Chapter 9: The Word

Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.

No matter what I did, it felt like I wasn't running fast enough. My fear intensified as the seconds ticked by while I raced through the forest, ignoring the scraps from broken branches and bushes that surrounded me. My arms and legs pumped so hard that I could feel a muscle cramp coming but again. I pushed myself harder and faster, hoping to make it on time.

In my mind, I kept telling myself that Mia is alright and that the traitor Yautja I fought before didn't notice her in his attempt to escape. Still, the image of the traitor hurting her in any way scared me more than it angered me but that burning rage flowing in my veins didn't relent.

I swear . . . if that Yautja did anything to her . . . I'll hunt him down and kill him like the Bad Blood he is.

Speaking of the traitor, the red X mark kept popping in my head as I swore that I've seen it before but a long time ago. If I had the time, I would have jogged through my brain and figure out the connection. However, I placed that thought in the back burner and focused ahead of me as I made my way through the darkness with the limited vision I had. Stupid of me to forget my mask.

I kept going and when I noticed a tree that I've seen a couple of times when I visited the lake, I knew that it wasn't much further. I kept my hearing sharp in case something happened that I couldn't see. Sure enough, I heard the rustling of leaves way ahead of me and my heart began to pound like the drums back at Yautja Prime during celebrations and such. It was a happy sound to hear or feel but right now, it was contrasted to everything I knew. I growled when I heard the rustling again and I pushed my legs to the breaking point, not caring in the slightest if I get muscle damage or tearing in them. Hold on, Mia. Please . . .

As soon as I saw the bushes that lead to the opening and into the lake, I made a desperate leap through it as I soared through the air. The branches broke apart in several pieces as I ran through them like a lawnmower that Mia described once as a metaphor. I didn't remember such petty details but was intrigued that a small machine could do such damage if not used properly and at this moment, I felt like one when I ripped through. Once in the opening, I landed hard on the ground and heard the sound of rushing water nearby, giving me a slight relief that I made it. However, I looked around and didn't see Mia in sight or in her usual spot when she waited for me. My heart pounded harder and faster than before as anxiety and fear take over every part of my being. I scrambled and turned my head in many directions in the hope of getting the slightest glimpse of either her tiny form, her brown-greyish hair, or even her blue eyes that I have longed to see again.

After a few agonizing moments, I started to panic and worried that Mia was taken away without me noticing. In a desperate attempt, I raised my had in the air, opened my mandibles and roared with all my might, hoping she would hear me and come running. A very unwise move for any Yautja regardless of rank and many would question my actions if they saw but I didn't care. When I didn't get a response, I roared again and again to the point that my lungs could barely let one out and at some point, I had to take a break to restore the air that I've lost. I bent my knees slightly and lowered my head down, closing my eyes and letting the breeze sways my dreadlocks back and forth. I looked back up and around with my eyes as I recovered.

Where are you, Mia?

"Daugo!"

My ears caught her voice and it was music to me. I turned into the direction I heard her voice coming from and called out in response. "Mia!"

"Daugo!"

Right after she called, I heard the rustling of leaves coming from the forest but my instinct kicked in. I bent my knees a little and pulled out my knife, carefully placing it so I could easily swing if it was the Bad Blood instead. I waited for what seemed like an eternity until the bushes at the edge of the forest shook violently. I growled lowly and readied myself in case of the unexpected. After all, it could be an ambush.

But then, a small form emerged from the bushes, pushing the leaves out of the way until I saw clearly who it was. My legs relaxed but a little too much for me since I almost toppled over. My eyes widened as Mia walked out into the open. I could tell that she must have hurried to find me as well. Some parts of her clothes had small rips and her hair tangled with several dried leaves in them. Her breathing was heavy from the running she must have done and I feared that she might have been trying to escape. My heart sank at the thought but I remained still as she collected herself, swiping her beautiful, brown hair away from her face as she stood up.

"Daugo."

I didn't answer her. My mind was completely blank from the emotions ravaging inside me. I didn't know whether to be angry, scared or relieved and it almost drove me into insanity. All I could do was watch her as she carefully came closer as if any sudden movements on her part would trigger something in me. The fear in her brown eyes shook the core of me and the urge to go to her grew immensely. She stopped a few feet in front of me and raised her hands slightly to the front.

