CHAPTER 10:

Disobeying

Iliana sneezed while in their new 'home'. It was temporary for now until they found a more temporary one. Frankly, she would've rather slept outside. Covering her nose with a handkerchief, she looked at Kantra. Her allergies had gone haywire from the dust.

"Thanks for making me leave my home for this" she said, bitterly. "This is a dream come true."

"I know it isn't what we'd expect but it has to substitute" Kantra said, sighing.

They were in an abandoned warehouse. After a two hour drive, they'd gotten this far. Kantra thought it'd be all right for some days but then they would have to move. He knew this wasn't easy on her for his sudden quickness, but he'd be there to help her despite she didn't want it. She had turned more distant from him unlike the previous days where she'd grab his arm and embrace him. Now, she just backed away from him when he came close. He knew he would have to rebuild everything with her but it'd be hard.

Oomans are more emotional than us, he thought.

"I hate this, I hate this!" she yelled. "I had to leave my damn cozy house for this. .this. .I don't even know what this is! It looks like it hasn't been dusted in years! It can have rodents and spiders for all I know!"

"You do not like it, I know, but it has to be our home for now" he said, simply.

"My home was back there and you. ." she started but stopped.

I know what she's wanted to say, he thought.

"Go ahead and say it, I took it from you" Kantra said, looking at her directly. "For all of your help, this is the outcome. And trust me, Iliana, I am very sorry for it but I am exceedingly grateful to you for your help."

She didn't want this. She wanted her old apartment with her runny sink and her warm heater, not a sneeze trap. Despite all of his apologies, it wasn't making it better. She wanted it to be but this place ruined it. She hit the floor with her foot from anger.

"Kantra, this. . ." she said, placing a hand over her forehead.

He walked over to her while the floorboards creaked under his feet. He wrapped his arms around her but she pushed him back with one hand. Grabbing it, he placed it onto his waist and held her. She shook her head and tensed up for a bit but then eased herself against him.

"This place is trash, I know" he comforted. "But this is the only place we can stay at tonight. We can keep going tomorrow. I know you hate this but I am trying to protect you."

"I know and I'm trying to accept that but it's hard" Iliana said, sighing. "It was so sudden, I didn't even have time to even move anything anywhere."

"When we find you a safe home, we can send for your things" Kantra said, cupping her chin. "Just send a letter of sort saying you'll pick it up in a two weeks or so. Sounds good?"

"It will take that long?" she asked, groaning softly.

"We have to be sure it's safe for you to even go back" he explained. "I don't believe fully that Eliok is dead, and in case he is, we have to stay safe."

Eliok? Oh! The blue guy!, she thought.

"Why does he want to kill you so badly?" Iliana asked, softly. She needed to get her mind away from this place so she might as well ask.

"He was my last prey but I think he has a bigger agenda" Kantra said, thoughtful. "I don't know what, but I've never had prey or heard of prey that actually tracked a hunter down."

"Hate to say it but he seems even better than you" she said, grimly. "That thing is very, very tall."

Tell me about it, he thought.

"Yes, it is" he said, shaking his head in disappointment. "So. . .will you continue to help me? I've never asked for help before, I always did things with my best friend but. . ."

"You're on your own now" Iliana finished for him. "What happened with your best friend?"

"I don't want to talk about that" Kantra said, quickly. He loosened his hold around her.

She could tell easily that his past rattled him somehow. Every time she asked, if he was smiling, right after that question, he'd go frantic. He would close like a vault and quiet in his talks. It must be bad but she had to know at least something. She could even tell that he was nervous through his mask.

"Does your past deal with your sentence, what led to it, how it went, or how it was afterwards?" she asked carefully. "I'm not asking about your past, just a time frame."

"It deals about what happened before it, what led to my sentence, and afterwards" he mumbled softly that she could barely hear him.

"It was that bad?" she asked, raising a brow.

"Going from a respected hunter to a disgraced one?" he said, quickly. "I think so!"

