CHAPTER 12:
The Cabin
Iliana had rented a cabin for them in Yosemite. She loved going to the outdoors into the wilderness. They could have gone camping but it was much safer to be in a cabin in case of any arising emergencies. They had been there for a day and so far, no signs of Eliok. Iliana kept calm about it but Kantra kept watching his wrist computer all the time. She then took it from him and put it on the table so if it beeped, everyone would hear. Now, Kantra was sharpening his weapons while she leaned over a stove.
"You know, this would look like a peaceful day at home if only we weren't being hunted or different species" Iliana grinned while brewing something in a pot.
"You call this relaxing? I'd rather be training" he snorted.
"How was your life like before all this?" she asked, looking over. He got shifty in his seat. "I'm not asking about your past, more like your culture, everyday life for example."
I guess it wouldn't be that bad, he thought. I've already seen her everyday life which is pretty much boring.
"I spent my day training mostly, when I was home that is" he said, remembering. "When you're a hunter, you're mostly traveling through the universe trying to find good prey."
"Are all yautjas hunters?" she asked, curiously.
"No, some could be medics or scientists of sort to develop new technology for our weaponry" Kantra said, sharpening his wrist blades. "But most are hunters, why do you think your language calls us 'Predators'?"
"You got a point there" Iliana said, nodding. "Did you always want to be a hunter since you were little?"
"Yes, my father is one along with my older sibling and younger ones" he said, smiling. "I always wanted to search through the stars to find worthy prey to bring back for the greatest honor to my family and clan . . . But sometimes the gods choose another path for you."
Wow, a whole family full of hunters, she thought.
"You'll make it out all right, especially if I'm there to bail your butt out as always" she grinned making him roll his eyes. "So, do you guys hunt alone or. . .?"
"We hunt in groups or alone, I hunted with my own group and best friend" Kantra said, cocking his head to the side while working. "I was ranked very highly in my clan, I was about to be the leader in my own group actually but . . ."
"You were disgraced" Iliana finished. He nodded. "So are all disgraced people executed on your planet?"
"We are called Bad Bloods, the disgraced caste of our people" he explained grimly. "We become it if we lose our prey, kill one of our own, or kill those who aren't worthy and banned of the hunt. I was convicted of the first two, despite I didn't do it."
"Then who did?" she asked, softly. He growled. "I know you don't like talking about it, but maybe we could work on figuring it out to clear your name? That's what we do here on Earth. Maybe you have an idea who did it?"
"I don't want to go through it again!" Kantra said, getting up. "Why can you not leave it alone!"
Jeez, someone needs to chill, she thought. He needs Prozac or something.
"I'm trying to help you! You need to understand that" she said, turning off the stove. "I have nothing to gain from this and I know your past haunts you. Since you're innocent, maybe we could find who-"
"NO! We are not doing anything nor am I going back into this!" Kantra snapped and walked off into their bedroom.
"Kantra, wait" she groaned and went after him.
He shut the door and locked it before she could get to him. Sighing in annoyance, she knocked on the door. No effort to open it was made by him.
"Hear me out" she said, leaning against the door. "If-"
"No"
"But-"
"No"
"Kantra!"
"No"
"You're behaving like a child"
"I know you are, but what am I?"
Growling against the door, she said, "Oh, come on, let me in!"
"No" he responded bluntly.
"Before you say no again-" she started.
"No"
"Kantra!"
"No"
"I'm gonna call you Mr. No" she said, crossing her arms. "As in the hunter who can't do a thing by himself without me."
Hearing a growl from the inside, the door was opened seconds later. She fell against his brick hard chest from behind and chuckled nervously. He just growled in return.
"I know you don't like this and it isn't my intention to make you feel uncomfortable at all" Iliana said softly and turned around carefully.
"Then don't" Kantra said, firmly.
"If you had a chance to redeem yourself, wouldn't you want to?" she asked him. "Do you want to live on the run for the rest of your life when you could change it? Do you want to be hunted down and be the only one who knows the truth about yourself? . . . .Or are you lying to me about your innocence?"
Why must she scramble my mind!, he thought.
"I am not lying" he said, narrowing his eyes.
I really hope not, she thought.
"Then why don't you want to change your lifestyle and hopefully have a chance to live a normal life?" Iliana pointed out.
"Why don't you do it for yourself?" Kantra tested.
Why must he turn cranky?, she thought.
"The government finds me guilty and I am, but my conviction is not as bad as yours" she said, simply. "But I won't talk about it until you do."
Of course, he thought.
"Mines is not an easy thing" he muttered. "It's not a simple tale like yours."
"Then trust me and tell me bit by bit" Iliana said, grabbing his hand. "I will be here to listen unlike those who are just hunting you."
He grabbed her into an embrace with one arm while she held his hand. She wrapped her arm around his waist and placed her head on his chest. He found it surprising how such a being whom he'd known in such little a time would be there to listen to him. After wanting to tell his own story, everyone turned their backs on him that his only thing to do was to suppress it. It would be hard for him to tell it after so long and it would take a bit.
"I need time to adjust to telling it to you" Kantra said, softly. "But as long as you are here to listen and not judge me, I will tell you. There is a condition though, you have to tell me your tale."
