Author's Notes: A little fair warning to people, this chapter is full of mature content, both sexual and severely bloody by nature, for anyone following the story who doen't wish to read about mating habits & bloody conflict, last warning from this point here. Anywho, on with the story.

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Chapter 13: Love, Blood, & Beauty

It had been a most beautiful time for the two felines, resting in bed after a second tiring round together that evening; straight through to the morning. It had been doubtful that anything would be done the following day, Aisha warned Gene not to come to the door; she'd be very territorial for the next few days. Haomaru was going to be watched closely by her the next few days, she was looking forward to the fact that she was going to 'need' him that way for the next few days.

Haomaru had awakened to the little sounds of purring coming from Aisha, who was still afast asleep curled into his chest; their tails binded straight to tail tips. He was amazed at how well they'd stayed together, but he was blushing just a little bit since he had to admit; he was a little tired still from last night. His Aisha was a true Ctarl to the bitter end, she pinned him and took him a second time; forcing him through torturous orgasms. He loved that about her, since she let him know what wreal Ctarl loving was like; the swift yet deep and intensive love of mating.

He stroked the top of his sleeping lover and curled the blanket upon them both gently; smiling as he watched over her at rest. Aisha was even more beautiful when she slept...he could notice all of her gentler qualities, something that made it even sweeter to hold her while she rested. He knew how lovely she was awake, but it was rare to find her resting comfortably and a beauty at her rest now.

Though it was only a matter of minutes before she awakened with a little purr, smiling softly at Haomaru and rubbing his chin with a claw. "My pretty mate finally gave it up to me..." she giggled at her choice of words, she found it amusing that it was the male that was being the chaste one; she'd been looking for this from him months ago when they were dating.

But he finally did pay up to her and they had mated not once; but twice the evening before. Though she warned him of heat season and was glad to know that his breed also had a type of male's season come across them, it would make this lots easier for her to enjoy him; to have him be just as willing as she needed him to be in all honesty.

"Come on Hao, we are a little dirty. Let's go get clean." She said with a little flirty wink at him, well they were free to play, they'd gotten a few days off and both figured it would be enough for their fun to continue; all they needed was time alone in their room.

She led her sweet lover to the shower room and had run her fingers under his chin once he entered, she shut and sealed the door; slowly slipping from her nightgown. It had been a time that she actually felt wonderfully vulnerable while being alone with Haomaru, it was a feeling that made her predatory instincts flair out. That need to devour him came on extra strong, the need to possess him almost ruling her as she stripped down to nothing; standing before him to her bare beauty.

Hao did feel a little vulnerable, but more at home with it here with Aisha. She had done him a favor by mating with their clothing on and now it was time for her retribution that he would give her; mating without their clothing on. He imagined it wouldn't be a problem, especially in the shower, what made it even more exciting was how creative she was. He knew they might find some interesting positions with her still in charge of the action, mainly because she had a good head on her shoulders; his love was any if not creative.

"My Hao...lean against the back of the wall, I want to see you in first..." she purred, knwoing the hot water would do nothing if not make this feel even better, the water wasn't hot enough to scald them; and by the mood it was cold compared to them both. She purred and bit down on her lip, watching him walk into the shower and watching his grace. She smiled and stepped in after him immediately, feeling the water beading on her skin, she looked at him against the wall and bit her lip; scrumptious was the best way to describe him.

She moved over to his half leaning body and sat down in his lap, leaning against his chest with her clawed fingertips running up and down his chest and over his shoulders gently as she kissed the base of his neck; he was so beautiful it scared her a little. She took her claws into his ribs and had nibbled on his skin, running her nails over the ridges of his abs. She was going to have him a good thrust of her hips, she let him know what was coming.

Without another warning she slid herself onto him, giving off a soft satisfied sigh as she sunk onto his member; she pushed down slowly so her sweet Hao wasn't overwhelmed just yet. It hadn't taken but a moment to reach hilt on him, before her hips began to move; drawing back up and sliding back down on his length slowly. She worked her hips against him thoroughly, grunting as her hips demanded more action; from there she bucked down on him.

"Mmm, Hao...hold me close and tightly." she said it while a rich purr filled her throat, as she rocked down on him hard; caught within her throes of passion. The two felines entwined tails and fully embraced the feeling of the remote season they were in.

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"Gene! We've got some trouble, something's coming at us and fast!" Jim called to alert his elder partner, something was trailing them in ether drive and moving with amazing speed. The scanners didn't seem able to identify it and it threw the ship into alert.

"Get the guns and weapons online, we're if it won't let itself be known; we'll just blast it into bits. Melfina, give us some manuvering speeds; we're going to get ready to tango." he used the lame term without a second thought; the other ship came into view and swept right past the XGP.

Gilliam spoke not a moment too late, about the ship's identity. "I don't know it possible, but the ship identified is the Horus." the words hadn't finished coming from Gilliam's speaker before Gene found himself staring at the ghost ship out of the window; though the voice over the communications almost made his heart stop.

"Unidentified ship, this is the Horus requesting aid-" it fizzled slightly. "under attack by Kei pirates, repeat-" the communications fizzled out into static.

Jim looked to Gene and seemed just as horrified. "That's...impossible, we both saw her...I mean..Hilda-" he was immediately cut off by Gene's order.

"Let's go Jim, you heard the communications, let's clear the line." He had the XGP turn in its tracks, immediately opening fire on the pursuing ships; he wouldn't fail to save her...not again.

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The Tendo King's assassin stood aboard the head of the ship, surprised by the bombardment, he ordered the ship's shields be placed up, fire returned. "We must re-capture the subject, we can't allow it or the ship Horus II to escape; destroy the intruding ship...my leige wishes the inhabitants destroyed." Wanting Melfina had been of the past, times change and so did plans; as the battle ensued now destroying the XGP was key in line for the pirates.

"Move in closer to the grappler's ship, we'll take care of them first; immediately." He gathered his Bejeweled sword and raised it over his shoulder. "This will be fun, as we know they'll invade, I will be waiting." He said as he rose from his seat and departed for the belly of the ship. He had the ship running on machinations; mainly AI and or droids, he had no use for the weaklings that served his Lord.

"To face the legendary Gene Starwind and his rabble-like crew...that will be my honor." He licked the blood from his blade, stained with the blood of his last victim; the entire crew aboard the ship before. He slaughtered the crew of Kei pirates for being weak, for depending on Senjutsu instead of combat, he had no use for weaklings who could only use the sacred magic and little more.

"Too bad the fools didn't know, there is more to life than Senjutsu; there is indeed actual skill. We will see if luck serves you this game Gene Starwind, it has in the past; but it will leave you today." He said with a growl, followed by a grin. Even with face and body in shadow, the imposing shadow lume awaited the ship's clash...he would come aboard and destroy them all.

(End Chapter)

The Tendo King's choice in his personal assassin remains unknown, but he awaits the coming battle; will Gene and the crew be able to stop this psychopathic killer? Stay tuned xD

Till the next chapter, adieu

-Quentix.