AS WE COME TO THE PLACE THAT LEADS SOME OF US HOME AND SOME OF US TO OUR BITTER END

Location, floating above the ice planet eduiji, docking with the biggest of the Yautja battle cruisers.

A part of me is very much afraid right now here is where we are ether sent away from the ice planet. Or we stay for a while before we go to the mother ship, which is in another part of the galaxy. Everyone's nervous even Erisoki the time has come to greet the leader of these ships, who is an Arbitrator. Arbitrators out rank elders, which is a shocking thought. Arbitrators are the powerful law bringers in Yautja society, who even hunt down bad bloods as well as keeping the clans in check. The Tosuji clan has five Arbitrators each with different purposes. I don't know all the purposes but it would seem that they do truly hold power in there hands among the Yautja society. There word is law, and they can strike down those they wish, unless an elder opposes them. I guess my hands are shaking a little because I could be seen as unworthy and if the great Arbitrator choices I can be struck down. Unless Erisoki opposes I shouldn't be afraid I've faced worse than death deep down I know Erisoki will defend me.

He has been defended Jeuki and myself from the start. On top of that he always looks over his shoulder to check on us. The only reason that air even moves through my lungs is because he revived me. I admire him so much I would do anything he asks off me because I already know he would do the same for ether Jeuki or myself. He is a truly great leader; everything about Erisoki is about respect and honour. He only asks that we show courage and pride and show him a glorious hunt. In his view we are the life's blood of the Tosuji clan, though us flows the glory of many generations past. I know now that it was his brother who was training Jeuki, getting him ready and teaching him leadership. I deeply appreciate that Jeuki taught me what he learnt from Erisoki brother. More so now because I've found out Erisoki is the older brother and this means that if I live through this greeting. I'll live to learn so much more from him. I've never met such a great leader not one like Erisoki. I'm curious as to what the other leaders who lead clan are like, I mean are they all as noble and as good? Do they all believe in bringing humans in to their clans? I mean what if there are other humans out there in different clans? It's an odd thought to think that other men or women like me could be in other Yautja clans.

I know that their story would be so different to mine, so different and that they could be a different type of warrior to me. Christ I hope that I do meet another human being among the Yautja one day. It would be wonderful to know that others have come to truly understand the Yautja as a wonderful race the way I have. I only hope that one day I get to meet a person like that, who I could share my story with, but I know I have to get through this meeting and hope everything goes well. Emma turned slightly as Jeuki moved his clawed fingers through her hair she smiled as he leaned down slightly. Jeuki tapped his upper felt mandible. "Are you ready?" Emma put a hand gently on his mandibles moving her fingers across them in a gentle motion. "Yeah I'm ready." Jeuki eased up his other clawed hand. "You know what to do." Emma leaned up kissing his lower right mandible. "Yeah I'm okay I know what I've got to do as soon as the Arbitrator walks through the door." Jeuki looked up sharply as Erisoki signalled for silence. He moved his hand taking Emma's giving it a light squeeze. He knew she could do this with out any trouble. Saying that though if the Arbitrator hurt her in any way, he'd challenge him to a fight to the death if Erisoki didn't get there first he lowered his head slightly his beautiful mate was worth fighting for no questions asked.

Erisoki breathed in deeply as he felt the floor shake as the huge cruisers clamps locked on to their space door. He turned sharply making sure Emma and Jeuki where in their places directly behind him. The two young bloods were both behind them each holding down one of the prisoners. He breathed in everyone was dressed in there full armour only helmets where missing. He tapped his prized spear on the ground; he slowly leaned over typing in the space doors lock combination. He had no idea what reception they would reserve; the clan here was the Tugi Ui. There was with out a very powerful Arbitrator here, who was in full control of this clan. His word like any Arbitrator's word was law. He could refuse and even kill both these prisoners if he thought it was better than his own judgement. He turned looking at Emma then and Jeuki his main worry was the reaction to them. He breathed in deeply watching as the space door hit the inside of the cruiser. He was a leader his job was to protect his clan no matter what.

