Day 6

"[T]he nature of time in the Dreamlands allows for the mixing of people from all eras--from the invisible past into the dim future--and from all places on Earth. As such, while there are locations in the Lands where people from a single culture, or a related group of cultures, tend to congregate, key regions, such as The Six Kingdoms, Ooth-Nargai, and the Island Nation of Punica, are quite cosmopolitan, especially the important settlements of Ulthar, Dylath-Leen, Creachabh, Hlanith, Celephaïs, and Karchedon. However, while this can stimulate industry, the arts, and the sciences, it can also pose exotic threats to the unwary."

-- The Dreamlands for Dummies, Aislinn Síle

Differel slept all the next day, and through the night as well. Sunny tried to hide her anxiety, but Eile could tell she got more worried. The maggots had not come out by evening, so Sunny decided to leave them in longer. They continued to wet her lips, but she showed no response; not even smelling salts woke her up. Sunny finally resorted to placing soaked rags in her mouth so she could get some moisture. Even so, her pulse did get stronger and her breathing deeper, which Sunny admitted were good signs.

Meanwhile, a steady stream of visitors came by, inquiring as to Differel's health, and how she and Sunny were doing, and offering best wishes and expressing hopes for her speedy recovery. Most were not friends or even acquaintances, though Eile knew who most of them were, if only by reputation. Because of that, though, she figured they were more curious than anything else, and wanted to get a look at the new attraction in town.

"We really outta charge admission," she told Sunny at one point.

"That's not a bad idea!"

She gave her a puzzled leer, not sure if she was serious. "It was just a joke, ya spaz!"

Sunny giggled. "I know, I'm pulling your leg, partner."

"Heh, I oughta smack you."

In addition to asking the same questions, the other thing everyone who came by did was drop off food, everything from bread and soups to pies and cakes. She wasn't sure they could eat it all before it went bad, even with Bettie around, but in fact most of it turned out to have small portions, not enough to be a full meal. As such, that evening the three of them decided to have a feast, sharing the food between them, including the beavertail stew and the venison pot roast, and afterwards all that was left were portions of a couple of pies and a few loaves of bread.

The only visitor who didn't bring food was Laylina, and she only came by to tell them that none of the guests at the inn knew anything about Differel, but inquiries were being made throughout the town, and in the villages of Nir, Shyre, Pitcan, and Mozam.

On the morning of the sixth day, the second morning after her fever broke, Sunny awakened Eile to tell her the maggots were leaving the wound. She helped her collect them, disposing of them by dropping them into a bowl of alcohol, then Sunny flushed out the wound with more alcohol, followed by hot water. She noted that the wound closed on its own, which she took to be another good sign. Sunny made a salve out of some of the remaining oily medication and pumped it into the wound, before finally applying more to a fresh dressing and tying it into place. She then left Eile in charge while she had breakfast.

Before Sunny went to bed, Tokoyo came by, as she had promised she would. Eile figured it was safe to leave Differel alone for a short time, and she came downstairs just as Sunny opened the door. As she usually did when back in town, the lady samurai was dressed in her geisha clothing and makeup, but she wore her hair loose and she had stuck a wakizashi in her kimono's obi. Eile never saw her without it, not even when bathing.

She also carried a small package, and Eile hoped she knew what it was.

"Ohayo, Yamamoto-san," Sunny greeted her, bowing, and for once she bowed as well.

Tokoyo returned the bows. "Ohayo gozaimasu. I came to inquire after the health of your friend, and to present you with this small gift." She smiled as she handed the package to Sunny, who tore off the rice paper with all the excitement of a kid at Christmas. Inside were two lacquer boxes, one of which contained six futomaki rolls filled with octopus, avocado, and radishes. Making a yuck face, Sunny handed that box to Eile. She loved sushi, though most of what she ate was Americanized types such as California rolls. Since they first arrived in the Dreamlands, though, and Tokoyo had furthered her education, she had searched out more authentic Japanese types. Being as Ulthar was so far from the sea, the geisha samurai normally made do with local ingredients, but every now and then she had fresh seafood imported, at great expense, for special occasions. Eile knew what an honor it was for her to share some of that precious fare with her, and she bowed and thanked her.

