Chapter twenty five: One change two minds.

(Shanes pov)

As Shane wakes up he turns to find Ghardeh gone, he gets up and looks around for her. She isn't around their home he exits the house and closes his eyes to focus on her scent. He sees an orange cloud and follows it. Following the smell he sees two yautja fighting in the distance with combi-sticks. He doesn't need a zoom function to see that the ones fighting is his mate and.. Ra'zele.. But it doesn't look like.. No.. He walks his way round when Zelda sprint's past him.

"Morning clan brother!" she says spinning to him. Her grey eyes glisten as she smiles. She is very small.. Asian. Shane smiles back. "Morning clan sister."

Moments after Orukia thumps past and says "Tah'kal Clan Mei'hswei."

Shane walks on and nods at him. It seems Zelda and Orukia are having a sprint around.. Shane approaches the overpass to which Nina Osh Danny and Eve are watching Ghardeh and Ra'zele spar. When Ghardeh stances.. Something which is rare.. Her posture is hunched ever so slightly but enough to be eye level with Ra'zele who has his wrist blades out as does Ghardeh.. Shane walks up to Nina and before he has a chance to ask she leans in turns her head slightly in Shanes direction while still watching as the pair ready for another bout. And says

"Ghardeh is being tested by Wolf.. So far she's done well.. She's one hell of a fighter.. Some of the moves she's pulled off we haven't seen before.."

"Wuir D'aruhn." Ra'zele holds up a fist then holds up four taloned fingers.

"Round four." Eve says in translation.

Something else is also different. While Ra'zele wears his usual armour without his cloak Ghardeh is wearing her hunter armour. A set similar to what Osh'ikeille now wears. Except hers is a matte steel grey colour. It covers her chest her sides and back her thighs and shins with her boots. Again there is no metal mesh and Ghardeh has taken up some of Shanes habits like a gentle back and forth sway but her arms and whole body is tense. With her arms out wide, her right arm in line with her chest.. Her left arm is almost out stretched and in a clawed manner. Her wrist blade releases with a heavy T'shink. Ra'zele in a flash reaches for something on his belt and throws something at Ghardeh she swipes the blurred object away and it flies in Shanes direction near the floor towards him. She did it deliberately.. She circles Ra'zele almost in a stalking manner.. It's frightening to watch her move in such a way.. She brings in her combi-stick and swipes it towards wolf. He reflects the swipe when she thrusts it he grabs the stick but Ghardeh collapses it causing wolf to let go. He comes in with a swift punch to her head and follows up with a jump up with both arms raised and brings his whole force down but Ghardeh slides back and roundhouse kicks him causing Danny to somehow launch from his backside slightly.. He LOVES when either of the three yautja do that.. Ghardeh more so because she does one with such.. Brutality it's funny to watch.. It is also different from the one Shane taught them. Yautja aren't as supple due to them being 70% muscle 25% bone and 5% blood and juicy insides a funny way of thinking about it but probably true.. Ra'zele was caught off balance and Ghardeh smashes him with a left swipe right swipe and a meaty headbutt so heavy there was a loud thwap! Ra'z grabs Ghardeh by the neck and throws her over in an arch slamming her into the ground kicking up yellow dust she swipes her leg causing him to fall but he grabs her leg and twists it hard causing her to roar out tapping the ground.. Shane smiles as everyone laughs out in amusement. After their bout Ra'zele gives her a nod. She walks up and picks up the smart disc that landed near Shane. Then hands it back to Ra'zele,

(Wolf's pov)

Ghardeh has not lost her edge, her mastery of hish-qu-ten techniques impresses me greatly. It seems her mate only added to her potency with his fighting techniques also which were alien to me. But no less equally as fascinating in the fluidity of combat. It complimented her style extremely well. I watch as she hands me the weapon and the look of contentness in her eyes is infectious. No doubt Shane brings her much companionship.. I see it in him also.. They are one.. Just like my sons are with Nina.. And i to Eve.. Shane approaches me and smiles with a nod.

He approaches Uzkielle.. And winks at Osh'ikeille.. What is the human up to? I watch with slight attention as Shane forms a ball of fire and holds it to Uzkielle..

"Here hold this brother."

Uzkielle looks sharply and grunts.. His attention snaps to Shane then throws it at him.. The rest of the clan turn to hear a noise.. A scream of fire. An explosion as Shane is engulfed in flame.. A Ze'rei Sain'ja.. And my thought trails.. What would he burn? What would he spare?

(Ghardehs pov)

"Holy Sweet roll!" Zelda says bringing up a hand to shield her face from the heat.

"Fire warrior is back! Use the golden gun Shane!" Danny says jumping once and aiming with his fingers shaped like a gun.. As requested Shane brings up his hand and a flaming version of my pistol forms with a fiery flair. He aims at nothing behind us and fires with bassy fiery thooms he fires with golden streaks from the weapon. He even spins the pistol and as he brings his hand down it dissipates.

His flames die down and he turns to us.

"Danny.. Yol.. Toor shul.."

He laughs..

"Go on do it.. I dare you.."

Shane shouts up into the air.

Nothing happened..

"Was something supposed to happen?"

"No it was a reference to Skyrim.." Danny says with a wide toothy smile.

"Shane, approach." Razele asks holding an arm out from Shane to the ground in front of him.

Shane walks up to him "Yes Wolf?"

"Nina, approach." She looks with a smile, and approaches.

"Seeing as Shane is new to our clan would you be willing for me to tell him his rites?"

Nina gives a slow but respectful nod.

"Osh'ikeille.. Uzkielle.. approach.."

I walk up to Ra'zeles right as i always have.

One by one the five others approach.

"This clan is relatively new, but the code that drives it is as old as me'tei. And with that our clan is bound. Osh'ikeille.. Do you see Shane as equal? You have witnessed his skill in combat?"

