreams Part Seven By: boysluvcraft

I. Trapped

It was just past midnight when Kurama awoke in a panic.

“Yusuke!” He could feel his lover’s power surging with rage and sorrow. His first instinct was to rush to Yusuke’s side. But Yusuke was so far away.

Cool, delicate hands tried to stop his movement as their owner whispered “Calm down, it’s going to be alright.” It was Ianto, the last person Kurama wanted to see, but for the moment Kurama put his distaste for the blond aside.

“Do you feel that?” He asked.

“Yes…” Ianto hesitated, “Is that Yusuke?”

Kurama nodded. He was calmer now that he had his wits about him.

“Is he in trouble?” Ianto queried.

“No,” Kurama answered grimly, “but whoever set him off is.”

“I knew he was strong, but… I had no idea!” Ianto mused while Kurama surveyed their surroundings.

It was a large open multileveled building filled with rows upon rows of shelves and catches, piled high with books, scrolls, all manners of paper. It was a library obviously, and not one that has been kept in good repair. The aforementioned shelves and papers were all blanketed in dust and cobwebs. An overwhelming stench of mildew and sea salt hung in the air. The wall paper was peeling, and it had discolored botches from mold and water damage. On farther inspection, Kurama found that the lighting in the place was being provided by a type of pale luminous fungi that grew on the walls.

“Do you have any idea where we are?” Kurama asked. Then because he remembered who he was talking to, so he added, “And don’t tell me it’s a library, because I can see that.”

“Sorry,” the blond told him, “I don’t know any more than you do. Last thing I remember, we were falling out of the sky.”

“I don’t suppose you’ve already had a look around?”

“Not yet. I only woke up seconds before you did.”

“You look around down here,” Kurama instructed, “See if you can find an exit, but DON’T LEAVE THIS ROOM. We don’t know what’s outside. I’m going to go look upstairs.” He was hoping to find some widows up there, so he could get a better idea of where they were at.

Kurama made his way up rusted spiral staircase and prayed it wouldn‘t collapse underneath him. He was correct, there were windows. He pulled back on one of the curtains; it was so dry rotted it had torn like tissue paper. He used the torn fabric to wipe away years of grime until he could get a clear view of the outside world. What he saw staggered and amazed him. He saw water all around them, they were submerged in it. He thought he could see another building not too far away. As his eyes adjusted to the gloom he could pick out another building and then another. It was whole city! Towers, bridges, stone worked roads, and all sorts of urban edifices resting at the bottom of the sea. But oddly enough there was no marine life to be seen; no fish no mosses, algae, or seaweeds, not even a speck of phytoplankton. It was just bare, tide pitted stone.

How did we get down here? Kurama wanted to know, and more importantly how do we get out?

Kurama looked at other buildings to surmise how these buildings are accessed. He figured out rather quickly. There were wide vertical pipes attached to sides of buildings. They were open at the bottom, then near the top the pipe curves down, and then back up again, and into the building. It must work like a massive sink-trap. However to actually use this system the people of this city would either have to be amphibious or scuba divers.

Ianto came up to the second floor to report that he‘d found no exits on the ground floor. Kurama knew he wouldn’t have. If this building was designed like the ones he’d seen outside, the exit would be on the top floor. Even if they did find an exit, still there’s question of how to get out. He didn’t know how deep down they were or if it was even possible to reach the surface. The fox believed they would drown before even getting though the pipe. And if they could make it o the surface, what then? Swim to the shore?

As far as planning goes, the fox always likes to be at least two steps ahead of the game. Now he’s found himself back at square one. That’s been happening to him a lot since he’d come to Dreams.

“Oh, that‘s interesting,” the blond behind him voiced idly.

“You have something to contribute?” Kurama spared the blond a glance out the corner of his impassive eyes.

“Huh?” Ianto snapped from his reverie, “Oh! Sorry, I was just looking at this design on the floor. It’s very unusual.”

The second floor of the library was like a balcony, the center of the floor was open and railed so that a person on the upper levels may view the first floor. Kurama was about to admonish the blond for getting distracted when he spotted the mosaic, himself. On the first floor, rendered in brilliant tile was a being with a body and face reminiscent of a toad. The artist, or nature, had created it with no eyes, like a blind cave fish. It had boneless worm-like appendages. Its outer contour seemed to waver and vibrate for its cilia skin. The thing stood at the center of a circle with deep red gems at twelve points, like the hours on a clock. Kurama’s interest was caught, but for practical reasons. It reminded him of Yusuke’s nightmare… or was it a premonition? Could this creature in the picture be the same as the one in the one in Yusuke’s dream? And what of those red gems?

“Ianto,” Kurama required the blond. “What is that?”

“Um, well, it looks like a moonbeast. They used to live on moon. They were the servants of the Great old ones, masters of the Lengites, enemy of all cats, and so on and so forth.”

“So, that’s a moonbeast,” Kurama had heard about these from men of the Serannian Navy. The old sailors never described the beasts as vividly as this artwork displayed.

