Ryuu Arashi (Dragon Storm)
Chapter Six: Scarlet Passions
Shock. It was the only word Kagome could think of to describe the situation. A mating flight? Now? She wasn't ready for something like that. A mating flight always resulted in a child and an egg. She hardly knew Sesshomaru and to carry his child…
As she started to shake, Kagome had to lean against the wall. She felt all of her nerves firing simultaneously and Arike wasn't helping. Her dragon was producing a rainbow of vibrant colors that blinded her. Arike was so happy it made her heart hurt. Could she tell her no; probably not.
Sesshomaru was physically hurting. It felt like his heart was going to pound from his chest. A mating flight, with Kagome? It wasn't that he had anything against humans, but they were just so weak. Of course he could admit, if only to himself, that Kagome was not weak. Without the aid of dragon magic she had walked through the valley of shadows and returned safe. He could not deny that. It was the resulting child that he worried over. Would it have a dragon bond like Inuyasha or would it be shunned by most of demon kind.
Though he was not the sort to show such things, Sesshomaru had always hoped that he would know the women that Ekìra would choose for him. Kagome was nothing more than an acquaintance; he could not even call her friend. Was he ready? He did not think so.
"No you both are not ready," Ekìra announced in both their minds. Arike nodded in agreement. "We would not rush you into the flight so unprepared when most mates have years to learn about each other. Though we can not give you years, we will give you a week."
Kagome almost fell from her spot at the announcement. A week! Just a week to get to know her mate for life and prepare herself for. . er that…
Sesshomaru clenched his fist. A week. That's all he had. That's all they had to prepare.
Day One: First Flight
Kagome stood in front of the mirror, feeling strange. She had calmed down from the shock earlier and now felt as if in a dream.
Inu had sent her up to a room with a change of clothes and had told her to relax. Changing into the rider's garb he had given her had actually managed to relax her. The soft black leather of her pants were so comfortable and just the right size. Her shirt was sleeveless and made of the same leather material as her pants. The clothes were surprisingly light and not at all hot in the usually sticky humidity of Auster. The thick riders jacket that went with the clothes would be hot on the ground but up in the air it would be the perfect wind breaker.
A soft knock on the door startled her out of her assessment. "Come in," she called.
Sesshomaru walked in, and if she didn't know any better, he looked nervous. "Now that Arike is large enough, would you like to practice flying?" he asked.
Kagome could tell he was trying to be polite. It was not his nature to be so subdued, but Kagome felt honored by his attempt. "I would love to," she responded, really excited to finally feel the wind as she was flown through the air.
"You'll need this," Sesshomaru said as he handed her a Knight Dragon chest piece. The three pronged heart guard was a symbol of the Knights and she had never expected to receive one. Sesshomaru was already wearing his, the silver scales of it wondrous. The one she had been handed was fit more for her body and made of black scales that shimmered blue in the light. She recognized the shine. "These scales are Arike's."
Sesshomaru nodded. "All Knights wear a guard made of their dragon's scales. I made my own and asked Arike if I could make yours."
Kagome felt…blessed. "Thank you," she whispered, running her fingers over the warm scales. Wordlessly, she placed the guard to her chest and turned her back to Sesshomaru. He took the leather ties of the armor and secured the guard around her waist and back.
When she turned again to face him he was surprised by the change. Black leather was a common uniform choice but a bright heart guard normally accompanied it. Kagome looked sleek and dangerous dressed in all black. Her guard shimmered with blue light and her equally dark hair had the same bluish sheen. She looked magical. She looked demonic. She looked breathtaking.
He paused for a moment gathering his bearings before clearing his throat. "Are you ready?"
Kagome felt strangely conscious of her new uniform. Sesshomaru's eyes were uncomfortable and smoldering on her form, but his question jolted. "More then ever," she grinned, the thought of flying over taking her mind.
They went to the barn side by side. Arike and Ekìra were right where they had left them. They were curled comfortable around each other, enjoying the shared warmth. They turned in sync to look at their partners.
'Are you ready to fly amongst the stars little one,' Arike rose upon her feet. Kagome felt awed by her dragon. It would take some time to get used to her new size.
"I think so," Kagome smiled. She ran her fingers over the warm scales of her neck. There was already a leather saddle on her back. Kagome looked over at Sesshomaru in curiosity but he only shrugged.