He stood tall as three figures moved through the smoke the leading member was about his height. The long flowing cape moved behind him as he came forward with tall strides. Gleaming heavy armour plating came in to view his spear, which was same kind as his own shone. Five ooman skulls hung from his chest plating. Embroidered patterns where scored in to the helmet along with the Tugi Ui's double strike symbol. The Arbitrator had a scared face with over grown white hair like his own. Two long overgrown back teeth showing age along with a steel tusk, which had patterns, carved in to it. One good eye met his own, as the Yautja who was far older than him came to a stop. Two warriors who were both older than Jeuki stopped on both ether side of the ancient Arbitrator. One carried trading items, while the other held fresh meat and fruit. Erisoki looked around sharply. He really hoped that Jeuki had talked Emma through this whole ritual. It was so important that she didn't slip up.

Emma watched as the Erisoki lowered his head bowing she breathed in Jeuki had talked her through this ritual. She wasn't about to screw this up it would be a sign of deep disrespect if she did. She watched as Jeuki slowly lowered himself on to one knee, she slowly did the same. She kept her eyes low, to elders you bowed to Arbitrator's you kneeled. Jeuki heard the two young bloods move as the lowered their heads. They were already on one knee holding down the chained prisoners. Erisoki watched as the Arbitrator moved slightly looking at them all. He slowly raised his staff his strong voice hit the air. "My name is Nadui and I welcome you to Eduiji. The great Tosuji clan is well spoken off among the Arbitrators." Erisoki slowly raised his head. "I am Erisoki and I bring my clan here to your great territory to drop of dishonoured prey and a bad blood. We thank you for your welcome Nadui." The Arbitrator clicked his lower metal tusk he turned looking at the three still kneeling hunters and the armoured ooman female. "You've been out of contact for a whole season we heard your scout ships were trying to find you."

Erisoki turned slightly. "We ran in to some problems which I will go over with our Arbitrators." Nadui bowed his head. "Of cause we will send a message to them back on the great mother ship that you will be arriving. It will allow the young bloods who are still waiting to prepare, along with the older hunters." He put a hand on his chin. "My I ask a question Erisoki?" Erisoki looked at him. "Go ahead." Nadui pulled up his clawed hand pointing at the armoured ooman. "It has been a long time since I've seen an ooman, especially a female." He paused. "What is one doing in your clan?" Erisoki clicked his lower mandibles. "She earned the right to walk by the side of my hunter's." Nadui turned sharply. "Are you being serious Erisoki?" Erisoki flared his mandibles. "Do not question my words! She is very important to my clan and has earned the right of high rank, her loyalty is unquestionable." Nadui raised a clawed finger. "My questions are purely informational Erisoki, although there have been oomans females in clans before through the ages. There have been some who have been disloyal."

Erisoki took a step forward. "She is the mate of my second in command Jeuki she herself is my third in command. Believe me Nadui when I say the only reason this clan lives is because of her. So don't ever question her loyalty again!" Nadui nodded in respect. "As you wish, your warriors my rise." Erisoki turned to the others. "Rise all of you." Nadui clicked his fingers. "Honour our guests by giving them meat and trading items." Jeuki slowly stood up watching as Emma did the same. The two young bloods raised their heads keeping both the prisoners held down. He pulled out his hand stopping the trader who was coming around with assorted items like swords and the translators. He pulled up a piece ooman circuitry from his belt. Emma had, had this in her torn lab coat she had made from left over parts in her pocket. This was during the days before they spoken or even been friends. She had sat in the corner opposite to him on the ship playing with it. Trying to make it show different colour combinations. After they had become close she'd lost interest in it.

He knew now that she'd made it because she had been desperately trying to keep mental focus and find some joy in her early situation. It would make a perfect trade item though one thing Yautja traders loved was fascinating items from hunts especially the strange and unusual or hard to come by. The trader opened his mandibles looking at. "What is it?" Jeuki clicked his mandibles in excitement he felt Emma move so she was by his side. "Ooman play thing very rare." He turned looking at Emma. "He'll want this trust me." Emma smiled looking at him. "I hope so I don't really want it, it reminds me off a bad times between us." Jeuki rubbed her back ignoring the trader's stunned look. "I know don't worry he will want this so badly, believe me." He slowly turned back to the trader then pressed one of the buttons on the side watching as the flashing lights moved in a pattern. He clicked his upper right mandible watching the trader's eyes light up. The older Yautja trader made a grab for it causing Jeuki to pull it back clicking the button off. He raised a hand. "You only get this if I get what I want!"

