Chapter 52
Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.
Kaail power-walked through the city, trying to look like he was minding his business but he couldn't contain his excitement. He held a small item contained in a small pouch that he recently purchased when he went through the markets. Since the tournament was postponed once more when he returned, he had lots of free time to do other things. But he was joyful when he got a message from A'stea to meet her in the jungle . . . for his final test of the Hunt to begin. He didn't expect her to make the date this soon. It got him thinking that something was up but he didn't want to spoil it when he met with her.
He glanced at the small pouch with a small smile, hiding it in the crook of his arm. I hope she likes this.
But as he got to the edge of the city, he groaned when he saw the checkpoint with guards standing next to the gate. Ever since the raids took more of the supplies each time, the masters have decided to regulate the flow of who was coming in and out of the city and even in the markets. So now to get through, they had to do a search of the being in question and interrogate. More of asking if they are with or against the masters. He rolled his eyes at the thought of it.
Kaail walked closer to the gate and saw one of the guards come towards him. "Stop there."
He did as he was told but moved the pouch out of sight and underneath his loincloth. It would be crazy if the guards tried to search him there. But then again, the rules have changed. The guard comes closer and circles around him. The proximity and being closely watched was pissing him off.
The guard comes back to the front. "You're clean. You may leave."
At least they didn't ask me questions. Kaail nudged his head and walked across the gate but kept his guard down in case they were still watching. A few more steps out of range from them and he exhaled softly. His finger grazed over the pouch to ensure it was still there. Good.
"Hold it right there."
Kaail froze for a moment and then tensed into a rock. Seriously!? Will they leave me alone?
He turned around and was about to growl and shout his displeasure when he realized it was a guard but none other than Nu'kha . . . the male with the big, ugly scar over his face and the one that kept popping up at the worst of times. He paused and then hissed. "What do you want?"
"I want to talk."
"Doesn't everybody?" He turns around again.
"It's about A'stea."
Now that got his attention. Kaail paused, thinking for a moment to reconsider before he relented with a groan. His red eyes glaring at him. "What about her? As far as she's concerned, I already know your 'prior' relationship with her. So save it for someone else."
Nu'kha lowered his gaze for a second. "I'm going to be blunt about this. You should be careful when around her."
"Excuse me?" Kaail raised his shoulders, feeling some lining of threat under his voice. "Be careful around her? Please."
"I'm serious."
Kaail stopped, tilted his head in confusion now.
"I don't know what you're doing but stringing her along . . . keeping her as your plaything . . . it's not a joke."
"Plaything!?"
Kaail didn't like what he heard. Does he think I do that to her?! Like the masters would?! The thought that some males like the scum before him would make such an accusation. He stomped a foot between them, hunching his back like a cat ready to pounce on his prey. "Choose your words carefully, boy. Or else you won't have a tongue left to use."
Nu'kha lowered his head in submission . . . an instinctual response and a logical one as well. Kaail knows that if the male pressed further, it would end with his immediate death. And he would gladly give it to him. Kaail chuffed in satisfaction as well as annoyance.
"I thought so. And A'stea is not a plaything I keep alongside. She's capable of handling her own if that's what you're worried about. So if you have nothing else to say, I'm leaving before I lose my temper."
He kicks the dirt towards him, covering the bottom of Nu'kha's feet. He's lucky I didn't try to do worse.
"It's not that. She might be in danger."
Kaail tilted his head. The way that the male spoke grabbed his attention deep inside. As much he wanted to leave, curiosity got the best of him. "What do you mean she's in danger?"
Nu'kha sighed. "We think that a traitor is among us, hiding in plain sight."
"Who's we?"
"Me and Bu'at."
Kaail grumbled. If Bu'at said that, then it's no laughing matter. "Do you have any evidence to confirm this?"
Nu'kha pulled his head away. "Only rumors but it's scaring everyone, mostly the members and servants. And I fear that your relationship with A'stea might put her in jeopardy, especially since you are no ordinary Hish."
In an instant, Kaail grabbed Nu'kha by the neck and raised him a few feet in the air. He watched as Nu'kha fought to take breaths. As much as Kaail wished to end this male's life, A'stea wouldn't forgive and he remembers the last time that he became jealous . . . it ended with A'stea almost dying. He pulls the male closer until they were seeing eye to eye.
