The Ripple of a Stone

The Ripple of a Stone


Only If

Authors Note: This story I have written may not be exact with the customs and culture founded by the Predator movies, comics or stories but I have tired to stay in the area of their beliefs and ways. I have brought in elements from each of the categories and have combined them into one. I do not own Predator. Updates will be regular and changes will be made if any suggestions are made for me. Pronunciations at bottom. Some of the mentioned items in the Yautja world are made up by me. Good Reading.

E.M.

The only thing Nala could do when the drop of acid began to fall was turn her head, leaving her right side exposed. She couldn’t believe that she would die by the blood of some creature from hell! She couldn’t process that idea, she had endured almost 20 years of military service, she survived torture, being stranded in Zambia, being attacked by its animals and this is how she would die. By acid blood burning through her neck, it wouldn’t even be quick! She knew that it would slowly erode through her neck, bubble and boil as it made its way through her skin. Soon though it would hit her brain stem and kill her. Soon she would pass on, unless Dhm’Ni could do anything about it. He had watched the blood from the Hard Meats wound plunge towards Nala. He had done it again. He was attempting to kill a Hard Meat and in the end all he did was hurt her. If she died he would be considered a Bad Blood for harming a female in such a manner. Even if it was unintentional, it was done. He had to do something, anything! But just as Dhm’Ni kicked the dead Hard Meat off Nala the blood fell onto her head, landing just behind her earlobe and it began to drip down to the base of her neck.

“SYA!” Dhm’Ni yelled as he dove for her. In a matter of seconds he swiftly scooped her up, fell to one knee and then draped her over it on her stomach. He gently turned her head to the right, giving him access to the wound, and wiped away her hair.

“Got it!” Sya answered back. He hastily opened up a small pouch that was attached to his belt and took out a beaker filled with a thick paste. This was something no hunter left at home when on a Kainde Amedha hunt. This was hele, an almost solid substance that dilutes the effect that Hard Meat blood has on skin. Hele has saved many, many lives on hunts. Even Dhm’Ni used hele on himself on his Chiva. Sya threw the package to Dhm’Ni and he promptly opened it and poured it onto Nalas’ neck. Sya then turned and fell to his knees in front of Nalas’ face just as Dhm’Ni gave her the hele and was watching her intently. The pain that she was felling was so intense that all but her heart had stopped. She stopped screaming, stopped thinking, and she even stopped breathing. Even as Dhm’Ni poured the hele, and the pain was reduced to a fraction of what it was before, she could not start breathing. She tried to get herself to inhale, it was as if she had the wind knocked out of her and it wouldn’t blow back in. Her eyes were shut tight and her mouth wide open in a silent scream. She needed help! Her body was leaned over Dhm’Nis’ leg and her hand was right by his knee but she couldn’t move. She needed him to know she couldn’t take in air but how…

“WHAT THE PAUK!” Dhm’Ni roars as Nala dug her nails into his knee cap. She didn’t know if he would see that she wasn’t breathing, but maybe he would tell that something else, other than the fact that she had acid on her head, was wrong. Dhm’Ni reared his head back and flared his mandibles wide as the pain shoot up his leg.

“She’s not breathing!” Sya barks. He needed to get her to breathe. He couldn’t just let her die like this. “We need to get her to start breathing Dhm’Ni!”

“But…but how?” He asks. It’s not like he could do mouth to mouth. Dhm’Ni felt helpless as Nala laid there on his leg, he couldn’t help her! He didn’t know what he could do.

“Hit her!” Dhm’Ni looked at Sya, his face showing question. “Hit her on the back, get her lungs moving.” Now he understood. “GENTLY!” Sya added. Dhm’Ni gave him a small nod and he raised his hand. He was lucky that the pack Nala was carrying laid low on her back and that he had to hit high. He didn’t know how hard to hit her, but Sya said gently, so that’s what he did. With a light smack he slapped her back, but nothing happened. “Again. Harder!” Sya ordered. So again Dhm’Ni lifted his hand and slammed it down onto Nala. This time he got a reaction. Nala screamed out all her pent up pain, releasing it from its cage inside her chest. Dhm’Ni cringed at her shriek, his mask was off and he was right next to her. It was even more ear piercing than her screams from their fight, those were from a mild pain compared to this. But soon Nala was out of breath. She heaved in intense breathes as her lungs began to take in air. She released her death grip on Dhm’Nis’ knee and was about to place her hand on her wounded neck but Dhm’Ni seized it before it made contact.

“No…pain…” Was all he said as Nala took back her hand and rested it back on Dhm’Nis’ leg. Instinctively both Dhm’Ni and Sya began to purr in an attempt to soothe her, it was an impulse that all males had when consoling females, distressed or in pain. And there she laid, listening to them rumble. It was actually quite calming, she could feel the vibrations from Dhm’Ni through his leg and the way it felt against her skin and how it shook her body ever so slightly made her feel well again, at least a little. She took in a deep breath and started to push herself off Dhm’Nis’ leg. As she stood Dhm’Ni and Sya came along with her. Unintentionally Nala staggered at the sudden movement but was caught when Dhm’Ni took her by the shoulders. She looked up to him and saw that his eyes showed a strange sense of concern, wide and staring right at her.

“Tell her there will be pain for a few more minutes but soon it will be gone. She was lucky that we caught it before it made its way deeper into her skin or she would have died.” Dhm’Ni chirps to Sya. And he then tells Nala but a bit gentler. Dhm’Ni can be a little to forward with his instructions but he gets his message across. Without warning Dhm’Ni began to cough again, this world was wreaking havoc on his own lungs, they were burning from the air. Sya walked away, picked up Dhm’Nis’ mask from the ground and threw it at him. Dhm’Ni speedily placed it back on.

“How are you feeling now Nala? The pain of the Hard Meats blood should be gone by now.” Sya says in Ooman as he made his way back to her.

“Oh uhh…better…I think, well…considering. But thank you. Really,” She pauses to give Dhm’Ni a light punch to his stomach. “Thank you.” He nods to her and gets a big smile back from Nala. “Okay you saved my life, don’t expect me to kiss you on your cheek. And just because I saved yours, doesn't mean you have to give me one.” Dhm’Ni thrills in laughter. Her nose was beginning to feel a bit better but she needed to set it now or it would look crooked. She places her hands on either side of her nose and gives it a swift turn making it crack into place. Dhm’Ni just watched as she set her face like it was nothing! “And thanks for breaking my nose Dhm’Ni.” He just laughed and pointed to himself.

“…win…” Dhm’Ni spoke to her but she scoffed at it. Nala finally took in a breath with her nose when she caught an odd scent of wild rice and burning wood. It was Sya, he had been watching her with Dhm’Ni that whole time. He had been there, doing nothing to help. But why is he helping now? Why are either of them helping now? “You were watching me too weren’t you Sya?” She asks and Sya just nods. “Hm. Wait, what’s Hard Meat?” She asks as she turns to Sya.