"What happened? I heard you roar and I thought something bad happened and—"

The concern in her voice as she spoke broke all restraint I had in me. Without pause, I rushed to her and dropped my knife in the process. I closed the gap between us and wrapped my arms around in a protective manner, pressing the side of my upper mandible on her cheek. I felt her pushing me back but she didn't have the strength to even budge me. I didn't know if it was out of shock or that she became frightened of me from the move. Either way, I purred a little in the hopes that it would calm her down, even if it was only a little. I closed my eyes and waited for her response, which became painfully agonizing despite only a few seconds passing. But thankfully, I felt her hands gently and slowly wrapping over the sides of my chest and stopping at the bottom of my shoulders. Her smooth skin was welcoming and I purred once more except louder. The side of her head presses against the middle of my chest as if trying to listen to my heart and I tightened my eyes close to the wonder of it.

"Daugo. Are you alright?"

Her face pulls away but she doesn't pull herself away. I did the same and moved back enough to give a little space so I can look down to her but still have my arms wrapped around her waist. I opened my eyes and took a few breaths to straighten myself.

"I'm fine but . . . what about you? Are you hurt?"

Mia shakes her head a little. "Of course I am. I was more worried about you since I heard you roar so loud and then call for me like I was in danger. What's going on?"

When she looked at me with great concern, I tried to open my mouth to say something. "I . . . well . . . uh . . ."

I didn't know what to say to her at that moment nor how to say if I had anything concrete. I took a small whiff so Mia wouldn't notice and had a reassuring feeling that whoever the Bad Blood was didn't go through this area. Still, it worried me inside since they are still out there doing who knows what and all that I have to go by is the red X mark on their armor. I swear I've seen it before . . . but where?

"Daugo."

I snapped out of my head and looked back to Mia who looked like she was losing her patience but can still see the anxiety in her. Her eyes tightened into small slits while I could feel her chest rising and falling at a fast pace. She needs an answer. Not wanting to panic her any more than she already was, I decided to keep what I know to myself.

"I thought something dangerous was coming and I worried it might have gotten to you. I'm sorry for making you so worried."

I sighed and slowly blinked my eyes, waiting to see what she would say. A split second later, she answers. "Thank you. I'm alright now."

She smiled but it wasn't the usual one that I was used to seeing. Instead of the vibrant and happy feeling that I got from her, Mia showed only a bit of it that was tainted with a small ounce of worry and sorrow. This isn't like her . . . I cupped her cheek in my hand and stroked it while looking deep into her eyes.

"You don't seem alright."

When I asked, her expression immediately changes. The smile was gone and her eyes lost some of its brilliant light that I've come to love. Mia moves her hands and pushes forcibly on my chest in order to move away. I didn't want to upset her so I let her go in confusion as to why she did that. Did I upset her? Really? I stood there like a statue as Mia turns her back around on me and walks towards the edge of the lake. She stops and settles herself down onto the ground, crossing her legs to get comfortable and then dropping her head.

My heart dropped a little, having a feeling that she was greatly upset about something and dread rushed through every fiber of my being at the thought that I was somehow responsible for it. I needed to understand so I took a few steps forward, taking detailed notes on her body language in case she didn't like what I was doing. She didn't even flinch despite my clear advances from the sound of my feet scraping the dirt below. I kept moving closer to her, testing the waters between us until I couldn't handle the silence. I called out to her.

"Mia. Why are you upset? Is it something I did?"

As soon as I said my last question, her head whips around while her eyes widened in shock. If we weren't in an awkward situation at the moment, I would have complimented on how the lights shining from the lake illuminated into the brown color of her eyes that revealed more than it has before. But right now, it wasn't the time as I froze in my spot, worried that I pushed it too far. But she shocked me once more.

"No. You did nothing wrong. I . . . have a lot on my mind right now."

