CHAPTER 2:

To Be A Mama Bear or Warrior Princess

"Mama!" Kahet blubbered while crying his eyes out. He sat down in front of the exit and entrance to their home.

He kept crying while pointing to the door. The hybrid child was now eight months old and had now learned his first word. Unfortunately for Kantra, it was not father but 'mama'. The child was also able to stand up while holding onto something but not able to walk. Today, he wore a grey sleeveless cotton shirt from Earth and a black loincloth with a diaper underneath. He wailed on the floor for his mother to pay attention to him.

"Ma!" he cried, waving his hands furiously at her.

Iliana, however, was trying to fold their laundry so her morning chores would be finished. She wore a yellow ankle-length dress with slits to the knees while wearing her hair up in a ponytail. Wiping the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand, she finished Kahet's clothes and started folding her own. The distraction of the wailing infant was very distracting, nonetheless.

"Kahet, please stop crying" she said, putting the clothes down. "Your father will be back soon, he just went to work."

He shook his head and kept crying while hitting his fists on the door. Seeing his mother go back to fixing their clothes, he let out a piercing wail that surprised Iliana.

"Kahet!" she scolded but it made him let out another one. "How in the world do you get so loud?"

Walking over to the screaming infant, she picked him up but he struggled while crying. She held him tightly against her but he still kept sobbing.

"We can't see your father, it's not possible" she said, drying his wet eyes. He whined sadly and pushed her hand away. "I'm sorry, sweetie. Your daddy misses you too but we can't bother him while he's doing important things."

She hugged her upset son until his cries became sniffles. He cuddled up to her after seeing that his father wasn't going to show up soon. Iliana hated to see her son upset and usually tries to cheer him up with an alternative.

"Why don't we go see Aunt Sali'ah? She loves you as much as Grandma Bai'Kar" she suggested and kissed his drying cheek. He nodded slowly and pointed to the door.

She walked over to the door and grabbed her baby bag from a table nearby. Pressing in the code to lock her home, she walked outside and made sure the door shut right before walking away. The hallways of the Ade'k'ra were wide and humid on most levels with walls ranging from silver to a dark grey. Usually, Iliana tried to stay out of any hunter's pathway when they traveled through this part of their ship. Females didn't bother Iliana since she was a mother and always carried her child around. The levels on the Ade'k'ra were sorted from the etas, young bloods, blooded hunters and warriors, families, arbitrators, and finally, the Elder and his faction.

"Now you're happy, huh?" she asked, smiling. Kahet nodded and waved his arms happily.

"I know you want to see your father but this will make you happy too" she said, caressing his small hand.

He purred and wrapped his smaller arms around her neck. Iliana sighed in relief that he had finally calmed down and was happy again. Fixing his tear-stained shirt, she accidentally bumped into someone. Gasping in surprise, she stared nervously at two male hunters standing in front of her.

Oh man, she thought. They're usually irritable.

"I apologize, I didn't see you there" she said, dipping her head.

"I knew oomans were pathetically clumsy but not to this extreme" one of them barked. "Are you blind?"

"No, I was fixing my son's clothes" she said, half-nervous and half-angry. "It was an accident."

"Then get out of the way before someone 'accidentally' injures you" the same one snapped while the other simply stared elsewhere.

"You can't harm a female carrying her child, I'm not a hunter like you" she snapped back.

"You're nothing but prey no matter what the Elder may think" he said, pointing his spear at her. Kahet sensed his mother's nervousness and began to cry. "Your kind isn't welcome here and your little half-breed won't make it far either."

"Don't insult my son, you bastard" she said, angrily. "If you can't stand being near me, then you're free to leave."

"You filthy little-" he growled.

"What is going on here?" a deep voice demanded.

Iliana spotted Nak-De and Badru behind the hunters instantly. These hunters might've been able to scare Iliana but she was pretty sure Nak-De could take them down easily, without Badru's help. No one wanted to get into a useless fight with the aggressive instructor.

"Why are you bothering a female and her child within the family sector of the Ade'k'ra?" Nak-De snapped.

"She crossed my path and I merely informed her to watch it next time" the hunter responded.

"Good, because I'll gladly kill hunters who threaten females on board" Nak-De said, narrowing his eyes. "And if I see you bothering her again or making my nephew cry, your head will be in my trophy collection within hours. Now, get out of my sight."

The hunters nodded and left in which Iliana sighed in relief. Holding her son, she calmed him until he stopped crying. Badru walked over and tickled the toddler's stomach making him purr.

"There we go, a happy pup" he grinned.

"Thank you, Nak-De" Iliana said, looking at the greenish warrior. "I don't know what would've happened if you weren't here."

"Did you provoke them?" he asked instantly.

