Chapter two: The state of limbo.

Shane…

I make my way towards Eve's light.. When i can hear her more clearly.

"Eve i am here.. Can you hear me? I don't know how long i can remain here so I'll make it quick.. I was beginning to die.. Human bodies are designed to live up to a hundred years.. Ghardeh made several arrangements for me to have some kind of procedure… I am being turned into a yautja.."

"Shane, it may not always work.. There are many complications.. If you die and remain here.. There is no coming back.. Ascendant or not.."

"Even a little hope is enough to light the way am i right?"

"Then i hope you are as strong as you think.. You must not linger.. I shall notify the others.."

With that Eves light fades.. I begin making my way through the darkness..

I feel light.. Weightless, deftless.. I begin to see distant memories.. My sister.. My mother and father..

I sprint towards them as it illuminates my path, death is such a strange thing.. Both light and shadow.. Light.. In shining darkness..

Roll credits..

The memories are like liquid..

"Shane come on! You are going to be late for school!"

"Coming!"

I enter the memory..

I run down the stairs shouldering my red and blue bag and run out of the front door where my sister waits for me.. She smiles. "Ha! I beat you by ten seconds!"

Her blonde hair sways in the bitter winter breeze. Then our mother holds both our shoulders.. Mother.. I miss her so.. Her short swept back hair tied upright.. Her green-blue eyes.. And rosy cheeks from her makeup.. I can smell the perfume she had on that day.. She walks us to school.. I hold her hand while Frieda skips on ahead.. The memory fades to black.. Another memory in the distance.. My father.. My first day learning to ride a bike.. A black and red chopper bicycle.. Without the stabilisers.. My hands hold on as i wobbly ride along the path.. "That's it Shane! Keep pedaling!" I feel a smile on my face as i manage to stay upright..

"There you go! Keep it up!" I ride ever onward down a hill and skid to a stop as i see several teenagers pulling stunts on their bmx bikes.. Mesmerised.. My father holds my shoulder.. I look at him his brown receding hairline and light blue eyes i remember.. He smiles "That'll be you one day Shane.."

The memory fades to black, I begin to feel like I'm falling once more..

Ghardeh…

Year: 2292

It has been two agonising years.. With everything Shane and i have accomplished never have I felt so alone.. I stay with him most days.. Almost shirking my duties as a matriarch.. But this is not what he would want.. The covers on the machine have lapped over him to cover every part of him.. The machine is probably tearing him apart on a molecular level.. His vitals are still down.. But i am assured this is normal.. We will start to see improvement soon.. "Ghardeh, it would be wise to take some rest matriarch.. We will notify you of any change as usual.."

I nod silently and give the machine one more glance..

The others periodically come by to also make sure everything is well.. They are all humbled that he is given the chance, it seems Nina is coping well and doesn't seem to be experiencing the same problems. To which she feels slightly bad for. But she has hope he will wake.. I go home and try and sleep.. But all i keep getting is the stupid small details like Shanes scent.. I turn and almost see him laid beside me with his cheeky smile.. It causes me to grin. When i reach for his spot.. I feel something.. I sit up.. Almost like he is in the room with me.. A warmth.. "Shane?" There is no answer.. I lay back down and stare at the star lit sky. Then i try to sleep.

Shane…

I am running through the dark.. Small specks of white being my only source of light.. The floor feels like a constant body of water.. I feel my vessel fading.. As if I'm fading even from limbo.. I can no longer feel my legs yet i am running..

It is silent.. No memories.. Just me.. Then i see something in the distance.. An orb of blue.. What is that? I run towards it..

"Shane.. You need not feel alone.. I don't know if you can hear me but i feel so powerless.. I want you to know I'm still here.. These five years have been hard.. I just want to talk to you.. Do you remember me telling you about my parents Shane? I never told you the whole story of that day.."

Something happens as i hear Ghardehs voice.. The whole darkness changes to a deep almost blue nebula.. With countless stars.. I see another blue orb rising from the waterlike floor.. I make my way over..

"My mother was the matriarch of Wuis't'kei.. And my father was the leader.. Together they created the village.. Shane you should have seen it back then.. I was just a suckling when we first established the name.. But as I grew it became my home and my proving grounds.."

