Mikoto jumped down to each level with the grace of a predator. The cool wind across her skin and the smells from below filled her nose and lungs with each breath. Everything felt new; the stress before her sleep had all but disappeared. She could hear Vita following her to each level and finally touching the ground. She landed softly, crouching like a feline, slowly rising and brushing some dust off her thighs. With her hands on her waist, she looked up at the two massive statues and waited until Vita joined her.

She looked it over, seeing the fine details in the designs. "Not really digging it," Little misaka spoke. She was lying in her oversize recliner, oversized sunglasses, and drink with a long curly straw dangling from the cup. Around her, large-screen TVs show the statue's fine work. "Talk about goddess complex." She sighed. "When she is left on her own. She tends to go overboard."

"You're telling me?" Mikoto whispered. "How long? And how many did it take?"

She took a breath, closed her eyes, and pinched her nose, "I really…don't…."

She peaked at Vita with her hands on her hips, head craned up to admire the work. She was always like this. in the other realm, she often asked permission to work on large building projectss. She'd gather workers and carve large buildings, castles, and Buddhas into the mountains.

Months would fly by, and she'd send messages to come and see. Covered head to boot in dust and dirt. Sweat streaks down her face, eyes shining like a new dawn. "Well…." Asking and waiting for her approval. And Mikoto could never put into words how beautiful many of the works were. Many of these projects copied those found in the UNESCO World Heritage site; others were her creations. But what really made Vita happy as they served a purpose. People would live and use them.

Mikoto chuckled, thinking back. Of course, living in the other realms, time flowed differently. One day in Japan was equal to one hundred years in the other realm.

"Why don't we take a walk" Mikoto answered the unasked question.

Vita nodded in agreement. "It's been a while since we've gone exploring together."

"But The statues were just as impressive as they'd appeared from afar." A hint of blush across her cheeks. She hated being the center of attention. And being a vampire queen, she was always at the center of attention. Her warriors knew that and did their best to minimize their attention. It was the wolves who were the problem. They followed them everywhere and often tried to sneak close for a good smell. It was the way of all wolves. The elder wolves, the young wolves, doing what they deemed fit. Arrogant, confident, and annoying. It also had something to do with the effects of electricity that Mikoto used to strike them down. Each wolf smirked, hiding, waiting to ambush her. Often the telltale signs of the easily heard, for a vampire, and many times a human during a rock concert of snickering behind the bushes, around the corners, or above in the trees.

"This place reminds me of the four kingdoms," says Mikoto. "Anna and I would spend hours walking in the villages and the woods," feeling a twinge of remorse and pain at the words. Letting her fingers slip across the smooth surface of the cold stone of the statues.

"You know, I understood why Anna loved the woods so much. She spent a lot of time there when she was younger..." Mikoto spoke, wandering without direction. She kept looking forward at the buildings that seemed to have been plucked out of some touristy guide and brought here.

Mikoto looked around the plaza, teeming with people, many of whom were looking at them curiously.

"So, do any of these remind you of the ones we visited back home?" asks Vita.

"I remember the marketplace in the village," says Mikoto, "but I also remember that little shop in Senessa's kingdom." She pointed to a small wooden, brightly colored storefront. "Senessa loves the dagashiya," she said with a growing smile. "So did I."

Vita smiled knowingly, "Ah yes..."

Mikoto continued along the brick-paved street, heading towards the part of the river close to the waterfall. The smell of fish, strange animals, and water got stronger as they walked.

The road led through a small market district, where merchants from different parts of the gardens gathered to sell wares and exchange gossip. Vendors hawked their goods from carts pulled by strange-looking snorting, baying, smelly animals. No bugs, of course. Others sold their produce directly from blankets on the ground or stalls. Some villagers paused to watch them pass, though most kept going. Mikoto noticed several children playing near the edge of the road, and she couldn't help but smile.

As they crossed a stone bridge leading to the other side of the river, the waterfall ahead of them, feeling the mist getting heavier the closer they got.

The two stopped at the base of the falls to take in the view and catch their breath. Mikoto looked over at Vita. " I'm not sure if I should be jealous of you or impressed."

