Gone but not forgotten
By DNL
Chapter 1: Stray dog meets Elite Hunter
An adult Elite Yautja hunter landed silently, despite his size, in an alley way. He came to Earth for only one reason to hunt. So he could better his hunting skills. He'd taken down a queen Serpent but almost at the cost of his own. Personally he thought he'd gotten lucky and that wasn't good enough for him. Not with the goal the Elite had set for himself not nearly good enough. Humans were no Serpents and far less durable but had tools and were capable beyond instinctual thought. So they were good prey quarry to hunt.
The Elite's name was Nrak'ytara. It meant guardian in Yautja to him it was a sign that he was the one to save his clan from its own destruction. To save it from the corruption that was it current leader who was a violent vicious dishonorable Yautja that didn't deserve to be called a hunter. Nrak'ytara hated him and despised how he care so little for their race's honor code. The rules that kept them from being mindless blood thirsty murders that just killed to kill. The way that his leader led the clan he knew what he was trying to do. It was obvious he wanted to make them a bad blood clan a clan with no honor.
Sadly enough the clan was beginning to bend to the corrupted leader's wishes. One by one becoming dishonorable warriors that tossed away their code for free rein to kill whatever they pleased. It pained Nrak'ytara to watch his clan fall so slowly and watch as friends he once had twist into blood thirsty beasts. He knew who was doing and he would do whatever he could to stop HIM but Nrak'ytara wasn't going to stoop to his dirty level and just kill him though every fiber of the hate that had grown inside screamed for him to tear his head off. No, he was going to become a clan leader himself that way he'd have the same amount of power he did and would be able to put a stop to his plans since they'd both have to agree on anything that was done. Then slowly but surely he'd reshape his clan or better yet gather enough evidence and show it to the Council that he was unfit to be a leader and have him exiled.
Becoming a leader wouldn't be easy though he'd have to kill two more queens just to qualify for the trail itself. One was hard enough for him! The trial to become a leader was to take down a hive of more than three hundred members including the queen itself!
Nrak'ytara knew he wasn't strong enough yet so he had to train, alone. He could no longer trust many of his clan mates to many of them were corrupted. The Elite would have to work quickly as he could he'd heard rumors that the Council was thinking of exiling his clan to some harsh planet of their choosing.
Though he kept himself busy with his training Nrak'ytara felt an unbearable loneliness when he took time to rest. It'd been so long since he'd had a bond with another Yautja but he couldn't think of his inner troubles. He had to become stronger for his clan.
The alien hunter stalked his way down the dark alley, the brick walls on each side of him dotted with graffiti, stains, gutters and cracks. The smell wasn't pleasant and Nrak'ytara didn't really want to know what it was. It was day time but the tall buildings on either side of him blocked out most of the sun's rays. That was good less chance of anyone spotting him although that'd be hard with his cloaking on.
Along his way down the alley in search of good prey to hunt Nrak'ytara came along a fork in the alley branching off to his left, right and straight ahead. By the smell of it one of the buildings was a restaurant of some sort. The Yautja was aware humans called it 'pizza' he wasn't sure what that meant, might not have any meaning at all, it was a popular human food though he'd never had any. Disregarding that, he walked straight down the alley way continuing his course and was going to climb up a fire escape of one of the building behind the pizza place which seemed to be an apartment building.
Suddenly the Nrak'ytara was startled by a sudden loud barking noise causing him to sharply turn on his bare heels and face the noise. Looking around his eye level he didn't spot anything his scanner; however, pick up a heat signature and locked onto it. The Yautja calmed it was just some little stray dog, not a threat to something his size at all.
The stray size wasn't even half of his leg. It was filthy, mangy and had clumped scraggy fur. It appeared to have scars all over its body most likely from fighting for food. Its eyes were locked on what it deemed to be a threat despite the fact it couldn't see whatever it was that was in its territory. The dog let out another series of loud barks.
Nrak'ytara was starting to get annoyed by its barks. If it continued the humans in the area would start to notice and that could blow his cover. Angry the Yautja let out a warning growl expecting to scare off the far smaller creature. The dog didn't react how he wanted though the little beast leapt at him biting down on his ankle. Despite the size the canine had a sharp bite and quickly drew blood. Out of reflex Nrak'ytara jerked his leg hard enough to dislodge the filthy animal. Angered he growled at the beast making it back up against the wall. As the warrior looked down angrily at the animal the dog glared back up at him baring its teeth. Huffing, not feeling the slightest bit intimidated by the beast Nrak'ytara turned away from the animal and headed back to the fire escape.
Before he went to scale the building he looked back at the dog making the canine growl at him. Having some spare food and thinking why not Nrak'ytara tosses some meat the dog's way. The hunter hopped that would shut the small creature up and it seemed to work the scraggy dog wagged its tail and began to eat the chunk of meat. Pleased Nrak'ytara quickly climbed up the side of the fire escape and onto the room. Down below the dog looked in the direction of the strong scent of alien.