She turns her head back towards the lake and I watched as her shoulders raised for a deep breath and then drop so low that they almost reached to her waist. Knowing that she wasn't upset about me . . . and that she wasn't in the right mind, I closed the gap between us and went to her side. I sat down next to her, crossing my legs in the same way as Mia although I really hated it since the muscles in my legs became sore the next morning. But for now, it didn't bother me as much as the mood that Mia was emitting from herself. I inched closer to her until our shoulders barely touched. I leaned my head close but she kept her face forward as she stared into the lake.

"What is it, Mia?"

Again, I asked about what was going on with her but when didn't answer yet again, I began to think I wouldn't know or that she wasn't ready to tell me or not at all. I grunted and proceeded to move away until her hand presses on mine that moved in between our bodies. I looked down at the interaction and then up to Mia and the look of worry in her eyes stopped me dead in my tracks.

"No . . . Don't go . . ."

I stood there like a statue, frozen from the shock of it all. At first, none of us moved and only our eyes remained on each other until I relented, moving back to her side but our hands stayed together. I waited for her to open up to me, believing that she needed some time to gather the strength to talk about it. From what I could fee from her, it must have taken quite a toll on her and may be serious. Mia turns her head to look towards the lake.

"It's Maya. She's not doing so well, I'm afraid."

Maya . . . Her daughter?

"We just found out that she's sick . . . with pneumonia. The doctor says that it will all be fine and it's only minor. My husband Robert agrees but . . ."

Mia pauses, stuttering the words that made no complete sense to me but it mattered little as I knew what she wanted to say.

"But you don't think that's the case."

"Right . . . I think they want me to feel better but I know something's wrong. No one listened to me and I got into a huge argument with Robert so I went to get some fresh air. And here I am now."

In an instant, I saw her body tighten together like she had gotten shocked or hurt. Out of comfort for her, my hand moved out of hers but reaches for her cheek and I let it glide across, feeling every smooth part of it. She didn't react like I thought she would but I kept pushing, hoping she would break out of this mood.

"I'm sure your daughter will be alright. If you just—"

"That's not the point!"

Without warning, Mia rips her face away and jumps into her feet, walking off in the opposite direction before stopping after a few steps. I became so puzzled by her reaction that I remained sitting on the ground, unable to comprehend why she acted the way she did. I watched as she paced on each foot like she was stepping on something hot. And then, she stopped and looked up into the sky, sighing and lowering her eyes back to me. She turned and lifted her arms and then back down in defeat.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped like that to you."

I didn't know what to say. Normally, any Yautja wouldn't have taken her actions likely and might have thought she was declaring a fight. You would have done the same. I noticed her hands began to shake a little while I looked down to see the front point of her show digging into the ground.

She's really upset. I mean . . . she's talking about her child being sick. What were you thinking? Being inconsiderate? You pauking (fucking) idiot.

The guilt started to grow painfully into my chest, almost ripping my muscles apart and spreading my ribs until they felt like breaking. Mia has a child . . . just like me once, that she treasures so much but worries about losing her. The memory of losing Ba'kou comes back tenfold and it took all the willpower in me not to roar out in agony.

"I can do this, Father! We can't let them escape!"

Again, I could see my son running towards the path that the Bad Bloods took when they retreated and knew that moment was coming. Sure enough, the mysterious Bad Blood emerges from the dark, swooping down on my son and I could see the blade coming down on Ba'kou. I roared without thinking.

"Ba'kou!"

The knife plunges down into the middle of my son's back as he let out a horrid screech that I never wanted to hear again. My vision began to darken once more and when I realized it, I tried to run to Ba'kou and kill the Bad Blood that stabbed him. However, the darkness was coming much faster but then I saw something on the Bad Blood that brought on my attention. On his wrist gauntlet, a small red X shape can be seen and my eyes widened at the realization.

I remember now!

"Daugo!"

Everything shattered around me as I opened my eyes to see Mia kneeling in front of me, holding my face between her small hands. I realized that I must have dozed off at some point but then the trembling of Mia's hands brought my attention back to her.

"Mia?"

I kept my gaze on her as she lowered her head down and brought it back up after a few moments. "I don't know what to do anymore. Everything is falling apart and I feel all alone."

