A/N: Well the next chapter, the saga of Haomaru and Aisha's travels with the XGP now pick up, with new star 'Hot-Ice' Hilda leading the charge here. I imagine that I caught you all off guard with my introduction of a daughter along with Hilda's return, the child was created by the Kei Pirates; with permission of Lord Hazanko, they created her child from her egg and a male Ctarl Ctarl's sperm; Elise is capable of using Senjutsu or Tao magic as it's called. While still holding her mother's greater abilities at piloting many ships and use of weapons, she is the culmination of the great labors undertaken by the Pirates.

Her purpose will become clearer for all readers as things go on, she will play a key role in the future against the Kei Pirates; as will her mother. Well on with the story, you'll see what happens as it goes on.

(End A/N)

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Chapter 18: A Daughter meets the Young Blade of Resolve

As the regular crew functions had gone on, it seemed that life was just going to move on smoothly. Even with Hilda's occasional question while she got used to her station, she spent more time catching up with Gene and Melfina, she had a lot of questions about the Leyline that came up as the time went on. Gene was happy to answer these questions and in fact just asked her questions about her health; what happened exactly with the pirates and what was it like existing on a new ship but knowing how to use it?

"To be exact Starwind, it's a little unnerving that I know how to use the Horus II, as you've noticed…it's not a normal ship, with phase armor and resistance coils which let it repel lasers and to a degree deter homing missiles from its hull. It responds only to my voice or to my daughter's actions." She said as she sipped the cup of coffee, looking Starwind in the eyes afterwards.

She wasn't really sure why she was staring so hard in that moment or even if she was trying to gaze into his very mind through his eyes, it was something that had her questioning the moment as things went on. But she shook her head and broke the gaze, quickly apologizing for the stare; it was rare for her to do so perhaps, but even now she knew that she was acting strangely.

"No need to apologize Hilda, you've been through a lot and you're only just getting used to being safe." His words were confident that she would be safe, he was glad that she'd recognized some growth in him over the years that had passed.

Though she still said it to his face 'Starwind, you're still a cadet in space; just one whose brass has grown with experience, but to me you'll always be that adorable Greenhorn I met those years ago'. And of course it took him down a few notches when she said it, much to her amusement.

"Starwind, we may be safe for right now; but safe…that won't get the answers that I need you understand? We're going to have to right back into dangerous territory to find these out, like this assassin that you and your crew engaged. I was rescued only by my daughter's selflessness, it breaks my heart that she feels she has to protect me so much." She trailed off, since this was one thing that bothered her to a degree.

Of course it was that she hated feeling either helpless or weak in some range, but since her body hadn't been fully responsive then; she felt it might be okay to accept that. She wasn't going to slip up again and she was going to be the one protecting her daughter, Elise when the time came.

"Can you tell us her name now?" the question came from a curious Jim, who had every right in his own mind to know; obviously she'd been protective about it at first. But now he felt that it was time that she could disclose it since they were safely aboard the XGP.

"No, Jim you can ask her that yourself; I am going to allow all of you to interact with her, just understand that she is still rather aggressive. She is fierce when it comes to me as a subject and that means not to test her Starwind. Until she gets used to you and your actions, she may take any teasing about me serious and decide to attack you." Hilda warned, knowing that Starwind could be very hard headed about things.

"What're you looking at me for? I'm not gonna botch any of this up." Gene said as he slipped his arms behind his head and let them rest there.

Hilda shook her head and grinned at him widely all of a sudden, smirking at the way that he still non-chalantly tried to brush it off.

"And that's what makes you a kind of a clown Starwind, the way that you so shameless dare to say that you aren't a big buffoon a lot of the time. When you clearly know that you like to test people and I know that my daughter won't be any different for you. And like I said, she has claws so don't test her." she said with a little grin there.

Though the next moment her face won't totally serious, in one smooth melting motion that showed she wasn't kidding about what she was going to say.