“It is our name for them.” He points to the carcass. “Their actual name has no Ooman translation, Hard Meat does.” Nala opened her mouth again to ask how they knew these things but Sya beat her to the punch. “The Hard Meat are our pray, we hunt them as game. That game unfortunately spread into the innocent occupants on this planet. You see, they are not from here, as I think you have guessed. And neither are we…” Nala just stared at him, not really understanding what he was saying. But still Sya continued. “We came here to hunt them because a very, very long time ago a hunter, one of us, left a Qu…” Sya couldn’t finish his sentence when an incredibly loud screech hit the air. Immediately Dhm’Ni and Sya turned to the sound. Dhm’Ni had whipped around so fast that Nala had to duck just to miss getting hit by some of his tresses. They knew that sound all to well, it was the Queen.

“What was that?” Nala asks.

“Hard Meat. We have to move, we have to get to the DropShip. They are waiting for us.” Say said to Nala.

“Who’s waiting for you? What’s a DropShip? Just what is going on?” She asks. She was getting really confused. She had guessed that Dhm’Ni has a way of getting off the island, but now that Sya is here she realizes that there are probably more of them, maybe a lot more. Her body had stopped shaking and her breathing steadied but she still had a tough time standing, her body needed something to keep her going.

“Our hunting party, the others that we are with and we have a DropShip waiting to take us off this planet. What are you doing?” Say asks when Nala took off her pack. She began to rummage through the mess and finally her hand hit that little box of heaven. Apple juice. She knew that she had one box left from her lunch and she quickly chugged it as she placed her pack back on.

“I needed something to get my strength up, apple juice has a good concentration of sugar so it will help…although I don’t know why I should drink it…” What was she doing? Why should she get her energy up? It’s not like she was getting off right? She couldn’t ask them to help her off the island could she? Would they even?

“Do you think we would leave you here?” Sya asks. He hadn’t considered telling her that they were helping her, he thought that she would have already known since she was traveling with Dhm’Ni. Nala just looked up at him. “You helped Dhm’Ni and with you telling us that the Oomans are going to destroy this island…you helped all of us. We are not going to abandon you. We will take you to a safe place, somewhere near here.” She just smiled sheepishly, she couldn’t tell why, but somehow she felt safe knowing they were going to get her off the island. She didn’t want to die, she had to live for Allan. When the General left her and took the jumper, she felt utterly hopeless but now she had Dhm’Ni and Sya. Now she can get off and go home. Do I even want to go home now? Can I go into that empty house with out Allen? Can I even continue being in the military with out him? Well fuck’em. They left me here, I’m not going to work for the same government who sent in 143 people to catch the mother of these things. There’s no fucking way. I’m just going to leave when I get back and go to some derelict island somewhere and live there until I die. “Come, we have to go now. They are waiting for us there.” Sya says and points to the middle of the training circle.

“But there’s nothing there, I can’t see anything or anyone.” She just felt stupid after saying that, they had camouflage. Of course she can’t see them. “Wait…never mind. I understand.” She says while laughing at herself for her stupidity.

“Do you think you can keep up with us?” Sya asks. Dhm’Ni starts to laugh.

“Oh she can. She can run as fast as us Sya, maybe faster then you but not I.” Dhm’Ni chirps teasingly.

“Never mind.” Sya says to Nala. “Dhm’Ni says you can run with the best of us. But wait one moment, if the substance we put on your neck stays on to long it will start to crust, then it will be a lot of trouble to get off.” Sya takes out a small piece of material from the same pouch he took the hele from and motions for Nala to come to him. Reluctantly she makes her way over to him and Sya gently takes her head in one of his hands. “This may hurt but for not to long.” Nala nods as Sya softly and precisely wipes most of the hele off. “There, now we must go. Dhm’Ni, you ready?” Sya gets a loud grunt as an answer. Is he ready? He has been waiting for them since his mask was back on and he retrieved his combat staff. But why would Nala even think he would leave her? Granted she didn’t understand him when he told her he wouldn’t, but she should have guessed by now, he wasn’t just carting her around for fun. Dhm’Ni motions with his head for them to go and soon all three of them were on their way.

Meanwhile Lord Khupiee was getting anxious. He had been waiting for Sya and Dhm’Ni to come with the Ooman so that he could drop her off as soon as possible and be done with it. He didn’t want to even think of what could have happened if the female didn’t tell them of the plans the Oomans had. The sensors would not have even seen it coming because they were not looking for it or anything for that matter. They are ordered to watch the goings on of the hunt and nothing else.

“Why are we doing this Khupiee?” Pakka hissed. When Lord Khupiee told them that Sya and Dhm’Ni asked to have the female transported to a safe island, he became livid. First they watched her, then they travel with her and now they plan to help her. What next…actually Pakka didn’t want to even think of what next.

“According to my son she saved him. I do not know how but soon we will. And I do not think Dhm’Ni would be content or able to leave her. If he or we did, he would be considered a Bad Blood for not helping a pray that gave him mercy. I will not have that of one of my sons. I am just relieved that I sent him and Sya together and not him and you. You would have killed her and skinned her before she even knew what happened.” Pakka gave a small thrill of laughter. True he would have killed her on spot. He would be in pure bliss if he had the possibility. But now Lord Khupiee is helping her so he would not have the chance to do a thing like that. But then again, nothing is keeping him from coming back one day. She did show great power and strength and NO…Pakka told himself many seasons ago that he would never take another Ooman skull, not even if it is from one so noteworthy.

“So it seems.” Rathe joins in. “However she appears gifted. Skill like that, in Ooman or Yautja, is remarkable. Did Dhm’Ni talk with you or did Sya?”

“Sya.” Lord Khupiee answers.

“Did he tell you how the female healed Dhm’Ni?” Lord Khupiee shakes his head. “Did he tell you anything?”

“All he told me was that there was a battle between the Ooman, a Hard Meat and Dhm’Ni and that Dhm’Ni had received a wound but the Ooman healed him. Sya also said that there was something rather humorous that he would wait for us to see. The Ooman did something to Dhm’Ni that he could not stop laughing about, I have been speculating as to what it is but I have come up with nothing.” All of them begin to thrill in laughter as each one blurts out something humorous, like perhaps she gave him one of those weird Ooman slings they use on themselves, but they all stopped when the Queen, still not completely in the cargo hold, began to thrash about. Her hands, legs and tail were all bound to the ship with thick chains and she had a solid muzzle covering the front of her head, keeping the dangerous mouth and inner mouth from causing damage. But no matter how thick the metal, her shrieks still came through. Each time she screamed it sent chills down each of the hunters’ spines, some from anticipation but most from exhilaration. They each had an urge to kill her, to ready their shoulder cannons and slaughter her but they were old enough to keep their primal instincts to hunt at bay. Even with her being so close they kept themselves in check. The door to the cargo hold was just to their left, it was the closest to the Queen when she was brought in. Soon her shrieking died down, giving them another chance to full the time with conversation.

“I have heard that Ykas’e is getting frenzied with the sudden influx of requests to leave the ship and hunt her.” Bakkub chirps. He had contacts all over the ship that would periodically COM him and tell him new rumors that were floating around. “Shame that Ykas’e was told to deny all that came in, don’t you think?” He asks.

