Yay! Christmas break! I'll update more frequently now, because I'll have much free time. Thanx for the reviews!

Nihkou'te-Tooth or tusk.

Kehrite-Battle or practice arena.

Jehdin/Jehdin-Hand to hand combat.

Ki'cti-pa-Wrist blades.

Pauk-de-Fucker or fucking.

S'yuit-de-Low and demeaning description of something, shit.

Hulij-bpe-Crazy.

Chapter 9

Guan-Thwei stood silently at the edge of the kehrite, waiting for Dachande. He was only wearing his loincloth; even his ki'cti-pa had been removed. Dachande sauntered into view and gave Guan-Thwei an obscene gesture. He snorted and ignored the older Yautja. The Elder that was to watch and judge the match strode into the centre, his long scarlet cloak swirling behind him. He began announcing them to the crowd.

"The warrior, Dachande, has challenged the warrior, Guan-Thwei, to a Jehdin/Jehdin to challenge his right to a personal eta. Come forward, warriors." They started forward amid the hoots and hollers of the spectators. The Elder waited until they reached him before continuing his announcement. "Greet each other." They grasped each other's shoulders and shook, squeezing a little harder than they should have. "Fight well and honorably. May the gods grant victory to the warrior who is right and punish the warrior who is wrong." They waited until the Elder left before dropping into their fighting stances.

He crouched and spread his arms, growling and flaring his mandibles threateningly. Dachande was in almost the same stance and they circled each other warily, searching for weak spots. Guan-Thwei waited for Dachande to attack first. He had hunted with him before and knew Dachande was rather impatient. With a roar, Dachande leapt forward to grab Guan-Thwei, but, Guan-Thwei was no longer there. He kicked Dachande in the butt as he charged past, causing him to fall face first into the floor. He raised his arms high and bowed to the laughing crowd. Guan-Thwei saw Nihkou'te roaring with laughter and making rude gestures to Dachande. Dachande picked himself up and charged at Guan-Thwei again; he was not so careless as before and landed a glancing blow to the younger warrior's head. Guan-Thwei continued to avoid Dachande, hoping to make him angry enough to really get careless. He jumped back again, but Dachande secured a hold on his flying dreadlocks and dragged him back. He wrapped the fingers of his other hand in Guan-Thwei's dreadlocks and smashed his face into his knee. He roared and thrust a fist into the air. The younger warrior staggered off, spitting glowing green blood. Dachande followed, snarling,

"That was for making me look like a joke you pauk-de little s'yuit-de!"

"Ell-osde'pauk!" growled Guan-Thwei. He swung out and punched Dachande in the stomach, then crouched and spun while holding a leg out. Dachande fell heavily with a curse on his back. Instantly Guan-Thwei was on his chest, punching wildly. Eventually, Dachande pushed Guan-Thwei off, but not before his face was covered in small lacerations from the metal studs on Guan-Thwei's gloves. Dachande slammed his thick forehead into Guan-Thwei's, sending him reeling. The older warrior strode to the younger warrior's prostrate form and drew back a leg to kick. Guan-Thwei was suddenly moving again and caught the leg, twisting it violently while digging his claws deep. Dachande howled and fell. He grabbed at Guan-Thwei's shoulder, but Guan-Thwei caught his arm, spread his mandibles and bit. He stabbed the sharp tusks in as well. His small but sharp teeth easily pierced Dachande's flesh. The older warrior screamed and bashed Guan-Thwei on the head, trying to dislodge him. Guan-Thwei growled and hung on doggedly, sinking his teeth deeper, despite the blows that rained on him. Then Guan-Thwei let go and kicked Dachande in the face. He pulled his legs to his chest and kicked out, propelling himself up and kicked Dachande again and again. Dachande remembered the trick that Guan-Thwei had performed on him moments earlier. Guan-Thwei felt all the air leave his body as he was punched in the stomach, then the face. Guan-Thwei crawled away, gasping and spitting blood, along with a tooth. He stood up shakily, glaring at Dachande. They ran at each other and grappled, trying to knock the other over.

"Tired yet? Hmmm, s'yuit-de?" teased Dachande. Guan-Thwei retorted by spitting blood in his eye. Dachande pushed Guan-Thwei away with a cry of disgust, swiping at the bloody spittle. He glared up, murder in his eyes. He reached down and dislodged a small but effective knife that was hidden on his belt. A cry of shock went around the crowd. Dachande was violating the code of the Jehdin/Jehdin!

Guan-Thwei leapt back from a vicious swipe at his midsection.

"You are hulij-bpe!" The crowd was screaming in rage and the Elder was trying to convince Dachande to put it away. Guan-Thwei dodged another slash and grabbed Dachande's hand, pulling him close and then throwing him over his hip. The knife skittered away. Guan-Thwei sat on the older warrior's chest, holding his hands down with his knees. Guan-Thwei's own hands swiped across Dachande's face, once, twice, leaving deep gashes. Then he wrapped his hands around Dachande's throat and began squeezing the life from his body. The older warrior's eyes rolled up into his head and Guan-Thwei felt the Elder come up behind him.

"You can finish him if you want. You have the right to kill him." Guan-Thwei's hold slackened slightly, allowing Dachande to gasp out

"H'chak…" The younger warrior growled, and then released him. He stood up, wiping away blood from his many wounds.

"That pauk-de can kill himself. I'm not doing him any favors." Guan-Thwei strode out of the kehrite, head held high.

…..

Matt was sitting at the table in Guan-Thwei's chambers. He was making a deck of cards. He wanted to help pass the time and intended to teach Nihkou'te to play. Suddenly, the door opened and Guan-Thwei staggered in. He regained his balance as Matt rushed to help him. Green blood was oozing from dozens of small splits and gashes and he had dark bruises discoloring most of his body. Guan-Thwei growled irritably, but leaned on Matt anyway. He grabbed his medi kit and began to clean his wounds. Matt watched, handing the Yautja tools as he needed them. The Yautja sewed up his own wounds with barely a wince and a growl. Matt was impressed and ashamed at himself for whining so much. Once Guan-Thwei finished treating his wounds, he collapsed his chair.

"You are staying. I won against that dishonorable bastard."

"What happened?"

"He pulled out a knife and violated the rules. He is probably being questioned by the Elders now. They will give him the choice of living without honor or death. He can kill himself or have someone help him. Please leave me alone now. I am very tired and sore. When I wake up, I want a hot bath." Guan-Thwei shut his eyes and appeared to fall asleep instantly. Matt tip-toed back to his chair and continued work on his cards.