Sleep.

She was in a deep, near-death sleep. All of her senses shut down from the world. Every so often she'd stir, dragging herself against something greater than her. She'd slowly opened her eyes like a dream, light brown and red flakes flickering in starlight. She looked awake, but not awake. Lost in her dream state. She saw them, heard them. Their voices were soft and far away.

Slowly, she opened her eyes. Vita and Kea were arguing. At first, she thought it was funny and couldn't remember seeing her mouth move, only hearing Kea's voice. Such a funny thought. She was just there. Making little to no noise while hunting. And quiet as she nuzzled close to her as she slept. "But I always knew what she…?"

"Don't you even!" Vita thumped her forehead. "I mean it."

Kea snarled, eyes glowering. With her hands on her hips, head forward, ears folding back in a challenge. Vita crossed her arms over her chest, "don't even think so…" Vita growled, her head forward, fangs bared, hands on her hips. She raised her chin, looking down at Kea. She glared up, unafraid.

They were like two predators challenging each other over a kill.

"You'll do no such thing until I talk to your mother." A look of superiority on Vita's face, "betcha didn't think I'd…

Kea's eyes flickered and faltered. "I know what you are." Vita hissed. "It took a moment," she nodded, "but I figured it out… so if you want to…."

"What does she want to do?" little misaka whispered.

"You'll run back to momma and bring her to me," she grinned maliciously.

"Wonder what she's…. talking… about?" Mikoto slowly closed her eyes.

Opening her eyes again. The ceiling of thatch work seemed a billion miles away. but she heard laughter. Laughter, distant, and nearly silent. But it was laughter. She could feel the emotions creeping closer. She opened her eyes, slits at first, and then they widened. Vita was leaning against something that looked like a giant, wooded desk. She laughed, shaking her head.

"Where did she get the desk?"

Another woman was standing close, holding her hand. Vita leaned forward, whispered, and the strange woman laughed. She was wearing a loose-fitting gown colored in a rich, vibrant green that hung on her shoulders, open around her breast, and revealing. She had the colors of the forest over her skin, just like Kea. She was slender and tall. Lean and powerful. The way she moved her hand to Vita's cheek radiated confidence. Her nails glimmered like the edges of knives. And left no mark on her cheeks. Vita drew closer, running her fingers through straight black hair and tall cat like ears. Each flickered and rolled underneath her fingers, her whiskers spreading out.

"Oh, please tell me they are not going to get frisky?" little misaka groaned.

"Is she a cat?" Mikoto asked, and then she saw the long tail swishing around, curling around Vita's legs. Something clicked. "Looks kinda like… Kea?" she wanted to ask, "only older?" but eyes clouded, and her strength ebbed. She wanted to sleep. "I think those two are fooling around or something?" fighting back a yawn.

"More like something," little misaka whispered. "I don't recognize her species. Oh, look? She finally notices us… bitch!" little misaka yawned.

Vita smiled, walked over, and kneeled. She pulled away the hair from her eyes and whispered. "I see you, Mistress." She felt the soft warmth of her hand as she stroked her cheek. "Everything's fine… just set some ground rules." She winked.

The tufts of fur as pointed, fury ears grew as the woman peeked over Vita's right shoulder, her fingers softy on her left shoulder. Dark black nails glimmered.

"Oh…. they are… fooling around."

"It will be alright," the woman whispered. Her long whiskers flickered as she sniffed. "I'm here to help."

"Help?… What?… who?…." Mikoto felt tired, eyes heavy, and finally closed.

It was different now. Something a little more like real. "It's beautiful and calm here." She opened her eyes, blurry and slowly focused. Tired confusion etched across her face. She wasn't looking outside, but inside. And it confused her a little.

Little misaka was sitting on the edge of the bed. A soft breeze played with her hair. An annoyed expression colored her face, looking more like I am about to kick some ass instead of listening to you. The woman she'd seen with Vita was there. And so was Kea. "she does look like…" Mikoto took a tired breath. Kea looked worried. Her eyes widened, brows furrowed in deep lines, catching hers, and she quickly blushed. Kea looked up at the woman, who instinctively put her hand on her head and scratched between her ears. A soft smile appeared on the woman's face as she continued to speak to Little misaka.

"My daughter is very sorry for what happened." Looking and sounding like a concerned parent. "She's young and coming into her own. So, these things happen." The woman spoke. "And you two just showing up…." Little misaka looking not to please, shook her head, "without notice?".

"I did talk to Vita."

Mikoto noticed the blush on her cheeks when she mentioned Vita's name. "I'm pretty sure you did a lot more than talk." Little misaka quickly responded. The woman laughed and shrugged. "We're both adults, and it was pretty obvious. Not the first time with a vampire, not the last." She said. "And Vita wanted me to explain it to you."