At that moment, I saw a single tear form from the corner of her eye and start to fall down across her cheek. Seeing her like this, it tore my heart apart and a dreadful feeling washed over me . . . one that I had never experienced in my life, not even with Ba'kou. Mia closes her eyes and tightens her lips together as if in pain. I couldn't bear to see her like this. Without hesitation, I brought my finger carefully close to her cheek and caught the small tear. When it landed on my skin, I pulled it away and observed it. It was so tiny and fragile. At any moment, this little thing could be destroyed with so little effort on my part but it wasn't the case. Instead, the tear became something more but I couldn't pin it. I lowered my finger until the tear slipped off and landed on the cold grown between us. I looked back to Mia and spoke, hoping to convey my message to her.

"You are not alone, Mia. I'm here."

I moved my hand until it cups her cheek once more. She doesn't flinch but surprises me when she presses her cheek into my hand, closing her eyes and humming at the same time. It took everything in me not to purr at the delight. A few seconds passed until she opens her eyes once more.

"I know but . . . us meeting together is dangerous. If anyone found out, it wouldn't end well for either of us. Especially you and . . . I don't want anyone to get hurt because of me."

I nodded. "I know just as well as you. But I decide to come and meet you because you're worth it."

I watched as Mia nods slowly but tightens her lips again like before. "I just wish that I didn't have to be this way. I know that Stargazer wants to protect us from danger but is this all worth it? I mean . . . we were told that Yautjas are cruel creatures that hunt for the sport of it and at one point, I believed them."

When she said those things about my species, a little anger began to grow deep into my chest. My kind doesn't hunt for the sport of it but rather prove to everyone else that we are strong. It's the way of life for us. We're not that cruel. I had no idea how to react about what Mia said but just as I wanted to protest about the facts, she surprises me once again with her words.

"But when I met you, everything changed. The first time I saw you, I thought it was the end of me but you let me and the others live when you could have easily killed us. If you were such a cruel being, then I wouldn't be here talking to you . . . trusting you with everything I have. You changed my way of thinking for the better."

She stops for a second, swallowing a bit and catching her breath between her speeches. I remained silent but attentive, taking her words and hearing them clearly. Mia looks back into my eyes and locked.

"I wished that everyone would feel the same way as I do when I'm with you. If only Yautjas and humans could coexist, then all of the bloodsheds wouldn't happen. If only we say ourselves as equals . . . find the balance between us and—"

She stops for a moment as if she was concentrating on something, looking down onto the ground. It scared me for a moment until she pulled herself back up once more.

"Daugo . . . how do you say 'balance' in Yautja?"

I was taken back by her request, confused as to why she wanted to know. However, I did as she asked and spoke the word.

"Ta'kasa."

Mia blinks a few times until a small smile grew on her lips. It was then that I saw a small light in her brown eyes that almost made them look like she was glowing. She was beautiful and I couldn't look away as her voice speaks the word perfect for the first time.

"Ta'kasa . . ."

Right then and there, the tension between us grew to the point that I couldn't take it anymore. My heart yearns for her and the muscles in my chest threatened to tear itself apart. I want her . . . I need her. As fast as I could, I grabbed her around her waist and picked her up in the air with little effort. I heard her gasp in shock but I didn't bother with it. I stood up and carried her to the nearest tree trunk, pressing her against it and earning another gasp from Mia. I stopped to look deeply in her eyes as she did the same. No words were spoken between us but we didn't need them. Both of our breaths intertwined as I inched my face closer to hers.

All I wanted was to feel her . . . to actually feel what it's like to be with Mia. But in my mind, I waited for her to reject me or something between those lines as I came even closer but she didn't fight back. Instead, her face starts to come closer as well and meets me halfway until at long last, she closes her eyes and her lips push through my mandibles with ease since I didn't fight against her. And then, her lips press onto my inner mouth and the warmth from them burned through me.

Is this . . . a kiss?

