The History of Tomorrow

The History of Tomorrow

The day before

Authors note: I claim no ownership of the Predator franchise. Warning: Yautja/Ooman pairing, descriptions of sexual intercourse and murder/death, and bad language. I will be using some information previously stated in ‘The Ripple of a Stone’, if any questions, please email me. Pronunciations at bottom. Good reading!

E.M.

Just a quick thing, remember that I am sharing names between this and ‘Ripple’ because it is easer for me. It’s hard making up Yautja names…It really is! So please do not associate the names used here with characters in ‘Ripple’. And the symbol of ‘ “” ‘ is just to say there is a change in scenes.

“”

“Waste.” Aja hisses and looks at his seed. He was actually felling a bit abnormal, he hadn’t done anything like that since he was an Unblood. But for his Kella, and for what she said – calling for him - it was worth the shame of his seed not going to a female. Resting against the ground, Aja shakes his head at himself, he should have never come to see her. Even though she called for him, what does that show? What does that reveal? That she had sexual desires for him? Aja smirks at the idea. Perhaps she does have the same feelings. But is it only sexual? She clearly called for him at the peak of their act…THEIR act… Sneering gravely, Aja stands at the edge of the building and looks to Kellas window, seeing that male caress his Kellas face with his hands. Something in Ajas blood began to boil. He can’t stay here any longer. If he did, he would go and kill that male, and it would be a dishonorable kill. He should have never come here. Not looking back, Aja turns his back to the scene and leaves.

“”

Kella felt empty. All of the sudden, that warm feeling in her vanished. He was gone. Her Aja was gone.

“Do you want me to stay?” Adam asks softly, tracing her jaw line with a finger.

“No male I have ever mated with stays in my favor for long.” Kella says coldly and gets up from her bed. “You can shower here if you want, or you can go.” She leans against the door frame, crossing her arms over her naked torso. Adam trails his eyes down her form one last time before plastering on a fake smile.

“I think I will just go.” He says roughly and starts to put his cloths on.

“I’ll see you around, Adam.” Kella says then walks into her bathroom, closes the door and starts the shower.

“This is wild.” Adam whispers to himself. He knew that this female, this Caretaker Kella, was like this, but he doesn’t want to leave. Slipping on his loincloth, Adam couldn’t help but wonder why she was so blatant in telling him to leave. Did she not feel anything but a need to mate with him? He felt more, a strange connection ever since she bumped into him, but didn’t she? Adam knew that he was like this with other females, it was who he was. He just ‘exercises’ them to serve a purpose but now that he is on the ‘used’ end and not the ‘using’, he now knew why so many females wanted to stay with him, that and his social status. It was feeling something for someone, that they didn’t feel back. And it hurt. Once fully clothed, Adam starts out of the room, but stops at the door. He can’t just leave. He didn’t want to go. He turns around and takes a few steps back into the room, intending on going into the shower with her but…she didn’t want him to stay. Adam growls to himself in frustration, racking his hand through his short hair. He couldn’t force himself to leave just yet. He wants to tell her that he wants to stay. That he felt something more. But then his head began to think about everything. About what he had to do when he got to his temporary home to ready for the next day. He was a busy man, and had a lot do now that he moved here to Acropolis to do his job. But…he just can’t leave…can he? Growling once more, Adam shakes his head at idea of even trying to convince Kella there was something, and then leaves.

As soon as she was done with washing, Kella makes sure to take a hormone given to any female who did not with to have a child yet, to be sure that she didn’t have a Adam junior running around. As much as she wanted kids, she just didn’t want them with Adam. Changing into her sleepwear, Kella strips the bed of its linens to put clean ones one, throwing the dirty set by her door to clean in the morning. Sliding into bed with wet hair, Kella curls up with the pillow and her comforter, she was ready to cry. She didn’t know why, but she just felt sad. Was it guilt? Yes it was guilt. How could she have done that? How could she have mated in front of Aja, her Aja, knowing that he was there? Her little punishment the night before was fun, and amusing and even arousing but this… A small tear falls from one of Kellas eyes and it travels down over the ridge of her nose then drips onto her favorite pillow. After that first tear, Kella couldn’t hold it back anymore, and she fell asleep crying for what she had done.

(On the DropShip with Aja…)

Using the back entrance to the DropShip, Aja had to elude all the other males so that the scent of his musk would not be caught. He would never hear the end of it if they found him, Aja wouldn’t even be able to say it was from a Yautja female he was thinking of. But he had made it to his room without meeting another hunter, and for a moment he leaned against the back of his door to his room. It was a small room to say the least, as all rooms on a DropShip are. It held nothing but a bed, a bathroom and a small trophy room. Sighing lowly, Aja lifts himself from the wall and walks into him trophy room to take off his Awu’asa. Once in, he leisurely unlatches his mask and places it on its stand, taking a moment to look at its markings. There were so many battles, hunts and fights marked on this simple thing. But as a mastery of artistry as it was, it couldn’t keep his face safe from the Hard Meats during his trial. Trailing a few fingers down his face, Aja closes his eyes and smiles as the memory of his Chiva takes a momentary lapse in his time. He had taken seven trophies that day, and was one of the few to actually come back from being sent. His face had been beautifully marked by his last kill, the Hard Meats claws digging through his mask and into is face. Aja shakes his head and begins to meticulously take off his armor, one piece at a time. However, when it came time for him to take off his belt, something glimmers in the light of his small trophy room from a small metal pouch. Opening the small pocket, Aja softly laughs to himself as he holds up the neck charm he had taken from Kella the day he chased her. Holding it at eye level, the tear drop shaped, pearl colored charm twists and turns as it hangs from Ajas hands.