"I was just trying to be nice" Iliana said, getting out of his hold. She tries to be nice to him and he just snaps. "Excuse me for trying to get my mind to wander away from what's been going on in my life!"

She walked over the dusty floor over to a window on the wall through the dusty floor. The floorboards creaked anytime anybody walked over them. After trying to make conversation, Kantra just snapped instantly from a question. She wanted to know more about him a least if she was going to help him. She didn't need his life story, just a little part or so to know what she was getting herself into. Hearing Kantra walk up behind her, she shook her head and walked away. But he easily grabbed her back with his reflexes.

"I am sorry, I don't know how many times I've told you that but please believe me" he said, dipping his head.

"I'm helping to protect you, why can't you answer one question?" Iliana asked, furrowing her brows. "I'm not here to judge you but I need to know what I'm getting myself into somehow. I mean. . .I just had to leave my home for god's sake! How can I-"

If it'll quiet her, his mind sighed.

"What question do you want answered? But only a simple answer" Kantra said, sighing.

After deep thinking, she said, "What were you sentenced for?"

"For murder and losing my prey" he said, looking away.

Oh God, he is a murderer?, she thought. Who'd he kill?

"Did you really kill someone?" she asked, meekly.

"I said one question" Kantra said, sharply. She backed away from him quickly. Then sighing at her expression, "I didn't kill anyone, Iliana."

With that attitude, who knows?, she thought.

"How do I know if you're telling the truth or lying?" she asked, nervously.

"You're just going to have to trust me" he said, crossing. "Or are you having second thoughts about what you told me about believing I was innocent."

"Kantra, my brain is going over 100 miles an hour in thoughts after what's happened today" Iliana said, desperately. "We were talking in the morning like roommates, then we get trapped by feds and Eliok comes after you, he almost killed you, you then threw him into a river, and I had to leave my home. You can excuse my anxiety."

He placed his hands over her shoulders and squeezed them gently. She placed her hands over his while trying to calm herself down. How she hoped things would settle soon.

"Answer me truthfully, did you kill anybody?" she asked, looking at him. "It can be true or false, I don't care."

She really does want to know, he thought. Wonder if she'll believe me anyway?

"If I am, wouldn't you be afraid of me?" he said, clicking his throat.

"I have the feds and Eliok to watch out for, what's another thing like this gonna do?" she said, laughing weakly. "My brain is already scrambled as it is."

"No, I did not murder anyone, Ana" Kantra said, squeezing her shoulders. "Despite my people didn't believe a word, but I know I did not. I was honorable and would never have thought of killing one of my own. Is that better?"

He sounds sincere enough, she thought. And he hasn't tried to kill me after he promised not to also. I guess I'll take my chance at it.

"I believe you" she said, nodding to him. "I have to believe there's one good thing about this."

"You're the only good thing in this" he said, smiling. "You're willing to help despite not knowing everything. I am putting my trust in you which is something I haven't done in years. I am thankful for everything you've done and I know it has not been easy. Thank you, Iliana."

"For an alien, you sure know what to say" Iliana said, smiling softly. He laughed quietly. "I hate this, I know you do too, and . . .have I said how much I hate this?"

He patted the side of her face to make her breathing calm down. She leaned into his hand after a bit but he could sense there was tension behind it. He knew she didn't fear him but the feeling he got from her was of mistrust. She was ooman, he was yautja, it was normal. But the distrust didn't feel as if it were of him but at him. He couldn't blame her though, he knew it was about him making her leave her dwelling. He squeezed her cheek to hopefully make her better.

"Yes, you have and I'm sorry" he said, rumbling his chest. "But I will try to make it feel better somehow."

"I doubt you could sweep the entire floor by tonight" she said, grinning. "Or steal a bed for me."

"I could if that's what you want" Kantra said, suggestively. She smiled.

"No, no, I'm just tired from all of this" Iliana said, shaking her head. "I just need some sleep."

He nodded and looked around the dark area. Well, to Iliana's sight it was dark but to him it wasn't. He had to face the truth of this place, it might as well have been dilapidated. Looking around, he found a semi-dirty patch that she could sleep at. He pointed it out to her.