Sunny hated sushi, often disparaging it as 'bait', despite Eile explaining to her the difference between sushi and sashimi. However, Tokoyo had not neglected her. The other box contained six imagawayaki, and Sunny's face lit up as she spread her mouth into a big, dumb grin and started fidgeting. They looked like buttermilk biscuits, except the bread had a consistency more like a donut, and they were filled with sweet azuki bean paste. Despite her loathing for sushi, Sunny loved Japanese food, though she tended to prefer the Americanized forms such as tempura over more traditional dishes. But her favorites were desserts and confectionaries, having a sweet tooth like nobody's business.

Sunny sobered and bowed to Tokoyo, thanking her, as Eile handed the boxes to Bettie for storage in the larder, though not before Sunny snatched a pastry from hers. "She's getting better," Eile told the lady samurai, as Sunny wolfed down her treat, "her fever broke two days ago, but she's been asleep since then."

Tokoyo removed a tessen from her obi and snapped it open. "May I be permitted to know her name?" Though it resembled a fan, Eile knew that the spokes were made of iron and that it could double as a weapon if necessary

Eile exchanged chagrined looks mixed with surprise with Sunny. "Heh, I guess we never did introduce you. Sorry about that."

"Her name is Sir Differel Van Helsing," Sunny replied; "she's a baronetess."

Tokoyo flashed a puzzled look. "Baronetess?"

"Yeah, um, that's kind of a hereditary knight. Not quite daimyo, probably more like a combination of jitō and gokenin. She's quite the swashbuckler, let me tell you!"

"Swashbuckler?"

Eile couldn't help smiling. As much as they learned from Tokoyo, she learned more from them, particularly with Sunny throwing out unfamiliar terms all the time.

"Yeah, she's a regular onna-bugeisha like you. She might even be samurai."

"I see."

"Would you like ta see her?" Eile asked.

"No, a samurai would not permit herself to be visited by another while sick or infirm. Such would be a grave dishonor, which could only be cleansed through seppuku."

"Really?!" Sunny replied with a bug-eyed expression.

Eile smirked, and Sunny threw her a peeved look. Though Tokoyo had said it with a straight face, she wasn't above pulling Sunny's leg as a way to get back at her for all the unfamiliar references she made.

"She's messin' with you, ya ditz."

Sunny turned her irritation on Tokoyo, jamming fists into her hips. "Was any of that true?"

Tokoyo returned a small smile and a bow of the head. "Up to a point. I do not wish to meet her for the first time until after she recovers, and I would prefer to do that at an ozashiki in her honor at the ochaya."

"Domo arigato! I'm sure she'll be honored!"

"Then I shall take my leave. Send word to me when you feel she is strong enough to attend." And she bowed.

An ear-splitting caterwaul of yowls and shrieks came from upstairs. Eile jumped and spun around to face the stairwell. God, no!

"Differel!" Sunny squealed, and she took off. Eile followed her up the stairs and they burst into the room.

A figure swathed in black and camouflage netting stood over the bed, holding a knife with a long curved blade above the aristocrat. Three dead cats littered the floor as others stood on the sills outside the closed windows, struggling to get in.

Eile didn't think; she just pushed past Sunny and charged in, to body-check the assassin. He turned on her and swiped with the knife, barely missing her throat. She danced back and tried to maneuver around him. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Sunny race around the room, opening the windows. The assassin feinted a slash at Eile, then bolted for Sunny as cats poured in. Tokoyo appeared in the doorway as Sunny turned to face him with her dagger in one hand. The geisha samurai ripped her wakizashi out of the scabbard and tossed it to Eile as she closed her tessen with a snap and threw it at the assassin side-handed. The weaponized fan struck him in the side below the pit of his knife arm, knocking him off balance as half a dozen cats threw themselves on him. Sunny blocked his knife arm with her left and stabbed him under the diaphragm up behind the sternum with her right, just before Eile came up behind him and ran the razor-sharp blade through his ribs. She and Sunny then pushed him towards a window. He lost his footing and fell through the portal. They peered out in time to see him slam into the road below. He didn't move, and Eile figured he was dead; between the cats, the stabbings, and the fall, she didn't believe he could have survived.