"Explain?" Little misaka's eyes widen.

"What does she mean, explain?" Mikoto sighed, struggling to raise her head. She slipped her arm toward little misaka and pinched her butt.

"Hey! Frisky!" Little misaka yelled, keeping her eyes on the woman. Kea raised her head, eyes glimmering, a smile pushing her cheeks.

"Yes, explain." the woman tilted her head and looked at Mikoto. "It has been a very traumatic and learning experience for Kea. So much so… she would come back to the village. Worried and embarrassed."

"Embarrassed?"

The woman sighed, and a small bench suddenly appeared. "Kea?" She held out her hand to the bench. Kea nodded and sat down.

"How the hell did she?"

The woman smiled.

"How did you do that?" Little misaka slipped off the bed. "What are you?" Tension in the room expanded. Mikoto felt hot, getting hotter.

"Nothing to worry about." The woman held her hand up. "I promised Vita I wouldn't do anything that might bother or hurt you. I am even trusting my… our bodies to her to protect." She sighed and rolled her eyes. Shaking her head, "I do not know what the pervert might do with it." sighed.

"Ha!" Little misaka thinned her eyes, "so you have been seducing her!"

"I thinking it went both ways."

"I don't need to hear this," Mikoto whispered.

She grabbed a handful of bedsheets and dragged herself closer to Little misaka. "You just need to stay there." Gently put her hand on top of hers. Her nails were out, gently scraping her skin. "She's ready to attack." Mikoto thought, but she should tread cautiously if she was powerful enough to come inside uninvited. Vampire queens had the capability to share their minds. But only if they shared the same bloodline. It was a way of keeping private conversations private. The outside world hearing one conversation, and in their consciousness, they could carry on another. With the ability to create and building scenarios to make themselves more comfortable. The other four queens who ruled the four kingdoms, while Anastasia rule over them, sharing the same bloodline because of her mother, Tatiana Von Alacurd. A sort of invitation only, and yet these two were standing, sitting on a bench, the older one just conjured up.

Little misaka crossed her arms over her chest, shimmering images of little misaka's wings around her. The walls flickered in soft blue. The woman's eyes never faltered, as if in a warning. "I am here because my daughter is worried and nothing more. Vita said you were the one to worry about. That Mikoto would listen and maybe try to understand. But you," she raised her arm, pointing her finger, "have what did she call it…" she pursed her mouth, nodding, "yes, a hair trigger." She said, "impatient and an evil seed."

"Phttp…" she blew a breath, her mouth wider, showing her fangs. "Wait! I am an evil seed?!," she growled. "She dies!"

"Oh, please…" the woman waved her hand.

"Mother!" Kea spoke, eyes growing wider, putting her hand on her hip. "Please?"

She groaned, "sorry," she sighed. "I get this way when it concerns my daughter. Our kind has a hard time reproducing. I am quite possessive. And the fact she's enamored with you has me a bit concerned."

"Enamored?" Little misaka asked, "puppy love?"

"I knew it…." Mikoto groaned. "I should've said something."

"Wait, a minute." Little misaka groaned, covering her mouth with her hand, "is this something like a marriage arrangement?"

"What!" Mikoto blushed, eyes barely widening. "No… this is not a?"

"Is that what Vita meant when she said ground rules? You shouldn't listen to her… don't trust Vita when she talks like that." Little misaka rolled her eyes, "she's old and bored and likes to cause trouble. So don't even…."

The woman laughed. "No, Vita told us everything." Shaking her head, "she can't lie to me… it's impossible."

"Impossible? do you know how experienced she is in lying? could be a politician." She shivered, "perish the thought."

The woman laughed, nodding her head, with a beautiful smile. Eyes glowing. "Yes, she's tried over and over again. She loves the challenge. And loves the penalties. Anyway," she exhaled a breath.

"Kea has told me about the dreams and how they affected you…" she looked at Mikoto.

Little misaka sighed, "I'm sorry, but I didn't know we were….pulling her in and…"

The woman grinned, shaking her head, "you had nothing to do with it." she put her hand on Kea's shoulders.

"What?" Mikoto whispered. "of course, it is my fault. She shouldn't be…." watching Kea's embarrassment filter through.

"She's at that age. And is empathetic toward Mikoto's emotions. She felt her fear and worries. So, she invited her into her dreams. And well… you know, things happened."

"Eh?" Little misaka, "pervert!" she quickly whispered, glancing over. "I knew it." She nodded. "She's the pervert!"