“You are as beautiful as your owner.” Aja thrills lightly. With the charm in hand, Aja finishes undressing and hangs everything on their corresponding hangers. He leaves his trophy room and heads to the bathroom to clean from the days…actions. The small but well equipped room had all the necessary things a bathroom would need but Aja heads straight from the in ground bath. Once it was filled with the perfect temperature water, Aja lowers himself in, groaning as his body enters the soft green waters. He dips his head back, wetting all of his tresses. Unconsciously, all of Ajas mandibles clatter together from the wonderful feeling of the water. Resting back onto the lip of the bath, Aja lifts his hand to again stare at the pearl charm. He brings his hand to his mouth, spreading his mandibles, and takes a deep, immense breath to catch any scent, and did he ever. With his expert sense of smell, Aja went past the scent of the metal chain, even of the cool pearl and he was caught up in the scent of his Kella.

“Bacca.” Aja thrills. Kellas scent smells like the bacca berry. No larger then a pea, the bacca berry is the color of… “KELLAS EYES!” Aja barks loudly. They were the exact same color. Brighter than the Ooman sky and just as alluring. Laughing out loud, Aja couldn’t help but compare Kella to the bacca berry. Both were beautiful, both were something he wanted to have. But the bacca berry, if taken in great amounts, can become addictive. The body and mind begins to crave the berry as one would for the hunt. Just as is his Kella. Aja sets her charm on the side of the bath and closes his eyes. Letting the soothing waters rest his body.

The next Ooman day…

Aja woke from a late nap as some of the hunters came to view the Ooman trophy of his. While he told them that he did get it from hunting, he just didn’t mention that it was from a few nights before. They were astounded as Aja described the fight, even displaying his scar on his forearm. They were all soon taken from story telling when new information came in that the Bad Blood was on the move, trying to leave the Delta District that he had fled to. And so, all of the fifty joining hunters quickly dresses in their Awu’asa and left the DropShip to hunt. The Ooman sun was up with a vengeance, but the heat didn’t bother him as much as the cool of the night before had. Every time Aja looked to the Ooman sky, seeing the funny white puffs as usual, he thought of his Kella.

“Why do you suppose this Bad Blood came here unauthorized?” A Yautja asks Elder Rhd as he was accompanying his sons group of ten this day.

“He was too young to be admitted into this seasons Kainde Amedha Chiva,” Aja answers. “My guess is he was angry about that and so came here to prove his worth to go into this season’s faction.” The group of eleven hunters had taken a different entrance to the Delta District as the other four groups would as well. Traveling cloaked and ALMOST silent, they had begun to scout possible places that this Bad Blood could conceal himself.

“Shame that his male had done this to himself.” Bthm sighs. “Do we even have his name?”

“What would his name do to accelerate this hunt?” Elder Rhd scolds, but in a teaching manner. “The fact of the mater is this, he dishonorably hunted a species that is in the territory of the Yautja. We cannot look past this as is it a great offence to exploit or take advantage of something you own.” Unseen to the others, Aja frowns at his fathers words. But he knew he was right. They had taken the Ooman world from the creators and now they were in their hands and should not be abused. But just the words ‘something you own’ made him feel odd as he thought of his Kella. He didn’t own her, no one did. But as a pray species, the Yautja owned the Oomans. And Kella was an Ooman.

A little while later and the group of eleven hunters split into one of six and one of five. Aja had the four new comers to get them acquainted with the Ooman world as they searched for the Bad Blood. At one time they had found a hide-out of his where there was evidence that the Yautja had stayed for a night or two. But it was a cold trail as he didn’t leave any evidence as to where he had gone. But Elder Rhd has the company of both Bthm and Nth’ta along with three of the most experienced hunters Pakka, Nder and Jed. The group with Elder Rhd went east as Ajas followed behind, and it was Elder Rhd who came upon something he, Bthm and Nth’ta thought hilarious.

“Is this female everywhere?” Bthm thrills in laughter over the COM.

“What female?” Elder Rhd asks, coming closer to Bthms position. And when he did, he too began to laugh. “I swear to Paya, Kella and I are destined to be in each others company.”

“What are you talking of, father?” Aja asks as he was too far behind to see. But at the name of his Kella, he became interested.

“Kella, she is here. In the Delta District.” Nth’ta answers. “And she is bouncing a ball around with a bunch of adolescents.” Just then Ajas group gets to there side and he couldn’t help but smile at the scene.

Earlier that day morning…

Kella had a broken nights sleep, waking every two or so hours to cry. The sun wasn’t even thinking about coming up yet and Kella had begun her rounds. It was going to be a warm day until the evening so she dresses openly. But the way she dresses wasn’t just for the weather. Every four days, rain or shine, Kella had a date with the kids in the Delta District who were involved in the community centers. But throughout the day, Kella would have the strangest feeling like Aja was watching her. But she knew it wasn’t a true feeling. More like, every time she thought of him she would feel it to punish herself for what she had done to him. Her stomach would quench, her lungs squeeze and then, it would go away. By mid day she had gone to all her contacts to see if there was any trouble, and with the out look good for the day, Kella made her way to her date.

“HEY!” Kella yells out to the group of kids that ranged in age from five to fourteen. “You started without me!” She whines.

“We thought you wouldn’t come!” A small child yells back.