I follow the next orb as a path begins to take shape..

"My mother was very proud that i trained to become a huntress.. I would often steal my father's weapons and practice with them! He would be so furious.. And yet.. There was a hint of zeal within his angered flares.. He was secretly surprised that i was taking a different path.. It all came into focus one day when i was the only survivor of my chiva.. Trial.. That day i knew.. After spending so long with Ra'zele this was the path i was meant to take. He taught me all of the skills i needed to stay self-efficient and if needed self-contained.. My father found out and although he was not happy with the idea of a legend training me.. He took peace in knowing.. His daughter was in good hands… Two years later and the scourge came.. A five years long battle.. I was closing up the right flanks. When i had heard my father rushed the front line and challenged the opposing leader in honourable combat.. I did everything in my power to move surely towards my father.. But when i found him dead.. It broke me.. I took up my father's sword.. And in those last few moments i struck out with a fury no god could top.. And i finally emerged victorious.. But at a heavy cost.. Both of my parents were dead.. Much of the city of skri'jash'n was destroyed.. We did what we could. But it was declared that skri'jash'n was in a dire state.. And yet.. Like me.. The city survived.. I was lost for many years.. But Ra'zele kept me in the right direction.. If anything he was my second family.. Ever since then we remained close.."

I move on when suddenly i see land begin to take form.. And something else.. From the darkness.. I see my arms.. They are not human.. But.. Yautja.. I make my way onward as the land takes on colour. Then the sun… Trees.. A passing.. I move ever on running across the land following the path.. Down below from the overpass there is an oasis with a path leading around.. I drop down. And i see my whole body is also changed.. I make my way past the oasis.. It looks oddly familiar.. I move onward up and around the path leading towards a wall.. I jump and land on top.. I see nothing but a rock valley.. I drop down.. Landing on the razor sharp rocks.. With a fleshy thud..

Further down.. I run ever more picking up speed..

"Fast forward several hundred years and i form another family.. Sire two children.. And try and recreate that homely feel in a small settlement outside of skri'jash'n.. It went well.. I was happy for a time.. But as is custom.. All good things come to an end.. But then you came along.. Such an unlikely creature that gave me a drive to live.. And with it.. You ended that cycle of me losing everything.. And for that.. I thank you.. I remember your words to me those years ago.. Never again Ghardeh.. I promise with everything i have.. You kept that promise.. Now all you have to do is come back to me.. Once more.."

As i run.. Everything begins to fade.. I am sent back into the black.. I search.. Search for anything that would lead me on.. But i find nothing..

Ghardeh…

Year: 2297

It has now been seven years.. And we have improvement.. I can see the yautja within the machine.. His vitals are stable.. But there is still much to be done.. I have spent many moons sat here.. Sleeping here.. It was indescribable when Jir'da told me Shane pulled through.. Granted the first time he did, an automatic fiery flare of his arms caused alarm.. But it died down.. As they checked him over.. I managed to get a glance at his new eyes.. An emerald green.. And his deep maroon markings.. Along his forehead.. We are so close now.. And I have no doubt in my mind now that he will make it.. He truly is ascendant.. I have tried desperately to get hold of Ki'xal but he has not responded.. Out of everyone he only showed up once.. That one time was three years ago.. Now he is most likely in a different galaxy.. I suppose he thinks differently.. A father is still a father no matter what race.. I have sent for him..

I hope he comes home soon..

Shane…

I stand on the edge of a cliff.. I have found land once again.. Is this heaven? My body has gone through a transformation so i must have pulled through.. It is both there but not there..

I drop down.. Then i see it.. Home.. But it can't be.. I'm still in limbo.. I walk towards it.. No.. This is my human home.. I walk up to the lonely house in the middle of the plateau.. I open the door and immediately see two children run round the corner into the living room.. Frieda and i.. "Catch me if you can Shane!" i feel something pushing me forward.. "Come on Shane i want to show you something!" i see Frieda walk past me.. In her twenties wearing her white and yellow dress.. A blue bobble in her hair…

I follow her out of the back door.. It opens to a huge meadow of maia..