"No drawing a blaster on her, they drive her crazy...she'll really try to kill you. If I find her like that, I won't sympathize with you Starwind; so don't screw with me on this you got it? She dreadfully fears them and will react with 150 percent of aggression." Hilda was dead serious on this matter.

He was first going to give her lip about why she'd even think he'd draw on her, but he stopped and then sighed lightly and gave her a thumbs up sign.

"Alright, I won't draw on her for any such reason; so if she tries to rip my throat out, then what?" he said as he looked at her, obviously not expecting her to do so at all.

"Well Starwind, call for me or get Aisha or that other fella, what's his name…Haomaru? To stop her, presence of her people will calm her as well as anything." She said while turning from Starwind and heading down the hall.

"Where are you going Hilda?" he said as he watched her go.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" her words as sly as ever, as with all of the business having to do with Starwind and explaining things was dealt with; she decided to go on and relax in the shower. It had been a while since she'd been free to enjoy even life's simplest luxuries.

---In the Dining Area---

Eating in the ship's Dining area was now more than common for Haomaru, about half of the time Aisha would either cut out on work or just find her way there to of course stay near him.

Though today he had smelled the scent of the ship's newest visitor, he wondered what it was about the strange feline girl; obviously she was half human and he knew that without guessing too hard; since Hilda's announcement of it. But what he found so curious was that she was a constant visitor to many of his workplaces and or spots he'd been in.

"Umm…Hi there!" her voice was soft but still excited, she seemed to be a little flushed within the tone of her cheeks while she approached him, her tail swished behind her slowly.

"Hello to you, I apologize for not knowing your name; but allow me to introduce myself, I am Haomaru of the Shoreline Blade." He gave her his name and title as a swordsman.

She was quiet a moment, well what was she so nervous about? He was drop dead gorgeous for one…she knew better than to try and pursue anything, his scent was well entwined with the female Ctarl Ctarl on the ship; still that didn't meant she couldn't get to know him right? Maybe learn from him and the sword style he had.

"Um…that's okay, my mother didn't want to tell much about me before, my name is Elise!" she blurted out while she set her tray of food down on the table across from him.

She looked at him as if asking with her eyes if she could sit there.

"Please, feel free to sit here; company is much appreciated at this kind of time, eating alone doesn't do one much good." Hao gave an inviting smile to her and then let his fingers return to his chop sticks, his choice of food? A stranger kind of kelp that was found in the base of the oceans of his home planet, while it was never specified where it really came from; all that was known about his powers, it was indeed said that the aquatic plant helped the swordsmanship reach its supernatural edge.

"Thank you, H-Haomaru-san." She blushed and had settled down to eat her food, while she looked at the food; she was trying to keep her heart from racing. Why so nervous was the major question.

But the answer was simple, not only was he the first male that she'd come across that her mother had tugged her away from; but he was also of her species, he was a humble Ctarl and that was something that caught her off guard beyond all else it seemed.

Without much warning, Haomaru was pounced over in his seat and taken down by his mate, who put him on his back on the nearby floor; well she came down on him like a swift predator descending from the treetops.

"I got you Hao!" Aisha's mad laughter broke the silence in the Dining hall; she rested on his stomach and gave him a fanged smirk, noticing that he was looking at her in total surprise.

"I'll agree with you there, you have caught me off guard, I didn't even feel your presence." He said admittingly, well it was enough to feed her ego some more; he seemed to know that subconsciously.

"Looks like your losing your edge my love, Nya!" she nibbled on his collar bone and seemed to ignore the fact they had another in the room.

But Hao quickly put this to an end, he knew that she needed the area to herself of course, well that would mean that he could let her have her way with him later and that would make up for this.

"We have a guest Aisha, I am not sure you met her as I had before." He said as he gestured to her.

"This is Elise, the daughter of Hilda; our lunch guest." He said as he rose and carried Aisha (with her legs around his waist, she still didn't care for their guest.) and sat down on the side of the bench where he had been before. Well he acted as if nothing was strange about Aisha being attached to his side; well she was looking intently at their guest.