"Whh… aaat?" Mikoto wanted to yell, too tired even to stutter. But the strength of it failed to manifest. "I did not…. do… or want..to do… those…" a light blush colored her cheeks.

"Please? Little misaka covered her mouth and cleared her throat, "she wouldn't and couldn't," she pressed her hand tighter around her mouth, "I hope…."

"Oh… but she has," the woman said, "Kea has shared those dreams with me… and pervert is right. On both parties. She is old enough to be responsible. But the lingering dread concerned her. So here I am."

"I feel dirty."

"While her concerns were justified wanting to help, and the emotions were so intense. She kinda…. hmmm… kept going back for more. Allowing you into her dreams and… enjoying the moments. And would continue enjoying the moment if not for Vita stopping her and making her tell me everything." She pinched Kea's ear. The look on her face bared the pain, her eyes watery in her grimace as her shoulders dropped.

"I'm sorry…" she whispered, nearly quiet as a mouse, moving her mouth, licking her lips. "I didn't mean to…."

"She can talk. I mean?" little misaka

"She can! But why? Couldn't I…"

"She… our species is telepathic… so most of our communications are up here," she tapped her forehead. Patting her thighs as she stood and looked at Kea. "It is time… if we spend too much time, we could exhaust her." She stroked Kea's head.

Kea, cheeks blushed, eyes sorrowful, looking down at the floor. She stood and walked over to the bed. Little misaka's gaze never left the woman. Little misaka trusted Kea. After all, dreams or not… she was a hunter and an ally. Maybe a pervy one, but an ally.

She kneeled by the bed, put her forehead against Mikoto's head, and gently stroked her hand. "I'm sorry…" she whispered again. "I promise… next time…"

Mikoto lifted her fingers and stroked her cheek. "it's fine…" was all she could think. "Really."

It was a few moments before Kea pulled herself away, and the woman walked over and took Mikoto's hand. She felt a surge of strength flowing into and up her arm. "It's a little, but it's my way of apologizing for my daughter." Mikoto tightened her grip. "and Kea will not be coming inside your dream world, "she said, looking around, "quite nice by the way. But every time she comes inside, it will prolong your recovery." Looking a little confused and concerned. "Vita did say something about some sort of penalty. I hope you don't judge Kea too harshly."

"Oh, no" little misaka spoke. A hint of maliciousness in her tone. She thinned her eyes, opening her mouth, the tips of her fangs glistening. "There's a cost." She grinned.

A flash of electric blues lit up the room.

"Get ready," Vita yelled, dropped to her knees and grabbed hold of Mikoto's hand. She grinned maliciously. Aya, Nya, Gullam and Rae, confused, followed her example and dropped to the ground and grabbed ahold of Vita's ankle, creating a sort of daisy chain. " Why are we…." Aya didn't finish her sentence.

Bluish white electricity bloomed like a flower in spring and rushed along the connections. From Mikoto to Vita's body and surging through Aya, Nya, Gullam and Rae. Muscles spasmed, a frenzied reaction. Then it peaked. A warm naughty sensation causing them to writhe in something other than pain. Their hearts racing, skin flushed, and a certain moment of release spread through them. The payoff leaving them satisfied , warm and a little relaxed.

Vita rolled over on her back, looking up at the thatched ceiling with a wide-open smile, eyes sparkling as she slowly and softy laughed., peeked over at them. Everyone's hair in disarray and exhilarated. "Talk about your gang bang!"

The woman, taking a deep breath, pushing herself up from the ground, sat on her knees. She licked her fingers and brushed back her hair, finishing with the tips of her ears. Her tails switching slowly, " I thought you told me to watchout for the little one…but it was…"

"You still live. Don't cha? Bastet?" Vita grinned.

"Are you sure she's in there? "Tap, tap, tap. What the hell are you doing?" It was Vita yelling, "of course, she is in there. And don't say tap, tap, tap while you poke her forehead. Rae!" She laughed, "but you're supposed to knock before entering."

"Not on her head!"

Mikoto's eyes opened a tiny crack, the light rushing in, burning her eyes like two sharp blades. She moaned before opening full and slowly closing to half-lidded. Rae leaned in closer. She sniffed, fretted her brow, reached in, and pulled her eyelids open with two fingers. "What color is that?" She asked. Vita turned around, face turning hostile. "What are you doing?! to my mistress."

"Owe!" Reaching behind her as Vita pulled her by her long ponytail. "You do not touch things that can bite! Shorty!" She dropped her butt first on the ground. "Hey! I'm the queen of the village. You can't treat me this way!"

"I just did?" Vita brushed her hands together, sniffing her hands afterward. "I can smell that you were using the shampoo we made."

