Getting to Know A Yautja

by Hikarin-Love

Mom and Dad are gone for a month on buisness, leaving me with the worst monster ever AKA my brother Josh and now a Predator decides to crash at my house and stay there until he fixes his ship! COMPLETE.

31. KPOV part 1

I'm sorry!

Everyone is allowed to cut of a piece of my body and do what they will with em, send em off to be eaten by GOLDFISH it's what I deserve! But you guys can't imagine how hard it was to write Krone's point of view, at first I was like "pfft, this is gonna be easy!" 3 weeks in: "aw, shit…"

I wanted to send this off at Christmas time but I couldn't L it made me feel super bad that I couldn't keep with the promised dates, and every Wednesday that passed lowered my morale. I started writing this story and I said I wouldn't go all "is the author DEAD?" on everyone's ass…but I did! I'm super omega sorry! I kept saying "next week!" and then "Next week!" I even put off my other stories! *sigh* I know there's nothing I can say to make it better, but I hope you guys like it anyway!

I worked really hard to make things as super-special- perfect I possibly could! Writing in Yautja point-of-view is HARD! Also, I watched the new Predators movie(finally…I mean, it's been out a while)and I found that I had some cannon inconstancies(I forgot they had the whole infared, blind eyes problem), but hey, that's what fan fiction is for. To rape cannon and make it your bitch. (wow that was graphic O.O)

Keep in mind, the document as a whole is rather large and so overwhelming to me that I could only take the time to speed proofread it. There WILL be grammatical errors, synonym and homonym confusion, and quite possibly point of view mess-ups(I took most conversation out of the original story, which is in Sophie's pov, since I was to lazy to rewrite it.) If you are thoroughly offended by this, please make a list of these errors and give them to me, I will fix!

…And since we're talkin bout file size, I have chosen to not include a lot of chapters that were in the story, I'm sure you will notice which one's I have omitted. I felt like it would really make it longer than would be good for my delicate psyche . I have included the ones that I felt had more meaning to the Sophie/Krone developing relationship, if you don't think so(or if your favorite chapter was not addressed)I'm not sure if there is something I can do about it. I'm sorry. Really. I am.

(HOWEVER, if the complaint is about "Shower" than you're out of luck. I was pushed into making that chapter for your fan girlish needs! I just couldn't look at it again! I'm putting my foot down!)

As stated in Josh's Story, there is new dialogue! :D dontcha just love it!

And so ends this long authors rant, I hope you enjoyed my begging for forgiveness. Please, I pray that no one has died from the wait, by natural causes or by self-inflected acts, as this will only serve to further damage my trauma-indorsed mind. *bad memories coming back, eye twitch*

Enjoy some Krone-tastic dialogue~!

Krone's Point Of View

(The Introduction)

Had I known that I'd actually need all the information about ship maintenance and I'd have actually listened to Taak.

But then again, after everything that transpired after this mistake on my part, I'm not entirely sure that I would have listened even then.

My name is Krone. I am an Honored Blood Yautja that is well respected in my own clan and in various others. I have succeeded in over one-hundred hunts, even the Elders acknowledge my capability and I have a rather prestigious reputation back in my planet. They say that soon I will become an Elder myself. I should be honored by such high expectations yet more often than not I wish that I had chosen to become a Warrior instead of choosing to remain with my clan…

I'm practically a Warrior already as I leave my home planet whenever I possibly can. Young Bloods are much to annoying for me to be around with let alone train them. Especially Ba'kuub, he's the worst. But referring back to the predicament at hand.

I was coming back from a simple recon mission, there wasn't even any game left by the time I got there. It wasn't a mission fitting of me, many Blooded warriors could have finished with ease, but as stated before: if I have an excuse to leave my planet, I gladly take it.

In retrospect, it's very well easy to just take off when opportunity raises, it's another thing entirely to make sure your means of escape is fully functional one-hundred percent of the time. Before I knew it I was being pulled into the earth's atmosphere. I imagine Taak would be laughing hysterically at my current plight.

"C'jit!" and I didn't need annoying red lights and a voice to tell me that everything was failing.

More useless alerts began sounding off, telling me what I already know, that I was falling to the Ooman planet.

"Cjit! C'jit!"

Things are one fire… "Pauk!"

I took what control I had over the ship and braced for impact.

000

I had heard about the Ooman friends of the Elder and of his rule, "Don't kill them". For some reason(a reason not questioned by those who valued their lives) the Elder had grown a fondness with them.

I hadn't the means to properly repair my ship, I was in Ooman territory, I would need shelter and a workspace with tools.

Which is why I currently found myself in what I would perceive to be a typical Ooman abode. I did not feel particularly happy about asking Oomans for help, but I had not choice.