"She's not yours to protect anymore. And it's up to A'stea to decide what to do about this. Either way, she'll fight with or without my approval and we should respect that."
Kaail lets him go, dropping to his knees and coughing. He puffs in annoyance and walks off. "I'll consider what you told me but that's all. Nothing else. So if you don't mind, I'll be leaving." He doesn't stop, even as he hears Nu'kha calling for him. With a push of his legs, he took off into the jungle and disappeared.
Watching him leave, Nu'kha growled before punching the nearest tree, feeling his knuckles cracking and probably fractured. He sees the green blood flow between his fingers, flexing them for a second before groaning.
"You fool." He didn't know whether to refer to Kaail . . . or himself.
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As she waited for him, A'stea paced back and forth. She couldn't get that time with Mor'dath out of her head. I can't believe I let him touch me like that! She kicked the dirt and kept pacing. I let my guard down for a second and now . . . how do I explain this to Kaail?
She reached her neck, feeling the picture wounds under her hair and bandages. If he sees this, he's going to go ballistic! She stopped, shaking her head to get rid of the thoughts. But she couldn't help but wonder what Mor'dath was trying to tell her.
You know . . . like that short female named Fi'ka . . . maybe Nu'kha or that pup that's always tagging along . . . or maybe him . . ?
If he knew who she was associated with, she fears what else he knew. She remembered him saying that someone told him of her involvement but had no idea to what extent he knew . . . or of the other person. Uncertainty filled her chest, making her heart ache. But she jumped when she heard someone jump a few feet away. She reached for her knife on instinct but softened when it was Kaail coming to her.
"Pauking Hell . . . you scared the c'jit out of me."
He tilted his head. "Funny. I never knew you to be the type to get scared."
She smiled but turned away, looking towards the sky in thought. He must have sensed something, coming quickly to her side and holding her hand. "What's the matter?"
Should I tell him? She shook her head. Don't ruin this moment . . . not now at least.
She reached for his hand and twisted around, smiling. "It's nothing. I guess I must be jumpy since our Rebellion is starting to gain some ground."
With the raids and the behavior of the Amengi suddenly changing, many Hish are starting to come to their side and fight alongside them for a better future . . . for freedom. But the dangers and now with the spotlight on them, they have to be more careful than ever before . . . even keeping her private affair with Kaail a secret in the outside world. But she feared it would only be a matter of time before it's discovered.
She felt Kaail purr with his mandibles pressed on her forehead gently. "Don't worry about it now. It'll be alright."
A'stea chuckled against him but then her thoughts began to drift towards his hand that was grazing over her hip. She froze as Kaail moved his face to the crook of her neck. His breath gliding over her already sensitive skin. She bit her lip, trying to keep herself contained. The teasing she didn't like and it had been like that for some time between them but never went far. But she had a feeling that he was trying to break through the barrier.
But she couldn't. Not after what happened with Mor'dath.
She was about to pull away when Kaail beat her to it. The surprised look on his face got her feeling panicked inside. "What happened to your neck?"
A'stea reached for her hair to cover the bandage but Kaail wasn't having any of it. He grabbed her gently, pulling her hand away to see it himself. He leaned closer for a look, noticing the bandage that was partially covering her neck. A growl emitted from his throat. "Who did this to you?"
She pulled away from him before he could ask any further, turning her face away from him. "I got hurt, that's all. I'll be fine."
It pained her to talk about it, knowing his reaction but she wasn't ready . . . not when she had more questions than answers to give. It's not that she doesn't trust Kaail . . . or maybe that's what she's trying to tell herself.
After observing her, Kaail can tell she was nervous and unrelenting. He didn't like the bandage on her neck, especially how large it was. Still, he reminded himself that getting angry wasn't going to help. He learned that A'stea needed to come to him so he had to be patient. Plus, he didn't like how gloomy she looked. His eyes scanned down to the pouch in his loincloth.
Maybe this might cheer her up.
A smile crept to him. When A'stea was distracted, he pulled it out and grabbed her hands to place the pouch in it. She gasped softly in surprise and then glanced at it, full of curiosity. "What is this?"
"It's something I wanted to give to you . . . since you gave me a gift already." He pointed to the silver band in his dreadlock, never had taken it off. "And I thought it would cheer you up."