“I would call you to say so…” Kella, once she was close to the small kid, runs her hand in his long brown hair. “So how is everyone?” She asks the group and gets a few ‘goods’ and few ‘alrights’ and a lot of no answers. “What are we playing today?” She changes the subject. She knew that these kids had it rough, and that they couldn’t really talk about the goings on in their District for fear of punishment of the gangs and such.

“Basketball!” An older boy calls out.

“You have a basketball?” Kella asks confused. She hasn’t seen a real basketball in years. The funny orange balls were hard to come by.

“It was a gift from my grandfather who lives up in June City.” One of the workers of the community center answers.

“Well now, I think the first game should be for the older kids.” There was a whole lot of whining after her words, but Kella knew that the first game would be rather rough as no one has played in a while. The large group then walks the short distance to an old worn out basketball court, the baskets only having a ring and the whole court was surrounded by chain link fence. Once the teams of Kella and the three older people from the center and the other of four youth were ready, the game began. Of course Kella went easy on the kids, and even let them get a few baskets. But her team was always winning. In the middle of the game however, Kella felt that jolt in her stomach once again, wishing to herself that she could forget about Aja for this hour, just so she could help these kids forget about their rotten lives and just play. But with her concentration taken form her, a youth from the other team successfully knocks her to the ground, Kellas back firmly planted to the broken pavement. And suddenly he kneels down to her ear, his light brown skin glistening from sweat and his afro hair ticking her face.

“Kella…” He whispers, fear evident in his voice. “Kella that’s him, the guy with the backpack standing at the corner there…” His eyes dart to the end of the chain fence where the guy stood, but Kella was smart enough not to look just yet. The kid then stands up from her and starts to walk away.

“HEY!” Kella yells. “You come down to me and talk trash then don’t help me up!” She exclaims, making the kid come back and give her a hand up. “When we are near that end of the court, throw me the ball.” She whispers into his ear and nods. As each played got into their position, it wasn’t long until they were at the right end of the court. The afro kid got the ball and quickly chucks it in Kellas direction. Still running, she catches the ball and heads for the guy at the corner. “Hey you!” She yells in his direction and he soon turns to see who called him, only to get the basketball in his face.

“”

“What is she doing?” Elder Rhd asks out loud.

“She attacked that male without cause!” Jed hisses. “And you said this female was honorable.”

“She would not have done it without reason.” Aja defends. And they soon found out why Kella did what she did.

“”

“What the hell?” The grungy guy with the backpack yells after he fell to the ground. But Kella didn’t answer him. In an instant Kella was down, sitting on him stomach with all her weight and punches him right in the face, yelling at him to shut up. She then grabs hold of the guys backpack and opens it right on his chest. “Wait, what are you doing?” But all he got again was a shut up from the woman on him. Being careful of her hands, Kella starts to look through the massive amount of drug in this guys bag. There were even a few C’ntlip shots.

“”

“What is it?” One of the younger hunters asks.

“Narcotics.” Elder Rhd sighs. It had been a big problem with the Ooman since the beginning.

“What are those?” The same male asks.

“It is almost like our C’ntlip, but they have different names and substances. But for them, it is addictive. Oomans who are addicted become depended on the item they chose, using it to make them feel better but all it really does it make their lives worse. There are fewer and fewer worthy pray out there because of things like this. They make the Oomans weak, unworthy.” Elder Rhd hisses. “Kella is just doing her job. Protecting those around her. But this is not her District and so cannot protect it like she does hers. But she helps.”

“Perhaps she is honorable.” Nder says softly, and Aja smiles.

“”

Closing the bag and putting it over her shoulder, Kella gives him one last punch to his face, making sure to break his nose.

“How stupid are you, huh?” She hisses into his ear. “I could small the drugs on you from over there.” She points to the court where all the kids stand watching. “I don’t care what is going to happen to you, but I am taking this bag and burning everything that’s in it. And you can tell who ever gave you this stuff to sell, to take it up with me.”

“You stupid bitch.” The guy says in a low voice. “You think you can protect this District like yours? HA! You can’t. No matter what you do, there is only one of you.”

“I know that. And I am not a pauk-de hero. But I will protect my own. I will protect these children from the likes of you. I’m glad it was I who spotted you, because then I got to kick your ass. Those kids that call this c’jit hole of a District home can’t do anything against you. They know it. I know it. But what they can do it keep themselves clean of this c’jit in this bag, and soon you and your employers won’t have any profit in this District. I am doing what I can, but people like you are making it really hard. Now, get out of my sight or I will end your pitiful life.” With that Kella stands up and gives the guy space to run and he does just that.

“That won’t do any good.” One of the workers says.

“I know.” Kella sighs and walks back to the group. “But it gets this stuff off the streets. I think that we are going to have to continue the game next time guys, I need to do this.” She says motioning to the backpack on her back. “And then I am going to go home, I am all sticky and stinky!” She laughs with them all about the hard work out they all endured. “Come say good bye.” Kella waves to the smaller kids that were safely behind the chain fence.

“So, your coming back?” A small blond boy asks. Before she answers, Kella drops the backpack on the ground and lifts the boy into her arms to give him a big hug.

“I will always come back.” She whispers into his ear. This kid had lost too much and is even living in the community center. He was always afraid that she wouldn’t come back to see him. “Besides, who else do I have to TICKLE?’ Kella yells, tickling the little boy almost to death, his sides and tummy burning from the laughing. They say their good byes after that, Kella giving each of the kids a big hug, it always made them feel better. Her too.