No one is home at the moment…

I walked about, scanning the area, suddenly I detected someone coming.

"Holy shit!"

I grimaced. The Ooman was male, but he was shaking in his shoes, although I expected it that didn't mean I didn't feel it pathetic. And annoying.

I might as well get this over with…

Before I could say anything another Ooman came in. She was female and small, her eyes were wide with surprise upon seeing me. She was thin as well, but not as much as I heard most females of this planet tend to be. Her hair was a light gold color, and although it was pulled back there was still a very large portion of it covering her face.

"What's going on?" her done was near demanding, it surprised me, if only a little.

The male Ooman seemed to regain some composure, acting as if he had the situation under complete control.

And then they started to bicker.

"Stop acting like a complete retard!" She had fire in her spirit, and absolutely no respect to the older Ooman by the look of it.

"You stop acting like a goodie two shoes!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Shut UP!"

"YOU Shut UP!"

"Where are you're parents?" surely I won't have to stay with two loud Oomans…

The small Ooman became quiet and timid, "They'll be gone for a month…"

I month with them? I wanted to groan…

"but…" she continued softly, "…they left plenty of food…and….there's room in the garage for your ship, you could also sleep in the basement if you want…"

The sudden hospitality I took as odd. I've never heard of an Ooman offering a Yaujta stay in their home…most would want nothing to do with us.

I nodded, not wanting to offend the gesture. At least the house fit my needs.

"Ugh, fine!" the male pushed at the girl.

"Hey!"

He spat out some mediocre "ground rules" as he put them and then left. He was as arrogant as the Young Bloods, if not worse. ..

The girl seemed to think so to. She really was a small thing…

She caught me staring and became nervous again. I hate predictability.

"um…make yourself at home?"

I walked passed her, in any case I won't be worrying myself with either of them for long.

(Unwanted complications)

The Oomen's "garage" was accommodating enough for my ship to dwell in, though it was filled with useless nick-knacks that would only get in the way.

"What, you need more space?" it was the male Ooman.

I did not so much as glance at him and he backed away a good deal. I'm not sure whether to laugh or feel irritated.

"Well…" the voice of the small Ooman pulled me out of my thoughts. She was addressing the male, "mom and dad did tell us to clean this place up…"

"Ugh, suck-up."

The young one slightly pushed him, he glared. For a second I thought they'd start to fight again, but no, the older ooman stopped at the sight of me and the young one seemed to share his unease.

They set to work.

Granted, they worked a great deal, but not nearly as fast as I needed. The male did nothing but squirm at the sight of me and only the girl did any real work. In fact, she seemed ecstatic at the male's reaction to me.

The Oomen items where moved to an area below their house, what they called their "basement", and what I remembered was where I agreed to sleep. I hardly thought of it as practical, seeing as that the majority of the time I would be in their garage and walking to and from there would be a waste of energy, but to my surprise the little Ooman had already prepared a sleeping matt for me.

I didn't need it, the floor was good enough, but she did so anyway. I did have to give her credit, the matt looked like it was to heavy for her to move all by herself and I was sure that the other one made no effort to help her.

A nice gesture, but I was sure I would be gone before a week.

000

Though problems did arrive.

"…he's hungry…" the male said to her and the little one's eyes widened slightly.

One of which was the fact that I hadn't eaten in days and the Oomans had nothing suitable for me.

The two were situated in front of their box, one where they froze most of their food. I growled as they pondered the already obvious.

"We're going to have to go shopping…" the small one said.

"What? I don't have a lot of fucking money…"

"Do you want to get killed?" As if I would waste my time in killing them, their bodies would start to rot and the other Oomans around would notice the smell…

They took longer than they had to, I was sure if they're parents were here I would've already had my meal, but as they were little more than younglings gathering their "money" and calculating seemed to be a trouble for them. This cut my time for working on my ship, I couldn't work exhaustedly that would be foolish and I would get nothing done.

After they finally finished their little game involving rocks and paper, the small Ooman went out to get my sustenance.

The stay with the male Ooman did not help my mood. He stayed well enough out of the way, but only to stare at me from afar and glare as if he had complete demand over the house.

This was cured rather quickly when I growled at his apparently precious "TV".

"I'm back!"

It was almost pathetic how fast the male Ooman put himself behind the smaller one., even she could tell of his intent for using her as a shield.

They left me alone but my troubles were not done.

No sooner had I finally started to work on my ship, an ugly little rotten had come prancing in and at the sight of me the little vermin dared to try and attack me. Of course he had no chance at that, but before I could exact the proper punishment on it for having the audacity in the first place, the girl Ooman had thrown it out into Ooman territory.

