DeathyIceMaiden: Slavery is definitely not ok! Not in a human context. But I really wanted Luna to struggle to understand a society that was so different from her own while also not making their world too similar to Earth. There are pros and cons to every culture and she's trying to work out what those are in her new life.

mette598i: Thank you so much! I couldn't find many either so I figured I would make my own and I am glad you like it so far!

I know where I am going with the story so I hope you all stick with me as I update! Thank you for all the favs, follows, and reviews! I appreciate them so so much!

Enjoy :)

Chapter 10

Tak led me through the onslaught of the crowd. It was abundantly clear that my clothes and above all my collar, made a statement. For, despite the fullness of the walkways, no one came close to touching me.

Everyone tried to avoid hitting each other, of course. But with how packed it was the occasional smacking of shoulders or even tripping into somebody was expected. And no one made a fuss about it when it happened, even the Yautja, who were by all means the masters.

And here I was, and you'd think I was wearing a repellent. Everyone who walked the opposite way looked at me. Or rather, looked at my decorations. They were who I was now after all.

And once they looked, they avoided me like the plague. The slaves that is. The Yautja appraised me, their eyes soaking my body and I mentally patted myself on the back for not attempting to cover myself.

As we walked I watched those that passed by. From teal colored Yautjas to neon pink tentacle creatures, every kind of alien my mind could comprehend appeared.

I had become somewhat comfortable with the Yautja so seeing these new creatures was a shock to my system and I felt relieved whenever another of Cetanu's kind passed me.

The real shock came however, when humans started passing me. And by the look on their faces, they were not remotely shocked to see me. They were used to this life and I wondered if I would ever be like that. I didn't know if I wanted to.

I felt utterly lost as we circled tree after tree, climbing vine ladders and crossing metal and natural bridges alike. It was all so different and I needed to find my place in it all.

Eventually, when we had made our way down from Cetanu's home, my home, we broke off from the ant line and merged into a large plaza like platform.

Unlike the other structures that were built around the huge trunks, this metal flooring sat in between a circle of tress, its edges digging into the bark.

It was huge, I couldn't even see the other side. More impressive were the booths. Some were like mini rooms, covered in cloth while others were like old style lemonade stands.

The vendors were all Yautja, slaves were working at each one, and they all seemed to provide unique goods.

Tak had fallen in step beside me and seemed to be enjoying my wonder. There was only one row of booths that lined the circle and in the middle was a large metal statue of a group of Yautja warriors, dressed in full armor, their dreadlocks flying behind them as if they were running. And children, Yautja and slave alike climbed all over them, having…fun.

It was so normal and yet so bizarre but I felt deeply comforted by the sight of happiness that seemed to buzz around the place.

Tak and I slowly made our way to the first booth, patiently waiting for those in front to move on. As we approached I saw jewelry. Much like those I wore on my head and limbs. Some were simple cuffs while others were beautifully carved and would wrap up a limb like a vine. One piece would have multiple sizes and I could imagine how much effort it went into making them.

As we passed each booth I became increasingly mesmerized. Some vendors sold jewelry, which were all hand made by the vendors and so were always unique and had a different twist to each of them. Others sold clothing, some very practical and others as ornate as the one I wore.

Then there were weapons and trinkets and toys and food. Oh my god the food. I had stared longingly at these red berries covered in a thick honey substance before Tak spoke to the vendor and I was given some.

Confused, I looked up at her, questioning. She only smiled.

"Money does not exist here Lay-ksa. Some goods need to be bargained for but food is always free. Everyone gets a serving worth their need. And as a ke-da you will never be denied."

I stayed silent as we moved into the middle of the plaza toward the statue. If only Earth had been more like that…

I slipped one of the berries into my mouth and moaned. The juice from the berry wasn't as sweet as you'd think, it was actually rather bitter but the honey like sauce cut through the bitterness and made the taste so satisfying. I offered some to Tak and she seemed genuinely grateful.

We sat on a bench of sorts and just watched everyone mull about. I took a deep breath, and for the first time since being taken, I felt at peace.

Of course, I was wearing a collar that even now tugged uncomfortably at my neck and moral judgment. I was still a pet in the eyes of everyone here. I was by no means free.