The four karnaks.. I Look behind to see trees.. Then darkness.. I am falling..

I land with a loud splash.. A light intrudes.. Bright.. Blinding.. "Shane.. You have to breathe.. You have to calm yourself.."

I feel vibrations.. A heat behind me.. Nothing but darkness.. I run towards the light..

"No it will not be enough! Dual restraints now.."

I see something begin to take shape.. "Shane you have to come back.. Not when we are this close.. Come back to me.." i run faster.. "I'm coming.."

The splashing sounding faster as i try and remember where i saw the orb..

I see it rise from the water from my left..

A rocky valley forms.. But begins to slowly ascend like a wall.. I begin to climb the rock and torpedo up when i see it.. Wuis't'kei.. I run as fast as i can.. But something is anchored to me like a dead weight.. I'm bringing the dark with me.. I begin to rip it off.. I fall to my backside and scramble up.. A feel a pain in my chest..

Ghardeh..

Year: 2300

I am shook awake.. "Ghardeh my matriarch.. We have him.. He is stable.. Come.." I can't get out of bed quick enough.. I rush over to the ward when there is a commotion.. Deep guttural roars and panicked shouting..

I enter just as i see Shane.. Sedated in the chest.. Several yautja get up after presumably being knocked over..

He is laid down and the machine is placed back over him. He somehow managed to pry it off.. And did a number on the restraints..

"Ghardeh his vitals are stable.. I think we established that fact.. It was a success but what we need to do now is wait.. He is going to be very confused.. What felt like mere minutes or days.. Has been ten and a half years.."

I nod. "Allow him as much time as is needed.."

I look into the window.. His tusks twitch.. Eyes closed..

Shane…

A dream…

"Ghardeh what on earth are you doing? You don't eat that bit!"

I can only laugh as Ghardeh in her oddly curious way ate the one seed pod i told her not to eat.. And she has the balls to punch me?

"That is all i can taste Shane!"

"T'yeah! I told you not to! You are just like Osh'ikeille smashing me over the table because he didn't chew properly.. Ninny.."

She drinks down a white-blue liquid but stops when she sees me smiling.. "What?"

I laugh when she tries to bully me into telling her by tensing up and growling but it doesn't work on me anymore..

She begins to laugh and pushes herself against me. "Alright.. It's just small things.. The way you sleep.. The way you eat or drink or yawn.. Or day dream.. You do small things that look.. Cute.. And yautja ain't supposed to be cute.."

She wraps an arm around my chest and i feel her tusks on the top of my head..

"What are you doing?"

"I like this scent in your hair.."

I smile and turn around and she collapses her mandibles so not to stab me in the eye.

I sit on the side when she lowers ever so slightly.. She is eye level with me..

"Lay back.."

I do so when everything turns with a blink.. I'm laid across a bench.. But not any bench.. I see my sister who I'm laid across.. It was our favourite bench in the park..

I remember this moment as well.. It was a week before we fell out..

Except this isn't a memory..

"Frieda?"

"There's always a light at the end of the tunnel Shane.. Didn't i say so?"

"Where are we? What are you doing here?"

"We get one moment Shane.. It's all they can allow.. If only mum and dad were here to see you now.."

"You were the only one i had left and i turned my back on you.. I'm so sorry.. I'm sorry.."

"I can't forgive you Shane.. How can i forgive you when it wasn't your fault.. I regretted saying the things i said.. But seeing you grow.. We are so proud of you Shane.. It's time to go now.."

"I want to stay a little while longer.."

I lay still as Freida slowly strokes my head, after several moments i close my eyes.

"Am i dreaming?"

Frieda leans into me.. "Yes.. It's time to wake up now.."

She kisses my forehead..

And whispers..

"Wake up.."

Darkness… Then i hear and feel a powerful thumping.. A beat.. A heartbeat. I open my eyes..

