Special Worlds

Brianna smiled and got up silently, looking to the fox who was watching as she had all amused, but she was half amused, half envious. Sure, she'd kissed, but she'd been half asleep! She mouthed to Kurama, "Come on, I think it's time to leave them be."

Kurama gently moved away and then shook his head, "I'm glad," He said once they were in her room, "That he finally found his someone."

"Everyone has a someone somewhere," Bria smiled as she crawled onto the bed. She acted like something landed on her head and she laughed, petting something unseen, "Hi, Oriern," she glanced at Kurama, "Oh! You haven't met my dragon, yet," she blushed sheepishly.

Kurama shook his head, "No I haven't."

"Come here then," she grinned widely and crawled to one side of the bed, "Its nighttime, so neither of us will have trouble falling asleep now that Rachel's ok. But it's the only way I can think of so you can meet him. He's switching back and forth between Rachel and me, but he comes when I call him."

Kurama got on the other side and smiled, "Ok."

"In any other case I would be blushing like mad at the through of this, but I'm so close to crashing, I don't particularly care," Brianna grinned again and grabbed the blankets folded on the bottom of the bed. She lay down, facing him, previously wide eyes now half closed, but still watching the redhead.

Kurama didn't mind very much. He knew that it was embarrassing for her so he kept his mouth shut. Once he was lying next to her, he was the one who pulled the blanket over them.

She smiled softly in spite herself and snuggled herself close to him, "And you have to actually let yourself go to sleep, not that light-sleep-trance crap you and the rest of your friends do to make sure no one sneaks up on you," she told him sternly, not caring about her fowl language.

"Alright," Kurama promised and closed his eyes, actually amazed about how fast he was pulled into the dream world.


Brianna was as well, and semi-consciously, before she blacked out in reality, she touched her forehead with his. After about a minute, she spiraled and shaped the darkness to go to her world. Once again, like with Rachel, she was on her favorite huge rock. She stood on the balls of her feet, a simple, dark-blue, cotton nightgown flowing about her. With her hands clasped behind her back, she watched as Kurama used his Plant Elemental to move the vine-veil aside. She just smiled at him, "Cool, huh?" she asked.

"It's very cool," Kurama looked over at her and allowed a smile to caress his lips He'd never seen anyone that could do this with just dreams. No one.... 'Well...Except her, when I was still...'

'That's impossible,'his counterpart easily cut into that sentance, 'I see what you're saying, but that's not possible, Suuichi!' Shock and fear was hidden by his anger at the statement.

'Why do you say that? Anything is possible, didn't Nira always say so? Say to always believe what is normally unbelievable?' Kurama inquired, 'However, i see why you are unable to accept that it might be true, Youko.'

'Good...' Youko huffed, and then sighed, 'Let us see how this plays out...'

"Alright, Oriern, come on," She called to something behind her. A playful dragon the size of a cat jumped out and onto her head, like it had invisibly in the living room in the Real World, "Oriern, this is Kurama, Kura, this is my Spirit Guide, Oriern." She held her arm out as her dragon walked off it, not piercing her skin with his silver claws, and jumped to the ground, turning into the size of a small car again.

He then walked over to Kurama, bowing his head in respect, "I've heard about you, fox demon, and I've also seen you. Little one has many feelings she's not sharing with you,"Oriern informed the redhead. His voice was soft and kind, and you could only hear it if you listened, because it was like the Wind Bria controlled.

"Oriern!" Bria hissed and then backed up a bolder. She clearly did not want that fact to be known.

"I had that suspicion when Rachel was talking to me," Kurama said, remembering when they first were at the Temple and Rachel said to him that Bria liked him, "But, I'll wait about the confession."

"Yeah, it's true, but I'm not about to share my feelings…" Bria told him.

Oriern's long neck bowed and a small hum came from his mouth. He then looked at Kurama, and spoke so only he could hear, "You need to know. She'll be in what she calls 'first person', and you'll hear her thoughts and feelings like she's able to hear everyone else's." He then added, "Be careful, though, not to answer her. I'm her Spirit Guide, I'm not supposed to do this, but again, you need to know."

"Oriern, why did you have to tell him?" I asked my dragon, crouching down and watching Kurama closely. Rachel and I could possibly tie for the 'Who's down on themselves more?' competition. My face gained its mask as I watched the fox. Heh, those damned Human brats back in the other dimension must have done more damage than I thought. I backed up carefully.