But right now I was just enjoying delicious food with someone who was the closest thing to a friend I had, and was happy watching others enjoy their day.

Even on Earth, I had few days like this. At the orphanage I was always alone and struggling for the meager supplies we had. And once adopted, I spent most of my time in the woods or in my room. I had never experienced this type of widespread community.

It was…nice. Really nice. Tak had said this place wasn't as bad as it could seem. I was beginning to see what she meant.

However, it took seconds for the peace and happiness to evaporate. A deadly hush fell over the crowd, even the children who didn't dare move off the statue. No one moved. But they were all staring one way.

Through the same entrance Tak had brought us through, came a group of menacing Yautjas.

"Elders," Tak whispered to me in a feathers voice.

The difference between the elders and the others wasn't even so much of an appearance contrast, it was more the air around them. They felt different.

And then I snapped. They felt like Cetanu did. But of course they did, he was an Elder. I had completely forgotten. Which was ridiculous because right then I spotted the black Yautja.

He led another group of Elders in and I felt drawn to him immediately but held back. That's when I noticed the leashes.

Honest to god leashes connecting some of the Elder's hands to the collars of other aliens. I froze in horror as I realized what they were.

The highly decorated cloths and leather collars they wore. They were pets.

Seeing them like this, I understood why the translation was 'pet.' Compared to the sinister atmosphere that surrounded the Elders, any creature looked like a small animal next to their master.

That's how I looked. I cringed and continued to watch is disgust. Cetanu immediately scanned the plaza, finding my eyes and burning into them.

I thanked whatever god that decided not to hate me today that I couldn't speak their language yet. I'm sure he would have called to me. He would have expected me to timidly walk from the crowd to his side.

He still might honestly, but I hoped for the best. Turns out I didn't have to worry, as another of the Elders said something in a booming voice and like a light switch, the market went back to normal.

Everyone turned and began milling about again, the children playing hunter atop the statues. It was like nothing had even happened. Never once did my eyes leave Cetanu's.

It was just as well for he suddenly made a powerful stride straight towards me. If I had thought people avoided me, it was comical compared to the way they all but dove out of his way.

He didn't bother moving around people, he knew they would move for him. Seeing him like this, I fully recognized his power.

Unlike the other Elders, Cetanu exuded an innate power. The others had simply earned their right. They had made their way to their position.

But looking at Cetanu, you'd think he was born that way. Like royalty. And as he came upon us, I knew that I was his favorite treasure.

He stood over me, his hand reaching out and cupping my jaw. The motion was so tender that it caught me off guard.

He titled his head and trilled down at me. I was at a loss for words. I desperately wanted to fight, after seeing all those pets looking so content by their Master's side.

But there was a very real part of me that was happy to see him. And he wasn't treating me badly, he wasn't even treating me like a slave.

I bit my lip and reached for the honey berries, or rather the few that were left. I grabbed one and stood, bringing our chests together.

I looked up at him, nervous. I lift my hand to his mouth, wanting him to eat the berry. Normally, when Cetanu ate, he would use his tusks to bring food to his mouth.

But as he opened his mandibles I bypassed them and let him eat directly from my fingers. His tongue slithered out and pulled the berry the rest of the way in, then continuing to lick down my finger where some juice had been left.

I let out an embarrassingly loud moan as his tongue felt like it was licking up my entire body. A hand shot to cover my mouth and I squeezed my eyes shut, humiliated.

Cetanu merely wrapped a hand around my waist, pulling me close to him while the other cupped my head and tucked it into his chest.

My face burned. I wished I had more control over my body whenever I was with him, one touch and I forgot everything else completely.

"N'yaka-de!" Someone screeched next to us.

I pulled away from Cetanu to see who it was. The blonde girl that greeted me and Tak stood there, smiling up at him. More like oogling really.

Cetanu reached down and affectionately patted her head, which freaked me out. I had never seen him act that way towards anyone but me. And I didn't think I liked it.

They began speaking in that fucking language again and I craned my neck back to speak to Tak.

"Who the hell is she," I whispered? Cetanu refused to let go of my waist so I did my best to keep them from hearing.