The trader pulled up his items. "What would you like? I have swords, ooman guns all prized." He looked at the ooman female. "Would your mate like something special?" Jeuki eyed him. "I would like a translator for her the very special kind, which translates all languages and fits on the back of the canine tooth." The trader looked up. He slowly pulled out a small box. "This is the latest version, it has a turn off switch which can be turned on and off by the lower canine pressing it." Jeuki watched as he opened the box he clicked his mandibles looking at it with pleasure. "Very, very nice." The trader leaned forward. "So can I have the ooman play thing now?" Jeuki handed him the device, he calmly took the small box out of trader's hand. He watched the traders mandibles flare with glee as he placed Emma's item in one his special holders. Jeuki leaned down looking at Emma. "Take this out and put it behind your canine it'll clamp instantly." Emma leaned over taking the tiny item out. She slowly put in her mouth only to wince painfully as it attached to the back of right canine tooth.

Jeuki put both hands on her shoulders. "That pain won't last long, and you'll soon forget that it's there." Emma moved her lower jaw. "It doesn't hurt but it feel numb." Jeuki leaned down. "Just use your lower canine to press the back of it to turn it of and on." Emma nodded slightly. "Thank you Jeuki." Jeuki pulled her closer. "Anything to help you." Nadui turned slightly looking at Erisoki. "What did your two prisoners do to end up here?" Erisoki moved slowly over to where the two young bloods where holding Oni Jui and Oran down. He eased up a clawed hand. "Oni Jui is charged with treason against the clan, his actions almost led to what was felt of our clan being killed." Nadui turned looking at the ooman male. "And the dishonoured prey?" Erisoki turned slightly. "Capturing and torturing the remaining clan along with trying to steal our technology." Nadui flared his mandibles. "Filthy ooman, some of them are disgusting unworthy prey." Erisoki eased out his hand picking one of the fruits of the tray the Yautja was carrying around. "Some not all."

Nadui turned eyeing the ooman female again. "It would seem some are still honourable warriors. Surprising from a lesser race whose society focus's on items and money. Although they call it credits now, or so I've heard." Erisoki tapped his upper right mandible. "The dishonoured prey at my feet I consider lesser the mate of second in command I consider equal." Nadui looked up slightly. "Tell me have both these prisoners had the Un-Life ceremony?" Erisoki looked down slightly. "Yes there nothing more needs to be done apart from the drop off." Nadui turned signalling to the other two Yautja who'd been guarding the walkway. "Good then I'll have them removed and dropped of on Eduiji immediately." He watched as the two older warriors came forward, each grabbing one of the prisoners and pulling the away savagely. "No use in them waiting any longer for their punishment." He turned slightly as both prisoners where dragged past him. "They'll see their end in the land of ice where only death and Un-Life awaits them."

Erisoki watched as both Oni Jui and Oran were dragged in to the corridor before both vanishing out of sight. "I hope they meet death sooner rather than later." Nadui turned slightly patting his shoulder. "Don't concern yourself, they'll be down on the planet in under twenty minutes. My warriors are the best at what they do, believe me." The Arbitrator breathed in deeply. "Come with me great warrior bring your clan and let us talk about your many glorious hunts and how the female ooman became so honourable to the point of wearing your mark." He raised a clawed hand. "Let us drink alcohol and eat cooked meat and tell our stories." Erisoki nodded calmly. "It would be my pleasure to join you and your clan Nadui and talk of our hunts." He turned sharply looking at his clan who where waiting, some were chewing fruit. "Follow Nadui's lead all of you, he request's our presence and wants to hear our story." Jeuki put an arm around Emma. "This should be good he's honoured by our presence, this means we'll get to eat some fresh cooked meat." Emma looked at her stomach. "That sounds great I'm sick of eating dried No Bo meat." Jeuki put a clawed finger under her chin. "Same here I want something that tastes fresh." He turned watching as the others followed Erisoki and the Arbitrator. "Come on lets eats a good meal we both deserve it." Emma began to walk faster as they followed the others inside the massive Yautja space cruiser.

8

Oran felt the rough tug as he was brought forward. Oni Jui was right next to him both of them where being held tightly by the two Yautja warriors. The moment they'd been pulled away they been dragged towards this small vessel where the two Yautja who were waiting had started the ship up. With in moments they had left the huge battle cruiser behind as they sped towards the ice planet bellow. He groaned feeling the chains, which hadn't been taken of and where still wrapped around tightly. The huge bay door of the vessel was suddenly opened. Oran found himself wincing as ice-cold snow blew through he'd heard Oni Jui howl as the cold hit him. He looked down seeing the snow blizzard bellow he couldn't see any ground anywhere. He felt the Yautja grab his collar harshly he found himself turning in horror the ship wasn't slowing and they where going to throw him out of it! He didn't get a chance to contemplate that thought, as he was thrown out. All he could see was the blizzard as he fell forward full force. His body smacked in to the icy cold causing him to cry out in agony.

