A/N: Edited and Revised. :)

Chapter 10 - (Destiny)

Adara blinked, her mouth gaping open. "Our . . . our future?" Adara asked dumbfounded.

Malice nodded sagely "Yes, but lets not get into that . . . come, we shall sit at my table and discuss your lineage."

Adara raised a brow, "No offense…Um, Malice, but I am not exactly sure what's going on. I don't have dinner with people I hardly know. Much less sure I like . . . ". Adara didn't know it, but this honestly pleased Malice, he, after all, was a highly respected and honorable Yautja. He was seen as the head Arbitrator by most clans. Adara of course, knew nothing of this. She just wasn't sure if he was truly trustworthy. Since rules did not carry over to her, she was uncertain as to what they were capable, or incapable of doing.

Malice chuckled, "So suspicious, very smart to be weary of the unknown."

"Being weary gets you nothing around here . . . nothing but humiliation . . . " Adara said as she walked over to sit at the table across from Malice.

"Oh?" He simply stated, he seemed to be observing her rather closely. What had Prophecy and Malice discussed? Was this the reason he suddenly had a change in attitude? Adara was unsure. The reasons could go either way, after all, she did not know Malice much. She sat down next to Malice, although at a very comfortable and respectable distance.

"All right, let us assume that I stay for dinner and that I take what you offer as a, 'wait a minute,' I still don't understand why it is that you have, changed your tone with me." Adara was trying to choose her words carefully Yautja men were prickly creatures.

Malice was clicking his mandibles together as he observed her. She looked nervous, or at least was acting like it, but her vital signs showed nothing but a steady pulse, and no rise in temperature. She was small, that is what stood out to him the most. Prophecy had said she was no human. That she, in fact, was of a different species. He wanted to know more. He couldn't understand why he felt the need to speak with her. Perhaps it was because he was simply curious.

Adara kept looking at Malice, as he seemed to drift off in thought. Great, now he's off in thought and I have to sit here and behave. I wish I knew why he was interested in talking with me, was it because I touched him earlier? I hope not, it wasn't as if I CHOSE to. After all, if he should be taking anyone to task it should be those assholes that went out of their way to try and push me around. Adara was still thinking to herself when Malice seemed to have surfaced from his own thoughts.

"Your eyes tell me of the history you have seen Adara." Malice's purr like tone snapped her out of her own thoughts.

Adara's eyes focused on Malice once more as she cleared her throat. "Eyes are indeed windows to the soul, or so they say. I myself think that it is very possible. Why am I here?" Adara tried again. She really didn't want to keep pestering him about it. But she realized the more she waited, the more impatient she became.

"Prophecy has told me you are a great Warrior, a great warrior knows patience, where has yours gone?" Malice teased as he watcher her squirm. He was enjoying this banter, something he hardly enjoyed with anyone.

"Probably went hand in hand with your 'straight and to the point' attitude." Adara countered, as she looked straight into his eyes. Malice had the grace to laugh at this. He'd never since his youth had ANY being talk to him as such and found it amusing.

"I can tell that this is going to be a long evening." Adara said in frustration. Malice couldn't help but laugh again at her consternation.

O.O.O.O

Mouse sighed. He couldn't believe it. After what seemed the twentieth time, the Blooded still didn't seem to get it right. He was running out of patience. Wait, no that had happened yesterday. It never seemed like anything was improving. Yesterday he'd spent the entire morning and afternoon wondering if he should go and look for Adara. In the evening, he'd remembered that he should be training, not thinking about women, or mating.

It hadn't helped though. Even though he'd sparred the entire afternoon, and well into the evening. He'd had no luck getting the thought of running his claws gently up Adara's skin out of his mind. Now, he was standing here watching the blooded, wondering how he could convince her to mate with him.

"Mouse, are you even paying attention?" Morg, his paternal uncle asked. Morg was usually a calm and quiet, he himself was an Elder. Morg was popular, with the Yautja women. Because of this, he had much of the male's respect.

Mouse shook out of it and nodded briskly, "It isn't improving." He simply said as he looked towards the Warriors and motioned for them to intervene with the lesson. If they weren't going to do it right, they'd be punished right. Mouse looked to his uncle and sighed. "I'm having problems . . . "

Morg smirked, "I know what you need boy . . . "

Mouse growled. "Would you mind NOT calling me that?"

