Chapter 8: Reunited

Disclaimer: I do not own Alien/Predator series or any characters and may not follow all customs and cultures found in Alien/Predator movies.

[Za'taan's POV]

His mind became scrambled and out of control at the sight of Maria right in front of him. Seeing her beautiful, brown eyes glow at him sent a warm feeling from his chest that spread through his fingers and toes, making them tingle. Right then and there, nothing else existed except her . . . The very person who stole his heart and he would gladly let her do it again.

He sees Maria begin to walk towards him but her feet gave way and she stumbles down onto her knees, writhing in pain. Za'taan sees this and involuntarily rushes to her side. But before he could, several of the guards blocked his path with their weapons out and ready. Za'taan growls at this and begins to push himself through the line.

"Let me through, or else you'll regret it!"

He roars with all of his might, but the guards don't budge, remaining as still as statues. Za'taan was beginning to lose his temper, and it almost broke loose when he heard Maria groaning as he looked back to see her trying to stand up. From the look in her eyes, he knew Maria was struggling to hide her suffering, and he desperately wanted to run to her. He glared right at the guards and reached for his knife, ready to embed it on the first one who dared to stop him.

"Za'taan!"

The roar from his father, Du'rout made him turn towards him, determined to vent his anger on the next Yautja, and Du'rout was next. That is until Du'rout glances at the guards and eaves his hand.

"Let him through."

On command, the guards moved their formation to create two lines that opened a path to Maria. Without hesitation, Za'taan drops his knife and runs as fast as his legs can carry him, reaching for her until at last . . . their bodies joined together after so long. He gently wraps his arms around her while he could feel her fingers clawing at his back, but he didn't care. It was a reassurance that Maria was here with him. Za'taan presses his face into her shoulder and purrs, rubbing his hands up and down her back. He feels her face pressing harder into his chest, making him purr louder for everyone to hear.

After what seemed like an eternity, Za'taan slowly pulls his head back to look deep into her brown as she did the same. He could see that the light in them still burned brightly, but also, he saw pain and sorrow within them. Something that he hadn't seen in such a long time.

"Maria."

He calls for her once more, and Maria smiles a little in response. "Za'taan . . ."

But then, he noticed her eyes began to droop while her body swayed back and forth. Before he could contemplate on what she was doing, her eyes roll into the back of her head, and her body turns into dead weight. If it weren't for Za'taan who held her tightly to his body as they fell to their knees, Maria would have flopped all over the ground. Her limp body rests in Za'taan's arms, and that is when he noticed the physical changes on her. The last time she had seen Maria, she was healthy, strong and beautiful in her prime but now . . . It was like he could snap her arm like a toothpick since there was barely any muscles there. Her legs reflected the same treatment, and Za'taan had to wonder what happened in the three years they have been apart. As he inspects her body, he noticed a red spot on her wrist that was popping out from the hideous gown she wore that itched his skin. He moves the cloth away, and that is when he saw the massive abrasion that wrapped around her whole. His eyes widened in shock, and he takes a peek at her other wrist and sees the same thing. That's when his anger finally set off.

Za'taan turns to glare at his father, the only Yautja he could point the finger. "What have you done to her?!"

Za'taan's red eyes burn like a ravaging fire as Du'rout is unfazed by his reaction, straightening himself to stand tall. "I have done nothing. She was like that when Raith brought her to us."

"Raith?"

Again, Za'taan's shifts his anger at Raith who stood like an emotionless statue at him. Za'taan opens his mandibles slowly and in a threatening way. A menacing growl seethes out from his throat to the point that it begun to burn the inside of his mouth but he ignored it, focusing solely on Maria's attacker.

Raith didn't flinch and instead, moved closer to Za'taan but only for a moment. "I did nothing as well. I suspect that the oomans who imprisoned her must have done it, so I suggest you ease your anger until we figure this out."

With that, Za'taan relaxes slightly, knowing too well that it wasn't like Raith to lie about something like this. His brother-in-arms does annoy him, but he's too honorable to stoop so low to that level of deceit. Only Bad Bloods would try and pull a stunt like that. Za'taan looks back at Maria who remains unconscious but still taking shallow breaths. But then, his attention diverts to the side of the room, and that is when he noticed Ana and some other male ooman with her.

