Many thanks to everyone that supported my last story. This one is set a couple years in the future. Not a long chapter, but there will be longer ones. This will probably not be updated as often as Birth of a Hunter because I don't have many chapters written yet. Please give me lots of reviews to spark my imagination!

H'chak- Mercy.

Kainde Amedha Chiva- The Hard Meat /Trial, the blooding hunt.

Lou-dte Kalei- Child Bearer, derogatory slang term for any females.

Kainde Amedha- Hard Meat, Xenomorph.

Nain'de- A hunt.

Guan-Thwei- Night Blood.

Thwei-Tjau'ke- Blood Stone.

Chapter 1

Matt gasped as he was struck hard across the shoulders. Fighting the pain, he whirled and swung out his staff. His opponent jumped nimbly out of the way and laughed. He growled and spat out a mouthful of blood from a previous blow. Matt darted the butt forward, through his opponent's defenses and into his stomach. His eyes popped open as all the air in his lungs was knocked out. Matt whacked his doubled over opponent in the head, and then shoved him over. His opponent rolled and prepared to leap up, but Matt pressed the butt of his staff into his throat.

His opponent looked furious, but submitted, "H'chak, I yield to you." Matt glared and let the Yautja up.

"That will teach you to look down at me." growled Matt. The Yautja stormed out of the kehrite amid the mocking calls of the observers.

…..

Back in his own personal chambers, Matt stitched up his wounds. Since his Kainde Amedha Chiva, Matt was regularly challenged by other warriors. He won some, lost others, but was slowly gaining respect from the Yautja. His room was smaller than Guan-Thwei's, but already Matt was collecting trophies and interesting items he found on his hunts, improving the bare décor. With a final hiss of indrawn breath, Matt finished stitching and cut the thread with a flick of a knife. Sheathing it and ignoring his throbbing jaw, shoulder and forearm, he exited his rooms and headed to Guan-Thwei's.

Once he reached it, he discovered that the older Yautja was carefully going through his equipment, checking everything to ensure it was in top order.

"What are you doing?" asked Matt.

Guan-Thwei ignored him and instead said, "I saw your battle. It was very good. You are doing well in your lessons with Thwei-Tjau'ke." Matt frowned and repeated himself. "I have been chosen to go on a Lou-dte Kalei Kainde Amedha Nain'de!" Guan-Thwei exclaimed with a wide grin. "I leave in only a few days!"

"Oh. Uh, that's great!" said Matt, trying to put some enthusiasm into his voice.

Guan-Thwei blinked and asked, "What's the matter, M'aat-hew? You don't sound happy."

"It's Celia's 18th birthday in a few weeks and I want to be there for her."

"Why is it so important? What is so good about growing another year older?"

"It is a landmark for oomans. Once we reach our 18th year, we are considered adults. I missed her last couple of birthdays, so I want this one to be special." Guan-Thwei shook his head.

"You oomans have such odd ideas. How can one be considered a mature adult by simply gaining another year? No wonder that you have so many problems. The way to judge adulthood is with a test of maturity." He grinned and added, "You should convince other oomans to start your own Chivas!" Matt rolled his eyes.

"Are you sure that you can't take me to Earth?"

"Yes. Try asking another warrior for a ride in exchange for something. Or you could offer to be a guide for a hunt. I cannot, will not turn this honor down for your sister." Since Matt's visit after his Kainde Amedha Chiva and the conflict that arose, Guan-Thwei had become rather distant to Lee. It was understandable, but Matt wished that they would get along better. "Few Yautja ever get asked to go on one of these hunts."

"Alright, I'll go. Bye!"

…..

Matt spent an unsuccessful three days trying to persuade another warrior to give him a ride to Earth. Most warriors that had their own ships were Elders, warriors with high status or older warriors. Most of the Elders or older warriors rarely had a need to hunt and had no desire to go on one for something as unchallenging as oomans. They also didn't want anything he had to give. The younger warriors had far too much pride to do any favors for an ooman and certainly wouldn't be led on any hunt by one. In desperation, Matt again turned to Guan-Thwei.

…..

"I've asked every Yautja that owns a ship and no one will give me a ride!" Matt exclaimed frantically.

"Pass me that scattergun?" Matt grabbed the weapon off the table beside him and tossed it to Guan-Thwei. He slipped it into a holster on his belt, and then said, "Did you ask Thwei-Tjau'ke?"

Matt blinked and replied, "What? He has a ship?"

"Of course. He has had his longer than I have had mine. He used to take me hunting. Did you think that because he can't hunt, he can't own a ship?"

Matt stared at the ground and mumbled, "Something like that."

"Go ask him. I'm sure he will give you a ride." He put his mask on and nodded to Matt. "Goodbye."

"Good luck on your hunt." Matt replied. He followed Guan-Thwei out into the corridor, then the two split up.