“”

“Aja.” Elder Rhd snaps the group out of their daze after watching the scene. Aja was smiling largely under his mask. ‘She is so beautiful and so good with pups…’ Aja thought before turning his attention to his father. ”Do one last sweep of the area, then head back to the DropShip. We will have to talk with the other leaders to see what we can come up with as to where the Bad Blood is.”

“Yes father.” Aja bows his head and he and his group go off to do one last run around.

“I don’t understand what all the talk is of.” Jed says to the remaining hunters. “Granted that was impressive, but that does not merit the mark of Protection.”

“Well, I am glad it is my call as to who receives it, for I know that if I hadn’t and word got out of Kella, then she would have met the Black Warrior for the first time, and not me for the second.” Elder Rhd laughs.

“There are some who call for her gift to be taken from her.” Pakka tells.

“I am thankful that just because they call for it,” Bthm starts. “Does not mean their calls will be answered.”

“You have not even met her!” Nth’ta growls at the other hunters obvious arrogance to Kella.

“They could meet her…” Elder Rhd says slyly. “Kella did invite us back to finish the bottle of C’ntlip. And she did just say she would be heading home when she was done her task.”

“You cannot be serious that you want us to meet the Ooman.” Nder hisses.

“One minute with her and you too will see she is not like any other Ooman.” Bthm laughs. Reluctantly Jed, Nder and Pakka agree to meet this female. If only to get some of this fine C’ntlip Elder Rhd was going on about.

“”

“I think the burner can take it.” Uncle Shane tells his niece, motioning from the pack of drugs to the large incinerator for her to dispose of the backpack.

“Thanks.” Kella sighs, throwing the bag in. She closes the door to the burner and smiles at the strange sounds the items make. Almost like they were screaming.

“Mercedes called here looking for you.” Uncle Shane says. Kella asks to use his office to call her back as her best friend would only call here if it were an emergency. Kella walks down the stairs to the basement were all the really expensive and valuable items were, only to look past them and walk into the large office that held only a desk, a large leather chair, an antique from the olden days, and a few chairs for visiting buyers.

“You rang?” Kella says in a deep, funny tone.

“I know you have your duty and all but jeeze woman, you are hard to find!” Mercedes laughs.

“What’s wrong?” Kella asks.

“Do you have any idea who you left with last night?” Mercedes responds.

“I thought this was an emergency…” She scolds her friend.

“This is!” Mercedes yells. “That male was Adam Becks. Do you have any idea who he is?”

“No. But he was good.” Kella says coldly.

“Kella! Adam Becks is the guy from Kana City who is here to run to be the next governor of Acropolis.”

“I beg your pardon.” Kella says after a held in gasp.

“Come on! It has been in the papers for weeks. Jonathon Harper can’t be governor any longer, and I know that you won’t run even though you would win.”

“Don’t even start!” Kella warns. She has had too many conversations with her and others about her becoming governor of Acropolis. It wasn’t her place.

“I’m not, I’m just saying that Adam Becks moved here from Kana City to attempt to be elected as he just ended his run there as assistant governor. But c’jit Kella, you mated with him!”

“I know I was there…” She says glumly.

“What’s wrong?” Mercedes asks worried. “Is this about Aja?” She says carefully.

“Yeah.” Kella says softly. “He was watching us mate.” Holding in her tears, Kella takes a tissue to keep from crying.

“That’s just creepy.” Mercedes tells her strongly.

“Not really considering what he is. It’s in his nature.” Kella defends, trying to tell herself not to inform her best friend about the Yautja, about her Aja but maybe it was time.

“In his nature? What the hell? What is he? Yautja or something?” Mercedes starts to laugh hysterically. But she soon stops as she doesn’t hear Kella laughing. “Oh your c’jit’in me!”

“His name is not the only thing that’s Yautja…” Kella quietly tells her best friend.

“Alright, from the beginning…” And so for the next ten minutes, Kella told her best friend about meeting Elder Rhd and everything. And Mercedes, as Kella expected, ordered her to describe them all. Even Aja. “You really like him, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I do. That old woman was right.” Kella sighs and sits back in the comfy chair. “In mid thought I stop to think of him. It’s so strange.” Just then, her Uncle Shane comes in with clients on his tail. “C’jit. Mercedes I will call you back when I get home, we have clients here.” They were quick to end their conversation just as a few clients stole in.

“Ah, Caretaker Kella, it is good to see you. Yes?” A small Asian man with black hair tipped with white bows to her.

“It is good to see you as well Mr. Ziao.” Kella bows back graciously. “I am sorry I cannot stay for the meeting, I have a previous engagement.” After greeting the other two persons, Kella quickly made her way home.

“Ken, contact Mercedes.” Kella yells to Ken as she walks into her house and in an instant she and her best friend were back to their conversations.

“So you’re telling me, truthfully, that you had four Yautja in your bedroom?” Mercedes laughs.

“It wasn’t like that!” Kella defends, taking off her shoes as she goes into her house and into the kitchen to grab a drink. “I mean, I was stupid and stepped on that dammed street again. It was my fault.” She says while she walks down the hall to her society room so she can sit on some pillows and rest from the day, a large glass of freezing water in hand. “I did get to meet ELDER RHD!” Kella yells and stops as her eyes and mind registers the sight of Elder Rhd, Bthm, Nth’ta and three others she did not know of sitting once more at her low table. “Mercedes, I have to go. Can I call you later?” Kella says as calmly as possible.

