(A/N: I still have no claims to any of the predator movies or major characters except for the ones I named in my story. Just borrowing the concept of them for fun, no money transactions. However, if Scar by any chance happens along I would not mind staking claims on him. ha ha. Now on with the story. Enjoy.)
Chapter Seven
Alpha storms off. He scouts the area for any possible humans. In his current mood, Alpha has a taste for blood. So he goes off in search of something to kill and satisfy this feeling of frustration that he feels about Za'Ruc's actions.
As he leaves the glen, he has questions. Why this ooman? What is there about her that catches Za'Ruc's attention? Definately not looks, thats for sure.
Poe watches Alpha leave in a tiff. Poe glances at the two of them and decides to leave them alone. If she dies, it should be done alone with Za'Ruc. Za'Ruc would not like it to have a witness to it. There is a strange bond between them. Go figure.
Poe goes to the outcrop to survey the terrain to plot the quickest route to the ship. If it was not for the natives, this would be a perfect place for a retreat. Unless you want to have a hunting visit then it is wonderful. Plenty of places to hide and grab. He is wondering how Za'Ruc will explain Tish to the Elders that is if she survives.
Za'Ruc must think fast for time is short. There must be a way to bring up Tish's body temperature. He knows that his body heat can keep her warm during the night, but not raise it up enough for her to live. A greater source must be found. Looking around he sees the hot springs. Yes that will do the trick.
Za'Ruc starts to remove his armor, gauntlets,wrist computer, and shoes. He looks around to see where the guys are before her removes Tish's clothes leaving only her underwear on. Then he picks her up and carries her to the springs. Za'Ruc just steps into the spring as if it is a bathing tub. The water only goes up to his waist. The water temperature is at a pleasant ninety degrees Fahrenheit.
Za'Ruc eases Tish slowly into the water until her body is submerge up to her neck. Then he starts to move in a circular motion with Tish bobbing in the water floating.
He continues this for an hour or so. Every now and then he dunks her completely under the water to see what response he gets. So far all he gets is a few sputtering when she returns to the surface. No major out breaks as of yet. He is hoping to see some of the spunk she had earlier.
He stops moving and eases up against the side of the spring. Leaning Tish up against him with her head resting on his chest. Her buoyancy is so great that she just floats on her back with no problem of sinking to the bottom.
Looking down at her, Za'Ruc just starts to talk to her knowing that she does not understand him. Hoping the sounds that he makes will bring her back. He praises her about her warrior skills and her endurance during the battle and the hike. Laughs about how she manage to shock Alpha by shoving him, but still nothing. He even whispers sweet nothings into her ear with no results.
Poe watches from the outcrop. At first he keeps himself busy just fiddling around doing basically nothing of imports except eating. When Za'Ruc stops turning and rests against the wall, Poe monitors Tish's levels. They have come up almost to normal range for oomans.
It is just seeing Za'Ruc holding her to him that strikes a cord. Never has he ever seen Za'Ruc hold anyone in such a manner. It is something a mother would do in our culture. Poe is so glad Alpha is not here to see this. Za'Ruc will never live this one down. Poe double checks for Alpha. Nope, no Alpha, good.
Za'Ruc can tell that Tish's body temperature is coming up for she is not as cold as she was earlier. Za'Ruc always pride himself for his patience; however, he is drawing near an end of it for he feels that he is failing her somehow. That he is not doing enough.
At this point in time, he turns her around to face him. Shaking her a little, but not too hard. He growls and roars at her demanding attention.
"Look, C'jit you ooman. A warrior does not give up and die just because of a tiny wound like yours. NOW WAKE UP!"
Poe races down to the springs just in case Tish needs rescuing.
Tish wakes up to the feeling that her head is about to fall off. She reaches up with one hand to hold her head still and with the other hand she starts to hit the chest that is attach to the arms that is shaking her. She is still to weak to open her eyes yet, but she manages to say this.
"Will you PLEASE STOP IT! before you knock my block off."
Surprise Za'Ruc drops her and she ends up falling into the water. Recovering quickly Za'Ruc grabs her and pulls her out of the water. Sitting her on the edge as he climbs out of the spring.
Making sure that she is sitting comfortably, Za'Ruc heads to her bedding and grabs a blanket to wrap her up in.
Poe starts to laugh at her response. Before Za'Ruc can ask, Poe tells him what she says. Za'Ruc likes what he hears for that means that she returning to normal.