Red… Red is all i see…

A yellow arm.. Black.. As i blink.. A deep breathing.. Something else.. No this isn't.. Me.. I'm not controlling my movements.. I look down and see I'm restrained by a dual bracer.. My heart pounds as i force the bracer open…

"He is breaking free! Shane.. Settle down.. Ghardeh is on the way!" There is a loud metallic creaking twang as i rip my large wrist from the bracer and grab the yellow imbued yautja and throw him into the wall.. The other two grab my arm when i.. No not i.. Something else headbutts the second yautja with a growl.. My left arm is free.. And i pull away from the metal bed and fall to the floor.. The third yautja has a needle gun and attempts to sedate me..i snap his arm back and ram the gun into his chest.. I stagger from the room and wobbly walk out into the hallway.. Many yautja stare at me i turn around and smash through the window and fall to my chest with a loud deep roar.. The noises confuse me.. I run.. The towers of the city like fingers.. I can't make out details… I detect a scent.. What is that? I run in its general direction.. I am grabbed from behind when.. I twist and smash my fist into the yautjas head causing them to slide onto the floor sideways.. I turn into a sprint.. No.. I keep saying i… I would not act this way.. The scenery changes.. Trees shrubbery and water.. I vaguely remember this place.. But my memory is foggy or non-existent.. Who am i? Shane? That is my name? My lungs begin to burn.. I have been running for what seems to be hours.. I slow my breathing.. And begin to look over myself.. I close my eyes.. Then as if all on its own.. I begin to see colour.. I look down to see some form of metal garment around my waist.. I see my deep maroon markings on my arms and pale cream skin colour.. My hands now that i stop to look at myself. Are a mottled deep maroon.. With black talons on the end of each finger and thumb.. Same as my feet.. I begin to calm when suddenly.. I hear noise.. The water then.. The insects.. The breeze past my ear holes.. Wherever they are.. I see my top mandibles in my view just below.. I touch round my face.. I have a bony ridged forehead.. With slight dips on the outer edge and a slight orbital set of bony ridges.. My dreads have been fused already.. And adorned with silver rings.. With purple jewels.. My memories now slowly come back to me.. Freida.. Danny.. Nina.. Ghardeh.. Osh'ikeille.. Uzkielle.. Ra'zele.. Eve.. Mother.. Father.. Ki'xal.. Tet'va.. Ry'kar.. Avamar.. Zelda.. Orukia.. Asteria.. Earth..

My memories are interrupted.. A scent.. Both alien but familiar to me.. Then a voice…

"Shane?!"

I turn.. Slowly.. To see.. Another yautja.. Though she is shorter than i remember her.. She slowly approaches me..

I have not spoken a word yet.. I don't even know how to talk.. So i resort to sign language..

Ghardeh?

She approaches me slowly..

I walk up to her.. We are eye level. She brings up a hand and runs it down my forehead.. I lean into the touch and she laughs slightly.. She runs both hands down my face and chest.. "I need to get you back to the medical lab.. Come and don't cause a scene again krit.." I feel compelled to follow her.. She.. She seems.. Important to me.. Though i only remember names.. So she is Ghardeh? Who is she to me? She shows no fear… Not like the others… I follow Ghardeh to the city, she talks quietly to me as certain noises and scents are amplified.. I don't even know how I'm tasting the air but it must be receptors in the roof of my mouth..

"This way Shane, we need to get the results.." she holds out a hand i wrap my fingers around hers but she stops..

"Loosen up the grip Shane.. I won't have functioning bones left.."

I let out a strange gargled noise with a clicking that was automatic..

It makes her laugh also..

I sign with my free hand.. What?!

She walks on "Not so easy is it? I bet you thought you'd be straight out of bed and carrying on with life? Well no.. There are some things you need to learn again.. Like talking.. And eating.. Goodness knows how that will pan out.. But most of all.. Learning that everything you do now.. Is not so forceful so you need to learn to loosen yourself.. We'll get you there.. We'll have the old Shane back in no time.. It seems you can walk and run.. Throw a good headbutt and punch.."

I sign again.. That wasn't me Ghardeh..

My eyes begin to strain.. Then i realise i am still using.. Full spectrum.. I see my world slowly turn a red.. And Ghardehs once vivid colours turn to a bright yellow and a cloudy mist exudes from her.. Including myself.. Several details are missing with my new eyesight but at the same time.. I see more sharply.. My eyes begin to lose their discomfort. We make our way to the med lab.. Where several yautja wait for me..