Sunny went to check on Differel while she watched cats gather around the body. Some checked their comrades who had taken the tumble with him while the rest kept an eye on the assassin. The two militia guards ran into view, and as one held her halberd ready to strike, the other knelt to check his neck pulse. After a minute she looked up and shook her head.

Eile turned to look into the room. "How is she?"

Sunny recovered the aristocrat with the blanket. "She's okay, thank goodness. We got to her just in time."

A wave of relief washed over her. She thought maybe the assassin had had a chance to stab her at least once.

She turned her attention to Tokoyo, bowed, and thanked her. "We're in yer debt once more, Yamamoto-san."

Tokoyo bowed back. "He was shinobi; you would say 'ninja'."

Eile exchanged a consternated look with Sunny. That wasn't good. It meant whoever was after Differel hadn't given up, and that they didn't care who they killed to get to her.

One of the guards went to report the incident to Commander Jer'd, and within five minutes a judicial magistrate arrived, along with Jer'd, Laoise, and Ahjidamoh. The four of them interviewed everyone involved as militiamen removed the body, but their conclusion did not surprise Eile. Testimony from the cats indicated that the ninja had hidden on the roof during the night and had come through an open window. Only a few of the felines had spotted him at the last minute, and only three could reach him before he closed the windows. In addition to camouflage he wore a thick felt bodysuit under his black swathing, which protected him from the cats' claws and teeth until he could kill them. Which indicated he knew in advance they would be on guard. Had she and Sunny arrived just a few seconds later, Differel would almost certainly have been dead from a stab wound to the heart.

Once they were satisfied as to what happened, the magistrate and Laoise left to report to their respective leaders. Sunny and Bettie placed the bodies of the three cats in a burlap sack, took them downstairs, and placed them on the deck of their back patio before retiring to the kitchen. With everything settled down, Eile came off her adrenaline high, and she started to berate herself for putting Differel in danger, but she wasn't the only one. Both Jer'd and Ahjidamoh expressed anguished regret that they had let them down.

"The Council and Her Majesty have asked me to express their deepest apologies for this incident," the big cat said. Both he and the noble youth had remained behind, and they shared morning tea with them and Tokoyo, while Bettie cleaned the blood off the bedroom floor. "And I wish to add my own heartfelt sorrow. I pledge, on my personal honor, that there will not be a repeat, and I further assure you I will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of your friend for the remainder of her stay."

"Burgomaster Kranon has also asked me to express his own repentance that we failed to protect your charge," Jer'd said. "I have been authorized to post a dozen militiamen around your house, and I am looking into placing crossbowmen on the surrounding roofs."

"I have already arranged to have a squad posted on your roof," Ahjidamoh added. "They should be in place within the hour."

"Furthermore, we request permission to place guards inside your home," Jer'd said, "preferably in the bedroom, until your guest is stronger, but at least in the stairway outside."

"Guys, please," Sunny said, "we really appreciate your concern, and we understand how you feel, but let's not go overboard here. This was just one incident in a week, and you didn't fail us, not by a long shot. Eile and I are pretty sure that increasing your patrols will be enough. Besides, you know us. We couldn't treat your guards any way other than as guests, and that'd hamper their ability to perform their duties. Right?"

They agreed and withdrew their request.

"Her Majesty would appreciate your doing her a favor," Ahjidamoh said, "though under the circumstances she would understand if you refused."

He said nothing more, but Eile knew what he was asking. Cats didn't observe funeral rites of any kind. They considered the body a mere vessel; once the spirit departed, it was nothing but a husk to be disposed of, like so much garbage. For them, it was the memory they cherished, not a memorial. And yet, many felines formed such strong attachments to each other that they felt the need to pay their last respects. In which case, having a place where they could do so was a comfort.

Sunny smiled. "We'll bury them in our garden. There's a nice spot in front of the cedars where we can put a cat-rose bush. It's the least we can do."

Ahjidamoh purred. "That should be most appropriate."

"But what about those who fell with the ninja?"

"They sustained some injuries, but nothing serious. They will recover in time."

"Thank Bast!"

He purred again. "We plan to."

Eile and Sunny showed them and Tokoyo out, but she lingered after the two commanders left.

"They are perhaps correct," she said, "you should have someone inside the house besides yourselves to help protect her. I could assign one of the yuna, or if you prefer I can ask one of my shimai."