Tish feels the blanket going around her and she braves the elements by opening her eyes to see where she is at.
"I see she lives. Maybe she is worthy of a challenge one day." Alpha says as he returns to the glen.
"Yes she does. Only when I feel she is up to it, will she accept your challenge. If you want it sooner, you will have to fight me in her place. Agreed. You return with many trophies, very good." Za'Ruc says.
"Just let me know when. So now what do we do?" Alpha asks.
"Right now I need to see how Tish is doing. Then we will figure out when and how we are going to the ship. For I have no doubt that there are more oomans out there waiting to see when we are going to show up again." Za'Ruc answers.
Tish sits and watches them talking to each other. She loves listening to them. The way their clicks,growls, and purrs justs flow together like a melody. What she does not understand is why the leader of the bunch is aggravated at his fellow warrior. But most of all, why was he holding her in the spring.
Poe squats down next to Tish and says in broken english, "Feel okay? Confuse?"
Tish stares at Poe as if he slap her. "You know my language and never let me know. Watching me make a fool of myself in front of you and your friends. Funny! I forgot to laugh. All of you knew and did not say anything. Silly human. So why now?"
Poe shakes his head in a no fashion and points only to himself. "Thought you needed.. someone to help you.. understand."
"Sorry. Must be difficult for you. I do not totally understand. Why is he mad?" Tish asks pointing at Za'Ruc.
"Alpha wants you dead and he wants you to live." Poe answers pointing to Alpha as he speaks.
"Should I be scared? Thank you, but he approaches." Tish asks and warns Poe of the friends coming.
"How is she? She still looks to pale to me. Will she suffer any major damage from this?" Za'Ruc asks Poe when he arrives.
Not even aware that he is only wearing his loincloth and body netting; Tish blushes and turns her head, but not before taking a good look at him. He is tall and well muscled. She does not see any excess fat on that sculpture body that would put any of the gods to shame. He is kind of cute in an alien way. A face only a mother would love; however, he is growing on her. She wishes she could understand what they are talking about.
"Her levels are within normal ranges for a ooman. She is weak from the sudden drop in her body temperature. Maybe after she eats and drinks something and rests for a short time, she might start feeling better. As for the damage only time will tell. Do you want me to talk to her and find out what is paining her and how she is feeling? By the way maybe you should put your things back on. I do not think she is use to seeing so much of you at one time." Poe answers his questions.
"Are you sure? If you think it will do any good in talking with her. Besides you can tell her that she will be going with us when we leave." Za'Ruc squats down and picks her up as if she is a child to carry her to the sleeping pallet. He turns to leave to put back on his things and to get her something to eat and drink.
Alpha watches Za'Ruc carry the ooman as if she means something to him. He shakes his head as he heads in the opposite direction in order to clean his trophies. Such emotions for a Yautja is not normal. There is always plenty of females to choice from at home why bother.
Tish is so shocked that she hides her face in his chest so she does not have to see what the others are thinking about this. Slowly she dresses herself while keeping the blanket wrap around her as she changes her underwear. Tish has always been modest about her nakedness, she never thought herself pretty enough. That is one reason she learn how to kick ass, she preservation. As she is dressing she notices the stitches done to her wound. Another scar to add to the collection. Once she is finish dressing, Tish lays down and falls asleep for over doing it.
Poe joins Za'Ruc and herds him to where Alpha is sitting.
"She is resting. We need to talk about how we are to get to the ship. Alpha how many more oomans do you think are out there?" Poe says.
"I think there is plenty more. So how soon can we leave? Will she make it or is Za'Ruc here going to nursemaid her all the way home." Alpha says sneeringly.
That gets him a punch in the face from Za'Ruc. "I can nursemaid both her and kick your ass all the way to the ship and home. Do you want a sample now or will you shut up and listen to what Poe has to say for this is getting old. She is mine to do as I please."
"Puak! Ki'ete! You two are acting like a couple of Unbloodeds. The quickest route is straight through the valley then by the ruins. However, the possiblities of ambushes are great for the valley is open. Best if we stay in the trees as much as possible. Less chance of them sneaking up on us." Poe tells.
"Sounds good. We will give the female one day to heal and then we will leave this planet. For Alpha sake I hope there is plenty of oomans to kill so that he can work out his jealousy on the oomans." Za'Ruc counters.
"Jealous never. Why, she is nothing." Alpha says and continues to clean his trophies. Could he be jealous?