Rae adjusted the leather band holding her hair together, giving Vita a side-eye glare., "well the new baths are popular. So…" she puffed out her chest, "a young queen needs to smell her best."

A little girl, looking eight or nine, squatted next to her. Her wild golden hair hung in thick strands, touching a new mat made of interwoven leaves, covering her simple dress, showing her bare feet and ankles. Small light green scales covered most of her skin. She leaned closer, small scales sparsely around her face and nose crinkling as she sniffed. Large open eyes in swirling blues, browns, and flakes of red watched her.

"Father?" she asked. "Yes," Rae nodded, "this is your deadbeat dad," patting the little girl's head. Vita laughed. "Yes, Maka, that is your Dead-beat dad!" She smiled.

Mikoto slowly reached out. Maka quickly lay on the floor and rolled under her arm as she pulled her close and closed her eyes.

Mikoto felt a little better. The conversation a little closer. Like she was getting closer to waking. Vita was sitting at the desk. She had added some shelves along the wall. Rea was sitting on top of the desk, swinging her legs.

Maka was playing with a ball and a stick. The ball flew up, a small piece of twine snapped straight and quickly dropped. She was desperately trying to flip the ball and catch it on the stick.

"Is that? A Kendama?" Mikoto whispered. "Looks like it" little misaka added. Maka eyed the ball as it swung around. She quickly steadied it and flipped it again.

Vita's arm quickly shot out, catching the ball and gently put it on the spike. "And how many times are you going to do this"

"As many times as it takes to get it right!" Rae cocked her head, glared at Vita. "she's learning." Patting Maka's wild mane of hair.

"Go read a book" Vita smacked Rae's hand away and patted Maka on the head. "Aren't you quizzical?" Vita spoke, half concerned. She watched Maka trying to catch the ball of the spike. "Too hard. Do it slower and softer," she said.

She watched as Maka tried again. She squealed in delight. "almost" Vita laughed.

"Book?" Rae, head tilting, bringing a finger to her mouth. "She doesn't know what a book is?" Mikoto remembered not seeing anything like a book or any kind of material.

Maka tried again. She squealed in delight. "almost" Vita laughed. "you know something to read… something" she looked over, seeing Rae's twisting vacant face. And it hit her.

"Crap, you… don't….. have…. books." she smacked her head. "I can't believe your history is oral! No paper? No language? What the hell!" Vita groaned, shaking her head. "Fine! Then the first step is how to make paper, then I guess I have to teach writing skills and reading, of course… damn it."

Mikoto heard little misaka giggling. "That'll keep her busy."

"So, this is paper, this is ink. And these are the letters and numbers we need to learn. So let's begin." Vita leaned against her desk.

A small group of villagers was crowded around the front of the longhouse. Rae, and Kea was among them, each looking bug eyed and curious. Maka was sitting in a chair at the desk, drinking from a wooded cup. She scooted around, taking another drink and stared at Mikoto. Wiping her mouth, she smiled at her, jumped off the seat and walked over and sat behind her and leaned into her. she laid on the side of her head, brushing the wild mane of hair out of her face and stared at Mikoto. "Hey, daddy"

Mikoto's glazed eyes flickered and moved, catching Maka's gaze and stayed, listening to Vita.

"Now, the hardest languages to learn are Mandarin Chinese. Arabic, Vietnamese, Finnish, Japanese and Korean, just to name a few." She said with an air of superiority. "And over time, I can teach you each." She grinned, "but I am thinking elvish?" Wearing a Mona Lisa smile. "Faila Kidding."

"I'm pretty sure they have no idea what language that is?" Mikoto groaned. "Hey…" she spoke in a voice that couldn't be heard. She struggled to roll on her back, Maka caught her eyes, seemed to understand, and lifted herself and moved just a little and rolled Mikoto over. she scooted, laying on her chest. She sniffed, blushed with a tilt of her head, she laid there watching her, until her eyes closed.

"Don't trust her with that smile!" little misaka yelled in the background of her thoughts.

"Phhtp! If they can get by me… then they deserve it." Her voice was rough as a growl. "Here they come!" A sense of excitement and challenge in her war cry.

"I see, fine… time to train."

"Ok, ok, I will tell you another story."

Vita was sitting in front of the longhouse. The front had been changed. Instead of walls, two thick wooden doors are more like gates with wooden hinges smelling of crushed plant material. She was sitting on a large, overstuffed pillow on a small wooden stage.

"What is she? A rakugo?" Mikoto whispered.

"That's fine," little misaka yawned. "I mean practicing the old Japanese tradition of storytelling. It's fine, what could?… what story is she..? what the!? Porn!"