“Sya wished that she was not hunted. But…” Lord Khupiee adds quickly. “I said nothing of future hunts. Since we are transporting her.” Lord Khupiee pauses, not really knowing how the ship will take carrying an Ooman. “She will live and therefore her skull will be up for any who ask it and for who gets to her first.”

“Or who is the first to not get killed by her.” Rathe says bluntly. The others just look at him like he just asked a Kainde Amedha to be his mate. “What? You think that an Ooman that can kill a Hard Meat cannot defend itself against one of us? No wonder why Ykas’e is having a fit with the requests to hunt her, just think of how valuable her skull would be, think of the females it would attract and it being a female would increase its worth ten times. I myself wondered why Dhm’Ni hadn’t taken her skull already, despite what she had done for him.”

“By law he…” Bakkub started.

“..cannot hunt or kill the one to give mercy. It is a greater dishonor to kill a comrade from battle then to not kill at all. I know the law Bakkub. We all do. But I am just saying that her skull would be prized. But then again…” Rathe trails off in thought.

“What? Do not start a sentence and not finish it Rathe, it is rude for one thing.” M’Ho barks.

“I was just thinking about what a waste it would be to kill her.”

“A waste?” Pakka hisses. “What waste? She is prey! Her skull is all that should be or will be expected to come of her.” He points with one taloned finger at himself. “Just listen to me! I am calling it ‘her’ when it’s an ‘it’.”

“Perhaps to you Pakka but to Dhm’Ni she is a loose end that he must take care of.” Rathe roars at Pakka. “I personally would love to see just what she has to offer, whether it is her skull, or her strength and ability. To see this in a pray species is a once in a lifetime opportunity and a waste to take it with out reason.” Pakka growls deeply at Rathe. These two have always had trouble being in the same room together. Even bringing them onto the same planet was a leap of faith from Lord Khupiee. Earlier, when contact was made to each of the Arbitrators, Lord Khupiee had a private message sent to both Pakka and Rathe telling them of the others involvement and that he expects them to be on their best behavior. Their spat began a long time ago when Pakka was courting a female but lost her to Rathe. Ever since then they had been at each others throats.

“Enough of that!” Lord Khupiee barks.

“FATHER!” Lord Khupiee hears from behind him. He turns around to see his son and Sya running with the Ooman right behind them. It took little time for the three to get to the group, Sya was impressed at Nalas speed considering her injuries. Nala however was keeping her pain deep down. She had learnt from her travels how to suppress pain through meditation. It didn’t last very long but hopefully it would for the time being. At least until they dropped her off somewhere where she could get medical help.

“Are we here?” She whispers. She didn’t know what to do with more of them. She could only see those tell-tail wavy lines but couldn’t make out any particular shapes, just one large blob of waving air. As Dhm’Ni and Sya slowed, she slowed along with them, taking a special care to stay close behind Sya.

“Keep her silent.” Dhm’Ni warns Sya. He didn’t want to be even more embarrassed from this situation. Her talking would just make things worse. For all he knew she would make another ‘gorgeous’ joke about his father.

“Yes Nala we are, but I have to warn you to keep quiet. Our present company will most likely not approve of you being here.” He says softly to her.

“Then why the hell did you say that they will help me get off this island when they don’t even like me being near them?” She says a loud. Suddenly she hears a lot of separate growls coming from all around her. She looks around but can still see nothing but air. “It’s a little annoying not being able to see them. How am I supposed to defend myself against one of them, if they really don’t like me here, if they all look the same?” She asks Sya in a whisper. Sya just starts to laugh.

“Do not worry little one, Dhm’Ni and I will make sure you are not harmed.” Sya says to reassure her but it didn’t work.

“Why do I not believe you when you say that about Dhm’Ni…” Like he would help her anymore. He had been so wicked to her and she had been to him, so she didn’t expect anymore of him after he saved her life.

“I SAID KEEP HER SILENT!” Dhm’Ni roars. He couldn’t believe she had said that about him. He didn’t care that everyone heard her. It was that she thought that he wouldn’t protect her. Nala thrashed her head towards Dhm’Ni, intent on giving him a piece of her mind but a sudden piercing pain started the moment she moved her neck. Immediately she seethed from the sting and moved her head back. “…pain…” Dhm’Ni asked quietly in Ooman as he turned to her.

“You think?” She said between her teeth. Dhm’Ni knew all to well about her pain. He still has trouble sitting or even sleeping on his back because of his scar, in time though he will become less sensitive to the hurt. The pain however will never change, the only thing that could change is how one would deal with the pain. Nala sighed as the hurt went away, for now.

“Shall we get going Khupiee?” Sya chirped. “Or do you intended in staring all day?” Lord Khupiee gives him a low growl from that little remark. But all Sya does is laugh.

“So this is the Ooman?” Miy’Hota calls out. He had wanted to see her in true form, since he watched the video he was intrigued with her ability. There was always the thought of coming back to take her skull in his mind but for now he would be ‘polite’.

“I really don’t like this Sya…” She whispers. Nala was freaking out. She hated not seeing them. If one of them did decide to attack her she couldn’t do a thing about it. Screw Sya and Dhm’Ni, there was no guarantee that they could help her if she needed it with these guys.

“I doubt they will show themselves.” Sya answers. “We do not like to be seen.”

“Worried she may be too afraid to see us?” Pakka growls in a taunting manner.

“No she is not…” Dhm’Ni says passively. He didn’t really want to tell them about her seeing him. He doesn’t regret doing it, it was just that ‘gorgeous’ remark is something the others would find absolutely comical. Pakka was about to ask just want he meant but Lord Khupiee kept him from inquiring.

“Then we shall show ourselves.” Lord Khupiee chirps. He wanted to know just what she was going to do. She seemed fine with Dhm’Ni and Sya so why would she been different with them? Most Oomans would panic from seeing them. Most wouldn’t last this long with Hard Meats around either.

“What?” Pakka barks. Soon he could hear each of his fellow hunters cloaks start to crackle. “What are you all doing?” He hisses. He couldn’t believe what they were about to do. Expose them selves to a lowly Ooman, its absurd.

“Whoa…” Nala was amazed at the sight before her. There were six, no seven of them that showed themselves. She could also see one other one that kept its cloak standing right next to one that was truly interesting. He was really, really tall. Maybe nine and half feet high! He just looked down at her as she stared up at him. His mask was alarming, marks and scratches were everywhere, even more so then Dhm’Ni. His armor was open like Syas’ but had a strange tint of blue to it. It was the same color as a darkening sky, gray and blue melded together as one. His skin was almost the same as Dhm’Nis’. The identical light and dark green but he was missing the black spots. In his hands he held the same staff that Dhm’Ni had welded before. The others she couldn’t look too, she wouldn’t divert her eyes from him. When she saw that his hair was an odd shade of white she could tell that he was older. “Who’s he?” She whispers up to Sya. She was still right behind him and would never be willing to come out from her relatively safe position.

“He is the head of the hunt.” He couldn’t really say that he was Lord Khupiee so he opted for him being the leader.

“Hi…” She says to Lord Khupiee. They were about 10 feet apart and that was close enough for both her and the rest of the Yautja.