'Get on little one, its time to fly,' Arike encouraged her.
Kagome smiled and with one foot on Arike's front leg she hauled herself up into the saddle. It fit her comfortably and wasn't too big. Beside her, Sesshomaru easily leapt into Ekìra's saddle. Neither dragon had any reigns. Sesshomaru lightly gripped the soft fur on Ekìra's neck while Kagome gripped the shark-like fin between Arike's shoulder blades.
"I'll lead. Be careful and pay attention to your surroundings," Sesshomaru commented as Ekìra started forward.
'Aren't you forgetting something, demon?' Arike remarked, sounding smug.
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at her. "Like what." His eyes widened as he caught on. "Kagome can you perform a metamorphic spell?"
Kagome scratched the side of her head for a moment before shrugging. "I can try." She took a deep breath, gathering her magic. "Mei, shadows conceal my form and scent in your cooling darkness. Kashoku, lighten the demon within." For a moment it seemed as if nothing would happen and then her form wavered. The air in front of her shimmered as if with heat and then she…transformed.
Her once rounded ears came to a point. Her hair lengthened to her waist and took on a silken sheen. Her already vibrant blue eyes developed an inhuman glow, her pupils sharpening. Delicate claws developed on her fingers while her senses tingled. She could smell Arike's unique firewood scent, could see every detail of her glimmering scales, and could hear the fire burning in her chest. It was wonderful, it was exhilarating.
She looked down at her hands, admiring the new claws and the delicate black stripes around her wrist. Even without being able to look in the mirror, Kagome knew there were two black stripes adorning each check. Sesshomaru's humanoid form had been a great inspiration to her own.
"I didn't think it would affect everything," Kagome panted, referring to her senses.
'It should not have affected anything but your appearances, but being the powerful little magician that you are you used mei and kashoku, anyone else would have used seisui. Troublesome little thing. You used too much magic and misworded your request. Apparently there is quite a bit of demon within.' Arike teased.
'Will you be alright?' Ekìra questioned, concerned.
"I'm fine, perfect in fact," Kagome said breathless.
"Then let us go," Sesshomaru said and with a squeezing of his thighs Ekìra vaulted into the air. He needed to put some distance between his soon to be mate. Looking as she did in her uniform and with those stripes. It was too much even for a stoic demon like himself.
'Hold on tight,' Arike's voice exploded with bright yellows and orange. Her muscles bunched tightly and like a spring her powerful limbs uncoiled. Her massive wings built up a storm of wind as she flapped them.
Kagome could feel Arike's emotion. The joy and exhilaration she felt taking into the air for the first time overwhelmed her brain. She could hardly register their ascension as the colors of her emotions flashed across her eyes. Momentarily she was blinded but then the heavens opened up to her. The brilliant blue of the sky clashed with the blue in her mind. "Oh my god," she gasped. It was so much more than she ever could have imagined. She was riding a dragon that was flying in the sky, she was one with the dragon she was Arike's eyes and her own.
"Faster Arike, fly us to the moon," Kagome whooped throwing her arms up into the air.
'Of course, let's show that old stick in the mud what a human and a dragon can really do,' Arike howled into the air. She collapsed her wings, forming an air tunnel as she spiraled towards Ekìra. The dragons rocketed beside each other. They weren't falling to the ground they were hurling towards it. Like eagles diving for prey, they clasped their claws together, spinning down and down.
Right before impact they separated, splitting the air as they surged up. The two dragons, the two partners, ignored everything around them, but the sky and each other. The dragons twirled around each other now their tails encircled. With each flight pattern more intricate then the other they always stayed together, connected some how.
Kagome felt it building. The happy colors Arike had been showing were bleeding. With each twirl, with every dive the colors darkened. Shades of fiery red built between her eyes. They burned hotter then anything Kagome had ever felt from her before. It felt as if her own insides were burning away, as if a living dragon had curled in her belly. She did not realize what it was at first. What the feeling was.
They were on the ground in a moment. Kagome didn't register where they landed she just leapt of Arike's back before her dragon was off into the sky. She vaguely registered Ekìra taking off as well but what she noticed the most was Sesshomaru's warm arms wrapped around her, his warm lips pressed against her own. She felt feverish all over. Everywhere he touched burned.
When they finally separated they were both panting heavily.