"Go sleep there, Ana, it's not as dirty as the rest" he said, pointing.

She looked over to the spot where he pointed. It wasn't great but at least she'd have a view outside the window somehow. Walking over there, she picked up her bags and threw them down over the spot. Looking back at Kantra, she shrugged.

"It's no fancy hotel but it'll do" she said, sighing. "Maybe tomorrow we can find one?"

"We'll see but it has to be far from here" he said, simply.

Oi, is there nothing that doesn't end with a happy comment, she thought.

"You know, if you want me comfortable, try to agree with me on something" Iliana said, setting her sleeping bag down.

"I agree that this place isn't the best place to be at" he said, using humor. She smiled softly.

"Better" she said, yawning. "Let's get some sleep."

"All right, I just have to find my spot" he said, looking over the floor. Even he didn't want to sleep on dust.

I can't leave him alone despite what he's made me do, she thought.

"You can sleep here, c'mon" Iliana said, patting the dusty floor next to her. "There's enough space and dust for the both of us."

He smiled at her humor, "All right, it's much better than the other dusty spots."

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"What do you mean I can't go to work!" Iliana demanded.

"You cannot, it's in the city you lived in" Kantra said, simply. "Therefore, in case someone is tracking you down, they can go there since you work in the open field."

"Don't start your whole alien intellectuality on me!" she said, firmly. "You said I had to move, why can't I work?"

"Because you can't! I am trying to protect you, why can you not understand that?" he said, walking over to her to grab her hands. "If you go out there, you'll be, how do you oomans say it? Oh 'a sitting duck'."

"Then what am I supposed to do this whole time? Sit here twiddling my thumbs?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. "I'm going to work."

"Fine, go kill yourself and if you expect me to come to your rescue, you can forget it" Kantra said, firmly. He let her go and turned around. "The thanks I get for helping an ooman."

He then went into a talk in his own language. Iliana was still angry at not being able to go to work and now he was growling in his language about her. Going up to him, she pushed him forward. He growled and turned around from her surprising push.

"The thanks you get? I'm the one who's been helping you, you owe me!" she pointed out. "So if I want to go out, you're going to have to be okay with that."

If she wants to go suicide herself, fine, he thought. She may have helped me but if she's that stubborn, I can't do or say anything to change it.

"Fine, go out and have your fun" Kantra said, simply. "I will be here waiting if you return."

"If? If? Trust me, I'll be back" Iliana said, narrowing her eyes. "And you'll have worried over nothing."

"I doubt I will" he said, crossing his arms. "Have a good day."

She grabbed her things she'd need from her bag quickly. Getting up, she saw him over by the windowsill looking out. She hated getting the hunter angry, especially since he could be rid of her if he wanted to. And part of her knew that she'd need him to stay all right. So, why was she doing these reckless things so suddenly? Her recent days had not been going well. Walking over to him, she placed her hand on his shoulder.

"I'll go to work to resign and I'll be back" she said, simply. "So then you won't have to worry."

"Oh, I thought you wanted to do things your way" he said, coldly.

She grabbed his masked face into her hands. He stirred surprisingly at her gesture.

"I know you're frustrated but I'll be fine" Iliana said, looking down at him. "I will be back before you know it, all right? Trust me?"

Why does she always make me feel sympathetic when she touches me?, he thought. Odd ooman.

"Just keep yourself safe" Kantra said, firmly. He didn't need to sound soft after all his warnings.

"I will and then we can be on the move again" Iliana said, nodding.

"You're going to get used to moving again?" he asked, curiously.

"I've moved a lot before, what's another big move again?" she said, sighing. Then checked her watch, "Gotta go."

She leaned down and kissed his masked cheek. He clicked his mandibles in surprise at her gesture. She'd never done that to him or any being at all for that matter. Luckily, she didn't do that gesture on his skin to make him more flustered.

"Just go and be safe" Kantra said, sighing.

"You know, your moods change as quickly as mines do" Iliana pointed out.