I growled at her but did not waste any more time than I needed to.

000

But still I obtained no peace.

I had managed to only just take off most of my armor when the two came yet again. I will not lie, I was much to annoyed by now to approve of their presence.

The male once again tried to look pompous, "Hey, buddy," his tone lacked any respect, "We sorta like to see the faces of the people we talk to, if you don't mind…"

I growled. But I complied to his request, if they wanted to see my face so be it, it made no difference. I walked towards my ship.

"Yo Karl…"

"Krone," I clicked firmly, very much tempted to put the older one in his place. I had one name I expected them to use it.

"Okay than, Krone…" either he wanted to die or he really did foolishly believe that he was head of the household, "we sorta have a lot of stuff here, and we might come in to get them when we have to, so we'd appreciate it if you wouldn't bite our heads off…"

The small one pulled him close to her, she seemed to be berating him and he answered back sharply.

I scoffed. More of his mediocre "ground rules"…

I ignored them, I had to start with my ship, I had no more patience to give them.

They left sure enough after that.

(The Young Ooman)

The Young Ooman was curious. She tried three times to come inside, though I hardly approved of this and made sure to let her know that. I was sure after the third time she would get the motion that her presence was not wanted.

But she is full of surprises.

Once again, I knew she was standing outside the door and, had I not been struggling to attach one slab of godforsaken metal to another for over two hours, I would've found her persistence oddly respectable. But I didn't, the damnable piece of steel should've been fixed hours ago.

I growled as she knocked, on top of that she dared enter. But the young Ooman simply started walking in a direction close to my ship. She was afraid, that much was clearly noticeable, but she continued on. It became clear to me that it must've been the male that put her up to this. Coward, no doubt he didn't dare come here himself.

Once she got herself a handful of small utensils she ran out in fear.

A minute later I heard a scream. It didn't sound like it had come from the young one, leading me to assume that she had gotten some form of revenge on the male. I smirked.

000

The young Ooman wasn't only defiant of the male Ooman, though.

"Listen buddy, if you could just shut the hell up and let me fucking help you, maybe I can do something about that wound of yours instead of you destroying my house like a giant six and a half foot retard!"

Whatever stopped me from tearing her apart must have really had a fondness for this little Ooman, or else she would not still be alive.

She led me to a dimly lit, small room, and seconds upon entering she pointed at a large area that was separated from everything else.

"Get in."

I growl. What made her think she could give me orders?

My growl was well received with a dark look of her own. Insolent little…

If Paya watched over this young Ooman than she was blessed, I went inside as directed.

She ran water down on me before kneeling next to me, a cloth in her hand. With the cloth, she began to wipe my bleeding wound.

I hiss.

"Shush…"

Again with her orders. I growled.

"Want it to get better?"

I could've cured it myself

Before long she began to move the cloth beyond my wound, cleaning me. She ignored my protests regarding this and continued to do so.

Fine, let her waist her time. Her cleaning me endured for several handfuls of seconds later, upon which I had nearly succeeded in ignoring her existence. My mind began to wander over the course of action I would take with repairs. Taak had given me a manual of instructions for any possible mishaps, but I grimaced at the thought of reading it. He is so prideful of his work and knowledge in the intelligence bureau that he often rambles about the most incoherent things when explaining things. Which is very well the reason I had not bothered to listen to him in the first place, if I had to hear one more time about how he-

I suddenly felt cold fingertips connect with abdomen.

I froze.

What was she doing?

I nearly growled at the panic that rose within me as I looked down at her, trying to figure out what she could be planning.

But when I saw her, any form of malevolence seemed non-existent. It was the look on her face that caught me most of guard. She was so intent on observing me, her eyes wandering slowly to wherever she placed her hand. I felt heat emanate from me, cursing myself as she continued to trail her soft fingers further and further down. There was something about the way she looked, so absorbed, so intent on what she was doing, I couldn't wrap my mind around it. It was almost like praise.

I did not plan on it to feel so good. I didn't plan on becoming so lost on this little Oomans touch that I had pulled my head back from the feeling. Tracing every movement she made and she went lower. Before I knew it my eyes were closed, I focused only on her tips of her fingers, delicate…

It felt…

I began to purr.

"SOPHIE! I'm home, where's the salt?"

Like a spell being broken, she lifted her hand away from me.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!"

Before I could stop myself, I had her wrist locked inside my hand.

"Wait right here. I'm going to go get something for that cut…"

She had no way of knowing that my intent was to have her continue to touch me.

Pauk!

I couldn't believe my reaction to…

I cursed. She is an Ooman, I do not even know her and I do not care for knowing her. I got up from the Ooman cleaning area and began to pace across the small room. I saw my image in the mirror and stopped short, I still needed to seal my wound. She offered to get something but I could very well just leave and get my own valve.