Eile understood what she was offering. Her sisters and the bathhouse wash-maids had all been trained by her mother and father, who had both been master samurai, just as she was. They were almost as skilled as she. Almost.

Sunny bowed. "We're honored, Yamamoto-san, but really, Eile and I should be able to handle it. No sweat."

The geisha samurai raised an eyebrow at the unfamiliar phrase, but she bowed back. "Send me word if you should change your minds. Meanwhile, I will make inquiries to try to discover which clan the shinobi belonged to. If we are fortunate, that could lead us to the one who hired him."

Eile knew the cats would be conducting their own search, but their interest was retribution for three dead comrades. She doubted there would be much left of the employer once they were through with him.

"Dozo! And, arigato gozaimasu!"

Tokoyo flashed a lopsided smile. "Dō itashimashite. Sayōnara; yoi ichinichi o." She bowed and left.

"Maybe we shoulda accepted her offer," Eile said as Sunny shut the door.

She threw her a surprised look. "Whaddya mean?"

"I shouldn't've left her alone; it almost got her killed."

Sunny came up to her and laid a hand on her elbow. "But that's not your fault."

She felt her irritation flare. "Of course it is, ya ditz!"

"That ninja couldn't've known there was anyone besides Differel in that room, so he certainly wouldn't know you had left."

"That's not what I meant."

Sunny smirked. "Okay, say you were there. How could you've stopped him?"

"I don't know! I probably would've clobbered him while he was tanglin' with the cats."

Sunny nodded, an infuriating sneer on her face. "Right, and gotten yourself killed in the process. And then where'd I be?"

She sighed. "Look, I know what yer tryin' ta do, but I gotta work through this by myself."

Sunny's expression softened. "I understand, partner, but you weren't armed, so you probably wouldn't've been able to stop him in any event."

"Yeah, maybe, but then again, maybe we should be armed from now on."

Sunny nodded, a serious look on her face. "Sounds like a plan, partner."

Sunny didn't go to bed until after she had washed the three dead cats, wrapped them in clean white linen sheets, and stored them in a trunk for the time being. They kissed goodnight when Eile came to retrieve her sword, then she went downstairs to get her breakfast and sent Bettie out to a nursery to purchase a cat-rose bush. Finally she took her meal upstairs and started watching over Differel, continuing the routine of the previous day of wetting her lips and placing a soaked cloth in her mouth.

Differel finally awoke in late early-morning. Eile had just wetted her lips, when she licked them and opened her eyes, startling her. She looked around in an agitated manner, and tried to lift her head, but when the effort became too much she grimaced and grunted, and let it drop back onto the pillow.

She bent over her. "Take it easy, Differel, you've had a rough time."

She squinted at her. "Eile, is that you?"

"Yeah, just a sec." She went over to the room's armoire and reached in to open the chest in which they stored the things she had on her person when they found her. She had moved it to the current bedroom when she and Bettie moved Differel. She removed her new glasses, took them back to the bed, and slipped them on her face, and Differel focused on her.

"What happened?" Her voice sounded barely above a whisper.

"Short term, you've been delirious with fever for four days, and asleep for two. Long term, you tell me."

She frowned. "You're not making sense."

"Skip it, it's not important right now."

"No, tell me."

"Not until yer stronger. Yer weak as a kitten. You need food and rest; we can talk later."

"Alright." She closed her eyes.

Eile went out to the stairs and shouted down to the first floor. "Bettie!"

She appeared at the bottom, looking up. "Yeah?!"

"Differel's awake. Make more of that tea, and then some broth. And add some extra salt!"

"I'm on it!" She went off into the kitchen.

Sunny opened the door to their bedroom. "Differel's awake?"

Surprised, she said, "You heard that?"

Sunny gave her a 'well, duh' look. "How could I not with you bellowing like an ox? Hey, that rhymes!"

"Well, usually you can sleep through an earthquake."

"I couldn't sleep, I guess I'm worried."

Their conversation was interrupted by a thud coming from Differel's room. When they looked in they found her face down on the floor, tangled up in the sheets and blanket, trying to get up.

"Oh, for cryin' out loud!" They rushed in to help her.