He looked up watching as Oni Jui hit the ground hard near by him the hunter's howl of agony hit the air. Only to be blocked out as the vessel, which had dropped them down on to this ice-cold world, flew over them cutting out all the noise. The hunter vessel slowly moved upwards its huge engines blasting as it sped upwards disappearing in to the blizzard. Oran snarled pulling himself to his knees as best he could with the chains on, he looked at Oni Jui who was slowly getting up. "I ought to kill you! You're a stupid son of a bitch who couldn't kill one annoying little woman!" He stopped sharply as he started to cough painfully. Oni Jui looked up roaring at the ooman in anger. He stood himself up slowly trying to free himself from the chain like cord. "Admit defeat you stupid filthy ooman! Stop trying to threaten me! Except your fate!" Oran stood up slowly ignoring the snow as it hit his face. "You think I'm going to die here? I am not going to die here with you!" He bent over feeling a sharing pain in his chest.

Oni Jui took a step forward. "Death is your end and it's my end, deal with it!" He turned kicking the snow at the ooman. Oran looked up sharply. "You've given up haven't you? You worthless, disgusting Yautja your nothing but a quitter!" Oni Jui turned sharply. "You don't get it do you ooman? There is no way out! No one ever escapes Eduiji!" He roared again. "On this planet all you'll do is suffer and despair! Here the suffering is vicious and never ending!" Oran pulled himself up. "I might get lucky and die from cold and avoid the never ending suffering!" Oni Jui came forward leaning over him. "You can't avoid death on this planet you stupid pathetic little ooman!" His roar echoed in to the blizzard. "You die just like everyone else when your bodies finished rotting away!" Oran spat harshly. "I heard what Emma was saying to Jeuki and I don't believe it! Chest busters don't live in people for decades! It's not possible!" Oni Jui shook his head. "Stupid little fool you underestimate my races technology!"

Oran was about to say something when he heard a long moan, which came from the other direction. Oni Jui looked up. "They're coming." Oran turned sharply. "Who's coming?" Oni Jui backed away the fear showing in his eyes. "Those who suffer the Un-Life." Oran laughed as best he could despite the pain in his ribs "Coward." He turned looking out in to the blizzard there where a set of figures coming forward. He couldn't make them out well but they looked like another human and four Yautja. Behind them he could see five other creatures following but couldn't make out what they where. He pulled back eyeing Oni Jui who looked terrified. "Christ you are pathetic, you let a bunch washed out ice prisoners scare you!" He stopped seeing the figures get closer he pulled a hand. "Over here!" He stopped feeling pain in his chest. His gaze widened as they got closer he was right it was a bunch of Yautja and a human. He found himself stopping as he realized something didn't look right. One of human's arms was hanging down in a crippled way like it had been broken a few times and never fixed.

He took a slow step forward as the human got even closer, he suddenly felt he air get stuck in his throat. The human he could tell now was some kind of solider because of his tattered camouflage gear, didn't have a lower jaw! Tattered skin hung down and one white eye looked back at him he could see the skull through nose and white dead skin could be seen. He felt the horror and fear sweep over him as he saw the other Yautja appear behind him. He wanted to scream in terror but could only whimper. They where all died and walking like the human! He could see skeleton bodies with rotting flesh hanging off and white eyes as well as skull faces ribs could be seen through tattered rags. One of the long died Yautja who's had a fully skull with a signal eye and a little muscle opened his mandibles making a horrible gaggling sound. Oran turned seeing that Oni Jui was paralysed in terror. He watched as the skull faced Yautja raised a boned clawed hand pointing at him. Oran felt his heart hit his stomach as a cold paralysing fear hit him. He looked around sharply only to see that the two other Yautja move so they where near Oni Jui. He didn't get a chance to move as died human slammed out his good intact hand knocking him over hard. He felt the hard snow as he landed hard on it, he looked up sharply only to see the un-dead human lean over looking at him.

