The First.

The Sangheili Way.

By: Deunan and Hawkings.
(If you want to read the original, go look up Story: "Isunusi the First" or Author: "Deunan and Hawkings/Neheh Kha.")

Revised by: Kaimaler.

Disclaimer: I do not, never have, and never will, own Halo, it's sequels/prequels/sellouts or anything of the sort. They belong to Bungie, they have their own website just rubbing it in your face about how much money they make off it. Go ahead. Check them out.
I also, surprisingly, do not own this story, while I do own it's revision, the original is in no way my own, so I'm afraid all have created here is more flow through the story. :)

(Guess what italics mean? Yes! Talking in sangheilian!)

AN: Yes! OH HELLZ YEAH! I got Mass Effect 2 finally, just came in the mail yesterday, I haven't been able to play much 'cause I'm being nice to my brother (who's far more excited about it then myself) and he's played it all night long. :)
I'm actually now going to go kick him off and take it. Yay! I'm so happy we have turns worked out YEARS ago. Don't know why other kids with siblings have nothing but "I wanna' get on!" The way I see it (since we first got a game console((N64/SEGA))
that's childish and moronic, want an easier way? Set up hour turns for each sibling and get the parents to reinforce it by saying "I don't want to argue over it, it's pointless to do so. I want to make it even and fair."
Parents LOVE that kinda' thing, are proud, and agree.
This is a rant but I'm too anxious to care. :P

So now, I'm off to hunt down my old crew, curse Cerberus and attempt at every way possible to KILL the Illusive Man.


Naju would be lying to herself if she said she wasn't excited about testing the humans. As odd as that sounded, that's what it was. In no way did Naju want to damage their frail human bodies, so it seemed a questionnaire would be in order. It took her all night to write down the questions properly without sounding like a giddy little sangheilian who on their way to meeting one if not all of the Prophets.

The questions were basic so even one ignorant to the medical field or their own anatomy could answer at least somewhat.

Testing would have to wait though, the humans did receive a twice a day meal and there was one scheduled for early that morning. Instead of going straight from the youngling's bunks to the prison ward, Naju took a detour; it would be much harder to ask these questions while they ate when a much larger female was staring at Naju, watching her every move like an Aristocrat attracted to sangheilian civilian.

Naju hurried through the halls, slowing only when another sangheilian came down a corridor so as to not look suspicious. A female as young as Naju was expected to be at her post in the infirmary or in aid to a warrior, not jogging down the halls to the kitchens to stop a short tempered sangheilian from interrupting her time with the humans.

Naju just appeared around the corner as the female cook came out of the sliding doors on her way to the prison ward. Naju thanked the gods she was in time.

"Wait." Naju spoke, attracting the towering female's attention. "I am heading to the prison ward for a medical examination, I can take this to them and bring it back to you when they are finished." It was interesting to the female to see a younger take up a new chore. No one wanted more duties on top of the varied ones they already had and if this meant less for the constantly busy older female, then so be it. "Only if you clean the plates when you return them." She was extorting Naju and she knew it, "Very well, I shall do them at the end of my shift, then I will clean them."

Agreeing, Naju made off with the food. Quickly.

Growling, Naju entered the prison block, food in tow. "Early scheduled meal." She groaned, "Just one moment."

Naju approached the holoboard, shutting down the force fields. "Go ahead. Eat." She gestured to the plates on the table. Gradually and cautiously, the humans exited their cells to reach the food.

"The doors are locked; I locked them before opening your cells." Naju swallowed a small fruit, having her own morning breakfast as the humans, though disappointed, ate theirs. "There are Aristocrats outside and many guards, attempting escape would be impossible."

"The hell is this junk?" The same human from yesterday spoke up, staring unfavorably at the plates of food distributed. "What-" Naju was getting rather tired of different languages. "What do you mean? It is a plant from my home. It is common, has a bitter taste, but only when you eat the stalks. Other then that, it is a healthy meal for anyone; it carries major nutrition's that most require to live." Naju smiled inwardly at her studies, she knew they would come in handy someday.

