Mikoto Misaka stood in the center of the village, looking out in the direction she had come from. Hoping to feel her. Knowing she'd feel her before she arrived. She watched as the wind storms came quicker and more violent. She thought of the markers she had left. Telling them what direction she'd come. She thought of the grave marker and sighed. She knew it would be there. Large plateaus and giant decaying dragons surrounded it. She twisted her mouth, lost in her thoughts, "well, at least the bones will be there?" She said to no one. "Yep," Little misaka answered.

Rae, behind her, tugged at her arm. Peeked around her and smiled. "My father…" she brought her hand to her mouth, coughed, "I mean, the king would like to see you."

She nodded her reply, turned, and followed Rea.

she was not wearing her normal hunting gear today. She was wearing what she assumed to be an official I'm the daughter of the king outfit.

That's what Aya had called it, with a laugh. Rea glared, her response, and her face burned red. She wore a purple tunic, rimmed with geometric orangish colored designs that hung to the middle of her calves. Around her wrist and ankle, she wore jewelry made of crafted leather and precious stone. Jade, onyx, and turquoise stones. And feathers hung from her ears.

"Why can't you wait?" She had asked, pursing her lips tightly. Aya and the others were getting ready, checking supplies, and pulling weapons from the wall. "It is getting later in the season. The young ones are starting to come and stay. And the hunts are still going on." She said, taking down a small hatchet-style weapon and slipping it into the belt around her waist. Nya was sitting by the hearth, sharpening her ax, Gullah working her bow and arrows. Kea stayed overnight at the longhouse but had left to go home. She would join them later.

"But I could join you later too? Right?" She quickly blinked her eyes, slowly tilting her head. Aya chuckled, patting her on the head, but her eyes saddened. "I have always said yes. Right?"

Rea nodded, "but the king is not long for the world, and you should be with him when he passes to the next.," She pouted her mouth, clenching her jaws. "He would tell me to go… he doesn't want me to be there when he goes." Tears slipped down her cheeks. "You will hate yourself if you are not there," Aya answered softly. She cupped her cheeks and kneeled, looking her in the eyes. She slowly nodded. "you know that? Don't you, little one?" She sniffled. "We have seen death take a loved one. It is not like in the hunts. Violent and painful. Sometimes death takes us gently, like closing our eyes to sleep. It is the way of things. He is the king, and your father…" a smile crept across, "don't let the last thing he sees is your dumbass brother." She kissed her cheeks and rubbed her head. "Now, the king has asked you to bring Mikoto. So be quick about it." she turned her by her shoulders and patted her butt.

"I am not a child to be patted on the butt." She said, rubbing her behind, "and sent away." Glaring over her shoulder.

"She pats my butt all the time," Gullah said, smirking and eyeing an arrow's edge. "I am pretty sure she is patting more than just your butt," Rea said, taking Mikoto's hand and walking out the doorway. Loud laughter filled the longhouse.

They walked past the mound of earth, or what little misaka called the Dohyo. Tall, long narrow flags attached to poles, covered with bright colored feathers and dyes. Much like Nobori, made of wood and small stones that lined the base of the longhouses. "Never noticed that before?" she said. "It's usually surrounded by the villagers," Rae spoke. "they follow him everywhere, like bloodsuckers," she said, looking like she'd eaten bad fruit. "Sorry if I offended…."

"No, I know a few like that."

"I guess they have their purpose, even though I don't know what it is." She humphed.

She had a hardness coming out of her as they walked. Nothing like how she was with Aya and the others. But Mikoto understood the face you show them and the real face underneath. And Rae's real face was during the hunt, foraging and sharing with the others. The way she glowed, being treated as a hunter and not the daughter of the king. She'd seen that change when the giant centipede attacked. Hating being protected and relished joining the attack. With Aya, she knew her role and the rules. They walked until they noticed the gathering.

Villagers were kneeling on the ground, humming and swaying back and forth. Rae and Mikoto walked between them. "they are humming farewells to the king." she spoke. Up ahead is a longhouse, much like the others. Made of wood and small stones that lined the base of the building and around the doorways. The walls bowed out like the hulls of old sailing ships. The mud chimney came up through the wooden roofs as black smoke meandered lazily over the top. She said it would be white smoke if he was dead, pointing to the roof. "Sounds familiar, "little misaka whispered.

Two guards stood by the opening and bowed their heads as Rae and Mikoto walked past. Except for the few people standing and sitting, the longhouse was empty. Lying on a small, simple bed lay the king. Mostly women standing or sitting around. She recognized the four that held large palm-like leaves. A few males wearing brightly colored headdresses and animal skins, wielding bows and spears. Her mother was sitting on the bed, with the king's head in her lap. her eyes red and swollen, whispering over and over," it is not your time yet."

"Mother is not taking it well. I think she might try to join him when he passes. But I won't let her. I have already told her she would not be taking the same road if she took her own life. And I had father promise to wait for her." Rae spoke, wiping her eyes before they got there.

Mikoto took a deep breath, taking in the scent of death. "She's close." She said, looking around the longhouse. Her eyes checked the shadows along the walls and corners. She looked up at the ceiling and leaned her head to see if she was underneath the bed. Or taking a familiar face to get closer.