Rachel…I envied her greatly. She could at least stand and take her self-beatings. Me? I run away rather than stay and talk. That's what I was itching to do now.

It wasn't that I didn't trust him, because I did. It was all me. I'm didn't know any other way than to go hide and cry. I fought now to keep the mask on. What was my damned problem? I sneered mentally at myself. I'm such a baka cat. Just the thought of letting him know any of my feelings set me on the edge.

"He needs to know,"Oriern answered simply. He always heard her feelings since he was always with her, but he wondered what the fox was thinking. Here in this world she didn't sense his thoughts and feelings unless she concentrated.

"No he doesn't!" I cried in response. I watched him, he seemed concerned about something. I didn't want to feel anything from him, like I always did in the Real World. I was scared to share anything I felt. I have been all this time. As far as I was concerned, I was acting like one of those damned fangirls, and I was making up the love I felt for him…My mask faltered a bit as I winced. No, that sharp pain I just felt every time I thought that always shot my doubts down. I did love him…I've told him that already, but telling and showing were two very different things…

Kurama didn't say a word as he watched, but he did have his head tilted, listening hard. Wondering. Waiting.

I forced myself to sit down and wait for Kurama to say something. I wanted to hear any thoughts he had. Hearing them spoken and feeling/sensing them were another two very different things. I then realized that he'd never replied to my confession. That made my stomach twist and I mentally frowned. I forced a breath and fixed my mask.

Kurama kept quiet. He knew that Oriern told him to be careful not saying anything.

I decided to make a small conversation, "Even without my psychic ability, I have always been able to visualize this place vividly. My actual dreams and my nightmares, too, are livid as well. Imagination has always been my strong point," I informed him, the feeling in my stomach not leaving.

Oriern told him not to answer, to be careful. Kurama looked at her thoughtfully, but still made no move to reply, to say anything.

I narrowed my eyes. Oriern had certainly told him something. Fine, if my dragon wants to be that way, I'll let him. Huffing, I sat down and folded my arms, "What about you? Do you dream vividly like this?" she asked.

Again, Kurama said nothing.

Oriern let out a low rumble, the sign of laughter, "Dear fox, you've misunderstood me," he said only to the redhead, "You can answer her spoken words, but not her thoughts and feelings."

Kurama faltered a bit, but said finally, "No." he said to Brianna, "I never have dreamed vividly like this until tonight," He said truthfully.

Finally, he said something. I smiled, "Sure you have your own special place, though, that you go to now and again?" I urged. I hated it not being able to have some kind of conversation, so this made me feel a bit better, and I sort of relaxed.

"Not in dreams. I sleep too lightly to dream vividly," He replied.

"Makes sense…" I nodded and jumped down, ignoring my earlier thoughts. I went to him, "What about daydreaming?" she tilted her head.

Kurama shook his head, "Rarely daydream, and when I do, it's not really a dream, more like a strategy to make."

I laughed, "Yes, that seems like you," I nodded. I then glanced at Oriern and glanced back at him slyly, "Want to have a ride?" I asked.

"Sure," Kurama shrugged.

Oriern backed up and got as large as a double-decker bus. He couched, waiting for them to climb on.

I grinned and took Kurama's hand, jumping easily onto the red spot where we would sit. I made Kurama sit in front, though, that way I could have my back against one of my dragon's spikes.

"Shouldn't you be in the front?" Kurama blinked at her.

"Nah," I waved my hand, "I can stay on when he does his tricks, you won't be able to, so you need to be in front to hang onto his neck," I explained.

"And you're going to be fine because you control Wind. That makes sense," Kurama smiled.

"Ready, young ones?"Oriern asked, glancing behind him at the two.

"Take off whenever," I waved my hand again.

Kurama nodded his agreement.

Oriern crouched like a large cat ready to spring, and then took off into the air.

"Oh, by the way, think of any place, imagine anything, and it'll show up while we fly," I told Kurama as we started out the ride with a gentle, straight flight.

Kurama nodded, that meant that he was going to block his imagination for a while. The things he had to imagine weren't things to ruin Bria's mood.

"Hey! Look below, foxy, there's a village. It was never there before…" I called as I leaned out quite a ways, not slipping one bit. Oriern angled slightly for Kurama to see better.

Kurama looked down and turned considerably pale. He thought he kept his imagination in check!

"Just because you block your imagination, Kurama, doesn't mean your fox side, Youko, will," Oriern informed him quietly.

Kurama growled to himself, Oriern was right though. Youko would do this, but for what purpose? He thought Youko didn't want this!