Kurama suspected this mosaic was more than just a depiction of a moonbeast. Was it a history? A calendar, perhaps? Or maybe, it’s directions for some sort of ritual. There was some significance here.

“What about the rubies,” Kurama asked, “What is their significance?”

“The only rubies I know of that carry any kind of stigma are the Lengites’ rubies,” Ianto began what would soon turn into a long history lesson. “They sold them in Dylath-Leen during the Bad Times. Even then, few cities that would allow the black galley’s into their harbor, but the jewelers of Dylath-Leen could not resist the rubies the Lengites offered for such a low price.

“One day, the Lengites brought a giant ruby to Dylath-Leen. It was so big it took eight men to carry it. They Lengites carried it to the central square of the city and proclaimed it as a gift to of friendship to the good people of Dylath-Leen. A lie, of course. It was, in fact, a curse that would plague the city of decades.

“The ruby was the home-- or the prison-- of the Fly-the-Light. By night the creature, would haunt the streets devouring all living things it came in contact with. You see, the Fly-the-Light could not live in sunlight and must return to the safety of it‘s ruby during the daylight hours. So, in theory, the creature could not stray far from that city. But just in case, Atal, Highest Priest to the Elder Gods, placed a seal on the city so no one would go in and nothing could get out. Dylath-Leen thus stood empty and haunted for decades, until Henri-Laurent de Marigny and Titus Crow came from the Waking World to destroy the creature. Shortly after that, the Bad Times came to an end. Dylath-Leen repopulated and prospered.

“But here’s the kicker,” Ianto added as an after thought, “after all that, those fool people continued to trade in Leng rubies.”

Kurama digested the story. The Lengites were the servants of the moonbeasts, so it was more than possible that there was a connection. But how did it all connect to Yusuke’s dream and to Koenma?

Kurama looked farther, outside of the jeweled circle was a loose spiraling pattern of multicolored dots. At first Kurama had dismissed them as just a floor pattern, but…

“What do you know about those colored dots?” Kurama indicated the spots.

“They’re not dots, although, they do look like dots from up here.” Ianto told him. “If you’re standing on the first floor you can see that they are, in fact, small multicolored flames within spheres of light. However, I have no idea what they’re supposed to represent.”

“Souls,” Kurama said. The souls were being drawn into and contained by the rubies. If a Leng ruby could hold the Fly-the-Light, then why not a human soul? Kurama was starting to put things together. “They’ve been using Koenma as bait to lure in the souls of the dead so they could trap them in those rubies.”

“Excuse me?” Ianto knew he’d missed something.

“You’re a little slow on the uptake, Blondie,” Kurama preened for a moment then explained his reasoning to the blond.

When Kurama finished Ianto said, “Oh. That would make sense, but…”

“I know, it’s all very interesting, but it hardly tells us where Koenma is or how to save him,” Kurama cut him off. “Maybe if I knew what they are going to do with the souls….”

“Um, I don’t mean to contradict you, Kurama,” Ianto chose his words carefully, “But, how do you know this has anything to do with Koenma? I mean, you’re taking clues from dreams within dreams, and information from a mosaic in a place that we’re not even supposed to be in.”

“Do you really believe we wound up here on accident?” Kurama asked rhetorically. “Someone wanted us to see this.”

Kurama took to the stairs again, ascending to the third floor, which was built much like the second, but the opening was greater so that looking down a person could see the first floor mosaic and part of the second floor. On the second floor another set of pictures were worked in tile. Like the rubies, they ringed around the moonbeast like the hours on a clock. At twelve o’clock was a black disk, at one the black disk showed a thin yellow crescent, and then a thicker crescent at two, it was half waxed by three, and so on until the disk was fully yellow at six o’clock. The latter hours of the clock showed the disk waning back to black. It was the moon cycle, obviously. No useful information here.

Kurama ascended up the final set of stairs to the fourth floor where he could look down on the third floor. The motif on the third floor was so radically different from the other two, it was almost shocking. It depicted a tight interlacing of gears, belts, pistons, levers, and other sorts of machinery packed into a tight little ring.

“Do you understand this?” He barked at Ianto, who had just caught up with him and was out of breath.

“If I had to guess,” Ianto panted “That’s a representation of… Mnomquah’s Madness Machine of the Moon.”

“Explain,” Kurama coolly demanded.

The blond took a few deep breathes, while he ordered his thoughts. “It’s all part of Dreamland legend. Mnomquah, also known as the Great Moon-Lizard, he is the God of the Moon and of Madness. He was worshiped by moonbeasts. As his wizard-priests, they used this machine to spread his influence across the dreamlands.”

“And when you say influence you mean madness,” Kurama clarified.

“And terror,” Ianto added. “You see, out of all emotions fear is the most base, therefore the most malleable. Terror spawns nightmares, and nightmares feed the moonbeasts’ masters.”