“Hello.” Lord Khupiee answers. Nala didn’t expect him to speak English too. Can they only speak English or other languages too? She didn’t really have time to ask so she let that thought drift away.

“You can talk to? Can all of you?”

“No” He answers. “Some of us can but not all.”

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING KHUPIEE?” Pakka roars. He still held his cloak and had no intention of taking it down and making his presents known. However when Lord Khupiee began to speak to the Ooman, he realized that he had too much of this.

“Alarmed are you Pakka? Why do you keep your cloak on? Are you afraid of her seeing you?” Lord Khupiee teases. All conversations were broken when Inkle began to laugh uncontrollably. As the others turned to him they saw him pointing towards Dhm’Ni and bent over holding his stomach. “May I ask as to what you find so amusing Inkle?”

“Dhm’Ni…I like your new hair cut!” Inkle says in between laughs. In unison the others look back to Dhm’Ni and search his hair and there it was. On his right was a shoulder length tress that had been cut. They altogether, except for Pakka, begin to laugh. He was caught up in Lord Khupiee calling him afraid. Dhm’Ni was embarrassed beyond anything he as every felt before. He just shook his head slightly as the others continued to laugh. Nala knew that they saw his hair when one pointed at him and she felt really bad, and yet not that bad, he deserves to be laughed at.

“I’m really sorry about that Dhm’Ni…” She whispers to him. Dhm’Ni just looks down at her and grunts.

“I am not afraid Khupiee.” Pakka finally growled. He hated being called afraid of anything. And being called that because of an Ooman was too much. He instantly turned off his cloak. The others stopped laughing and turned to the now uncloaked Pakka. When he herd Nala take in a sudden breath he looked down to her and gave her a threatening roar and she moved up closer to Sya when he did.

“I guess he’s one that I should be wary of huh?” Nala says aloud. Lord Khupiee barks in amusement.

“She is smart isn’t she?” Lord Khupiee clicks. She should stay away from Pakka at all costs. But when they bring her to another island she will be held in a cargo bay for the trip. He would never allow her to roam free on his ship. Suddenly a large bang echoed in the air, startling everyone. “Just the Queen rustling around. She is of bad lineage, we have to kill her at the first possible moment.” But when the banging continued they all got concerned.

“Where did you say she hailed from?” Sya asked but moments later he got his answer. The Queen had been banging the door to the cargo hold with all her strength and it gave way easily. The door swung open hitting the ground with a heavy thud. All of them were stunned to say the least but Nala was scared shitless. As the Queen made her way out of the cargo hold Nala saw her for her entirety. She was gigantic, black as night and one of the meanest looking things she has ever seen. What the General said was true, she had a crown thing that extended all the way down her body, it had so many bumps and groves that it glistened like a true crown in the sun light. And at the front of the crown was a muzzle that probably held in menacing set of teeth. She had two sets of arms, one from the sides of her shoulders and one from the top. Her long body gave way to two giant legs and an even larger tail. But they all had shackles attached to them. There was not doubt about it, this was the mother.

“Now is a good time as any, kill her now then we will take her back into the ship.” Lord Khupiee orders. But just as the others were getting into position and aimed the cannons they saw what looked like stones being thrown at the Queens head. “What is going…on…” He looked back towards Sya and saw the Ooman had started to throw rocks at the Queen. Nala didn’t know what else to do. It was her fault, that mothers’ fault that Allen was dead. She made those spider things which made the Hard Meat that killed Allen and all her friends. She took everything from her. She took her life.

“You stupid bitch!” She yells while still picking up and throwing any stone and rock she could find. “You killed them all! You took him from me you cunt!” They all just stared at her.

“What is she doing?” Lord Khupiee asked. “Why would she be so angry?” It’s not like the Queen had hurt her.

“Think about it Khupiee.” Sya says softly. “Her life as been turned upside down because of the Hard Meat and I think she knows that this is a Queen. She essentially killed all of her friends.”

“And her mate.” Dhm’Ni added. They turn to him. “The male that sacrificed himself for her was her mate. When Sya and I split up, the female ran after the Hard Meat that took the male. It was the same Hard Meat that she killed with her own hands.” Now they under stood. They knew not to interfere with an angry female, of any species.

“I hate you! You piece of shit!” Nala continued. “You come here, to my world, to my life and destroy everything!” She whips another stone at her. It wasn’t like it hurt the Queen, it didn’t even faze her. The Queen just kept thrashing at her chains and screaming. She was attempting to take off her muzzle with her hands but was having a hard time. When she tired to pull her hands towards her mouth they would just jerk from being chained up. But somehow she got a hold of the end of the muzzle and ripped it off her face. She raised her head high and belted out a deafening screech. Nala just kept throwing stones. What else could she do? “I’m gonna kill you, you little bitch! I’m gonna kill you!” She screams. Nala knew that she wasn’t going to kill her by throwing stuff at her so she stops and turns to Sya. “Help me kill her Sya. I must kill her!”

“No. We will take care of her, we will kill her.”

“What has she done to you huh? She didn’t kill someone you loved did she? She…she took him from me! That bitch is gonna die by my hands!” She had never felt so much hate in her life. It was pumping in her veins, giving her a new strength. She couldn’t let them take her, that bitch was hers to kill. “SHE’S MINE!” She yells. The others were dumbfounded by her words. Such hate in such a small being, it would have been funny if they didn’t know she was serious. Suddenly a thought crept into Dhm’Nis’ head.

“Nala.” Dhm’Ni spoke out making her turn to him. She watched as Dhm’Ni made a basket with his hands and then motioned to the Queen with his head. Nala started to laugh but it was a funny laugh, it was cold and ominous. She lowered her head and her eyes darkened from anger. Her pupils had taken over and showed little if any of the blue. With her pupils so large she could see perfectly with them allowing more light in. They were all stunned to watch her change, her anger could rival that of a female Yautja.

“Perfect idea. But I need something to cut off her head. Like your spear but longer!” Nalas’ voice had changed. It wasn’t its normal serene and sarcastic tone. It changed into a harsh and stern pitch, showing off just how irate she was. Dhm’Ni turned to the only Yautja here with the weapon that could do what she wanted.

“Rathe…” Dhm’Ni gestured with his hands. But Rathe just tipped his head. A loud screech entered the air, the Queen was tugging and pulling at her limbs in an attempt to get them out of their chains but they were to strong.

“You did say that ‘you would love to see just what she has to offer’.” Lord Khupiee chirped. “Shame to say such things and not give her the capability to show just what she has to offer, don’t you think Rathe?” He asks teasingly. But all Rathe did was growl, like he would ever give an Ooman his prized glaives. They were given to him by his clan leader as recognition for his bravery and fearlessness in the hunt. How could he allow an Ooman touch them. Nala could tell that Dhm’Ni was trying to convince one of the others. This one was a little taller then Dhm’Ni and had skin that looked like a giraffes. It had a yellow undertone with small light brown spots. She could also see two long blades strapped to his back, they would be absolutely perfect.

