She was nothing more than a goddess, skin radiating in the light, hair soft, wet and luxurious, lying softly over her shoulders like a shroud, sitting naked, her legs in the water, spreading out her toes. The cool water calming. She had spent a while hiding in the steam, thinking of the surface. About the wind and the space between. She wondered if someone could crawl their way. Wondered if she sensed her, would she crawl her way back. Three to four feet was not room enough for a giant wolf to travel. Maybe the younger ones. She knew her vampire elites would crawl as far as necessary. Every possibility ran through her mind.

"I'm pretty sure I would," she whispered, taking a breath, threading her fingers through her hair and behind her head, and leaning back.

"Sure what?" She was asked.

Mikoto, surprised, looked up and saw her.

She was standing close, looking down with her head tilted. The blue skies and trees framed her like a perfect picture. Kea, dressed in a sheer black sarong, coming off her left shoulder, with a bare right shoulder. The dark and light patterns of her skin muted under the transparent black material. Revealing The soft curves of her breasts, hips, and thighs. She wore the dark coal-like band across her eyes, just as Nya had worn during the party. Her iris glimmered like moonlight across the water. She smiled. More adult than a child. Without a word or a hint, she could see the hunger in the young girl's eyes.

"I didn't even sense her?"

"What are you not sure of?" She asked, leaning slowly down. Every move she made was seductive and determined. She knew it.. she'd used them. She was caught in Kea's gaze, mesmerized by her voice. Her smell was intoxicating. It felt odd feeling their roles reversed. Like she was prey and not the predator.

"I can't do this, " she said, forcing the words past her trembling lips.

"I can," came a whispered reply that sent her heart pounding as she slipped her fingernails over her cheeks. Kea took a deep breath, pulled her sarong high, showing much of her thigh, and slipped her leg over, straddled her hips, and lightly pressed against her body. "So light, so soft, like silk. Don't, please." She whispered.

"But I want tooo.." She gently pressed against her mouth.

Warmth, soft and slow.

She resisted and finally returned her kiss. Kea sighed softly, leaning away from their kiss, slipping her dress off her left shoulder, and letting it drop. Mikoto's eyes followed the path of the material slipping away. The lines of her throat and the collar of her shoulders. The strength of her form, the way her abs contracted when she inhaled. The way her supple breast rose with each breath. And how her small hips felt in her hands. She gazed deep into Mikoto's eyes, her breath warm and telling of intent as she breathed her in. Her lips were moist and glistening, less than a breath away.

"I really shouldn't…."

She kissed her mouth, kissed her eyes and cheeks. Kea moved slowly and determined. A well-planned attack. She kissed her ear and worked her way down along her jugular, her tongue flickering lightly, sending her pulse thrumming. Beads of sweat spilled over her skin. Her nails pressed against her hips.

Mikoto tensed. "Please, "I really can't do this…."

"I can…" her hungry breath whispered across her skin, falling across the curve of her neck. She opened her mouth and nipped her shoulder. Electricity filled her blood.

"Please don't…." Mikoto rolled her head back, "you don't understand!" her eyes turned crimson, her mouth opened, and her fangs dropped. "I don't…" tears flickered down her cheeks. "Want to…." wrapped her arms around her small body, and she drove her fangs into her throat.

She jerked, quickly opening her eyes and staring into the swirling mists. "What the!" Her heart thrashed against her chest, her pulse threading, her veins burned. With each heavy breath, the dream lingered and drifted away.

"What the fuck was that?" Little misaka said, shaking her head. "not sure if it was a fantasy or…

A nightmare."

Mikoto bit the tip of her tongue, tasting the iron mixing with saliva. She ran her fingers over her shoulder, the pain of the nip slowly fading.

Looking up to the blue sky slowing turn darker. The twin suns must have been nearing the horizon. "Maybe a little too much time in the steam?" Rubbing her shoulder and closing her eyes, the phantom pain lingered. "That was too intense," she said, bordering on asking. Little misaka nodded, "didn't see that coming," shaking her head.

"Considering I thought you were my…."

"Better half, I know. Thank you for finally admitting it."

"Shut up!" Mikoto growled. "No, I meant?"

"I know what you meant. Sheez." Scratching her head, "something like that shouldn't slip by me." Sighing, "I can create some realistic dreams, but I take them from our memories. That one was… one of those off-the-menu items…" looking concerned.