"No, I apologized and he kept insulting me" she said, quickly. "If I got angry, well, he deserved it!"

"Angering a hunter can mean death in our society, Iliana" he growled disapprovingly. "You have a pup to worry about."

"So I'm supposed to let everyone walk over me just because I'm human?" she asked, annoyed.

"No, but you must learn to pick your battles" he said, firmly. "You cannot fight a full-grown male while holding a child in your arms."

"At least she wasn't scared to" Badru piped in.

"I'm not talking to you!" his brother snapped. "If I wasn't here, that male could've killed you and left your child in an eta quarter."

He's right, she thought.

"I know, Nak-De" she said, sighing. "But I hate feeling defenseless. I don't want to lead a submissive life just because I'm different. I want to prove I can do something in this society, even if it means kicking some ass along the way."

"Good for you" Badru nodded but his brother smacked his head. "What is it with you and hitting people?!"

"It helps them behave" he grunted and shrugged. "And it's part of my job."

"No, it's not!" Badru groaned, massaging his bruised head. "You're not my teacher anymore!"

"I'm your brother and it entitles hitting privileges" Nak-De smirked and then turned to Iliana, "Where were you headed? Badru and I will escort you there."

Iliana hated feeling like a child but they were right. She didn't want to get into a dangerous situation when she had a child to worry about. But she really did hate feeling helpless in this society.

"Thank you" she said, politely.

"Could I hold the pup? He doesn't bite me like Kila does" Badru asked Iliana. She grinned and handed over the toddler to his uncle. "And he's the only pup that actually lets me hold him."

"You'll probably be his favorite uncle then" Iliana said, her mood lightening again.

"Aw, and Aru'Kar had his heart set on that position" Badru laughed while Nak-De just shook his head.

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"Good for you, no female should take any crap from a male!" Sali'ah nodded proudly to Iliana. "The thing is that it's not wise to pick a fight when you're outnumbered."

"I know and Nak-De made sure to point it out" Iliana sighed while Kahet curled up against his aunt's side. "I hate it when people pick on me."

"So do I, that's why I beat the hell out of them" she smirked and then sighed. "Unfortunately, now that I'm pregnant, I can't do it. Now, I just take out my aggression on Sau-Trul."

"I did the same with Kantra" Iliana smiled, then laughed. "For the last months of my pregnancy, he just worked nonstop and rarely came home."

"Sau-Trul does the same and when he doesn't have work, he makes up his own mission so he can leave" Sali'ah laughed with her. "But in the end, he can't escape the sucklings once they're born."

"You're a tough woman, Sali'ah" Iliana praised her. "That's why I love talking to you."

"Tough women stick together" she said, patting her nephew on the head who purred at her. "He's so cute. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a horde of females after him when he's grown."

"That gives me another reason to learn to fight" Iliana said, quickly. "I don't want my baby to just go off with someone weak and unappreciative of him one day."

"I'd love to teach you to fight, Iliana" Sali'ah smiled softly. "But in my condition, I can't."

"I understand, I just wish Nak-De wasn't so grumpy so he could teach me" Iliana complained. "All he can do is complain about how squishy I am."

"That's my brother all right" she laughed and shook her head. "But I know who can start your training and once you can kick Nak-De's butt, then he'll train you."

"He's not worse than Nak-De, is he?" Iliana asked, hesitant.

I don't want him to throw me through a wall though, she thought. I'd like to live to see my first fight.

"Naw, it's Aru'Kar" the other woman said, waving her hand. "He's a pretty good trainer. He taught Kantra when they were younger."

"Hmm, that's not bad at all" Iliana said, excited. "Do you think he has time to do it though? I know he's the captain of his team and has missions to do."

"He'll do it, don't worry" Sali'ah assured her. "You're family, he can't say no. If he does, I'll break a chair over his head."

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"You're sure about this?" Aru'Kar asked, crossing his arms.

Sali'ah had dropped off Iliana at Aru'Kar's quarters a few minutes ago. Kahet played on the floor with some toys while the two adults talked a few feet from him.

"Yes!" Iliana said, exasperated. "Is it a crime to want to fight? You guys love to beat the crap out of each other from what I've seen! Your motto is practically 'Fightin' Round the Universe'. "

"Yes, but we're males" he said, as if it justified everything. She glared. "Women in our society do not fight unless they're huntresses and if so, they have no children or permanent ties. You do, which means your position is meant to be in the home to raise a family."

"How can I protect my family when I don't know how to fight then?" she questioned. "I don't like feeling powerless, Aru'Kar, you know how I am."

"Yes, but your society is much different than mine" he stated. "It is rare to see a female training when she has settled down. That is why our society is mostly composed of male hunters because females stay here to guard their family."

"You said 'guard' so why can't I 'guard'?" she smirked in which he sighed. "Aru'Kar, you owe me for what I did for you."