“What? No way! You do not call me back after making me wait and then tell me to go away! I want to talk about these Yautja!” Before Kella could tell her friend that she REALLY needed to go, she said something more then odd. “I mean, I love the name Bthm. Bath Him.” Mercedes laughs out loud. “If he needs it I will offer to bath him.” Within one second, every Yautja in the room, with the exception of Bthm of course, explodes into laughter. One of the unknown was even patting Bthm on the back. “What the hell was that? Sounded like…oh gods…” Then there was a soft beep sound, telling Kella that her best friend had smartly hung up the COM. Kella lowers her head, takes a deep breath and tries so hard not to laugh along with the others.

“I apologize, Bthm.” Kella says after a moment. “That was uncalled for by my good friend.”

“That’s all right!” Elder Rhd laughs. “Seems you have a fan.” He slaps Bthm on the back, who only shakes his head in disbelief.

“So this is the Protected female.” Nder says in Yautja, not really liking the idea of talking with an Ooman.

“May I introduce Kella, the Caretaker of the Alpha District.” Elder Rhd stands up, and motions for Kella to sit, which she does gracefully and thankfully next to Elder Rhd and Nth’ta. “This is the Honored Pakka, Honored Nder and Honored Jed.” They all nod their heads in greeting. Kella knew by the introductions that each of the hunters were in the honored class of the Yautja. And she could see it to. Each of their Awu’asa covered in marks, telling all who look of their battles.

“It is an honor to meet you.” Kella bows her head. “May I offer you anything, I still have an unfinished bottle of C’ntlip that I have to chance of finishing myself.” She smiles up to Elder Rhd. Taking a moment to answer, Elder Rhd does something that he hadn’t thought to do yet. Going through his spectrums, he looks deep into Kellas body and makes discovery.

“Why did you make a big thing of me killing you before you could bare children, and then now that you are of age, I can see that you do not show signs of having a child?” Unconsciously, Kella places her hand over her lower stomach, a futile attempt to keep him from looking IN her.

“That is the most awkward thing anyone has ever said to me.” Kella says seriously but sarcastically. The others, along with Elder Rhd, laugh at her words. “And I have to say I feel a little uncomfortable that you can see my insides.”

“We can see more then just that.” Nth’ta laughs.

“Is that meant to make me feel better?” Kella tries to hide her laugh as well but was failing horribly. In the next moment, Elder Rhd and the others take off their masks to make her feel a little safer. It was rather unsettling to be sitting with beings that could see through you.

“I will fetch the drinks then, but I will need help as there are more glasses to carry.” Kella says as she stands. “Bthm, would you assist me?” She asks plainly. And without another word, she and the Yautja leave the room and he follows her into her kitchen. “I feel I must apologize once more for my friend’s words.” She says with a low bow of her head.

“Do not be embarrassed of another words or actions.” Bthms deep voice resounds in Kellas bones. “But I think I will be hearing of this for many seasons to come.” He laughs, his mandibles clattering together. It was then that Kella really noted Bthm as a whole. His skin looked like a leopards, a smoldering yellow as a base with light and dark brown spots. His body was, as every other Yautja, marked beautifully with scars but it was hard to see him through his trophy heavy Awu’asa.

“And my friend will also never hear the end of this.” Kella laughs, gathering the small glasses as she talks. She then asks Bthm to get the C’ntlip from the large refrigerator but when he did, he begins to pick at all the food she had. In the end, Kella completed the drink of C’ntlip with a large bowl of fruit with grapes, kiwis, apples, pears, plumbs…every thing in her refrigerator to be exact that Bthm said they would eat happily. Adding that if she were to serve the meat, she would be completely out of food. Kella made him carry the bowl as it was a lot heaver as it was full to the lip with food.

“So you are actually going to serve us?” Jed finally talks to Kella.

“It would be my pleasure to.” She smiles at the very large Yautja male, who was funnily snuggled up with one of her largest pillows-if you should use the word ‘snuggled’ and ‘Yautja’ in the same sentence- and seemed happy with the food brought out as well.

“What is this?” Pakka asks, holding up a small brown, furry thing.

“That is a Kiwi.” Kella laughs.

“Khe whee…” Pakka tries.

“It is meant to be” Before she could finish, Pakka plops the small fruit through his long teeth and into he throat, only to squish it with his powerful muscles and have more then a few spurts of juice come from his mouth, enticing rolling laugher from all around. “cut from the surrounding skin…” Kella ends her sentence. Pakka just shrugs his shoulders and says it was very tasty.

“Shame old Aja couldn’t be here.” Nth’ta laughs.

“’Old’ Aja? Ajas old?” Kella asks before she could stop herself.

“Aja is my first born.” Elder Rhd explains, dripping a drop of C’ntlip every now and then. “He is in all, by our seasons, sixty-eight. So by your years…”

“One hundred and seventy.” Kella gasps. But she caught her self fast and thought of something else to talk of. “So if he is sixty-eight then you are ninety-three. If you mated right after your Chiva at the age of twenty-five.”

“Oh, now that’s just rude.” Elder Rhd hisses playfully at the funny female.

“And looking at my insides without permission was not?” Kella looks up at him with a smile.

“We are even then?” Elder Rhd laughs.

“We are.” She giggles.