It was . . . amazing and different . . . like nothing, I've ever felt in all my life. Her lips were soft to the touch but at the same time, strong and fierce as Mia pressed into me more. I accepted her without question, closing my eyes and opening my mandibles even more to give her access. Instinctually, I tightened my arms around her waist while pressing the lower part of my body into hers. My groin pushed against her core and it burned with delight as I let out a growl that morphed into a moan, grinding my hips against her in response. I heard her moan as well into my mouth and I relished it. Our kiss got stronger as time went on and at some point, I felt Mia's arms wrap around my back until she grips some of my dreadlocks tightly. I groaned from the touch since Yautja dreadlocks are sensitive and can prove to be advantageous in battle but at this moment, it only made my feelings for her grow stronger. In response, I pressed my inner mouth harder on her and moved my hand to the back of her head to push her more against me. Both of us enjoyed the moment and I didn't want it to end.

But then, out of nowhere, a flying object swoops through the corner of my eyes as I opened them for a split second and embedded into the trunk, almost hitting Mia in the head. Both of us pulled away as she gasped in shock, looking back at me with fear in her eyes. I whipped my head around and saw Thant'oug standing a few feet away with his mask off, almost looking surprised to see us but at the same time, not surprised as well.

"Well . . . I didn't think you could go as low as this, my lord Daugoumand."

I kept my eyes on Thant'oug as I gently lowered Mia onto her feet, making sure she had some bearing before releasing her. Before I turned myself around, I whispered to her.

"Stay close to me. I'll protect you."

Mia nods, taking labored breaths and I knew she was scared. I wanted to comfort her but I had to deal with this pauking (fucking) idiot before I could. I turned myself around, holding my hands up to my sides in a protective manner for Mia. Thant'oug sees this and growls ferociously.

"I can't believe what I'm seeing. Is this what has been going on the entire time you've been here? Intermingling with an ooman female? A prey to our species?"

I growled in warning to Thant'oug. "This is none of your business."

"None of my business!? We have a mission to destroy the oomans who dare to compete with us but here you are, messing around with a lou-dte (child bearer)?! What else have you been hiding from us?!"

Thant'oug roars so loud that the sound echoed for miles around. I feared that someone might have heard him and come running, creating more problems for me and Mia. I stepped forward in a threatening way to make sure Thant'oug knew not to mess around with me.

"You don't have the authority to demand an answer from me. Leave. Now."

I opened my mandibles and let out a small roar that normally is used to intimidate an opponent so as to avoid a fight and risk injury to one's self. However, Thant'oug was too angry to get the message when he suddenly charged in my direction. I turned my head quickly around towards Mia.

"Mia! Run!"

It was the only thing I could think of to get her to safety. If I can distract Thant'oug, then Mia might have a chance to find safety. Mia nods and runs to the side just as Thant'oug slams into my body, forcing me onto the tree trunk and breaking a few pieces off of it. I roared in agony as the pain radiated through my spine and into every nerve in my fingertips and toes. Despite that, I used all my might and shoved Thant'oug backward, giving me an opening to swing a fist into the side of his cheek. He yelps but his grim on doesn't relent and before I knew it, Thant'oug swings me around and I land on my back to the ground. I roared as my body goes numb, unable to move any part of it.

When I thought Thant'oug was going to finish me off, I saw him turn around and start walking away. I got confused for a second until I lifted my head up and saw he was heading towards where Mia was, standing in shock and fear but refuses to move. I had thought she would run as I said but she didn't and the anxiety in me grew tenfold. I tried to move again but my body was still recovering from the initial attack so I did the next best thing to knock some sense into her.

"I said run!"

"No! I'm not going to abandon you!"

Despite her body shaking, her voice remained strong and firm and I would have praised her for it if we weren't in a grave situation like this. Just like her to think of others before herself.

I heard Thant'oug growl at Mia and watched as he inched closer to her, poised to kill her. "I'll take care of you 'mission' my Lord. Once and for all."

He pulls out his wrist blades and lifts them high into the air, ready to strike Mia down. I won't let you kill her!