The young Ooman returned before I could decide on my next action.

"C'mon, it'll help…"

I growl, she acts as if I were a disobedient young pup, just who does this Ooman think she is?

A second later my wound was perfectly sealed.

"There ya go!" she smiled and looked up at me, "Do I get any thanks?"

I gave off a grunt and looked away, this young Ooman thinks to highly of herself to be asking for the thanks of an Honored Blood Yautja.

"Hmph, Good enough."

Partially surprised at her satisfied remark I look back at her, only to find that she was already leaving.

000

"Um, thank-you…"

I look up at the young Ooman. Earlier, she had been staring at my ship for a good enough while, but I saw no reason for her thanks.

"For what?" I realize this is the first time I have directly spoken to her.

"I…uh...sorta drew your ship…"

She then shows me a sketch of my ship on her small pad.

"Without my permission."

"I know, that's why I'm telling you," she stared downwards, "I don't like to do things behind people's back…it's not right…"

How honorable.

"Why did you draw my ship?"

She blinked in surprise before answering, "Oh, It's for a project in school…I had to draw something exotic and amazing so I thought of your ship…"

I nod.

"I'll let you know how it goes," she said, smiling, before turning around to leave.

This is the second time I find myself watching her do so out of pure amazement.

There is definitely more to this young Ooman than meets the eye.

000

The girl was…interesting.

She definitely had more courage than that other one, to continuously place herself in the presence of a Yautja.

I don't mind her being around, she's mostly silent, more out of respect than fear. Or at least that's what I've come to believe.

I hear the door open, I expect it to be the Young Ooman.

"Hi, Krone," it is.

I quickly nod before returning to my work. She's been greeting me more often, before there was only silent acknowledgement.

I growl as one of the wires shock me, if I'd pay more attention then I would be able fix this damnable ship faster.

Suddenly, I hear s gentle voice.

It's the Young Ooman.

She's laying belly-first on the floor, scribbling on what she calls her art pad, and she's…singing. I'm sure that she's not aware of it, as her voice is much to soft and I can barely make out the words, but even so.

I've heard about Ooman women being able to produce beautiful sounds in form of song, Yautja are not able to do so. I continue to stare at her.

She looks so different whenever she is drawing, it is as if she is in her own little world, one without troubles and self-consciousness.

One I want.

I shake my head, the young Ooman is to distracting sometimes, my mind always ends up wandering to places I know I must not think of. I'm a Yautja, an Honored Blood at that, I have my pride and honor to think about.

"Something's getting in my way

something's just about to break

I will try to find my place

in the

Diary of Jane

As I burn another page

as I look the other way,

I still try to find my place

in the

Diary of Jane…"

I find my muscle's relaxing. I'm almost amazed about how calm I've become compared to seconds ago. I look again to the Young Ooman, she appears to have finished with her drawing, she is smiling with a sort of satisfaction. Like after you have completed a well planed out hunt.

"Oh," she suddenly looks up from her work to me, "hey Krone?"

I nod.

"Do Yautja have…like, forms of art and stuff?" she's taken a habit for asking me questions about Yaujta culture and the like. This has not exactly annoyed me as much as I thought it would.

I deliberate on her question for a handful of seconds. "…None you would appreciate."

She blinks, at first I fear I might have to explain it to her but she seems to get it in the end. The thought of blood and fireside dances doesn't seem to appeal to her. I almost let out a laugh.

It's humorous, talking to this young Ooman. Perhaps that is the reason I don't disapprove of her presence.

(The Woods Through Different Eyes)

"Were are we?"

"The park."

The young Ooman has decided to take me to a vast area with various thin trees. It seemed deserted and the land was bare with nothing growing on it.

"No body really comes around here in this season," she continued, looking about which way in ease, "it's cold and the trees are so lifeless without their leaves it's depressing." I couldn't help but notice the soft smile preying on her lips as she said this.

"You seem to think otherwise," I clicked, voicing my thoughts.

Her shoulders moved up and then back down, "I think it's peaceful."

As to prove her point, she continued to stroll ahead, "Sides…" she went on in a playful tone, "there isn't any annoying music here."

At this I couldn't help but smirk.

I jumped down from one of the trees, there wasn't any up ahead that could support my weight

"You can stop being invisible is you want. No one's here."

When I deactivated my cloaking device she smiled up at me. Strange little Ooman.

"You like this place," I observed.

She nodded, confirming what I just said.

