Disclaimer: I do not own any of the predators from the movies. No money gains.
Chapter Fifteen
Za'Ruc has a uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach. He feels like something terrible has happen and he has a urgent need to get back home. His business has taken over two hours to complete.
"What is troubling you?" Poe asks Za'Ruc when he starts to head back home.
"We need to get back. Something has happen to Tish." Za'Ruc answers as he practically runs to his place.
As they rush to get back, they run into Omega.
"Za'Ruc, you need to get back home right away. Poe, your skills are also needed." Omega says as he turns around to head back.
"What has happened? How long have you been back?" Za'Ruc asks as he grabs Omega turning him around.
"I have been back for a couple of hours now. It is your aseigan. She has been hurt." Omega says waiting for the eruption.
"What happened. Where is she?" Za'Ruc orders as he lifts Omega off the ground.
"Za'Ruc put him down so that he can tell you everything." Poe says jabbing him in his side to get his attention.
Za'Ruc puts Omega down and starts to pace to burn off his nervous energy.
Omega looks at Za'Ruc and then to Poe for help. Poe shakes his head and just points to Za'Ruc.
"Your aseigan was in a fight." Omega says hoping not to lose his head.
"A fight! How?" Za'Ruc marches to Omega.
"Za'Ruc, Ki'cte! Let him speak without the fear of death. Now explain what happen as you take us to her." Poe intercedes giving Omega room to breathe and speak.
"You will not like what I have to say. I do not know all the details. Only what I have seen." Omega states.
"Will you just tell me." Za'Ruc says fuming.
"After I landed, I came across a group of Yautja's. I went to see what was happening. When I saw the ooman, I figure she was a captive to play with. Once she started to fight, I knew she was no ordinary ooman. She is an excellent fighter. She took out two of them before the third one did his damage." Omega said.
"The challenge. I was to fight for her. How could they do that. They knew I would do it that is why they did it now. Who did she fight?" Za'Ruc says angry at the council.
"It would not matter. They refused any challengers for her. They wanted her to fight. She was up against Raj-Kum, Tenhar, and Alpha." Omega says softly when Alpha's name is said.
Za'Ruc stops and turn to Omega. Poe steps in between them.
"Alpha! She had to fight them. Why did you not intervened? Where is he?" Za'Ruc explodes. He would have hit Omega, if it was not for Poe.
"Tish, you remember. She needs you more than Alpha's demise." Poe intercedes as he reminds Za'Ruc of his priority.
"What do you mean. It would not make a difference. What happened?" Poe asks Omega.
"When I found out that she is Za'Ruc's aseigan , I offered to do the challenge for her. They refused." Omega started to explain.
"They refused, why?" Za'Ruc asked.
"They said she asked for it so she had to do it. I think Elder Scqn'e wanted her dead. You have taught her well. She managed to take out both Raj-Kum and Tenhar before the rest of us took her seriously. Alpha was the only one who gave her any challenge. She did you proud. She refused to let you down by shaming you." Omega explains.
"I did not train her. She already had the skills. That is one reason why she is my aseigan. Elder Scqn'e is definitely behind this. How bad is she hurt?" Za'Ruc says.
"She is hurt fairly bad. I am not sure for I do not know the ooman make up. All I know is that she hobble out and she was alive when I left to find you." Omega answers.
Za'Ruc does not waste anymore time in getting home.
"Is it true what he says about her." Omega asks as he watches Za'Ruc rush home.
"That Za'Ruc did not train her. Yes. She helped us escape. She has no fear of us that she pick us over her own kind. Would you believe that she shoved Alpha and she talked back to him?" Poe answers.
"I believe it for I have seen it with my own eyes. She faked us out by making us think she was unskilled. What I do not understand is Za'Ruc's behavior. I have never seen him act this way towards anyone especially a female." Omega points out.
"It is very simple. He cares for her as a mate would, but without admitting it. You know how we act in order to get the females to notice us. Za'Ruc never had any trouble getting them. He does not think twice about them. No one has manage to get him to be a mate for he loves his freedom. This slip of a female has bonded with him. We were on our way back for he had a sudden urge to return home." Poe explains.
"So why is she his aseigan instead of his mate?" Omega asks not totally understanding.
"She is a ooman. The Elders will not accept her as one of us. They will not permit a union between them. They do not want to lose the chance of a union with one of the Elder's daughters." Poe says.
