Disclaimer: We do not own RK.

Of Vampires and other creatures

Misao was nervously waiting to see little Aoshi, it was her one day to be happy, alone, free from her vampire family. She was standing where she always waited for him, between the castle and tree area, a small secluded spot, but with a view of everything all around them.

She fidgeted in her pink kimono; her hair was in its traditional long braid.

From the distance, Misao sensed a familiar presence, she stiffened and her heart began to race, palms sweating with the little box in between, she looked up to see little Aoshi running towards her, wide smile on his face, he was wearing a light brown kimono and ran barefoot. She smiled sweetly back at him, once he reached her he gave her a tight hug, only hugging tighter when he felt her wiggle her arms free of him, to hug him back.

They stayed in each other's embrace a little while longer, Misao resting her head on the nape of his neck, little Aoshi had his face hidden in her hair. He had gotten even taller than last time, but she didn't mind.

"Finally" she heard little Aoshi say, to which she responded with a giggle.

"Happy Birthday little Aoshi" she whispered in his ear and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. They let go of each other and Misao handed him the small box that was now a little crushed due to the hug. Aoshi took the gift with a big smile and began to open it; he would never ever wait for after the blowing out the candles to open a gift from his Misao. He pulled out a small fishnet like bag with 6 little colorful balls, his eyes sparked and he pulled one out, dropped it and saw it bounce right back up. Misao took the little ball and two other ones and began to juggle, giggling the whole way.

"A nice old man taught me on my birthday, so I want to teach you on yours. And next year you can show me how good you've gotten"

"Okay!" they sat down and Misao showed him step by step.

It was moments like these that Misao felt almost human. So sweet, simple, and so heartwarming. Misao knew that she must enjoy it while it lasted, because one slip up, and might never see him again, for various reasons, the main one being that all humans are scared of the unknown, or…and this reason scared Misao the most, that he would grow old before she knew it and die of old age. If a vampire didn't pay attention, a single human's life span could pass in the blink of an eye.

They giggled as little Aoshi kept dropping the balls, after two hours he began to get frustrated. He changed his seated position and crossed his legs; Misao could see his little monkey shorts as his kimono opened up due to the position.

"I am no good at this" he said as the latest attempt failed. Anyone could easily juggle two balls, but with three it was a whole different matter. "I hate this!" he threw his hands in the air, three little balls bounced away. He crossed his arms and looked away; Misao just watched his anger flair. She slowly stood up and went to retrieve the balls, Aoshi watching her every move, she sat back down and placed the balls on his lap.

"Never give up little Aoshi. Even in the darkest hour of a most desperate situation, always find a way, never give up" Misao lifted his chin and smiled sweetly at the little boy. "Always try, try and try again. Because he who falls and gets up, knows how to fall in the correct way" Misao herself didn't really know what that meant, she had heard her uncle Battōsai say that to the boys, but it sounded right to her at this moment.

"All right Misao" the boy looked down and grabbed both her hands in his. "I won't give up; I'll keep training and be the best at everything. And whenever I have to be better than the rest, I'll think of you!" little Aoshi got on his knees and hugged Misao kissing her on the cheek; she smiled and hugged him back.

"That's my little Aoshi" she ruffled his hair and he looked down.

"I won't be little forever Misao" and felt Misao hug him yet again.

"Oh I know, but I'm just enjoying little you right now, humans stay small for a short time, then they grow and stay tall until their last moments on earth" Misao almost whispered.

They could hear his family calling him.

"Please come sing with us?" Little Aoshi asked staring deeply into her eyes, she nodded negatively.

"It's time you join your family, but I'll be here, watching over you"

Misao watched as he ran towards his mother's arms, his family giving him hugs and kisses, she heard them singing Happy Birthday and begin to eat the cake. Misao hid behind a tall wide bush that had plenty of open areas to see thru, she leaned on the tree that was next to it, and she saw little Aoshi walking towards her with two plates in his hands, and their ritual continued.

And before Misao knew it, she waved goodbye to her little Aoshi as his family had already cleared out and came looking for him, she ran off after giving him a peck on his cheek, she ran into the clearing and once she knew she had a long distance between them she stopped and turned to look back, a strong gust of wind blew her braid up into the air, she saw little Aoshi waving, and his family next to him, she saw a white sparkle like flash suddenly, not sure what that was, she continued to run into the forest, once hidden within the trees she turned to look at them, they had turned away as well and were walking away.

"Until next year…little Aoshi" Misao whispered.

She reached her house and saw the chimney smoke and the soft lights coming from inside, as she began to go up the steps to the porch she was surprised when the door opened and three figures ran out, all of whom crashed into her, all falling to the ground with a loud THUD

"Ouch you guys, what was that for?" Misao rubbed her head, sitting up and pushing the boys aside, they were all laughing.

"Well we missed you! you've been gone all day!" Soujiro said, also rubbing his head.

"Yea!" Kenshin said standing up.

"You've done this every year on this very day. What the heck is up with today?" Shinta said, putting his face close to Misao, to stare deeply into her eyes, he was about to place his forehead on hers. She stopped him by placing her hand on his forehead, she wasn't planning on letting him see her day events in her minds eye.

