Chapter 12: Home

Reaching the oomans quarters Ek'tan let himself in. When he didn't see her anywhere, his first thought was to check the bathing chamber. Not finding her there either he stopped in front of the bed his back to it "Where the pauk is she?"

Waking up Cat heard someone come in, burrowing more deeply into the furs she decided to teach this one a lesson, she was really getting annoyed at them for barging in all the time "jeez, does no one know how to knock here," Listening to the Yautja move around and check the bathroom, she peeked when the movement stopped in front of her bed, seeing the chocolate coloring she grinned mischievously "This is gonna be good." Sliding to the side carefully she almost reached the other side of the bed when she heard him turn around, freezing she waited in case he noticed her.

Turning Ek'tan thought he felt eyes on him, not seeing anything but the furs on the bed he shrugged and faced the door again reaching for his wrist comm. "Elder, the ooman is missing, she is not in her quarters, do you want me to search for her?"

Hearing that Cat narrowed her eyes "That little snitch" reaching the end of the bed she moved silently over the edge taking a fur with her, squeezing her body between the wall and the bed, carefully sliding to her knees under it, hearing "No, I will have some of the unbloods search the ship, stay there" smirking she silently thanked the Elder. Moving to where his feet were on her hands and knees, she paused behind him rolling the fur together.

Closing the connection Ek'tan sighed muttering "She is more trouble then she…" suddenly feeling something wrap around his legs he roared in surprise "PAUK!" his feet swept from under him, crashing to the floor, he flipped onto his back swiftly and stared at the female rolling on her back under the bed howling with laughter, he growled angrily "What in Payas name do you think you are doing?"

Cat couldn't stop laughing! Pointing at him she gasped for breath, barely getting the words out "You fell like a log!" She was just sorry she couldn't see the look on his face as he went down! Crawling shakily from beneath the bed she chortled "That was for not announcing your presence before you came into my room"

Glaring at her he growled "If you mention this to anyone I will kill you ooman" Getting up Cats sides hurt so much from laughing "Relax Brownie, you deserved it. So, what did you need me for?" watching him as he picked himself up.

Moving to the door he answered "I'm here to take you to the bridge. We are approaching the Clan ship." Nodding with a grin Cat followed him out "He is so much fun to mess with"

Worried about the ooman, the Elder paced the bridge glancing every once in a while at the doors. He already dispatched two pups to search the ship top to bottom. Hearing the doors open he turned swiftly, seeing only Ke'varde. Growling in frustration he continued his pacing.

The hunter watched the Elder pace wondering what was going on. Walking to him he was just about to ask when the door opened behind him, turning his head he saw the female and Ek'tan coming in. Grunting he moved aside as the Elder passed him.

Meeting the ooman half way the Elder clicked sternly "You do not leave your quarters without telling someone ooman" Glancing sideways at Ek'tan she considered telling the Elder what happened. Seeing the hunters arm twitch, she realized he was squirming. Amused she decided to save this particular story for another time. "I think he's had enough humiliation for one day" hiding her smile she looked at the floor, clasping her hands in front of herself, she pretended to be apologetic "I'm sorry. I just wanted to take a look around"

The Elder wasn't fooled for a second. Eyeing her for another moment, he sighed turning to the large screen that showed their progress approaching the docking bay. He wouldn't question her… for now. "Stay close to the hunters until we reach your quarters on the Clan ship, they will ensure your safety."

Giving a slight nod Cat watched as they docked. She was surprised that she didn't even feel them land. Following the Elder she observed as everyone took their places making a procession, herself sandwiched between Ke'varde and Ek'tan directly behind him. Glancing at Ke'varde she noticed he barely even looked at her since she entered. Shaking her head she didn't have time to dwell on it right now as they reached the ramp to the dock.

She craned her neck to get a glimpse past the Elder, seeing what awaited she gaped at all the Yautja, who made a path for them. Armored hunters kneeling on one knee on each side with their fists to their chests and heads bowed in greeting. She was focused looking around that she barely noticed when the procession started moving forward. She stared at each side, trying to look at everything at once, whispering a bewildered "Wow"

As they passed, the hunters stood up giving the Elder their attention clicking in curiosity at the ooman among them, some already growling challengingly. Stepping forward the Elder moved to the side showing the ooman to them, growling loudly "The ooman helped to kill the hard meat queen. Because of this she has been offered and accepted into this Clan by myself and the High Matriarch. Any who wish to challenge this speak now" none of the hunters assembled spoke up though the whispers and some dissatisfied growls could be heard.

Cat didn't know if she should say anything to them or not, so she remained quiet, giving them a smile. To be honest they were quite intimidating to her, she was glad she had her bodyguards on each side, some of the hunters didn't seem to approve of her presence there, glaring and growling in hostility, others were just looking right through her, almost as she didn't exist, but she already knew there would be reactions to her presence. She'd deal with it… somehow.

Almost five days passed in a routine for her. At least she thought it was fife days, time seemed to be nonsensical somehow. All she did was eat things she didn't recognize, sleep and sometimes speak with the Elder or Mir'en about Earth and anatomy. Even Ek'tan visited her on occasion, though their conversation was mostly her giving him a hard time and teasing him. Smiling she muttered "He's so gullible." She thought about Ke'varde most of the time she was alone, which was a lot. She missed him, but he seemed to be ignoring her mostly. She knew she had feelings for him, sighing "I was never good at denial or love" she hoped they would disappear over time, but they didn't seem to be lessening. Shrugging she moved to the center of the room.

