I sat in my room listening to music, thinking over the day’s events. I got up, and decided to go for a walk. I went downstairs where all my Oppas were sitting. Incase you’re wondering why I still call the younger ones Oppa; its because they helped raise me. Yes, they may look the ages fifteen, sixteen, and eighteen, but they are actually over a century old. I began to think back at the time Himchan Oppa explained it to me.

~Flashback~

“Oppa, I don’t understand? If you’re two-hundred and twenty-one years old, why aren’t you dead?” I asked confused.

“Minsoa, it’s different for my kind.” He replied with kind eyes.

“You mean vampires.”

“Ne. For us, we live much longer than humans do. We aren’t exactly immortal, like the myths say. We age, but at a very slow rate compared to humans.”

“Oh… So I’m going to die before you.” I said glumly with a frown on my face.

“Minsoa you are ten years old, you have a long life ahead of you.” He said lightly rubbing my back.

“But I don’t want to leave you Oppa.” I said with tears beginning to weld up in my eyes.

He sighed, “But that’s how life is, you have to accept it.”

“But, I still don’t understand.”

“For every vampire year, it consists of ten human years. So every decade, I age one year older.” He explained, “Do you understand now?”

I nodded, “It’s still not fair!” I pouted.

He smiled, hugging me in his arms. “Oh you are something else, I hope you grow out of this stage.”

~End Flashback~

I would never forget that conversation. It made everything seem more realistic. I walked into the family room, where Himchan Oppa, Daehyun Oppa, and Jongup Oppa sat.

“I’m going for I quick walk.” I said heading for the door.
“No you are not!” Himchan said, and when I turned around he was already at my side.

“Yo-yo-you where just on the other side of the room…” I said with a confused face. “How did yoouuu... Oh yeah I forgot you have super human speed.”

“You are not leaving this house.” He said firmly.

“Wea?” I pouted, with puppy dog eyes.

“Because you know there is a vampire civil war going on, and it’s almost dusk. You are not leaving, it is for your own safety.” He scolded.

I sighed, “Hyung, you don’t even let her go outside alone during the day.” Jongup Oppa interjected.

“And that is why.” Himchan said.

“Can I go if I bring someone with?” I asked, still with the puppy dog eyes. I knew that this was my only tactic I had to use against him, and get my way.

“I don’t know…”

“Jebal? Jebal?” I pleaded, and started to use some aegyo.

Daehyun looked up from his book at me, he had a smile on his face. He was amused at how I had Himchan wrapped around my finger.

“I guess, but you have to be back before dark.” He said, “Be careful.”

“Yay! Gomawo Oppa!” I said jumping in the air and hugging him.

I walked to the door and opened it.

“Yah! Aren’t you forgetting something?” Himchan’s voice bellowed through the house.

I turned around to face him, his eyes were hard and angry.

“Ahh… I don’t think so.” I said.

He glared at me, “Who are you taking with you?”

“Oh…” I said, and walked with my head down back to the family room. “Daehyun Oppa will you go with me? Jebal!”

Daehyun looked back up from his book, “Sure.” He said, and got up from the couch.

“Gomawo.” I said, and headed back towards the door.

“Don’t worry Hyung she’s safe with me.” Daehyun assured Himchan, and we left the house.

“So why do you want to go for a walk?” He asked as we strolled down the street.

“I wanted to get some fresh air.” I said, lying. I really wanted to clear my mind, and I wanted to do it alone, but I got stuck with Daehyun.

He looked at me suspiciously; it was like he could read my mind. “I don’t think that’s it. I think you wanted to clear your mind.” He said, and I was surprised. He hit the nail on the head, “And I think you don’t really want me here with you.”

I sighed, “It’s not that I don’t want you here, it’s just I wanted to be alone.” I said, “I really… I don’t know anymore what I’m thinking.”

“Talk to me about it.” Daehyun said with his gentle voice.

I sighed, “I can’t, it’s a girl thing. You wouldn’t understand.”

“Ahh, I see. Well, in this case you lucked out, the Noonas are coming over later to visit. You can talk with them then.”

“Yeah, I most likely will.” I said, “Oppa?”

“Ne,”

“Don’t you think Himchan Oppa is being too protective? I mean I am nineteen.”

“No, I don’t think so.”

“What?” I gasped, “Seriously it’s not even dark yet, and he is all like ‘you can’t go’” I said imitating Himchan.