He huffed, ripping a piece of the greenery off before slowly chewing it. Naju remembered the bitter taste of the stalks and shivered. They were dry and crunchy, noting about the stalks were appealing even when cooked thoroughly. "Oh, ew, God that's nasty." The human coughed up the plant, shoving his plate back on the table. "Jesus, tryin' to poison us?" Another male asked and Naju knew from previous experience that the tone the human used was regarded as sarcasm. When a person says one thing, but is not serious and has no intention of hiding it. Usually in an insulting basis or joking with close friends, however, Naju was not a friend, therefore making this insulting.

"I hear your sarcasm and would greatly appreciate you not use that tone with me." Naju stood, striding along to the table where all the humans immediately backed away, all except Keyes. "I do not choose the food, I pass it out, I do not cook, I work in the infirmary. If you have a problem with our food, please, speak with the kitchen staff, otherwise, do not eat and do not complain to me about it."

The same human sneered, "How the fuck are we supposed to get better food on this hell hole if we can't get it through you?" He crossed his arms, Naju also studied human gestures and body signs, some conscious some sub-conscious. Crossed arms were a sign of defense, discomfort, or possibly the human felt threatened. "I am not intending on being rude, but I must insist; I cannot do anything for you when it comes to a different sector. What I can do is what I am doing, which is allowing you medical care and freedom to move outside your cells."

"Medical care?" Keyes questioned and Naju nodded in reply, "Yes. I have convinced Noch to allow you into my infirmary for regular appointments. He believes it is for some kind of biological weapon I am developing." Naju cackled, "After a few years you learn how to manipulate ego-driven leaders to your benefit."

"Are you?" Keyes was a curious human. Naju gave him credit for even speaking to one of the opposite race, even if that one was unlike the others and focused on anatomical studies rather then war. It was quite the feat. "Developing a weapon?" Naju smiled, though, she knew it would pass the humans, they didn't know how to recognize a sangheilian's expression. "No. I could not even fire straight given the opportunity. I am not a good fighter nor do I condone war in the slightest, I would never even attempt to create such a monstrosity." Naju grimaced.

Keyes nodded to acknowledge Naju's answer, but she had suspicion that he did not believe her. Naju suddenly felt a sting in her two hearts, it was rightfully deserved, she was a sangheili and she had been in battle with her kind to slay many humans in war. It was a painful truth, but Naju was not one to hide from it.

"You should return to your cells, a new guard will be along shortly for his shift." Naju shooed the humans from the table of uneaten breakfast. "After his and the following guard's shifts, I will end my day at the infirmary and come back for you, at that time we will spend the night in my infirmary. It will take some time to begin the studies."

As the humans began to disperse back into their cells, the human who spoke first cautiously approached. He sighed as Naju had enough time to examine him externally. He had short brown hair, as humans called the pelt on top of their heads. He was from what Naju had learned, average height for a human Caucasian male and grey eyes, an uncommon but heard of combination of pigmentation. Naju felt somewhat proud of herself for memorizing those human facts.

"Uh, hey..." He gulped audibly, "I'm Kenneth Jakeman." He held his hand out, another gesture Naju learned as what humans do upon meeting a new person or greeting an old friend.

Naju was somewhat baffled by this gesture. She was sangheilian, barely a Minor Domo and even amongst her kind it was rare for another to introduce themselves with equality even when they were the same rank. Yet, as a human to a sangheilian, it was not rare, it was non-existent.

With the knowledge no other sangheilian had, Naju inched her hand to his and grasped it. Her two fingers and two thumbs engulfed his smaller hand. He shook her hand with a wide smile, "You are?" He asked as Naju had taken to shaking his hand back, "Naju 'Manoree." She introduced herself, finding endless amusement as Kenneth attempted to say her name.

"N'a-go." He groaned, knowing he got it wrong. "Sorry, just ain't the easiest thing to say." He grinned embarrassingly.