“Can you understand me?” She asks him as she made her way closer to him. She didn’t even think as she stepped out from behind Sya. Rathe watched closely as she made her way to him.

“Yes, little talk.” He answers hesitantly. He couldn’t talk as fluently as Sya or Lord Khupiee but he could understand her.

“Then hear my plea. I need to kill her, the blood of my friends and my family are on her hands. It’s MY responsibility and MY obligation to take her life for what she had taken from me.” She was positively fuming. She had tired to keep her anger down so that she wouldn’t insult this guy in anyway but it made its way through. Rathe was pleased with her anger though. He had an urge to see what she could do but did she have to do it with his weapons?

“Do you think she can do it?” He asks to the wind. Some of the others just grunted, not really telling him how they thought she could do. But Lord Khupiee spoke out.

“If you look at what she has done, it can be a precedent to what she will do. I for one have a peculiar feeling about her.” He didn’t want to say much more but something was worrying him. If they do bring her to another island, alive, what is to stop her from telling her people about them? Or what’s worse if she doesn’t tell the Oomans about them, if she keeps their existence a secret, but they do not believe her. With out a doubt they would question how she survived the blast and how she made it out as a lone survivor.

“Then we shall just wait and see.” Rathe says as he leisurely lifted his hands over his head and grabbed the two handles of his glaives. Swiftly he took them from their pocket and wielded them in front of Nala. Nala brings her hands up and opens them, waiting for him to give them too her. She wouldn’t just grab them. That would be rude! Rathe moves his hands down to give room for hers as he lays them onto her waiting hands. Nala tightly grips them as Rathe fully lets go of his prized weapons. Nala takes a few steps back and looks at these two lengthy swords. They were beautiful to her. They were at least 5 feet long and were the color of stainless steal. They had engravings all over the length of the blade and from what she could make out they were miniature depictions of people dressed like them. Holding there own little weapons and in different positions. It was amazing. Quickly she tests the weight of them with a twirl and she found them to be as light as a feather.

“They are remarkable.” She says in a serene tone. But soon she snapped back into her hate filed persona. “Time to fly.” She turns back towards Dhm’Ni who got his hands into the same basket shape as before and even moved to face the Queen but Nala didn’t put her foot in like before. She walked right up to close Dhm’Ni, placed both the blades in one hand and grabbed the lip on his mask by his chin and pulled his face down to hers. “One!” She motions the number one with her finger. “You better be strong enough to get me on her head. Two!” She puts up to fingers. “You better not fucking OVER throw me. I intend to get her head not her back! And Three!” She puts up three fingers. “DO NOT FUCKING HESITATE!” She yells in his face and Dhm’Ni roars right back at her. He breaks his basket and tries to swipe at her with his sharp taloned hands but misses. Nala just dodges every strike and starts to laugh. “Now that I have you up and ready to go lets do this!” Dhm’Ni stops his attack and quietly growls at her. He cannot believe that she made him so mad just to get his adrenalin going! And of course he is strong enough, who the hell does she think she is?

“You are playing a very dangerous game little one.” Sya says to her.

“That’s the point Sya.” She smiles as she and Dhm’Ni get into position. “Now, I need one of you to hit her chest to make her recoil and her head to fall forward a little. I need to land right on her head so I can cut it off.” The others just looked at her, not willing to really listen but still intrigued at her plan. “And please don’t hit me while I am in the air. That would just embarrass whoever tired to hit her and deprive me the satisfaction of killing her.” She says to whom ever is listening. Lord Khupiee was the only one to laugh.

“I will aid you.” He says to her. Lord Khupiee thought it amusing how she taunted Dhm’Ni like that. Sya warned her that she was being risky in her actions but all she did was laugh. Nala placed her foot into Dhm’Nis hand, he was still pissed off beyond hope but he wanted to see her kill the Queen. Accidentally he growled loud at her which made Nala even more heated.

“I thought I told you not to growl at me ever again Dhm’Ni? Do I need to slap you again to keep on task or what?” She whispers teasingly. Nala could see the muscles in his forearms tense at her words and thought it funny. Dhm’Ni was put off when Nala suddenly giggled. It was something he had never heard from her before. “READY!” Dhm’Ni stiffens again and Lord Khupiee steps away from the group. “NOW!” She yells. Dhm’Ni rips his arms and pitches Nala into the air while at that same moment Lord Khupiee shot the Queens chest with his shoulder cannon. All Nala heard was a loud shot and then she could see blue light. She didn’t really have time to think it over when she saw that Dhm’Ni did in fact over throw her. Her body was still tumbling in the air as she made it to the Queens head.

“You over did it!” Some of the others yell at Dhm’Ni who was inwardly cursing himself. Nala did to good of a job to get him riled up. Lord Khupiee and all of the others watched in surprise as Nala caught her self before she went too far. She stuck one of Rathes’ blades into the Queens crown, stopping her from flying any further. The Queen howled when Nala pierced her and tired to thrash at Nala with her hands but thankfully they were chained down. That was until the Queen tired once more and the chain holding one of her hands shattered. The sound made all the Yautjas mandibles fall in shock. Those chains have been used for centuries to hold down Queens. And for centuries they never failed. Nala tore back the one blade from the Queen, making her head pitch back from the pain. Some how Nala grabbed onto some of the ribs of the Queens skin and held her self from falling. As she Queen brought her head back down Nala went to work. She steadied herself on her head and speedily began to walk to the front, but half way there Nala saw a big black hand coming towards her. Quickly she jumped little forwards, inching closer and closer to the tip of the Queens head. She barely missed as the hand swiped at her, but all the Queen ended up doing was scratching herself, leaving thick and long lines of her own blood. Nala had to kill her before she could get her hand back up. So she took a low stance and brought the two blades in front of her, one bare while the other was covered in her green blood.

“You take my life, I take yours!” She yells at the Queen as she raises the two blades up above her head in an ‘x’ shape. Then swiftly and with out hesitation she swings the blades down, cutting off the front of the Queens head like a pair of scissors. Instantly the head dropped from the rest of her body and fell to the ground.

“YES!” Rathe hisses. He was absolutely astonished at her. The others look back to him as he started to laugh and herd him say a passage from the story of creation. “Look on all those who doubted and wallow in your error.” Sya however wasn’t looking at Rathe, he was watching Nala as the Queens head fell, and she stayed up there. Nala couldn’t go down her back as she planned because the Queen had scratched herself. She can’t just walk through her blood. She’s not that stupid!

“What is it?” Dhm’Ni asks Sya when he noticed that he hadn’t heard Rathe. Sya just points to Nala.

“She’s stuck and the Queens coming down hard. If she lands in the blood made by her cutting off the head she will die Dhm’Ni. There is nothing we would be able to do to help her.” Sya needed to help her off, the Queens knees had just buckled. Nala didn’t know what to do, she couldn’t jump and she couldn’t go back.