For the moment Elise felt really pressured by her gaze, that was at least until Aisha's gaze lightened, the moment that she felt the tension between them lower did she release a soft breath of relief.

"You're not that bad, you know? I think I like your attitude Elise." Aisha said with a soft grin that was on her face, no doubt that she was finding it to be amusing to be only half over of course, there was no doubt that Aisha was indeed enjoying the younger girl's company.

While that was so suddenly strange for Aisha to take to the younger half breed so quickly right? Of course it became clear, that it was Aisha learning a thing or two from her mate; having spent so much time with him and now going as far as having a child with her mate; this all made it obviously very special to her, she would help the younger female understand herself.

"Don't worry, we can do this just the right way; I'll help you come to understand who you are and what wonders that you haven't even begun to understand await you, experiencing the time of taking a mate." Aisha was grinning as she said it, since she believed it obviously.

It was the one thing that had her loving it, loving the union and her mate for all that he was; she imagined that even this young female could find someone to be with, in no time.

--On the Bridge--

Gene was sitting back in the chair and just relaxing as he often did before anything major came up, slouching back and drinking some odd form of soda he'd picked up on their last stop; though the vicinity alarm went off and made him jump.

"Ah! Damned alarm! Gilliam, what the hell did I say about having that alarm so loud?" he said as he glared at the floating robot's face.

"I'm sorry Gene, but Jim turned the alarm back up since it got the ship damaged the last time it had been so quiet; we were attacked when everyone was asleep that time-" he was cut short by Gene's raised hand.

"Yeah whatever, that's good…just get me a rag and shut it off." He said while rolling his eyes.

Jim had of course already scanned the incoming craft and seemed to be relieved with this news, well it was just a cargo transport of some kind; it seemed to be here to deliver supplies from Fred Luo, a constant employer of Gene and his crew.

"It's just Fred's delivery and a message that is directed to you on the comm. Channel, Gene you should get it; while I go set up temporary docking mode in the hangar." Jim was up and already gone shortly after he'd said that, not leaving Gene to say anything else.

Gene muttered something about 'why him' and 'what does Fred want now?', it was no true form of resentment, instead it was just the usual that came out of Gene whenever it was from Fred; it was always some kind of surprise that caught him off guard mostly.

*Comm. Message*

"Gene! Long time no see! Anyways, since you still owe me for the repairs and free supplying; I thought of a way that we could make that even Steven. And that is a very simple thing, you've got a new Ctarl Ctarl hybrid coming on board and you're to take him on as a crew member for a few months." The voice had already been stopped by Gene.

"Oh come on! Not another one!!" he had only just met up with Aisha and she came with her little boyfriend, then Hilda came with her daughter and now this? What was he suddenly a Ctarl Ctarl Magnet?

"No Bellyaching either, Mr. Gene Starwind. All you have to do is put him to work on board, I've arranged for him to have his expenses paid; fully so you don't worry about that. All you need to do is make use of his services; he's a very unique Ctarl that I found traveling. I thought you might need some extra might and so you're stuck with him now. Make good use of him okay? He's got the most amazing sword skill I've ever seen." Once more Gene's comment slipped in between pauses.

"And now I've got two…bah." He said as he rolled his eyes, it wasn't as if that wasn't enough to have someone to count on; but he wondered how this was going to work out now, wasn't there going to be a territory problem?

--In the Hangar--

Jim had already taken the supplies on board and signed for them while he was looking at their new guest, and what Fred's message had been down here was just for Jim, advising him to take the new Ctarl to a room and introduce him to the areas around the ship; it was a way to pay off the debt owed.

Jim really didn't mind, he just thought it was rather sudden that now they were taking on yet another member to the crew; another person to have as company that no doubt he was going to marvel at.

"So, can I ask your name? I'm Jim Hawking, the expert with computers here." He introduced himself and held his hand out to the apparent teenage Ctarl, he was guessing by his height.