"When you are ready, I will tell you mine" she said, nodding. Then looking up, "I will not judge you in any way, I'm your partner in this so I will try to help you along the way when you need me to."
After so many years, my tale will come out in the following days, he sighed mentally. I can do this. . .right?
"All I can say is that it started when I went on a hunt with my best friend" he said, simply. "It is not easy for me but since you're willing to wait-"
"I don't have anywhere else to go" she said, smiling. "I have all the time in the world."
She seems to be a very understanding being, he thought.
He nodded and held her closer which made him a bit surprised. He'd never held anyone like that besides his mate . . .but since he didn't have one after being convicted, he forgot how comfortable it felt. Wrapping both arms around her, he held her small body against his closely. She sighed at feeling warm instantly and held him in return. It felt slightly odd to be held by the hunter, but she was used to having him around now.
Besides, he's so comfy to hold, she thought. Like a big teddy bear of sort . . .without the fur and muscles instead.
"You're very warm" Iliana said, smiling. "Do you live in warm places?"
"Our planet is much warmer than yours which contributes to it" Kantra said, nodding. "Why?"
"You're very, very comfortable to fall asleep upon" she sighed while hugging him. He purred in return. "Now, let us go into the kitchen and have a snack."
"So, you did make something?" he asked, curiously. "I knew it!"
I do enjoy what she makes and gives me, he thought. I hope she made something.
"I made some hot chocolate for us" Iliana said, letting him go. "Along with some cookies to eat."
Boy, I sound like a mother, she thought.
"Excellent" he grinned and led her to the kitchen. "Hmm, I wonder how much I could pay you so you could come with me and cook for me?"
"I'm not a trophy of sort to obey your commands, you know" she said, poking his side. "But you'd be surprised how easily I'd agree to come with you."
He watched her go into the kitchen and smiled. It's surprising how you can find someone who interests you so much in the far depths of the universe. Especially when they come to understand you without question.
Yes, she is growing on me, he thought.
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"I thought I told you-" Kantra started.
"Not to wander off" Iliana finished. Then grinned, "But you allowed me to go out this time."
"But. . ." he started but he knew she had him there. "Ana!"
She enjoyed hearing him whine when he said the nickname he used for her. He'd been upset since she'd gone out to buy some stuff quickly that they'd need. Eliok hadn't been nearby but they still had to be cautious.
"I'm fine, see?" she smiled. "One piece and no scratches. Well, maybe one but that's because you kicked me out the bed last night."
How is it that she finds humor in the worst possible situations?, he thought. But she lightens my mood always.
"You can't keep me worried like this" Kantra said, grabbing her into his arms. "What if one day something happens to you despite you promised you'd be all right? I'd be responsible for letting it happen to you."
He can be sweet when he gets worried like that, she thought. Who knew a hunter like that could be that way?
"I can take care of myself, I'll always find a way to come back to you" Iliana said, smiling. "Don't worry yourself, Kantra. You have enough to worry about as it is."
He knew there was no arguing with her, especially when she calmed his mind. She wrapped her arms around him and he shivered quickly from feeling her cold body against him. Where had she gone? The polar ice caps of planet Earth.
"Did you go swimming in a freezing lake of sort? You're cold!" he said, letting her go. "My skin is not as cold resistant as yours is."
"That's why we were coats instead of mesh like you half-naked hunters" she mused making his growl playfully. "But I'm cold for a reason. Come."
She grabbed his hands and led him to a plastic container she'd brought in. He looked into it and saw soil that looked much different than the one he'd seen. Raising an upper mandible, he looked questioningly at her.
"You brought me dirt? Do I look like a gardener of sort?" Kantra asked, confused.
Boy, he still needs to learn a bit more of this planet, she thought.
"It's snow, you dummy" she pointed out. He hissed from the insult. "It's not dirt, it's frozen ice crystals."
I've never hunted in any environment like that before, he thought. So I've no idea.
"I have never seen it" he said, shaking his head. "Ice crystals?"
"Yeah, thin enough that if you put a whole lot together, they make that" Iliana said, grabbing some into her gloves. "Since you live in hot environments, you've obviously never touched or felt anything like this. Touch it."
He was wary of it but his curiosity took over. Placing his fingertips over it, it felt wet and frigid. His fingers felt cold instantly and made him shiver involuntarily. It was a new experience but he liked it.
"Where is this found?" Kantra asked, curiously.
"Oh, top of the mountains mostly" she said, shrugging. "But there are places on this continent where it's found in civilizations. Like it?"
"It's new" he said, poking the snow in her hands.
"It won't eat you" she grinned and traced her finger down his cheek. He shivered instantly.
"You did that on purpose!" he accused.
He grabbed some into his fingertips and put it over her cheek. She squealed and threw the clump she held over his chest. He cried out from feeling the cold snow seep through his armor and grabbed some from her container. He threw it over her head so it'd have an effect instead of over her clothes. She growled and threw two handfuls of snow over him. He growled softly and grabbed the container to dump half of it over her. Her hair was covered in snow along with her coat making her cry out from the instant freeze.
