Author's Note: This came to me pretty easily, but I feel like I didn't flesh it out enough. But I figured if it needs more you guys would tell me. ;) And THANK YOU for the kind words, it helped kick my butt into writing. Please please let me know about more typos or grammar errors.

Disclaimer: 20th Century FOX owns the rights to Predator-verse. I created Sar'idikk & Kwei, Peanutchan on DeviantART owns the Dechende, Tituga and Gr'ka, and Chaunn belongs to Rachaelm5 on DA as well.

Note: If you're wondering how Kwei came into the picture, Just Instinct is the story explaining that ;).

Yautja vocab created by me:

Dechende = main ship that Sar'idikk & Tituga call home

Ah'tu'lamm = be well/live well; a friendly greeting

Fai'hswei = sister; Fais is the hort, informal term, like saying 'sis'

Kari'kalei'lou = the Gathering of Creation; a festival for breeding during the mating season

Official Yautja vocab:

Paya = God

CHAPTER 1

The visit with their mother was very pleasant after they accepted her request, returning to how their visits normally went. They shared stories about their recent travels, savored the cooking they loved and grew up with, and enjoyed their new nieces and nephews and cousins. But there was a heaviness in the air that neither of them wanted to acknowledge. And it stayed with them even as they sped through the stars toward their home-away-from-home, the Dechende.

The short journey home was very quiet. Each of the sisters decided to remain in their chambers for the ride home. It was as though to say their thoughts and worries out loud would only solidify their obligations further. It was only when they docked with the Dechende that they made eye contact, and even then neither could find a voice to speak.

"Mook'aya!" A shrill voice rang out through the docking area, echoing from a tiny body being carried by a very large, dark Yautja. Sar'idikk turned in the direction of that voice, chuckling a the small Oomantoddler wriggling her arms wildly in the air to get her attention. She waived back as she began walking toward the little one, but stopped short at the thought of her sister. She spun to say something, but sighed shortly when she realized Tituga had already disappeared.

Oh Fai'hswei...it will be okay...

"Mook'aya!" The tiny, high-pitched voice chirped again, interrupting her thoughts and making Sar'idikk twist back in that direction. The little Oomanwas now beside her, climbing onto the shoulders of what was one of the larger females aboard the Dechende. Outfitted in a casual and sleeveless blue garb, she had a chocolately skin tone with darker spots, that only were detectable when the light hit them at a particular angle. This large Yautja had a high and prominent bony crest upon her head, and decades of being a very efficient Abritrator had hardened her body with sculpted muscle.

"Ah'tu'lamm Chaunn. How did my Kwei find her way into your grasp?" Sar'idikk flared her upper mandibles in a wide smile, her hand reaching up to pull playfully at Kwei's toes. Kwei squealed in delight, dancing from one side of Chaunn's shoulders to the other. Due to the size of the Yautja carrying her, Kwei had to stand on her shoulders in order to see over her head crest and thick tresses, and each of her little hands held a tendril of Chaunn's hair, like reins. Being a bit more tolerant of Pyode Amedha than most, Chaunn allowed the silliness for a moment as the toddler's delicate scent tickled her senses and teased her maternal instinct. The baby musk helped keep Chaunn's patience with the tiny Ooman.

"Ah'tu'lamm Sar'idikk. I was passing through this galaxy's sector and had stopped in for a meeting with Lintar. I'm afraid this tiny, wild animal accosted my leg when Ryo and Tal' stopped in for a visit. They mentioned you asked if they could watch her while you were away. I'm surprised though - I didn't think she'd remember me so well. And I thought for sure she'd be at the nursery."

"The nursery here is hard for Kwei. Very few are understanding enough to take time with her. And of course she remembers you - Your last visit sealed the deal with that story. She kept asking me to re-tell it and I just couldn't - I told her it's your specialty." Sar'idikk chirred and grinned again at Kwei, who was peeking at her over the top of Chaunn's head. Hearing the mention of the story she was told, the little Ooman pretended her hands were claws and growled in a tiny voice.

Reaching up, Chaunn plucked the tiny Ooman off her shoulders and handed her to Sar'idikk, but not before swinging her around playfully. Kwei's laughter screeched out in the docking area, causing some of the dock crew and visitors to glance over, very perturbed - pups are to be seen and not heard. And are not allowed in the public docking area. And a human pup was, according to many, not allowed. Period.

Not missing a beat, Sar'idikk addressed the small Ooman with a method taught to all pups - sign language. Placing Kwei on the floor in front of her, she signed a common phrase practiced with very young ones: A good child knows what to do. She then put one of her ringed claws to her mouth, signalling quiet. Kwei, delighted to be challenged, silently signed back her part of the phrase: A good child will be quiet for you.The little one finished with her finger to her lips, mirroring Sar'idikk.

