Chapter twenty six: Games and breaking news..

(Uzkielle pov)

Shane walks up to the Tarei'hsan, he enters the ramp and so Uzkielle holds back. All is silent until a moment when he hears Shane cussing along with what appears to be banging and thudding. Uzkielle slowly enters hearing the banging and witnesses Shane smashing his combi stick into the armour stand.

"FUCK! FUCK! FUCK! he roars while slamming it again and again and again.

Shane begins to cough and throws the combi stick aside. "What do you want Uzkielle?!"

He slightly tenses at Shanes tone as he coughs again.

"Are you alright Shaane?"

"No Uz.. I'm not alright.. My mate is changing I'm changing i can't.. Fucking focus! She doesn't know if she…"

Shane lets in a deep but weighted breath.

"If she doesn't communicate with me Uz.. How the hell do i comeback from that?"

"Eventually we must all move on from plight Mei'hswei."

"Easy for you to say Uz.. You have your family intact.. I barely know anyone here."

"Family is more than mere blood Shane, we have all come back from many forces that would want us dead or torn apart yet here we remain."

"Not everyone heals as fast as a yautja Uz.."

"And yet you are now half-blood. That makes you part Yautja whether you accept it or not."

"And who turned me damned half-blood Uzkielle?!"

Shane's temper begins to flare and tenses in an aggressive posture.

"I didn't even want Ghardehs blood! If i had my way I would have died on that table! Pauk'n c'jit!" Shane begins to walk past Uz but he blocks Shanes path.

"Then why did you not object to the procedure zabin?"

"GHARDEH IS WHY!"

Shane turns his back and holds a hand to his eyes. "All these months Uz.. She's the best thing that happened to me but.. I don't.. Belong here.. If i can't settle here Uz.. I'm leaving.. I'll find my own path.."

"And then what will you do? What will you do when the cold hard truth hits you.. You'll be alone."

Shane's temper explodes, Uzkielle lowers his posture.

"Don't do anything stupid.. You will lose."

"Uzkielle please.. Just.. Work with me for once. Please. Help me with this.. This giant.. I have to contend with.. But, I'm so small it wins every single time and it's draining me.. I can't do this anymore Uzkielle.."

Shane walk past him as he manages to claw back his control and taps Uzkielles forearm.

Shane walks to the scorpions foodstocks. And sits at the table.

Uz follows and stands with his arms crossed, "Shane.. I don't know what you contend with but I've seen enough to know this is not you. Ever since we left for Asteria.. You have allowed the.. 'Yautja side' of you to ruin your mind. Whatever is plaguing your thoughts you have to control them. Don't let idle thoughts of Ghardehs past events hinder you. I struggle myself.. Eve.. My sire.. Everyday. But i don't ever let it hinder my.. My.. Innerself.. You must come back for air.. Nina would say."

Shane nods. "It's just the thought of being here for how ever many hundreds of years I'm imbued with. I think it might destroy me Uz.. It almost did when i thought i lost her on earth.. I attempted suicide with Ivan.. It didn't work.."

"Everything happens for a reason, sometimes it will not make sense, it does not always have to. Come.."

He keeps Shane gaze for a moment longer and leads Shane back.

"We don't always appreciate something until it is gone."

Shane nods then walks on with Uzkielle and finds the others and helps with setting up a spitroast stand.

"Shane! Uz!" Nina says approaches the pair.

"So does one of you fancy getting. Dinner?"

Without hesitation Shane says "Yeah i suppose so."

"With Wolf?" She finishes.

Shane widens his arms and slams them down on his thighs shaking his head.

"Yeah i suppose so.." he lets out another cough.

Nina looks with a slight concern "You ok Shane? That cough has only started recently."

He let's in a whooped breath "I'm fine.. Just the.." He coughs again "air.. Not used to it yet.. Where is the ancient chieftain?"

"With Ghardeh she is going as well. In his homestead."