She continued onward, oblivious to everything but her own thoughts by the look of it. I did some more observing on my own, curious to know why she had such an odd liking to things must Oomans wouldn't. She didn't mind being around a Yautja, sure enough, but perhaps it was because of the isolation from people that did not think like her that she enjoyed the place. Sure enough, there were no loud and obnoxious Oomans around here(and definitely no music at that), it seemed very calm. Nothing like back in my home world, where everything was lurking and predatory.

"Are there any places like this were you come from?"

"No, there isn't," I responded, continuing my observations, "It's nice…"

"Glad you like it."

I turned to her, "You don't come here often?"

The young Ooman shook her head, "I don't, but it's the only place I thought we could come to."

"I see."

She smiled again and continued to walk. Such a strange one, it's almost as if-

"Aw! It's so cute," she crouched down in front of a brown rodent, the creature ran off in fear, "ah, man…just wanted to get close to it!"

Hmph. She still has some typical Ooman traits, though I found her discouragement humorous.

She stood up.

"I could teach you if you want," I offered, curious to see if she'd really accept.

She was surprised at first, but then another smile played on her lips, "Really?"

I could've retracted my offer, but she seemed set on learning, more than any Young Blood I've trained at any case. I nodded.

"Thanks!"

This would be interesting.

000

"Concentrate this time…"

"I know, I know!"

I resist the urge to chuckle, I'm sure she thought it would be easy at first, but as countless tries have already demonstrated it wasn't. A simple mistake many Young Bloods do.

I placed my talon on her shoulder, careful not to cause her harm, "Relax," I said. If she really wanted to approach this creature like she said she did, she would have to mean it.

I felt the tense of her body soften. At least she is trying.

"Okay," she exhaled her breath, "I'm ready." this remained to be seen.

We moved in unison, slowly, with purpose. She was concentrated, but not so much that it hindered her movements. It would appear she listened well. The young ooman was completely involved with her mission, intent on it's completion.

We made it close enough to our target, I gently stopped her from moving. I watched her eyes as she took in every detail of the small animal in front of us, lost in her own world. A felt a small sort of satisfaction at her display.

She gasped lightly and looked toward me, realizing she had done it. I nodded in approval. I had to give the young ooman credit, she was a fast learner. Mostly, it might have been more due to the fact that she was much less stubborn than the Young Bloods. This young ooman took her time to listen and learn from what I told her, with a respect few of my kind have at the start. As young bloods, we are more concerned with making a good impression, of surpassing the others and excelling with ease.

But this ooman…is different. I'm sure not even her bother would have learned so quickly.

"Awesome!"

Noise…

I grabbed the little creature before it could run off. I highly doubted the girl would be able to get this close again, not even if she tried her hardest.

"Aw, it's so cute!" she began to swoon over the rodent. Honestly, I didn't see what all the fuss was about, but even so. I decided to test her a bit more.

I motioned the creature closer to her, it took her a second, but she understood my message.

"Hold it tightly and don't let go," I instructed.

She nodded eagerly.

The moment I let go she was already struggling to keep it in her grasp, in the next moment I cupped her hands in mine, stopping any further danger of it escaping. I also made sure that I did not harm her with my claws.

"Aww…"

It's amazing how she forgets all her efforts when she finally has him set still.

We stayed immobile for several seconds as she basked in the fruits of her labors. I watched her, as I had no real interest in the specimen, her eyes gave off a light shine. It intrigued me how she could appear to be so thrilled when she usually seems so uninterested in the world. The young ooman always speak witch such disdain when it comes to topics like her elder brother, yet know it is as if she hadn't any troubles at all.

The young one lowered her hand to the ground, apparently to let the creature free. I was skeptical at this decision, seeing as it took her so long to achieve her goal…

She looked up at me when she noticed that I still hadn't let go, as it was ultimately up to me to set the animal free.

"Um…you can let go know," she said in her shy(and rather odd)way, "It's okay, I don't wanna keep it or anything…"

Alright then, if she wants to throw away her efforts.

The little creature scurried off. The young ooman let out a soft sort of laugh, though it was playful and it reminded me of her singing…

She surprised me next by taking hold of my talon. She did it so swiftly, so naturally that I had no time to react. She then flipped it over, again without a moments hesitation, with her other hand I felt her soft fingers trail easy lines across my palm. I nearly froze at the contact. It was so causal, so carefree…

Again I found myself entranced by the view of her gaze. Her eyes where so observant, so keen on gathering every detail. As before. The memory caused my breathing to become irregular. I at least thanked the gods that that feeling of panic did not return. But even still…

Again, the feeling of her eyes provoked something in me. That same strangeness, that feeling of silent praise I felt as she looked and touched…

And again, without my full consent I began to purr.

"Thanks for teaching me," she looked up suddenly and I gathered all my strength not to look off put.

