AN: Oh my GOD… So, So, SO sorry that it has taken so absolutely very long! Life has been so weird, and so unkind. However, it has also had its perks. Without further ado, I give you the great transitional chapter!

Things should get interesting after this chapter. I am hoping maybe it won't take a whole infinity for me to post again…

I would like to thank Khalthar for his support. I did not send this to him for editing purposes, however, so there may be grammar mistakes and what-not. Feel free to report such atrocities. :)

Chapter 32

Rest Easy

(Spiky/R'ka POV)

Quiet.

It's quiet. Thank Paya. I thought I'd never get a moment's rest.

What? Even Arbitrators need a moment to shut their eyes.

Rosy is nestled into my bed, breathing deeply and evenly. Her blood cycle still flows, but not as much nor as strongly as before.

By paya, let no other hunter encounter an Ooman woman in her monthly cycle.

I had never known before that Ooman women could smell as alluring as yautja females in their breeding season.

This explains why Oomans are such a numerous species in spite of their physical delicacy…

I try to clear my mind of my mate and her species for a moment and revel in the fact that everyone on my ship is also asleep, in repose and not causing trouble.

By Paya, heads will roll if I am mistaken and they are getting into mischief.

However, I think this highly unlikely. All of the younger pauk-heads have just about worn themselves out for the moment.

When we arrive at my homeworld, I will have my work cut out for me. I will need to insure that my new clan members are properly trained in the rules and etiquette of my culture. They will desperately need to know what to expect if they are to survive among my kind. I am confident, however, that they will do well. They have all accomplished so much since I first encountered them; Lex, Kanani and especially Rosy. Even Sabra, though she owes much to her… unique frame of mind.

"By paya…" I mutter to myself in exasperation, dwelling on the strange hybrid for a moment longer. Sabra has been in isolation for a long time. Over half her life. However, her personality is far more outgoing then it should logically be. She certainly latched onto Kemp very hard and maybe this is why she has not displayed any negative side effects.

Unless… she is hiding something. There has to be far more sociopathic tendencies in her then she is letting on.

Though I know this will probably come back to haunt me, I let it go for now.

By paya, please let us find out about it at a convenient time!

Kemp, too, has proven himself to be an extraordinary Ooman. Especially considering that he was physically the weakest of the group of soldiers that he was part of.

This gives me pause, reminding me, to my surprise, of my own past.

Surprised?

I too, was once, how do the Oomans put it?

An Underdog.

My mind takes me away, digging into the layers of years of memories until I am dreaming of my youth.

A beeping interrupts my solitude. I rise to my feet, careful not to wake Rosy. She is exhausted and will need her strength.

As I take to the main controls of my ship, I answer the incoming message. It is my father. And he does not look happy.

"Greetings, Elder Setg'in, my honorable father." I wait for his response.

"R'ka Thwei, You have been gone a long time. Have you found your brother?"

"Indeed, I have found two brothers. It is a long story, but I have recovered both Kha'bj-te and Setg'in."

My father's expression changes swiftly, as his lower tusks fall open. I nod, sharing his surprise.

"He is alive. Scarred but as strong as ever."

"Thank you, Arbitrator."

I inwardly smile, pride swelling in my chest for a moment. The moment vanishes as I return to the hard reality.

"My honored father, there is much we will have to discuss. It is true that I recovered my brothers from the Oomans. However, they are not the only lifeforms I am bringing home."

"Oh Pauk, please tell me they are not infected with Kiande Amedha!"

I cringe and shake my head vigorously.

"No, not at all. Quite the opposite in fact…"

There is a silence from his end that worries me a moment.

I press on.

"We encountered and befriended two Llonng Sain'ja hybrids and three Oomans. And through an unseen but necessary series of events, they all earned the right to become blooded."

"I see." But it is unclear whether or not my father truly understands.

"In fact, one of the oomans was already blooded… she is the ooman from Setg'in's chiva."

"You are right, we do indeed have much to discuss. You know that I trust your judgment, Honored Arbitrator. There will be much debate among our people over this matter." My father finally replies to my words.

"I am well aware, Elder. However, I have seen these warriors face odds that many of our people would have been daunted at and they have survived and even flourished in the harshest of dangers. They are worthy to join our clan and my honor would forever be stained if they did not become part of our clan."

My father nods slowly. I can almost hear the grinding of the gears turning in his mind.