Somehow, an unknown strength flows through me, enough to dull the pain that pinned me to the ground. I lifted myself up and rushed towards Thant'oug without thinking. While I charged at him, I saw my knife on the ground that I dropped earlier and reached for it, lowering enough to grab the hilt while still running at a fast pace. When Thant'oug was about to bring his wrist blades down on Mia, I threw the knife at him and cuts the side of his bicep. He roars and drops his arm down suddenly but I wasn't going to give him the chance to recover. In an instant, I wrapped my arms around his chest as I slammed into him. Both of us fall down hard but Thant'oug wasn't going to take things easy. As soon as I got him, he rolled us until he was on top of me once more and before I knew it, his hands grip around my throat. He tightens them hard and almost cut off my air supply but I grabbed onto his wrists to prevent him from tightening harder. While that was going on, my eyes turn to see Mia looking on in horror but I could see she wanted to help me. But if she did, nothing would end well and I wanted to keep her safe.

"Go, Mia! Please!"

This time, I cried out so she knew that I meant it. I could see she was struggling to take off but I gave one last look before she turned around and ran into the forest, disappearing from sight. Some part of me was glad that she escaped but at the same time, I worried that it might be the last time I would ever see her.

Mia . . . I'm sorry.

My attention turns back to Thant'oug as his grip tightened even more and I struggled to keep consciousness. Despite that, I let out a guggled growl into his face and Thant'oug responds in the same way.

"You traitor."

I glared right into his eyes that burned with rage. Wasn't so surprising since Thant'oug had a bad history with oomans during his hunts and never really like them so to see one of his kind interacting with one, I expected nothing less from him. But then, my vision began to fade and I knew I didn't have much time before I'd go unconscious.

But then, as soon as I thought I was done for, the heavy weight of Thant'oug lifted off of me and providing the relief I needed. I turned my body around until I was on my hands and knees and coughed violently. It only took a few moments to get my lungs full of air and I looked up to see Xen'ork holding Thant'oug in a vise grip, keeping him from going anywhere.

"What are you doing!? Let go of me!"

Thant'oug tries to break free but thankfully, Xen'ork had it under control and kept him contained. "You're lucky I don't break your neck if you keep struggling against me."

As they were fighting against each other, I felt an arm grab firmly onto my forearm and begins to lift me up. I glanced up and saw Hakr'ouh by my side, helping me onto my feet. "My Lord Daugo . . . Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Just need a moment."

I move his hands away from me and placed my own onto my knees, bending down a little to get the rest of my strength back. As soon as I felt better, I stood up and looked towards Hakr'ouh before turning to Xen'ork and Thant'oug. As much as I didn't want Xen'ork to let him go, I had no choice so I called Xen'ork.

"It's okay. Let him go."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded and Xen'ork sighs, finally releasing Thant'oug from his hold and almost got shoved down in the process. Thant'oug still seethes in rage but doesn't make any advances towards me, probably knowing that it wasn't wise to try something like that. It was deadly silent until Hakr'ouh asked me a question.

"What has happened between you?"

Thant'oug wasted no time in roaring out what he believed was right. "Lord Daugo has gone insane! I went to go look for him like you said and I find him mating with an ooman female of all things!"

When he said that, I saw Hakr'ouh's eyes widened a little in shock but of course, he composes himself quickly to cover his emotions. Xen'ork responded in the same way but looks at me with a 'wow' look and I could feel he was smirking at me. I wanted to shut him up but with Hakr'ouh and Thant'oug around, I didn't want to get him in trouble as well. After a split second, Hakr'ouh turns to me.

"Is that true?"

I responded quickly. "And so what if I was? Thant'oug . . . you would say anything about me in your current state."

"How dare you!"

Not wanting to take any more cjit (shit) from me, Thant'oug begins to stomp towards me once more but this time, I was prepared for it. However, Xen'ork pulls him away before he got the chance while Hakr'ouh stands between him and me.

"That's enough from you. We'll deal with this later when we get back to Yautja Prime immediately."

My body freezes at that moment, confused as to what Hakr'ouh meant. What are you saying, Hakr'ouh?"

Hakr'ouh turns to me and bows. "Forgive me for the changes but we have been called back to Yautja Prime as soon as possible for an urgent matter?"

"What matter?"

He shakes his head to me. "Unfortunately, I don't know. It orders from Lord Dau'jein."