Vita blushed slightly and laughed, "Oh, come now... you're one of the most beautiful women in the world!"

Mikoto shook her head, "that's not what I am talking about." little misaka laughed, "shoulda seen that coming."

Vita raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about, then?"

Mikoto pointed over to the large boat tied next to the dock. It was across the road, connected to one of the stone pillars on the ports. Men and women were working the cargo. Large, heavy sacks and wooden crates were being lifted out by a heavy winch. Some were carrying out small bales of what was like wool or cotton. The sight reminded her of the Viking ships.

"So do you favor any era….or just random?"

Vita slowed, lines across her forehead, a lopsided smile. "I'd have to say…..random…if it fits and looks good, then it's good." she said. "Why?"

"That's quite a vessel," says Mikoto, "and probably more than enough to transport that many people!" she grinned, stepping closer and looking in. the oars had been neatly placed near the center of the hull. And cargo at the rear. A few strange-looking animals, much like a cross between a boar and sheep. Nothing but beady eyes, tusks, and wool. It snorted at her and just as quickly sneezed. Wet, gooey, sticky snot flung in long strands, striking scary close to her hand.

Vita nodded. "My father owned a ship like this and had a crew of twenty-five men."

"Which one?" Mikoto asked, knowing Vita's history. She'd told her she often lived within the communities along the sea to hide. She promised protection and would work for room and board. Traveling along much of the Scandinavian coastlines. It was a dangerous time back then. Raiders, and robbers attacked, took livestock, killed, and took slaves. Just imagine the fear when they strike near dusk or early morning and are greeted by a smiling vampire holding a rather large axe. Vita loved to tell those stories. Talking about these big, noisy solid men running scared, screaming like little girls... the children would laugh. Hey, I was a little girl once.! She'd snarl.

"How long have you been doing this?" asks Mikoto, running her fingers along the wooden railing. She had to admire Vita.

She had to teach them from scratch. The tools, the techniques, and the training. She smirked slightly. " I'm glad she had so much to do."

Vita shrugged. "Since before I can remember. It's easy to learn how to sail a boat. My father taught me the basics, and my brothers and sisters learned the rest."

She quickly glanced at Vita. she had her head cocked to the side, listening to the wooden winch straining under the weight of the large crate. It was beginning to sway wildly.

One child from early was running around the docks, paying very little attention. She reached out to grab the boy by the arm. Vita turned and caught the young child by the arm. "Hey now, what are you doing?"

The beam cracked and broke, sending the crate crashing down, missing the boy by inches. It splintered into pieces, leaving a trail of small shrapnel. Vita put on a concerned expression, "Are you alright?"

The boy shook his head, holding his arm gingerly. "You should be more careful," Mikoto said, kicking away some of the broken pieces of wood. Inside, gleaming bug shells. Black and blue. Mikoto groaned, tapping the one shell. Vita looked over at Mikoto. "He is fine. He only cut himself a bit."

Mikoto looked at the kid, bent over, licked her thumb, and rubbed over the wound. It sizzled and bubbled, and she wiped it away, and it was gone. "You really shouldn't run around here so carelessly."

"But..." the boy looked, worried then surprised, the wound gone. He smiled big and spoke as if nothing had happened. " Mommy said I could," concern now replaced by protest. Vita still holding his arm. He motioned his head to the waterfall. Groups of people were gathering. Many hold bundles of brightly colored flowers and paper lanterns. They lit candles, set them onto the water, and sent them down the river. Vita rolled her eyes and sighed, "Ok, but you should be more watchful next time." Letting the boy's arm go.

The boy ran off happily, laughing. Mikoto shook her head, "kids," she shrugged. " Little pain in the butts."

"Who? Him or a certain pair of twins?" Vita chuckled. "all," Mikoto laughed.

"What are they doing?"