“But I do suppose Aja should be here, he was among us in the beginning and so should share in the drink.” Elder Rhd says. He then uses the COM from his mask, after he replaced it, to contact his son. With all her might, Kella kept her heart beat low. Trying not to show that she was excited about Aja coming, but it wasn’t just that. She was nervous beyond anything she had ever felt. After a moment or two, giving Kella time to pour and serve the drinks, Elder Rhd takes off his mask and tells the table that Aja and the other four in his group will be at her dwelling shortly. And at that note, Kella asked that they help her extend the table with things called ‘leafs’ to allow the added Yautja to sit. Once that simple deed was done, with the strength of the Yautja of course, they sat down once more to relax before they arrived.

“I do not know what you see in her Elder Rhd.” Nder finally speaks, purposely in Ooman so the female would understand.

“He saw 40 meters of intestine, 1 heart, 1 liver, 2 kidneys, 2 lungs, and a lot of red stuff.” Kella answers steadily and strongly. And even Nder couldn’t hold back a laugh. “And my inner reproductive organs as well I suppose.” She pokes fun at the Elder sitting beside her.

“You were witness to her deeds this morning, Nder.” Nth’ta says then turns to Kella. “It is fated by Paya that we come across you. We are hunting a Bad Blood and along the way, we came across you playing with young Oomans.”

“And then beat a large male.” Pakka says quickly. For a moment Kella was stunned, maybe that feeling she had of Aja watching her was the real one?

“That male I beat was a person who sells drugs to others, even children. And I will forever try to stop it, when I can.” Kella answers bluntly.

“But you ‘not a pauk-de hero.’” A different yet familiar voice suddenly appears along with five other Yautja in her society room. Kella twists her head to the room entrance to find Aja, in all his handsome glory, with four others behind him. “You did not finish the bottle without me, now did you father?”

“Most definitely not, I don’t think.” Elder Rhd laughs, making a funny face to Kella who giggles.

“We made room for you with ‘leafs’.” Bthm thrills and motions to the others to sit. Once they were all down, it ended with Kella still between Elder Rhd and Nth’ta, Pakka directly across from her, and Aja all the way down at the end. But it was a good thing, for if they were closer together…they didn’t really want to think of what would happen.

“I feel I must be the first to say this!” Nder thrills and looks to the new males. “Bthm has an Ooman admirer named Mercedes. She had said ‘I love the name Bthm. Bath Him. If he needs it I will offer to bath him.’” Bthm lowers his head as everyone once again laughs at the funny situation.

“I think we need another bottle of C’ntlip, I saw another in that cold box in your kitchen, may I?” Bthm asks expertly and Kella kindly allows him to leave the room to fetch the other bottle that he saw.

“It is not aged as this one, but still very wonderful.” Kella smiles and looks to the new faces who she was soon introduced to. “So, you are here early to hunt a Bad Blood? In Acropolis?” She starts the conversation once Bthm was back.

“He had come here without authorization. Killed and skinned a male dishonorably, and is to be hunted for the crime.” Aja answers, making his Kella finally look at him. When their eyes met, time stopped. It was as if their eyes had a secret conversation, one in which they each told the other not to speak of their added encounters. “But it is a welcome brake to sit and drink.” He raises his glass, followed by everyone else but in Kellas she had nothing but orange juice, and they drink the amber liquid.

“Oomans I see are well off.” Pakka starts. “The take over was very easy for them I suppose.” While the others laugh, Kella was silent.

“If you will excuse me, I must get something.” The whole table stands as she does and she leaves the room to get something rather important.

“I feel I must congratulate you and Kella.” Elder Rhd directs to his son. “Last time I was sure you were ready to attack her.” He laughs. Aja was just his silent self once more. Just then, Kella came back into the room with a very large book. She walks to her spot, places the book onto the table then slides it to the middle.

“That book contains over one thousand accounts of the happenings of the take over, from when it started, to when there was peace. That book holds letters to families, poems from someone’s soul, ramblings of someone who had only a pen and paper to listen, police accounts of the days, death reports of the lives lost, pictures of the lives lost, names of those both found dead and of those not found at all. I beg of you not to see what happened to us was ‘very easy.’ I beg of you, for it was nothing close to easy.” Kella pauses and looks at every single Yautja in the room. “While it may have seemed like we came out alright, which I believe we did with your assistance, the struggle was there. And is still here. Every day I walk the streets of the Alpha District to keep all the bad things this world truly is, out. To keep the children safe as they walk to school. To make sure that the drugs stay away from their systems. To be sure that no other child is as stupid as me to step over the boundaries, as we are only property. Only pray. I did a very stupid thing by traveling on the ‘M-di H'chak’ and I will, until the day I die, keep others from making the same mistake. But I beg of you to never see the turmoil, the chaos, the suffering, the anguish, the misery felt by the Oomans as easy.” She stops again, looking right into Elder Rhds eyes as he was looking down at hers. Both holding no anger, no resentment, just understanding.

“Now I see what you see in her.” Nder says softly. After another moment, Kella takes back the book and slips it under the table.

“Shame that I ended the wonderful conversations of Bthms fan, Elder Rhds age and my childless state…” She sarcastically sighs.

“Do not forget about the Kiwi!” Pakka exclaims, making those who were witness laugh once more. All the Yautja sitting, and even Kella, knew that there was always a time to be serious. A time for business, and they just had a very serious one. But with her words, Kella gained the respect of every Yautja there, for her strength of word and even for her empathy for her fellow Oomans.

“Ke we?” Aja asks, apprehensively. Pakka then silently tosses one to Aja who gives him a quizzical stare. “You wish to me to eat this?” He asks, motioning to the small thing in his hand.

“Not you specifically.” Pakka says calmly.