“Masters? So, Mnomquah is not the only one?”

Ianto nodded his head, “They are called the Great Old Ones; the evil that seeped down from the stars; the Cthulhu Cycle Deities. They and their ‘missionaries’-- things like the Fly-the-Light-- were imprisoned in various places by Elder Gods. In Mnomquah’s case; Dreams’ moon.”

“You seem to know a lot about these Cthulhu Cycle Deities.” Kurama pointed out.

“I read a lot,” was Ianto’s flat answer.

He is holding far too many cards for somebody who shouldn’t even be a player in this game, Kurama thought. Ianto’s knowledge has proved invaluable for the completion of this mission, but can he be trusted?

Kurama may not have been well versed in the legends and lore of the Dreamland, but on a few occasions, he had heard tentative whisperings of the Great Old Ones. Kurama knew enough to know that the Dreamlanders feared these creatures to the point that they hardly dared speak of their names. Ianto’s vast knowledge and his brazen display of it were more than suspicious. If the fox planned on keeping Ianto nearby he would need the means to control him.

Fortunately for Ianto, the fox had higher things on his priority list. Kurama wanted to find out how they became marooned in a library on the ocean floor, how to get out, and what they should do after. Only after those issues had been attended to would the fox have the leisure to leash the blond.

Getting back to the issue at hand, Kurama asked Ianto, “That Madness Machine, you were talking about, what ever happened to it?”

“I don’t know. The moon beasts were all destroyed, during the battle at the Moon, but nobody was brave enough to enter their inner sanctum to see their secrets.” Ianto told him. “I’m not even sure if it was literally a machine or a metaphorical machine.”

“If this machine is real it would be located on the Moon, am I correct?” Kurama’s gears where turning now.

“Yes….” Ianto didn’t like where this was going.

“In that report you gave me about Randolph Carter,” Kurama continued, “there was mention of a river in Leng that goes to the Moon-- sort of like the Cerenerian Sea leading to sky-city Serannian.”

“There was,” Ianto headed Kurama off at the pass, “but, Carter was disorientated and the location of that river was never discovered.”

“The Lengites know where it is,” Kurama told him. “I’m sure we could… persuade one of them to cooperate.”

“But Kurama--” The blond began to object, Kurama cut him off.

“Are you afraid? You said it yourself all the moonbeasts have been destroyed, but you don’t really believe that do you?” Kurama probed.

Ianto turned away, “No one was brave enough to venture into their inner sanctum. How could we be sure?” Griping the rusted railings he laughed bitterly, “Knowing Yusuke he’s probably halfway to the Moon by now, not even aware of what he’s up against.”

“Yes, and when he arrives,” Kurama added, “I’d wager he’ll announce his presence by yelling profanity at their front gates.”

Kurama’s dark Emerald Green eyes met Ianto’s pale Atlanta Green. Ianto’s color was so pale, almost transparent, and empty. Kurama kissed him. Not with any kind of passion, it was just a soft lingering brush of the lips. Make no mistake, Kurama still didn’t trust Ianto, he didn’t even like Ianto. But for just a second an understanding passed between them, a common trait. Then it was gone.

Snapped back to reality, Kurama started, “I’m going to need any information you have on the Moon, moonbeasts, or anything else you think might be relevant….”

“Um, Kurama, I hate to bring it up, but what about our little situation?” He made a sweeping gesture, “Trapped in a library under the sea.”

“That problem is about to resolve itself,” Kurama told him. “Whoever put us here doesn’t intend to leave us here. Or am I wrong?” The fox addressed the last part toward the fifth floor.

Unlike the second, third, and fourth floors, the fifth floor was closed off behind a door at the top of set of rusted steps. The door was open now and a steady sound of dripping of water resonated on the stairs.

* * *

II. Escape

There were six of them. Roughly man shaped but distinctly Aquarian, their shoulders, back, and arms were disproportionably muscled, and they had small beady eyes and rubbery mouths set on bulbous fish-like heads. Each of them were armed with harpoon headed spears, which they used to steer Kurama and Ianto up the rusted metal stairs and into the room that smelled of stale air and stagnate water.

As Kurama expected the fifth floor was home to a pool portal that feed into the large pipe to outside. At the edge of the pool was a large iron bell with thick glass windows.

A diving bell, of course! Kurama thought. That’s how they could get air breathers in and out safely.

Kurama and Ianto were herded inside of said bell. Two burly fish-men took up the set of chains meant for hauling the bulb underwater. Two more fish-men steadied the sides and guided it into the pipe system.

Outside the city was no longer devoid of life. Throngs of fish-men lined the sides of the watery streets, waving arms and spears as joyously as a child watching a parade. As the processional made its way through the watery streets a telepathic voice swelled over the massed crowds of fish-men. To He Who Turns the Tides, we make this sacrifice! Nearing the eve of His awaking, we spill the blood of His enemies.