"Our clan, will, of course, support you, R'ka Thwei. It is your… your disgraced brothers that worry me."

"My brothers." I snort with derision. "Those Pauk heads will not keep me from maintaining my honor. And Paya and Cetanu both help them if they EVER cross the Oomans or the Llonng Sain'ja."

My father cracks an amused expression and I have to grin back.

"I can see there is an excellent story behind your words, Arbitrator. I look forward to meeting these warriors, as you have labeled them."

"You will not be disappointed, father." I reply back.

"Farewell, R'ka."

"Fare well, Father."

The link is severed and I turn back to my room. The silence is comforting and once again, I relish in it.

As quickly as peace comes, it also goes.

8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Psycho/Kha'bj-te POV)

As I snuggle closer to Kanani's warmth, I relish in the fact that I can now touch her, freely, without worry. Her skin thrums and echoes my pleasure and ease.

"Mmm Psycho…" I hear her murmur.

I nuzzle her hair, breathing in her delicious scent, as she rests against me, her bare back pushed into my chest.

There are no words, no exact phrases that can describe what I feel. I found her and paya grant that I will stay with her and she with me. The next step of our journey will be no less perilous then what we have already overcome. I will stand by kanani, no matter what. We have much more to overcome now, then back when we were just strangers in an abomination factory.

As Kanani snores lightly, I chuff in amusement, holding her close as she sleeps like one dead. Her form is heavy, and I realize, for the first time, this is the first real rest we have had since our adventures began. Of course, when we rejoin our clanship, there will be much work to be done. Our story will need to be told, and Kanani and her family will need to be given lessons of our culture.

Paya, that will be a pain in the ass. I never enjoyed history lessons… and I certainly do not want to give them!

Thank Paya for R'ka. I am sure he will be taking charge of the majority of their lessons.

I will try, as much as I can, to help Kanani, but I know for a fact that, with my luck, I would probably just make it worse and cause trouble for her.

Perhaps I can help her with language lessons…

I do not have the patience to be a teacher. Why am I even considering this?

Because you care for her. And, besides, you're tired of having to rely on your mask in order to hold a conversation with her!

This is certainly true. The past times we have coupled, she has said things that I do not understand… well, I mean, I DO understand, but it would be nice to know more then just the "gist" of what she is saying every time she moans in my ears!

She suddenly moans in her sleep and shifts ever so slightly, her rump giving my crotch a very generous, though accidental caress.

Accidental or not, however, my body responds to the touch. Pauk me. I don't want to wake her…

However, my member has other ideas.

"(Zzzz-Snrk!) Mmm, Psycho? What are you poking me for?...Oh. Oh, I see."

8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Kemp POV)

As I wander though the forest, feeling a strange sense of unease, I suddenly come to realize something. I am not in my normal skin.

Holy shit, I'm a dragon!

I can hardly believe it at first, and I revel in the moment. Flapping my wings, I jet up from the ground and partake of the salty air and misty clouds.

This is awesome!

I slow down however, as a cry reaches my ears. I pause for a second and slowly, I wheel in the sky, changing direction as the cry for help grows louder.

There's a woman… it's Sabra. And she is trapped.

Oh for gods' sake, what now, Sabra? Why do we keep meeting like this?!

The cage… I pause when I see it. It… it is made of skin. And bones and… oh god. It's made out of her dragon's body! Inside, her human form screams in pain and terror.

Sabra! I rush towards her, and then, I see it. She is… conjoined with her cage! Her skin and bones and even her hair and blood are attached in a macabre fashion with the strange cage. It looks like she is trapped in a web.

"Kemp… help me…" She suddenly stops and begins to giggle. Her sweet, doe-eyes turn manic and gleam yellow as she continues to helplessly giggle. She starts humming to herself also, writhing against her blood and bones as her skin stretches and contorts.

How can I help free her?!

But I recognize the song she hums so psychotically…

*Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars?

Suddenly, the cage erupts into electricity, and her screams echo mine…

8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Sabra POV)

Kemp suddenly thrashes in his sleep, interrupting my own sleep as he gives a grunt.

"Whoa! Baby, baby, what's the matter?" I mumble, turning and grabbing his flailing hands, looking into his dark eyes as he wakes up.

"Sa-Sabra?"

I'm suddenly wrapped into a strong hug. Blinking, I return the hug, feeling confused at his behavior. This isn't like his usual gruff front.

"Kemp? Are you ok?"