"I never thought I would see that sort of display from you captain," a voice commented from behind.
Kagome gasped as she turned to see a handsome tiger youkai. He was wearing the common black pants but his tunic was brown leather. The breastplate he was wearing was also a vibrant red with an orange shine. He had a single stripe on his wrists and cheeks proving him as only a rank below Sesshomaru. He was smirking and his yellow cat eyes glinted at them teasingly.
"Sergeant Toroka," Sesshomaru grunted.
The man chuckled heartily as he came over to them. As he moved Kagome noticed a whole regimen of knight riders. They had landed in the middle of a training ground!
Kagome wanted to die of embarrassment. Her cheeks flamed at the thought of what she had done, and with Sesshomaru no less. What was wrong with her?
There was another flash of red and a curl of heat in her stomach and she suddenly realized what was wrong. "Arike," She growled lowly.
Toroka chuckled again, hearing her growl. "Yes, those dragons do tend to rush don't they? My mate and I were hardly given a day of choice before they preformed the flight. I bet you'll have a little one on the way and an egg in the barn before tomorrow," he commented and Kagome realized he was serious.
"No," she blushed, "Not so soon."
Sesshomaru nodded in agreement, "Ekìra will not be so rash."
Toroka shook his head, "Don't be cruel captain even I know a soul mate sky dance when I see one. Those flying skills were spectacular. Dragon's have animals within them just as much as we do. When their soul sings there is only so long they can hold off."
Kagome knew he spoke the truth. Arike was flying her heart out in the sky. She was trying to work out all the stress, all the pent up passion. It only took a glance to know Ekìra was doing the same.
Sesshomaru stayed silent. Kagome guessed he wasn't sure what to say. They were both nervous and it was upsetting to have no control of their own actions. It wasn't their passion they were feeling it wasn't them that were kissing so feverishly. It was Ekìra and Arike that were trying so hard not to touch or loose themselves to their desires.
As Sesshomaru looked at Kagome it was difficult to tell what he was thinking but that had always been the case for him. His features were dark and brooding, not the proper look for a soon to be mated male. Toroka decided to liven things up a bit.
He approached his captain's chosen mate carefully. She still seemed to be in a daze and Toroka figured event he ever vigilant Sesshomaru would be a little slow to react with the brilliant patterns Ekìra and the other dragon were dancing across the sky. He had been surprised to see the large black dragon. It was a rare color and her knight and serpentine design was unheard of. Her partner was also interesting. Toroka could literally see the magic rippling off of her. Some of it was probably from the passion overflow but most of it, he could tell, was her own impressive power.
The girl hardly reacted as he stood next to her. She looked up at him but her brilliant blue eyes were glazed over and she looked drunk. He smirked. Too easy. He grabbed her carefully, hoisting her small frame and resting her on his shoulder. The sudden movement jolted her trance and instantly her magic curled around them. It was cold and terrifying and he nearly dropped her from the assault but the powers receded as quickly as they had come.
"What are you doing?" Kagome cried out in surprise. She looked at Sesshomaru and he was watching them through narrowed but he did not look terribly angry, just irritated.
"Just a bit of Knight tradition," Toroka assured her with a grin. Her held her steady as he walked over to the group that had been training before. "Knights!" he called and any whose attention had wavered to the dragons in the sky where now intently watching him and the female on his shoulder. "This is our Captain's soon to be mate, give her a cheer, lads," Toroka called to the trainees and a great roar broke from them and their dragons.
Kagome felt her heart soar at such a greeting, but it quickly fell. 'If only they knew,' she thought.
"Perhaps a show, milady," Toroka suggested, giving her a little shake with the hand he held her with. It was custom to see the females magic, but he also wanted to see what sort of power she held to lash out at him like it had before.
Kagome smiled down at him and gave a little wink. He was shocked by the action, not a common reaction from proper ladies. Then again, Toroka hadn't the faintest idea who the women he held was.
"Iteru, prism of light. Mei, shadow dance," she called her magic rippling around her as she flicked it from her hand. The ice formed first. Three large prisms of ice appeared in the middle of the field. They caught the light and cast brilliant rainbows over the grass until the Mei kicked in. the shadows rushed towards the prisms turning them black. They cast dancing purple shadows as the prisms spun around faster and faster. As they moved the shadows danced forming brilliant colors that no rainbow could ever compare to. The entire spectrum of light dance whimsical patterns upon the grass until the three prisms spun out of existence.