“He Who Turns the Tides?” Kurama mused to himself. Must be a local name for Mnomquah or perhaps it’s a moonbeast wizard-priest.

The voice went on; with this gift from the upper word we shall take their bloated corpses to lay at His alter!

“Look!” Kurama pointed through on round window.

It was the Old Greg resembled with the scrapes salvaged from Leng ships. It was actually kind of impressive, that the fish-men were able to reassemble the wrecked ship in such a sort amount of time. The ship was no were near as pretty as it was before, but it did look seaworthy and its unusual fish-man in a tutu figurehead still stood proudly on the prow. He was anchored down to ocean floor with ropes tied to sand bags.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Kurama said to Ianto.

“Yes, and we’re both insane!”

“Just hold your breath and follow my lead.”

Kurama remained cool while cuffs were attached to the pair’s ankles, chaining them to the ceremonial pylon. The fish-men who once steady the diving bell started to rock the thing until it tipped over. Their little space of air disappeared in a flash of bubbles and rushing water. At that last possible second, Kurama pulled out his ace. Well, actually it wasn’t an ace, it was a hawthorn berry. With a spark of youki, the little reddish berry exploded in a mass of thorny vines that twisted and formed itself into a wicked cat-of-nine-tails. In one swift move, Kurama cut the chains and sliced down the guards.

He signaled to Ianto to make a break for the Old Greg. The way was clear, and there didn’t seem to be any fish-men near the boat, so Kurama had Ianto swim ahead while he guarded the rear. Sure enough as soon as they swam for freedom, the fish-man masses rushed forth in pursuit. Kurama stopped and turned about with a twist of his body. He flicked his hawthorn-of nine-tails sending a wave of razor sharp pink flower petals into the fish-man ranks. Then he twirled his weapon, issuing more of the deadly petals, but this time instead of launching them like bullets, he let them float like a cloud of razor blades. It should keep the majority of fish-men at bay as the pair escaped.

Kurama and Ianto where able to get their breath in an air pocket they found inside the ship.

“How’d you know there was air in here?” Ianto panted.

“The number of sands,” Kurama answered, “They were too excessive to be simply combating the buoyancy of wood. Speaking of, I need to get those lines cut before our pursuers find there way around my Petals and Thorns attack. While I do that, I want you to get the flotation engines up and running.”

“Those engines are from Lengites’ ships, do you think they’ll work?” Ianto asked.

“Oh, they’ll work alright,” Kurama told him, “Those engines were meant for a much bigger ship, so... if I were you I’d find something to hold on to.”

With that Kurama re-submerged and swam outside. He willed his hawthorn’s branches’ to become short and stiff so that it could be used to saw through the salt cured robes that held them captive on the ocean floor. He caught flicker of a moment in his peripheral, the fish-men had caught up with him.

Kurama sidestepped a harpoon, and swiftly decapitated its bearer. Quickly, he cut another rope. Another weapon was hurled in his diction, but he deflected it skillfully with his hawthorn, which was now a whip. On the back lash he killed a fish-man, who was trying to sneak up on him. He drove forward again, cutting down the one who had hurled the harpoon as well as slicing through a few more ropes. He could hear the engine start, sputter, stall, restart, gurgle, then finally it whirled and purred to life. The ship was starting to lurch upward.

Kurama cut another rope as another fish-man made a play for his life. The fox let the native make his clumsy attack which was more then easy dodge. While the fish-man struggled to regain his equilibrium, Kurama lashed out with the rope he’d just cut, wrapping it firmed around the native. He secured the other end to a pulley ring. Kurama would have use for this creature, later.

The rest of the ropes were starting to snap on their own. The last ropes snapped and the Old Greg took off with a massive jerk. Kurama grabbed at the wheel and held on for dear life as the ship made its mad rush to the surface. They broke through to surface and into the air like a stone flying through a pane of glass.

* * *

III. The Cats of Ulthar

“Hn! About time they got out of there, and here I was a starting to worry,” Hiei smirked as he replaced the headband over his Jagan.

The past few hours had been trying on Hiei, both physically and emotionally. When his Jagan returned it was almost as painful as when he’d first had it implanted. Then the memories came rushing back, not all of them, but enough. Most of his life in the waking world was still a blur. But he did remember Kurama and Yusuke, and that fool Kuwabara, too.

First, he had tried looking for Yusuke. He found him sailing somewhere over the Cerenerian Sea on an ugly grey sky-ship, commanding a crew of the dead, while wearing a ridiculous pirate costume. He was sailing toward the ugly yellow disk that serves as Dream’s moon. The scene raised more questions than Hiei had patience to answer.

He changed his focus toward Kurama, in hopes that he would be someplace more normal-- or at least someplace more accessible. He was somewhere-- below the Cerenerian Sea? So much for accessibility. The normalcy of the situation was also in question. The ever immaculate Kurama was clothed only in a pair of torn breeches that were so transparent with moisture, they’d become a mute point. He was accompanied by a damp little blond, who wasn’t flashing skin, but whose dress would hardly be considered decent.