'I can change my mind, can't I?' Youko asked softly.

"Ori, take us down, I want to see," I told my dragon, standing and balancing nicely on his back. I was incredibly curious.

Kurama couldn't stop her; he wasn't going to stop her. Youko wouldn't, and he knew that. If Youko decided to daydream, then this is what was going to happen. Only thing he could do was to watch, and hope.

Oriern did as requested, spiraling downward and landing in the forest, out of sight of the village. He got smaller and the two jumped off, he finally turning to the size of a small cat and going to Kurama's shoulder, perching there, "This is very strange…What could your fox side possibly be thinking?"

Kurama shook his head softly, signalling he didn't know. He then felt his body stiffen and he and his counterpart gasped, making soft strangling noises, but she didn't seem to hear them. Brianna was covered in a soft purple and lilac blue/white light. They watched as her form changed.

'It's true...damn you, Suuichi, it's true...' Youko wasn't resentful, but rather rueful and maybe...a bit grateful.

"Nira..." He reached a hand out to her helplessly, and then snatched it back, looking away.

"Fascinating, let's go explore," I grinned. When I heard what sounded like my name, I looked down. My nightgown had turned into black leggings, my hair that had been down went into a ponytail with my yellow rose in it like always. My red and black fingerless gloves appeared on my hands, and my top was a dried-blood red. I blinked, and then felt my feet that were in black flat shoes propel me forward.

Kurama watched interested and also decided to go forward.

"Kurama…"Oriern suddenly said, "You've switched," he informed.

Indeed he did. He was Youko in flesh this time. His long white hair blended with the white uniform. "Follow," He told her softly and they walked into the village.

I blinked and followed Youko hurriedly. My mind suddenly remembered something. Those who are dead can be in your dreams. All you have to do is summon them. This is what Youko wanted! I grinned and ran to catch up, falling into step with the silver kitsune. Youko made some twists and turns along in the village, but I found I could somehow easily keep up and knew my way around, even as I looked about cuiously. Oriern decided to stay in the forest, letting me and Youko go ahead on our own. I looked around eagerly, and a little on edge. The demons there were eyeing me curiously…and with a bit of hunger…

Youko kept very close to her, he watched as they were looking and shook his head, rolling his eyes. He was looking for someone, and he knew that he was going to have to hurry up.

"Move, Youko!" I suddenly called, pushing him forward and out of the way as someone almost pounced on the kitsune, but instead missed because of me and landed on his chest on the ground. I eyed him, tensing and getting into a small stance. Wait…somehow I knew this wasn't someone to be afraid of. I relaxed and instead just watched with lots of interest.

Youko blinked as he saw who it was, "Kuronue!" He laughed, "Nice job scaring us."

"Yes, well, I hid my ki. I'm surprised this little kitten here still managed to sense me…" Kuronue said as he got up, dusting off and fixing his hat. His voice was husky, and his eyes were an intense, fascinating indigo. He flapped his bat wings a bit to get the dust off of them.

Youko laughed and then said, "Where's Lyria?" He asked the bat demon, "I thought she was coming with us?"

"She said she's not coming this time. Said that she didn't want to get in the way," Kuronue answered.

Youko who frowned deeply, "That's strange. Oh well."

Kuronue laughed, "She's missing out, I know," He looked a bit worried but hid it very well.

"Why are you worried?" I watched him. Getting closer and I couldn't stop my hands from going to his wings, feeling them. They were leathery, like they were supposed to be, very strong, but still felt like silk. I looked him up and down. He was medium build, stronger than what he would show. He was probably fierce when he fought.

"Are you sure this is Nira you brought along Youko?" Kuronue teased the fox. He laughed a bit at the tickling sensation Nira was giving as she felt his wings and he flapped them a bit. She backed away and he sighed. Youko rolled his eyes and the bat turned to the girl, "Lyria's really good at sixth sense, can feel things others can't I suppose you'll say. Her not being here……worries me."

"I'm able to do that as much as she is," I remarked, folding my arms over my chest.

"That's not what he meant," Youko whispered softly, "Lyria is really close to Kuronue, so them being apart……is rare. Too rare to be normal."

I tilted my head and frowned, looking at Kuronue. I frowned deeper, "Well, maybe whatever we're going to go do will help a bit," I soothed, touching Kuro's arm gently.

"Yeah," Kuronue said looking at her oddly for a minute before shrugging and then said, "So what's our target?"

"The Golden Mirror of Desire," Youko replied to Kuronue's question.