A'stea blinked in confusion, blinking funnily. She looked at the pouch for a minute before she opened it. She glanced inside for a moment, confusion was still growing. It wasn't until she pulled it out and realized it was a necklace. It was made of small femur bones that lined the sides and met in the middle where a small skull of a rat-like creature. At first, she couldn't tell why he gave her such a gift and looked back to him with her eyebrows tightened together.
"What is this?"
Kaail shrugged his shoulders. "These are trophies that I collected from my hunts. Since you taught me to not waste any, I thought you would like this." He grabs the necklace from her and places it around her neck, arranging it so that it fits on her chest perfectly. He steps back and watches as she glances at it for a moment. Her finger grazing over the bones with precision.
When she looked up to him, a smile was on her lips. "How do you make this?"
Kaail turned his face away but A'stea could see the green hue of a blush on his cheeks. "Fi'ka helped me. It took me several attempts to make it."
She giggled. "You? Asked help from another?" When he grunted in annoyance, she giggled harder. She softly cups his cheek and pulls his face back. The shocked expression he had in his red eyes almost made her burst into full laughter.
"I love it. It's just what I need. Thank you."
She truly meant what she said. The doom and gloom she felt earlier dissipated it a little, enough to push aside for now. That's so nice of him. It took a minute for Kaail to register what had happened. The shock in his eyes changed into joy, smiling as he lowered his mouth on hers. She kissed back softly, enjoying the taste of him.
Now, now . . . You have a Hunt to partake. Later . . . maybe.
She pulled away from him, silently inhaling the scent of his musk. It seemed sweeter for some reason but she didn't care. Kaail looked down on her. His mandibles clicked together in a quick and small pace . . . like he was humming. She rolled her eyes and pulled away.
"We need to get going or else we'll miss our chance to partake in your final Hunt. You ready?"
She didn't need words from him. His face spoke for him as he smirked like a true hunter, eager to get things started. She chuckled in amusement, nodding her head when she turned towards the jungle. "You ready?"
Kaail chuckled. He was ready for this a long time ago. "Let's do this."
Both smiled at each other before they took off into the jungle.
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Kaail and A'stea stood on branches that overlooked a small plain surrounded by trees. Each of them was on the lookout for their prey and target . . . a special creature that A'stea had been waiting for a long time to finally settle the score in some ways. Without their masks, it took a bit longer to track but it was the lesson she taught him well. Kaail had caught the scent and trail before she did. It made her proud, knowing he was growing stronger.
And now . . . they were at the end of the trail, waiting for their target to emerge. And it wasn't going to take long.
The bushes on the opposite side of them started to tremble and shake violently until a herd of Ri'ghar came through. They watched as they began to graze the soft grass that grew over a long period of a few months. But their target didn't appear until the end of the herd finally emerged.
"There he is."
A'stea whispered to Kaail as she pointed to the large Ri'ghar male with the giant sickle horn on its nose. He never forgot the last time they fought against it, almost ending with him and A'stea getting trampled to death. Is this what we're going to hunt?
When he turned to A'stea and she nodded, it was confirmation.
"This is it. He's the final test to see if you're truly becoming a hunter."
He tilted his head to her. "And you believe I'm ready?"
She smiled, nodding her head. "I have faith that you're ready. But once we go in, there's no turning back until either one side is dead. You hear me?"
He didn't like the last part she said but knew it was the truth. With a stern look and a smile on his mouth, he nodded. "I hear you."
A'stea gave one last smile before she pulled out her knife and he with his bone gauntlet, raising them to show they were ready. With one last look between them, they jumped out of the trees and fell to the ground.
The Final Hunt has begun.
Hi everyone!
Interesting chapter for both POVs. Kaail getting a warning from Nu'kha, although it's mostly a jealous rival and A'stea being insecure if she should tell what she knows . . . if they should be believed in.
But they have one final Hunt to finish and Kaail will officially be the first hunter (in our books at least lol). But I got a feeling that something bad is about to happen in the next few chapters . . . one that will change everything.
What will it be? I love to hear all suggestions. :)))
Find out when Chapter 53 comes tomorrow!
Thank you for the reviews (Anonymous-E, Mariah, NeverNeverLady, and IanAlphaAxel)! They are very important for me and I hope I see more readers posting as well. All opinions are welcomed. I hope you keep on reading! ;)
P.S. I'm still getting the reviews via email but somehow not posting on FanFiction. I let the website know of this so I hope to get it resolved soon.
And thank you for your support. :)
Happy Hunting! :))))