Hiei watched the entire scene play out. He witnessed their discovery of a macabre mosaic and its significance. He got a little excited when Kurama kissed the blond, then a little disappointed when he stopped at just a kiss. Finally, he watched their fight and flight from the submarine city.

“Well, shit,” Hiei cursed his frustration. He knew the other two demons whereabouts, but was still unable to reach them.

“Meooooww!” Kazuma the Cat made his presence known. He hopped up on the terrace wall and yowled at Hiei again. He seemed to want the demon to follow him.

“You do seem to know what you’re doing,” Hiei noted. “Very well, lead the way.”

With a triumphant meow, Kazuma vaulted over the stone wall and down from terrace to the street below. Hiei followed suite. At this time of night the entire city would be asleep. The streets were dark, not even the odd candle to light the pair’s way as they walked down the ancient streets of Ulthar. As they walked a furtive little shadow broke away from the darkness to join them. It was the little black cat who so often confounded his Kazuma. Hiei could have sworn the two cats nodded to one and other.

As they passed through the city more cats emerged from houses, and the shadows and those secret places that only cats know about. Dozens of cats joined their ranks. They flocked around Hiei as though they were his personal honor guard.

The feline precession came to halt. Hiei knew this place, it was the amphitheatre. He came here once on Gaffney’s insistence that they see Humbracht’s Lady in Blue. Hiei actually had a good time watching the play-- and had an even better time once he and Gaffney had gotten home! The place was beautiful that day with the set, the decorations, and Ultharain women in their costumes. In bold contrast, the theater looked almost sinister, tonight. The stage was undressed, stone walls lay bear, the lamps were cold, but the hall was far from empty. It was filled with cats! Hundreds of them shifted and prowled on the floor and in the seats; their attention unwaveringly focused on the center stage.

Hiiiei, A rasp of a voice echoed through the acoustically inclined space. Of course, the stage was its origin.

Kazuma immediately bounded up the stage steps. He stopped and looked back at Hiei expectantly. The cats of Ulthar suddenly came to attention as Hiei ascended the stage.

Hiei was brought to stand before a very, very old cat. He was thin and grey with subtle ripples in his fur implying old battle scars. His ears were chipped and his were eyes clouded with the blindness that comes from old age. Yet there was a certain strength and nobility about the creature. It seemed appropriate for Hiei to kneel on one knee.

It is so good to finally met you Hiei, the old cat hissed, much to Hiei’s surprise.

“You can talk?!”

Only in the language of cats, but you can understand, yes?

There were probably a hundred inane questions Hiei could have asked at this point, but there was little chance of getting a useful answer. So he asked, “What do you want from me?”

What we want is what you want. That is, for you to be reunited with your comrades. Our agents have been watching them; we’ve been watching them since your coming into dreams. We want to help.

“Why?” Hiei doesn’t believe in goodwill, even from cats. Why would the cats want to aid his cause? What could they possibly gain from it? And furthermore what could they do?

As if he’d read Hiei’s mind-- and he might have-- the old cat answered, It is simple, Our enemies and those who are responsible for your troubles are one and the same….

“The moonbeasts?” Hiei guessed, remembering that blond had stated, on at least two occasions, that the moon beasts were great enemy of cats.

The elder cat nodded his gray head. They are planning something…. In any case setting you on the right path will serve everyone’s purposes.

“And how, pray tell, do you plan on ‘setting me on the right path’?” Hiei quirked a skeptical eyebrow at the elder cat.

Just return to this place in three days time, just after the sun has set. You will see.

The morning brought a warm sun and a cool breeze to play on Hiei’s face as he sat on the terrace, eyes closed, figures gingerly scratching the spot behind Kazuma’s ear. He was vaguely aware of the clatter of pans and utensils. Gaffney was inside making their breakfast.

In three days time Hiei would return to the amphitheatre. For a brief moment Hiei debated with himself over whether or not to go. He wasn’t sure if the ancient cat’s words could be trusted. Then he nearly kicked himself in the head. Kazuma was the one who’d brought him there. The ginger cat was a loud fool, but he was also a faith friend. Of course, the old cat could be trusted.

Besides, Hiei was eager to meet up with his comrades. His newly awaken memories of them stirred odd, but not entirely unwelcome feelings inside his chest. Having to wait three more days to see them was almost unbearable. He’d been inactive for far too long. He was itching to run again, to fight again. Then again his stay in Ulthar had been far from unpleasant.

On that note, Gaffney appeared in the open doorway with a tray in each hand. Breakfast was fluffy egg topped with sugar cured ham shavings and some sort of salty, crumbly cheese, served with toast, a glass of juice from a fruit which the locals swear is an apple-- though it tastes like an orange--, and a tender kiss.

“Mmmm,” Hiei moaned into Gaffney’s mouth.

“If you liked that, wait until you try the eggs,” the Dreamlander teased Hiei.