"I guess your attitude is rubbing off on me" he said, amusingly. Then normally, "Come back safely."

"I always do" she said, patting his head.

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Iliana was fixing her final paperwork when she heard the commotion. Going to her door and opening it slightly, she saw five men in black suits at the front desk.

"I'm telling you there's no Iliana Dominguez working here" one of the secretaries said.

"Fine, Susan Corrales then" one of the feds responded.

"Yes, she is here" the secretary answered. "Do you have an appointment?"

Oh my god, they tracked me down here, she thought. Kantra's always right so far. Damn it.

Getting her stuff quickly and placing her pack over her back, she headed to her window. She opened it and slipped out of the room quietly. Running to the left from behind the building, she took up the back path. She needed to get to the parking lot quickly before they could find her. Ducking under the windows, she kept going until she reached the end of the building.

"Oh crap" she muttered.

Feds were piled up on the middle of the path. She hissed and planned on what to do? If she went back, they'd find her somehow. If she tried to get past them, they'd find out who she was. So, she decided to go away from them on the other side of the path. Letting her hair down, she placed it over half of her face and placed a cap over it. Taking off her uniform shirt, she put it in her bag and left her blue shirt underneath. She didn't have time for the pants so she decided to leave them on. Placing sunglasses over her face, she started walking from behind the building.

She sneaked out quietly and started walking down the path. Looking around the sights as if she were interested, she wandered to one side carefully. After some minutes, she thought she was in the clear until she heard. . . .

"You there, stop!" one of the feds called.

Iliana turned around slowly and waved.

"I'm sorry, I can't hear you!" she said, backing away.

She backed away innocently but she caught sight of them looking on a paper. Great, she's on those Most Wanted signs now. Walking faster, she noticed quick paces after her so she looked back.

"Turn yourself in, Dominguez!" they ordered. "Or we'll be using any force necessary."

I guess that's my cue, she thought.

She ran off instantly down the path and put her sunglasses in her pocket. She needed to see better in the light without them. Running down the slope, she tried to lose them in the monkey habitats. She knew this zoo better than them so hopefully that would come in handy. Running into the tunnels, she ran through the crowd and kept running. Looking back, she saw the feds getting caught between the crowd. She smiled and kept running to the next habitat.

Running through that one, she did the same by going through the crowd and taking different paths. She ran and ran until she ended up near the koala and marsupial habitats. Going down their paths, she headed to the bathrooms when she saw them. She went behind the restrooms to rest against the wall. Suddenly, she felt two hands grab her around the shoulders and lift her up. She struggled in whatever held her and looked up. Noticing a yautja's cloaked outline, she sighed.

"Kantra?" she asked, quickly.

"Who else would come to your aid?" he responded and lifted her up onto the roof. "So, stop struggling."

How does he always happen to be there?, her mind thought.

"How did you get here?" Iliana asked, gratefully. She wrapped her arms around him tightly. "You were right, I shouldn't have come. I should've stayed at the hideout and-"

"But you didn't, so now we have to find a way to get out" Kantra said, patting her head. "Are they still looking on the ground for you?"

"Yes, we have to get to the parking lot" she said, quickly. "Maybe we could-"

Ooman worries too much, he thought.

Kantra grabbed her and placed her over his shoulder quickly. She groaned at knowing she'd probably be nauseous over this.

"And this would be for?" she questioned.

"We are going to climb our way out of here" Kantra answered. "So, I hope you hold on to me, but don't worry, I'll hold onto you with one hand."

"You won't drop me subconsciously for disobeying you?" Iliana asked, nervously.

"Of course not, besides I need someone to keep me company" he said, smiling. She blushed slightly at his comment.

"I hope we'll stay safe" she prayed.

"We will, Ana" he assured. "But no more going out."

"All right" she sighed. "Let's go."

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"See, safe?" Kantra announced.

He went over to the windowsill to relax and stretched his muscles. They'd gotten cramped from their climbs to get out of the zoo. But luckily, they'd been able to avoid the feds but they almost had some close calls. Kantra felt Iliana sit behind him and poke him in the back.

