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Ryuji has been a lucid dreamer for a few years now. It started very subtly, with his ability to control his dreams only becoming stable after a lot of practice and restless nights.
At first it was him scaring himself awake or getting too excited after realizing he was in a dream. After discovering this unique skill of his, he started to pursue a better understanding of it.
He kept a dream diary which he filled in right after waking up from a series of hazy memories his mind made up during the night. He read it before falling asleep. At least, that’s what the article he read advised him to do, in order for his consciousness to enter the ‘REM’ state.
And it worked. He came to control his dreams better, lasting longer in the fantasy world inside of his head.
What was surprising, though, was a reoccurring thing that appeared during his dreams. A talking cat. He never remembers what the cat says, but every time he rests his eyes upon the kitty he’s well aware that he’s inside a dream.
Most people have a different set of tells, most of them normal signs like checking for one’s reflection on a mirror, looking at one’s palm...Ryuji’s tell was a bloody talking cat. He felt silly about it, but he’d live with it. There’s no way someone can miss a talking cat anyway.
So that’s why when he found himself at Yusuke’s house on a silent Friday afternoon and saw a black kitty talking to Yusuke, he knew he was dreaming.
“You should go to sleep early tonight Yusuke-kun! You don’t want Yume no seirei to haunt your dreams!” it said, its tail flapping around.
“I’m sure you’re very aware of how much I value my sleep. I believe it to be very precious for the soul. Therefore, I would never neglect a need of such importance.”
The cat nodded, evidently content.
Huh, this is a weird one, Ryuji couldn’t help but think.
The furry kitty headed to the window and jumped out of it fearlessly, despite it being too high up. Ryuji hoped the cat would survive that. Well, not that it mattered. This is a dream, after all.
“Hey Yusuke,” he greeted, “what was with that?”
“Ryuji! You’ve finally arrived! Oh, that? That was a baku in the form of a cat.”
“A...baku?” he questioned, confused.
“Correct. It came here to warn me.” Now Ryuji was intrigued.
“Warn you? ‘Bout what?”
“Well, there’s...an evil yokai roaming over the village which is believed to cause nightmares to those deprived of sleep. The baku are supernatural beings that devour nightmares. They’ve been...fairly busy lately, though, with that yokai haunting the village.” he explained.
This sure was a weird dream. He wasn’t aware his brain could get this creative.
“That sounds like a load o’ crap if you ask me.” he went a bit closer to Yusuke who was standing by the window that the cat had jumped off of, “Demons? Spirits? What a load o’ shit. I got no explanation for that talkin’ cat just now ‘xcept for my mind makin’ some crazy shit up again. There ain’t no way I’ll be afraid of some dumb yokai.”
“That was incredibly passionate, Ryuji. I might not see eye to eye with your perspective but your fiery emotions on the topic fascinate me. I think I’ve been stricken with inspiration!” he grabbed a bag which Ryuji assumed contained his art supplies with one hand and Ryuji’s palm with the other.
Ryuji was surprised by the sudden touch, his face getting a bit warm.
At this point in the dream, he’d strive to take control of it and lead it towards his own path, but this time he wanted to see how it played out. He didn’t want to ruin his moments with Yusuke, even if this wasn’t real.
Yusuke dragged him to an isolated cliff, the sea infinite in front of them and just in time for the sunset. He didn’t let go of his hand until they arrived and needed to get his canvas in place.
“Yume no seirei proceeds with his haunting from dusk to dawn. The legend says that if you watch the sunset you’ll be safe from the spirit’s claws.”
Ryuji didn’t interrupt Yusuke’s monologue, enjoying his talkative friend as he kept on monologuing.
He grabbed his brush and turned his back to the stunning view, now facing Ryuji who was seated on a rock.
“I’ve been friends with that Baku ever since I was a child. His name is Morgana. He’s aided me with my nightmares ever since my mother’s death. I owe him a significant amount of my sleep.” he talked as he concentrated between Ryuji and his canvas.
Ryuji felt particularly flustered when under Yusuke’s scrutiny.
“Oh...that’s kinda sweet. I still ain’t that sure about the whole supernatural stuff but...I’m glad he’s helped you with your nightmares.”
“Indeed he has. Yume no seirei has tormented enough. And the poor Bakus can only aid a short amount of people. “
He was still incapable of believing in such fairy tales, but decided against speaking up since Yusuke seemed to be so invested in his beliefs. This is a dream after all, anything is possible. Surely, if he jumped off that cliff he’d be able to fly across the sea among the flock of seagulls in the sky.
He could, but this moment with Yusuke was more important to him than that.
“Y’know, isn’t there a warding charm you can use to protect yourself from demons like that?”
“Oh, but of course! I’m surprised I never thought of that before myself. You’re of great assistance as always, Ryuji.” he wrapped his arms around his back, visibly exhilarated by Ryuji’s suggestion.
Ryuji could feel himself drowning in Yusuke’s warm embrace, a dream inside a dream, and he never wanted to wake up.
“Of-of course, Yusuke.” His tone was unusually affectionate. He hesitated before saying his next words, but fuck it, he might not even remember this happened when he wakes up in the morning. “Anything for the love o’ my life.”
“Pardon?” Yusuke suddenly pulled back and cupped a hand on his ear.
“I know ya heard me.”
They both stared at each other for a long second.
“Ryuji...I never believed you would feel the same way as I.”
“Man, this is the best dream yet.”
“...dream? What are you talking about?”
“Y’know...I’m dreaming right now, obviously.”
“Ryuji, would you mind if I pinched your arm? I can assure you this is no dream.”
“I’m not? But- but the cat- OW! What was that for?”
“See? You’re perfectly awake and not sleeping.”
“I...wait. You. I. Whoa.”
“Shall we head towards the town? I’d like to purchase that charm you suggested before the store closes for the day.” he started walking downhill.
“Wait, you’re gonna leave your canvas in the middle of nowhere?”
“I don’t suppose anyone would be visiting here, so I wouldn’t be worried.”
Ryuji decided not to push it any further and jogged to where Yusuke was strolling. They walked, fingers entangled.
None of them noticed the black cat meowing behind them.
And if Ryuji had taken a glance of the front side of the canvas, he would have seen a creature that resembled a bear, with a long nose like an elephant and two tusks on each side of its mouth, the eyes of a rhino and the tail of an ox.
They’d never be setting eyes on that painting ever again though, with the forceful air carrying it across the vicious cliff, Morgana hopping off along with it.