"It's none of your business!" she pushed him away, making him land on his butt. Misao got up and ran into her house, seeing her Kaachan, Otousan and uncle Battōsai all staring at her, having heard her lash out at the boys. "Don't ask me anything!" Misao lashed out at them as well and ran up the stairs and slammed her room door once inside.

She lay on her bed, pillow on her head.

She could never tell them, or let them find out about little Aoshi. She felt fear for him, his young life, what would her family do to him if they knew about him?

Misao ignored the calls for dinner, the light tapping on her locked door, and the soft tapping on her window. She wanted to be left alone.

"Kaachan? When Otousan came home yesterday he said something sad, and you both placed your foreheads together…why?" Misao asked her Kaachan in a moment when no one else was home, her Kaachan sat on her rocking chair, knitting away a scarf for her little Misao.

Misao was just lying on her stomach on the large rug that adorned the living room and stared at the fire dancing away in front of her.

"It's a vampire power, passed down since millions of years ago. Unlike humans who have to give out verbal details of actions passed all we vampires have to do is place our foreheads together, and stair into the depths of each other's eyes, then from one vampire to the other, they will see actions pass in the eyes of the beholder. A very lazy way to tell your wife how work went" Kaachan smiled down at her daughter.

"Oh…and can I do it also?" Misao sat up to look at her Kaachan, who nodded in agreement.

"All you need is to practice, and never give up. Your brother learned how to do it last year, he can teach you"

She had run towards Soujiro and forced him to teach her, it was a nice bonding moment.

Now that her mind's eye had been awakened, if she didn't pay attention her family could glimpse into her past days, in the blink of an eye they could find out about little Aoshi.

"Che"

Three days later Misao was woken up by her mother, who took the blankets off of her and opened her window so that the sun could fill the dark room with warmth and light.

And humans believed vampires couldn't be under the sun, oh how wrong they were. That's exactly what the vampires had wanted them to think, so that they could feel safe in the day time, and to beware of monsters in the dead of night. There was indeed a light that could kill a vampire, but it had to be under specific circumstances that where long since forgotten.

"It is time to get out of this bed young lady, I don't know what is with this attitude you've gotten, but I will not allow you to spend anymore days hidden inside this damply room. Get up!"

Misao lay on her bed, arms above her head, her white gown seemed to be all over the place, and she just lay there looking up at the roof. She didn't even notice someone walk in, until he sat on her bed, she turned to look at her twin, who smiled sadly at her.

"Uncle Battōsai, Shinta and Kenshin left two days ago… they wanted to bid you farewell" he grasped her hands in his, Misao sat up and lay her head on his back.

"Something so great is bothering you…could it be that you've over head the talk?" Soujiro whispered, Misao nodded, she had no idea what he was talking about. "We'll find out soon I guess. Get up" he abruptly stood up, feeling Misao almost fall forward, but she regained her composure and got off of the bed.

Misao helped her mother set the dinner table that night, she put every thought of little Aoshi at the back of her head, and had small talk with her Kaachan, she helped with all the daily house chores, and now with dinner.

Her Otousan and Soujiro got home and bathed quickly so they could eat comfortably. They had small talk at the dinner table, and once done Misao began to clear the table, but before she could really start her father asked her to stay seated, to which she sat down immediately.

"Soujiro…Misao… I want you both to understand something very clearly" he took a sip of his sake, looked at his wife, then back at his two children. "We are people of tradition; it is our duty to assume the ways of our forefathers and mothers. And my family will not be the one go astray." He sipped more sake. "Misao, you are to be engaged to one of the two Himura boys" he saw the color leave her face, and Soujiro's smile disappear.

"Otousan!" Misao yelled slamming her had on the table as she stood up.

"Quiet you!" Misao stopped herself as she looked at her Kaachan who had now stood up and was looking down at her. "Listen to your father quietly, like the good little lady I am raising you to be!" Misao bit her lip and sat down, glaring at her parents.

"It was a mistake to have all four of you grow together. The Himura's are a strong, indeed small, but strong vampire lineage. As is our own, combining our two families will help ensure the vampire bloodline, as well as keep vampire tradition alive. Battōsai took this trip to tell the boys, and when they return we will figure out a way to see who you shall wed" he drank more sake.

"Unless you already know who you would like to spend the rest of your days with?" Misao looked at her Kaachan disbelievingly.

"May I speak?" Misao asked shakily, she was trembling from within. At seeing her parents nod she spoke. "How can I choose between two…two who I consider as close as brothers? Please…don't do this…to me…to us" she felt nervous, never had she asked her parents not to do something that their minds were already set on doing. He gasped as her Otousan suddenly stood up and pointed at her with his large sake bottle.

"You will marry one of the Himura boys, if you cannot make up your mind within two days, which is when they are set to return, we will see if any of them wish to have you. If they have the same thoughts as you, they will fight for you" and with that he walked away.

Misao looked at Soujiro, no smile, his eyes hidden behind his bangs.