The shinning form of two silver dog tags fell out of the old tattered shirt. He looked up sharply seeing the name date still embossed in the old metal. He found himself swallowing deeply looking at it as the un-dead human came closer. The name of this un-dead man was Lucius Dark from the Royal Marines. His ancient tags date read the year1999. Oran turned hearing Oni Jui howls which where followed by a dull thud as the hunter hit the floor hard. Oran looked up feeling a sense of utter horror sweep over him as started to cry out in panic and pure terror. He turned only to feel two-clawed hands shove him in to the snow, as the Yautja with the skull face held him down forcefully. His screams only got louder as he watched as another figure appear behind the un-dead Yautja. Its huge long black tail whipping through the air as its huge long black head came to view. The jaws opened as it hissed at the two un-dead beings. Its black-clawed hands moved through the snow as it came closer to him. He looked up seeing the un-dead marine pull out an ancient gun, from it's tattered uniforms gun holster.

His screaming carried on as the Xeno hissed again at the un-dead human. Who turned then looked back, before pulling up the ancient weapon so the hilt was aimed at him. Oran's screaming stopped as the weapon made contact with the side of his face. He groaned in agony, he could still hear Oni Jui howls of agony as the two un-dead Yautja hit him. He tried to get up only to be hit again but this time far harder, causing him to cry out in pain. He looked up only to see more Xeno soldiers appear, all hissed at the un-dead beings. He cried as he was hit again but this time the weapons hilt slammed it to the back of his head. He hit the snow hard watching painfully as the world slowly faded to black.

8

Oran opened his eyes all he could see was darkness he looked up painfully. He found himself blinking a couple of times he was sitting on a cold floor he moved only to feel that he couldn't. He looked down seeing that he had been stuck down with the hard resin that the aliens used to build their hive. He turned slightly seeing that the chain cord that had been holding him was lying near by. He turned as best he could only to see that Oni Jui was lying next to him, the huge hunter's cord had been pulled off. His upper body had been coated in resin to stop him moving and he himself looked like him was just starting to wake up. Oran's gaze turned slowly and nervously, he remembered being hit by the un-dead human and passing out. He found himself shaking as the moans and cries of many beings began to echo around him. His found himself swinging his head in terror and panic as the noise carried on coming. He swallowed turning around slowly as he heard something move near by. His gaze moved around only to meet something he hadn't seen before due to the fact his eyesight hadn't adjusted.

He was in a huge part of the Xeno's hive, the huge cavern with its two tunnels one on side ether side it stank of rotting flesh. There were no bodies lining the walls no carcass though. In fact there weren't even eggs. Which stunned him because he knew all two well who this massive chamber belonged to. His gaze turned as he saw the few Xeno soldiers who where close by suddenly scattered. He suddenly felt himself freeze in terror as he saw who was making the crunching sound. In the middle of the room hung from huge spines was the most horrible looking Xeno queen. Her huge over grown teeth made crunching sounds as she moved them. Her huge crest which was bigger than any he'd seen slopped upwards. The shape was pointed at every angle no curves could be seen. On the whole crest there where claw and teeth marks showing that she'd been in many battles. He could even see broken teeth as she turned her head to look at him. Her huge arms with there over grown claws moved downwards with the small arms, as she rose up her huge black head slowly.

She was an ancient queen older than any he'd ever seen or heard of. His gaze turned slowly as she carried on looking at them. He could see the massive egg laying abdomen, which was moving but very slowly it length stretched to end of the cavern. Her feet rested against the upper part the over grown claws barely moving her long tail hung down unmoving. He pulled back in panic as the old jaws opened letting out a long piecing screech. He turned as he heard the smashing of feet in the tunnel to the right of him. He watched in utter horror, as another huge crested head appeared. He found all his terrified cries leaving him as a young Xeno queen came walked in to the cavern. Her long tail swung as she came towards the ancient mother. Her head turned as she looked at them for a moment before moving so she was by the older queen's side. The older mother hissed as her abdomen began to pulse harder. Oran gritted his teeth together in fear he could hear Oni Jui's mandibles tapping in fright and horror. The hunter started to struggle harder against the resin bounds.

There was a long drawn out hiss from the other tunnel followed by the thumbing of feet. Another young queen burst through only to be hissed at by the her sister who was starting to move to the lower end of her mother's abdomen as it carried on pulsing. It seemed like the very act of egg laying was very hard for to do and took time for the ancient queen. The other daughter turned hissing again at her sister before slowly sitting herself beside the ancient mother. Claw marks could be seen on her crest from squabbles. Which where no doubt from the other sister who hissed at her again before leaning down her long hands to catch the egg as it came free of the abdomen. She pulled it in her smaller arms carrying it towards them. Oran turned seeing Oni Jui howl in panic as she came up to him her huge jaws opened as she leaned closer to him. Oran found himself shaking in panic he could feel her breath it was cold wet and horrible. The egg was slowly placed down in front of the hunter before the young queen turned moving back towards the old mother again.