"I know" he nodded and unsheathed a dagger from his belt. Pointing it at her, he said, "I owe you my life and honor for what you did. For that, I will train you but you must promise me that if I come after you with a weapon, you will not run."

"I fought Kantra when he wanted to kill me, I won't run from you" she said, determined.

"Good" he nodded and surprised her by throwing a punch at her.

What the hell?, she thought quickly.

Her body kicked in her body's fight or flight response in which she dodged to the side quickly. She landed a kick on his stomach but before she could take back her leg, he grasped it in his hand tightly.

"Your reflexes aren't bad" he said, letting her foot go free. "We'll work on those tomorrow."

"You could've warned me, Aru'Kar!" she snapped.

"Your enemies won't give you a warning" he said, simply. "They will only seek to kill you in the quickest way possible."

"I'll take that as advice so thank you" she said, nodding.

I'm so glad he agreed, she thought gratefully.

"Dress in comfortable clothes that you won't use" he instructed. "I'll supply your weapons."

"Sure thing, teacher" she grinned and saluted him. Catching him off guard, she punched him in the stomach. "I got you!"

Damn it, he thought. I knew she wouldn't forgive me that easily.

"Because I let you!" he said quickly and tried to hide his actual surprise. He flicked her forehead with his finger and smirked, "Don't get cocky."

She hit him on the shoulder and heard happy squeals from behind. They both turned to see Kahet mimicking them while holding on to a small table. He kicked his leg out but it only made him fall down. Giggling, he hit the floor with a playful punch.

"It'd be best to leave him with my mother, I don't want him developing too many skills before he's of age" Aru'Kar said, laughing. "That and Kantra will be pissed off if he learns bad behaviors from me."

"Always the watchful older brother" she said, smiling.

"It's either that or let them drive me insane" he said, chuckling.

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"Iliana, I'm home!" Kantra called out. He remembered the quote from an old ooman television show Iliana watched at her old home. "Iliana!"

He threw his report tablets onto the table next to the door and searched for his mate. While walking through the hallways of his home, he picked up her voice and followed it all the way to their bedroom. In there, he found her fixing their clothes while making another pile separate from it.

"What are you two doing?" he called into the room, surprising Iliana.

"Just fixing the laundry" she said, turning around. "How are you?"

"I'm a lot better now" he said, grabbing her into his arms. After giving her a quick kiss, he said, "How about you?"

"Kahet wouldn't stop crying for you today" she said, smiling. "You should've seen him. The poor dear looked heartbroken."

Kantra looked to see Kahet sitting down on the bed and went to sit down next to him. His son happily squealed and crawled over to his father to hug him. Kantra purred affectionately and hugged him in return. Iliana just smiled at the tender moment and returned to do the laundry.

"My brother told me something interesting today" Kantra said, offhandedly.

Oh no, she thought.

"Which one? You have a lot" she said, nonchalantly.

"Aru'Kar" he said, firmly. "He told me something interesting a few minutes ago."

Flashback

"What is it? It better be quick because I'm starving" Kantra said, entering his brother's quarters. He had just finished his duties for the day when Aru'Kar had called him to go to his home.

"It is" Aru'Kar said, polishing a new trophy he'd just gained. "You can sit down."

"Are you still polishing that thing? You got it weeks ago!" Kantra said, loudly.

"When you get a skull, you can polish it the way you like" his brother said, ignoring him. Then grinned, "Oh wait, you gave up hunting to become an Arbitrator."

Wise guy, Kantra thought.

"Would you just tell me what you need to?" he asked, leaning against the wall near the entrance.

"Your mate was almost attacked today but Nak-De found her" Aru'Kar informed him. Kantra tensed up at his brother's words. "She is uninjured but she was frightened by it. I thought you'd have an escort for her when she travels around the ship."

"She didn't want one" Kantra sighed and then hissed, "Why would someone attack her when she has a child with her?"

"Because some on board think of her as prey" Aru'Kar said, softly. "You know that our people see oomans as prey only and it is very rare that we accept one among us. She is the first and her path will be hard here."

"She can handle it, I'm just worried about her temperament" he sighed and stood up. "I will talk to her about it once I get home."

"Good, I'd hate for anything to happen to her or Kahet" his brother nodded while Kantra left.

End flashback

"Before you yell, I didn't provoke them" Iliana said, raising her finger at him. "I was nice but they were total assholes who should've been beaten up. But since I can't, I was defenseless."

"Why would you go out unprotected?" Kantra asked, worried. "I don't want anything to happen to you or Kahet. I would never forgive myself if it did."

He's so sweet, she thought.

"Kahet wanted to see you but since he couldn't, we headed over to your sister's" she explained. Then looked down, "You know how much I spoil him."