"I know of a name human tongue is capable of pronouncing, perhaps you would prefer it." Naju asked knowingly. "Jo." Kenneth blinked, "Jo? That's human enough for me." He smiled again, surprised. "A human female was captive in this prison block before you, she had told me her name was Joanne and once I told her my name, she had mentioned its difficulty for a human to repeat. Instead, she gave me what she called a nickname." Naju chuckled in remembrance, "She said she would give me her own and it was Jo, she said it was a shortened version of her own name; Joanne."

"Well then K-Kan'eth Jakeman, I it is a pleasure to properly meet you." Naju bowed lightly, trying to ignore her own mispronunciation, "However I do believe you should return to your respective cell before one of the guards realizes the doors are locked."

Releasing Naju's hand, Kenneth snapped his fingers quickly, causing Naju to jump. "I got a nickname too." He gave a toothy grin, "it's Kenny."

Naju smiled, not caring if it went unnoticed. "Kenny." She said for good measure, "That is much better."

Kenny turned around, finally leaving back to his cell as Naju activated the force fields and unlocked the main entry.

Naju talked with multiple humans, very few actually willing for a full conversation beyond hi and bye. Naju found this annoying, but went along without choice. At last, her waiting ceased as the guards had arrived; ready to take on their duties.

"Eral 'Tudee will be awaiting your night shift Naju 'Manoree." A minor domo approached with a major aside her. "Inat 'Ireamee and Thyu 'Nekolee." Naju greeted, "It is good you are not late this time, I have much work at the infirmary today and I do not intend on angering an honor guard." The two switched places with Naju as she waved goodbye before disappearing out the sliding doors.

Kenny was officially uncomfortable around the minor and major domo watching the cells. Each one staring at each soldier in each cell, they spoke in their own language and he felt down right itchy around them.

Naju jogged down the halls, there was a very important patient who would be waking any minute and if she wasn't there to care for him, he might bring matters up with his brother, who, apparently, is extremely close to him.

Rushing into the infirmary, Naju discovered the Honor Guard was already waiting. "Naju 'Manoree." He bellowed. Naju winced, she was late. "Where have you been?" An undeniable growl rose in his chest, "I was tending to the prison block, it is my second duty."
"If it is secondary duty, then why have you forsaken your first duty as this sectors leading healer?" Naju shrunk, "I apologize, I meant no harm..." She slinked past the heavily armored sangheilian, "I simply wished to finish my duties without mistake, now it seems it was in vain. I will begin medical treatment on your brother immediately."

The Honor Guard held his hand to stop Naju, "No need. Other medical staff have already begun treatment. If you had arrived on time, you would have seen my brother has gone into surgery. I do not yet know what for, but I will know."

Naju tightened her mandibles, "I am truly sorry." She slumped down, "I am... I have never been late... If there is something I can do to repay you for my faults, please tell me."

The Honor Guard smirked, "Help him." Naju stood straight, "The others know not what do to, they are inexperienced and incapable of handling his wounds. I am told you are the best in this sector and have dedicated all your work into studying healing practices more then the art of war."

The Honor Guard walked down into the surgical ward and Naju looked through the clear window into the room. "He will die without your skills." Naju looked back to him, seeing a compassion that moved Naju too strongly to deny him. "I promise on my father's life I will ensure you are commemorated for saving him."

Before Naju knew it, she was locked into the airtight surgical room, donning the medical professional suit, complete with all its recognition. Naju stepped into the main room, watching as the older yet ignorant sangheili healers stood aside for her to approach the suffering patient.

"Status?" Naju asked while reading the monitors, "He fades quickly Naju, from our readings it appears as his lung has been punctured by the human's weapon. The metal shard still lies within and we cannot remove it without risk of killing him."

"They are called bullets and any information given on the type of bullet and human weapon used would be appreciated." The others simply glanced at one another before returning to Naju, "I do not know of such a thing. All I know is that it is threatening his life."

Naju sighed, stepping up to the surgical cot, "Step aside, I shall handle this."

It took hours before Naju realized she had made small progress in the sangheilian's condition. He was going to die if she attempted to free the bullet from him.

A rush of fear hit Naju as she looked to the open window and saw the Honor Guard standing in the same place, he hadn't moved since she had arrived. Naju could only muster a shake of her head before having to clean the surgical wounds, stitching them up, and having the other healer's care for him until he was moved into the main room so his brother might see him off.

