Sorry about the wait but here is the next chapter. Hope it's worth the wait!
Ok, those of you that read the prequel to this, before 8/23/11...I have taken down the excerpt. I decided to take it down and re-write the scene. I wanted to show how badass Rin'do was. Yay for the potential couple!
And as always, enjoy and I do not own the Predator concept.
Tracking Rin'do was harder to do then originally thought. I spent a good amount of time doing just that but my end results…well, not to good really. "Y'al didn't warn me enough about this guy." I muttered, punching the last of my report-one that Bee demanded I send-in and glanced toward the screen. In a box, covering half the monitor, Bee stared back.
"You attacked him?" he blinked, head cocking.
"No…" I quickly corrected him. "He attacked me and I defended." leaning back in the chair, my arms crossed over my chest. "There is a bounty hunter also here, he's the one that attacked. Don't think he even use a weapon to fend him off." at least, I hadn't send when with our meeting. Shaking my head, I stood and moved toward the back of the room.
"Dai'dai?" he called out in question.
Sending him a look, I gave a shrug and started strapping the armor/weapons to my person. "Ain't gonna find him hulled up in here." unlike before when I had gone out in the cryo-tube sleepwear-what? I was a little preoccupied!-I had dressed into the more 'appropriate' hunting attire. Not to sure how this is more appropriate, considering the only thing covering my chest, besides the armor, is a strip of dark fabric and the bottoms were shorts, really short, like daisy-dukes, shorts. If this was before me meeting Bee, pretty sure I would not be comfortable…like at all.
"Oh, by the way…" pausing what I was doing, I turned just my head slightly, to let him know I was about to speak again. "Next time I decide to go searching for someone who thinks he's still a badblood by myself, smack some sense into me, will ya?"
He clicked in laughter, head inclining. "As you wish, Dai'dai."
"Wipe that smirk off ya face." I scowled, storming from the room with a flare of my hands. Almost positive I heard the little bastard laugh. He is sooooo lucky we are light years apart!
Hoping from the ship floor, I touched down on the planets surface and raised my arm to active the gauntlet. It came to life, lighting up and I set the systems to scan the planet. It was only a matter of time before it picked up on the signal I had programmed into as belonging to Rin'do. Unless of course he's one of those smart hunters that keeps a scrambler on him. If so, mine as well be running blond…maybe go head and strip myself of all the armor I wore.
…ok, so I'm a bit dramatic, sue me!
Hopefully, this time will be a bit more…positive. It's looking up if he doesn't attack on sight but that probably means I need to start talking, like, as soon I have him in my sights. Can anyone else see this ending badly? Not just me, right?
Letting out a huff of air, I set the cloak to active and leapt into the closest trees. Squatting on a branch, knees bent and one hand gripped the surface. See, being part human has some upsides! Because of what I am now, and how small I am because of my human nature, it's a lot easier for me to move in the trees then my clan. When I started running, leaping from branch to branch, the colors blended together. They meshed as I picked up speed. Every time I landed, the thick branch barely moved underfoot before I was springing for the next. Not a sound being made.
I…am…a…ninja! Eat your heart out, Naruto!
Giggling at my thought process, I soon feel into a content silence. The wind ruffled the hair that had grown long enough to poke free of the helmet. It caressed my spotted, tough and yet soft skin. The serenity was a lot like the first time I came across Rin'do, peaceful and calm. Something about this planet just seemed to draw you in.
Suddenly, the gauntlet started going off, the beeping soft and are piece vibrating. The system had picked up Rin'do's signal. Once I hit the last branch, I immediately crouched and swept the area. The mask flashed through the different settings. Nothing was picked up and I breathed a sigh of relief. Looking down to the technology on my arm, a 3d display of the planet popped up. It zoomed in on the spot I was perched, before moving out again to show a flashing red dot and pale yellow light surrounded by darker yellow spheres.
Eyes narrowing, my head went closer before there was a roar in the distance. Not so distant, I debated with myself on going, but distant enough it spurred me into action. Couldn't have been that far off…plus, it came from the same direction of all the signatures. The direction of Rin'do's signature. Did the bounty hunter find him, or did Rin'do 'find' the hunter?
"Must. Go. Faster." I moved like lighting through the tree foliage, at a neck break speed that humans aren't able to move with. In matter of minutes, I broke a tree line but what I came upon was a large, empty clearing. Well, not so empty what with the bodies littering it but there was no tress and short darkish green-yellow grass. I'm sure one was of the figures was Rin'do and the other, had to be the bounty hunter Ga'tob was talking about.
What really caught my attention was the creatures that surrounded the two Yaujta's. They were large and dark, the bodies long and slender. The head was round, beady eyes with long- sharp pinchers and antennas two as long as the head. And know what they looked like? Yah, Cockroaches...buggy eyed, pinchy...pinchers. Shiver-fucking hate cockroaches. A shiver shot down my spine as I covertly looked around for something that could be a substitute for a big ass shoe.
Shoe!
My kingdom for a shoe?