The knights gasped, astonished. The display of fancy magic was one thing but the use of Mei was another. Mei was the rarest of all the magic, more so then even Kashoku. That in itself would have been strange if not the knowledge of her mate had not sunk in.
Sesshomaru's magic affiliation was Kashoku; he was a light user through and through. Yet this girl was to be his mate. Mei and Kashoku did not mix that was the way of things. If they had a child or their dragons and egg, which they would, what sort of magic would it wield? The child always reflected the parent but there was no magic borne from light and darkness only nothingness.
Toroka placed Kagome down quickly, affected by her magic and the show. The darkness was so unsettling. He could feel its cold fingers trailing down his spine.
Kagome was quickly swept into Sesshomaru's arms. He understood the matter in ways she could not and it was not time for explanations. With a mental call Arike and Ekìra descended from the heavens. Kagome sent Sesshomaru a questioning look but he only returned it with a look that said 'not now.' She shrugged and mounted her dragon. They were soon back in the sky and even sooner back at the mansion.
All four where exhausted from the day's endeavors.
'I'm sorry,' Arike whispered in her mind, her colors soft and sad.
Kagome shook her head. "Its not your fault, you can't help the way you feel," she smiled at her partner. It was not that she was anymore prepared for the mating then she had been before, but she was more resigned to the fact. It was going to happen, the dragons had proven that.
Sesshomaru and Kagome split ways in the courtyard. He still looked as stoic as ever, but Kagome guessed he was just as nervous. She went up to the room she had changed in and laid in the bed. It was still light outside but she was exhausted. It did not take long for her to slip into the world of dreams.
Sesshomaru laid in his bed, pondering the days events. It was well past midnight and his body was tired but his mind would not settle. He felt restless and itchy all over. He sighed at his predicament.
It was not helping that the room felt bare without Ekìra. After Arike and Kagome had come two or was it three days ago, he couldn't keep track, Ekìra had migrated down to the barn to stay with her. The strong bond they used to have that kept them always within each other's sight had been severed. The bond was still there, he could feel their minds together. He could feel the second pulsing of a heart beat next to his own, but still it had lessoned. He had never really even noticed the bond before now when it had been cut to almost a quarter of what it once was. He did not even have anyone to ask about it either. Kagome had not had Arike long enough to know the feeling. Inuyasha had never had such a powerful bond nor Sesshomaru's mother. Perhaps his father would know but he honestly did not want to ask him such things.
With a heavy sigh he rose from the warm comfort of his bed and moved silently out of his room. There was a large balcony they usually used for parties attached to the back of the house. Sesshomaru went there now. It was barren except for a table and a few chairs. He moved to the railing instead and looked out at the ocean. The smell of salt was heavy in the air, making him scrunch his nose but the cool wind blowing up from the water felt good on his face.
"Its beautiful, isn't?" Inu commented as he walked up to his son. He could feel the frustration rolling off of him in waves, but more then that he felt the resignation.
Sesshomaru sighed again; he should have expected to meet his father out here. He did not respond to the question only looked out at the tumbling waves. Inu was right. It was beautiful. The waves tumbled over each other spraying salty droplets up the side of the cliff their house was built on. The moons were full and nestled in the distant horizon, leaving flickering reflections of red and white on the dark waters.
"Do you dislike that girl so much that she leaves you wandering the halls at night?" Inu asked as he leaned beside his son, settling his arms on the stone railing.
Sesshomaru shook his head. "You know me better then that father. I do not hate the girl, I barely know her."
Inu nodded, expecting the answer. "Then what do you know? Tell me what you have seen?"
Sesshomaru looked at his father then and pondered the question. "She is brave, to the point of stupidity," was the first thing that came to mind. "She is strong, to the extent she doesn't know her own powers and over exerts herself," he commented again thinking of before when instead of putting up a illusion she had turned herself into a youkai for a few hours. "She's stubborn and overly emotion, but…" He trailed off what else could he say about her?
"She is like this ocean," he sprouted suddenly and even Sesshomaru wasn't sure why he said it but his mouth kept moving all the same. "She has many different sides. She can be calm one moment and angry or emotional the next. There is no controlling her, no understanding her. She is Kagome just as the ocean is the ocean. And just as the ocean can be strangely beautiful in its wildness she has an untamed fire about her that, that can make a man lose his breath."