Daehyun smiled, “Well, he does have a point. The civil war that has been going on for the past six decades has escalated in the recent years.” He said looking down into my eyes.

“But what does that have to do with me?” I said, “Don’t answer that!”

“He doesn’t want you to get hurt, or even worse turned. One of the outcomes of this war left you alone at such a young age.” He explained, and I felt my heart sink.

He was right; a human that had been turned into a vampire was used to kill my parents.

“If it weren’t for Hyung, you wouldn’t be here today.” He said,

“It probably would have been better if I died then too.” I muttered under my breath.

Daehyun’s eyes softened, when he saw my facial expression. I tried to hide it, but I couldn’t I had a sadness written all over my face.

“Don’t think like that.” He said pulling me into his embrace. “None of this is your fault.”

“Yeah, but you and the others have to risk your lives to keep me safe.”

“That doesn’t matter to us. We love you.” He said.

“It’s not right. You shouldn’t have to protect me like that. It’s not your job!” I exclaimed, and the tears fell from my eyes. Daehyun pulled me against him tighter.

“If we don’t do it who will?” He said softly in my ear.

“My parents.” I squeaked out.

“They did their best to protect you.”

“And they’re dead!” I sobbed, “If Himchan Oppa didn’t hear my scream, I would be dead.”

“Your parents had no chance against a vampire.” He said, “Now please, don’t cry.”

Daehyun wiped the tears from my eyes with his warm hands. I felt a small tingle against my skin when he touched me. This wasn’t new; it was something I had always felt. Well for as long as I could remember.

“But Oppa…”

“No buts. And you don’t have to call me Oppa anymore, we are the same age.” He said.

“No you are one-hundred and ninety years old, and I’m only nineteen.”

“So, if you think about it, if I were human I would be the same age as you.” He said with a grin on his face. “You don’t have to call me Oppa, it’s getting to a time where people will start to look at us weirdly.”

“Are you sure?” I asked uncomfortable with what he was saying.

“Ne. Now we should head back, it’s getting dark, and we don’t want to give Eomma a heart attack.” He said mocking Himchan.

I smiled, he always had away to cheer me up, and make me happy. We started to walk back to the house, and Daehyun placed his arm around my waist. I leaned into him, feeling the warmth from his body. I rested my head on his shoulder, and I felt him turn his head to look down at me. I could feel his breath in my hair. I couldn’t help but smile. I felt safe and warm with Daehyun.

Back at the house, the Oppas were sitting in the family room watching TV. Yongguk Oppa looked up from the couch, and our eyes met. He always had a cold stare, and it wasn’t anything new. Even after all these years he still creeps me out. I remember when it was the first time I actually spent quality time with him. Well if that’s what you call it.

~Flashback~

The air was warm, as a summer breeze blew through my hair. I was playing in the backyard by myself. Well I really wasn’t playing; I was actually dancing. That was one thing I had in common with Jongup Oppa and Zelo Oppa. I was imagining myself performing on stage as a professional dancer. I didn’t even notice the sun going down. I continued to listen to the iPod I was given. It had become dusk, when I felt a cold hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see a man I didn’t know. His eyes were hidden behind sunglasses, and his lips curled upwards at the corners.

He had a creepy grin on his face, and said, “Well Hello there.”

I didn’t say anything back, and slowly moved away from him. He continued to come closer to me, matching the amount of steps I moved backwards.

“Why do you back away?” He asked cocking his head to the side creepily. “It’s not like I’m going to hurt you… Yet”

“I don’t know you.” I said, “Leave this is private property!”

“I’m not going to do that.” He said, and continued to get closer to me.

I knew that there was something not normal about him. So I tried to make my way back into the house. I was only twelve, but I was well aware of the danger that stood in front of me. I decided that making a quick dash into the house was my best bet. I took off and started to run to the door, but when I almost reached it, I ran into the man. His eyes were orange, and a growl erupted from his throat.

“How come my mind control power doesn’t work on you?” He growled grabbing me by the throat.

“Yah! Let go of me!” I yelled, and he clamped his hand down harder on my neck, making it hard for me to breathe.

“Like I said I won’t hurt you… much.” The man in the sunglasses said, “Just sit still and it will be all over soon.”

