They had finished dinner and cleaned up. Aya and Gullah cleaned the dishes, and Nya walked into the back of the longhouse. Moving large wooden barrels as if she was searching for something.

"In the far corner," Aya yelled. "Thank you," Nya answered.

Kea had been sitting quietly next to Mikoto as they ate. Her large green eyes glimmered with the fire as she watched, ears twitched and moved, paying close attention to Mikoto. She leaned close, pressing her small body against Mikoto's arm or thigh as she offered a taste from her plate. Mikoto thought it was nothing more than a fascination with the new person. Being sure not to lead her on. After losing so many, the last thing she needed was to get close to anyone. Because the first chance she got, she would be leaving.

Kea smiled and hugged Mikoto again. And left after finishing dinner.

"Eat and run…." Aya laughed as she waved.

Mikoto took a breath, leaning back, patting her belly. She was sitting on the ground, with her back against the longhouse wall. Looking out, as the shadows of the longhouses spread across the ground. The twin suns were slowly setting. That is to say, the first sun was slipping behind the top of this sunken garden. And the temperatures were slowly falling. The people of the village were gathering together and walking back to the enclave she had first arrived and received permission to stay. Some were carrying bundles of wood and baskets of food. And a few were carrying large drums made from a single log. A few were small enough for a single person to have, others long enough that two to three people were in need to carry them.

"What are they?" Mikoto asked with concern, patting her belly. "A party, maybe?" Little misaka replied. "Drums, food, and fire…" she said, "nothing like going native. I always say."

"You never say that?"

"Huh? when you're not around, I do!" Puffing out her small chest." of course."

"Unfortunately, I am always around." Mikoto sighed.

"It is for tonight," Aya said, coming out of the longhouse. She was carrying a tall wooden cup. Her eyes glazed with excitement. She took a drink, wiped her mouth, and handed it to Gullah, who took a drink. Her face scrunched in what was something close to the expected gross or strong flavor. She laughed, wiping her mouth. "strong," she nodded. Handing it over to Mikoto.

She held it close and cautiously sniffed before looking into the cup. Inside the sizeable wooden cup was a glistening clear liquid and smelled clean, with no hint of sourness. But a slight hint of honey.

"Oh crap! Is that what I think it is?" Little misaka shook her head. "I am not saying to not drink it. But what I am saying is remember what happened when we partied with the wolves. And that damn fire wine," she groaned. "You heaved for two days. I am not going through that again."

A slight blush and a smirk cross Mikoto's face. She remembered, and her belly grumbled.

"Just a little." Mikoto took a breath, raised the cup to her mouth, and took a drink. A gentle warmth spread over her mouth, into her throat, and didn't settle in her belly. It spread out across her chest. It spread with a hint of fire, and a little showed across her cheeks.

Bringing the cup down. She wiped her mouth and nodded. "It tastes…. smooth, with a little bit of honey and a little spicey. But quite…" she took another drink, a little longer than the first. "Ahhhhhh.." nodding her appreciation as she handed it over to Gullan. Nya came outside the longhouse, carrying a short wooden barrel on her shoulder. "See you tonight?" She asked. Aya put her hand on Gullah's shoulder. She put her hand on her hand, nodding, "of course."

"And will you know who be there?" She asked. Nya blushed slightly. "He better be, or else I'm drinking it all, patting the barrel, and taking someone else tonight." She laughed, walked out into the pathway, and turned around. "Mikoto, you will be there." She said.

"I really don't feel like…."

"Too bad," Nya laughed. "It's your welcome party," she waved, turning around and walking towards the groups. "No regrets," she yelled.

Mikoto groaned, letting her head drop. "I really don't want to be the center of attention." She huffed. "Don't worry," Aya spoke, sitting next to Gullah. She leaned against her and put her head on her shoulder. "After a few moments of great, I don't want to be the center of attention," she sighed. "You're not the center of attention. Because everyone is getting drunk, dancing to the beat of the drums. So…eh." She kissed Gullah's neck. "Then you're the center of attention to the one who matters.

phttph" Gullah gently put her hand on Aya's cheek. She closed her eyes, running her finger along Gullah's thigh.

"I'm sure she's had a head start on the drunk part." Little misaka said. "And she will be enjoying someone doing a certain thing that better be naughty something." She chuckled.

"We have a little bit of time," Aya whispered, biting Gullah's ear. She chuckled, beginning to stand. She held her hand, and Aya's eyes narrowed seductively, following as she stood. Her face flushed pink, spreading to her neck and chest.

"Is she flashing? I want sex now, colors?" Little misaka said, "I have heard of fish changing color and birds dancing with stunning plumage, but…".

"I think that's a hint to take a walk," Mikoto stood. She wobbled, feeling the effects of the alcohol. "Oh, crap…I didn't think."

"Oooohhhhh crapppp…" little misaka spoke.

Her legs buckled, and she reached out her hand and touched the wall.

"Are you alright?" Gullah turned her head and asked with concern. Aya was already clinging to her. She was playfully biting her shoulder, working her way down.

"Yea," using her arm to brace herself. "Think I will take a walk." She said, "give you two a little privacy."