"I still do not get it. Za'Ruc does not conform to our rules. He is too valued to go against him." Omega says.
"Za'Ruc will not share her so she is his aseigan for many reasons. One is that he admires her skills. He also respects her. He wants to protect her from us. She deserves a home. She is a asset for we can learn much from her about oomans." Poe states.
"He is using his status as a leverage to keep her. Would he leave us to keep her? What of his sire?" Omega questions.
"He has no real reason to stay here. Our friendships do not demand loyalty from him. If he had to choose, he would pick Tish. Za'Ruc will kill his sire, if he stands in his way." Poe sighs as he climbs to reach Za'Ruc's place.
"Poe, will you follow Za'Ruc?" Omega inquires.
"Yes. What of you?" Poe asks.
"Without a doubt." Omega replies.
They both stop dead in their tracks when they approach his sleeping platform.
Za'Ruc is kneeling against the platform with his head bowed. He has one of her hands in his and the other one is doing a soothing gesture on her head. He looks like he is brushing her hair with his hand. All the time he is talking to her in both of their languages.
It takes Za'Ruc a moment to realize that they are no longer alone. He slowly turns to them and tells Poe in a deadly calm voice, "She is hurting. You can stop the hurting."
"Za'Ruc go with Omega outside and break something. I will tend to Tish. Mo! You can not stay and help. She needs you clear minded and you helping me will only make matters worse. Omega drag him out of here now." Poe orders knowing that Za'Ruc will snap in any minute.
"Sure thing Poe. Za'Ruc come on I have a few questions to ask you. I even know where there is a great tree to topple over." Omega says as he takes Za'Ruc outside.
Only after they leave does Poe examines Tish. He splints her wrist and patches up her leg. He also wraps up her ribs for they are bruised fro what looks like she sparred with spears. Poe is surprised that she is not that injured. Alpha did hold back on his attack.
"What are you going to do now?" Omega asks once they get to the tree perfect to punch.
"I am going to hunt down Alpha and kill him. First I have to see how Tish is." Za'Ruc says looking up to his place.
"That is not what I mean. Za'Ruc why do not you hit the tree. You need to release some of this energy. You look like you are about to attack a whole colony of Kainde amedha." Omega says.
Za'Ruc really wants to keep in his pent up rage, but it would not be fair on Tish to subject her to his rage. So he takes up Omega's offer and pounds on the tree. An hour later Za'Ruc feels better and still no word from Poe. Za'Ruc starts to worry for it must be serious to take this long.
"What is it that is bothering you now?" Omega asks.
"What is taking so long? Poe has not come down." Za'Ruc says.
"Why do not we go up and see. He should be finish by now." Omega answers going up the stairs.
Once they enter the place, they know why Poe has not come down. Tish is determined to get out of bed. Poe is trying to keep her down.
"Poe I need to talk with Za'Ruc before he makes Alpha suffer more than he should." Tish demands trying to get away from Poe.
"If you lay down, I will find Za'Ruc and bring him back. If you keep up moving like this, you will start to bleed again." Poe counters pushing her back down.
"Tish I am here." Za'Ruc says as he enters the room. Poe stands up to let Za'Ruc take his place. Za'Ruc sits down on his platform beside Tish. Tish lends up against him and wraps her arms around him. Za'Ruc strokes her hair.
"I am sorry. It is all my fault that you will lose a friend." Tish says as she hugs him tighter. Za'Ruc was afraid she will start to cry. A warrior does not cry.
"It is not your fault. But he will die for his action." Za'Ruc says returning her hug.
"He only did what he was told to do. He could have killed me, but he did not. Please remember that when the time comes for his end." Tish starts to tell.
While Za'Ruc is holding Tish, Poe takes advantage of the situation to give Tish the healing injection. Tish jerks back when she receives the shot.
"What the...Ell-osde pauk! Poe You know I need to talk with Za'Ruc." Tish comments.
"He is here and you have." Poe states the obvious.
"But not..all." Tish says as she fights the healing injection.
"Tish lay down and rest. I will stay right here if you like."Za'Ruc replies easing her down.
"Men. You all stick together." Tish mumbles.
Tish lays down, but she can not get comfortable. Za'Ruc removes his gear and shoes to climb onto his sleeping platform. He rolls Tish on her side and pulls her up against him. He wraps his arm around her.
Omega and Poe leave the two of them.
"I see what you mean now. Does he know what he is doing?" Omega states.