Hiei shoveled a load of egg, meat and cheese into his mouth, and then moaned again as the magical flavors exploded in his mouth. The thought of something exploding in his mouth appealed to Hiei. After he polished his eggs, Hiei set his plate aside and smiled at Gaffney.

“You up for desert?” Hiei leaned in so his face was just inches from Gaffney’s.

Gaffney tipped his shaggy head in confusion, “Desert? For breakfast?”

“Uh-huh,” Hiei slid down the other’s lean body, fingering at the man’s trouser buttons. “Desert.”

“Oh!” Gaffney caught on as the cool morning air touched his now exposed member. Then a warm tongue lapped at the flesh. Gaffney groaned in appreciation, moving to tread fingers into Hiei’s hair. Hiei liked it when he played with his hair. But his hands closed on thin air and the cool air once again kissed his hungry member. His eyes shot open and darted around, seeking his absent lover. They found Hiei leaning against the doorway with a smug grin plastered on his face.

“You coming?” Hiei shot his best come hither look and disappeared into the apartment.

Gaffney followed hot on his heels with a muttered, “I will be!”

Later Hiei broke the comfortable silence that comes with post orgasmic bliss, “I’ll be leaving soon.”

A selection of subtle expressions shifted over Gaffney’s features, first surprise, then hurt, sadness, and then resignation. “Oh,” he asked, “When?”

“The day after tomorrow, at sundown,” Hiei responded, rolling over onto his side.

“Oh…um,” Gaffney was at a loss for words.

“You want to know why.” Hiei knew what he was thinking. “Before I came here I was looking for some people, and I just met…someone who can take me to them.”

“I- I don’t know what to say.” Gaffney stammered.

“Are you upset?” Hiei stroked the soft hair on the other’s cheek.

The other shook his head, “No-- well, a little, but I… I knew this would happen eventually.” Then, when Hiei gave him a questioning look, he continued, “You’re a dreamer, Hiei. I’ve always known that someday you would wake up and be gone from me. I’ll miss you, of course because I really, really like you.” He smiled bitterly, “I may have been able to love you, if I haven’t needed to be so prepared to lose you.”

“Clyde….” Hiei could only whisper. He had no idea the Dreamlander’s feelings ran so deep.

Gaffney took up one of Hiei’s hands and placed a soft kiss on each diminutive knuckle. “This is kind of nice though… I didn’t think I’d have the chance to say goodbye.”

“I don’t leave until the day after tomorrow.” Hiei purred, “We can say goodbye all you want to.”

Clyde Gaffney didn’t bother opening his shop that day or the next day. Instead he stayed in his apartments with Hiei. At mealtime he served dishes that Hiei would remember for a lifetime. And the rest of the time… the two found many exciting ways to say goodbye.

As the sun set on the third day, Hiei dressed for travel in a black jerkin and matching skin-tight leather trousers and boots. He packed away a few essentials in his bag and donned his sword. Kazuma was waiting for him out on the terrace. The sun sunk below the horizon, the shadows elongated. Darkness had claimed the streets of Ulthar by the time Hiei reached the amphitheatre.

Welcome back Hiei. The elder cat greeted him. Are you ready?

“Would you care to enlighten me what I’m being ready for?”

Curb the attitude young man, we haven’t much time. As we speak your friend’s ship is passing within our range. But if you dally too long the opportunity will pass. Are you ready?

Arguing with a cat is pointless. Hiei nodded his approval. “What do I have to do?”

The cats of Ulthar came to life bounding down from the stands and surrounding Hiei. The small demon suddenly found him self at the eye of furry tempest.

Hold on tight.

* * *

IV. Boarded

“Do you think we’ll be able to catch up with Yusuke?” Ianto asked Kurama.

“I believe so,” Kurama answered as shortly as he could, “He has a lead on us, but we have a faster ship. If my calculations are correct we should meet up with him either right before he lands on the moon or very shortly after.”

It had been almost three days since their escape from the submarine city. Up until now the two had kept rather busy with separate tasks. Kurama spent some time questioning the fishman he had taken captive during their escape from sunken city. After some convincing on Kurama’s part, the sea creature decided to disclose the route from Leng to the Moon. After the fishman was beyond his usefulness Kurama threw him back into the sea like the poor catch that he was.

Ianto concerned himself with more minute matters, such as cleaning, drying, and taking stock of everything on the ship. Everything aboard was soaked and in danger of being ruined, maps, bedding, clothes…. Kurama was lucky he able to change into dry clothes immediately, due to the blessing of foresight that he kept his clothing in a water tight footlocker. Ianto on the other hand had his clothes in a canvass travel sack, thus had to wait for his garments to dry. And let’s not even get started on how much work he put in on his hair.

A lot of the food had to be thrown away. Breads, fresh fruits, and cheeses wrapped in paper were all spoiled by the seawater. Thankfully they still had an adequate supply of canned food, else they would have needed to make a detour for supplies.