"Alright, and Uz.. Thanks for earlier.. Brother.."

"L'weh Me'tei.. Mei'hswei."

(Ghardehs pov)

I see Ra'zele take a weapon from his wall and removes his red cloak. He attaches a quiver to his lower back and takes a handle of sorts. The weapon is black chrome with a red pattern. With a flick of his slender wrist the weapon unfolds into a bow. My brow raises and he pulls back on the drawstring tensile-like wire and slowly releases it with the push of a small button it folds up and he holsters it beside his quiver.

We both hear someone enter to see Shane.

"I volunteer to hunt with you Ra'z.." Shane says clearing his throat.

"Very well young hunter, have you ever used a bow before?"

"Once or twice.. Years ago in my school years.."

He gives Shane a slow nod. And hands Shane and i a quiver with d'lex arrows with crimson feathered hands us both a bow each.

"Any explosive arrows big guy?" Shane asks.

Ra'zele gives him a look and sees his joke. He gives him a low rumbling laugh before walking past us both. "Let us begin i know of a spot with very good game."

As we follow Zelda flicks a hand at us, "Good luck! Don't get too beat up Shane!"

As Shane walks past he gives her the middle finger with a smile. "Okuria have her sit on that! She'll be screaming like a banshee."

He looks at Shane with slight bemusement.

"Hey Ghardeh you sure he can get it up your fine ass?"

I let out a loud laugh. "Surprisingly yes!"

"Ghardeh! Don't go giving out our secrets you krit!"

"Ouch sorry bud.. She will eat you up!"

"Zelda! Why I oughtta!"

She shimmies her hands in a taunting motion "whenever you are ready for an ass swiping Ze'rei Sain'ja."

She lets out a laugh.

Shane smiles, "your laugh is infectious!"

We make our way past the settlement and Ra'zele breaks into a gentle jog as we enter the nearby forested area. Shane looks around as he hears alien noises coming from creatures he has never seen before. He holds the bow horizontal with an arrow nocked and ready as we move further in. Shane slides to a stop as Ra'zeles stride stops with sudden stillness nearly crashing into his large frame. Shane's eyes begin to shimmer a glowing green. He taps into his yautja side.

"Vei?" Shane whispers to Wolf.

He nods "Sei-i Shane."

Shane climbs up with a jump that was as high as my head. He has slowly begun to be at peace with his other persona. It gives him a critical edge and finally knows how much less he needs to 'try' he is silent as he lands on a thick branch and aims his bow he flicks up the targeting sight and notices several herds of game further in the dense foliage. He jumps to the next tree and then swings upward landing on a higher branch. He crouches.

"Here Shane, here is good."

Ra'zele says i move further on to flank the beasts, Ra'zele moves opposite and stands tall. He lets out a roar startling the game. As they scarper in all directions i see Shane shoot from one branch and lands on another. I follow behind him and he aims an arrow as he jumps. He lets loose and misses just. The arrow bounces from the leave strewn floor, He aims another i see the red runes on his bow light up as he pulls back for a powerful shot. I notice Ra'zele hasn't fired yet. He is observing how Shane hunts.

My memory snaps me back to Paraxes 8 when we was hunting a pack of wild-life hounds Shane took to calling Dire-wolves. Because they reminded him of wolves. He used his new weapons on one of them when he enraged an omega of the pack. He wrestled it to the ground and gave it a clean death but when the alpha attacked he let him live. He had wounded it enough for it to retreat and leave with its pack. That creature fed us for several days. Judging from Ra'zeles cocked head observing Shane he is curious. He hasn't met 'Ze'rei Sain'ja' yet but now he will get very acquainted with him. He fires hitting the large bovine like creature in the head. It lets out a hooted cry as Shane jumps down with his wrist blade unleashed and without hesitation mercy kills his prey. He thanks the creature for its sacrifice to the hunt and takes out the arrow. He releases his Blade and blinks several times as he begins to resurface.