The wolves believed that death was inevitable. Not afraid to die like vampires. their words, not mine. Live long and proud and greet death. She'll walk up as a friend and welcome you. Or, if not, she just might walk up behind you and tap your shoulder. Or stab you in the back!

"Two weeks maybe." Little misaka nodded. Mikoto nodded her agreement.

The Queen took her eyes off her king and covered his eyes with her hand. Hoping to prevent death from taking him. As Rae approached, she wiped her eyes with her other hand, and they hugged. Rae wiped her eyes, leaned down, and kissed her father on the forehead. The Queen nodded to Mikoto and looked down and removed her hand.

The king slowly turned and looked at Mikoto. His eyes tired and waiting. The Queen gently cupped his cheek and pulled him back into her gaze. Rae held her hand out to Mikoto, and she took her hand and kneeled on her knees. His mouth moved slowly, his voice weak and dying. But she heard every word.

He thanked her for saving his daughter and thanked her for the enormous bounty of the hunt. He knew she would have to leave someday, but hoped it would be a long while, but he understood. "The goddess has touched you." He said, "she allows you to bathe in the springs where she dwells."

"Well, that explains one thing?" Little misaka said.

That he worried about what the son of the king might do. And if he did something, she had every right to defend herself. His eyes focused, clear as a new dawn. "anything," he said. His eyes slipped to Rae, then back to Mikoto.

"Hmmm… a backup plan?" Smart king.

"Would you just shut up!?" Mikoto exhaled.

The Queen sighed and stroked his cheek. "It will be fine, my king. Nothing to worry about."

"Speak of the devil?" Little misaka spoke.

Mikoto didn't move, giving all her attention to the king. But she knew who it was. Where he was.

The son of the king was standing in the doorway. The two guards refused to let him pass. She could feel the heat of his glare against her skin. Hear the slamming of his heart against his chest, the burning of his blood coursing through his veins. She could smell the hate.

Rae sighed, clenching her fist. Mikoto reached over and took her hand and held it. Never taking her eyes off the king. She was giving her respect to the king. Honoring his death, letting him know she thought he was the most important person in the room. The Queen smiled, the king nodded, the Queen took her hand and gently pulled him back into her gaze.

Mikoto stood, taking a breath, and ran her hands down her dragon scale armor. She had sewn the damaged material and glued the scales back, thanks to her trusty utility belts. And turned to walk out. Rae slipped in front of her, eyes narrowed and ready for a fight. Mikoto could see why the king would prefer Rae to rule in his place. And wondered if that was why he and the Queen had allowed their daughter to work with the hunters. She was fierce, loyal, and skilled. And perhaps a little hot-headed. She slipped her hand through a slit in the outfit, cupping a small blade in the palm of her hand.

Oh, this is going to be so… ides of march. Little misaka said. "She might get the first strike, but those guys behind the son of the king are well armed."

(The ides of march is a warning to watch out for betrayal or misfortune. Referring to the assassination of Roman Emperor Julius Caesar in 44 BCE.)

Rae moved her arm behind her, ready to strike. Her eyes and smile were soft, hoping to draw him closer. Mikoto could smell the deceit. She strolled as if she hadn't a care in the world, her hair bouncing with each stride. Her heart pounding.

"She is going to.. take him out… right here and now." Little misaka nodded. "I have so much respect for her… we definitely need to do what you don't want to do now…."

"Do you mean to turn her and give her, her own house?"

"Great minds think alike," little misaka laughed.

"How about we just let things play out…"

"Rae?" The Queen called out softy. She slowed. Her heart slowed. "not now. He didn't," she whispered. Had he passed on or maybe he knew what she was going to do? "The king says to let Mikoto Misaka pass." Her voice carried loudly. "Rae? The king wishes for you to come and talk to him." She said.

The guards pushed the son of the king away from the doorway. Rae stopped, her hand slipping back into her dress, and waited in the doorway. Mikoto slowed and whispered into her ear, "he has about two weeks…" she said, cupping her cheek. "You should be with him." She smiled and walked.

She walked among the kneeling, humming villagers and slowed. "It's not like you to be waiting outside." She said to a plain-looking young woman. The woman smiled slowly, her head bowed. Eyes closed.

"I have always loved the rituals of the dead." She said. Her eyes opened slowly, barely slits, but still open enough to see. "Families gathered together, bathing the bodies and laying the dead out for friends and neighbors to honor. To hold fests in their names and to be not afraid. I am not bones and scythe here. But a goddess to be appreciated and accepted. I have attended the feasts and danced at many of the dances." She blushed, "I have even had males and females try to woo me.. during those times." Her eyes were opened now. Black as black could be, but warm and gentle. "Two weeks? I heard you ask."

"Yes," Mikoto answered.

"And what will you give for those two weeks?"

"What can I give to someone who doesn't want for anything? When I die, I will just turn to dust and blow into the wind."

"Even wolves believe in the fields of Valhalla. Vampires relive their most precious moments before passing on to the next life. Death is not so cold as to punish those who had no choice in their turning."

"Anastasia was born a vampire. So why would I want to be anywhere if she is not there?"

The young woman smiled, slowly closing her eyes. "We will talk again, Mikoto Misaka."

"I hope it is a very long time between chats." She said with a loud sigh and walked on.