He nods, "Sei-i ell k'hes ya-de Shanes th'syri, Je t'es Dhi'rauta z'ah Pa'ya-te-bpi."

"Yes i have seen Shanes skill, he is cunning and honourable." Eve translates.

Ra'zeles gaze falls upon Uzkielle.

"Uzkielle, would you fight along side Shane in name of Nracha Shur'ie?"

He slowly nods.

"I would stand at his back, that our enemies never overtake us."

Osh and Uz stand on Shanes left and right.

"Nina approaches and she steps beside her mates and nods to Shane,

"I already knew the answer the first time we met Shane, you have a quality that sets you apart from most of us. And that's an integrity.. An infectious strong will and a drive to better yourself while improving the lives of those around you."

"Ghardeh.." Ra'zele says holding out an arm to Shane as he stands between his brothers.

I approach.

"Ghardeh as Shane is your mate, you know him better than anyone else here.

Would you trust him with your life?"

"Sei-i.. Ell fa's-ye."

"Would you die for him?"

Sei-i.. Ell fa's-ye.."

"Shane.. Would you live by the code? Honour bound until death take you before Dishonour?"

"Yes.. I would." he says with a slight bow of his head.

Ra'zele approaches Shane.

"Then by right.. You are now clan.. Nracha Shur'ie.. Your old life ends.. Your new life begins now."

Ra'zele brings his forearm round and lowers his head in a respectful nod.

Shane inclines to do the same.

Osh and Uz put a hand on each of Shanes shoulders then take their leave.

We all spread out when Shane heads to the winding walkway.

I follow Ra'zele as he beckons me to him.

"He is now apart of this 'family' Ghardeh.. He will be well looked after Nina Eve and i will make sure of it, are you feeling well my friend?"

"Why do you ask? If you must know Shane and i had mated last night but my Yautja hormones kicked in again.. Anyway has Shane discussed with you a plan for training?"

"Ghardeh i will do what i can with the human but this.. This is new to me. Humans are simple creatures but Shane is not merely a human anymore. I sense that much Ghardeh."

"i understand but.. Please.. Teach him like you taught me. Like a yautja. He is stronger than he knows but it must be shown to him, he cannot yet control his impulses though admittedly he has.. Improved."

Ra'zele says nothing but i know his answer. He is a brilliant master and i have no doubt in my mind Shane will improve.

(Shanes pov)

As Shane walks the winding walkway he feels the cool breeze on his face. He takes a breath and rubs his mark that retains a slight itch.

He stops on a large cliff face and sits watching several flocks of what he assumes to be birds flying over towards the horizon. He feels a presence behind him to see Osh'ikeille crouch down beside him,

He slowly looks at Shane and leans towards him.

"It's nothing Osh'ikeille.. Just.. Trying to get my head around this new life of mine.. Just trying to clear my head is all brother.."

"Do you wish for me to leave Mei'hswei?"

"No you can stay if you want. Look i know we barely talk Osh.. And that trial at the pyramid was intense.. But.. I appreciate everything you've done for me, keeping me level with Uz. Helping me with hunts. Teaching me new skills, Being patient with me. There's a kindness to all of you Osh, and you are a different species. Why is it humanity can't.." Shane stops and chokes back some of his emotion..

"Everything happens for a reason I get that. But what happened to me.. And Ghardeh.. It changes things Osh'ikeille, in here.." He says holding his chest.

"Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Osh'ikeille nods "I.. Understand.. Same happened to.. Nina.. You saw you felt. You experienced.. Changes you, makes you doubt.. Your place.. Your intentions.. But Ghardeh.."

"Ghardeh what?"

Osh'ikeille trills then with two clicks continues as he finds the words.

"Ghardeh has changed.. You know this from before Mei'hswei.. You was there. She fears you may leave.."

Shane looks sharply at Osh'ikeille as he says this.

"Why are you telling me Osh?"

"Because.. I care also for her well being and yours also. She is not the same Ghardeh i have known over the years. She has changed much since she met you but the most recent events have changed her.. And not for the better."

He slowly stands as Shane does so and holds Shanes head then walks past him silently.

Shane looks to the east then closes his eyes.

"Maybe I've been doing this all wrong."

With that said he walks back towards the settlement, maybe Ghardeh has changed? Maybe she is hiding it from Shane somehow? She is capable of great and terrible things but what Osh'ikeille said bothers him so..

"Ghardeh those years ago killed for revenge and blood not honour." That exact situation several years back and almost paid with her life. That is the Yautja way but. There has to be something more to it.

"She fears you may leave. "

What else could that mean? Is she planning something else without me? Shane's thought cause him to slide into a frown. If he has to he WILL get answers from her. He knows he can keep her level, but she isn't the type to argue with.

Shane shakes his head in frustration.

He walks to the Scorpion to be alone.

(Uzkielles pov)

As Shane marches from the house to the path, Uzkielle looks to his left as everyone else talks and laughs, he just finished talking with Nina when he spotted Shane. He can see he is bothered by something so against his 'better judgement' Uzkielle decides to see where Shane is going. He stands up and cloaks to follow Shane and silently walks far enough back for Shane not to sense him, to which he has gotten incredibly good at.

Author note: A nice few calm chapters, a couple more to go.. What is wrong with Ghardeh? Is it mental damage or is this something else she doesn't want Shane to know? We shall see. This story is coming to a close.. Will it be a happy ending?

Stay Brilliant readers.

Yautja words:

Tal'khal- Morning.

Mei'hswei-. Brother.

Wuir- Four. (Non-cannon my own word for the number 'four'.)

D'aruhn- Round. (Non-cannon my own word for 'round' .)

Fa's-ye- Would. (Non-cannon my own word for 'would'.)