Gullah smiled at the implications of her words. "She gets this way, especially with the party." she shrugged. "But you are well?" She asked, "the drink can be very deceptive. Sweet than bam!" She laughed.

Mikoto nodded, taking a few steps, feeling the numbness fading. "Bam is right." Taking a few steps, "don't go too far." Gullan said, "it is not safe for you right now." She sighed, walking into the longhouse. "The males might try something…and I…" her voice quickly interrupted.

Mikoto bit her lip, hearing Aya groan, "pay attention to me,"…and kissed Gullah.

"Phttp," little misaka puffed out her cheeks. "Males! they might be in for a little shock." She nodded, crossing her arms over her chest.

Mikoto closed her eyes and shook her head as she turned and walked around the side of the longhouse. Sometimes she hated being a vampire. Her hearing was more intuned than humans could hear. Aya playfully moaned, struggling to get undressed. Gullan whispered the pleasure she would be enduring. She blushed and sighed softly, bringing her hand to her chest, feeling the loneliness and bitterness growing.

The people smiled and nodded as they passed by. Everyone was in a jovial mood. "Looks like it's going to quite the party." She whispered, pretending to smile back. The area changed as she walked. The huts or houses became smaller but still had a quiet elegance. They were clean and well maintained. Much of them are made of wood and other materials. It surprised her, making her way as the crowds became thicker. She had wandered into another area, noticing a large wooden pavilion in the large clearing. It is built more like something you would see in a park or natural setting. It was larger and broader than where she had met the king. And if the truth was told, much nicer. It had a large roof supported by thick wooden beams, providing shade for the many people underneath. Laughter and conversation were coming from the crowd, dressed in brightly colored clothing of blues, greens, yellows, and browns. The males were wearing brightly colored tupenu, a cloth similar to a sarong. A few females wore brightly colored sarongs, but nothing covered their upper bodies. Males and females gathered around large and small hollowed-out logs. A few were pounding out a rhythm getting ready for the celebration. Young children rushed around playing games and dancing among the crowds.

"Talk about going wild,…" little misaka said as two children bumped into each other and hit the ground. "Ooopppsss." Mikoto forced a smirk. Watching everyone getting ready and anticipating the party brought back memories of the parties at home.

Wolves never needed a reason to howl at the moon. Vampires were always willing to join them. Wild boars and buffalo are the main courses, prepared and roasted over an open fire. It would last until the following day. Large amounts of fire wine and other alcoholic beverages led to copious amounts of nudity running through the woods. She took a breath, letting her eyes thin as the memory of her and Anastasia running through the woods, the smell of trees, earth, water, and the chilly air on her skin. The intense beating of her heart. Heat rose from her skin, the wildness in their eyes, and the moon colored the night.

She blushed, biting her tongue, holding back its pain. Something that she might not see again. She slowed and stopped, putting her hands on her hips, and stared at the ground.

"This isn't going to…."

"End well?" Little misaka finished. The little avatar could feel Mikoto losing her confidence. Her had the knowledge of Anastasia Von Alucard, her mother Tatyana, the first queen of the four kingdoms. All of this information is stored in her blood. And yet she felt alone and weak. Yes, she was beyond a level five electro master. And a Queen vampire. Her physical strength was off the charts. But, she'd lost her connection to her houses. Those that had come with her were gone. She couldn't feel them or hear them anymore. She was alone.

"yea, I don't think…." Mikoto spoke quietly, only to stop. Soft steps and a slight shadow came into her view. Mikoto sniffed and raised her head, catching a young girl in front of her with her head tilted, holding a large wooden mug. The smell alone told her it was a little bit more of what she'd had earlier. She was cute. Her rosy cheeks puffed, her bright yellow eyes gleaming, "my momma said have some."

Mikoto looked around, seeing a young woman standing off to the side. She didn't look much older than herself. A soft smile across her face with an expression of goodwill. She was wearing the same colors as her daughter, more of a yellowish and green color scheme from head to toe. Her black hair was pulled back from the face with a large reddish flower in her hair, rolling around her black horns. They curled around much like a ram. Mikoto nodded reluctantly, took the mug, and took a drink with hesitation.

"Ooohhh…this one is a little stronger." Felt the burning going down her throat and into her belly. Her face went flush, taking another gulp before handing it back. Letting out a breath that would make a dragon proud. The woman covered her mouth and chuckled. "homebrew…" she said.

Mikoto took a breath, feeling her nose burn as she exhaled. She gently put her hand on the girl's head, scratched, and ran her fingers over her small horns. She thought of the little ones in the jungle, running wild, running for their lives. "Looks like you made it, huh," She said softly. The little girls leaned into her hand and giggled softly, "Bye-bye," she said, turning to leave. She went to her mother and handed her the mug, and she took a drink. she took a sip, wiped her mouth, her face and neck flushed, and gave a little finger wave. "Enjoy the party.." she said as they both walked into the growing crowd.

"Well, guess we should go back." Shaking her head. "Hey, we could just say we got lost and run back to the hot springs." Little misaka said.

Mikoto knew she wasn't kidding. Walking around these happy people was not putting her in a party mood. Walking a little slower, "it is enticing, but I'm sure they would know where to look."

