Sorry for the long delay, I just couldn't rouse the energy to type this. Now you all know the extent of my laziness! I have decided to start responding to every reviewer separately, as so many other favorite authors do. Please review if you luuurve meAnd want a speedy update! ;)!

Kitty Felone: I might do that in a later sequel, depending if I get a good idea, but right now, he's not quite ready for a mate. I mean, he is still trying to fit in, what would happen if he showed up with a human female when so many Yautja still hate him and/or have no respect for him?

Olafur: I e-mailed you your answer already.

AzureF: Yeah, I know so many people who are adults by age only and shouldn't have any of those priveliges yet, or perhaps even never… I also know people who should be considered adults, yet aren't.

Thwei-Tjau'ke: Bloodstone.

Guan-Thwei: Night blood.

Ch'hkt-a: Nervous energy, hyperactive.

Ki'its-pa: Retractable spear.

H'sai-de: Curved sword.

Kehrite: Training arena.

H'chak: Mercy.

Chapter 2

"So you think that you could give me a ride?" Matt inquired to Thwei-Tjau'ke.

"Mmm… What's in it for me?" replied the Yautja.

Matt flushed indignantly and said, "Thwei-Tjau'ke, I'm serious! Please? This is important to me." Thwei-Tjau'ke raised a brow and grinned, clearly enjoying being a pest.

"Yes, yes. Sure. When do you want to leave?"

"As soon as possible! Now!"

Thwei-Tjau'ke smirked, "There's no rush. Besides, I have to finish repairing this plasma caster for its incompetent owner before I leave."

"I don't want to miss Celia's birthday!" Thwei-Tjau'ke leaned back in his chair and winced, rubbing at a cramping muscle in his scarred side.

"My ship is extremely fast. Faster than Guan-Thwei's. We don't have to rush. Go train or something. You are full of ch'hkt-a." His grin widened. "You are making me itch."

Matt sighed and replied, "Alright. See you later." The crippled Yautja shook his head slightly as he watched the ooman leave and thought to himself, what odd ideas these creatures have. Then he picked up his minute tools and got back to working on the weapon.

…..

A few days later, the two warriors walked the halls that led to the ship ports. They finally stopped near the very end, where the larger ships were berthed. The door opened, revealing a large ship, larger than Guan-Thwei's. It was sleek and shone a silvery gray.

"Like it?" asked Thwei-Tjau'ke to Matt's surprised face. He let out a low whistle and nodded. "I thought so." A door opened in its underbelly at a touch of a button on the Yautja's wrist computer. The inside of the ship wasn't that different, only more spacious. The orange light was the same, same abstract carvings on the wall. Matt got the full tour of the ship. There was a larger kitchen, a small kehrite, and, an area for relaxation and meditation, a room which Guan-Thwei did not have. The floor was covered with Yautja sized pillows and low tables. Matt set his weapons and armor down in the armory, as did his friend. Then they went to the cockpit.

Matt settled himself comfortably in a wide leather beside Thwei-Tjau'ke's. He watched him press buttons and flick switches, then pulled on a lever. The ship hummed to life.

"I got the ship many of your years ago. I did a custom set of weapons for an older Yautja who was chosen to become an Arbitrator. I did everything he wanted, even made new systems for the mask and wrist computer so everything he wanted would fit. He didn't need the ship anymore, so he gave it to me as payment." Thwei-Tjau'ke said, answering Matt's unspoken question. Matt had learned that the Yautja usually explained themselves in time, if they felt it was necessary. "I also take small groups of Yautja on hunts." He ran a taloned hand over the stick. "She's an older ship, but runs beautifully. I've done some improvements." Thwei-Tjau'ke gripped the stick and pressed a few buttons. The ship leapt to life, gliding smoothly out of the hanger and into the inky darkness of space.

Once well clear of the clan ship, Thwei-Tjau'ke pressed a small button, and then tapped out the coordinates for Earth on a small keyboard. He set the autopilot, then stood.

"Want to fight before sleep, M'aat-hew?"

Matt shrugged and said, "I guess. Don't beat me too badly though. I don't want to be all bruised when I visit Lee. What weapon? Ki'its-pa, h'sai-de, staff or bare hands?"

"H'sai-de, I think. You are sloppy with it." Matt moaned and curled his lip in disgust as they started for the small kehrite.

…..

The harsh sound of swords clashing rang through the kehrite. Matt stumbled back from a powerful blow from Thwei-Tjau'ke, his arm numb. The Yautja did not move from his spot; he simply watched the human with his beady yellow eyes. Matt shook feeling back into his arm and began pacing a circle around Thwei-Tjau'ke, who never moved unless he had to, to keep Matt in his range of vision. Matt stalked like a restless animal. Abruptly, he reversed direction and darted towards the Yautja's weak side. Thwei-Tjau'ke was ready for this sneak attack and parried. Matt aimed a punch at the warrior's head as Thwei-Tjau'ke blocked another blow, but he was not fast enough and the Yautja caught his hand. Matt found himself flying through the air. He hit the ground, rolling to soften the landing, grunting as the air was knocked out of his lungs. He snarled and jumped up, before Thwei-Tjau'ke finished him. Matt dodged a strike from the flat of the Yautja's sword and lunged to retrieve his h'sai-de. Once it was in hand, Thwei-Tjau'ke quickly backed away and waited once again, as he always did. His strategy was to defend until his opponent wore themselves out, and then move in for the kill, so to speak. He clicked his mandibles and grinned tauntingly. Matt attacked, sword a blur. He struggled to overcome Thwei-Tjau'ke's well constructed defenses. Sweat poured down his face and stung his eyes. Matt swung the flat of his h'sai-de at Thwei-Tjau'ke's scarred side. It met with a solid thump. The crippled Yautja gasped, eyes wide, and folded up, clutching his cramping side. Matt grinned and prepared to end the battle when he had discovered that Thwei-Tjau'ke had brought his own h'sai-de up to Matt's throat.

He sighed loudly and said the customary words of the loser, "H'chak, I yield to you." Thwei-Tjau'ke withdrew the blade and sheathed it. He ignored Matt's helping hand and stood up on his own power, though the pain was obvious.

"You are getting very good, M'aat-hew. Best yet. Just remember that even a seemingly helpless opponent can be deadly. Do not hesitate or gloat before the final stroke. Make it quick and clean." Matt heard the Yautja groan and mutter under his breath, "What I wouldn't give for the baths…" as he rubbed at his scarred side.

"I hope I didn't hurt you too badly. It was kind of a low blow."

Thwei-Tjau'ke snorted, "Don't worry. I didn't watch that side enough; it was my fault I was struck. Perhaps I didn't expect you to take that strike. That is good. A true warrior is ruthless, does not care about his opponent." He blinked and said suddenly, "I'm tired. Let's go to the pods." Matt nodded and started towards the sleep pods.