These rooms were huge compared to the one she had on the smaller ship, but furnished the same way… minimally, except for the beautiful carvings in the walls, which frustrated her since she couldn't decipher them without a key. Walking to the bathroom she still couldn't believe there was a small pool there, grinning widely she said "To them it must be a tub"

Turning back into the main room she didn't know what to do with herself. Her body was getting better each day, her bruises fading, she just didn't think she could stay in here anymore, one more day and she's start climbing the walls. The Elder asked her to stay there for a few days so the Clan members could get used to the idea of her being aboard. It didn't seem an unreasonable request at the time so she agreed, but now…she could bang her head against the wall in frustration.

Eying the ventilation cover in the corner of her room she came to a decision, getting a mischievous glint in her eyes and rubbing her hands like a villain "Me thinks tis time to do some exploring… I'll be back before anyone finds out." Moving to stand bellow the cover she thought for a minute on how to get it open 15feet up "I' hope it's not welded shut, if it is I'm gonna scream"looking around the room she needed something to pry it open with.

Spotting the food left for her on the table she ran to it, swatting it off the tray, banging it against the table she was satisfied it would hold. Moving back to the wall she stood in front of it frowning. Turning her head to the left she saw the wall next to her had some kind of beams sticking out of it with hooks on them, one was even near the wall she was interested in. Placing her palm on the side of it, she could see it was a little narrow but it could work.

Placing the tray on her chest "oh that's cold" she secured it by tying her fur over it. Moving to stand between the wall and the beam she levered her hands first followed by one leg and then the other. When she had purchase with her feet one on each wall she moved her hands up a few inches, then repeated with her feet ascending slowly but surely. "Now I know how a spider feels"

When she reached the cover she levered her legs to keep her in place while she reached for the tray. Moving it into one of the triangle openings the cover had, she worked on prying it open. When it finally did she almost lost her balance, dropping the tray the cover fell with it, grabbing the opening she held herself firmly inching her feet up the wall and beam, when she felt secure she could make it, she pushed with her legs hauling herself into the vent giving an exuberant cry "YES! yesyesyes" when she was in, receiving a blast of hot air for the effort. Grinning widely she started crawling "I should've been a spy"

On a nother part of the ship the Elder was conducting a meeting with his senior clan members. They were discussing the goings on and running of the vessel. Right now the topic was turned to the ooman. He knew he couldn't ask her to stay in her quarters forever, eventually she would have to emerge and the clan would need to adjust. The last two days in her presence he knew she was getting restless and tired of her temporary confinement. He supposed it was indeed time for her to start socializing with other Yautja. Though he was worried about it, he trusted his two hunters to keep her safe.

An older Yautja caught his attention with his growling "Elder I understand the need for her knowledge of her race, but to allow her to remain here for the rest of her existence and to allow breeding is reckless!"

Some of the seniors nodded agreeing a few remained quiet and pensive. Another one said "We do not know what diseases or mutations she could bring into our race. I do not approve either" The Elder clicked "She has been thoroughly tested for anything that could compromise us. All tests were negative, your concern is worthless"

Another Yautja spoke up "And the risk to our traditions? Her kind is our pray, who knows what kind of influences her presence could have! They are weak and corrupted beings, only look what they do to their planet and their own species; murder, rape and abuse! They have no honor!" slamming his fist on the table as he finished

The Elder stood, pacing around them "Our traditions will survive as they survived before. Almost a millennium ago we accepted an ooman into one of our clans and survived it with growth and advancement. One ooman cannot erase our past and our traditions, but help our future. She is an honorable one and she will stay. We will learn from her and she will learn from us, I have been granted full support on this matter from the home world and the decision stands!" glaring at those members who opposed him he growled "As Elder of this clan I will not tolerate any more questionings of my decision. It is final! You are dismissed"

Watching them leave he sighed tiredly. His leg was paining him today more than usually. Moving to his seat he remembered part of his past. More precisely the day she shot an arrow through his knee by accident. Chuckling he massaged the small scar. He was startled slightly when the comm. beeped; pressing a button he asked "What is it?"

Hearing the voice of a senior warrior "Elder, the scanners detect movement in one of the air circulators on level 10 sector 5. Your orders?" frowning he thought he didn't hear him right; the location was near the oomans quarters. Realization dawning he couldn't believe it "How the pauk did she get into the circulator?" hearing the warrior ask "Elder?" laughing he thrilled "Nothing. Ignore it, I will take care of it personally" disconnecting the link, he couldn't help but keep laughing, shaking his head "She is exactly what we need"

"God it's hot in here" after wiping the sweat off her brow she kept moving. After a nother minute she started to hear voices. Moving towards them she peeked through the small triangle beneath her. What she saw made her jaw drop in astonishment "Oh my!" blushing hotly.

Below her were Yautja... naked Yautja…bathing together! There were mostly males, but from what she could see, there were a few females there too, if their breasts were any indication. The females were big! She couldn't make out what they were saying since she was high up and air was whizzing past her ears, but she could tell they were having a nice time. Seeing someone block her view for a second she noticed green skin and black stripes, "I know that coloring, It's Ke'varde" following him with her eyes she watched as a large female approached him and started washing him. Narrowing her eyes she pressed closer to get a better look, mumbling "so that's why you've been avoiding me". Hearing something creak she wasn't fast enough to move away when the plate beneath her gave way she screamed "NOOooo…!" tumbling into the water below.