“I will try.” A younger male says and Aja was quick to pass it to him. Kella, wanting to see what was going to happen, had to lean on the table some to watch. But Aja was watching her and not the male. He was however taken from his Kella when a strange sound of something bursting hits the air and Aja turns his eyes just in time to see jets of water come from the younger males mouth and onto the table.

“See, Kiwi.” Pakka thrills in laughter, soon followed by everyone else.

“You would probably get the same thing from the plum, but it has a rather large pit in it, you may have to take it out before you eat it.” Kella explains.

“I have had these plumbs before.” Elder Rhd tells, picking one from the bowl. “And the pits are not match for the muscle in our throats, they simply brake.” He says, then shows her with a demonstration.

“There are many wonderful things on this planet.” Jed begins. “I find some of the scenery most pleasing to my eyes.”

“Where else have you been?” Kella asks, intrigued as Oomans are rarely allowed to travel vast distances without due cause.

“I have been to every continent.” Jed answers.

“We travel all over this world.” Aja says softly, emotionlessly. “But I find it more boring then pleasing.”

“Boring?” Kella says, almost insulted. “Then you have not been looking in the right places.” She says bluntly. Aja turns to her slowly, his eyes half lidded.

“There are many beautiful places here, even some which look like the Homeworld.” Elder Rhd say quickly, hoping to keep his son and the Protected female from fighting.

“But the one thing I find lacking is your sun, or lack of suns.” Bthm adds.

“Suns?” Kella asks confused.

“On our Homeworld,” Aja began. “There are two suns, they are together as a couple. The symbol of Paya and Cetanu. This solar system has only one sun, there are no ways to see it with beauty.”

“Again, you have not been looking in the right places. This world has much to offer that I am afraid I will not see. But that is the world for me. But I would love to hear of your stories, Jed.” Kella turns from her Aja and to the other male. “Tell me of what you have seen.

For the next two hours or so, the group talked of the many different things on Kellas planet, but they soon went to other planets as well. Aja was captivated at how fascinated Kella was in the subject. But in truth she was only mildly interested. She did find it astonishing of the many worlds the Yautja had in their territory. And that they were able to name all of them, both with their own names and, if the planet had intelligent occupants, the natives name. It was amazing. But Kella was truly trying not to stare at Aja. He had with the others taken off his black mask, revealing his stunning scars to her. His skin, with the honey gold, brown and white speckles, was so alluring. Even his large tusks were stunning to Kella, especially when he smiled. His bottom pair rising to cover his mouth and his top pair flaring out, it made her stomach tingle when ever she saw it. Some how during their time, a few of the younger males discovered Kellas refrigerator, and lets just say that she has to go grocery shopping. Never in her life had seen eleven male, Ooman or Yautja, able to eat out an entire refrigerator of food. They even ate her eggs whole, until she told them that the shell is not meant to be eaten. So, with their sharp claws, made a hole in the white covering and poured the gooey food into their mouths. By the end of it however, all the Yautja in the room had a full stomach of food and great C’ntlip. And even the ones Kella had just met that day had taken a liking to her. They had the same comfort with Kella as Elder Rhd did, it was spectacular. And a tad frightening but at least everyone was having a good time. It was mid afternoon when Elder Rhd received a COM, and after that, he told the group that they had to leave as the other groups, who were not lazing around drinking and eating, had found a trail and that they should investigate. But they all said, ‘not yet!’ so they stayed for a little longer. And with the added time, Kella had an idea.

“Have you ever had chocolate?” She asks the table. But all she got in return were blank stares. “Chocolate is a sweet food, very tasty. But I’m not sure what would happen to you if you ate it.”

“We can handle it.” Bthm laughs. With a smile, Kella stands up but tells them not to stand with her, that it was just weird. But as she left, Kella grabs the empty bottles of C’ntlip, as they had finished it all, and goes to her kitchen. The Yautja at the table were just about to start up the conversation once more, when they hear the sound of glass braking. Instantly they stood up, thinking something was wrong, but everything was fine, Kella yelled that she had just dropped a bottle.

“Seems that female always does something to make herself bleed in my presence.” Aja sighs. “I will go make sure it does not happen again.” He hisses, faking anger to fir fellow hunters. But he was actually beyond excited at his genius, it was true that Kella had a problem with bleeding with him around, and he was in fact worried. But he wouldn’t tell the others everything. Grunting harshly, Aja stands tall and walks into the kitchen to find that Kella already cleaned the mess. “For a moment I thought I would I have been smelling even more of your blood.” He says very softly, as so the others wouldn’t hear him. But Kella sure did. She was just putting the shards of glass into the garbage when his soothing, deep voice hit her ears. Kella twists around fast and stares wide eyed at Aja as he was standing at the edge of her whites counters, a funny smirk on for his words.

“This coming from the one who made me bleed as I did.” Kella says in a shuddered breath. “I just dropped it, no harm was done.” She smiles at him.

“You say I have not been looking in the right places, to see the true beauty of this world. What do you think I could see?” Aja takes a step closer to her.

“For one thing, my sun is not boring. I don’t think you have found the right spot to witness it. For instance if you had ever seen a sun set, I think that would change your mind set.” Kella whispers, already feeling her heart race and breath quicken.

“Oh…Would you show me one of your sunsets then? To prove that this planet does have…something…beautiful to offer.” Aja smiles devilishly.

“I could show you.” Kella tries to slow her breathing by taken one big deep breath, but in that she smells Ajas subtle scent. It was strong, masculine and so calming. So powerful and protective. But it was truly taking everything Aja had not to pump out his arousal musk, just yet… “There should be a wonderful one tonight. But…” Kella didn’t know what to say.