“NALA!” Sya roars from below her. He made his way as close to her as possible. “Jump! I will catch you!” She nods and moves both blades to one hand, she wasn’t going to leave them here, they were someone else’s and she wouldn’t throw them off. That would be disrespectful to the owner and to the weapons themselves. “Now.” Sya yells. Nala takes a few steps back then she starts running for the edge. She jumps off with her legs and flew in the air. She aimed perfectly for Sya and he was ready and waiting. He caught her with stunning accuracy as she fell into his arms. “See I got you.” He says as he moved back away from the Queen. The Queen finally fell completely with a heavy thump. Nala was silent as Sya lowered her to her feet.

“Sya…” She whispers, he had to bend down to really hear her. “Take these,” She hands over Rathes glaives, “would you do me a favor and tell the one who gave me these ’thank you’ and ‘that I couldn’t have done it with out his help’?” Sya nods. “And I was wondering if you could give me your staff?” Sya just looked at her and tilts his head strangely. “I told Dhm’Ni not to over throw me.” Sya started to laugh as he realized what she wanted to do. He swiftly and silently takes out his combat staff and extends it for her. Dhm’Ni didn’t know just what was going on, he and everyone else for that matter, had been silent once she was back down on the ground. But when Sya gave her his combat staff and extended it, Dhm’Ni instinctively took out his own thinking that she was up to something. And when Nala turned towards him, with a scowling face, he knew that she was pissed for over throwing her. Nala charged at him screaming his name.

“I told you NOT to fucken over throw me you asshole!” Dhm’Ni readied himself as she ran for him. When she got close Nala stabbed the staff at Dhm’Ni but he countered with his own, knocking it out of the way. Dhm’Ni tried to kick her in the thigh but Nala twirled away from him. Together they started to hit the other with their staff, well…they attempted to hit each other, but at each blow the other would block.

“What is that Ooman doing?” Lord Khupiee questioned Sya as he made his way to the group. They had all turned and started to watch Dhm’Ni and Nala fight. Some where amused with the fight but Lord Khupiee was not pleased with this, she attacked him with out provocation.

“She warned him not to over throw her didn’t she? Now she is punishing him for not listening.” Sya says slyly. Everyone but Lord Khupiee and Pakka start to thrill in laughter, it was an amazing sight to say the least to watch those two fight with staffs. Sya made his way to Rathe and gave him back his glaives and whispered to him what Nala asked him to say then turns to watch the fight. Nala was getting tired of it though. Dhm’Ni would match each of her hits and she would match his. So when Dhm’Ni tired to stab her again she twirled around behind him and punched him in the exact same place as where she stabbed him before making Dhm’Ni howled in pain.

“Think I forgot about that did you?” Nala teases. Dhm’Ni was seething in anger. He would not let a little Ooman over show him in front of his father. He whirled around and smacked Nala in the face. She flew back towards the group but rolled onto her feet and started to laugh. Dhm’Ni then charged at her. Nala somersaulted on the ground and kicked the back of Dhm’Nis’ legs when she came out of it. Dhm’Ni fell to the ground hard but as he turned off of his stomach to get up Nala had already stood and made her way to him. She placed one foot in his chest and lowered her staff to his neck and smiled. “Got yeah! ...win…” She says as she points to herself. At seeing a staff at his sons throat Lord Khupiee instantly dove for Nala. By her body language he thought that she was going to kill him. He wouldn’t let his son die in such a manner. He lunged and with his left hand he grabbed Nala by the throat and heaved her into the sky.

“Stupid Ooman!” Lord Khupiee yells at her. He was holding with an out stretched arm and was slowly squeezing her. Dhm’Ni immediately jumped up.

“Father no, she was just…“ Dhm’Ni started.

“I don’t care Dhm’Ni, she threatened you. Now she will die.” But Nala wouldn’t have any of this. She had Syas’ staff in one hand but she wouldn’t use it. She had a better idea. She Brought up a knee and slammed in right into Lord Khupiees elbow, shattering it by making it bend the wrong way. Instantly he dropped her to the ground and she fell onto her back. She dragged herself away as Dhm’Ni started to look at his father arm.

“She is strong.” Lord Khupiee hisses. He cannot believe that she had done this to him, he had had wounds like this before but not by an Ooman. Dhm’Ni started to gently laugh.

“I think we both know that now.” He chuckled. Nala was griping her aching neck. Why do they always go for the neck! She sat up and took in air like she would never breathe again but as she did she caught the sent of hell. She stood up tall and started to look around. No one was paying attention because they were all looking at their wounded leader. But Nala was searching for the Hard Meat. It was close. The wind was carrying it and it was coming from…

“GET DOWN!” Nala yelled as she dashed towards Lord Khupiee. She smelt it coming from behind him and even if he tried to kill her, she wanted to kill the Hard Meat more then anything. But since no one was paying attention to her they all though she was charging Lord Khupiee so they all, including Dhm’Ni, got into a fighting stance. All the same to Nala, she sprinted towards them and then jumped up and over them all. However she didn’t land on ground, she landed right onto a Hard Meat warrior. She brought it down with her weight and it screamed in agony. All the others quickly turned to see her and a Hard Meat start to fight. Dhm’Ni and Lord Khupiee were speechless. Sya however was mad.

“Do you really think she would attack you with out motivation?” He asked as he made his way to Nala. But Lord Khupiee stopped him with his good arm.

“No, I would like to watch her. If she dies, she dies. If not, then she doesn’t.” He said emotionless. It was like he didn’t even care that this little Ooman saved him from being attacked by a Hard Meat. But truthfully he was thanking the Gods for bringing her to him. They all watched as Nala started to actually play with the Hard Meat. It was jabbing and stabbing its tail, swiping it sharp claws and extending its inner mouth but Nala just dodged them all. She was twisting and twirling, moving her feet so fast they couldn’t keep track of them. It was as if she was dancing with it but she was in the lead. She was moving along with it, matching each and every strike with her own. When Nala started to hum and close her eyes, they all thought she was Hulij-bpe, just crazy. But Nala was alright, actually she was perfect. She was dancing with the Hard Meat, stabbing it with Syas’ spear every now and then but she was having fun. Dhm’Ni and the others were hypnotized by her movements. She was flowing like water, matching and moving with each and every attempt the Hard Meat gave to hurt her. But it never came close. Finally Nala sliced off its tail with the spear and then jabbed it in its back. The Hard Meat wailed in agony as it fell to the ground dead.

“Lord Khupiee?” Ykas’e came over the COM making Lord Khupiee flinch and taking him out of his daze.

“Wha…oh uhh…Yes Ykas’e what is it?” He asked.

“We have made contact with a group of objects coming this way. There are over 10 missiles aimed right at us and they will be here in less the 6 minutes. I suggest that we get out of here now sir.”

“Then we shall. Are you…are you watching this Ykas’e?” Lord Khupiee asks.

“We all are sir. The watchers had decided to project each hunters’ video feed into the galley and all of the society rooms. I am sorry sir, by the time I knew what was happening, she had killed the Queen.” Ykas’e says with a hint of ‘I couldn’t believe it’.