Ianto had just folded and put away the last sheet a few hours ago; out of things to do he was starting to get fidgety.

“Aren’t you worried about him?” Ianto asked a little baffled by the fox’s calm.

Kurama said, “Yusuke can handle himself.” That’s what he said, but inside he was very concerned for Yusuke‘s welfare. The dark haired boy had a habit of marching into a situation with out thinking. So far he has gotten by pretty well on luck, but who knew when his luck would run out or what would happen to him when it does.

“Um, Kurama…” The blond interrupted his thoughts.

“What is it?” Kurama was getting irritated and almost missed the nervousness in the blonds tone. Kurama looked in the direction the blond was pointing. It was a just past sunset and the skys were clear until now. A blot was moving in the sky, and it was moving right toward them.

“Night gaunts!” Kurama gnashed his teeth. The last thing they needed right now was night gaunts. As far as Dream creatures go, gaunts are not the most dangerous. They don’t bite or spit poison; they can’t because they have no mouths, or faces at all for that matter. Kurama once had an encounter with a grim of gaunts, they didn’t try to hurt him, but those flying, rubber limbed bastards caused a lot of damage. They ripped his sails, messed up his rigging, and took off with some of his equipment. This was not something Kurama wanted to deal with right now.

Kurama called to Ianto, “We need to ward them off, get the flares.”

“We couldn’t save the flares, remember,” the blond answered back.

“Then tear some sheets and make torches,” Kurama amended. It was a fact that gaunts hate the light. If the grim was in front of them he could use the Old Greg’s lamp, but they were approaching from the rear and he didn’t have time to turn the ship about. The light from a torch probably won’t be enough to keep them at bay, but they may flee after receiving a few burns.

Ianto was clamoring to carry out Kurama’s orders when Kurama suddenly cried out, “Wait!” The fox listened carefully before he spoke, “Are night gaunts not supposed to be utterly mute?”

“That’s true,” Ianto confirmed, “They never make a sound, why?”

Kurama shook his head, “I hear… meowing.”

All at once the dark cloud fell upon the small vessel. This was no grim of gaunts, but cats! Dozens of cats landed on the deck and at the center of them all stood a small, but imposing man dressed all in black.

He straitened himself and looked around, “Some ride you have here, Kurama.”

“Thanks, but I’d have to say it’s no were near as flashy as your ride, Hiei.” Kurama examined the cats, not sure if he should feel surprised, impressed, or just plain amused. He settled on the latter, because Hiei would take way too much satisfaction from making him feel impressed or surprised.

It had seemed like ages since he’d seen his old friend, which is funny because only a few inches separated their bodies in the waking world. Kurama looked Hiei over, he hadn’t changed a bit. In the back of his mind, Kurama also noted that Hiei looked really good in leather.

“Why don’t we moor for the night, I’ve got a bottle of Barharnain wine down below,” Kurama said leading the smaller demon, “We can catch up.”

Hiei didn’t protest to that plan. After securing the ship in the shadows of cliffs, where it was not likely to be seen by passersby, Hiei and Kurama went down below to Kurama’s quarters, where the fox poured them twin glasses of wine.

“To tell you the truth,” Kurama told as he fondled the elegant glass stem, “I thought we’d lost you for good-- or at least until we returned to waking world.”

“Hn. you should have known better.” Hiei snorted, “Like I’d stand aside and let you and the detective hog all the fun?”

“Of course not,” Kurama prodded at Hiei‘s side. “Besides you wouldn’t want Kuwabara to think you got lost in the Dreamlands,” Hiei openly pouted at the mention of Kuwabara.

Kurama wanted to make sure Hiei was up to speed on the new particulars of their mission, but soon enough the conversation degraded into joking and teasing each other like adolescent boys. It was so much like the old days, before Oneiromancers, Great Old Ones, and romantic triangles. Kurama felt a genuine contentment settling over him. It must have showed on his face because Hiei stopped talking mid-sentence just to stare at him.

Was it the wine or was it just Kurama’s beautiful face? What could the redhead be thinking about what he would make a face like that? A strange, but not unpleasant, tingling feeling was growing in Hiei’s stomach. The wine was making his mind a little fuzzy and his body warm and relaxed. Without a thought in his head, Hiei let himself drift closer to the fox until he felt the others soft lips brushing against his. Kurama flinched at the initial contact, but then he settled into the kiss, leaning his body into it to encourage Hiei to keep going.

Hiei pulled away just a little and slowly, purposefully ran his hands down Kurama’s form, across his chest, over his sides and hips, down his thighs, and then back up to the belt tied at his waist. He gave the material a light tug as he stared heatedly into green eyes, silently asking ‘Do you want to?’