"They are supposed to bring luck, good health, and wealth. I guess it works." Vita said, taking a few steps, "it's a ritual used before the boats go down the river." She said, "offerings to the water goddess that used to rule here." she raised a single finger as she walked over to a stall. A young woman was selling flowers. Colors of purples, blues, yellows, reds, and striped multicolored flowers. Scattered among them wooden bowls of nuts. Yellow, and green orbs, some the size of golf balls to basketballs. The young woman handed her a long stem red flower, "what's that for?" Mikoto asked, tapping a basketball size melon.

"That is a vegetable" she said, " you can break it open, and it's like spaghetti squash. You can boil it or steam it. It goes well with nuts and a certain tiny…."

"If you say bug," thinning her eyes. " I won't say bug," Vita said. "I mean…" she pointed to the red flower.

"An offering to the water goddess." Vita smelled the red flower. " When in Rome, do as the Romans do" she raised the red flower as if giving a toast.

The young woman grinned.

They walked across the brick pavement, the stone of the boat landing, and wooded planks of the boardwalk. Vita knelt and gently dropped the red flower into the water. Ripples drifted outward, and the red flower joined the candles and other flowers as they floated away. Mikoto knelt by her side, and dipped her fingers into the cool, clear water. Seeing her reflection in the surface and the rocky surface below. Mikoto gave a faint smile. "You never know what might happen tomorrow."

Vita nodded. "This way, Mistress," they walked and smiled politely at a group of women who returned the gesture as they passed. Vita turned to Mikoto and whispered, "We're making progress."

They made their way past the stone loading and unloading docks, heading for the other end of the main avenue. And came to a large stone three stories tall building. Vita opened the door and stepped inside. Mikoto followed her inside.

Three figures were sitting at a table: a man in a brown cloak, a beautiful woman dressed in silk robes, and a young man with hair and skin as red as fire. They all turned to look. Mikoto gave a quick bow of her head. Vita stepped up to the table. "Two, please. " The man sitting behind the table nodded. His large kaleidoscopic eyes flickered and focused like a bug, and a large tongue slithered out of his mouth and over his eyes as if wiping away dirt. His brown coat opened slightly, and two pairs of segmented arms reached out. One pair opened a small drawer, and another reached in and pulled out a couple of shining tokens. " Let me guess, " little misaka said, " bug shell..."

"Pretty sure you're right," she answered her little avatar.

"It's a lucky charm," says Vita. "I found them in the forest near the village..."

"Sure, it is," Mikoto spoke. "Bugs, for sure."

the two men laughed, "come to think of it, we haven't had any visitors around here for a while."

"We're just passing through," says Vita with a smile. "Taking the tour."

The young man with red hair and body stood and came over to Mikoto. "What brings such lovely ladies as yerselves to our humble town?"

"Ummm…what did he day…if thought the portal made everything understandable?" little misaka tried her best not to laugh. "Better get yerselves something, something…" she hit the ground. " Oh...you have got to be kidding!" little misaka rolled with laughter.

Vita smirked, with a tilt of her head, seeing the man flirting his best. " I am pretty sure you are one dick too many for her."

The red-haired man glared, the red color of his skin flickered, and drew a deeper shade of red at Vita, her mouth opening slowly. "I'm not interested in your silly games, little missy."

Vita replied, "well then, I'll just leave you with the nice lady."

The red-haired man, skin quickly flaring and slowly fading, turned, " now for the lovely lady... right heerrre...?!"

Mikoto looked her best, doing what female vampires did best. She smiled, lips plump and pink, a slight flush of her skin, eyes soft and beckoning. An especially dangerous attack. Cute attack. Draw them in and slam the door behind them.

Vita leaned her head close to the beautiful young woman wearing silk robes. She sighed, looking slightly at Vita, "mother...how long are you going to let him think..."

"Mother!?" Mikoto fretted, her brow tight. Little misaka gasped and covered her face with both hands. " You really shouldn't say things like that...!"

Mikoto slipped past the red-haired man like a quick breeze. she was standing in front of the beautiful woman wearing silk robes. " whhwhwhattt, do you mean?! mother!"

Vita tilted her head. "Mother? Mother, who?"