"Yea, but they did seem surprised when you said it the first time. Almost like it was someplace sacred or scary or...I don't know."

Mikoto cleared her throat, feeling the numbing of the alcohol taking effect." I think that batch really had some punch to it."

"I am pretty sure it doubles as cleaning fluid on the off days. HIC! Little misaka plopped down, legs crossed, her chin in her hands. "Why are we so predictable? Why couldn't we be more like the wolves? They never tell you….HIC! where …..HIC…not goood…little misaka rolled her bloodshot eyes."

"Hey, you better be at the top of your game," Mikoto growled at the little avatar. "No, letting me get too…you know. Or"

"Please," little misaka mumbled through her fingers. She wobbled like a top sitting on theground. "I'm no lightweight. Besides..you're the one…who doesn't take no for an answer..."

"That is bull..."

"Hey now, there are kids in the crowd. So don't…."

"I really do not want to be in any compromising positions….or"

"Is that sexually, or shall we talk about the photos of a certain queen heaving on all fours. Which promptly brought about the wolves yelling at the top of their lungs. Does a queen vampire crap in the woods? NO! but they do barf in the woods."

"Ohh, that lasted for weeks.." Mikoto sighed.

"Just for weeks, hell, they still say it, and it been over a….time has been strategically forgotten."

"Never mind how long…just make sure you do your part."

""Hey, I've never barfed….so don't even."

Mikoto seemed complex, running the image in her head. "You don't mean you could actually..."

"You know that terrible taste you get, or when you feel your mouth filling up with that thick, heavy, oh crap, I need to run to the toilet moment."

"Yea"

"That's me, girlfriend, and it's about time I told you that. Burp!." Little misaka wagged her finger. "Oh, that did not taste good."

"Well, I will not be drinking any of that homebrew again."

"Well, for a while, perhaps." Little misaka licked her mouth, falling backward. She covered her eyes with her arm and grinned. Sometimes you just gotta let loose for the greater good. Little misaka whispered. "Famous last words," Mikoto whispered as She strolled along the path, coming to the longhouse.

The crowds were thick and filled with excitement. Mikoto could hear Aya and Gullah talking as she rounded the corner and froze. Eye wide as saucers, catching her breath, "what the…."

"By the goddesses," little misaka yelled. "We are watching them the next time they have sex. I mean…what the?"

"What happened?!" Mikoto gasped.

Their horns were gone. All that was left were the two brown large circular bases. Aya laughed, and Gullah rolled her eyes with a smile. "We lose them towards the end of the hunting season. When the winds arrive, the hunters do not come. So," Aya shrugged. "We don't need them."

"But…" Mikoto said, looking at their heads and up to the sky. "The winds haven't arrived yet..so."

"Sometimes it can be early or late. But they do tend to drop. And sometimes…"

"We just cut them off," Gullah said, holding up her horns. She grinned, holding a small saw-like blade in her other hand.

"So when you two went inside earlier…you were"

"Oh no," Aya narrowed her eyes. "We were going in for sex." She sighed. "Sometimes it can be a little painful, but…" she blushed and grinned and looked over her shoulder. Gullah pinched her mouth tight and blushed.

"I am just seeing the images flying by…" little misaka yelled." Hey," eyes wide in excitement. "You could use to, to…to brace yourself, hold them in one spot…." she leaned her head back, closed her eyes, and yelled, "yes, right there… don't you dare move..and snatch their horns and growl. And then when you…bam! You tear a horn off. And give her a little smack on the butt or shoulders or…I want horns!?"

"Shut up!?" Mikoto growled.

She nodded, hand on her chest. Mikoto took a breath, thinking of the woman and the little girl earlier. "So they just fall off, or you can take them off?"

Aya sat on one of the benches. Gullah went inside and came out with three mugs. She handed one to Mikoto and the other to Aya. And sat next to her and took a drink.

Mikoto held the mug with two hands and looked down, and sniffed.

"This is different!" Little misaka said

Mikoto nodded.

It was a cloudy liquid, smelling of fruit and pulp. She took a sip, and it tasted sweet and smooth. "Ok, I can handle this for sure." Mikoto smiled, licking the sweetness off her lips. "This is good. it is doesn't have any?"

"No bugs…" Aya said before taking a drink. She licked her lips, bringing the mug to her lap. "It's made of fruits from the area and roots."

Mikoto took another drink and held it in her hands, feeling the sweetness coating her mouth. She watched as the shadows crawled along the ground. And on the breeze carried the sound of the people gathering, the laughter of children and the fires burning, meat cooking and the jungle, Flora, fauna, and water.

She sits with the drink on her lap, eyes glazing over, feeling a little numb, but she closes her eyes, hoping not to see their faces. They gathered around, drinks in hand, laughing, yelling, howling at the full moon above them. Faces flushed, barely clothed. And she was there by her side, cheeks flushed with alcohol, her blonde hair caught by the wind. She smiles that inviting smile, brushing the hair from her face. Her blue eyes swirl with chaos as she leans in for a kiss.

"It's time," Mikoto."

Someone spoke. Slowly opening her eyes, wiped a small tear from the edge.