Suddenly Sesshomaru felt very stupid and very exposed. It was not like him to say such things about any one. He searched his mind looking for the presence of his partner at work, but Ekìra was fast asleep in the barn.
"That was strangely poetic my son. Something you never would have said before," Inu commented. Sesshomaru only nodded in response. "The dragons know who they choose. They pick their mates and their partner's mates knowing that there will be no one else in the world that would fit so well together. Time is a meaningless thing to them. They know their mates the moment they see them and they do not hesitate. Don't worry over the not knowing. You will have all the time in the world to get to know Kagome, and from your description I think you know her well enough already. Now only love can come. A dragon mate bond isn't perfect but it is as close as it will ever come," Inu advised his eldest son and he felt proud of the man he had raised.
He patted his shoulder in comfort and then turned to leave. "Oh and about Ekìra, don't worry. The bond will strengthen even more than before after the mating. Just give them a little honeymoon period," Inu chuckled at the door before leaving his son.
Sesshomaru stood there for awhile, mulling over the words. He understood what his father was saying. It was strange that even now as an adult his father's words were always the wisest. He returned to his bed and finally slept. He dreamed of the future.
Day Two: Heat
The morning had been uneventful; it was the afternoon that had the entire town in uproar. The word had spread like wildfire and now the town knew of the mating between the great knight Captain Sesshomaru and his mysterious black haired beauty.
Reluctant to take to the sky, but required to do so, Sesshomaru and Kagome flew into town and landed in front of one of its largest structures. It was a massive building of stone pillars and bleach white walls like the temples of old. It was known as Town Hall. Arike and Ekìra stayed outside as Sesshomaru and Kagome entered the massive structure. Kagome looked around in confusion she had never been this deep into town before and Sesshomaru had told her nothing more then they needed to go there.
They went through a maze of hallways before ending at a large glass door with golden Austerian letters painted on it. Kagome barely got to glance at it before being ushered inside. The door had led to a nice sized office. A large part of it was taken up by a massive cherry wood desk and a plushy chair behind it. Books and papers were stacked everywhere. It looked horribly confusing and cluttered but not all that messy.
There was a middle aged man sitting behind the desk, studying a large map of Auster's main continent. He had the face of a soldier. His facial structure was handsome but rugged. Large chin and cheek bone he was built like a tank. He had broad shoulders and a barrel chest that looked strange scrunched into the formal tunic the man was wearing. The only thing that looked natural about his clothing with his body type was the dark blue and forest green heart guard he was wearing. The multi-color scales were a nice combination and Kagome couldn't help but ponder what his dragon looked like. He looked up when they entered, revealing his dark green eyes and markings that made Kagome gasp. He had a dark red crescent on his brow like Sesshomaru's but accompanied by three slash marks on each cheek.
"Admiral Koukan the fire master," Kagome gasped. He looked so much different then she imagined, but there was no doubting the markings and even now she could se the fire markings tattooed on his wrists.
The man chuckled heartily, his whole body shaking. "It's been awhile since I've gotten that reaction," he smirked as he rose from his set. He even towered over Sesshomaru's tall frame. He held one massive hand out to her and with a nervous chuckle she shook his hand. He almost swung her into the ground with his powerful shake.
"Admiral," Sesshomaru grunted, sounding displeased.
The Koukan smirked as he released Kagome and stomped around his desk. He pulled Sesshomaru right off his feet with a massive bear hug that Kagome guessed would have killed a normal man.
"Don't be so gruff Sesshomaru, I've known you since you were still a pup chasing after every ball that passed you," he said as he released him. Sesshomaru looked slightly shaken and his hair was completely frazzled from the experience. "No I suspect that you are here to complete the flight. We always have a room prepared since we hardly ever get any notice and Toroka told me yesterday so I could make sure everything was prepared.
"Prepared? Room?" Kagome questioned, suddenly feeling nervous.