"This is the vampire way my dearest children. Soujiro is a man, thus he has till the end of time to chose a bride, but the father of the house hold must be assured that his daughter is well taken care of, before if he were to part from this world. He is just making sure that you'll be okay Misao. The Himura's are the only other vampire family you Otousan trust with his life, and the life of his children. Understand him" she stood up and walked away, leaving the twins to their thoughts.

Misao stood up and cleared the table, and began to wash the dishes, shortly afterwards Soujiro silently joined her, in no time at all everything was cleared out.

Soujiro took Misao by the hand and led her to the front of the porch, they sat on the stairs just looking at the woods around them, the sun had already hidden behind the horizon, and they silently enjoyed each other's presence.

"I guess the worst part is…that I can't run away…because we are trackers" Misao said gloomily, but smiled a little as she heard her twin chuckle lightly.

He put his left arm around her shoulder and brought her closer.

"Remember neechan's shoulder is always here, waiting for your tears" Soujiro smiled at his twin as he gave her a soft kiss on the forehead.

Somewhere lost within the deepest forest.

"One of you MUST and WILL marry Misao, there is no escaping this. Either one of you decides now, battle later or Hiko and I will decide. This is final!" Battōsai yelled at his twin sons as he jumped upwards and began running up a tree easily thanks to being barefoot, barely a sound was heard, he had on a black shirt with short sleeves and his dark green gym pants camouflaged him in the tall tree leaves, and, leaving the infuriated faces of his offspring's behind.

Shinta released out his katana from its sheath, which was secured by his short black pants, he too was shoeless and shirtless. He decided to take out his anger by slashing at the tree trunks, while Kenshin, who wore the same "attire" as his twin, walked away. They each needed to think about this alone.

"I don't know what to do… we've known Misao for so many years…and now they want one of us to marry her' Kenshin thought to himself. The thought of him and his brother having to fight over a girl whom was like a sister to them… felt, sounded and was ridiculous. "Shinta would make a better husband for Misao" Kenshin reasoned, his brother was a much more serious vampire, although they were at the same level in battle skills thanks to their father.

"She wouldn't pick me" Shinta slashed another tree trunk "She has always preferred Kenshin over me…" Shinta sighed and left the trees alone, standing still, and looking at his reflection on his katana. "Why does that thought sadden me?" Shinta sighed in defeat, he always felt the need to protect Misao, it was a strong desire, but he was sure that Kenshin and of course Soujiro felt it as well. The excuse of just being kids and not knowing any better didn't really fan out well with being a vampire and having lived for thousands of years. It also greatly bothered him how Misao treated him the last time he saw her, and how she had pushed him away.

Shinta began looking for his much calmer brother; it didn't take long to find him resting atop a high tree branch. He jumped up and sat on the trunk, looking down at the floor, and swinging his legs.

"Do you want to marry Misao?" Kenshin bluntly asked.

"Do you?" Shinta replied back.

"Just answer me, I asked first" Kenshin looked seriously at his brother, he already knew, if Shinta didn't want to, then he would marry Misao.

"I want her to be safe…" Shinta began not knowing what else to say.

Of course they wanted her to be safe, and they knew the only ones capable of protecting her were vampires; no one else would be strong enough to protect her from any harm.

Silence fell upon the twin brothers, none of which really seemed to mind.

"Okay brother" Kenshin said interrupting the quiet, he moved closer to his brother and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, smiling at him while looking deep into his brothers eyes, the only way to tell them apart, Shinta had yellow eyes, and Kenshin light purple. "You are the stronger vampire amongst us, and while I'd do anything to protect Misao, even give my life, it is you who could protect hers without anyone we love having to die. You are stronger, there for you should have the honor to marry Misao" he tightened his grip on his brothers shoulder, only to feel Shinta place his own hands on his, and squeeze tightly, he nodded and silence fell upon them again.

"So it has been decided" unbeknownst to the twins, their father sat near them, having heard everything, he smirked, what Kenshin said was completely true.

"Misao, have you decided yet?" Misao looked up from her book, a book of poems that little Aoshi gave her, to see her mother standing in her doorway, a soft smile on her face to which Misao only glared at, and returned to her book. "Battōsai and the boy's will be back tomorrow evening, and by nightfall you will know who your future husband is, this is final" and with that she softly closed the door.

Misao's anger flared up again, and she ripped in two her feathered pillow, as tears began to fall from the depths of her blue eyes, she looked out of her window at the setting sun, and saw the birds flying freely. Oh how she wished to be a bird, and fly away.

"But birds are easily prey to a hunter…as is a young vampire to a skilled vampire Otousan" Misao whispered under her breath, she sat on her bed, legs crossed Indian style, clutching the book between her two hands, and just watching the sun leave the horizon.

Author's Notes: Sorry so much for taking longer, it's been hard, we have gotten so inspired with other stories, and we have begun to write them, but this story is our main of course, so until we finish this, we won't be posting any other story, unless it's a OnceShot.

Hoped you like, please Review and tell us your criticism, it is very much appreciated!