Little misaka ran the past few moments through her mind. The numbers and images flashed across her eyes like data streams. This was her purpose. She monitored everything inside Mikoto Misaka. Brought to life the moment Anastasia Von Alacurd had bitten Mikoto Misaka. The vampire's venom spread quicker than lightning, incorporating everything human, turning her into a vampire. She wasn't supposed to be separate, but with a shrug of her shoulder, she just shook her head. "I don't know why?" She grinned.

"But an outside entity? Oh no…" little misaka was searching. "no one takes what's mine." She growled.

"Hey!?" Little misaka cocked her head. "You don't think this has anything to do with the goddess of the near-perfect springs? I mean, maybe she is hinting if we stay here? we can have all the sexy, blood-soaked dreams I… I mean, we want?"

"I'm not listening to you," she sighed. "Anyway?" Mikoto slipped a little electricity over her body and dried herself. And put on her armor. "Maybe I should join Aya and the others.. for a bit of patrol?"

"Yea…" little misaka spoke a little perturbed. "I think killing something should take our minds off…."

Mikoto thinned her eyes and dropped her chin to her chest, adjusting one of the utility belts around her waist. "I did not say kill something."

"Oh? Really sorry, my bad… anyway."

"I wonder about you sometimes?" Slipping her boots on.

"Me too?" Little misaka leaned back into an oversized oversize recliner, next to a tray with a large popcorn and drink with a long twisting straw, large screens running data. She reached over, slipped the straw into her mouth, took a long slurp, and swallowed. "I don't like surprises." She whispered.

Mikoto slowed as she returned to the longhouse. It was getting late, and Kea was standing by the door. She swallowed, stomach-turning as if an afterimage of her from her dream, wearing the dark sarong and coal black eye line. Those words and actions caused her heart to beat a little faster. She quickly blinked her eyes and sighed in relief.

She was dressed in her hunter's attire. The worked leather was now fitted with the centipede shell covering her chest, stomach, thighs, and calves. Her arms were still relatively unprotected. But after seeing her speed and dexterity. It wasn't an issue. Weapons tucked around her small waist. Her ear flickered and focused in Mikoto's direction. She looked inside and then at Mikoto, and with a worried and a bit of confusion, she waved.

Usually, she left by this time. She'd go home and have dinner with the family, return a little after dusk to visit and sleep next to her. She'd grown uncomfortably used to the situation. Even with Aya prodding about what was going on. Hard to take her seriously when she was nudging Gullah's ribs.

When she came to the door and was about to say hello, she felt like someone had slapped her on the butt.

Eh? Mikoto stared.

Aya was sitting on the bench closest to the entrance. She had a drink in her hand, and Gullah was warming up something to eat by the hearth. Nya was beside her, adding spices to the mixture, and grinned. Looking like a shewolf finding out a secret. Rae was kneeling, playing with a young one. But not just any young one. But one… who, as Mikoto stepped into the doorway, slowly turned her head and looked over her shoulder. She spun around and rushed over and hugged Mikoto's leg.

"What the?"

Oh, yea… what the? Aya whispered, taking a drink. Seems you have been enjoying your time here. Is there something we should know? Hmmmmmmm….. she burped. "Have you shamed us?" She covered her eyes in a dramatic sweep of her arm. Fake sobbing and wailing. "What will the neighbors say?" In a loud voice.

The little ones' eyes were wide and clear, sparkling like sunshine bouncing off the water. Scales covering her neck and shoulders and down her back. Small, rugged ridges ran along with her spin. Hair wild and messy, spun gold and reddish brown colors mix together. She rubbed her face against her thigh, letting out a small, intimate chirp. It burrowed into Mikotos ears and pulled at her heart. She could feel the strength in her tiny hands as her nails gripped the dragon scales. "Oh, this is the little girl from the springs." She said, looking surprised. "So you found her and…."

Shaking her head, taking another drink, and wiping her mouth, "oh no… no excuses…" wagging her finger. "She found us sniffing, looking around, searching. Going to each one of us, she!" Aya's arm snapped and pointed at Gullah, "climbed up, and sniffed her neck! What have you been doing to my woman?"

Gullah laughed. Nya giggled. "Obviously, she has been snuggling behind your back." Nya nuzzled her face into the curve of Gullah's neck. Gullah sighed, looking more annoyed. "I really hate it when she drinks! She did that to you too…" she said, reaching over to take a bowl from the hearth.

"Don't count!" Aya quickly answered.

"See what I have to put up with" she filled the bowl with soup and handed it to Nya. She sat up, took the bowl, walked over, and stood behind Aya. "You should eat something before you…. do something that we will just sigh and look disappointed." She took a drink from the bowl. "Not that we haven't seen you at your worst." Another sigh.