My father? Something must be serious if he's calling me back. Or that he's lost his patience with me. I hoped that it was the latter since I didn't want to go back . . . not until I made sure Mia was safe and well.

"Are you sure? Maybe he's just—"

Hakr'ouh places a hand on my shoulder before I could complete my sentence. "He means it. No delays for excuses. We need to go."

With that, Hakr'ouh releases me and turns around to head towards the ship. He calls for Thant'oug to come with him and with a quick grunt of frustration, he follows suit. He gives me one more nasty glare in my direction before turning his back on me. I swear that particular Yautja is going to get what's coming to him someday. I kept my eyes on him until Xen'ork walks to my side.

"Daugo . . . What went on here? And where's Mia?"

I watched as he turns his head around in all directions as if he thinks he'll catch a glimpse of her but there would be no such luck. By now, Mia must be far out of sight and into safety with the other oomans. I didn't trust them but they were her best chances of surviving. I turn to Xen'ork and calmly speak.

"I'll tell you later."

Before he could ask anymore like the Yautja he is, I took off to head in the direction Hakr'ouh and Thant'oug took to get back to the ship with Xen'ork on toe. As much as I didn't want to leave, I had no choice but to obey my father's orders or risk being branded a Bad Blood, which would bring more problems than there already was. But as I took the most dreadful walk through the forest and back to the ship, I couldn't help but think about Mia and wanted to see her again. My heart pounded at remembering the intimate moment we had together. I remembered her skin on mine . . . her cheek in my hand and . . . her lips on my mouth. I closed my eyes a bit, relishing at that moment until we made it to the ship and heard Thant'oug and Hakr'ouh's starting up.

Guess they are not wasting time, huh?

I looked over and saw Hakr'ouh standing on the ramp of his ship, waiting for me and Xen'ork to head into ours. I ignored him and proceeded on the ship, hearing the ramp closing behind us. As soon as we made it to the deck, Xen'ork moves to sit on the pilot's seat and started the engine. He presses codes into the panel as I stood by his side, looking outside of the windshield.

"Are you sure everything's alright?"

I didn't turn to him as Xen'ork asked nor did I answer his question as I remained steadfast. I was expecting him to bother me more about it but surprisingly, he stayed silent and continued to get the ship ready for take-off. As soon as everything was up and running, Xen'ork got the ship to lift off and we rise into the atmosphere of the planet.

As we went higher, I could see the entire forest below me and marveled at its beauty, especially since the sun was beginning to rise over the mountains, lighting every part of it. It was ironic . . . When I first arrived here, I didn't care much about it but after everything, my view about it completely changed and I now admired it.

But just as I looked lower into the forest, an image I never thought I would be able to see caught my eyes. I saw a small figure standing in an opening and took a closer look, realizing that it was Mia who was looking up to us. My heart pounded in relief that she was okay but then a bit of sadness took over, not knowing if I would ever see her again.

I shook my head at the thought. No. I will find a way to see you again, Mia. Have faith in me.

As the ship rose higher from the surface of the planet, Mia's small form began to shrink until she was gone from my sight and at that moment, a piece of my heart remained behind with her as we took off into space, disappearing from sight. Before the planet faded from view as well, I placed my hand onto the windshield, praying that all will be well.

Or so I hoped it would be . . .

Hi Readers!

A very emotional chapter for Daugo, Mia, and even myself. It took a piece of my heart as well but I'm sure they will be back together but of course, troubles have to follow behind as well.

Now that Thant'oug and Hakr'ouh know about his relationship with Mia, what is going to happen to him back on Yautja Prime? And what is the important matter that Daugo's father wanted to talk about?

But an important connection has been revealed that will connect everything together in a form of a word. I wondered what it could be . . .

Find out when Chapter 10 comes in two weeks.

P.S. Thank you Anonymous-E, Maria, Paul, and Guest for the wonderful reviews on Endurance. I really appreciate it and I got the information you have provided for your request story (Anonymous-E). I hope to hear more from you about it. :)

Thank you and enjoy! :)))

Reading notes:

Normal = Human speaking English (ooman language)

Bold = Any Yautja speaking English (ooman language)

Bold and Italic = Any Yautja speaking Yautja language