“That is alright Ykas’e. Just make sure that they know what is happening with her being transported to another island.” He hisses as he ends the COM. He was angry with him for not being in control of the watchers but it’s to late now. He turned back to the female when he herd her say something to the dead Hard Meat, it was something along the lines of ‘take that’. “Ooman!” Lord Khupiee yells catching Nalas’ attention. “Come here.” He orders but Nala doesn’t move. Her face changes into a ‘yeah right’ face and stares into Lord Khupiees mask. He just starts to laugh. “Do not be concerned, I swear not to hurt you…again.” He adds. “I just wish to give you something.” He says softly. Everyone turns their heads to Lord Khupiee. He couldn’t be about to do what they think he’s going to do is he? Nala unenthusiastically makes her way closer to Lord Khupiee but stops at arms length.

“What else can I do for you?” She asks mockingly. Pakka, who made his way next to Lord Khupiee, started to growl at her but stopped when Lord Khupiee raised his hand to silence him.

“What is your name Ooman?” Lord Khupiee asks. Pakka couldn’t believe it! He was doing it! He was going to mark her! Pakka hisses as he turned from them and started to walk away. Nala followed him for a moment and her lips gave way to a smirk knowing that that particular guy really didn’t like her but the old one told him to shut up.

“Nalani.” She answers as she looked back to Lord Khupiee.

“Nalani, I wish to mark you.” He pauses. He couldn’t believe it himself that he was doing this but he felt that he needed too. She had saved his son, the ship and even himself…no matter how hard he is going to try and forget it she did it and he had to do something to thank her. “A mark in remembrance of what you have done today. A tribute to your accomplishments, to your pray…” He motions to the Queen and the warrior. “…and too your trophies. You amaze me Nalani, I am shocked at your power and at your determination.” Lord Khupiee carefully takes out his ceremonial dragger from his belt and showed it to Nala to make sure she knew he wasn’t going to use it on her. Nala held back a flinch as she looked at it. It was a dagger for sure but its handle wasn’t a normal handle, it was a finger from a Hard Meat. “Do you accept my gift to you Nalani?” He asks, bringing Nala out of her daze.

“Is it like the mark Dhm’Ni has?” She wondered. At his name Dhm’Ni looked at Nala but she still gazed at Lord Khupiee.

“Yes it is but for females we place it on the cheek.”

“Then I accept.” She says with out hesitation. She would never forget this day for the rest of her life. Perhaps a mark would keep her from ever forgetting.

“Dhm’Ni.” Lord Khupiee clicks. Dhm’Ni walked to his father and retrieves the dagger from him. “From the Queens blood.” He says. As Dhm’Ni made his way to the pooling blood of the Queen he couldn’t help but feel strange that his father doing this. And yet he had an odd sense of pride. Sya did as well. He swelled his chest in anticipation, he knew that this was something that was never done and was even proud at the fact that he was acquaintances, if not friends, with Nala. Quickly Dhm’Ni tipped the claw of the dagger in the Queens blood and handed it back to his father. “Are you ready Nalani?” She nods to him. Gently he takes her tilts her head with his good hand then positions the blood tipped dagger by her cheek. “This is going to hurt.”

“I’m used to it.” She says in a witty tone. Lord Khupiee didn’t know what she meant so he began to draw his clans blooding mark. The pain was nothing to Nala. She didn’t flinch or grind her teeth or show any pain in her face. When Lord Khupiee was done with the two marks he saw her neck and understood what she meant by her being used to it.

“I see that you have already been marked by the Hard Meats blood. Seems you are a magnet for blood aren’t you?” Lord Khupiee jokes at all he blood on her. She was covered from head to toe.

“Very funny.” She says. All the sudden she felt a little self conscious, she had been chastised too many times because of her scars but as she was about to cover her neck with her hand Lord Khupiee grabbed it.

“I would not touch that if I were you.”

“I wasn’t going too, I just…Scars are not something to show off for a girl yah know?”

“No I do not. Show your scars with honor Nalani, they are you. They make you know you are. They are a living story on your body. Never cover them. Especially these…” Lord Khupiee motions to Nalas arms. He had noticed them and waned to question them but now was not the time. Lord Khupiees and Nalas eyes connected and he could have sworn that his heart skipped a beat. “Do you see it Dhm’Ni?” He clicks. Dhm’Ni just nodded to him. He knew that his father saw it too. He knew that he saw Ni’Atni in her eyes as he did before.

“Lord Khupiee!” Ykas’e came over the COM again, making Lord Khupiee look away from Nala.

“YES!” He hisses in response.

“We must leave within three minutes or we will not make it out alive.”

“I understand.” Lord Khupiee ends the COM. He looks back down to Nala to find her not there anymore. She had made her way as close to the Queens head as possible when she noticed that Lord Khupiee had ‘gone’ somewhere.

“I hate you for what you did to me and now you are dead.” She continued to whisper to the decapitated head under the watching eyes of all the hunters.

“Tell the young bloods to bring in the Queen…and the warrior she killed into the cargo hold.” Lord Khupiee adds.

“Why the warrior?” Dhm’Ni questions but when Lord Khupiee thrashed his head towards Dhm’Ni he immediately looked down and forgot about getting an answer. Dhm’Ni looked to the small group of Young Bloods that were supposed to keep the Queen in he cargo hold and motioned for them to gather the Queen and the warrior. As the others came into a group around Lord Khupiee Sya had a burning question.

“So we take her to another island then?” He asks. Somewhere deep down he didn’t want to just drop her off. He had an intense dread that if they left her here she would be dead with in the cycle. The entire ship as seen this, she’s not safe here or anywhere.

“Only if she agrees to keep our existence a secret...” He pauses and points towards Nala. She left the head once she was done damming it to the depths of hell, if there was a hell for this thing, and memorizing her face in her mind. She had turned back towards the group but she stopped in her tracks at seeing Lord Khupiee point at her. “And only if she survives the Hard Meat that is behind her.” In unison they all, including Pakka, turned to Nala. Now she knew something was wrong. Her body stiffed and her heart quickened when she realized that her senses were blocked by the stench of the Queen and that if there was another Hard Meat somewhere she wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference.

“NALA!” Dhm’Ni roared as he saw a Hard Meat come out from behind the Queen. He watched Nalas’ face turn to pure horror and he watched as the Hard Meat came up behind her and stabbed her in her left shoulder. Nala didn’t scream. She just looked down to the tail jutting out from her shoulder and then looked back up to the group. She was specifically staring at Lord Khupiee. He had seen it coming and he did nothing to help her. She saved him from this happening to him but couldn’t he have done the same for her? Nala suddenly yelped in pain as the Hard Meat thrashed her to the ground, whipping her off its tail and throwing her a good 20 feet away. Both Sya and Dhm’Ni were about to run at the Hard Meat before it jumped on Nala but they both stopped when they heard a shoulder cannon go off. They turn back to the group to see that Rathe had in fact shot. He couldn’t just let her die like that. She had shown so much honor and skill today that he couldn’t just stand idly by. The Hard Meat was blown to pieces by Rathes’ cannon, leaving Nala on the ground. She just laid there staring into the beautiful Hawaiian blue sky. She brings up her right hand and covers her new wound, coating her right hand in her own blood. No amount of meditation could help the pain, but she would never cry. She wouldn’t give that bitch of a mother the satisfaction of one of her offspring making her scream.