Aya frowned, thinned her eyes, and leaned forward. "And why not? Is she not good enough?"

"Ahhhhhhh…." Mikoto gasped, shaking her head.

Aya chuckled. "Of course, she is, but she is mine, and that one…" she pointed to the young one, who had moved behind and was now holding on to her other legs, rubbing her cheek against her thigh.

"Me?" She pointed to herself, quickly shaking her head. "I don't think so…" she growled. "I would know if I had a baby?!" Gritting her teeth, "and I am pretty damn sure no one or I have grown a wiener and…." .she stopped and hesitated. Face turning bright red, little bluish white sparks jumped the tiny threads of her hair. And quickly glanced at Kea.

Kea stepped to her side, looking up, curious. She tilted her head, ears forward. And took her hand.

The same warmth, the same feeling when she held her hand in the dream. Mikoto's pulse pounded and throbbed in her ear. "What? No! really I mean Kea…I haven't…I wouldn't…."

"Oh, shit?!" Little misaka said, as a matter of fact.

She was going over data. More like memories from the moment she had heard the chirping and rushed from the springs.

"Whatta ya mean?"

"I….mean…she…..Ooohhhh crap?!"

"What?" Her eyes were wide," don't you oh crap me, you little…so and so," almost trembling. The young one clung to her side, and all Mikoto did was gently stroke her hair. She chirped and purred. Small cheeks blushed.

"Do you remember when we rescued the little ones from the bad guys, and you fed off one of them?"

"Yea…" worried sweat pilled across her warming face, nervously waiting. "You're not saying."

"And remember when you held one close to you. Before we knew about…."

"This isn't happening?" She dropped her head, looking at the young one, looking back up at her. The young one's smile opened wide, mouth open, showing her fangs. Mikoto's eyes quickly narrowed, "Let go of my leg… don't try that look with me… I have four." Shaking her leg. The little one held one tightly.

"I know…" .she spun around, "what a cute attack looks like!"

"Five," little misaka reminded.

"I have five, but one of them is still too young to try that?! So don't even, she won't let go?!"

The young one's eyes glittered and swirled, her blushing cheeks puffed in an open smile, and her tail whipping around, and then, she let go, tumbled, and ran.

"Oops, and she's off?"

Sigh.

Breath heavy, heart pounding, Mikoto wiped the sweat from her forehead. "She got some strength in her," she whispered in a heavy breath. "Just like her mother apparently"" little misaka tried to joke.

They ate, they teased, and finally, they went to sleep.

Mikoto is lying under the blanket, staring at the dark of the ceiling, more like twilight. The time when the sun had set and the night was on the horizon. "I am not her mother," she grumbled. "I mean…to show up one day and say hi, mom!"

"I'm thinking hi, dad." Little misaka commented.

"excuse me…I pretty sure…."

"Well, you didn't drop an asexual being from your fun parts. So I'm pretty sure we supplied the secondary DNA needed to determine what and who she becomes, soo…."

"And how do you know she's a she?"

"She's a lot more developed along than the others? Her little buds, of course!"

"Buds?! I didn't notice…."

"Yep, more like a dad""

There was a soft scratching, sniffing, and chirping at the door. Mikoto slipped out from underneath the blankets and stood. She looked down, hearing Kea stir and moan. "I guess we'll be leaving the door open for a while, considering."

"Considering the kids are coming home?"

"Whatever?!"

She quietly opened the door.

Its nose quivered, sniffing, eyes nervously darting around. And looked up. Seeing Mikoto, cheeks swelling, filling with breath. Mikoto sighed, walking over to the other side of the opening and taking the lid off the pot. "here ya go." Waving it over.

It waddled over, making Mikoto grin. "Like a duck?"

"Ya know? If it would just scratch its butt right now, I would say it looked like an old man?" little misaka chuckled.

"Yea.." Mikoto smiled with redness to her cheeks.

She took a small cup and dipped it inside, filling it up with the foul-smelling concoction of roots, plants, and herbs. And held it out. It edged up on its toes, gently putting the thin line of her mouth on edge, and drank. After a few gulps, she lowered her feet, burped, and blushed. She was close, almost complete. From the lines of her face, and the color of her eyes, she could see Nya's expression. Dark hair almost touching her shoulders.

"I think maybe four or five years old?" Mikoto watched as the young one wobbled, looking around and sniffing. She chirped, eyes getting wider, the nose quickly sniffing. Then rushed into the dark of the longhouse.