"The Honor is mine to meet you, I am Y'tue QlanQlan or better known as 'The Leaping Forest Tiger'; I am proud to be a part of the famed crew of the famous crew of the XGP, tales of you and your crew's exploits are known throughout the galaxy." He said this of course since it was the truth as far as he was concerned.

Jim did have to say that he had less modesty than Haomaru did at least by appearance, Y'tue appeared to be in a forest tunic of sorts and that wasn't what was so bad; the loincloth with the large emblem on his belt was indeed what made him stand out and appear almost like some native.

"I can see that my appearance has caught your eye, try not to be surprised my friend; it is merely the common dress of those on my world, I choose to represent us beyond the planet's bounds." Y'tue said more as a fact so that Jim might not be so confused by it.

Jim gave a nod to that, at least he could understand if it was cultural or something that was done by tradition. So with that Jim took right on a ship-wide tour; since the XGP got overhauled and compartments added, there was a lot more to show than before. Though it was clearly something that Jim was happy to do for their new guest/crew member; it was still a chore to get around the ship from time to time.

"And here is your room; it is right across from our other three Ctarl guests." Jim ushered him into the room, surprisingly he found the Ctarl strength always impressive, but of course he just moved to the side and let Y'tue set his things down, though he seemed to be waiting for Jim to take him somewhere.

"Oh Jim, if you don't mind I would like to meet the other Ctarls that are here; if you don't mind I would prefer to know them before I settle in is all." He made his intentions clear before anything else went down; he didn't want to just settle in; the scents he smelled had overlapped, but he clear to tell there were two females and one male staying here already.

Jim gave him a nod and gestured for him to follow after him.

"This way Y'tue." He said as he started towards the Dining area, that was the place that the Ctarls spent most of their time; for Aisha it was a habit for enjoying to eat so much and of course, Haomaru stayed there because Aisha often kept him there. He wasn't sure about Hilda's daughter being present, but it was worth a shot at least.

--At the Dining area--

Aisha had been sitting by Elise, a few benches away from Haomaru and there she was disclosing to her some of the details of what it was like to have a mate and the wonders of the union. She wasn't telling her anything about mating, since that was something that Aisha was confiding that instinct would show her when she went to claim her own mate.

"So Elise, what is most promising of all is the knowledge that your mate will cherish you forever; the male that you will seek out will be true to heart…true to your heart. I knew at first sight…though it took me a while to recognize the qualities of him that were sweet and made me want to seek him out further; he was a beautiful male when I first saw him in action. He can be annoying, but…I love and adore him." She said while looking over to Haomaru, who she found was cutely lapping at his milk.

Of course the moment was suddenly broken into by the coming of the newbie amongst the crew; even Hao stopped his dinner to look up at the new Ctarl that was in the doorway, he sensed a powerful presence and knew instantly that this Ctarl was the source.

"It can't be…" Haomaru had heard bad news much earlier on during his travels, this couldn't be the same boy that he trained so many years ago; while an assistant master that long ago, Haomaru had since gone back under his father's tutelage once he was humbled by the grandmaster of another school; he realized that he was no master at that point.

That was several years ago and he heard that his only ever student, had suffered a bad accident and had passed away or faded into obscurity, one or the other…both were the equivalent of death to a swordsman; especially one of the Ctarl blood.

"Teacher Haomaru!" he sprang excited into the air, well the look on his face was one of joy; though he quickly calmed himself and walked over to his side before he bowed his head deeply and looked at his old master.

"Please, my old student; I am no master, I am merely a swordsman." He smiled lightly and shook his head; the greeting was accepted kindly but dismissed lightly.

"Oh but you were a master when you taught me, what happened?" Y'tue got straight to the question, to find out what had his master saying such a thing; he was a little stunned.

"First things first, Y'tue I am proud to see you still alive and well as a swordsman, though I can tell by your demeanor you have developed one of your own; I may test you later during our tenure together." Hao heard a little annoyed-sounding throat clearing being done; two guesses as to who it was.

First he laughed and then he stood up from his seat.