Morg chuckled, "Very well, but, I still know what you need . . . a woman!" Morg fairly yelled, which drew attention to both him and Mouse.

Mouse roared them back to work and turned back to his uncle. "Do . . . you . . . mind?!" The words themselves were bitten out.

Morg pulled Mouse along and out of the training area. "Look, I know what you're feeling, it's radiating from you. If you don't take care of the problem, you're going to be unable to focus, THAT, can get you killed Mouse." Morg had spoken seriously this time.

Mouse sighed and grudgingly nodded. He knew that it could very well be the case. It was happening now and he was just STANDING there, observing the young. "What am I suppose to do, most of the women around here overlook me because of my father..." Mouse stated angrily.

"Or me." Morg added, with a smirk.

"OR you . . . " Mouse growled out.

Morg nodded, "Come on . . . I want you to meet someone . . . " Mouse was about to protest, but Morg yanked him along, towards what seemed like the lift.

"Where are you taking me Uncle?" Mouse asked as he fell in step with his uncle.

"To the bridge . . . " Morg said simply as he got on the lift with Mouse.

"Why are we going there?" Mouse asked annoyed.

"Because Mouse, there are two women in there, beside your mother, that I can NEVER seem to convince to mate with me. You my boy, may have a chance." Morg said with a lascivious grin.

"G-r-e-a-t" Said Mouse, unenthusiastically.

"You're not in the spirit of this are you?" Morg commented as he rolled his eyes.

O.O.O.O

"What do you mean, I'm your servant now?!" Adara shot out of her chair in bewilderment.

Malice looked up at her from his seat and nodded. "Yes, Prophecy has handed your sentence over to me to overlook. Which means, you will NOT be fighting Nayarit." Malice spoke calmly as he ate a piece of grilled fruit.

"WHAT?!" Adara roared. That was a slap on the face. How could she not avenge herself? Not kill Nayarit for her dishonor? Unheard of. "Then you're going to have to give me back because there is no way in HELL that I'm not going to kill that godforsaken wench!" Adara said passionately. She was not about to let that woman go unpunished.

Malice raised a brow bone and tilted his head to one side. "What makes you think that I'm not going to take care of it Adara? I am an Arbitrator, I handle problems like these."

Adara growled menacingly, "Ah, yes, but problems like these when they happen to Yautja, not to people like me"

Malice narrowed his eyes and said, "I am telling you now that I am handling it, as you are MY servant and therefore MY problem. As I will not have a dishonored being in my living area, I will solve the issue before we leave tomorrow."

Adara looked back at him as if he'd just grown horns. "Leaving? Where are WE going?"

Malice chuckled and said. "Prophecy tells me that you are quite the skilled fighter. He also said that if you were up against many of us, you'd win. As he is an Ancient, a well-respected one at that, he wouldn't lie about something that serious. So, I'm going to take you with me to test you."

Adara gaped at Malice, with an expression on her face that bespoke her confusion. "Okay . . . let me get this straight, I fear that this conversation has dropped my I.Q. about 30 points. You want me to go off hunting with you. Because of this, Prophecy has given my servitude sentence, to you. Is that right?"

"There is one condition he specified. Which, well, I could simply have withheld. He tells me that you have abilities like his, so I think you would see through me." Malice again grins, because he knew that she hadn't seen anything past the surface. He waited for her to agree with him.

"Uh, no. I probably wouldn't have questioned it. I don't understand why you would lie to me. But since you're telling me you could have withheld information. I'll make sure to go and mind molest you for the information in the future. Better?" Adara finished off sarcastically.

Malice again laughed but sobered quickly enough. "He stated that it is to be your choice. If not, then you stay with him."

Adara opened her mouth to say she'd rather stay with Prophecy. But then shut it again. What good would come of staying here after all these problems? She'd get an opportunity to get off the blasted ship and move onto something else that may prove to be a challenge. Why shouldn't she take the opportunity that was so freely given to her? Or, unless, there was a price. "What exactly other than the normal duties of a servant would I have to do?" Adara's question came out after several minutes of mental debate.