"So i miss something?"

He looks at the kill in front of him and raises the bow. "aah.." he says with a cocked brow.

"You did well Shane.."

"You were observing me Wolf? I thought i was 'volunteering'?"

"You had volunteered, and you showed promise.. Like you have hunted before.."

"I..have but it hasn't always gone so.. Ahem..so smoothly."

He turns his gaze on me with a cocked head.

"This is on your sons Ra'zele. They taught him well."

"So they have, there was an… Excellent amount of due care and attention to which they are known for. With a hint of Ghardeh's past mistakes.. Missing shots.. Think before you act Shane."

"Could you tell me about that one day Wolf? Training Ghardeh as a young warrior?"

He gives Shane a short nod.

"Or you could wait until i show you the very same.. Training.."

His pulse jolts with excitement.

"You are going to train me?"

"Indeed. However it will be difficult. Strenuous and it will push you to your very limits, i will show you no quarter."

Shane nods. "I'll try to not let you down."

He hoys the carcass over his shoulder.

"We shall see.. Let us leave this place, i'll show you how to skin this R'jet.."

We make our way back to the settlement when we see Ry'kar sparring with Avamar. She is apparently winning. No surprise there she's like a mini Osh, cool collected and efficient. Ry'kar lets his anger get the best of him when he begins to feel he is losing and causes him to make mistakes. Shane funnily enough is as strong as Ry'kar as "Yautja Shane" they are equal. Though with Shane being 'older' and more 'experienced' in his own way Ry'kar finds it more interesting to try and find ways around Shanes defenses. He never does. Shane has 101 tactics. To combat any situation. Including spars with Osh and Uz. But Osh is more forgiving. Uz just wants to be superior to everyone other than yours truly. He hates sparring me. Osh'ikeille on the other hand enjoys a good challenge and has had a fair few close calls. Though our sparring matches are calculated and precise.

"So wolf how many arrows did Shane waste? Who killed this fine animal?"

Zelda says winking at Ra'zele with a hand on her hip.

He holds up a fisted hand. "One arrow, Shane took down the game with one arrow."

She nods.. "Hmmm not so green? Who taught you to hunt Fire burn?"

"Everyone technically, Osh Uz Ghardeh and Neens. Learned from the best, Ry'kar move your feet!" Shane shouts to him as he swipes at her guard. She drops and sweeps him off his feet with a thud. T'arik and Orukia both roar out as Ry'kar hits the floor. He gets up and throws his arms up in a bad tempered snarl at his sister.

"Pauk'n S'yuit-de!" He snaps.

"Hey!" Shane shouts with a frown before Nina reacts.

"You win some you lose some! Don't talk to your sister like that."

"Bah!" he says throwing his arms at Shane in a derisive manner.

"Ry'kar if you put your foot on the tigers neck the trouble is you won't be able to lift it off.. Don't test me.." Shane's thousand yard stare hits him and he slumps slightly.

"i apologise.. Shane.."

He looks at Avamar who is frowning with flared lower mandibles at him.

"Apologies Avamar.. I took it too far."

She slowly nods. And slowly walks off the ringed arena area.

"Ze'rei Sain'ja.. Will you spar with Osh'ikeille? Or T'arik?" Avamar asks walking up to Shane.

"Osh'ikeille maybe but I'm not so sure about T'arik i still need to get to know him better before sparring. Osh'ikeille i can barely handle.."

She lets out a trilled laugh.

"Or Uzkielle?"

"He wins everytime.."

"Ghardeh wins everytime.."

"Yes because she is stronger than Uzkielle. She has strength and speed, i just have speed."

"Ze'rei Sain'ja can help."

"Osh will do, but right now i need to learn how to skin this.. R'jet."

Shane reaches down for his kunai and holds it to the creatures brown striped hide.

"Slice from the lower jaw down the belly the around the calves."

