As his hand slides away Seishu looks past Enasi to the sky above. He can feel the stream of negativity coming from his counterpart slowing in the cool mountain air. The breeze rushing across the little shelf reminds Seishu of another mountain, one that never really existed, and most likely, he would never see again. [i]'If our dream thing world keeps changing with each incarnation I can see us traveling to many places before I return home, then I have no doubt we will return to our own personal hells. Perhaps if we had the rest of our existence to go there together we'd be able to see it again, but I know that just can not be. . .'[/i] His head turns towards Enasi again as he begins speaking and he listens carefully to his report. He sighs at the idea of her being unsure, and while he knows that their instincts would try and keep them loyal to Seishu, he knows Lillium. [i]'If she was doubting, it was her own personal doubts'[/i] he muses. 

He can not help but flinch at the thought of her harming herself to escape, but he can not help but thinking that it was a very Lillium thing to do. [i]'That's what her spirit is like Enasi. In her mind, such sacrifices are always worth it to reach her ends'[/i] He does not say this aloud of course since it would probably sound like he approves of her actions. When his eyes meet Enasi's Seishu rolls them back into his head and lets out a little laugh. “Yeah, that's my brood for ya.” He chuckles again before grabbing his ribs in pain. In truth his entire front side aches rather badly, but the jiggling motion caused by the laugh is enough to pull a groan out of him, his breath hitching mid chuckle. The flow from Enasi finally comes to an end and despite the fact that he can feel more emotions bottled up in the male he does not ask for more. [i]'I'm glad the Little Bite is okay, but he is in for such a thrashing when I get my hands on him'[/i]

[i]'He may need to look at some of those feelings. Maybe they will help him pull his head out. .. '[/i] “Hold still.” he murmurs, reaching out to take hold of Enasi's shoulder. Using it as leverage the Nightmare Guardian slowly pulls himself up a little at a time. [i]'If I can't even do this much, I'll shoot myself'[/i] he decides then and there, and as he rises higher and higher, he can feel a little bit of his old friend anger begin boiling up. However he holds it back until he's sitting at Enasi's side,t he little victory bringing a smile to his lips. “okay, I'm good for today. You can help me with the rest highness.” he says through clenched teeth. As Enasi helps him to his feet Seishu begins growling in anger at the pain, his rage about the situation pounding into him at full force, but the occasional whimper finds it's way out between his bared teeth. Holding tight to Enasi he doesn't trust himself not to bite the guy so instead he just holds on tight and waits for whatever plan the Dream Guardian has in mind to get him back to the Dream Realm.

_+_+_+_+_+_+_

Clutching his delivery close to his chest, the blond haired minion makes his way through the unusually busy halls of the palace. Most days he would be walking these halls alone, the occasional staff stopping to look at him or stopping him to ask what he's up to, but today no one pays him any notice. They all seem like they have something important to do, a high level of worry and tension making Inui a bit uncomfortable. However the young minion is determined to get his weekly chore done, no matter what is going on around him. That does not mean he's not curious, and he listens carefully to each little bit of conversation he can overhear without actually eavesdropping. He makes sure to keep his feet moving, holding tight to the packet of papers in his arms so that the occasional jostle by someone not looking where they are going does not scatter them to the four winds.

Finally he finds his way to the soldier's office, however no one seems to have time for him. He tries several times to ask someone where Harper is, but finally he overhears someone talking about the rabbit man being in the main halls so without hesitation he leaves the office. [i]'They are in such an uproar. I wonder if it has anything to do with why the town has had so many incidents of minions coming home early from their jobs, and some with injuries'[/i] Even as he thinks that, a soldier with a freshly bandaged head rushes past and Inui pauses to stare after him. [i]'That can not still be from the battle, that was days ago! What is going on here!?'[/i] Ducking low he makes his way almost to the hall before something catches his attention, stopping him cold.

“Man, why do we have to go through so much trouble for that friggan' Nightmare Guardian!? Isn't it bad enough that Lord Enasi is letting him stay here while he recovers, but now we have to fight alongside those monsters to defend him?”

“Yeah, it's all his fault that that little dork went to earth alone as it is, and does he apologize for it? I've heard the stories, all he does is torment and pick on anyone he doesn't “like”. I trust Lord Enasi, but I can't help feeling sick every time I think of that thing being in our palace.” 

Swallowing hard Inui forces his legs to move. A strange feeling begins beating through his chest, and he finds himself confused as to why he's not more afraid. [i]'I mean, he's the lord over all those nightmares and minions that kill our kind. He's killed thousands of our kind himself, but. . . .But lord Enasi is letting him stay here. For some reason, he needs to be here. But why? Injured? Shouldn't he be home then? So strange'[/i] So lost in his thoughts he doesn't watch where he's going for a few seconds, but that's all it takes for disaster to strike. A guard runs into him full force, striking his right shoulder on accident causing the little minion to cry out, spinning on the spot only to send the papers flying as he tries to catch himself. However he lands hard on his backside and his illusion falls. 

His bright green eyes change into a sharp red color, and his honey blond hair fades into a pure black mass. Near the portal Harper turns his head to the noise and spotting the boy on the floor, papers scattered all around him, he stands and makes his way through the crowd to his side. Inui stands carefully, rubbing his backside with a faint hurt look on his face. When he looks around however to apologize for running into the guard he notices that everyone is looking at him now. Many look more than a little shocked, and a few even look afraid. It's then that he realizes that his illusion slipped and with a small sound he pulls in back into place.

Harper, having watched the little display, shoos the others off to continue their duties. [i]'Interesting. I do not recall ever seeing that side of Inui before. I didn't recognize him at first with that hair, or especially those eyes'[/i] Inui looks over to him, an unreadably sad look behind his eyes but before Harper can say anything he gets on all fours to try and gather up the scattered papers, a mumbled apology on his lips. [i]'I bet he's never been to popular, looking like that'[/i] Harper muses, crouching down to help. As soon as all the papers are gathered Harper recognizes it as the weekly incident report for the town and thanks Inui for his service.

The boy turns to leave but after a few paces he stops and turns back to the general. “Um, sir, I'm sorry if it is none of my business, but I overheard something and I'm wondering if it's true what they say.” He shuffles from foo to foot, glancing at the ground then back to Harper. The long eared male simply raises an eyebrow in question, wondering what the boy overheard but unwilling to bring anything up in case he's wrong about what he thinks it might be. After all, Seishu is suppose to be a secret for now. Inui takes he hint and after a few seconds his gaze drops again. “I overheard some guys talking about. . . .The Nightmare Guardian? They said he's here in the palace. . .” The blond jumps as Harper lets out a sigh and wonders if he overstepped his bounds.

“He's not in the palace at this very moment, however it is true that he is staying here for a while. He's in need of medical attention and his own realm isn't safe for him right now. Lord Enasi has ordered us to exercise discretion with this information though, so please do not tell anyone in town about this, alright?” Harper gives the boy a hard look and he sees Inui swallow hard.

Nodding his head rapidly Inui says, “Of course sir. I'm sure most denizens would freak out over the news. I'll keep the peace, don't worry. I was just curious.” With that he bows and when he stands back up Harper sees something in his eyes that seems rather familiar. 

Watching the young male go for a few seconds Harper tries hard to recall where he recognizes the look in his eyes from. Finally he turns, handing the report to a soldier to be delivered to his desk before returning ti his vigil by the portal. Crossing his arms he thinks hard for several minutes, the slowly, ever so slowly, a smile comes to his furry lips. “You little Rue you. . .” he murmurs and with a chuckle he makes note of a potential candidate for 'Rue's Team Plan'.