"Ana. You're here too?"

Maria's friend smiles and waves in an awkward manner. "It's nice to see you again, Za'taan."

Za'taan smiles a little for greeting. It was shocking to see Ana here as well, but he was glad, nonetheless, to see a familiar face with Maria. However, he glances at the male ooman next to her and instinctually, he growls at the male who doesn't even flinch at the sound. A normal ooman, who hasn't seen a Yautja before, would have either curled up in fear or run away to save his life. The blue-eyed male looks at him with peaked interest, and Za'taan didn't like that look as he had seen it too many times.

Before he could ask Ana about him, he hears footsteps coming to his side, and Za'taan whips around to growl right at whoever was coming. He stops when he sees Du'rout standing over him with a curious look, pointing out with the Yautja tongue.

"You care for her? Don't you?"

Za'taan growls. "Why would I lie about this?"

He watches his father tilt his head to the side, pausing to close his eyes in focus and bringing it back while letting out a sigh.

"It doesn't matter anymore. She's here now, so that means you will continue your duties as you should have been since three years now."

That ticked off Za'taan a little bit but his concern for Maria's well-being as he looks down at her with her eyes closed in sleep. She must have been through so much . . . Za'taan twists his arms to have one underneath her knees and the other wrapped underneath her neck. Once secured, Za'taan rises to his feet with Maria in his arms, keeping eye contact with Du'rout and not liking the statement he spoke only a moment ago. He knows it's his father's doing to string Maria back to him but for what reason? It was a mystery that he was determined to resolve at another time. He turns around and makes his way towards the exit.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Za'taan doesn't turn around and keeps walking, but he answers Du'rout nonetheless since it would be disrespectful not to do so for a Yautja of higher rank than his.

"I'm taking Maria to rest for a while. She needs to get her strength back."

Du'rout doesn't say anymore after that in which Za'taan thinks his father knows it would be pointless to argue with him at this time. Right as he steps just in front of the door, he stops and turns to look at Ana and the mysterious male ooman.

"What are you planning to do with Ana and the other ooman?"

He kept his eyes on Ana and can see the confusion in them. It's understandable since they have no idea what they were speaking in the Yautja tongue and those who did prefer not to do so around others. It would make them look weak to stoop so low to talk a prey's language. Yautjas seems too prideful, and Za'taan looked back into his memories and realized that he was just the same as them . . . Until Maria came along.

Za'taan waited for Du'rout's answer as his father grunted behind him. "Since they know your ooman lover, they will have a separate room in the very back of the ship where it is away from the others for now."

He hears his father click his mandibles together and calls for one of the guards to step forward. "Take the oomans to the room."

"I'll take them."

A lone voice grabs the attention of Za'taan and everyone else in the room as they look in surprise at who responded, including Du'rout himself who is the only one to ask.

"Why, you, Raith?"

Za'taan turned towards Raith and noticed something in his demeanor that has changed if only subtle. He observed that Raith's muscles began to tense but wasn't sure if it was due to nervousness or tiredness. Either way, he has never seen Raith act like that. He couldn't get a good look at his eyes since his face was to the side, but he could smell something was up with him. Du'rout can sense it as well but wait patiently for Raith's response.

"They wouldn't trust any other Yautjas to escort them. To not drive them into a panic, they need someone that they already know to take them. As Za'taan is taking care of his mate, I'm a perfect choice."

Za'taan couldn't believe at the words that came from Raith's mouth. It was becoming unlike him to take oomans of his own free will. From the history of knowing his father's second in command, he hated them so to see this happen in front of him; something must have changed.

Du'rout also looks equally surprised, but as Clan Leader, he composes himself and closes his eyes while rubbing his chin with his clawed fingers to think. After what seemed like forever, Du'rout opens his eyes and addresses Raith.

"Do as you wish."