He does so wincing slightly as his weapon effortlessly slices through its fur then he pulls revealing the red and white meat of the creature.

Eventually the whole creature is skinned and its hide tanned to a rack.

Shane goes to wash his hands as they are covered in a deep maroon coloured Blood. I mount it on the spitroast and use the lever to slowly rotate the meat.

"Lesson one done in basic hunting for pyode amedha. Judging by Shanes recent victories we must skip the Kiande Amedha Chiva as Osh'ikeille seems to have taken the initiative. Though admittedly it was dangerous and foolish to push Shane that far. Even if he had faced much worse foes."

Ra'zele says quietly to me as i watch Shane in the distance. I rub my stomach slightly. The area seems unsettled. Noon creeps on forward and after our meal we watch Shane spar Osh'ikeille. Even with his cool as ice brother being so calm Shane detects his excitement as he always does when sparring with Shane, It's almost as if sometimes he plays games with him which knowing Osh is probably EXACTLY what he is doing. Giving shane a false sense of security. Shane's eyes are a green shimmer, giving Osh'ikeille a slight change in tact. Knowing Ze'rei Sain'ja isn't so easily swayed by his games and thus giving Shane a slight higher edge for himself. Though in reality it gives Osh the ability to put more pressure on his brother. They both give fervent nods then they begin. Osh stances in his usual Xui'jhi'deh stance while Shane stances very similar but his arms are forward palms down. Danny bounds over.

"Uncle are you ready?!"

"Sei-i."

Father are you ready?!"

"Yes."

"Round one. Dtai'k-de!"

He hops back and gasps as Shane immediately runs at Osh. He slams into Osh'ikeille and brings in a low punch a back arm swat and roundhouse kick osh dodges to his side and shoves Shane back sending him off balance. As he staggers osh brings in a fist and hits Shanes stomach along with an elbow but shane catches it and hits osh in the side of the head, Osh'ikeille follows up head butting Shane who staggers back holding his head but osh has him where he wants him with one bound he jumps and drop kicks Shane sending him flying backwards. He kicks up dust with a sharp exhale and rolls backwards i can tell osh is playing with him as he could have easily have pinned shane as he recovered. Shane produces his kunai. And Osh changes stance. "Calm brother." Osh says lowering his hands.

Shane blinks sees his kunai and tosses it aside. He walks to the centre of the ring with a slight cough. Danny walks back up to the pair.

"0 to shane 1 to Oshi."

Shane coughs again.

"Round 2.. Fight."

He coughs louder as Osh'ikeille lowers his stance even i look in concern.

"Mei'hswei?" Osh says looking at Nina.

"I'm.. Fine.. Gimme.. A minute."

He spits out bright fluorescent green blood and stances.

"Come on Osh'ikeille I'm wearing armour."

He looks with a hooded frown and slowly restances. Shane clears his throat and calms his breathing. I walk up to Eve and lean into her to whisper.

"Eve may we give Shane a check up after this spar session? I'm concerned with his health."

She nods slowly, "Yes of course has he been like this before?"

I nod "for several weeks prior to us entering this sector of space but it subsided.

He was not coughing blood last time."

We stop as Shane coughs with a wheeze, Even Osh backs away after letting him down. From grabbing his hand to catch His strike. Shane turns away.

Coughing and making a strange noise. The others close in around him. Even Ra'zele begins to approach. He bends down and holds his knees. As he slows his wheezy breath.. Eve holds Shanes shoulder "Come with me Shane i need to see what is wrong with you. "Ahhh.. O… Ok.." Shane wipes his mouth as Zelda with a look of concern shakes her head in sympathy. I follow Eve as she takes him to another building. He looks at me with sweat beading his forehead.

"You don't look so chipper Ghardeh my love. Ahaa.. Ahaahahaa.."

He laughs but i frown. We walk into a room filled with medical apparatus and equipment. Eve puts Shane on a bed and brings a machine over to take a look on the inside.