She had watched the flight of Inuyasha and his mate from her home days ago and she had slipped into town to see his egg but the flight of a low ranking knight was never preformed above the center of the city and the barn she had visited had not been very far from her home at all, but she had heard. Oh how she had heard of the spectacular flights of the true Knights, the high ranking officers that could out fly and out class anyone. She had always been too far away to witness the spectacle but she had heard stories about the twists and the turns, the deadly drops, and the last minute saves the dragons could perform above the city. It was like a great air show and many came to watch while the demon riders performed their own private dance in the confines of a lush bedroom in one of the city buildings. She knew from the demons that had visited Kenja that there was a large barn behind the Town hall just for a mated Dragon Pair to rest and lay their egg, but Sesshomaru was only a Captain. He was hardly a high ranking corporal even if his flying was amazing and she… She was just a nobody human pretending to be a demon.
Koukan must have sensed her amazement because he placed a warm hand on her shoulder. "No need to fret. Toroka told me of the stunts your dragons pulled above the training grounds, and even if Sesshomaru has not moved up to an corporal his abilities far surpass most of those in the Knight Riders. We would be a fool not to offer him the Red Chamber and a chance to watch your dragons dance. And though I have never heard of you before little rider, if Sesshomaru is your mate and Toroka has honored your power and skill, then you deserve the right as well." He patted her shoulder and then moved behind his desk. "Now I'm sure you're eager to get this under way so I will have my Secretary take you to the Red Chamber."
Kagome gasped and turned to Sesshomaru. "What!?"
Sesshomaru took her shoulder and his hand was not nearly as comforting as Koukan's. "Come," he ordered and he led her easily through the door where a little demon woman showed them up an endless twist of stairs.
The room they entered really was lush. The carpet was soft and springy under her feet. The bed was huge and the comforter looked like black silk. There were no windows on the walls instead the whole roof was glass, letting the sun light the room. Something about that made Kagome blush violently. There was a small breakfast table in the corner and two plush chairs. Another door to the right led to a bathroom with another ridiculously large shower and bath. Even compared to Sesshomaru's manor the place looked expensive.
"Sesshomaru, I thought we had agreed on a week and even if Arike and Ekìra could not wait that long we should have decided this together," Kagome growled as she rounded on him.
Sesshomaru closed the door behind him and with it his whole body seemed to slump. "I would have liked to have decided the time and place together as well; however we were not allowed such a gift. Admiral Koukan sent a letter this morning hinting that we needed to come see him and hold the mating flight here. I do not prefer such a public display, but it is politics and as much as I hate such things our family will always be subjected to it. Though I doubt my old friend is involved in this I have no doubt that Master General was involved in this stunt. I did not tell you because I hardly had the time and we hardly had a choice. "
Kagome scowled but she understood. "Perhaps, this is the best any how. I never would have been ready by the end of the week anyways. If our dragons can live off instinct perhaps we should as well," Kagome sighed.
Sesshomaru's eyes flashed red. "Yes, perhaps instincts are best. Let us give them the word."
Kagome nodded but then paused. "Wait my demon thing isn't done yet," she muttered gesturing at herself.
Sesshomaru shrugged, "I don't think we can wait and except for the claws and stripes you look the same."
Kagome blushed, "Really?" If he said she looked the same then Sesshomaru was hinting that she had the beauty of a demon, or at least she liked to believe so.
"Of course," Sesshomaru murmured as he gathered her into his arms and very softly kissed her. It was their first real kiss, no dragon passion behind it. Together they stretched their minds out to their partners and with sighs of release the two lifted into the air. I
t was then Kagome realized why the roof was glass. Arike and Ekìra rose as one above them. The black and silver shimmered together as they danced. That was really the only word for it as the serpents twisted around each other. They started slow, letting the heat build in their partners below. Sesshomaru's eyes burned crimson and Kagome felt the same red glow blurring across her own vision.
Black and silver met again as their hair mingled. They fell onto the soft silk of the bed, its coolness slipping over their bare limbs.
Above their dragons roared.
They flew higher and higher into the sky. The highest any dragon had ever flown until the air thinned and they were nearly in the heavens themselves.
Then they fell.
Together, twisted in a death dive, they fell until fire burned across their glittering scales. The crowds below held their breaths.
Four bodies moved together. Twisting and turning the rippling, sweaty bodies blurred. Minds and bodies melted as four entities became one. Together they roared their freedom.
At the last second Arike and Ekìra unfurled and twisted away from the ground. Together they flew into the barn behind the town hall, exhausted the fell into the cool hay. Together, the four slept and dreamed.