"Yeah… I'm fine. But what about you? Are you ok?" He mumbles into my skin. I'm not sure he meant for me to hear what he had to say, but I did.

I… I suddenly understand EXACTLY what he means. And to be honest… I don't know. I feel fine. But I can tell you, if they hadn't come when they did… if I had stayed there in that lab much longer…

Oh gods, I don't want to think about that. God damn it… I don't want to think about that!

In the time it's taken me to think about this, I have already replied in my best light-hearted tone, " Baby, I'm fine! I'm here with you! How much better can it get?"

I giggle as I kiss his cheek, his neck and trace down to his shoulder. Kemp shudders and stubbornly clings to me, holding me protectively. I wonder what he dreamed about. What else could it be but a disturbing dream?

I shift until I'm the one holding him, using my larger form to gain easier strength and access.

"It's going to be alright Kemp!" I whisper to him lovingly, kissing the top of his head. His hair is starting to grow out. It is so very red, orange almost, and I smile as I murmur, "Don't worry, baby… I've got you."

Kemp just shrugs, but his eyes are troubled. Damn it, I don't want him to be upset.

So, I do the most logical thing I can.

"Um, Sabra? Wait, what are you- GAH! Wait! I don't think… I… Oh god…"

8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(A few hours later)

(Scar POV)

After eight hours of solid slumber and a few hours of not sleeping (and doing something very energetic without actually getting up*insert smug yautja grin*) Lex and I make our way to the kitchen. Larja is there already and looks extremely uncomfortable. I believe I can guess why.

The smell of mating has become very strong. I suspect this is greatly affecting Larja's mood and hormones and, for an instant, I do feel sorry for her. But the moment passes as she exchanges greetings with Lex and I. Sitting down to breakfast feels almost normal.

"Damn it, Sabra, what did I tell you about too much information!?" Kanani's voice bellows from down the hall.

The moment of normalcy has left. Sabra, Kemp and Kanani enter. Kanani looks enraged and embarrassed at the exact same time, while Sabra cackles hysterically. I notice that Sabra has her… what is it called again? Some sort of metallic device that plays Ooman music. She has it strapped to her hip and she listening to some sort of electronic beat.

"Also, why the actual hell do you keep listening to that stupid song?! I do NOT care for Justin Beiber!"

Sabra just sticks out her tongue between her lips and blows, sending an unpleasant spray of saliva at Kanani.

Kemp sighs as he sits down, looking… worried. No, that is not it. Something is bothering him, that much is certain. He is silent, deep in thought as he absently slumps over the table in an almost careless manner. I have not ever seen him like this in the short time I have known him. I trill a moment to myself before venturing, "Ooman… are you alright?"

Kemp absently shifts his head towards me, his mask hiding his expression.

"I am alright, Larry. Just… thinking is all."

"I see."
I am not convinced, but if he does not wish to express his thoughts, then that is his business. Sitting back slightly, I put an arm around Lex as she finishes eating with a loud belch.

"Ew Aunt Lex!" Kanani grouches. Lex grins.

"Betcha can't top that!"

What follows completely baffles me.

8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Rosy POV)

So… wow. So much has happened. I almost can't believe it. Sleeping next to a man… well, male, was really nice. Spiky has such a nice body temperature, very, very warm. Although, at some point, he snuck out and I woke up in an empty, although very warm, cozy nest-like bed. I fell back asleep, and when I woke again, I think he had just come back in.

After talking for a while, I got up, took a shower, and dressed. I'm getting the hang of clothes, I think. I mean, the shreds of my old clothes are pretty much gone. I think all that is really left are my jeans, which are more like booty shorts now. Still, I think I'll try to keep them. My bra and undies are torn apart, so, I have to fashion a bandeau, and a sort of… well, let's just call it a thong, though that's not quite accurate, followed by a skirt with slits up both sides. Very similar to a loin-cloth. Almost, at any rate.

I leave the room, giving my… my boyfriend some privacy. Boyfriend? Mate? Husband? I guess he's all that and more, when you really think about it.

As I walk to the kitchen, listening to the directions my rumbling tummy is giving, I suddenly detect a very… well, distinct and loud noise.

It sounds like… a belching competition.

Wow, no matter the species, boys are boys, is my first thought. Then I hear my daughter laugh raucously and shout, "YOU CALL THAT YOUR BEST EFFORT?!"