A foreboding glare from the large, dark Yautja to the others in the docking area stuffed any harsh words that could have been directed at them - a look had been perfected from her experience as an Abritrator. After a few long moments she allowed her expression to soften as she turned back to her friends. Chaunn offered a smile and a shrug, "Perhaps this is why there is a designated area aboard for children. Luckily for us the boss is also your Aunt."

Sar'idikk's stomach fell slightly at the mention of her sister - rare had she seen her so bothered. And it was unlike her not to talk it over. Her position as Matriarch was one of diplomatics and politics, something males had little patience for. Discussion and planning was her specialty. So it was very un-characteristic of her to keep silent and avoid the issue.

Chaunn, being the sharp Yautja she was, didn't miss the pained look that crossed the smaller Yautjas face. "It seems Miss Tituga has things to do - she vanished as soon as her feet hit the ship's floor." Chaunn paused a moment, allowing Sar'idikk time to brace herself for the obvious next question, "Is everything alright?"

Scooping up the toddler, Sar'idikk peered at the larger Yautja, unsure of what to say. It wasn't something just plainly said. Sighing, she thought perhaps this is why she and her sister hadn't said anything on the ride back. "We visited with Mu'ksaya. She..she's declared her Usl'cha-tkan."

"Oh? How does she want to be honored?" Chaunn's tone reflected what most Yautja's would when discussing their elders final request - excitement, enthusiasm. Sar'idikk felt a wave of nausea hit her at that particular tone. She flexed her mandibles, trying to find words to articulate how her mothers' request was...difficult. Uncomfortable. Unusual. Complicated. Queasiness swept over her again.

"Pups." That was all Sari'dikk could muster.

"Pups?" Chaunn's brows lifted, not quite sure by what her smaller friend meant. It dawned on her when Sar'idikk adjusted the way she held the Ooman toddler, letting her hand fall to her stomach, cupping it gently. The pleading eye contact from the smaller Yautja didn't help. "Oh...I see."

There was a long silence between them. The larger Yautja regarded the smaller with curious eyes, watching her expression shift from irritation to aprehension several times. Amused, Chaunn eventually broke the quiet with a snort. "That's not so bad."

Sar'idikk's brow furrowed. To her this wasn't bad exactly...it was just not what she needed right now. It not something to just take lightly. And although she's always secretly hoped, the doctors have told her ever since she was young and got very sick that any chance of a pup was a slim chance. If that. And tradition dictates that the Matriarch is to breed. Other females in the clan can only sire pups with permission of the Matriarch. And pups were just not in any future plans for either her or Tituga.

Glancing up, Sar'idikk realized Chaunn was patiently observing her while she silently struggled. She cleared her throat, "For us it IS bad. Timing is the issue. And you know Tituga, she plans out everything. She's not ready; I'm not ready. And to even think of Kari'kalei-lou...Ugh." Sar'idikk's voice faltered. Another thing she dreaded - the ceremonies and festivals of the breeding season. She pinched the bridge between her brows.

"You and Miss Tituga really are still so young. This agonizing over pups and scheduling, it amazes me. Becoming Lou'dte Kalei is a part of life. And you can not plan and control every aspect of life." Chaunn put a reassuring hand on the smaller Yautja's shoulder. "I was a Lou'dte Kalei. Twice. And I seemed to turn out okay. Or so they tell me, anyway."

Chaunn's humor was enough to make Sar'idikk smile. "I suppose..." Kwei, who had been patiently and quietly watching, smiled up at her adopted mother. Her affection for the little one allowed that hope of another baby to wash over her body again. Weakly she shrugged at Chaunn, still feeling utterly overwhelmed.

"Paya above always works his magic on his terms. He makes the plan, not us." Chaunn reached over and took Kwei into her arms. "I will take her to the nursery. Find your sister. Assure her. And then let it be done."

Spinning on her heels, the large female sauntered casually away, leaving Sar'idikk to herself. Clicking her mandibles together in uneasiness, she then trekked out of the docking area to find her sister.

All around, the huge cargo area moved with hurrying bodies and loud machinery. A crane-like device methodically stacked massive boxes in a particular order, it's long neck hissing and spitting impatiently with every turn and lift. Other crates and pallets traveled on the arms and backs of hard-working Yautja, carrying them too and from smaller ships and waiting carts in the cargo bay. The direction of these moving bodies and machines were being conducted by a barking voice, somehow clearly heard over the busy noise, echoing from the center of the structure.

Despite all of the loudness, it could not drown out her scrambling thoughts and worries.

Watching with a muted expression from one of the second-story observation balconies, Tituga gazed out at the cargo bay. Rare did she visit this area of the ship, for it was typically males that conducted work and business here. A females presence, or to be more specific musk, was not encouraged in areas where much manual labor and high testosterone came together. It could rouse a fight, which normally when it was only males, rarely happened. But somehow the female Yautja found herself in this area, immersing herself in a place of the ship that always had a thick scent of male.

Realizing that she had subconsciously brought herself here made the Yautja frown slightly, those thoughts she was trying to escape finding her instantly.

