Author Note: I do not own Predators, etc. Thanks to everyone who reads and reviews Predator: Apocalypse. Enjoy Chapter Thirteen! (Additional note: after this chapter, all future chapters about Jillian will be titled -Paya-sain'ja-. You'll see why in this chapter).

Chapter Thirteen

-J'ill-an-

It was impossible to know how much time had passed since I had come to the clan, as there was no night and day in space. I was getting stronger all the time, learning more. With the help of Guan-Nrak'ytara, of course. She taught me the language, just as Luar-lce was doing. That was how I knew more of the Yautja language than the doctor was teaching me. I was glad for the help, knowing I was going to be in training soon. I wanted to be able to communicate as well as possible, as I wouldn't have Luar-lce to help once I was alone with Bakuub and Yeyinde. I was excited rather than scared, ready to learn to hunt.

Guan-Nrak'ytara came more frequently as I was getting stronger, teaching me as much as possible before I left. I was grateful for the goddess's help, and still awed by the fact that I was being visited by an actual goddess. It was almost too much to handle. But I stayed calm as she taught me.

Meanwhile, Yeyinde and Bakuub came to see me frequently as well. Sometimes Kuty'y'ae, Jehdin or Bhu'ja would come with them, or come alone. The two Elders seemed genuinely concerned for me. The others...not so much. I was determined not to let their obvious dislike get me down. I knew I was going to have to get used to it-most of the Yautja weren't going to like me any more than the Elders.

Finally, after who knows how long, the time came for me to leave the medical bay. I had just woken up when Luar-lce told me to stand, then made me stretch. He analyzed my physical abilities, and if my body was fully recovered from near-starvation and my coma.

"Very good," he said thoughfully. "And impressive, for an ooman. You're ready to begin training."

"I am?" I said eagerly, my excitement showing clearly on my face. "When am I going to leave with Yeyinde and Bakuub?"

"Soon," promised Luar-lce. "Very soon. It's time you left the medical bay. I'm going to show you around the clanship."

First, however, he made me eat and get dressed. However, it was armor he wanted me to dress in. It had been crafted while I was recovering, and was perfectly formed for my human body. There were shoulder plates, two wristguards (one of which had a wrist computer, the other with dan'kte, wristblades), chest armor (which most Yautja didn't wear, but I would since I was female), a belt with plates hanging down in the front and back like a metal loincloth, armor than covered the sides of my thighs, and leg armor for my lower legs. Lastly, there was a mask formed for my human face. It had large, slanted eyes on it, with a circle on the forehead and wisps of wind on the cheeks.

"What are those symbols, Luar-lce?" I asked.

Luar-lce seemed to smile. "The circle is the symbol of Lil-ka, and the wind are Guan-Nrak'ytara's symbol."

Looking over my armor, I saw six-pointed stars on the shoulder armor, a sword across the chest plates, a leaf and vine on the left thigh armor, a wave design on the right thigh, and a flame symbol on the belt. All god symbols: the star of Cetanu, the sword of Mara'khen, the leaf and vine of Dto-hult'ah, the wave of Judha-sain'ja, and the flame of Kayana (all of which Luar-lce explained to me when I asked).

"Wow," I said, running my finger over the circle. "Whoever made this armor made sure I was representing the gods."

"In a way, you do," Luar-lce said. "They did save you. Perhaps you are a warrior of the gods..."

"A god warrior..." I said slowly. I grinned, liking the idea. "So can my Yautja name be Paya-sain'ja instead of Ch'hkt-a?" (Paya-sain'ja meant "God Warrior" in Yautja language).

Luar-lce chuckled. "Of course, Paya-sain'ja. Now, let's go."

Luar-lce started at the Elders' chamber, where they met to discuss issues of the clan. Only Kuty'y'ae and Bhu'ja were there, thank goodness.

"It's good to see you out of the medical bay," Bhu'ja rasped.

I thumped my fist to my chest. "Thank you, Bhu'ja," I said respectfully.

Kuty'y'ae gestured at my armor. "How do you like your armor, J'ill-an?"

"It's perfect," I said truthfully. "I like it very much. And call me Paya-sain'ja, please. I've chosen it as my Yautja name."

Surprise flitted across their expressions briefly, but they smiled.

"As you wish, Paya-sain'ja," Bhu'ja said. "It fits, doesn't it?"

I nodded.

After exchanging goodbyes, Luar-lce showed me to the kehrite, or training room. Inside, Yautja practiced and dueled with various weapons.

"See any weapons you think you might like?" Luar-lce asked, as we watched the warriors duel.

I thought for a moment. "I like that one," I said, pointing.

"Ah, a h'sai-de," he said, when he saw me pointing at the scythe-like sword one Yautja was using. "A good weapon."

After visiting the kehrite, he showed me to the forges, leading me to a huge, heavily scarred and burned Yautja metalworker with large black blotches. The markings reminded me of a cow's spots. Upon thinking this, I had to stifle a giggle.

"This is Kjuhte," introduced Luar-lce. "He is the one who made your armor and mask."

Kjuhte nodded to me. "I'm glad to see you wearing it," he said, in a deep, gravelly voice.

"It's perfect," I said with a smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he said gruffly. "Most of the other Yautja here did not want to make armor for an ooman." He shrugged his broad shoulders. "I do not hate oomans, so I offered to make it."

"I appreciate it," I said, taking an immediate liking to the huge Yautja.

After chatting for a few more minutes, I found he had a surprisingly gentle nature beneath his scars and large muscles. He had strong faith in his gods, much like Luar-lce, which, he explained, made him want to support me. We stopped talking and said goodbye only when Luar-lce reminded me that he still had to show me the rest of the ship. Kjuhte bid me farewell and good luck in my training.

"You like him don't you?" said Luar-lce once we'd left.

"He's very nice," I replied. "Who knows, maybe I just made a friend!"

By the time, Luar-lce had finished taking me on a tour, my feet were aching and I was completely tired of being glared at. Most of the Yautja glared at me as we passed, as though I was vermin they wanted to kill. A few were merely curious or sympathetic, but the majority were definately enemies.

"I knew I was going to have a lot of Yautja hating me, but it's still hard for me to accept that only a few don't want to rip my throat out," I said as we returned to the medical bay.

Luar-lce nodded. "I know, Paya-sain'ja. But don't forget, you have the gods on your side. And you aren't completely alone."

Which was true. I had Luar-lce, Al'nagara, Bakuub, Yeyinde, Kuty'y'ae, and Bhu'ja...and now Kjuhte. Not to mention the gods.

"Thanks, Luar-lce," I said, grateful for his advice.

At that point, I still could wait to get off the clanship and to training with only my two mentors. They, at least, didn't want to crush my skull open. It was on that happy note that I fell asleep, tired from walking around that much for the first time in months.

Hope you liked it. Sorry if it's a little boring right now, but we'll be getting to the action soon! Thanks a lot for being patient with me for not updating as frequently as I used to, and please review!