Tak leaned in, looking worriedly at Cetanu, and responded. "Her name is Dahdtoudi. An assistant to the Elders and a great warrior among the slaves."

"Why does she keep saying that 'Neyaca'-whatever? She called him that when we go here too."

"N'yaka-de means Master. But it is special for pets, only used to refer to their bonded Master."

I eyed the small teen suspiciously, "Then why does she call him that?" There was a bite to my words that I didn't expect.

Before Tak could reply Cetanu pulled my chest back to his, their discussion apparently over as the human smiled brightly at him before turning and skipping back to a small group of Elders.

I stared at her, perplexed. She turned around and glared at me before speaking to the others.

"What in the world?" I asked no one.

Cetanu growled softly and tipped my chin up so my eyes could meet his. "It's nothing," I murmured. He spoke to me then, looking directly at me as usual and Tak's voice coming from behind me to translate.

"Master Cetanu would like to bring you to the baths Lay-ksa. Before he goes hunting. He shall leave later tonight."

"Hunting? Elders still hunt?" That was apparently funny to Cetanu because he began laughing, or something akin to it. You know, considering the whole no lip thing.

"He said 'All Yautja hunt, ke-da, till death.'" I felt a sick feeling slowly wrap around me. Worry. That was worry. He was my only source of protection here, and he was leaving.

"How long will you be gone?"

"Only one day." I breathed a sigh of relief, hating myself.

"C'os," Cetanu said, turning around with me in toe as he began walking. We walked side by side with his palm cupping my back, Tak trailing behind us, finishing off the last of the berries.

As we walked, we drew many eyes. An Elder and his new pet. We must have made quite a sight but I distracted myself with other things.

That blonde human for example. That whole situation pissed me off a lot more than I was ok with. Reasoning it out only made me more frustrated.

I focused instead on Cetanu's hand and the warmth against my back. We were still very high up by the time we arrived at the baths.

They weren't kidding when they named it that.

The area was much like the plaza, being built within a circle of trees, but the platform was much thicker.

That would be because everywhere, there were deep pits filled with different colored water. Some foamed, others steamed, and some barley even rippled.

Dozens of Yautja and accompanying slaves relaxed in the pools, others swam in the larger ones. I had only bathed once since being here and I was suddenly desperate to get in.

Cetanu wasted no time in leading me to a lone bath with black water, of all things. I looked over at Tak who was waiting patiently.

"Why are they different colors?"

"The pools have different properties depending on the herbs in the water. Even I do not know all by heart, but most choose a pool based on the feel of the water rather than a specific property unless they are injured. This pool is good for the nervous system."

I was about to ask her what she meant when I suddenly felt Cetanu's hands start to unravel my chest wrap.

I very nearly let out a shriek but my hands flew up to grab the fabric before it came undone and I flashed the entire world.

"No no no no no, I don't want to ruin these clothes but I am not going tits out into this thing." I snapped, spinning around, still clutching the now untied wrap to my chest.

Cetanu growled impatiently at me and went to grab my wrists. I dodged, if he grabbed me there was no way I could stop him.

I understood no one here cared about modesty, but I felt exposed in the loincloth I wore and now he wanted me to go completely nude in front of everyone?

"I don't want anyone to see me naked except you." It was true enough, and if I wanted to have it my way I would need to play it off to please him.

His hands froze and he stared at me, considering my words. He turned to Tak and spoke to her.

"Master Cetanu won't let anyone see your body, he wants you to change in front of him and he will shield you."

I cringed inwardly, that would probably be the best I got. And we were in the corner, it could be worse. I sighed, making sure to draw it out so he knew how I felt about this.

I stepped in front of him and hesitated. I knew it was silly to be embarrassed, he'd seen me naked before. Hell, his eyes had come quite literally face to face with my nakedness.

But he was watching me so intently, like he knew this was challenging for me. What a giant scaly dick. While I contemplated, he grabbed his own loincloth and disrobed.

Alright, well if he wanted to be like that then I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of being embarrassed. I quickly unwrapped the chest band from myself and threw it at him.

He caught it effortlessly. Next was the loincloth. Before I lost my nerve I hooked my fingers through the fabric and ripped the cloth downward.