"What are you doing out of bed?!" Sunny squealed.

"Have to keep moving," she gasped, "can't let them catch me."

They picked her up. "Oh, no, you're going right back to bed!" Differel struggled, but her resistance was feeble at best. While Eile held her, Sunny pulled off the sheets and blanket, and then they laid her back on the bed. She tried to get up again, but Eile pushed her down and Sunny covered her up. The weight of the blanket was enough to keep her in place, but she was still agitated and kept muttering about needing to get away.

Eile felt frightened. "What's wrong with her? It's almost like she's still delirious."

"She's dehydrated. We need to get fluids and electrolytes into her."

"Bettie's working on it."

"Bettie's done!" she said from the door, and came in holding a cup. "At least with the tea. Broth will be ready in a half-hour."

Sunny took the cup and tested its temperature as Eile said, "Get some water, too."

"Already on it." She hurried out.

"Sit her up," Sunny asked her, and she raised Differel's torso and propped her against the headboard. Sunny sat on the edge of the bed and held out the cup. "Differel, it's Sunny. Here, drink this. It'll help."

Differel looked at it and Sunny raised it to her mouth. She sipped, then reached up and took the cup herself, taking larger draughts.

"Slowly, slowly! Just sip it."

Differel didn't react as if she heard, but after a couple of big gulps she started taking smaller swallows.

"Alright now, listen to me. You don't need to worry, everything's fine. You're safe, no one's gonna hurt you here. You understand?"

She focused on Sunny. "Where am I?"

"You're in our house."

"In Denver?"

"No, we have another house, in a town called Ulthar."

"Where is it?"

Eile had been hoping they would have had a chance to discuss an answer before they told her anything, but if they tried to delay a response now, she felt afraid of what Differel might do.

"It's in the Dreamlands."

Differel looked puzzled. "Dreamlands?"

"Yeah, it's a parallel universe people can enter through their dreams."

Differel frowned, confused, but also suspicious.

"Look, I know this sounds really strange, even unbelievable, but that's only because your mind's still foggy. You've just recovered from a fever, you need time to rebuild your strength. We can prove what we're saying is true, but it'll have to wait until you're stronger. Understand?"

She suddenly looked wary, like she felt trapped and wanted to flee.

"Do you trust us?"

For a moment Differel's face screwed up in agitation, as if debating with herself what was the best course of action. Then it softened into a relaxed smile.

"Yes."

Eile felt relieved as Sunny said, "Good. Then trust us now. We'll explain everything soon, we promise, but for the moment, we'll take care of you and protect you. Nothing's gonna happen to you as long as we're around."

She didn't respond, but she drained the cup and held it out. "More?"

Eile grinned as Sunny took the cup. "Sure thing! Whatever you like."

Actually, Sunny brought her a mug of regular tea rather than the antibiotic, as per Mephitis's instructions, and then went back to bed. Eile gave her more when she had finished that, then had her drink water the rest of the morning to rehydrate her. Lunch was more broth, followed by more tea and then water. Differel took a nap after that and slept the entire afternoon, only waking up when Sunny did. After she checked her wound, she and Eile left Bettie to watch her as they went down to their backyard. Sunny pointed out the spot in front of the cedars she had mentioned in the morning and Eile dug a hole two feet square by four deep. By the time she had finished, a couple of dozen cats had assembled to watch. She and Sunny reverently laid the slain felines to rest in the hole and Eile filled it in, with Sunny planting the bush on top of the final mound of dirt. They then stood in front of it and sang a few hymns and spirituals as the cats purred in harmony, before observing a minute of silence out of respect. Each cat came forward to sniff the turned ground and the bush before leaving, and when the last had departed Eile and Sunny expressed their thanks to the departed spirits one last time before going back into their house.

They cleaned up and relieved Bettie so she could make dinner, and told Differel more about the Dreamlands, but mostly to make conversation until Bettie brought up their food. The blueblood received a thin vegetable soup with noodles along with a piece of toast with some butter, and more tea. Bettie sat up with her while they ate in the kitchen. Afterwards, Eile made a few California rolls to keep in the larder while Sunny helped. Eile liked to keep fresh ones on hand for quick snacks, and they were easy to make, requiring only diced avocado and cucumbers mixed with perch from the River Skai, rolled in rice and sprinkled with sesame seeds. In deference to Sunny's sensibilities, though, she allowed her to lightly sauté the fish filets with a bit of butter and garlic. That made the rolls appetizing enough for her to try them on occasion.