Kurama answered a resounding ‘yes’ by way of a deep heated kiss. In no time they’d peeled away every trace of clothing to make way for erotic exploration. Maybe it was the wine, or maybe it was because of the heat and desperation that the night became a blur; a montage of sensations. Hiei’s sword calloused hands stroking the soft skin on Kurama’s chest and back. Kurama’s hot mouth on Hiei’s neck. Kurama shivering and moaning as Hiei filled his body. There was not much thought or reasoning to the way they moved their bodies. It just felt so good to be together.

After their rigorous activities, Hiei fell asleep, but Kurama fought off the urge for rest. Instead he got dressed and went up on deck. His actions were not for the lack of sentimentally or romanticism, but rather the product of a necessary practicality. That is, they were deep inside Leng and Kurama didn’t want to get caught with out his pants down, again. He found matters up on deck refreshingly dull. The only sounds were from the dry desert wind blowing over barren rock. The demon fox was also pleased to see that Ianto had had the sense not to light a lamp while he kept watch.

He found the little blond; he had climbed up the mainmast where he was parched on the gaff, thumbing through a water damaged tome. Every once in a while he’d look up wide eyed and slowly turn his head to and thro’, scanning landscape. When he noticed Kurama standing on deck, he hopped down to report, “Nothing out there, captain. Not even so much as a mouse-lizard.”

“Good.” Kurama nodded. “I was worried you were getting eaten by something while I--”

“While you were getting eaten by someone,” Ianto interrupted with a wise-assed smile.

“You heard that, huh?” Kurama squinted at the blond, but decided to play nice-- for now.

“It’s a small ship,” Ianto said as a matter of fact.

“Listen, I want to make one thing perfectly clear.” Kurama spoke very slowly to drive home his point. “You are here to supply information and act as a guide. Our personal affairs are none your business, is that clear?”

“If you’re worried about me telling Yusuke about your little tryst, I wasn’t planning on it,” Ianto responded in an unnervingly professional tone.

“Why would the detective care about our ‘little tryst’?” Hiei low voice sounded from the shadowed doorway. He had woken up alone and went topside just in time to hear the tail end of a conversation. Hiei decided three things at that moment; one, he liked the word tryst, he also liked the Oh-shit look that suddenly dominated the blond one’s face, and finally he decided there was potential for fun here.

“Kurama, I don’t believe you introduced me to this…?” Hiei jumped to a new subject, much to Kurama’s relief. He wasn’t ready to tell Hiei why Yusuke would care about their ‘little tryst’, just yet.

“This is Ianto,” Kurama indicated the blond, “Ianto is an expert on the Dreamlands. Ianto, this is Hiei.”

“Ah, I‘ve…uh… heard of you before.” Ianto said. Little did the two demons know, that the first time the blond had heard that name was when Yusuke had cried out in the passionate clutches of the Aphrodite’s flytrap. “It‘s…um… nice to finally meet you, Hiei.”

Then without warning, Hiei had pulled Ianto flush against his own body and set to devouring the blonde’s stunned mouth. Even Kurama was stupefied by Hiei’s abrupt actions. So much so for long moment he just stood there watching as Hiei’s inquisitive hands infringed on Ianto’s person.

“Hiei?!” Kurama finally managed to find his voice.

“Excuse me, I should have asked first,” Hiei said as he petted the captive blonde’s thigh. “Can I HAVE him?”

Kurama could only gape at the scene before him. Ianto wrapped in Hiei’s arms. Ianto’s pale eyes were wide with surprise, or maybe fright. A dark blush on his face betrayed his embarrassment, or could this situation be arousing the blond? There was no doubt about Hiei; the evidence was in his lecherous gaze that drifted between the fox and the blond. Actually, it was oddly arousing. For a moment Kurama thought of saying, yes, Hiei could have him-- as if he had he right give permission. For another second an old Youko impulse kicked in demanding he should get to watch while Hiei takes Ianto.

Hiei’s leer broke into a grin, followed by low chuckling, “Gotcha!” His mirth broke into full villainous laughter as he discarding a rather drained blond.

Kurama gaped a little while longer, but then decided that it was funny and joined in laughing. “So I take it you’re not up for round two,” Kurama said between chuckles.

To which Hiei responded, “Oh, I’m up all right. Meet me in your room in five minutes.” Then he added half jokingly to Ianto, “You want to come, too?”

Kurama answered for him, a thing which Ianto was obviously grateful for, “Someone has to keep watch, Hiei.”

“Too bad. Maybe latter.”

The two demons disappeared below desk. The third party started hunting for something to do, preferably something very loud and complicated. Ianto counted the days until they would be with Yusuke again, then these horny, mischievous demons would his problem.

* * *
TBC

A/N: I just couldn’t let the Old Greg die. I don’t know if anyone has picked up on it yet, but the Old Greg is a reference to The Mighty Boosh. I don’t know if anyone here has heard of it or not, but my sister is REALLY into it, so I worked it into my story as a bit of an inside joke. Ya know now that I think of it, I think she was the one that named my OC Ianto. He’s named after the receptionist on TORCHWOOD. Ha ha, maybe we need to turn off the BBC for a while.