"The chill of out bodies obscured the pain of the cold hard rocks underneath us. The fog lifted as the fever of our hot skin blended with the chilly air. Edward, shielded me with his powerful body as we plummeted down the well. The amusement of our masked assailant still ringing. Stripped, bound, and flung down the well.

we lay on top of the cold wet rocks as I rested on top of his toned hot body. The coarse ropes scratching our flesh. "ddon't worry." I said desperately as I chomped down on the ropes wrapped around the hard curves of his pecs and muscular abs. I nodded and started chewing at them vigorously. The strands cut my gums leaving streams of red saliva, slipping over my mouth and dripping from my chin, covering the ropes and his chest. "Jefferies" He spoke, grating his teeth. I could sense his body straining. The suffering must be intolerable. "Don't worry…" I said struggling to sound firm, "a little more…" I continued becoming distraught, tugging and tearing at the rope. "Jefferies." He repeated "please…" He sounded almost pleading," what is it edward?" it was then realized as i was trying to free us. i was rubbing against him. his cock growing larger and pressing against my belly. i blushed and laughed for just a little moment. lifting my eyes to take him in. and all i could think of at this moment as we do have some time...Vita paused, raising her brows, "know what i mean?" she said loudly. " boys will be boys!"

"No… I will not,"

Vita was speaking sternly. She opened her eyes, hearing the pleading voice of a young woman. If she had the strength, her eyes would have flashed open. "She looks like….." everything about the young woman caught her attention. The shape of her eyes, of her mouth and jaw. Flashes of anger in her eyes and voice. The way she held herself unafraid, fist tight, arms straight. "Why not!" She stepped forward. Vita didn't move. She cocked her head, full of confidence but something else just underneath the surface. Her eyes were soft and caring, her cheeks and mouth more soothing, like a mother, maybe… but something. "It's only fair. You need…."

"I don't need anything but my mistress," she spoke affectionately. The words seem to strike at the young girl. She held her breath, her heart sounding like she was running a race. She bit her lower lip, eyes thinning. Raised her chin in a challenge. "You will…" she said. "No, I won't."

The young woman turned a started to walk away. "I can make you." Vita moved in a flash, snatching the young woman's wrist, and twisted the knife from her hand. "Brina! Don't!"

Mikoto looked over. Four young women stood close together. Near the heavy wooden gates partially opened. Each one was concerned and hesitant in their actions. Vita held Brina's wrist in her hand, firm but gentle. She ran her hand over her arm, setting the knife on the desk. Turning Brina around and facing her. "You are not my sister, but you are my sisters," she said, getting closer and rubbing her nose with hers. "I lost you once, and I will not lose you again. When the time comes," she nodded, "but today is not that day for you or them. So please let it go for a while. Live your lives, make babies, practice making babies, and if the time comes… I will turn you." She kissed her cheek and pulled her into a hug.

"Sisters? She hasn't had sisters since….. oh?" Mikoto barely nodded. "Seems a certain something, something has come home." A feeling of joyous sarcasm rolled over her.

"Hey, pervert!"

it was Vita. "What is she complaining about now?" She opened her eyes, a thin line of light and finally full. Blurry, then focus. Close but distant. "How long are you going to lie there naked? I told you, you didn't have to do the full nudity. Hmmm…. besides, you need to get ready for the hunt… you too… Aya. And get some clothes on." She sighed.

Nya rose, bracing herself with both arms, breasts hanging in front of Mikoto's face. She reached over, pressing them against her, and tapped someone. She moaned, getting up, and brushed her long dark hair from her face. Peeking down, she winked. She moved, sitting cross-legged. Light and shadow played on her predatory form, hugging every lean curve of her body. Something, someone lightly crawled over her, and a little girl with dark eyes and hair looked down as she sat in Nya's lap. "Her little one?" Mikoto thought, "how long have I."

Gallum was standing behind them, drenched in the morning light. She was strapping on a set of armor. The color black and gray, the patch on her arms showed her house's arms. Twin axes, roses intertwining, and lightning bolts at the four corners. The house of Mikoto. Vita was behind her, adjusting. She patted Gallums' shoulders when she was done. "Aya." She said, taking another armored uniform from the wall and reaching over Mikoto, and handing it to Aya. Rae walked through the wooded gates waved and waited. she also wore body armor, taking a rolled-up parchment, "here is today's patrol."

There were shelves now, filled with rolled-up parchments and what looked like leather-bound books against the walls. Hundreds of them. stacks of yellow-brown papers littered the desk.

"How long have i?"

Small tears slipped down.