She watched her in the twilight, running towards the back, side-stepping and avoiding and not making a sound. The little one slowed, stopped, put her head forward, and sniffed, patted the blanket. She'd found her. Nya opened her eyes, reached out her hand, and stroked her dark hair. Soft waking, laughter, excited chirps. With the ruffling of the lifted blanket, she rolled up and burrowed into Nya's arms.

"I remember that?" She felt an ache in her chest. "Yep. And then they grow up to be like their mother" Little misaka wiped her eyes.

"Shut up!"

"so sensitive."

Mikoto put the lid back on and sat the cup on top. She walked over to the open doorway and leaned against the edge.

A dull roar of the wind above the trees, bits of leaves drifting and gently falling to the ground. In the distance, she could hear the animals and/or bugs calling out. The occasional violent ending of the call. The crackling of fires of villagers, soft humming and moaning of those waiting for the king to pass. A pattering of quick steps, scratching, chirping in the middle of the night.

"I wonder how many more?" Mikoto whispered, putting her hands behind her, and looking down at her feet.

"Three, I think. Four if you include…."

"Don't even…I had nothing to do with." biting the tip of her tongue. "I have mine… don't need any more…so besides, there's no proof she's…."

"Talking like a true male." little misaka spoke. "Besides, our bed is quite crowded right now."

"What?" Mikoto fretted her brow. "do you think?"

Little misaka chuckled." You take to the male attitude as a fish does to water." She laughed harder, "and who's been sleeping in our bed?" She asked.

Mikoto looked over, dropping her head, closing her eyes, forgetting. "I just can't say no…."

"And if that dream becomes a reality?"

"I don't know…" she hissed. "How can I…."

"We could stay at the springs…or…."

"Or what?"

"You could first start by not sleeping naked?"

She rolled her eyes down," been doing it since forever and.."

"And look over there." Little misaka spoke, little miss, I like them older and experienced

is a little panty slip away from…well nakedness. She laughed.

The blanket was pulled down, just past her hips, on her belly, her hand reaching where Mikoto had been. She listened to the slow beating of her heart, the way her breathing slipped from her mouth. How the sound of her nails pulled at the warmth where she'd laid. And how the shades of the forest colors wrapped around her tone body. She wondered, in a moment of thought, if she could. It felt like the doubts of the past, when she was first turned, building her own house. To take those around her to bed and share her blood. Lying together, her fangs in their throat, theirs in her wrists, naked bodies pressed together. She felt her fangs throb, mouth-watering, her heart beating faster, the heat in her veins burning. Her insides ached.

She closed her eyes, brought her hand to her chest, and walked over. She stepped over Kea and pulled the blanket further down. Kea rolled on her side, slowly opening her eyes, and they shined as she smiled. "it's ok.".Mikoto said, "go back to sleep." She laid down on her side, pulling the blankets up. Kea sleepily nodded and pulled herself close. Mikoto leaned closer, buried her nose into Kea's hair, and breathed her in.

Little misaka closed her eyes, almost satiated in her expression. Images and data still scrolling down the screens. The blackness around her was shimmering, ripples expanding and searching. "I will find you…" she whispered.

"Look at you!" She held her arms out, the young one with eyes wide and clear, sparkling like sunshine bouncing off the water. Scales covering her neck and shoulders and down her back. Small, rugged ridges ran along with her spin. Hair wild and messy, spun gold and reddish brown colors mix together.

A woman, looking younger than she really was, sitting on the black rocks at the edge of the mist of the pools. She laughed. The young one swam across the surface of the pools, her tail splashing the water. She buried herself in the woman's arms. "So, how did it go?" she whispered. The little one rubbed her cheeks, sniffling excitedly.

"Yes, yes…" she said, "you are mine also."

The little one chirped. And settled by her side and laid her head on her lap. The woman started to hum. Gently stroking her face. Her hands were covered in scales that changed in color depending on her movements. Transparent blues of the water, white of the mist, and greens of the jungle. There were smaller ones around her golden-colored eyes and mouth. She looked more like a mix of human and reptile or dragon. The serrated edges of her nails left no trace on the little one. Her fingers traced the scales just under her skin. Her humming drew her closer to sleep with each stroke. She gazed at her, golden eyes overflowing with love. Opening her mouth, taking a breath, two sets of fangs showing, one on the top of her mouth, the second on her lower jaws. She blew her breath over the little one's face, her nose quickly sniffing. And when she closed her mouth, both sets slipped across like shears.

"You have chosen a strong one…" she said. "She smells of her, so that is why I let her in here. And to think you found her…such a good daughter you are."

She looked up at the jungles' tops jerking wildly in the winds. The mist behind her swirled and formed into giant transparent wings folding around them and swallowing them both into the fog.