Malice was watching the inner struggle Adara had been going though. Her face had said it all. He knew that he would win this. He never lost. She was peculiar. She didn't think to question his reasoning, or his interest in her. But she questioned things like her duties. Strange that someone should accept something so big, and only worry about the details. Unless of course, she'd come to terms with his offer. "Your duties would include going on hunts for Bad Bloods. That is about the only added duty. Everything else you are already aware of." He wondered if she would accept. She had courage, he had to give her that.

Adara thought it over a second more and then nodded. "I'll go. I see no point in staying here and being idle."

Malice smirked, "Very well, I will inform Prophecy. We leave here tomorrow."

O.O.O.O

"I can't believe you've talked me into this." Mouse muttered under his breath as both he and his uncle walked onto the bridge.

"Relax Mouse, you'll see this won't be a problem." Morg muttered back calmly.

Slayer looked up from her station and raised a brow bone in question. "Yes? What are you doing here Morg? Is someone out to challenge you for a female again?" Slayer chuckled as she continued to work.

Morg purred softly, flirting with Slayer, "No, no Slayer, you know I just love to see you every now and then. Working women always did attract me."

Slayer laughed and then sobered. "Move on Morg, I said it once and I'll say it again, you're not my type."

Morg smirked and nodded, "I suppose that's something I'll live with, but uh-" Morg didn't get to finish.

"It's nothing new for him to hear I'm sure Slayer, after all, he did say you always said no." Mouse commented smoothly. He wanted to get back at his uncle for his stupidity in bringing him here of all places, to look for a female to mate with.

At this, Slayer looked to the younger of the two male Yautja before her and smiled. This was Rome's son. "Mouse, is it not?"

Mouse nodded, looking Slayer over, she indeed was a beautiful female. Sought after by many. She was one of the few women that went off on hunts with the men. Highly sought after, but few ever did get to mate with her. "Yes, it is I."

Slayer looked him over just as he was giving her a, "once" over. "How about you come and talk to me without your uncle later. I'm sure we'll have tons to discuss. You may leave now." With that, she dismissed them and went back to work.

Morg smirked down at Mouse as he again yanked on his arm to get him back on the lift. "HA! You will be mating tonight!" Morg exclaimed triumphantly, as if this in fact had occurred because of him and him alone.

"Get off of it. The only reason she wants to see me is because its her own choice. Not because of you." Mouse muttered in annoyance.

"Boy, you need to shut up and take it how it is handed to you. She wants you, you'll get some and that's the end of it. You may get her pregnant and she will bare you a child. It is what we live for Mouse, even you can't deny that." Mord finished as they walked on.

Mouse huffed and nodded. It was true. Not only that, but if this got Adara out of his system and out of his head. Well, what better reason did he need? "Well, hopefully I won't be too sore for tomorrow. There is much I need to do before the hunt."

Morg laughed, "That's the spirit!"

Mouse glared at his uncle, "Do you have to be so loud uncle, I'm right here?"

O.O.O.O

"Prophecy, why did you not just tell me?" Adara asked Prophecy as she gave him his meal. She was still bound to serve him until tomorrow, when she was to depart with Malice.

"Because Adara, had I suggested it, you would not have considered going. I know you that much. You are inclined to stay where you are comfortable at times." Prophecy said gently as he began to eat.

"Is that such a bad trait though? Is it wrong to want to actually stay where I am comfortable sometimes?" Adara asked sincerely. Adara was never one to stay in one place for too long. It had been so since she was allowed to leave home. She wanted her freedom and wanted to see the worlds through her own eyes. She was now questioning that. Although she didn't say that part of her thoughts aloud.

"No Adara, it is not. If you feel this way, why have you not settled down to a life with a mate and bare children?" Prophecy asked gently. "Why did you accept to go with Malice?" He asked again in the same tone.

"Because, there has to be more for me than just getting a mate and having children. I cannot fathom the idea that all of my experiences will be nothing but stories for my little ones. I want children, but I want to bring them into a world that is beautiful because I helped it become what it is." Adara said passionately. She hardly ever spoke of her feelings of such an important subject as this, but she somehow knew that she could trust

Prophecy to keep her thoughts to himself. "You are out to leave a mark then . . . " Prophecy tried to decipher what it was she was trying to say.