What follows sounds almost like a roar mixed in with a purr and an earthquake.

I run as shouts and general pandemonium echo down the hallway.

Skidding into the kitchen, I pause. My eyes twitch.

Kemp's hair is singed, Sabra is pissed, Larja is howling with laughter and Lex and Kanani are hashing it out… with fucking pieces of jerky. JERKY. MEAT JERKY.

…

How do I even deal with this?

The pieces of dried meat are really long and thin. God damn it, there are so many puns that I could insert here. God damnit.

Lex finally smacks Kanani in the nose with her piece and screams, "SIT DOWN YOUNG LADY!"

"Really? After that last belch, I think LADY is definitely NOT one of the things that Kanani can be called." Sabra responds dryly. Kemp is just comatose, his hands tremblingly feeling the top of his head. He doesn't seem to be hurt, just shocked.

"What the actual FUCK is going on here?" I finally croak, making my presence known.

Kanani whirls, her eyes widening. Everyone kind of just stares at me for a moment.

…

I meet their stares, waiting for a reply.

"How long were you actually there, mom?" Kanani asks in a quiet voice.

"Um, long enough to watch you and Lex have a meat-beating duel." I reply wryly.

Sabra gulps before throwing her head back in raucous laughter. She doesn't even TRY to hold back. This brings a slight grin to my face. Lex and Kanani both have the decency to look ashamed, and Kemp cracks a smile, finally coming to.

"Ah, I see you look well, Kemp. How did you sleep?"

"M'afraid I'll have to get back to you on that one, Ma'am." Kemp replies wryly.

With a sigh, I sit down, grab Kanani's fallen piece of meat and begin eating it. Eveyone stares at me in quiet horror. I just shrug.

"I'm eating Kanani's meat. Deal with it, you infants."

8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8

(Damsel POV)

Oh, Oh my Paya… I did not realize Oomans could be so amusing! My mask translated all the jokes and puns and I have to say, I am both impressed and amused. Oh Paya… Kanani and Lex really stepped into that "meat" pun that Rosy made.

8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8~8

* "Airplanes" Song lyrics owned by B.O.B

AN: So… Yeah. I am really sorry that it has taken SO VERY LONG for me to write this. I had a real bad case of writer's block, and I have been wondering if I am losing my touch. However, I think it's just life in general that has been keeping me from writing.

I want to thank EVERYONE who has encouraged me to keep writing. You guys are awesome.

To the people who have given me only negative thoughts about my story and aspects of the STORY, OR CHARACTERS… Just don't. If you want to help me with my grammar, spelling, or offer plot bunnies, that is fine. But please don't judge my creativity. I am posting these stories in the hopes that I can share the enjoyment that I have had in writing this with others. Because truly, I have had SO MUCH FUN with this story and that is why I am returning to it.

In other news! I want to dedicate a separate, sort of Biography to Spiky. People seem to like him, so, I think at some point, I will write him his own backstory. Is this acceptable?

SHOUT OUT!

Collegecomics18: Aw, thanks very much. Your review really made me smile. I hope you're still there, and I'm sorry it took so long. -_-

AnimeDreama: Dude you are awesome. I hope you're still there too! Gah, every response is just going to be a big apology for the HUGE wait. Still though, thank you so much for your loyal support!

Royal Lioness: The idea for a separate, Spiky Bio was spawned by your request for a chapter just with Spiky. Although he may yet get a chapter just with him.

WhiteWolfWoman:Oh gosh… didn't think about that…*gags* I'll, er, deal with that when I cross that bridge… heh…

storywriter1994:*cringes* oh gosh, I think I can feel your glare… But thanks for the hug. Again, SO SO sorry for the long wait.

nightshade6335:Aw, thanks for your review! Hope you like this chapter!

Hikaru69:like, a real rodent? 0.o

Xxemberrosefirexx: Wow, I really like your penname. Pretty images… anyways, thank you for your review. I hope your forgiveness persists!

Sexyshewolf:I hope I'm not too late… Who am I kidding * falls over* Sorry for the loooooong wait!

YeOldeMan: Hey dude, thank you SO VERY MUCH for your reviews. They were very, very encouraging, and honestly, you gave me a push to try harder to get this chapter written. I hope you're still there, I know it still took me forever to write out this last chapter, but I am going to try to update often, rather then few and far between.

Guest: I shall endeavor to do so!

blueEyre: Hey thanks! :)