With that, Raith bows his head towards his leader and walks over to where Ana and the male ooman stood. Za'taan glances for a few seconds to make sure that Maria's friends were alright in Raith's care. When Ana looks back at Za'taan and smiles while bowing her head slightly, it gave him the signal to walk out of the room and back to his own where it was private enough for Maria to rest. With no pause, Za'taan exits the room and follows the familiar path back to his room. All the while, he glances down to see the calm expression on her face, as if this was the first time . . . in a long time . . . That she got such peace, he purrs in response and grips her tight enough to keep her close.

After going through the hallway, he sighs when his door came into his sight and presses on the panel to give his access. It lights up green and opens but not fast enough, so Za'taan rushes through the slit between and moves on. His room, despite only being standard compared to other Yautja rooms, it contained a large, open area for training alone while the walls held shelves that held his trophies on one and armor on the other. The bed resides in the far back of the room, and Za'taan liked it that way but mostly for the advantage of ignoring knocks from others who wanted to bother him with nonsense. For this case, it helps to give Maria peace.

He goes around to the side of the bed, and when his knees touch the edge, he unwraps his arms from Maria and slowly placed her down on the bed, careful as to not hurt her any more than she already is. After getting settled, Za'taan grabs onto one of the fur blankets folded on the edge of the bed that he never bothered to use. An old habit of sleeping on the ground when he would be out on lone hunts.

Finally, Za'taan takes a much-needed breath when he looks down at his careful handiwork in caring for Maria. He watches her chest rise and falls each time she took a breath, but then she would wince once in a while, soon followed with her body becoming as hard as a rock with her face tightening as if in pain. Za'taan got worried and placed a hand to cup her cheek lovingly. It relaxed her straight away, but it did little to ease Za'taan's worry for her.

He takes the opportunity to access her body for injuries that he didn't see before. Other than her wrists, he moves his hands to pull her clothing slightly off her body and what he found sent his blood to boil. Her back covered in cuts that barely have time to heal. The bruises discolored her soft and beautiful skin, and it took all of him not to tear something apart. He settled for the fur blanket, and his claws dig straight through with little effort, creating puncture holes on it. Za'taan closes his eyes tightly to stop himself from losing control and doing something reckless, especially now that Maria just returned to him. He places her clothing back on her body and caresses her cheek, allowing his fingers to glide up the side of her face and take a small strand of hair in his hand. He rubs it against his skin, and he purrs yet again, but he knew it would do little to help her.

"What did they do to you, Maria?"

The agonization in his voice echoes in his head and Za'taan pulled away from Maria, moving it back to his side and into his fists. He felt his blood pouring from his hand as he brings it up to see that he wounded himself. Shaking his head furiously, Za'taan turns around and rushes out of the room, determined to find out who did this.

Za'taan power walks through the halls to find his designated target but with no luck since Raith wasn't residing in his room. Undeterred, he keeps going through the hallway while passing other Yautjas until he caught a glimpse of Raith talking to Ana in front of an open door. Za'taan had to take a double take when he saw Raith acting respectful towards Ana, bowing his head towards her as any Yautja would to another. He saw Ana turn her face away but not out of disgust but rather in a way that Maria did when they started to feel something between them. It was unexpected, but Za'taan has other things to worry about at that moment. He waits until Ana heads into the room and closes the door before approaching Raith. Their eyes make contact, and Raith merely grunted in annoyance as Za'taan approached.

"What do you want now, Za'taan?"

"Tell me what happened."

Za'taan answers quickly but he becomes frustrated when Raith looks at him in confusion. "About what?"

Not wanting to wait any longer plus the fact that his anger was going into overdrive, Za'taan grabs the edge of Raith's chest armor and slams him into the nearby wall. In retaliation, Raith growls fiercely, but Za'taan matches it with his own.

"What the pauk (fuck), Za'taan!?"

"Don't play dumb with me! Who or what cause those bruises on Maria!? You were the last one who interacted with her!"

"I have no idea! She was like that when I found her at that ooman factory!"

Za'taan became more impatient and shoved Raith further into the wall, making a crack in it despite being made of metal. "What factory!?"