I threw that at him too. He looked directly at me while he brought up the material to his face and inhaled. I flushed and he let out a long drawn out purr that made my legs tighten.

I tried not to shake as I removed the jewelry from my body and head, setting them down gently and gazing back up at him.

He stepped close to me, tossing my clothes to the side, probably to Tak, and wrapped his hands around my waist.

He pulled me up and I maybe might have let out a tiny squeal. Come on Luna, get it together.

I instinctively wrapped my legs around his waist. His hands slid down, cupping my ass while my hands went around his neck, under his dreadlocks.

He waded into the pool and the second the water hit my skin I hissed. It made my skin tingle. It was if every poor the water touched was being stimulated.

I clung to Cetanu as we went deeper. Eventually he sat down on a bench like seat that had been built into the pit.

The water was shocking my nerves and I get what Tak had meant. I slowly got used to the feeling, relaxing against Cetanu.

His hands rubbed up and down my back, the heat from his skin grounding me. I got an idea then.

I slowly moved my hands, grabbing one of the dreadlock tubes, and pulled. Not hard, but enough. It was Cetanu's turn to hiss.

I laughed hard as he pushed me away. The pit was deeper than I could stand, and I barley caught myself enough to start swimming.

Cetanu gave me a predatory look and started toward me. My eyes widened, and I backed up quickly. I hit the side of the pit, the sides were smooth so it didn't hurt. But I was trapped.

Oh and naked, I was naked. So jumping out and running from the angry alien he-man wasn't the best idea. Although he wouldn't hurt me, I knew that.

So I decided I wanted to mess with him. I dove the opposite way, kicking my legs hard to get away from him.

He quickly caught my movements and made a beeline for me. I laughed and we continued like that, swimming in the pool, diving towards and away from each other.

I was having fun. God, it had been so long since I laughed like this. Since I could just explore and laugh, and enjoy my life.

I looked at Cetanu, who seemed like he was genuinely having a good time, which made me feel some kind of way.

That caught me off guard. He did scare me, probably always would. But not in the way a lion scared a gazelle. I was aware of his strength and power, I knew he could hurt me and there would be no way to stop him.

But I suddenly realized that I trusted him. I knew he wouldn't hurt me, not intentionally. And that scared me more. When you trusted someone, you let your guard down without even noticing.

That's why when something happened, it hurt more. I couldn't afford to forget how he saw me. I was his pet. Even now, his collar hung on my neck. The collar I had discovered was waterproof. The water refusing to cling to it. See, I couldn't even take of his symbol of ownership.

I was not his friend, not even his lover. I was property, meant for his pleasure. But his care felt so real, and maybe it was, but it wasn't for me, not really.

It was for what I was, not who I am. That train of thought made my earlier fun freeze up and as Cetanu came after me again, I let him catch me.

He pulled me with him to the bench again, sitting my in his lap. He could probably feel the change in my mood. I felt too conflicted about everything and it was starting to take its toll on me.

We stayed in for a bit longer, Cetanu cradling me to his chest. I closed my eyes and just let my thoughts relax away.

Eventually we got out, Cetanu shielding me again as he helped me dress. We were about to leave the baths when low and behold, the yellow bitch who had tiger clawed my back walked in.

And boy did she looked fucked up. She had fresh scars everywhere and walked a bit off balance. What in the world happened to her?

She spotted us and froze. Cetanu growled threateningly as he stepped in front of me. I froze, realizing he had done that to her, after I had passed out.

Yautjas heal extremely quickly, so to see her like that, he must have really hurt her. I didn't know how to feel about that honestly.

She had hurt me, for no real reason, but she looked like an abused puppy now. She was even taller than Cetanu but like this, she seemed small, timid.

We walked out slowly, passing her. She gave me a look of hatred and quickly stalked inside. I was so confused. I'm not the one who assaulted someone else. I didn't even know what Cetanu had done to her until now.

The female remained in my mind until we walked back. But that quickly went away when I saw the girl, Dahdtoudi, sitting on the bed. My bed.

I was surprised with how quickly anger came to me. You didn't just go inside peoples homes, even here. Tak had been clear to stay only where everyone was allowed so why was this girl sitting there so casually?

