Merry Christmas! And a happy New Yeaaarrr! Yay! Amid the flurry of shopping and people, I wasn't able to find time to update, so I finally found time tonight after most of the guests left. Hope you like this chapter, not much goes on and it's short, but the next chapter is more exciting and more than twice as long. Anyway, Enjoy! Please remember to give me lots of reviews!

Chapter 10

Matt walked down the hall to Guan-Thwei's chambers, burdened by fresh bedding for the both of them. His nose had healed well, though it was slightly crooked now. The split on his cheek was now a slightly raised scar. He was fluent in Yautian now. The air and heat did not bother him so much anymore; only during periods of strenuous exercise did he have dizzy periods. When he walked in he saw Guan-Thwei, as well as Nihkou'te, an older female named Bakuub and Thwei-Tjau'ke. They were sitting or standing and looking at him expectantly.

"M'aat-hew, we need to speak to you. Put that down and sit." said Guan-Thwei sternly. Matt put down the sheets and sat. He wondered why they were there. Thwei-Tjau'ke held up the finished ki'cti-pa.

"Before you take this, listen to what we have to say." Guan-Thwei looked seriously at Matt.

"We have been speaking to each other for a long time. We are now giving you the choice to be accepted as a Youngblood or to remain an eta, although a privileged one." He paused a moment to let this sink in. "It will not be easy. You are smaller than the other Youngbloods. You have not trained as long as they have. But, you have determination. I believe that if you really want to become a warrior, you will. Since you, uh, 'came', I have been speaking to the Council, to the Elders on this ship and some of my fellow warriors, to try and convince them to allow you to join. It was not easy, but I have done it."

Matt opened his mouth to speak, but the crippled Yautja held up his hand and spoke himself. "Even if you survive training, there is a good chance that you will die during the Kainde Amedha Chiva. Or, you could die or worse, be crippled like me on any following hunt."

Nihkou'te spoke next. "Six of us began on our Kainde Amedha Chiva. Me, Guan-Thwei and Meh'ket survived. Guan-Thwei was nearly the first cull. If I had not killed the Hard Meat that jumped him, he would have been killed. We looked after each other; you will be lucky if you get one friend among the Youngbloods. This will be done on your own."

"You will be harassed by the other Youngbloods, if you live through the Chiva, your fellow warriors and even Elders will harass you. Some will ally themselves with you, some will be open-minded, but don't count on it. Are you willing?" said Bakuub. Matt thought for a while, but again he was cut off before he could speak.

"Being a warrior is not all death and unhappiness. There is the glory of the hunt, the status, the trophies, the thrill of danger and, if you survive and reach old age, you can pass on what you know to younger warriors and watch them succeed, survive." she continued, "I will help teach you; I teach most of the Youngbloods. Nihkou'te, Guan-Thwei and Thwei-Tjau'ke will help teach you."

Guan-Thwei straightened, "I am willing to go before the entire Council of Elders, in person, if it is necessary. M'aat-hew, if you accept, you will be the only ooman to ever become a true warrior among us. You would be famous, honored." Thwei-Tjau'ke held out the ki'cti-pa. Matt looked at the four assembled Yautja. If he accepted, he could be killed in training, or in any following hunts. But, he would be a warrior, he would have status, he would be famous! He could become the only human to be fully accepted into Yautja society. He could go to Earth and see Celia again. He could tell her what he had done. Matt stood tall and raised his head; he reached out and took the ki'cti-pa.

"I will do it." The Yautja clicked and nodded, some making the purring sound of happiness. Thwei-Tjau'ke fitted the weapon onto Matt's right forearm. He clenched his fist and slid the deadly blades in and out a few times as he had seen Guan-Thwei do. He smiled at Thwei-Tjau'ke. The cripple nodded slightly and stood with a grunt, leaning on his spear. Then everyone but Guan-Thwei filed out of the room. Guan-Thwei had a stern look in his eyes.

"Go to bed. Your duties as an eta have officially ended. Tomorrow we train." With an evil smile Guan-Thwei walked into his room.