"They are called Gorgon's." Ga'tub appeared at my side, looking over the entire situation.
"Looks like big ass cockroaches to me." I shivered at the sight of the antennas swiveling this way and that. The spirit at my side just clicked curiously at the word 'Cockroaches'. "I'll tell ya about them later." I assured then turned my attention back to the sight before me. It seemed as if the two hunters had joined forces-are they even suppose to do that with a 'badblood'?-and were trying to kill as many bugs as they could. Rin'do had acquired new wounds from the last time I seen him but I wasn't sure if it was from the other or the creatures. Even the bounty hunter had wounds.
These damn bugs were stronger then they looked!
"Never underestimate your opponent, Dai'dai." Ga'tob noted.
"I know." I muttered, looking at the bugs once more and shivered. Grrrrreat. Round one, human hybrid vs. Alien cockroaches.
FIGHT!
However, before I could even take a step forward, there was an ominous clicking at my back. Freezing, my eyes closed momentarily and I cursed my luck. It was like one of those scenes in a horror movies, you know you shouldn't turn. Times like those, I'm sitting huddled on the couch with a pillow hugged to my chest and yelling at the tv 'No! Don't turn around! Run bitches!'. They always do and now, I am one of those bitches. It's great how things work out, ain't it?
Inching around to face the terrifying creature, my eyes widened then twitched. Big cockroach...at my back...snapping it's pinchers at me. I will not lie people, two things happened in the span of a couple seconds. First, I reverted to a young, human woman and let loose a ear piercing shriek that could have broken glass. The second thing, I bolted forward, ignoring the two Yaujta for now and zig-zagged my way around the clearing. My momma would have been so proud of me.
The blasted beast was on my heel, the sounds of it's closing pinchers echoing like cell doors closing. "Fucking hate cockroaches!" as I am sure you all know, but I felt the need to shout it out. It must have been a sight, me running with arms flailing in all directions and decked head to toe in hard meat shell. Oh yah, I'm a bad bitch!
Leaping into the closest tree, I landed on a branch high above the ground and hugged the thick trunk. Breathing hard, my head turned to look the area over, for some sort of weapon. All there was trees. Improvissssing! Grabbing a rather large in size branch, I snapped it free from the tree then pushed off with my feet. I flew through the air, breaking through the leaves and collided with one of the creatures. "Hiiiii-yah!" and slammed the piece of wood into it's side. It went soaring through the air, toward the other side of the clearing.
"Wooooo! And that's how we do it where I come from, baby!" raising a hand to cover my eyes-really, what was the need with the helmet?-I watched it disappear before turning back to the others. "A'ight, who's next?" balancing the wood on my shoulder, one hand went to my waist.
"Behind you!" Ga'tub called out, appearing before me in a flash. Ducking, I spun and swung the wood again. It cracked over the hard shell, splintering into two pieces. Raising the uneven branch, I blinked at it before tossing it over my shoulder and instead kicked the beast as I hard as I could. It went to join it's brethren and I hooted in content.
I'm on a rol!
Swweeeeeet!
Blood pumping and adrenaline high, I started toward the two hulky forms still fighting off the creatures. I could feel the occasional glance toward me but pushed it aside for now as my wrist blades extended. Swiping at anything in my way, I left a trail of bleeding and beaten bugs in my wake. When close enough to the two hunters, I cleared what distance was left and hit the ground slightly between and slightly in front of them. At the same time, I pulled free my staff and swept my arm out. The bugs jumped back, out of range so I charged forward and knocked them aside with the top of my mask.
Glancing back at the two males, I made a motion for them to follow. Only when I was sure they were, did I start moving again. We ran, the two big guys on the ground and me taking to the trees again. Uncloaked this time. While I moved, I brought up the ships systems on the gauntlet and programmed the beast to fly out for a curb side pickup. It beeped back at me and I cast a look over my shoulder to see that we had left the bugs far behind. I also noticed the two warriors had stopped abruptly and were growling at each other.
Oh for the love of…
Freaking idiots, both of them!
An annoyed sigh left me as I turned to go back and kept myself hidden in the trees and cloaking myself. They sorta fell back into their previous situation, the bounty hunter trying to kill the one I came to bring home. The odd thing, Rin'do, was hurt more but was totally slaughtering the other. That's saying something, about his skill and talent. I was glued to my spot in the leafless trees, enthralled.
He is quite the foe and…sorta impressive.
Bringing me out of my inner thoughts, my eyes flickered to the bounty hunter. He had been knocked aside but was aiming his shoulder cannon to attack. God damnit! Cursing the stupidity of the situation, I snapped of a second branch and dropped to the ground. Running over, still cloaked, I swung the wood as hard as I could and connected to the underside of the cannon. The barrel was thrown up, but unfortunately, it was right as it fired and the attack nip Rin'do's shoulder.