He began to pull me closer to him, and I fought against his strength. It was no use I was a weak twelve-year-old girl. He flashed a smile with his teeth showing this time. Sharp razor like fans protruded from his gums. I gasped; I hadn’t seen any other vampires besides the ones I lived with since the day Himchan Oppa found me.

I screamed, hoping that Himchan Oppa would hear me. My blood-curdling shriek echoed throughout the air.

“That wasn’t smart.” The man said, “Now you are going to pay.”

He leaned his head in, and went for my neck. I tried to pull away, and didn’t give up fighting him. I felt his cold breath on my neck, which was strange to me because the Oppas’ were always warm.

I flexed the muscles in my neck, hoping it wouldn’t hurt, when the man jumped back letting out a scream.

I looked over to see Yongguk Oppa standing ten feet away from me. His eyes were bright red, and they were angry.

 The man growled, “Who do you think you are?” He said angrily rubbing his arm, where a burn mark was.

“Your worst nightmare,” Yongguk’s deep voice bellowed across the yard. He was then quickly at my side, and then pulled me into his arms protectively.

 I watched the man begin to laugh, “Well well well a vampire and a human girl. This is out of the ordinary. Especially since she is so much younger than you.” He said.

I just watched him in fear, and I began to tremble. Yongguk Oppa had never been this close to me before, and he had me in his arms.

“She’s my sister.” Yongguk said to the man, “Mess with her and you’re messing with me.” And Yongguk growled at the last part. I was in utter shock when he said this. I didn’t expect those words to come out of his mouth.

“Sister? She’s human!” The man said.

“Do you even know who you are messing with?” Yongguk growled, and the man didn’t say anything. “You’re messing with a Pure Blood.” Yongguk said, and I looked up to him. He had a serious facial expression, but then a cocky grin stretched across his face revealing his fangs. They were even longer, and sharper looking than the man’s and my other Oppas. Well as far as I knew, I had never seen Daehyun’s fangs before.

The man began to back away, “Where do you think you’re going?” Yongguk’s deep voice sounded from behind me. “You think you could hurt someone who I hold so dear to me?” he asked the man.

“My lord, I didn’t know.” He said bowing before Yongguk. “It’s just she’s a human, please forgive me.”

“I don’t forgive vampires who harm humans.” Yongguk said, and then surrounded the man in a ring of fire so he couldn’t escape.

“My lord, please,” the man, pleaded, “I promise you it won’t happen again.”

“Once a human killer, always a human killer” Yongguk said, and he covered my eyes with his on hand still holding me in the other.

“Please! My lord!” the man yelled, “Please don’t do this!”

I jumped when I heard the man scream out in pain. I couldn’t even imagine what Yongguk was capable of, but it was something I was afraid of. Yongguk Oppa pulled me tighter against his chest, and I could feel the heat coming off of him. It wasn’t anything that was uncomfortable, but it was definitely a lot warmer than being in Himchan Oppa’s arms, or Daehyun Oppa’s arms. The man’s screaming finally subsided, and the left over smell of burning flesh remained in the air. That’s when I knew what Yongguk Oppa had done to the man. Yongguk removed his hand from over my eyes, and I saw a pile of ash where the man once stood. The wind blew, causing the ash to disappear with it. I swallowed hard, and my heart continued to pound. I didn’t know what else to think.

“You’re safe now Minsoa.” Yongguk softly said still holding me against him.

I swallowed again, “Oppa… I…”

He cut me off, “Lets go inside, it’s safer in there for you.” He picked me up bridal style in his arms and carried me into the house, putting me down on the couch in the family room.

“The others when to hunt.” He said, “So you’re stuck with me.” His eyes were dark brown again, and he spoke gently.

“Kamsahamnida Oppa.” I said bowing to him. I heard him chuckle. It was weird for me to hear this, all this time I thought he hated my very existence. He ruffled my hair with his hand.

“Don’t worry about it.” He said, “I bet you’re hungry. Huh?” He looked me in the eyes and they didn’t seem angry anymore.

I didn’t want to be a bother to him, but I really was hungry, and I decided that I was going to wait until Himchan Oppa got home. Then my stomach growled ruining my plan.

Yongguk Oppa just stared at me waiting for an answer.

“Behgopahyo Oppa.” I said quietly with my head down, and I had my hands over my stomach.

“Ne. Let’s go get some food.” He said standing up. I looked up at him, and his hand was stretched out to me. “Come on.” He said, waiting patiently.