"Next time ask her to visit you" he ordered.

"Kantra, I can't be locked up just because I'm human" she said, standing up in frustration. "If I don't show my face around, everyone will think I'm scared and not worthy to even live here. I need to have a life outside this home."

"But you're protected while you're in here" Kantra insisted. "I can't protect you when I'm away, Iliana."

"I don't need a man to protect me when I can learn to do it myself, I'm not made of glass" she pointed out in which he growled. "I'm an independent woman, Kantra, you've known that since you met me . . .which is why Aru'Kar will be training me."

"He what?" Kantra asked, surprised. She gulped and guessed he hadn't told him that.

Is she insane?!, he thought.

"He didn't tell you?" she asked, meekly. "I asked him to teach me to fight so I can defend myself if a problem ever arises again."

"If you do, you'll practically be prey again!" he said, angry. "You cannot fight in this society unless you wish to keep fighting males for some sort of rank. Didn't you learn anything from fighting me back then?"

Whenever he's angry, he never listens, she thought.

"I want to protect my family, that's why I'm doing this" she said, reasoning with him. "I'm not going to start hitting people with a dueling glove so we can fight. I'm doing the same thing you do for me."

"But I'm a male, there's no problem with that!" he snapped. "You're almost breaking a taboo in this society."

"Please let me do this, Kantra" she pleaded, grabbing his hand into hers. "I hate feeling helpless here whenever I go out with or without Kahet. I've never felt like this on Earth, please try to understand. I'm trying really hard to understand everything here but it scares me sometimes, I need to be able to protect myself."

Kantra watched his mate struggle with her emotions and nodded. He knew it wouldn't be easy to change from one energetic society to an aggressive one. She had made many sacrifices to come and live with him here. Even when he'd been on Earth, he was surprised by the different customs and he was only there for five months.

And my mate has to stay here forever, he thought solemnly.

"Do you regret leaving Earth?" he asked, quietly.

"No, because I wouldn't have you and Kahet with me" she said, squeezing his hand. "You're my family and I'll always fight for you."

"I know, that's what worries me" he said, smiling nervously. "You're a natural born fighter."

She smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist. Oh, how she loved him. He was as aggressive as his kind but he was peaceful with her privately. She didn't like to make him feel guilty for making her leave Earth; it was her decision, not his.

"Kahet, spit that out!" Kantra ordered, making her snap out of her thoughts.

She let go of him and saw Kahet biting into Iliana's music cube. He nibbled on its corner while purring joyfully. Kantra walked over to him and tugged softly at it. His son whined in protest and pulled it closer with his hands.

"Kahet, give the object to me" his father ordered.

Kahet shook his head and kept salivating over it while wrapping his small mandibles around it. Iliana laughed at the scene while Kantra tugged at the object until he carefully took it out of his son's mouth. Kahet's eyes then began to water and a loud cry uttered from his mouth.

"Kahet, you can't have that" Kantra tried to reason and picked him up. "It's your mother's and you know how she is."

"Hey!" she objected.

Kahet kept crying and tried to reach for the object in Kantra's hands. He gave it to Iliana who put it away making Kahet bang his fists onto his father's chest. He wailed in his father's arms while Kantra bounced him on his lap to see if he calmed down.

"Fada!" Kahet cried and wiped his eyes. Then pointing to Iliana, "Mama take!"

"He said your name!" Iliana said, happily. She clapped her hands and laughed, "He said it!"

He called me father. . .somewhat, he thought.

"About time" Kantra said, proudly. "And he complained about you for the first time. He's my boy all right."

"Stop picking on me" she said, kicking his leg playfully.

"Mama!" Kahet hissed protectively and hugged his father.

"You turned him against me, nice" she joked and went to Kahet's toy box to find a suitable object for him to play with. Finding a toy spaceship, she walked over and gave it to him. He grabbed it curiously and let out a delighted purr. "He's back to normal again."

"You really have to stop spoiling him" Kantra said to her. She snorted. "What will happen if you get pregnant again one day?"

"I'll spoil them both" she smirked proudly.

"Fada" Kahet said, showing his toy to Kantra.

"Nice, isn't it? And one day you'll have your own to take through the galaxies" Kantra smiled at him and stroked his son's back, "You'll be a great hunter one day."

"And you say I spoil him" Iliana laughed.

"I encourage, you spoil" he corrected her. She huffed and kicked him again. "Ow!"

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End of Chapter 2. And here we have Iliana's current place in yautja society. Will she fit in? Will she stop spoiling Kahet? Find out next time! I've also put up a poll on my profile, so whoever you want to see sketched from my old story, you can vote! If for some reason Iliana, Kantra, or Eliok win, I'll skip forward to the next winner and draw them.