Before he could get an answer, Raith took the opportunity and twisted his body in a way that forced Za'taan to let go. In an instant, Raith shoves Za'taan away from him and pulls out his knife as a means to defend himself. Za'taan stood there but didn't relent from the situation, roaring enough to grab the attention of other Yautjas that decided to bail out so they wouldn't be caught up in the case and get killed unintentionally. Both Raith and Za'taan ignored it, entirely focused on each other.

Although his anger didn't dull for even a second, Za'taan took a moment to calm himself down long enough to ask Raith again in a slightly calmer matter.

"Tell me. Who was it?"

He waits as Raith tightens his mandibles together, contemplating if he should tell him. After shaking his head, Raith stares back at Za'taan.

"Weyland-Yutani Corporation."

Upon hearing those pauking (fucking) words, Za'taan freezes in shock as someone hit him with an electric pole. He backs up from Raith and looks at him wide-eyed and disbelief.

"Those pauking (fucking) oomans that have been trying to track us down?"

Raith brushes off his armor to get rid of anything that Za'taan may have put on him. "No, doubt. I figured that there the ones who did that to your ooman mate, but you don't have to worry about them."

Za'taan lifts his eyes in confusion. "How so?"

"I planted a bomb in their facility and took off before it exploded. Whoever was in the blast radius was destroyed, and I'm sure none of them had time to escape."

"Except you, Maria, and the others."

Raith nods. "She's safe for now. You should get your mate something to eat and drink. I'm sure she'll want something after the long trip along with being asleep."

Za'taan felt a little reassured that everything had been taken care of before he left the ooman planet. He knew Raith wasn't the type of Yautja who lie about something as petty as this. Nodding in approval, Za'taan makes his way past Raith's side and heads down the hall to where the food is prepared. But then, he stops and looks back at Raith who does the same.

"Something on your mind?"

He sees Raith giving him the 'what the pauk (fuck)' expression but in a subtle way. "What could you possibly mean?"

"What is your interest in Ana?"

Za'taan got a reaction that he didn't' expect would come to Raith. Instead of the neutral expression, he would get, Raith, shuffled his feet as if embarrassed by something. His facial expression didn't reveal much except Za'taan could see his pupils dilate in the slightest. But Raith composes himself quickly and answers just as fast.

"She's an ooman and holds no interest except her skull as a prized trophy, which is unfortunate since she's a friend of your mate."

Raith comes closer and puts his face a few inches towards Za'taan's. Both stay like this for some time, glaring at one another before Raith backs off.

"Take care of your mate. She'll need all the protection she can get."

With that, Raith turns around and walks away, leaving Za'taan to wonder what happened in front of him. He shakes his head roughly enough to make the bands in his dreadlocks cling together and continues his journey to get everything ready for when Maria wakes up.

[Raith's POV]

The talk with Za'taan had tugged on a few strings inside himself, particularly some that concerned anger, frustration, and something else he couldn't pin on exactly. He shuts his eyes closed and presses his eyelids in an attempt to remove the conversation out of his head. He can't concern himself with the female that he strung along for some reason or another. Right now, he needed to meet with Du'rout about a meaningful manner that was received only a few hours ago. Raith quickens his pace as he made his way towards the private meeting room that was secluded from the one before.

He made it to the door at the end of the hallway and called out for access. "This is second-in-command requesting access."

A mechanical voice speaks from the door. "Come in."

On cue, the door opens up, and Raith takes steps forward and through, looking back to make sure no one followed him as the door closes behind. He keeps walking down a small lit hallway with engravings of their clan's achievements throughout time and space and that of their ancient stories still being told to this day.

Raith keeps on going until he hits another door, making him groan in annoyance. He knew it was important security in case the ship was being taken over by the enemy and that this door is meant to allow only the highest ranking Yautjas to enter, making it impossible for others to access it. He stops in front of the door and looks down at the panel containing a handprint scan. Raith places him on the panel, and it hums to life, scanning back and forth until it lights up green and the door begins to open. As soon as they open, Du'rout's familiar voice calls out as Raith makes it in.

"You have arrived, Raith."