I took his hand and he pulled me up with barely any effort. We walked to his car, and I climbed in it.

I always struggled climbing up and into high vehicles, and I had to hoist myself up into this one. I closed the door, and put my seat belt on. He had me sit in the front seat with him, and he started the car. We left the house and headed towards downtown Seoul. We drove through the rest of the Gangnam district, and I looked out the window in silence. Yongguk didn’t say much, and put on the radio. I watched the people on the streets go about their business, and Yongguk rapped along with the songs on the radio. I glanced over to him out of the corner of my eyes, to make sure I was hearing what I thought I was. He really was rapping along with the song playing on the air, and he actually sounded better than the guy who originally performed it.

He pulled into a parking lot, and we both got out.

I followed closely behind him when he said, “Walk at my side so I can see you.”

I quickly did as he said. I walked at his side, and we went into a restaurant. Yongguk Oppa ordered the food for the both of us, since I wasn’t a picky eater. Soon after the waitress came back with our food, complementing Yongguk on how such a wonderful brother he was, for taking his little sister out to eat.

I quietly began to eat my food when Yongguk Oppa began to speak.

“Minsoa,” He said, and I looked up from my chopsticks. “I’m sorry for treating you bad all this time.” He said, “It’s just… I didn’t want anything to do with you because, first I didn’t want to hurt you, and second you remind me so much of my sister.”

My mouth dropped, I didn’t expect this at all.

“When I was fifteen, I had a little sister your age, and an older brother who was seventeen. My family was one of the most well-known pure blood families in the vampire community.  When the vampire civil war broke out, my parents were the first to be assassinated; this was because they believed in living amongst humans peacefully. The day the assassins came to my home was the day I got my powers. I was late on getting them, but I finally did. The vampires attacked and I hid away, I was pretty much a sitting duck. My sister had the power of ice, just like Zelo. My brother had many powers, which I couldn’t keep track of just like my parents. I wished myself invisible, and it happened.

The vampire assassins couldn’t find me, by sight or scent. I found my siblings dead, and the assassins gone. My Eomma also was dead, but my Appa was barely alive.

He told me, ‘My son, take the rest of my blood. It will make you strong; you must protect yourself and do what is right. I know you will.’ He said, ‘Now drink from me, making yourself stronger.’

I did what he told me to do. I never misbehaved, and I was very obedient. I drank his blood, and I felt his power consume me. I felt even stronger than I had before.

‘Good Yongguk, good. Your powers will grow, you have gained all of mine, and you will also gain your own. Remember who you are, your powers come with responsibilities. I trust that you will do the right thing…” and he trailed off. He died in front of my eyes, and I felt a fire burn within me. My hands burst into flames, but they didn’t harm me. I knew that my father didn’t have this kind of power, and I knew that it had to be my own. I swore vengeance on the vampires who killed my family, and to this day I don’t tolerate any vampire with no respect for humans.” Yongguk finally finished. He had told me his life story, and why he was the way he was.

 He lost his family like I did, like the rest of my Oppas did. Himchan Oppa had explained that they all lost their families because of the civil war, and how their families were all supportive of living with humans peacefully. This was the bond that made all of us close. Having this one thing in common made it easier to sympathize with each other.

Yongguk Oppa also explained, how he had come across each and everyone of my Oppas, and how in some way he saved them all from harm. This dinner, was when I began to notice what my Oppas saw in Yongguk. They saw a kind hearted, and good willed person who will do the right thing.

~End Flashback~

That was the day that changed my thoughts on Yongguk, yes we did get closer to each other, but he was still somewhat distant from me. I think it has to do with the fact, that he doesn’t know how to interact with me, and how I remind him of his younger sister that he lost so tragically decades ago. That day I saw warmth in his eyes, and for quite awhile it stayed like that, until the recent past years. His eyes showed, anger and were always cold and hard when I looked into them. Even after the bonding moments we had when I was younger, like I said, he still is creepy and unpredictable.

Yongguk had a clear glass, with blood in it. He slowly drank from the glass, and this caused his eyes to turn red.

I went up to my room to put my iPod away and get the things I needed to get done for tomorrow done before the Unnies showed up. Once I was done I plopped myself down on the bed, and stared at the ceiling, rethinking over the walk I had with Daehyun. When I did this I felt a warm tingle all over my body, and I couldn’t help but smile.