Sizzling into view, I swung the branch again, this time connecting with one of his knees. Crying out, he dropped to the unhurt knee and I took one last swing. The metallic ding of the wood hitting the mask echoed as he fell over. A shocked silence filled the area. From my person, I jerked free a PDA and dropped it by his head with the picture of Bee on the screen. The video started playing, the message he sent to all the clan bounty hunters that told them to not attack Rin'do, his name was off the badblood list and was, therefore, innocent.
I glared at him, though he wouldn't be able to see. For a minute, he just stared at my face and I know he recognized the mask I wore and the symbol carved into the forehead. Huffing in annoyance a second time, I muttered under my breath and finally turned to face the lone male. He just stood there, staring-at least I think he was-at me. "Sorry about him." a series of curious clicks sounded but he didn't move. My eyes slowly drifted toward the wound on his shoulder and I grimaced. "Let me bandage that." taking a step forward, he took one back.
"He doesn't trust you." Ga'tub sounded so sad. Humming softly, I mulled over an idea before nodding firmly. Then I would make him trust me. Reaching up, I unhooked the mask hoses and slowly removed the protective head gear. "Dai'dai…what are you doing?" he gaped, before realization dawned on him. Making myself vulnerable in his presence, it was a move of trust.
There was a thrill of surprise when Rin'do seen what lie beneath the mask. I made sure to show the mark I sported. "I give you my word, from one warrior to another, I will not attack you." I swore.
For a moment, he just stared, contemplating but then, slowly and cautiously, he eased himself onto the ground with a rigid back. Smiling slightly, I inched closer and kneeled in front of him. Reaching for the needed items on my belt, I popped open the bowl. Snatching a rock from the ground, I crumbled it in the center then add the blue gel tablet. Stirring the ingredients together, the balm was soon ready and I took a scoop on the pointer. Hovering about the wound, my eyes diverted to the mask of the Yautja hunter. "This is gonna hurt." then BAM!, spread it over the area. Didn't really give him a chance to comprehend what I said.
Sucking in a breath, he bit back the pained roar but turned his head away as his fist balled. "Sorry." turning all my attention back to the task at hand, I was careful to push it out enough to go over the edges.
"…why do you search for me but do not wish to kill me?" he wondered, speaking since the first time since I seen him. His voice was like liquid heat, molten even. Or maybe it was me? I feel overheated for some reason.
Hmmm.
"Well," sitting back, I nodded at my handy work then looked at him. "I was asked to search you out, tell you all charges of murder against High Elder Ga'tub have been dropped."
"Dropped?" he hissed in surprise, a hand having to shot to the ground and keep him upright.
"Yah. They found out who was really behind his death." I told him calmly. His shoulders slouched what looked like in relief and I am sure he was feeling it. Two or three years of running and trying to stay alive, for a crime you didn't even commit…that gets trying. "Will you come back with me?" I finally asked, truly curious. Couldn't say I would blame him if he told me to go fuck myself.
It must suck to have everyone turn on you, even if they weren't that much for you to begin with.
His head turned slightly, in the direction of the ship. "Do you have your ship?" hesitating a moment, he finally shook his head in the negative. "It's okay, you are more than welcomed to come with me." it was clear he was uneasy about this arrangement. Gotta do something to convince him of my good intentions. "I give you my word, Rin'do, on my honor and my creators. I am not trying to trick you."
"Your creator?" his head cocked.
"Oh yah…um…Baklior." he blinked, surprised at the bit of information. "I'm a hybrid, as you can tell. I was bonded by his blood to be what I am." I did this hand-fan thing to myself then shrugged.
"Baklior." he repeated the name softly, as if memories were coming to the front of his mind.
"…he didn't believe ya killed ya grandfather, by the way. Hi'chi...he's a bit to persuasive for his own good." I chose my words carefully, noting when he growled at the elders name. Wonder if he knows that Hi'chi is the one responsible for Ga'tub's death.
There was only a few more moments of peace, with the civilized conversation. I heard a rustle of movement before rolling to the side suddenly. The spot I had been sitting in was had a staff lodged deeply into the ground. Staring at it a moment, a growl rumbled from my chest before my eyes snapped up to the bounty hunter. That mother fucker just tried to kill me!
I could feel my blood boiling in anger at his blatant lack disrespect. For me, Bee…hell the innocent male Rin'do was! Son of a bitch! Hands clutching, I swung a closed fist to met the side of his head and he went flying into the tree. I heard a snarl from the same direction before he was moving toward me at a frightening speed but I didn't even get a chance to attack.
What happened was almost a blur…but playing it back in my head made it easier to watch. Rin'do darted before me, grabbing the bounty hunter by his neck and threw him back into the trees. A second time, he rushed back out and straight into an attack. Rin'do pulled a staff out, ducked when his opponent swung and spun. Throwing his arm out, the staff extended and swiped his legs out from under him. The hunter hit the ground, hard and Rin'do stabbing through his shoulder to pin him to the ground.
Another roar sounded, this time in pain. Before my savior could kill the foolish male, I grabbed his arm and shook my head when he glanced back. "Leave him be. Bee will figure out what to do with him later." looking between the bounty hunter and myself, he finally nodded. Time to go home.