Pauk. Her mother's request angered her so. She was the Matriarch now, she should dictates when to become Lou'dte Kalei. How dare her mother use her Usl'cha-tkan to force the issue. She had been deliberately avoiding visiting the home planet during Kari'kalei'lou to keep her primal urges at bay, to keep her political and social career well balanced. She still had so much to accomplish before she could begin her life as a mother.

She inhaled sharply with frustration but her breath caught abruptly - the heavy male musk swirling through the air made her belly swell with want and her nether regions tighten. Slowly she steadied herself, grasping the railing of the balcony in front fo her to brace herself. She was annoyed at how quickly her body reacted to the pheromones swimming in the cargo area. They weren't even breeding pheromones and the mating season was several full moons away, and still her instincts took over. Fighting with her reacting body, Tituga allowed her green eyes to travel toward one of the stronger scents she had detected, unable to force back her primal curiosity.

Her gaze fell to the male growling out orders to the other Yautja's working.

He was stockily built. Shorter then many, but not nearly the smallest. But his aura, his being was massive. She could feel his strong, confident essence through his musk. His dark, orange-ish skin glistened with sweat from the hot labor and steaming machines around him. His shapely muscles rippled beneath the wide, tiger-like stripes of brown on his flesh, which was also decorated with numerous scars. His earned badges of courage and glory.

A tremor of desire washed through Tituga, which she fought off again to keep her own scent from spreading. She knew this male from when she was younger, from some of her first blooded trials. They had crossed paths many times while she was aboard the Dechende and every time he piqued her interest. He was fascinating...

A low chirp from the door behind her signaled that someone was about to enter. And this being a restricted area to most of the ship, Tituga already had a good idea of who it could be. She collected herself as best she could before the door opened with a metal sigh.

"There you are." The voice of her sister sounded behind her. Sar'idikk appeared at her side moments later, gazing down at the bustling bay beneath them. "I've been looking for you..."

They both watched the cargo area's movement quietly, allowing themselves time to acclimate to each other's presence. Typically when anyone approached the Matriarch they were required to kneel or bow in respect, but formalities between the sisters was not necessary. Not in closed quarters, when it was just the two of them. Tituga stayed quiet, feeling her sister's focus on her even though they both stared straight out. The air between them was thick with tension and irritation. Sar'idikk thrummed out to Tituga as mildly as she could:

"I want to discuss the Usl'cha-tkan."

Tituga tried her best not to grimace at the mention of it. Again she remained quiet. Her annoyance with this issue was making her blood pump quickly through her veins, and she struggled to keep her temper at bay. She knew her sister could detect the anger in her musk, andshe did not want to take that anger out on the smaller female. But it had to be addressed. Tituga chose to keep silent, pacing her breathing to calm herself. Sar'idikk's spoke again softly, trying to keep the atmosphere peaceful. "...Have you considered a candidate yet?"

Tituga could not help but scoff loudly at her sisters query, her eyes still on the male orchestrating the cargo bay below. Her brow steepened, a subtle growl in her voice despite the control she was trying to muster. "Ugh. Mu'ksaya. Her senility drives that ridiculous request."

"I"m sure it does." Sar'idikk kept her tone very even, still sensative to the hostile pheromones in the air. She was very aware of how easily angered Tituga could become, having grown up with her. She herself was trying to mask her frustration with the topic at hand. But a somber note slipped into her voice. "But we are bound to honor it."

Silence fell between them again as they each struggled. With some difficulty, Sar'idikk tried to speak casually again. She succeeded, although Tituga could sense her sister's aggravation. "So...have you?"

Adjusting her upper mandibles, Tituga thought for a moment, her gaze fixed on the striped male. While she didn't even want to think about it right now, she could not help but fixate on the Yautja below her. His toned body, his authoritarian posture, his proud demeanor. It seemed he was the only thing close to making her obligation feel a little less bothersome. And perhaps made the idea of attending Kari'kalei'lou a bit more inticing.

"Well...there is one I've been watching..."

Sar'idikk turned back to the scenery beneath the balcony, leaning onto the railing and searching for what Tituga meant. Soon her eyes found exactly what her sister was eluding too, a small grin touching her mandibles. She pointed casually, "You mean Gr'ka? Hmm. That childhood crush still lingers, eh?"

"Hush." Another growl laced her words, although it was more out of embarrassment then anger. The Matriarch inside her was quick to silence any criticism she didn't want to hear, but a glance in her sister's direction made her aware of the playful look she wore. Tituga then decided to soften her bristly tone. "He may be...smaller. But his will is strong. His mind sharp."

A chir of acknowledgement and intrigue sounded beside her from Sar'idikk, soothing her inner worries about her choice. They glanced at each other briefly, sharing a bemused and light chuckle. Finding comfort in her sister was relieving. They were stuck in this predicament together and they were both glad they had each other to lean on.

With a sigh Tituga finished her thought, letting the musk lingering the air around her to deepen her tone, "And if I'm to birth a Matriarch that's exactly what I'll need."