"You are to meet our fellow Ctarl before we talk more Y'tue, first is my mate and close friend; Aisha ClanClan." He said as he walked to her side and took her hand.

"Damn right, I'm glad you picked up on it Hao; I was afraid I'd have to discipline you." She said it with a wry grin, of course it was hinting at something naughty; which went right over his student's head.

"Discipline Master Hao? I'd find that hard to believe, his skill with a sword is amazing; he can defeat anyone." Y'tue of course was just sounding like the eager student who believed in his master; despite the passing of years.

Aisha grinned wider and pressed into Hao's side, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Oh I know, he could slay many…but he's not pointing that anywhere else but me." She said with a grin, it seemed Elise and Hao were the only ones picking up on it.

Elise was blushing heavily and Hao gave a nervous chuckle; since his mate was being so blunt about it; though he decided to stop his student's next return comment to that.

"And this my young friend, is Elise who is a half Human /half Ctarl that we've recently met." He took Aisha aside and took her into his arms; so she wouldn't try to interfere with the greeting of the two.

There was silence cast between them when their gazes met, Y'tue's focus was cast upon her and he was blushing as he stepped forward to meet her, he knelt before her and took her hand; gently nuzzling it.

"I am Y'tue QlanQlan of the Forest Blade style…I am deeply honored to meet you Elise." He watched her blush as he licked her hand, well the equal of a kiss no doubt.

Elise turned all shades of red when she looked at him, she was trying to steady herself…she'd never felt such sensations before; but she finally cleared her throat and managed a greeting to give to him.

"I-I'm Elise, it's good to meet you Y'tue." She said it softly, finally managing to get it out; though she found her heart racing as their eyes locked once more.

The silence was broken of course by the sound of footsteps and a rather rude entry, by none other than Elise's mother; Hilda.

"So, you're the new kid on the ship eh? Well it's nice to see your friendly; just watch how friendly you are with my daughter, here me?" Hilda's eye focused on him, no doubt that she was already wary of her daughter's reaction to this boy.

They'd only just met and now they were making these eyes of 'you're the one!', that wouldn't be happening if she had anything to say about it; her daughter may have been old enough in Ctarl years to make decisions alone, she'd be damned if that was going to stop her from intervening as much as she could with it.

"I...I apologize ma'am, I do not wish to intrude upon your daughter's personal space; I was taken aback…is all, I have never seen…such a pretty girl." His words were honest, he meant them clearly; everything he was as a swordsman up to this point made up his character and much like Haomaru, he couldn't lie.

Hilda wanted to be mad at the kid's comment, she didn't like that her daughter was so quickly swooning over this young boy; they were about the same age she was guessing by his youthful appearance, that was what made this more the problem for her of course, it was prime that her daughter might try things…like a silly young human girl would.

"Don't sweat it kid, I'm not gonna hurt you…just watch it." She said as she took Elise to sit down; well she was going to give her daughter some words to the wise, what else right? She wasn't dumb…she knew her daughter was already thinking of this boy and her hormones were going crazy.

What's worse in her mind is that Hilda knew that it wouldn't be this Y'tue's fault if anything happened, likely…it would be her daughter's doing, and why the hell not? Hilda knew she acted on her impulses…but as a mother she had to try and slow such a pace down. She only hoped that she might be successful doing so, if not…woe be unto the both of them if she ever caught them fooling around. There would be a hell to pay since Hilda; even to her daughter in such a case wasn't going to be standing for that.

(End Chapter)

Well, I hoped this chapter was an eye popper, suddenly there's a new Ctarl on board while Hilda and Elise are just setting in. First Elise is making goggly eyes at Haomaru due to his beauty and suddenly this new Ctarl and her notice each other.

I know it may seem kind of fast, but that's the point right now! I intend to show some drama and new romance here; while I'm not finished with Aisha and Haomaru obviously, this just means that you'll have more to watch out for.

I hope to thrill you with the next chapter, stay tuned!

Till then Adieu

-Quentix