"Not as much as that I think, an imprint would suffice." Adara corrected.

Prophecy nodded, understanding. "Then Adara I fear that you cannot do it on this clan ship. At least, not yet."

Prophecy had hoped that Mouse would have lured Adara enough to his side to get her to stay with him, and bare his children. Although it was forbidden to couple with other species, Prophecy knew that there would be great potential between those two. Mouse had not acted accordingly, and Adara was not one to remain idle or suffer Mouse's attitude.

That grandson of mine needs a good kick in the ass to get him thinking straight. I cannot believe that he let her out of his sight after what nearly occurred a day or so ago. It appears that I'm going to have to let it go for now. Just as Prophecy was thinking that, Adara narrowed her eyes at him. Well, at least it looked like it was to him, but she seemed to be looking over his shoulder.

Prophecy turned and looked back. He could have laughed. The boy certainly had excellent timing. "Hello Mouse. what brings you here, especially without knocking?" Prophecy didn't mind having his family come in, but unannounced, that was a different matter.

Mouse had the good sense to look embarrassed. "I am sorry about coming in unannounced grandfather. I was just taken aback by one of the rumors that has been circulating the ship."

Prophecy smiled, there was hope for the boy yet. "Oh? What rumor is that?" "One that claims that Adara will be leaving with the Arbitrators" As Mouse said this, his attention went to Adara who was still eating.

She looked back up at him and smiled. "I am leaving. It isn't a rumor. I'll be leaving tomorrow. Isn't that great?" Adara smirked as she asked her question, she could see that Mouse most certainly did not think it was great.

"You are not allowed to leave without permission" Mouse spelled out through gritted teeth.

Adara laughed. "Permission? I do have it. Prophecy gave my sentence over to Malice, who by the way is going to clear up that mess with Nayarit for me. So therefore, it's none of your concern, no skin off your back Squeakers." Adara grinned and popped a piece of grilled pineapple into her mouth.

Mouse growled at her and then looked at his grandfather. "You gave HIM the sentence, if you did not want her grandfather, could you not give it back to me?" Mouse chose his words as carefully as his anger allowed him.

Prophecy again smiled as he turned to Mouse, Time to shove him in the right direction, Prophecy thought as he came to his feet. "She was my servant, it was up to me to give her the choice as she was framed for something she did not do. Adara is not a servant here anymore Mouse. She can choose to do what she will, especially if I gave her permission."

Mouse looked to Adara, "You accepted?"

Adara nodded. "What do I have left here anyway? Am I to stay here and rot, or to go on a hunt with Arbitrators? I have everything to look forward to there. I may come back with a higher ranking than you Mouse." Adara couldn't resist putting that in there as well. Mouse roared out of frustration.

Adara rolled her eyes. "What the hell is your problem?" She walked over to stand before him. "You are fit to get rid of me one moment and then you bitch the next. Do all men have mood swings as you do? I could have sworn you were a woman underneat-"

Adara did not finish as Mouse backhanded her across the face. He was furious that she'd even say that he was a woman. Emotional like a woman. How dare she?!

Adara had fallen to the floor, holding her cheek as she looked up at Mouse. "I ask . . . that you remember this moment. So that in the future, you understand why I do what I do."

Mouse was still furious and now looked confused by what she had said. He was about to ask her, but she was already on her feet and did a round house kick to his face. He flew off with the momentum and slammed into a wall, he was out cold. Adara stood staring at his unconscious form, seething with barely suppressed anger. Her eyes were narrowed, her hands fisted at her sides, her fingernails biting into the palms of her hands.

"Adara..." Prophecy began.

"I do not intend to continue Prophecy, as far as I'm concerned, any interaction between Mouse and I is dead. If you'll excuse me, I have my things to pack." With that, Adara turned on her heel, with the regal grace of a Queen, she walked to her bedroom and closed the door behind her.

Prophecy looked at Mouse and shook his head. "You have just made a lifelong enemy, one that could have been your mate. Foolish child." With that Prophecy left the living area, which is where they've been talking, and walked into his meditation chambers.