"Shane this machine will scan your whole body, remain still or it will take longer."

It hums to life with a flashing yellow strobe Eve brings up a display showing Shanes vitals.. Eve frowns. She switches scans. A red strobe flashes onto Shanes body. The results come in.. She swipes again an orange scan strobe hits hm. She shakes her head.. With a puzzled look.

"He is in perfect health Ghardeh. The only thing i see is a small.. Lung infection.. But that's due to breathing artificial air for however long.. But that's not the cause.. Surely.."

Shane looks.. "The rotting planet you found me on maybe Ghardeh?"

"No.. That was two and a half years ago Shane.."

Eve shakes her head "Doesn't mean it would be a fast infection.."

"And you've transfused your blood with mine Ghardeh. Don't forget your blood cells have completely taken over.. Somehow."

Eve brings up a stim needle. Containing a yautja antibiotic.

"this is going to hurt Shane."

She inserts the needle into Shanes stomach and injects the contents. He lets out a sharp winded exhale.

"Weren't… Lying there Eve.."

"That should help you recover Yautja blood or no you will get ill from time to time. No more sparring with yautja today."

"But Osh is so fun!"

Eve glares at Shane he holds up his hands.

"Ok i get it.. Besides Ghardeh will ground me anyway. Literally.."

"On you go Ze'rei Sain'ja."

"Thank you Eve."

"Any time. Ghardeh you need to stay also i sense you have been experiencing some discomfort as of late.."

Shane takes his leave, i lay on the bed and have a scan also when Eves eyes flash… Something she is hard to read. She sets the two other scans.. And her eyes slide to mine.

"Ghardeh.. You.. Are.. Pregnant.."

My pulse jolts and my heart smashes against my ribcage like a caged animal.

"Pregnant?! How?! How is that.. Possible?! Run the scan again it is a mistake!"

"Ghardeh.."

"Eve please.."

"Ghardeh.. I don't know how it is possible.. But.. Despite the probability..

You.. Have beaten the odds.."

"Show me.."

Eve swings the display around.. And there.. In the display.. A curled forming suckling..

My breathing begins to become erratic. My mind racing to find a forgone conclusion as to How shane.. Got me pregnant. I sit up sliding the machine away.

"I need to tell Shane.."

Eve nods with a smile. "A wise decision. Congratulations.. Your next child will be a son."

I get up and walk out with Eve. Shane is taking a piece of meat when i walk up to him. With a warm feeling. He looks and smiles.

"Ghardeh.. What's with the warm fuzzy feeling?"

The others are talking amongst each other. As i lean into his ear holding his forearms.

"Shane.. I'm.. Pregnant.."

I feel the words hit him like a yautja kick to the head and he steps back.. His face goes almost.. Pale..

"How.. How is… Is this a joke?"

"Why would i joke?"

"Because you said you couldn't get pregnant.." Shane whispers..

"No i said i wasn't sure.. Come with me. We need some privacy." i say taking his hand and walking him to our home.

He sits on my lap and he leans into me.

"Did Eve tell you how? Is it because your yautja juice has taken over my body? I don't get it.."

I shake my head and rub my jaw on his head "I don't know Kch-tanu but what i do know is we are having a son."

"A son.. How long do you have?

"Will you need a medical donut to sit on darl?"

I grab his arm and squeeze. With a slight laugh..

"Should we tell the others?"

Shane asks cocking his right brow upward.

"Do you want to tell the others?"

"it is up to you Jewel."

With a huff i stand.

"Very well.. Lets go and.. Break the news.."

But before i move Shane puts his head to my stomach and closes his eyes.

He smiles as he hears the tiny heart beat of the youngling. Then pulls back.

"The thought of trying to father a Yautja is going to destroy my mind.. What's going to happen when he realises I'm.. Ah shit.. I'm soo happy! But at the same time.. Afraid.. This is all new to me jewel.."

I bring an arm around Shane, and hold him close as we leave.

