Sitting on the edge of the deck, looking out across the yard, felt good. A soft wind, warm sun, and the smell of all things familiar. Vampires and wolves walked along the courtyard. Some resting across the grass and gravel in wolf form. Others sitting on wooden benches underneath the shade of large trees.

Mikoto Misaka watched, breathed, and smiled. Her legs swung back and forth, looking beyond the courtyard, and followed the waving tall grasses to the horizon. "It's been a while," she breathed and slowly exhaled.

"Anastasia!" She tilted her head, closed her eyes, and listened. "Anastasia," she softly spoke. Her eyes glimmered as her cheeks blushed. "I need you…" she ended it with a sly smile. Her lips opened slowly, bearing her fangs, breathing the smells over her tongue.

"I'm sorry." Little misaka spoke as she entered the room. She was holding blankets and sheets as she walked over to the large double queen bed and set them down. She was wearing a long one-piece pullover, nearly transparent. Her tiny body was nothing more than a shadow underneath the delicate fabric.

"Why are you dressed for bed?" Mikoto asked, knowing her little avatar never really slept. "It's not like…." she gasped and hesitated, fear filling her up. It hit hard.

"Anastasia!" She stood up, "Anastasia!!", looked around, yelled again, and waited. The wolves and vampires didn't respond to her. "Hey!" Shouting at the large grey wolf sunning herself. "HEY!"

Nothing

Little misaka tucked in the sheets and spread out the blankets. Mikoto turned around, furious. "What is this?"

"This is necessary." Little misaka fluffed the pillows. "I'm surprised you don't recognize this place?"

Mikoto growled. "this is…." She took a breath and bit her lip.

"What's that face for?" Little misaka sighed, "you look pissed or constipated," a slight smirk appeared.

She looked around the room, walked over to the porch, and stared into the courtyard. "It's…" she whispered, tears beginning. "This isn't?"

The room was wide, with three white walls and the fourth, more like a gate, slid to the courtyard. The bed was two queens pushed together. Three large red clay vases are the only other objects in the room. It was the room she had slept in after defeating the Baron. Her strength was nearly gone. Sleep and time are the only cure. The other realm they called it. It was a world created by Katrina, Anastasia's half-sister. Half dragon and half vampire. A place where she could hide away and enjoy herself. One day equaled one hundred years. A nice way to hide the fact Mikoto Misaka was a queen vampire. It took those four days to recover. But she and Anastasia would often use the realm for long vacations. The wolves and vampires quickly followed, spreading worldwide, much to Katrina's dismay.

Little misaka stepped onto the covered porch, arms behind her back, long hair slipping along the breeze.

"It's an illusion?" Mikoto whispered.

"Kinda." She saw the pain in Mikoto's face and felt the ache in her chest. "according to what Katrina said, this world is pretty close to the center of everything. And with no way of opening a portal, it's the best I can do…so?"

"She's not…." Mikoto's voice dropped. Pain gripped her heart like a fist and her breath shorted.

"I thought that would be too much to bare… especially when you found out." she knew Mikoto was talking about Anastasia Von Alucard.

Little misaka reached out and took her hand, and squeezed it tight. "You've nothing to worry about." She nodded. Mikoto was looking at her, worried eyes looking for confirmation.

"Vita will protect us." She spoke. Mikoto slowly nodded. "I don't know who will protect us from her?" she shrugged. Mikoto dropped her chin down and sighed, "yea."

Little misaka walked her over to the bed, let go of her hand, pulled the sheets down, and patted the bed.

"Vita will make sure everything will be fine. You know how she likes to brag." She chuckled.

Mikoto sat down on the bed, feeling the softness against her skin., feeling a chill over her body. She frowned, looking down. "Where are my…?"

"Oh, come on!" little misaka rolled her eyes. "You are an adult, a queen vampire. It's only natural to sleep in the nude. Should someone stroll into the room, pull down the sheets, and gaze upon your perfection? Such beauty would be a distraction, so you may strike before the strike. And to be wearing such childish things…."

Mikoto thinned her eyes and sneered at her little avatar. "One… who will sneak into my bedroom?" she held two fingers. "Who will pull down my blankets…" a third finger rose. "There is nothing wrong with my gekota shirt and panties…" she growled. "Or sleeper!"

"It is a mascot that is merchandised to children," putting her hands on her hips, "and you." Her arm snapped forward, pointing her finger close to her nose, "no queen should wear such…."

"Anastasia has some… and she wears."

"Yes, I know I am there. But she wears something more age appropriate! You!" She poked her nose, "unlike you, to sleep in your puke green one piece with the hood."

Mikoto blushed and sneered, "there is nothing wrong with it? Besides, Anna gave it to me and…."

"And what! Slowly peel it off you like you are some little green bananas?! Little misaka quickly spoke.

Mikoto blushed, her eyes nervously twitching. She took a breath, images of Anastasia wearing her green half t-shirt, barely covering her breasts with gekato, matching panties, and a gekato face on the front. Straddling her, gently slipping her hood back, unzipping her open, and…

"I did not need to see that?" Little misaka's shoulders dropped. "I did not need to feel the feels," she exhaled, "I always give you privacy during those moments," even she blushed, "fine! Here you go…. pervert."

Mikoto grinned, running her hands over the soft fabric along the edge of her hood, down the arms. She quickly zipped it up and giggled, looked over, and squealed. Snatching up a green Gekato plushie and held it to her chest.

"Lean back," little misaka tapped her forehead. Mikoto dropped back, her head sinking into the pillow.

Little misaka pulled the blankets up and tucked them underneath Mikoto's arms. Concern filling her eyes, "how long?" Mikoto asked.

"As long as it takes…" little misaka said, sitting on the bed.

She waved her hand, and the images of the wolves, vampires, and the courtyard faded. "I think I'd like a soft blue on the walls." The white walls slowly changed as if the blue dye had been added and mixed. Soft blue walls came alive.

Mikoto exhaled a soft breath. "Are you alright?" her eyes getting heavy and slowly closed. Little misaka patted her cheek. "I am fine…" she said. Slipped off the bed and walked around to the other side, pulled the sheet up, slipped inside, scooted closer, and laid her head on Mikoto's chest. "I will always protect you." She whispered, kissed her cheek, and closed her eyes.