“Take this.” Aja says before she could say another word. He lifts open a small flap on his belt and places a small black device, that was no bigger then a ring, on to the counter top. “Tonight, just before sunset, go to where ever it is you think I can see this supposed beautiful scene and press down on the top. It is a homing beckon, and once you press it, I will know where you and I will be there within minutes…” He whispers. Silently, Kella takes the small thing and places in one of her own pockets. “And I think you should take this.” Aja laughs, this time loud enough for the others to hear. But when he lifts his hand, Kella gasps loudly at the sight of her necklace.

“YOU HAVE IT!” She yells. “I thought I lost it when you ripped it from my neck!” Kella says angry, she really thought it was gone forever. But what amazed Aja, was that she didn’t take it back. She only grunts and takes the metal box that was sitting on the ledge and walks into the society room, leaving him behind.

“What’s all the yelling?” Elder Rhd laughs, amazed that she as even coming out alive!

“Your son, as he was chasing me and when he scratched my back,” Kella began as she walks to her spot, Aja not to far behind with a wicked grin. “Had caught hold of a piece of jewelry of mine. And thought that now was the appropriate time to give it back!” She huffs, placing the metal box in front of her as she sat down. When Aja sat however, he replaced her charm back into his belt pouch, it was his now.

“How are you healing?” Aja bellows.

“Just fine.” Kella growls. She then silently opens the metal box of chocolates and as the aroma of the contents hit the air, every single Yautja opens their mandibles wide, takes a deep breath and groans at the new scent. “This is chocolate.” She says laughing and places a single piece of her favorite candy in front of eat hunter. “Now, just place it in your mouth but don’t squish it or anything, just let it sit and let it melt.” She says softy, and that what they all did.

Then there was complete and utter silence. Each Yautja just sat there while they allowed the strange but delectable taste of this chocolate run down their throats. Kella, amazed at the scene, rests her chin on her hands against the table to watch. This was a strange sight indeed. Each of their faces were so peaceful, content and calm.

“I guess you like it?” Kella whispers, and all she gets are soundless nods in affirmation. To make sure they didn’t eat it all, Kella closes the metal box, and rests it on her lap so no one could tear it away to gorge themselves.

“On that note I think it is time for us to leave.” Elder Rhd says softly. “But now that you have offered this chocolate, I will once again be returning to enjoy this treat.” When he said his words, all the other Yautja agreed with him, saying that they to would be coming back.

“I will make you a deal, give me a few days to restock well…everything, and then I formally invite you all to diner. But I ask that you warn me of when you will be coming, and if you are to have anymore accompanying you.” Kella exclaims. “Because these things I have shown you are only a few delicacies of this Ooman world you own.” Kella smiles to them all.

“We will give you sufficient warning.” Elder Rhd laughs as he stands, signaling the others to as well. Just as last time, Kella lead them all to the door and once outside, they all turned back to her and bow for her hospitality. But once again, Nth’ta made an observation.

“I believe that Kella has won the bet.” Nth’ta laughs, pointing across the way. And as all their heads turn, they were met with a large bytte, with many Ooman filling it with their house hold items.

“I only guessed they would move away from you visiting me by the end of the cycle. But I guess with eleven hunters and not four has made them go faster.” Kella chuckles at watching her neighbors packing a mobbing bytte to move away from her. “So yes indeed Elder Rhd, you owe me a bottle of C’ntlip.” Kella smiles warmly at him.

“I tell you what, at this dinner of ours, I will bring some for all. Then one for your specially.” He laughs. “I thank you once more, Caretaker Kella.” Then he and the others bow once more to her, making Kella blush a little, something Aja did not miss. And then one by one each hunter cloaked. Before Aja did however, Kella looks to him and they give each other a slight nod. Then they were gone.

Now all Kella had to do was figure out what in the great womb of Paya she was going to wear!


Authors Note: Hey shortest_warrior, I did that one part just for you. It is exactly like your review! I thought it was so funny that I made that scene just for you! I hope you liked it. (It was the scene with Mercedes saying she would like to bath Bthm if not everyone knows what I am talking of)

A special thanks to:

On ff .net: ben revell (no nothing the really bad will happen, don’t worry!), Oak Tree Woman, and Sky66.

On aff .net: shortest_warrior, Muse of Scrolls, Death God Dist, chancelor22, Cara, Astaral reaper (I was thinking about that, but it was so fast for them to be together, or to even talk of what’s going on but thanks for the suggestion).

To Death God Dist, I just have to say once more that your words honor me.

To Caras review that said ‘Interesting, the part about religion and Paya. So there's Paya the female counterpart and Cetanu, the male? Just like in Wicca. So did the Yautja create the humans..?’: I am not familiar with Wicca, but I will in fact be writing ‘The Story of Creation’ for my readers, and it will be connected to both this story and ‘Ripple’, it will work for both. But as a clue to what’s coming, it is of how Paya and Cetanu were the first male and female to mate and how they came together to create the universe. So if that is like Wicca, then yes. It not, then no. But the Yautja did not create the Oomans, but I can see how it was confusing. Lets see if I can say this right… If Paya didn’t want the Creator Species to create the Ooman species, then she would have stopped them. But since she didn’t, she wanted the Oomans to be created. Do you see how it works? If not email me at viper_shock @ hotmail .com. I’ll be glad to answer any questions.

E.M.