When they finished and had put them away, Sunny went to relieve Bettie, and Eile accompanied her to grab a few things from the storage room. Bettie told them that Differel fell asleep soon after she finished her meal, and after Sunny made sure the pitcher had been filled with fresh water, she settled herself in for her night vigil.

Eile didn't feel tired, so she and Bettie went back downstairs and, after Eile put away the items from storage and they washed the dishes, they played gin rummy on the patio in their backyard until after dusk. As Bettie lit the lanterns for one last hand, the Fear Dearg appeared on the patio table.

"Pardon me, Lassie, but you have visitors, don't you know."

She scowled; she figured they were well-wishers who didn't care how late it was. "I'll be just a minute." She didn't try to keep the irritation out of her voice.

"Take your time; I'm in no hurry."

She went back into the house and to the front door, and opened it just as one of the visitors reached for the knocker.

Her angry retort for disturbing them died in her throat when she saw it was Tokoyo, with Shadow standing on her shoulders.

"Ah, come in!"

Tokoyo entered without speaking, and Eile closed the door, but the geisha samurai waited until Shadow jumped down onto the parlor table before she bowed. "Yūkan'na-kokoro-san; please forgive my disturbing you so late."

Eile bowed back. "Yer always welcome anytime, Yamamoto-san. What can I do for you?"

"We have information concerning the shinobi."

"Oh! Okay, good. Um, let's sit on the patio; the evening's pleasantly cool."

She bowed her head in agreement. Shadow hopped down and headed towards the back of the house while Tokoyo followed Eile, but she paused in front of the entrance to the kitchen. "Would you like some tea?"

"I've got a better idea." Bettie stepped out, carrying a tray that bore a tokkuri sake flask and three ochoko cups with a sakazuki saucer, all made of porcelain, and a plate with the California rolls sliced and ready to eat.

"That would be most welcome," Tokoyo said.

Bettie followed them out onto the patio, and Eile noted that Shadow had already jumped on top of the table. She and Tokoyo sat down as Bettie placed the flask and plate in the middle of the table along with three sets of chopsticks, the cups by each chair, and the saucer, filled with cream, in front of Shadow. But instead of joining them she put the tray under one arm.

"If you'll excuse me, I'll go let Sunny know you've got company." And she darted into the house before Eile could object.

Eile shrugged, and poured sake into the cups as Shadow licked at her cream and Tokoyo took a slice of the makizushi. "I'm sorry about the mundane nature of the cuisine."

She swallowed and flashed a small smile. "There is no need for apology. I am fascinated by the ingenuity of Occidentals when it comes to innovating my native fare."

Eile grinned. The geisha samurai might be too honorable to openly mock, but she wasn't above a little gentle teasing.

Sunny appeared in the doorway, a bit out of breath, as if she had rushed down the stairs for fear of missing anything. She paused, made herself appear calm and collected, and bowed. "Konbanwa, Yamamoto-san."

She nodded her head. "Konbanwa, Howaitoraion-san."

Sunny sat down, and together all three of them lifted their cups and took a sip of sake. When they set them back down, Sunny eyed the rolls with suspicion.

"These are the ones we made just this evening, remember?" Eile said.

Her partner brightened. "Oh, well then." She selected one of her own and popped it into her mouth.

"Would you like one?" Eile asked Shadow.

She sniffed at them in the same manner she would a piece of garbage. "No, thank you. Too much work to separate the fish from everything else, and I smell garlic."

"Hardly enough to hurt you," Sunny said.

"If I can smell it, I can taste it, and I hate garlic. The cream will suffice." And she licked some more.

Sunny shrugged as Eile grinned and shook her head.

They took another sip of sake. "Sooooo, what've you got for us?" Sunny asked.

"I have been working closely with the Neko Council of Elders as we each pursued our own avenues if inquiry, and we have discovered that the shinobi was a member of the Koga-ryu."

"Is that a clan?"