Might,Naju's mind stated, you have an idea.Naju smiled to herself, "Yes, yes I do."

Naju exited the surgery room and made it to the Honor Guard who was only now reacting to Naju's previous gesture. He was clearly heartbroken as his hands indented the metal bar at the window.

"You could not save him?" Naju sighed, placing a caring hand on the Honor Guard's shoulder, "Not like this I cannot. He is alive, heavily sedated, but alive. I had seen his wounds yesterday, it is my fault this has happened, and I mistook a severe wound for a mere battle scar." The Honor Guard stared stoically toward Naju, offering little more then a silent accusation.

"I can fix him." Naju defended, "It will take some time and hours of work, but if I work hard enough I can have him healed within three days."

The Honor Guard seemed surprised, "How? You said you could not."

Naju held her left hand out, removing the tight glove from her hand and forearm. "With replacements, like my own." The Honor Guard cautiously took Naju's arm in his hands, his eyes scanning every wire and metal band, his finger's prodding various false muscles and tendons before being satisfied with his examination. "I have never seen anything like this Naju, where did you receive this?" He nodded to my arm.

"I built this synthetic body; I am more it then biological. I had invented it years ago and after an accident I was forced to use my prototype, fortunately, I have upgraded the ware it is made with. If I use my creations to save your brother he will have considerably less flaws within his system though, I have not perfected it and therefore some precautions will have to be applied and followed without fail." The Honor Guard freed Naju's arm before sadly smiling, "Just return my brother to me."

"I must insist however, that because the system is not perfected and you have given consent for me to use an untested medical practice that in the event of your brothers passing, I will not be punished for using it." Naju informed, easily sliding the glove back on her arm, "As part of my duty I must warn you of the possibility of death. Affected by his current state, he has a sixty-two percent chance of living and a forty-eight percent chance of the procedure being fatal."

"From where I stand Naju, it does seem like these are better odds then simply letting him die." The Honor Guard walked down the hall, Naju leading him, "I do believe that the practice has been tested, at least, from what I have seen."

This day would linger on, all other healer's aboard this ship were useless, and they knew little, if any, about reconfiguring a hurt sangheilian. Then again, Naju expected such; she only wanted something to complain about to herself while she worked on the dying sangheili. Though it was hopeless, even distracting her mind from the already near dead sangheilian's death by her failure and the little secret she kept from the Honor Guard.

The death of this sangheilian was very high; the synthetic machine could very well not agree with his body whatsoever and cause the end of the unsuspecting individual.

Naju had to hope this was not a fruitless effort.


Killerman83ca: Cool, glad you like it. The original author told me that it was you (and very few others) that I had to impress for a sure sign I had hit the nail on the head with this revision.
I got it from here, all I was worried about was the beginning, how the old and new readers would take the newest outlook on the story, maybe their story they have as a favorite, because from what D&H said, there is a lot of fans and even more people who just like the story in general.
I'm happy I passed at least one of the famed Isunusi readers/reviewers. (That being you.)
I also hope you like this little installation, because D&H specifically said they missed out a lot of what they really wanted to do and were rather disappointed when the story had to end so soon and they had not finished it completely, being that there are supposed to be three parts to this story; a Trilogy in other words.

H3PD:Yup, I know that now. -FACEPALM-
Thanks for that, I needed a kick in the right direction after so long of not really even looking up anything to do with Halo. I have to play the games again, but I only own one and two! Oh noes, whatever shall I do? :)
Ah well, anyways, I think I fixed the problem; you see anymore moments of my clear stupidity, please, just shove me back on course.

NemesisX312:YES! That's EXACTLY the review I was hoping for! I'm happy, I'm happy, I'mma punch the man who says I'm not. :D
I'm so going to continue on, I just love writing this already. It's a blast adding more detail to a story and from what I have heard and been told, I can do some depth at least.
This is the newest addition and I hope you like it a lot too, for now, I do believe, I will watch for your reviews specifically. This one just makes me so thrilled! :)