I nodded stiffly at her and see stood up, completely oblivious to what she had just done.

I scowled at myself. Now I was giving her to much credit, she is just an ooman, she can never have so much power over me. Oomans have no power over Yautja.

With this in mind I stood up and thought no more of it.

"Maybe next you'll teach me to land on my feet?"

000

For the record, I should've stopped the very second she started screaming when I placed her on top of one of the trees.

"NO! STOP IT! I DON'T WANNA DO THIS ANYMORE! NO! PLEASE! NOOOOOOO! AH! AAAAAAAH!"

But I was enjoying hearing her wails to much to stop.

"The point is to land on you're feet," I said looking down at her.

She in turn, gave me a glare. "Yeah…well…whatever!" The young ooman carefully placed both her feet on the ground after her twelfth fall "I mean not everyone has cat like reflexes…"

I was tempted to lift her up and place her on one of the branches again.

The young ooman looked up to the sky, "It must be pretty late right now…"

"We've been out a long time."

"Yeah…"

"Do you think that 'party' is over by now?"

She shook her head with a grimaced, "Probably not…"

She yawned.

"You are tired, we should go back," I said, before displaying what these Oomans call a 'smirk', "and if they are still going on, I might be able to make them stop…"

The young ooman let out one of her sing-like laughs, "Please don't," she said as she took steps towards me, "I can pretty much sleep through everything, so don't worry about me."

So be it.

We started walking.

"Will you be okay with it though?" she asked, genuine concern in her voice.

"I'm fine as long as you are," I responded simply. Surely if a small ooman can handle it, so can I.

There was a strong gust of wind and the young one began to frantically rub her shoulders, most likely to produce heat.

"You are cold, young ooman?"

"I'll make it to the house." confidant little ooman.

"It's Sophie, by the way."

I slowed in my pace.

A name. Her name. By her tone of voice it was more than obvious she would no longer accept my terms of Ooman or young ooman. Then again…it was purely my choice whether to comply in her wishes.

Though I had given my name, expecting them to use it, and now she only expects me to give her the same type of courtesy. I've never heard a Yautja address an Ooman using it's own name.

"Sophie."

Never before had a word come out so naturally from me.

(The Girl Named Sophie)

I had finally managed to wire a message to my home planet. Back home it was perfectly natural for Yautja to die and never return, no matter their rank, I had to send them some proof of my existence before my name became nothing more than a memory.

And it had worked this morning, fancy Taak's instructions actually being of use to me, if only for one thing. Speaking of the lunatic I regrettably call friend, he was not the one I talked to when my message finally got through. So much for veiling for my return, I'll be sure to point this out when I get back.

But getting back to my message being received, after I had given my name, rank, and status they asked for me to prepare for a live transmission. It was surprising since I had believed that all I had to give out was my information to confirm that I was still alive. At least, that was what I had heard from others who had to call in when they took to long on a mission. But I had no reason to argue.

I quickly set up for contact.

"Hey, what's up?"

The sound of Sophie's voice directed me to glance at her before responding, "I managed to send a message to the communications bureau and I received one this morning telling me to set up for visual contact."

"Your gonna talk to someone back at your planet?"

I nod.

"That's awesome!" she walked up to me in awe, "Need any help?"

"No, I'm set."

"Can I stay?"

I pondered on it a moment, "If you want to."

"Cool!" she nearly jumped, "So who are you gonna talk to?"

"I honestly have no idea."

The screen would not focus for various seconds, there was static and I could not make out anything other then mechanical dysfunctions. I could discern some form of life after a while, but nothing I could firmly grasp before there was more static. Until…

"ZALES?"

The screen finally cleared.

"ZALES! Ohmigosh! It's Zales! Zales!" she shook my arm as I stared wide-eyed at her reaction. Never before had I seen her so animated, she was practically ecstatic, "Krone, it's Zales!" she looked back at the screen, at the Elder, as if he weren't someone to be feared, "Hi, Zales!"

What further added to my surprise was that the Elder himself returned her sentiments.

"Sophie!" the Elder laughed, "It's been so long!"

"It's great to see you again, Zales!"

"It's a pleasure to see you again to, Sophie," he leaned forward on his throne chair, his face came closer to the screen, "You've grown so much! It seems like only yesterday that you barely reached my knees!"

Sophie was smiling at him as if he were a close relative.

"I left something in the kitchen, so I gotta go," she said before bowing ever so slightly, "It was super great seeing you again, Zales, I missed you so much!"

"As have I, young one," he leaned back into his throne, "Now don't mind me, go do what you must, it was truly a pleasure to see you still so lively as you were last I left."

"Bye!"

With that, I watched as Sophie cheerily turned and exited the room.