Oran turned sharply the egg was still closed but that didn't stop Oni Jui howling. Oran looked up as sharply only to see the sister who had placed the egg down whip her tail around slamming it in to the other sister's back. It was not enough to harm but enough to cause a cracking sound on the spines which caused the other queen to hiss submissively. Why where they doing this! Why where they looking after the old queen in this way? Every other Xeno queen he'd seen or heard about would not allow another queen to live, they'd kill them. The very fact that his beautiful experiment had failed was due to that! Yet in this horrible frightening place the head queen had two daughters living peacefully with her! He watched as the stronger daughter caught another egg. Was it because she was so old that she needed there help? Or had she allowed them to live because she wanted the best one to reign in her place after she died? He suddenly felt himself whimper! He'd die in this rotten place and he'd never know why this was!

He looked down at his served arm as it all suddenly came crashing down on him. He'd never see the sun set ever again! He'd never see or drink red whine from a glass. He'd never see space again or his luxury home in the mountains of Africa where he liked to shoot Zebra. His gaze turned in anger his company would be handed over to his only living offspring! He'd hoped before he'd died to have another child to make sure that didn't happen! He didn't want that annoying sixteen-year-old blonde bitch child to have his money! She was result of a one-night stand with some businesswoman who he didn't like to remember. Plus she was a greedy cow who liked to take his pocket through alimony! He found himself crying out in anger of all the people to run his business it would be that stupid child! She wasn't even ambitious! She was far too much like her mother! A stow away who seemed to just move from place to place and screw up on the way! She'd kill his company in the first year! She wasn't fit to run her make up draws let alone a company!

Everyone would know she was his child, it would all come out! He'd been trying for years to keep her a secret. He opened his eyes only to see a set of huge jaws opening. The stronger Xeno queen's-toothed tongue flew forward snapping with inches of his face. He found himself letting out a choking sob as the egg was placed down in front of him. The daughter turned slashing her tail around as she moved towards her mother sitting on the other side of her. The ancient queen hissed which caused both eggs to open Oran struggled harder as he watched the face hugger unwrap as it got ready to jump from its still dripping egg. He tried to ignore Oni Jui who was still howling. The next moments slowed down to a horrible crawl as the saw the face hugger to his right jump at Oni Jui. He turned in feeling himself whimper and moan as the spider like creature flew from the egg in front of him. He cried out with all his lungs a cry, which was heard by the queens as well as un-dead, and those who were still dieing as it echoed through the hives tunnels. The world went black and the screaming from his throat turned to gabbing as the long tail wrapped around his neck. He felt his eyes roll back as something entered his mouth. His body slowly went limp as he stopped struggling against the hard resin. His eyes slowly closed as he finally lost consciousness.

8

Emma slowly pulled the red meat of the bone savouring the taste. She had no idea what it was but frankly she didn't care she just wanted to get good food back in to her stomach. She couldn't remember the last time she'd had a good meal. Living of the ship rations had started to drive all of them mad it wasn't just her who'd hated it. She watched as one of the young bloods from the other clan brought in a large bowl of with small crab like creatures in it. He put it down on the large heavy sculpted table and took away the empty one. There was plenty to go around but that didn't Idosoi and Adarmi fighting over their fill. Adarmi didn't like Idosoi. There dislike of each other was due to their difference of opinion on things, including her. They'd both fought over their rations on the ship as well. Jeuki had told her to just ignore them when they fought over food. As it was all due to growing hormones. Young bloods fought over things it was very common, be that food or armour. It was all about getting best pickings and being the better and stronger male.

The Arbitrator had one elder with him and two hunters who where about Jeuki's age and a young blood. In meetings like this the numbers where kept even to avoid confrontation. The meetings where also held with the best and most promising members who where highly trustworthy. She had turned her translator on and could make out what they where saying. Oddly to her it sounded like they where talking in her language but none of them sounded like Jeuki when he truly spoke in her language. A lot of the conversation had been Erisoki telling the other clan off their great battle on board the Iron Year which so far had turned all heads. She put her hand in the large bowl only to watch one of the black horseshoe crab like creatures leap out. It seemed to look around before starting to crawl off she rolled her eyes what was it with some Yautja and the love of live food? She grabbing her long danger from her belt and slamming it in to the shell before it could wander off on to some one else side of the table. Jeuki turned slightly watching the hunter on the opposite side laugh at his mate actions.