"There you are Shane! Thank you Ghardeh.." I slightly tense up but i detect no threat.. "Shane.. We must cover basic tests.. Please lay on this bed.. And follow the light on the ceiling.."

I see a white dot.. And follow it.. A machine slides over me.. My mandibles flare but they assure me everything is fine..

They look at each other..

"Ghardeh.. His ascendant abilities are creeping back.. But more than that.. Look at his brain activity.. It is completely off the readings.. He is trying to remember everything all at once.. Only it is working.." The machine whirs and i am scanned again..

"Everything seems in order.. Skeletal structure is perfect.. His organs are.. Working a little too hard but that's normal.. His muscle structure seems in order.. No deformities detected.. It looks like a clean transformation.. Give him a day.. We won't keep him here Ghardeh.. He needs to get out.. I recommend some good filling yautja food.. Being on a liquid protein and nutrient diet for 5 years isn't too pleasant.."

I sign.. Strawberry tart?

Ghardeh laughs but the three yautja look confused.. They bring down a full scale mirror on the wall to my left..

Alright Shane.. Take a good look at yourself.. We will give you several moments with Ghardeh.. You do remember her? I flick my mandibles..

I don't remember exactly who she is to me.. But i do remember her. And in a heartbeat.. They tell me..

"She is your mate.. You have been mated for 260 years.. When you was human.. Your memories will come back.. And before you go.. We had some armour made for you.. Keep you less exposed you are already wearing the lower part.."

They take their leave, with only Ghardeh and i remaining. I stare at the mirror.. I can't see my reflection at my current angle.. But as i walk towards it.. My eyes narrow.. My front is a pale cream but towards the back there is a striked pattern down my sides.. My chest has a maroon flecked pattern.. My skin is almost smooth. But from my shoulders its of a scaled flesh.. Down my forearms.. I am of a slender build but muscular as is with most Yautja.. My eyes are of an emerald green.. No doubt because of my ascendant abilities.. I flick out my arm when Ghardeh approaches me she hands me my boots chest piece and gauntlets. I put each piece on and she holds my mask up. It is extremely polished.. But i can see several runes on the right hand side of the forehead and under the right eye slit.. They must be my accomplishments.. I slot it and i stare at Ghardeh silent.. I lean my head into hers.. It is then i am hit by a memory..

Before the procedure.. Watching her sleep..

She must feel something from me because she leans in harder and we connect fully.

"Do you remember now?"

Still with her head into mine i nod..

We take our leave when there is a low rumbling noise.. Ghardeh laughs.. As i look down.. "Lets go get some food before i find a leg missing.." i let out another gargle.. Was she always making me laugh? I could swear it was the other way around.. But then she laughs once again.. I look at her and my growl vibrates through her arm..

"I'm sorry Shane i shouldn't laugh.. But now it is payback.." we head home.. Yes this is our home.. Several yautja stare at me but give me subtle nods… I open the front door when something happens.. It follows my arm.. And stays in my grip followed by a metallic.. Screeching.. I drop the door..

I'll fix it i promise..

"What was it you used to say to me? Unlike miss muscle?! Come on.. And don't break anything else.. Or i might have to break something of yours mister.."

I tilt my head at her.. She is talking to me like not a beat has passed.. Don't get me wrong I'd prefer it this way but.. I find it strange.. And frustrating i cannot reply back..

Ghardeh…

I am so relieved he is up and about.. Everyday i was thinking.. What if.. What if.. But it seemed his will was strong..

I don't know if he did in fact hear anything i told him, i guess it was a way of me telling him he is still alive.. Was he in any pain after? I look at him as he looks around.. Slowly remembering tiny details.. He looks at our weapon wall.. And sees his old silver p99.. He takes it and holds it flat in his much larger hand and lets out a deep huff.. I turn and begin to find appropriate ingredients for a good old fashioned meat stew.. I even find the recipe he created for his.. Strawberry tarts.. A loud shwang turns my gaze to see Shane with his combi stick.. His clicking makes me grin.. Suddenly the beeping from the communicator causes him to let out a slight bark and he aims his weapon at its general direction.. He slowly approaches it and presses the button.. "Holy shit! Did i call the wrong number?!"