Raith stops to bow and crosses his arm over his chest for a few moments and straightens himself out to get closer to Du'rout. The private meeting room is much smaller than the other one, only having a small throne on the ground with Du'rout sitting on it. He saw no one else in the room, so it raised some suspicion since Du'rout never met anyone without extra protection. But then again, his Clan Leader is not to be tricked or messed with by anyone. He moves into the center of the room and kneels in front of Du'rout.

"You summoned me?"

He looks up as Du'rout stands from his chair and puts his chest out in pride as Clan Leader. "Yes, I have. It's something to do with the facility that you picked up the oomans."

"Weyland?"

Du'rout nods, moving closer to Raith. "Yes. It appears that not all of them have been destroyed."

That sent some anger off inside of his chest, but he does his hardest to keep it contained, reminding himself that he needs to pay attention. The entire reason for the bomb was to annihilate all evidence of existence along with enemies that pose a threat to their species if they discovered the Yautjas. To have a bomb not able to care of it all makes the Yautja who set it look like an idiot or even a failure. Raith didn't want anyone to know that so he speaks out towards Du'rout.

"I feel ashamed for not completing my mission. I would like permission to—"

"That won't be necessary."

Raith looks up in surprise at Du'rout, trying to see what his leader was thinking but that is like trying to squeeze water from a stone. "I've already sent someone to look out, but that is not the major problem I wanted to discuss with you."

Raith tilts his head a bit as he stands up on his feet, curious about what 'problem' they had to deal with. "What is it?"

He watched as Du'rout drops his gaze to the ground and shifts his legs, so they have spread apart like military style. Du'rout comes closer to Raith but stops when he gets a few feet in front of him.

"One of the oomans has some signal coming from them, but their items didn't contain anything like that, so we suspect that something was implanted in one."

"How so?"

"We had the healers come to check on the oomans, including Za'taan's female but it was only for a quick checkup. However, one of them noticed a scar on the side of the ooman's skull that showed it was added surgically. It might be the thing that's causing a ruckus in the pilot bay."

"But what does this have to do with me? Why not ask Za'taan?"

Raith watches Du'rout grunt in frustration as he rubs the middle of his temple, pinching it every so often. He does this for a few more minutes before dropping his hand and looking back at Raith.

"It's not his mate. It's the other female."

Raith's body tenses for a moment at the news. "Really?"

Du'rout slowly nods and comes closer towards Raith. "Yes. So as soon as possible, we need to operate on the female to see what we are up against. It will be easier if you were there since the oomans trust you a little more than anyone else and I don't know if Za'taan is stable enough to do it."

Raith lowers his gaze down towards the ground, contemplating on how it came to this. The mission to get one ooman back to help Za'taan has become quite the hassle and phenomenon. However, deep inside himself, he wasn't entirely upset as he would be when he was younger. Whether it's from age or experience on hunts, he wasn't sure.

His thoughts were interrupted when a firm hand presses on top of his shoulder, and he gazed up to see Du'rout staring back at him with a faint light in his eyes.

"Raith. You are the only one I can trust to do this. It might ensure our clan's survival for the future ahead."

Raith doesn't answer but remains still as his leader inches close. "I leave it to you . . . my son."

It had been a while since Du'rout called him as such, but it didn't surprise him. Raith knew it was only to ensure trust in himself to do the task effectively. Both Yautjas stare into the other as the unknown fills the room with silence.

Hi Readers!

Finally! The two love birds . . . Maria and Za'taan . . . have reunited after three years but is there another romance sprouting beyond the pair? Also, it's revealed that Raith is also the son of the Clan Leader and a brother to Za'taan but what is his role in all of this? Especially with the cold response of being called 'son' by his father? And is there survivors of Weyland-Yutani that might be lurking out there to harm Maria and the others?

What juicy things are coming around the corner and I'm sure you know what I mean. ;)

Find out the secrets hidden in the shadows when Chapter 9 comes next week!

P.S. Appreciation to Anonymous-E, Maria, Deidara and Paul Lenzen for the fantastic reviews. It helps me a lot, and I hope you all continue to enjoy my stories.

Enjoy! :)))))