"I can fight back too" he said, raising his chin.
That little-, she thought. He dumped snow on me! Well, I'll show him!
She jumped onto him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She shook her head so all the snow would fall over his face and shoulders making him shiver. She let go after a bit and tapped his face with her cold fingers.
"So can I" she said, grinning. "But I love the cold, unlike you. Come on, let's go get some blankets and drink some hot chocolate before you freeze to death."
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"Here, I got you this" Iliana said, taking out two books from her bag.
She handed him the books while they sat side by side next to the fireplace to get warm from the cold night. It was weird how romantic the scene looked, but the whole situation they were in ruined the picture. That and the fact she was giving him books instead of wine. He looked over the books and read that one belonged that one was about the place they were and another about her civilization.
"I got them at the bookstore since I remembered how you got addicted to reading and rearranging my books back at my old place" she said, smiling. "One is about the park and another with some information about this little world of ours."
Finally, something to keep my mind on while I travel, he thought. It's a bore to read star maps and old books over and over.
"Thank you, Iliana" Kantra said, grabbing her into his arms. She blushed instantly. "I can't wait to read them."
He really likes books, she thought.
"I'm glad you like it" she said, hugging him back. "Besides, I can't spend all my money on myself."
"You have got to be the only interesting and considerate ooman on Earth" Kantra said, letting her go.
"I doubt it but thanks" Iliana smiled and grabbed his hand. "You can be a pretty sweet alien, you know."
"I'm sugary?" he said, cocking his head.
"Well, you've still got to learn more about humans" she laughed. "I meant you're kind for someone who was hunting me down the first time he met me."
"That is the usual aura I like to give when I hunt, but otherwise, I am pretty calm" Kantra said, smiling. "I find it interesting how you can use humor in many subjects, even when you're complimenting."
"What can I say? I'm a people person" she grinned. "Besides, we need all the humor we can get on this whole adventure."
He nodded and opened his book about the park. Seeing the beautiful images of the park, he forgot the information. Iliana placed her head next to his shoulder and closed her eyes.
"I wish we could've seen these views, they look remarkable" he said, disappointed.
"We can once you're free" Iliana said, smiling. "Sounds tempting?"
"Very much so and thank you for going with me through all of this" Kantra said, placing his head next to hers. "I am glad to have found you."
Oh, such a sweet alien, she thought. And definitely not bad looking with the body.
"So am I, even with your protectiveness but I like it" she said, chuckling. "It's nice to be watched over."
Cuddling closer to her, he heard his wrist computer go off. Closing his book, he got away from Iliana and got up. He ran to the table and grabbed the gauntlet while popping it open. Iliana went up to him seconds later and grabbed his arm.
Just what I needed, she groaned mentally.
"Where is he?" she asked, worriedly.
"He's in the park" Kantra responded. "We must go."
"No! Why can we not take him on?" Iliana asked, frustrated. "Why can he not be the one running us?"
"Ana, it is dark and your sight is not useful at this time" he pointed out. "Now come!"
Why couldn't it just die?, she thought. Why do we have to run?
She was tired of running from that lizard. If she could take him to the waterfalls and drop him, maybe he'd die. Or knock him out with a tree branch. Something. They couldn't run from that thing every time it got near them, if so, they would have to go all over the planet.
"We can fight him somehow, we can't run forever" she countered. "You can see his heat signature."
"If he wants to, he can cloak from even me" he said, simply. "We cannot stay here."
"But. . .no!" Iliana yelled. "If I can wound him, he won't come after us in a while."
She actually thinks she can face him, he thought.
"You may wound him but you can end up dead!" Kantra snapped. "Do not make me take you by force."
"You wouldn't dare, you respect females" she said, crossing her arms.
"Not when they're in danger, then I have to use my better judgment" he said, growling softly. "The more time we waste, the more he approaches!"
"I thought a hunter never ran from prey" Iliana pointed out.
"That is low, Ana" Kantra said, shaking his head. "You will not use my culture against me."
"I'd rather fight than run" she said, simply.
"Then you leave me no choice" he said, sighing.
He grabbed her roughly and pinned her down onto the floor. She squirmed, kicked, punched, and yelled but he overpowered her easily. He made sure he didn't hurt her in any manner and took out two black cords from his belt. He tied her wrists together from the front and then tied her feet. She cursed and growled but he paid to attention. Putting her stuff together in her backpack, he carried it in one hand and carried her over his shoulder.
"I'd advise you not to make noise" Kantra informed.
"Untie me!" Iliana yelled.
"I'll take that as a no" he sighed.
Opening the door, he went out into the night and down the dirt path.
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End of Chapter 12. Thanks to Caz, Cittygurl, Bastet1023, Kae-she Katsumi, The Greatest Boba Fett Fan, Yomiko, ranma habiki, and Irish for their last chapter reviews! Wow, I got a lot for that chapter, I'm doing good, yay! And hopefully this one brought laughs to you all as well. Thanks for reading and please review!
To Caz: It's not annoying, don't worry. And for your question, two chapters after this one Iliana will explain her whole involvement with the government as well as what Kantra did to make him a Bad Blood. So don't worry, you'll find out!