The woman in the silk robes looked puzzled. "Oh, did I say mother? I'm sorry I must have confused….her with…my….own…mother…who is a….different mother other than my mother standing in…front of me,"putting her palm to her face.

Mikoto knew the move. Had seen a certain vampire use it often. And speaking of a certain vampire. Mikoto sniffed and leaned close to the woman wearing the silk robes. She stared, taking her in like a predator. She could hear the woman's heartbeat quicken, smell sweat rising, and her blood rushing through her veins." She really is your...?" the woman she had heard arguing as she slept. Vita and them, five of them, she remembered.

"That's what I thought!" Mikoto glared at the woman, "you think you can trick me!" thinning her eyes. "You don't smell like a vampire, but you smell and look like a certain... and I won't hold that against you," she glared at Vita. Vita rolled her eyes. "Open your mouth," she said, sounding more like a command. The woman's mouth trembled. Smelling fear, Mikoto sighed. Her shoulders dropped. "I apologize," she said, shaking her head. "Please. could you..."

"I'm not a vampire," she said, "per se," slowly opening her mouth. Perfect teeth. She had perfect teeth, and perfect molars. Perfect premolars, incisors and…." Mikoto quickly sniffed, leaned uncomfortable close, " how and why?"

"Holy shit!" little misaka yelled. "Focus!" furiously tapping the large screen suspended in front of her as she enlarged the image, " how…how does she have fangs!"

The young woman stood, mouth opened wide, two large fangs in her mouth. she squeezed her tiny fist, "MMMMmmmmyyyyy…Queen, I can try to explain..."

"Oh, shit…just give the girl a break." Little misaka spoke, rubbing her chin. " I think she is one of the few, the proud, and certainly the many. Vita has technically," making air quotes," given birth to."

So, it seems" Vita took a step closer, and took the young woman's hand. "it can take the father's DNA, but can't take the vampire's venom. Perhaps it is a safety measure built in by the god or goddess to prevent them from being hijacked."

Mikoto slowly reached up, "are they really?" fretting her brow and gently tapping the fangs. The young woman flinched. " Ooooooo…sssorry did I hurt…you?"

The young woman shook her head.

Little misaka was shaking her head, arms across her chest, "it's almost like… it's to prevent being overridden. Like when another queen vampire can take another by force." She nodded. "The host would have to want to be overridden….or die fighting."

"Just like what happened or almost happened to us…." She tapped the fangs repeatedly and and closed her eyes with a loud sigh. "I am so sorry…" she said.

"Huh?" Vita fretted her brow "why are you…."

"That it had to be her…" shaking her head. "of all of them, it had to be Vita."

"HEY! i am not that bad of a father?" right?"

The young woman exhaled and took another deep breath. Her heart slowed down, and wiping the sweat from her forehead. She closed her eyes. "you have no idea…My queen…" shaking her head, "my sisters and I…have had such."

Mikoto reached out, and wrapped her arms around the young woman, " please forgive me…if it had been me instead if I had known that it would've turned out like this…that she…." she patted the young woman on the back. " Be brave…." And stepped back and wiped her eyes.

"Hey! Why are you crying, Mistress? And you…why are sobbing? I was and still am a good father…" she growled, "you're a jerk. And you!" pointing at Mikoto. A what did I do expression across Mikoto's face. Eyes and mouth open. "What?"

"Nothing!" Vita snapped around. she rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much. You may not be a vampire, but you're still a woman." She winked.

"You will explain it to me later. Vita," Mikoto whispered.

"Yes, yes," Vita said, flipping the two shining tokens into the air and snatching them. " Let's go."

"Where?" Mikoto asked.

"Up," Vita pointed to the ceiling. "Shall I give you a hint?"

"Why," Mikoto said with a sigh," give me a hint?"

Vita gave a coy grin, "because I want to see how you react."

"Then get on with it already!" Mikoto said, crossing her arms.

Vita grinned, "let's say Hailong Elevator, only taller."

"It's only the tallest outdoor lift in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan province of China." Mikoto looked up at the ceiling.

"The second," Vita said with a sense of pride." a nod of her head, "the second"