"Thank you, Kantra" she said, softly. "For what you did."

She placed her head on his back and relaxed. He sat there like a statue at her thankful behavior. Usually, he was used to her witty self and her remarks, which he enjoyed most of the time. It was surprising how many sides of her he was seeing lately.

"You are welcome" he said, nodding. "Now, if you do not mind, I need to stretch my muscles from that whole climb."

Hmm, gives me an idea, she thought.

"I can help you with that" Iliana suggested. "Take off your upper body armor."

What does she want me to do that for?, he thought.

"What for?" Kantra asked, suspiciously.

"Trust me" she said, simply.

It's not like she'll kill me or anything, he thought. How bad could it be?

He took off his armor carefully while avoiding his injuries. She took it afterwards and placed it in a neat pile.

"Your mesh too, I forgot" she said, meekly making him sigh.

For the love of the gods, he thought.

He did what she said and waited. Feeling her small hands over his shoulders, he tensed up.

"I'm not going to eat you" she said, hastily.

He relaxed slightly and she pressed her thumbs into his back. It hurt slightly from his shoulder injury making him hiss.

Oh crap, she thought.

"Sorry, sorry!" Iliana said, instantly. "It won't hurt. I promise."

He quieted and felt her hands move over his broad shoulders softly. After a bit, they strengthened while she massaged his shoulders in the areas they were cramped in. When she moved to his back, he purred from feeling the tension release from his muscles. It wasn't so bad and he liked it, especially since it eased his pain.

"I'll take it that you're enjoying it" she said, smiling.

"I am, especially after having climbed so much" he said, nodding.

"Was I that heavy?" Iliana asked, grinning.

"No, your body just cramped my injuries a bit" he answered back.

"I'm sorry, but I'm really thankful for what you did" she said, and gave him a quick hug from behind.

"Do you still mistrust me for making you leave your home?" Kantra asked, looking sideways. "I know you didn't show it last night, but I know you felt it."

Him and his smartness, she thought. More like insightful.

"You don't miss a thing, do you?" Iliana said, smiling. "But yeah, I felt like that yesterday, but can you blame me? After today though, I don't feel that way much."

"Much?" he questioned.

He really likes questioning, she thought.

"What do you want me to say? That I bow down to you and will be my hero forever" she joked.

"Wouldn't hurt" Kantra thrilled in his laughter. She laughed with him. "But we're in this together and I hope you will trust me again."

"I hope for the same also" she said, simply. Then running a hand through his dreads, "Lay back."

What?, he thought. I feel like a child of sort.

"Are you sure you can take my weight?" he asked, raising his brows.

"Yep, I'm not that fragile" Iliana said, smiling. He shook his shoulders. "Besides, I've already fallen with you into a river and a mud puddle, I can handle it."

He rested back against her and she placed his head on her shoulder. Her hands traced over his shoulders to his upper arms to massage them. He felt odd for being in this manner against her. The only time he was like this was with his previous mate and yautja's don't go into touch much like oomans. But her gentle touch melted him into it which made his mind fumble why? He purred and pressed himself back onto her when feeling her fingers uncramp his muscles.

"What is this called?" Kantra asked, rumbling his chest.

"It's a massage, it helps to ease tension in the muscles" she informed.

"I'm glad I have you as a partner" he said, softly. "I know I'm in good care."

I'm starting to love his compliments, she thought.

"Well, you're not exactly a wild animal for my care" Iliana laughed. "But I'm glad I could help."

Iliana kept massaging him while Kantra relaxed his body into a feeling he hadn't felt for a long time: peace.

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End of Chapter 10. Sorry I didn't post it up yesterday but I was updating my other fic. Thanks to Caz, Cittygurl, The Greatest Boba Fett Fan, Bastet1023, and Predatordragonfreakfor their last chapter reviews! So please read and review as always, I love you all.

P.S. Eliok isn't dead for those who are wondering if he is, he'll show up in the next chapter or so to track Kantra down.