Later at sun down Nrak'ytara went back the same way he came except with time with a trophy in hand. He held onto a bloody spinal cord with the head still attached at the end. The man was formerly a hit man that worked for whoever pays him enough but now he was an alien headhunter's trophy. The human had put a good fight better than many other before him but in the end one crack of his bladed whip and his body had been cut to pieces.
Once again he passed by the pizza place as he headed down back towards his ship he started to hear a clicking noise behind him. Turn his head as he expected the dog that bit him before was fallowing him. This time instead of growling the dog's floppy ears perked and he wagged his tail. "Shoo!" He said in English as he waved his black clawed hand. Again the dog didn't do as he expected and went up to him and sat down looking up at where the dogs figure his head would be. After looking at the dog a little longer Nrak'ytara turned and left. The dog's ears drooped sadly until it heard the hunter whistle and it barked happily and dashed after him slowing to a trot when he caught up.
The dog managed to keep up with the hunter until they made it to the woods where it began to slow down significantly and pant heavily. Nrak'ytara looked back at his apparent new pet and sighed, "You're going to be troublesome aren't you?" He said in his native tongue. The dog merely looked up at him ear twitching as it tried to decipher what he said. Without much effort Nrak'ytara picked up the canine with one hand and carried him to the ship. Once inside the vessel he put the dog down on the metal floor and shut the hatch, startling the dog briefly until tis curiosity took over and he began to sniff around feverishly.
Knowing that was natural, Nrak'ytara headed to the trophy room to clean off his new trophy. He was using a laser to burn off the last of the blood when the dog came into the room and began to watch him work. Nrak'ytara looked at the mutt getting a tail wag in response. To the dog's disappointment the Yautja went back to work on the trophy. Grunting in annoyance the dog fidgeted in place displeased with the lack of attention. The action caught Nrak'ytara's attention and he found it amusing enough he sat up straight a clicked his mandibles together behind his bio helmet making a pleased noise. Before getting back to work Nrak'ytara patted his mesh covered lap indicating for the animal to jump onto it. A second after the dog leapt onto his lap still panting a little from the previous exercise. Since the dirty canine was so small when the dog laid down he fit perfectly under his work table. Not obstructing his work at all this was perfect.
The dog lay on his lap quietly and waited for his new master to finish. He looked up at the mask alien he didn't know what he was but it didn't matter the dog was absolutely sure he was safe with him. The smell of human blood was very apparent on him as well as other smell the animal had no clue what it was. This also didn't matter to the dog whatever he did he'd help. That's what canines did they helped their pack leader and large brownish red marked creature, which dwarfed him easily, was obviously the alpha of his new two member pack. The dirty dog looked up with the hissing of the laser burning to blood off stopped. Clicking approvingly his master lifted the skull up and examined it before picking up a polishing rag and began to rub the skull and stroke the spinal cord until it gave of a pearly shine. Curious the dog sat up and sniffed the skull, it was defiantly was human.
Nrak'ytara nudged the dog off his lap with his elbow causing him to hop down allowing the Yautja to get to his feet. The mutt followed him over to his trophy wall and mounted it on a free space. Stepping back he looked at his collection proudly causing him to clicks his mandibles together to express this overwhelming feeling. Looked down at the dog that looked back up at him Nrak'ytara eyed the mangy beast, "Don't even think of chewing on any of these understand?" He warned pointing down at the dog. Getting an innocent look and a tail wag the hunter grunted dully and left the room with the dog trotting behind him.
Feeling tired the Yautja warrior headed to his room to rest when the door slid open he trudged across the room. Taking off all his weapons he placed them where they belong then took off his armor and placed it onto the armor rack. With a tired sigh and wearing nothing but loin wrappings he let himself drop onto his bed with a huff.
Standing in the middle of the room the dog sniffed the area it was heavy with his master's scent. It must be his den, the dog thought as he walked over where his master was lying. Sitting down on its rear it looked up at him again the canine had never seen a creature big as him. The dog figured himself luckily that he didn't strike back after he bit him. Turning it head he saw that the metal thing that had been covering his face was off.
Nrak'ytara had his jade colored eyes closed when he felt something leap onto his bed. Knowing it was only the dog he didn't open his eyes to see what it was doing. Rapid bursts of air hit his face made him decide to open his small predatory eyes and look at the dog with a questioning gaze. He now saw the canine was basically right in his face looking at him inquisitively. Once the beast saw him open his eyes and look at him the dog wagged its tail happily and began to excitedly lick his face.
Startled by the sudden affection Nrak'ytara jolt to a sitting position with his head reeled back in surprise. It was rare in his race's profession to receive any caring feelings from anything other than his own race and their hounds. The hunter couldn't figure out what he had done to earn affection from the dog. Yes he had fed it but that was just to shut it up and avoid detection. He stared at the mutt that just tilted its head confused about the reaction it got.