Had I just witnessed what I just though I witnessed?

"Krone."

I quickly became at attention, attention that should have not been deterred in the first place but I had no time for that now. I kneeled before him in outmost respect, bowing my head.

"Elder."

"I received news of your transmission and decided to greet you personally."

His tone is stiff with authority, as it should be. Nothing like how he was conversing with Sophie only seconds before.

"I am honored by your consideration, Elder."

"As is expected."

It was true. For an Elder to bother himself with contacting a Yuatja, regardless of him being Honored or not, it was truly something to be grateful for. Although my view on my race is lacking, I do recognize the privilege this is.

"We thought you were dead."

The Elder's words pulled me from my thoughts. The tone of his voice…it seemed to hold something, and he wanted me to take notice of it.

"As you can see yourself, Elder, I am not."

"Clearly."

There it was. A small yet heavy dose of malice.

"When do you calculate your return?"

C'jit. I had no solid answer, instead I decided to chance it, "Repairs are going well."

There was silence.

"…I see."

He was not happy. idiot, of course he isn't. I was partially bothered about how much I had just sounded like Sophie.

"Krone, we will be expecting your return, whenever that may be. For now I bid you farewell."

The transmission ended with that.

A sluggish feeling washed over me as I could not believe how badly that went. I should have been completely prepared for this, it would not be the first time I ever talked to an Elder, I sounded worse than a ignorant Young Blood.

I grimaced at my pathetic display, I'm sure that given the factors of my conversation with him Sophie would say that I had "completely blown it" as she so casually labels every time she fears she had done badly on a test.

With a sigh I started to gather my equipment. There was no point in dwelling on it, nothing could be done now.

The transmission took most of the energy I had managed to supply to my ship, meaning I wouldn't be able to repeat my mistake. At least that was one way to see good news.

"You all done?"

It had not nearly been ten minutes and already Sophie's soft voice returned.

I nodded.

"Need any help?"

I looked for something she could do, "Get that cord over there…" it seemed light enough, surely she could carry it without any complications.

Seconds later there was a loud crash, one that promised that something was broken(something I most likely fixed).

Sophie's voice interrupted the silence, "Well, you didn't tell me to be careful…"

I sighed.

"So…" she said, slightly moving herself apart from the ship, as if that would also get the conversation to stay elsewhere as well, "will you be able to talk to Zales a lot now?"

"I'm almost completely sure you broke the only form of communication, so, no."

I tried not to smile as she frowned in sadness, "Sorry…"

"Don't be, my ship still doesn't have enough power for constant contact anyway."

Instantly, Sophie put her hands on her hips in mock-anger, "Hey! You made me feel bad on purpose!"

A chuckle.

Which she returned by sticking her tongue out at me, "Jerk!"

Having had my fun, I walked passed her in order to sit down next to my ship, shortly after she placed herself next to me.

I watched her briefly, playing back her care-free conversation with the Elder in my mind. Compared to the way he had talked to her, one could say that the Elder completely despised all other form of life.

"I didn't know the Elder was so fond of you…"

"Zales? Yeah, he's super cool!" She giggled lightly, and I can't stop myself from being surprised with how song-like and natural she always sounds when she does it, "He used to say, 'Sophie, if I ever get irritated at this planet and decide to take it over, you'd be the only ooman left free'" she continued, "and I was like, 'Along with my Mommy and Daddy too, right, Zalesies? Cuz you know I can't live without them!' and he'd be like 'Very well, they too will survive for your sake' and I'd be like 'yays!' and he'd start laughing!"

A laugh escaped me, "Zalesies?" I could hardly believe it.

"I was six!" she said in her defense, barely hiding her own laughter from behind her hand "And I still can't pronounce his name!"

I shook my head in disbelief, "I've never heard anyone address the Elder in the same manner you do…"

She shrugged, "Maybe I'm just special…"

I looked at her, both her words and something in her grey coated eyes touched something in my that I can never be sure was ever there in the first place.

"Indeed."

Upon hearing my words her face became red(I also notice that she does this often when I say certain things), "Ah, c'mon, don't take me so seriously!" she said dismissively as she also scratched the back of her head nervously, "I was just joking…"

"I wasn't."

The words just came out naturally, easily. This happens so often whenever she is near, whenever we converse, it is so new to me yet at the same time I feel as if it is perfectly okay.

She half smiles and then as she hugs her thin knees. No one said anything.

This girl is such a wonder to me sometimes. She is always thinking so many things at once that you can easily tell when she is doing so. At least, that is what it is like for me. I wondered about how is it that she could be so alone all the time when she is so lively and clever when she is around me? The thought of it baffled me, there was nothing remotely close to wrong with her that would cause her to be so isolated from the rest of the world. She was…amazing. Special.