"No Danny.. Its Shane.. He can't talk yet.. So don't annoy him i beg you.."

"Jesus i need a name for you.. Hey Rice ball.. You seeing what your awesome medical advancements do?! Look at you Shane, you are a beast! Those eyes.."

Shane folds the stick and places it back.

"Any word on Ki'xal yet Aunt? We haven't caught hide nor dread of him.. It isn't like him at all.. Not to panic the two of you but.. I think he might be in.. Trouble.."

I hear Shanes snarl.. I turn to see him signing to Danny. He is an adult Danny, he could well be busy.. I'm still his father.. Yautja don't see relationships the same as humans do..

"Yeah but he would have at least seen you uncle.. That's what's off.. No way is he too busy to see if his father is alright.. Auktano and i have sent out feelers.. Anyway I'll leave you to do whatever it is you two are doing.. And SHANE.. Learn to talk yeah?"

"Sei-i.."

Even i turn around at that noise.. To see Danny's eyes widen.. "haaaww that was like a chilli chocolate fountain Shane.. Nice pipes.."

"Bye Ghardeh.."

"Good bye Danny.. Good bye Auktano."

Danny disconnects..

As i make the stew Shane approaches me and i feel his hand reach for my dreadlocks.. I'm not used to him being almost the same height.. I turn and lean against the side when he switches eyesight.. I can tell because his irises have flecks of yellow when he switches.. I'm assuming emerald green is his innate vision where his yellowish tint is full spectrum.. Something I'm quite jealous of.. He has somehow kept that trait.. Just like his son..

Shane…

As my vision slowly washes in colour.. I begin to remember.. Ghardeh and i have been together for many decades, I doubt she would feel right if i acted slightly apprehensive around her.. It would be so much better with words.. But easier with action.. She isn't even in the slightest changed towards me.. I was thinking how much i would change.. Mentally.. Physically.. And yet. Despite everything.. I am still me.. As was predicted.. Yes memories are slowly returning.. But so are the small things.. She leans into me and i lean into her..

"Try and talk Shane.. You need to get used to talking.. 'Yes' was a start.. Say 'No'.."

I swallow.. And croak.. "No." my mandibles moving slightly as i say it..

"Try yautja.."

"Yautja.. Try.."

She nods.. "There you go.."

"Ghardeh."

Her mandibles create a slight grin..

"Ze'rei Sain'ja.." she says..

"M-diii.. Shaane.." i croak..

She nods "Alright then Shane."

Eventually food is ready.. And boy was it fun.. Not.. Ghardeh was slightly amused but stopped laughing when she felt my angry heat.. I kept missing my mouth.. It got to the point where i nearly swatted the bowl aside but Ghardeh helped me.. All while trying not to laugh.. Of course i didn't need any help eating the tart.. Though i did make a mess.. I think more went on the floor than in my mouth..

Ghardeh…

After Shane failed for the twelth time trying to eat his stew i had to step in and help him.. He was almost steaming.. He was trying to chew with his mandibles rather than his actual mouth.. He did enjoy the tart though.. And helped me clean up his mess.. I hate to say this but if Ki'xal saw him now.. He'd be laughing.. The situation with Ki'xal is bothering me.. Later we head for bed.. He struggles taking off his lower armour. So i help him take it off.. But he quickly looked up with a snarl.. Aah yes.. I see why.. His dreads falling over his shoulders.. "They are internally packed Shane. Don't worry you have them.. I knew we'd get to that spot eventually.."

He leaves his underloins on and gets slowly on the berth and yawns.. His tusks clicking together. He turns to me.. And i only just noticed this whole time his eyes have been in full spectrum.. The entire evening.. Maybe now his eyes are already adjusted to it..