"Iie. It is an ancient school from the time of the Ashikaga Bakufu. It is located on an island in the Southern Sea south of the Land of Daiwa."

"Daiwa, huh?" That made sense to Eile. In video game parlance it was a "Wutai", a region of a fantasyland that resembled a mashup of various Japanese eras, except that the nature of Dreaming made such a society possible. Though mercenaries that acted like ninjas could be found throughout the Dreamlands, if actual ninjas existed anywhere it would be in Daiwa.

"Sounds like we should take a trip there to snoop around," Sunny said.

"You don't have time," Shadow said, "if you are to return your friend before you wake up."

"Actually, we could take her to Celephaïs, once she recovers. She'd be safer there than here -- no offense."

Shadow purred. "None taken; cats live there as well."

Sunny giggled. "True. Anywho, she could stay at our mansion while we checked out this lead." Suddenly she broke out into a huge dumb grin. "In fact, we could let ourselves wake up and wait to do everything when we return. We'd have more time then. It might even do her some good to live in the Dreamlands for that four months. It certainly wouldn't hurt her; at worst, she would be delayed by only an extra day in the Waking World, and we could get word to her people in England as to what's happened to her. And we could try to return early."

"She wouldn't be completely out of danger even in Celephaïs, but more importantly, what would she do if she discovered where the ninja came from?"

Eile exchanged a nervous glance with Sunny. "If we were in the Waking World, I'd be willing ta bet she'd go off on her own ta check it out."

"Do you really think she could refrain from doing so here?"

"Huh."

"Oh, poo."

"No, I doubt she could. But we can't just ignore this."

"We won't. The Council has asked me to assure you they are already investigating with Tokoyo's help. We hope to have news before you wake up, but we can't guarantee anything."

"Thennnnn, why even tell us at all?" Sunny asked.

"To warn you," Tokoyo said. "Every shinobi school requires a sponsor, who may then call upon its members to perform whatever duty he requires. These persons usually hide in the background, to preserve their anonymity, but I have learned that the sponsor of the Koga school is the city of Hazuth-Kleg."

It took a moment to sink in, but then Eile felt a shock stampede through her body as Sunny popped her eyes and dropped her jaw.

"Geezus!"

"You mean, the Fomorians?!"

The geisha samurai nodded. "I have heard rumors for some time that the masters of the city used shinobi for covert missions when they wish to maintain, how you say, plausible deniability."

"Her Majesty's Council has heard the same, as has Kuranes, but until know we could not prove it."

"We still may not be able to, Shadousutōkā. My source is reliable, but would not testify for fear of his life."

"That doesn't matter. Once the Council verifies his information, we will act."

"Okay, whoa there, guys," Eile said. "That's yer business, though we'd be glad ta help if we could. Meanwhile, what do you want Sunny and me ta do?"

Their feline friend fixed them with a half-lidded stare. "Help your friend get home, but also keep your eyes and ears open, and report anything you observe or discover."

"You plan to use Differel as bait!" Sunny squealed. "Us, too!"

"Bait?!" But she realized it made sense.

Shadow meowed, her eyes wide with surprise; Eile figured she hadn't expected them to pick up on that. But she quickly recovered. "In a manner of speaking. We believe that Whoever wants her dead will not stop trying, even if They do not employ any more ninjas. We want to find out who it is, and the quickest way would be to catch Them in the act, but if it is the Fomorians, you need to be on your guard. There are no forms of attack they could not use."

"No shit, Sherlock."

Sunny gave her a peeved look, but Eile didn't like it when the cats played games with their lives, even if she was used to it.

"Is there anything else you wanted to tell us?" Sunny asked.

"No, nothing," Shadow said, and Tokoyo shook her head.

"Then, thanks for the warning, but it's late, and Eile and Bettie need their sleep."

Her abruptness surprised Eile, but for all her friendly demeanor and innocent charm, even she could get pissed, and she wasn't afraid to show it, though she was usually more subtle about doing so. Being friends, she didn't expect Shadow or Tokoyo to be insulted or hold a grudge, but she didn't want to be rude.

They escorted them through the house back to the front door, but while Shadow dashed out and disappeared into the night, Tokoyo paused. "Considering this new development, I offer once more to provide assistance in guarding your friend."