The dog didn't understand why his master reacted in such a confused negative way. Worrying that something was wrong and climbed on to his thigh and stretched his neck out and sniffed him. The dog didn't mind his master's very strange appearance it didn't matter to him. He was more curious than afraid but right now he was worried his pack leader was feeling down. So he climb up to his chest, all the while his master was staring at him dumbfounded by his actions, and comfortingly licked the outside flap of skin that connected his two mandibles.
The Yautja flinched but after a few more licks Nrak'ytara began to feel soothed by the licking sensation. His body loosened up from its previous tenseness and he let out what sounded like a mixture of a growl a clicking purr. Feeling good Nrak'ytara nuzzled the dog and held the side of its face. A genuinely happy laugh escaped the Yautja's mouth when the dog licked him more excitedly. Smiling the Predator petted the dog it had been a long time since he'd felt happy. It'd been so long since he actually laughed a real laugh and not a sadistic laugh that was usually at his prey's fear or feeble attempts to escape his grasp.
Feeling a strange sensation on his hand the hunter stopped petting his dog and looked at his palm. There was some sort of sticky substance on it. Rubbing his fingers together curiously he figured it was some sort of filth from the alley the dog lived in. Looking down at the dog that was still wagging its tail and panting happily Nrak'ytara bluntly states, "Bath time." Somehow the mutt knew what those words meant despite the fact it looked like it hadn't been cleaned since it was born it tried to turn and flee; however, like most of his prey the dog didn't escape Nrak'ytara and he grabbed it and carried it out of the room under his arm.
"There." Nrak'ytara said satisfied as he looked at the skinny wet shivering dog that was standing in the middle of the ships bathroom. Now that its fur was all matted down by the water he noticed the dog was much skinnier than he'd originally thought. Holding his bottom jaw the Yautja thought aloud, "Hnn, you too skinny. Some meat will fix that." He said normally as he looked down at the canine. Looking back at the cleaning chamber, which was basically a shower/tub, he scratched his dreads, "Might as well clean off to." He said tiredly as he climbed into the chamber, after removing his lion wraps, and closed it behind him.
The Yautja filled it up with hot water then slowly let himself sink in it letting out a soothed click, "Oh yes, this feels good." He purred pleasantly. For a while he just sat there and soaked in the hot water until a sound from outside the chamber caught his attention. Wondering what the dog was doing he pulled back the sliding door to the chamber and saw the dog was perched right outside it letting out a whimper noise. The hunter blinked its jade colored eyes, it was worried about me, he thought confusedly. Huffing dully he patted the dog on the head, "I'm alright calm down." He said plainly before sinking back into the water.
Wagging its tail the dog watched him relieved that he could now see his pack leader was alright. It was a while later that he pulled himself out of the water and dried himself off with what looked like a pelt of some sort then wrapped it around his waist. After picking up his wraps he looked back at the dog, "Your dry enough, come on." He said normally as he walked out of the room with the dog following him.
Once he reentered his room he put on some proper night clothing which in the Yautja culture was a tribal designed kilt of sorts and foot wraps. After turn the ships lights off he threw himself back onto his bed and pulled a blanket made of pelts over his body. "Finally…" Nrak'ytara sighed tiredly. A short time later the dog jumped onto the bed and burrowed its way under the blanket afterwards it nosed its way under the Yautja's arm.
Nrak'ytara of course noticed this and looked down at him with a faint sleepy smile formed, "Heh, alright you can sleep on the bed." He laughed before letting out a yawn causing his mandibles to stretch out for a bit. A little after the yawn the Yautja Elite fell asleep. The dog looked at his master after he fell asleep and laid his head down on his front paws and got comfortable before falling asleep as well.
A deep guttural yawn echoed through the spacecraft early the next morning before the crack of dawn. Nrak'ytara stretched out his muscular arms then quivered his mandible in a way akin to human lip smacking. Hearing a grunt he saw he'd disturbed his dogs sleep and it was now stretching his body out. Suddenly he realized something, "I've had you for a whole night and I forgot to name you." He said flatly as he smacked the palm of his hand against his forehead. Sitting cross legged on the bed he looked the dog over humming as he tried to think of the best suiting name for the canine. Snapping his black clawed fingers he grinned, "I got it Sain'ja since you're a little warrior in your own right." The Yautja declared remarking on the dog's obvious battle scars.
The newly named Sain'ja looked up at his pack leader tail wagging waiting to see what he'd do now. The Yautja and the dog enjoyed a breakfast of meat and water, which the mutt devoured hungrily, before the hunter went out to search of prey leaving the dog alone in the ship. Sain'ja's tail stopped wagging slowly and his ears dropped when he realized his master left him behind. The poor dog didn't want to be alone anymore. Sain'ja thought Nrak'ytara would take him everywhere with him that they'd never be apart, had he done something wrong? A moment later the dog let out a sad and lonely whimper.