"I'm sure you will be an amazing sire.. Just like.."

"Tenjra.. Here's hoping so.."

We walk to join the others when Eve anticipates our intention.

"Everyone i believe.. Ghardeh and Shane have an announcement to make."

She says with a slight grin.

Everyone looks and Shanes face burns red.

"So Shane went for a health check and turned out to be completely fine. Just a small infection.. Nothing to worry about.. I on the other hand…"

Everyone stares as i struggle to get the words out.

"I'm.. We.." Danny smiles.

"I don't know how it's possible.. But. I'm.. Pregnant.."

Zeldas eyes as well as Danny's light up with Nina putting a hand to her chest with the widest smile I've ever seen on her.

"So you were having fun with Ghardeh Shane you smushbag!"

Shane laughs and rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. Uzkielle walks up to Shane and laughs.

"So you DID hit the.. Sweet spot Mei'hswei.."

He takes Shanes shoulder and shakes lightly.

"Yeah i suppose i did.."

"Congratulations both of you." Michael says holding a thumbs up.

Nina approaches "And so starts the endless nights finding a name for.. Her? Him?"

"Him.." Shane says. Leaning into me.

"So.. If you want I'll help you with some names to help you both out? God I'm so happy for you both! Tell me your secrets!"

Shane winks "Ancient chinese secrets."

"Yeah more like..persistent naughty Shane!"

She leans in and laughs.

"Even with those two not a molecule!"

Osh'ikeille snorts at her as he caught wind of her remark.

"Different chemistry at work Nina.. Shane is.. Half-Blood now.."

Shane shakes his head. "What does that even mean? I'm yautja but not? How can her blood make me half-blood if i wasn't born yautja to begin with?"

He turns fully to shane.

"Mei'hswei.. When Ghardeh transfused her blood into you. Your body had become compatible with her blood, in essence it had begun to fuse with your blood cells…Because you were temporarily 'ascended' it allowed her blood to supress that ability but at the same time strengthen your body. It.. 'Cross-wired' your dna.. To allow for Ghardehs blood to become compatible thus allowing your body to generate copper based blood cells. Your body adapted to this intrusion while you recovered. But Ghardehs blood alleviated the issue of death. You are half-blood.. Your dna profile is still human, but your new life force is yautja. As a result you are capable to Which you are aware.. Of tapping into the 'Yautja side' of yourself. Giving you a critical edge. Thus allowing.. Your bonding.. To become more.. Grounded. With that said.. Congratulations.."

"That was a lot of talk to tell me I'm now yautja knock off.."

"But Osh'ikeille is none the less correct."

Uzkielle adds with a slight nod to his brother.

"You are not yautja.. But like Nina we treat you as so. You are.. An Abomination in traditional Yautja clans but here.. You are family. Congratulations on your soon to be sirehood."

Shane nods but i detect.. Something.. Maybe doubt? Surely he realises everyone will help and support him. No i don't think it is doubt.. Possibly shock.. I know i am shocked. It was not so long ago we was laughing about a human yautja hybrid that we called.. Or rather Shane called.. 'Moose..' And having our matriarch help us with a name is very motherly of her.. She has told me she has a desire to have children of her own. And even with two mates just seems not.. Possible.. But.. Maybe.. It is? Somehow..

Author note: *Gasps* Ghardeh and Shane! You two are NAUGHTY. The birds and the bees.. Hahahaha! And so the story is coming to a close with one final chapter. Keep it peachy people!

Yautja words:

Mei'hswei- Brother.

Zabin- Insect.

Pauk'n- F^cking.

C'jit- Sh^t.

L'weh- Any. (Non-cannon my own word for 'any'.)

Me'tei- Time. (Time as in the thing, not measurement of.)

S'yuit-de- Pathetic or low demeaning remark.

Ze'rei Sain'ja- Fire Warrior.

R'jet- Deer/Goat-like animal.