“She is dead.” Lord Khupiee chirps sadly.

“NO!” Came from more then a few hunters.

“She is not dead.” Dhm’Ni hisses sternly. He didn’t care if his father gets angry because he was angry at his father. How could he have done that! Just watch and do nothing to help Nala when she had done the complete opposite for him. Then Dhm’Ni grasped the memory that all he did was watch. Lord Khupiee was about to give Dhm’Ni was very threatening roar but was stopped by a strange sound.

BEEP BEEP

BEEP BEEP

BEEP BEEP

It was coming from Nala. Dhm’Ni and the others watch as she began to move, Lord Khupiee was taken aback that she could move at all.

“I told you she was not dead.” Dhm’Ni again hissed at his father. Before he got smacked for his disrespect he made his way to Nala. She tired with all her might and somehow she lifted her left hand. Her watch had started to beep, telling her in its cheery tone that the bomb was either here, or close. She hated this watch. It just stared at her with its stupid face blinking the time. It took a couple tries but she got it off and threw it away. But as she followed it to the ground she saw Dhm’Ni making his way to her. Great. I can’t let him see me like this. I don’t want a fucking audience when I die. She looked up at him as he kneeled down beside her.

“Times up gorgeous.” Dhm’Ni grunted at being called that again. But Nala just smiled at him. He let out a loud sigh as he started to pick her up. “Wait! What are you doing?” She yells at him. She tried to push him away with her good hand but couldn’t do a thing. “Leave me to die in peace Dhm’Ni. For all I have done that is the least you could do.” Well… the least they could have done they did. And that was nothing.

“…no…” He stands up tall with her bloody body in his hands. He motions with his head towards to ship. “…no pain…” He says as he starts to walk towards the open hunters’ bay doors. The others were all silent. Never had they seen Dhm’Ni be so arrogant and disrespectful towards his father. But they could all understand, even Lord Khupiee. But Sya was furious. How could Lord Khupiee be so cold towards her after what she has done for him? Syas’ body had begun to shake from the rage, he clenched his fists and lowered his head.

“I cannot believe you did that Khupiee.” Sya hisses. “You just stood there and did nothing. I am disappointed.” With that Sya turned to follow Dhm’Ni with Nala in hand. Lord Khupiee just watched him walk away. Sya had only ever talked to him like that once before, long before he became Clan Leader. All the others began to follow Syas lead and they walked towards the ship. They had little time. Lord Khupiee just stood there for a moment. Had I truly done that? What would Ni’Atni say about my actions? She always said gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy. And look what I had done…nothing at all. I just stood and witnessed a being that saved me, saved my son and all on my ship, and I just looked on as she was hit. How could I have done that? I know now that my son is beyond angry with me. But she is pray is she not? She may have my Clan mark and she may have done many a great things but what does that make of her? Did I truly have a debt to her for saving my life? Do I owe her something…DID I owe her something? I guess that it is too late to ask that now. My actions spoke for me. I dishonored myself for not helping one who helped me. How can I repay her now? If she is not dead she will be soon. An Ooman cannot take a wound like that, not even a Yautja can. I guess I will forever have her blood on my hands.

“Khupiee…” Pakka yells from the ramp leading into the ship. Lord Khupiee sighs aloud then starts to walk in. As the ramp closes behind him he sees Dhm’Ni give him a strange look. Even with his mask on, he knew that his son was infuriated. They would have to wait until the ship was off ground to move, it would harm Nala even more if she was thrashed about because of the movements of the ship. Nala however had other plans. She couldn’t really see where she was but didn’t care. She had Lord Khupiee in her sights and she was not going to let him go without knowing what he had done to her. Nala quickly grabbed a small knife from Dhm’Nis’ belt and kicked out of his hands.

“You…asshole.” She says in almost a whisper. Everyone turns to her when she spoke wondering how she was even standing. Her body wasn’t right, she couldn’t feel anything. All she knew was that she was hit bad and it was because that fucker in front of her just let it happen. “All you do…for me…is point?” She gets out in between labored breaths. “Thanks…for the gratitude.” She says as she lunges at Lord Khupiee. Some tried to grab her but she dodged every hand. As she made it to him she stops and brings up the small knife and wields it in front of her. Lord Khupiee emits a low growl and he lowered into a fighting stance. Suddenly everyone started to wobble and shake as the ship lifted off. Nala used this to her advantage and punched Lord Khupiee in the neck with her fist that was holding the knife. He reared back in pain but quickly came back and swung at Nala. He hit her in the right cage, just beside her sternum. She shrieked in agony from her broken rib. Lord Khupiee took back his hand and punched her in the jaw, busting her lip. Nala flew back and fell just at the feet of Bakkub. Bakkub watched her slide to him and couldn’t even fathom why she would take such a beating knowing that she was hurt. When Bakkub saw Lord Khupiee take a footstep towards Nala he stepped around the trembling body below him and stood in between her and Lord Khupiee.

“Ki'dte.” Bakkub roars. Lord Khupiee stops. He wasn’t going to hit her again, he was going to pick her up and take her to the healers but they thought he was going to hurt her. How could they think that of him? He takes a step back from Bakkub. Even with his size Lord Khupiee and Bakkub was an even match. But with his left arm banged up he wouldn’t stand a chance. “Dhm’Ni, take her to Kh’Cho.” Bakkub hisses. Dhm’Ni hurriedly makes his way to Nala to see that she had lost conscious. He carefully picked her up again but before he turned to take her to the healers he gave his father one last look. “GO!” Bakkub roars. Dhm’Ni then turns and runs, along with Sya, to get Nala to Kh’Cho. He had to get her there now or she will die in his hands.

“Wasn’t letting her fall to a Hard Meat enough Lord Khupiee?” Dh’Kn chirps softly as he and all the others start to make their way out of the hunters’ bay. And there Lord Khupiee remained. Standing alone as the others went to their rooms to take off their Awu’asa and cleanse in the Usipa water.

Authors Note: I hope you liked that, it is exactly 12,110 words. And all in one day. As I re-read this over and over I wonder to myself ‘what am I writing here?’ In my little world it is my fantasy, well almost. I had to add a little substance to make it ‘real’ and to have a better flow. And I know that all you ladies out there have the same dreams. Of being whisked away by ‘The Beast’ while you are ‘Bell’. I think it was the movie Beauty and The Beast that makes me so inclined to think that there is more to something or someone that is ugly by our standards. I can remember having a dream once, of the scene where Beast and Bell are outside feeding the birds and they all climb on top of Beast, but instead of Beast it was a Yautja. I thought it was the most adorable thing I have ever dreamed. But what am I doing here? I would hope that I am giving you my vision and that somehow it plays like a movie in your head as your secret dreams and desires do. I have so much pride in this, it is my baby. And I am honored that people have chosen to read it. It’s a wonderful feeling. So thank you to my readers. Sometimes I stay up until three in the morning just so I can play my little story-movie for you. And I will until it is done.

E.M.

Current Pronunciations (Previous on chapters 3, 4, & 6.)
Hele He-Lei
Kh’Cho Kah-Choo