The hunter leaned forward his red eyes gleaming. "Not in to live food is she?" Jeuki eyed him the hunter was one of the ones his age. "Oomans don't always like live food, it's a matter of taste." He leaned over pulling on of the crabs out. The hunter leaned a little closer. "The way her mouth moves is disgusting when she chews." Emma looked up sharply meeting his red gaze. "So is the way you keep drooling when they put bowls meat down in front of us." Jeuki turned before bursting in to a fit of laughter at the dumb founded look of the other hunters face. "Emma can understand what you're saying perfectly. So stop saying foolish things." Jeuki eyed the red-eyed hunter as he suddenly started to laugh. Jeuki crushed down on his food before turning slowly to Emma who was starting to see the humour in the situation. "I don't believe he meant offence, I think he just put his foot in his mouth as you would say." Emma laughed slightly. "I'm not offended I think it was funny."

Jeuki put his elbow on the table throwing away the empty shell. His gaze turned to the room near by which was empty apart from the leather skin rug on the floor. It out looked the stars and from its very distance he could see Eduiji gleaming in space. It was far more bright and beautiful and it's ice continents gleamed with light. He looked up sharply seeing that the young blood cook from the other clan was bringing around two more bowls of food. He sat up taking one before the younger male could place it down. He watched the young male look up in surprise but stay quite due to his rank. He kneeled down so he was close to Emma's ear he slowly spoke in her language. "Come on lets eat somewhere where it's quieter." Emma raised an eyebrow slightly. "They won't take offence?" Jeuki clicked his upper right mandibles. "Of course not it's not uncommon for Yautja males to leave the table to follow their mate." Emma looked up slightly. "Oh, I see." She watched Jeuki's eyes catching on to what to he was saying. She slowly stood up nodding respectful to Erisoki who calmly nodded back.

Jeuki tapped his lower mandibles as he took her arm moving her towards the huge room on the other side with its beautiful view. He ignored the two young bloods who where on guard duty. They just protected these rooms during meetings, he moved Emma in to the room before turning around sharply and pressing the doors buttons. He watched as the door closed giving them some privacy. He turned putting the food down on the floor next to the window. "Sorry to drag you away but I felt that we needed some peace and quite." Emma turned slightly. "I keep forgetting what you've told me about your females. In that you follow them not they follow you." She pulled her hand. "I really need to get used to that." Jeuki found himself laughing. "Where you come from it can be the opposite way around." Emma pulled a piece of cooked red meat out from the bowl. "True sometimes it can." Jeuki tapped his upper right mandible. "Likewise." Emma turned slightly. "Didn't you say also that your female are bigger?" Jeuki slowly sat himself down next to the window. "Much bigger, tomorrow I'll show you a few of them. I sure many other males have mates here."

Emma sat herself down next to him she calmly leaning against him. Her eyes turned slowly as she stared at the beautiful view. The planet looked so beautiful in the distance. She breathed in deeply as she felt Jeuki lift up her hand. He slowly used his claws to play with her fingers in a gentle manner. She closed her eye slightly. Jeuki looked at the planet again before turning back to Emma. "Tomorrow I'll show you round this ship." Emma moved herself so she was even closer. "I'm looking forward to that." Jeuki moved his lower mandibles slightly. "You'll enjoy it I promise you that." Emma moved her hand up slowly running it along his lower mandibles. "I enjoy everything with you, you know that." Jeuki looked at the view again before turning back. "Like wise." He leaned over slightly. " I do hope Oran's screaming right now." Emma sniggered slightly. "Oh I'm sure he is. The coward is probably wishing he hadn't pissed of your race." Jeuki found him self-laughing aloud. "Yeah he probably is really wishing that." Emma breathed in deeply. "You know I love you don't you?" Jeuki leaned over moving his clawed hand through gently her hair. "I know you do, and you know I feel the same way." Emma moved closer. "You know I have a really good feeling that very things going to be wonderful for us." Jeuki leaned closer running his upper mandibles gently across her cheek. "So do I, I think we'll do great."

End of part 31

Silvermoonlight