He rubs his own forearm and clenches his hand and flops it down.. Then he flicks his redish purple tongue out trying to gross me out.. With a rumbled laugh.. He is starting to show through.. The Shane i know and love.. Our heads connect and i slide into him as i always have.. Except he's not so squishy anymore.. The team did an amazing job with his build.. I'd say he is roughly Osh'ikeilles build back in his golden Nina years.. I run a hand down his ribbed abs and hold his side when i hear a slight groan.. He is asleep already.. I try not to laugh.. I close my eyes.. Then i also sleep.. And well after ten years..

Shane…

I wake.. I look up to see the clear yellowed sky.. I feel.. Light.. Like i have so much energy i simply have to get up.. I see Ghardeh still asleep. With a yawn i get up and enter the restroom.. I enter the bath and fill it with foaming bubbles.. "That's the st-" i stop almost shocked at the sound of my croaky fiery voice.. I look back to see Ghardeh still asleep.. I try and whisper.. "That's the stuff.."

I let out a rumbled laugh. And give myself a good look over.. My arms are well toned like the rest of me.. I look to the sky light.. I so want to test out this body.. Why do i feel so.. Rejuvenated? Maybe feeling like death most of the time.. I forgotten the feeling of fresh.. Energetic bouts..

I clean myself up when i reach a certain spot..

Well i won't go into detail what it looks like… but let's just say my balls are well hidden.. Yeah lets change the subject shall we?

I get to my legs and finish up when i feel a certain yautja behind me.. I turn to see her bare.. "Don't mind me darl.. I was just finishing."

Her mandibles flick.. "You are talking already?! That was fast!"

"Best not tell Danny yet then No?"

"He will flip.. Are you sure you are clean?"

"Well i suppose i could go for another round.."

Ghardeh shakes her head.. "Your voice.. I could listen to it all day.. Has that yautja kick.. With your accent.."

"I still can't believe it is still me under all this meat.. How the heck they managed it is beyond science.. But I'm grateful.."

We have a silent moment.. When Ghardeh gives me a jolt.. A rather sweet scent.. Not wasting any time then..

"Ghardeh.. Are you sure this is a good idea? I'm a day old.."

"You are actually 287.. I'll tell you if we need to stop.. Besides I'll always be stronger than you…"

"Really now? Want to give that a test?"

We sit in the bath when we begin to have an arm wrestle game…

I take her hand and we lean on the side.. Then it begins.. Surely enough we hold level.. But Ghardeh slowly begins to lower my arm.. It was so tense the cephalic vein begun to show.. As did Ghardehs i smashed the water.. "alright you win.. Zabin.."

She slaps my chest playfully.. "Who are you calling zabin krit?!" She goes to step out when i slap her backside.. Maybe a little too hard.. Because i hear her rumble a sinister yautja laugh.. She steps back in and slowly leans into me as i move to the opposite side. Her eyes giving off a 'you just fucked up' vibe.. She launches at me causing water to explode into my face then i feel a grip on my.. Penis.. "What's your excuse this time?!" She asks with a laugh..

"I need it to.. Pee?"

She keeps hold of it.. She wasn't fast enough when i grab her and pull her towards me with a taloned finger around the edges of her front entrance..

"Do you really want me to dig out lapis lazuli?"

"Do you want me to break you?"

"I have all day.. Getting used to this new me.."

She shudders.. She didn't expect it and lets out a sharp inhale.. "You absolute.. Twat.."

But she begins her own game.. As she slowly begins to rub except.. I didn't expect how sensitive the barbs are.. And i feel a huge.. Shudder myself..

"No.. No i give up you win.. That's too much.."

She doesn't stop.. In fact she keeps it going and i resist every urge to clamp around her.. It doesn't work.. I grab her and as she lets go i just.. Just manage to pull away as she lets out a laugh..

"Almost had you Shane.. I could have cut that sexual scent with a knife.."

"Please not yet.. I need more time before we engage in.. Those activities.."

Now we are all cleaned up.. I want to stretch my legs.. Let's see what i can do now.."

Ghardeh nods.. "We can do that.. Let's armour up.. Get your actual muscles working.."

Author note: So that's it then, ten years in the making and Shane is now a fully fledged yautja. He now has many new challenges ahead, not to mention new impulses. He will have to learn to control them all if he wants to survive. Only time will tell if he can cope with his new found strength. A long road is set before Shane now, let's see where it leads!