She glanced at Sunny, and realized from her expression that she wouldn't refuse outright again. "Yeah, that's probably a good idea, but the problem is we don't have anywhere ta put her. We burned the mattresses for the bed in the other spare bedroom; the only other place suitable would be the sofa in the sunroom, and Bettie's sleeping there."

"I could assign one of the more experienced yuna; she would provide her own bedding."

She looked at Sunny, who smiled and nodded. "Okay; thanks. We can go ahead and put her in the spare bedroom, then, 'cause the rest of the furniture's still usable. That'll put her right next door ta Differel."

"Then I shall bring her by early tomorrow morning."

"Domo arigato, Yamamoto-san." Sunny bowed low.

Tokoyo bowed her head. "Dō itashimashite. Oyasuminasai, Chīmu no On'nanoko." Sunny closed the door after she crossed the threshold.

"You were a little hard on them, weren't you?"

Sunny flashed a startled wide-eyed look of surprise, but then she sneered. "I was mostly angry with the cats. I don't mind them putting us in danger once in awhile, but I wish they'd ask first! And it's not right for them to do that to Differel; she can't consent!"

"Yeah, can't argue with ya there."

They headed upstairs, and Eile watched from the hallway as Sunny relieved Bettie and told her that they would be getting some more help. They exchanged goodnights, and Bettie headed downstairs. She went into the room, and she and Sunny kissed, but when they parted they found Shadow sitting on the nightstand. She jumped down and moved to the top of the desk, and they followed so they could talk to her quietly.

"I wanted to apologize," she said. "Your realization of the Council's intentions caught me by surprise, and I reacted badly. My words were ill-chosen. I'm sorry."

"And I'm sorry I bit your head off," Sunny replied.

"Then it's best if we just forget it happened."

"Yeah, probably," Eile said. "Thing is, though, that upset us. We just wish you guys would ask before you commit us to that kinda risk."

"Would you have said no?"

"No, of course not, but that's not the point; it'd've been courteous ta ask, is all."

"Yes, you're right; I'm often frustrated myself. Unfortunately, neither I nor you have any say in the matter. As servants of Her Most Serene Feline Majesty, we have to take the Council's orders."

"Okay, but Differel's not onna her servants, and she can't consent. Not now, at least."

"I assure you, they realize that. I attended the debate, and there was much dissention on that issue alone. However, they have pledged to protect her as long as she is under their jurisdiction, which includes Celephaïs, not just Ulthar. They take that very seriously; so seriously, that they are also working to uncover Who is behind the attacks. They believe it would be better to remove the cause altogether than deal with the constant threat."

She shared chagrined looks with Sunny. "Okay, we see that."

"Good. Your cooperation is essential to success. By the way, I overheard you accepting help from Tokoyo. You made a wise choice. Goodnight." She jumped down, sprinted across the room, and leapt out the window before they could say anything more.

"This feels like it's getting way outta hand!" Sunny said.

"Heh, I know wha'cha mean. You gonna be okay? I could stay up a little while; keep you company."

Sunny gave her a coquettish lopsided smile and placed a hand on her butt. "The only company I'd want is your face between my thighs, and since we can't do that, well..." She winked and giggled.

Eile chuckled. "Okay, ya butthead, I get the point." They kissed again. "See ya in the morning."

"Sleep tight; don't let the bedbugs bite, partner!"

"Yeah, yeah." She waved a hand over her head as she headed for their bedroom. Actually, it dawned on her that they could've had oral sex while Differel was delirious or unconscious, but as it currently stood, with Sunny's lung power, they'd wake her before they got too far.

"Not her fault this time," she muttered as she undressed, "but once again she's screwed up our lives but good."

Except, she realized, it wasn't part of a carefully crafted plan, and Nyarlathotep alone knew how it would all turn out.

She turned down the sheets and crawled in, leaving them off for once, since the night air felt comfortable. She put her hands behind her head and stared at the ceiling, letting the shadows and light patterns from the street create images in her mind like some kind of Rorschach test. The visage of the Daemon-Sultan hovered above her bed, but it was soon replaced by one of Sunny.

She smiled, feeling better; even in her imagination, her partner could soothe and reassure her.

It wasn't long after that that she fell asleep, thinking about Sunny lying beside her.