And on my bed, no less. Cetanu wasted no time in making my anger worse by trilling as a greeting. I bit the inside of my cheek and stayed right next to him as we approached her.

"Coto'a N'yaka-de?" Dahdtoudi asked, smiling up at him. He merely growled and staked out the door. Ok…?

"Oh right, he's leaving on a hunting trip isn't he?" He must be going to get his armor, I though, gazing at the door.

"So it's true," the blonde said, "you're his pet. I didn't actually believe it when you first got here." The smile on her face was gone, and her foot began to tap slowly on the ground.

She leaned back on her hands, her back arching so her bare and perky breasts were on full display. She also wore leather like armor. "I had heard he'd claimed some human, but I thought it was just a rumor. N'yaka-de deserves so much better than some random girl. And look at you, you're weak. Pathetic."

I took a deep breath. I couldn't lash out right now, no matter how badly I wanted to. Tak had said she was a trained fighter, and I really didn't feel like humiliating myself by trying to confront her physically.

Best to go with nonchalance then, "You sound jealous."

"Oh, I'm not jealous of something as low as you, I just know what my Master needs."

"A foot up his ass," I muttered under my breath, not really feeling the insult. She narrowed her eyes at me.

"Don't you dare disrespect him, you don't even deserve to be a pet."

"If you haven't noticed, I didn't exactly elect to be here. And why would I want to deserve to be someone's personal slave?" I crossed my arms, growing angrier by the minute. And she was still sitting on my bed.

"You have no idea how privileged you are. Pets are the most treasured thing-"

"Pets are slaves! Whether they are treasured or not, they are not free." I felt my shoulders getting tenser. I was struggling to grasp the ideology of this world, but it would always bother me that I was an object.

She stood up, her face red and her fists clenched. "I would kill to be a pet. To be his pet!" My eyes widened as things finally made sense.

She wanted to be Cetanu's pet. That's why she hates me, and that's why she called him N'yaka-de. Something aggressive burned through me and I felt a possessiveness that I've never experienced before.

"Well you're not. I am. And if you really want us to switch places, I guess you'll just have to kill me." I hissed as Cetanu strode in. Her eyes tore at me but I didn't bother staring her down. Instead, I turned and walked up to the now armored Yautja, sliding a hand up his stomach, feeling his scales ripple underneath the mesh material.

I lifted my hand to his shoulders, my hands gripping the metal as my knees bent and I jumped. He figured what I was doing and his hands came under my ass to catch me when I wrapped my legs around him.

I was definitely doing this to get to Dahdtoudi, but I was also genuinely saying goodbye to him. There was a tightness in my chest and I realized I didn't want him to go.

Which really fucked with my head considering I just argued over my hating of this whole pet thing. I needed to figure out how I really felt, otherwise I would always contradict myself.

Cetanu seemed to notice my hesitance and squeezed my bottom hard. I yelped and started laughing, my hands sliding to caress his dreadlocks and a small smile spreading on my lips.

He purred softly, his mandibles stretching out to cup me neck and cheeks. I stared into his eyes, my silver ones lost in the gold.

He pulled me closer and slipped his tongue into my mouth. I had gotten used to this odd interaction, his absence of lips quickly becoming natural.

I let my own tongue take over, swirling around his much thinner one. I arched my back, mewling quickly as we kissed.

Fondness swelled inside my chest and my arms and legs squeezed around him, tensing as he purred deeper for me.

Cetanu let go first, his hands slowly sliding over my ass to the sides of my hips as he set me back down. A shiver when down my spine as I leaned into his chest, not wanting to let go.

My forehand grew hot as it rested against him. "Be careful N'yaka-de," I whispered, my voice wavering from the intensity of being near him. He growled lowly, tilting my chin up so I could look at him.

His eyes burned. He liked me calling him that.

He stepped away from me, motioning to Dahdtoudi, who quickly followed after him. They walked out, but not before the bitch leaned in and whispered, "When I get back I just might."

I pretended not to hear, too lost in watching Cetanu leave me to care anyway.

Yautja Translations

Lay-ksa –respectful term for a female pet

Co's -come

Cota'a, N'yaka-de? – Ready Master?

I hoped you all enjoyed this chapter and are doing well! Stay tuned :)