Yes. This girl named Sophie…was special.

As I was in my own little world, I had not noticed how tightly she had been holding her knees until now.

"What's wrong?" I asked. Her expression was sad, and just seconds ago she was telling me such a humorous story. What is with her that makes her mood change so constantly?

"Nothing…" an obvious lie but there was nothing I could do, "um…thanks…"

"For what?"

"For calling me special," she finally looked up at me again, but her eyes shone with a sort of feeling that I had never seen before.

"No one's ever called me that…" she finished, a small smile playing on her rose tinted lips.

A smile also played on mine.

"It's the truth."

She gave me a playful punch.

"Stop it! You're embarrassing me!"

No matter how many times her mood and expressions change, it is when Sophie smiles that I feel like there is something worth living for in the world.

In fact…the simple utter of her name makes that perfectly apparent to me.

Sophie.

000

"You didn't have your glasses back then."

Sophie was showing me her families "photo album" which had various pictures taken of her when she was young. It was safe to say that she was completely adorable.

"Yeah, it's something I inherited later…" She flipped though the thin pages, "That's my birthday party, and this one is when I fell off my bike, my mom wanted to keep the image of me suffering for the first time."

The next page caught both of us by surprise. It was of her and her…brother. They were on the floor, smiling in pure happiness, from this picture you would never imagine them bickering as they do now.

"You look like you're enjoying yourself," was all I could say. The image seemed unfathomable.

"Yeah…" her tone voiced my disbelief.

She then shook her head and stared at the picture once more, this time with knit eyebrows, "but I bet he's just torturing me."

"Why would you say that?"

"There's a point when your tickling someone when it no longer brings joy," she said in a very sure tone.

"So, even though you look fine, you're not?"

"Yep," she nods, "It's all a rouse."

"I see…" I eyed the picture and then looked skeptically at her, "And you're sure about this?"

She crossed her arms and turned towards me, her face with mischievous glee, "You sound like you've never been tickled before."

"I have not."

"Oh, really…" at this she lifted her hands with obvious malicious intent.

"What are you doing…?"

"I," She began to stalk closer to me, " am gonna see if you have a tickle spot!"

…what?

I inched away, "You just said it was a form of torture." torture is not good.

"Not if you want to be tickled!"

"I don't want to be tickled."

"Oh, c'mon!" She huffed, "Don't tell me a mighty warrior Yautja is afraid of being tickled!"

…

…

…

…

…did she just…?

I smirked. Oh, she would pay for that one…

"Or perhaps I should tickle you instead…" I said, this time it was I who got closer to her.

Sophie began to back away, "You wouldn't…"

Oh, I would…

"Krone, don't you dare!"

To late for that.

"Ah! No! Krone, keep your hands to yourself!"

She looked as if she was a defenseless creature and I the hunter that would finally do her in. Just as I want her to feel.

I was going to enjoy this…

"Krone! I swear if you even…"

She gave up on her sentence. She was fast in trying to get up and make a run for it, I'd give her that.

But she wasn't fast enough.

"Noooo! Krone!"

Sophie's laughter fell through the air as I started to "tickle" her.

"No! Krone! Stop it! Stop! No!"

She tried turning away from me, but there was no way I would let her escape me.

"Krone! Stop it!"

Her tone of voice told me otherwise.

Her laughter continued, it danced though the wind it seemed and the very sound of it was like nothing I had ever heard before. The sincerity, the purity, I've never heard her so happy. The way her smile shone, the slight flush in her cheeks, everything…Just by watching her…

I started to laugh as well.

It felt so good, to laugh, to just let go and enjoy this. It was relief that I never knew existed. All my life living cynically, even when I received the highest honor I had ever gotten up until now I still felt nothing. To me it seemed so hollow, so meaningless. It meant I was a better killer than anyone else before me.

But this.

This was worth more than any of that.

It was a form of bliss, true blessing. I felt a weight in my chest leave me as I laughed with her, with Sophie, and it was amazing. Sophie was amazing.

We stopped.

At one point or another Sophie had wrapped her arms around my neck, I could feel her chest heave in and out as she struggled to control her breathing. We were both still trying to surprises out short laughs. I never remembered Sophie being so harm around me.

I gazed into her grey colored eyes, they were more than it's name would suggest. They were fascinating. They held a form of mystic smoke about them, her eyes pulled me into her world and I gladly became lost in it. By now our breathing has slowed down, in fact the rise and fall of our chests complimented each other perfectly. As if they were one. She was comfortable, I knew this because I measured how much weight I put on her, careful not to harm her. I'd never harm her. Again I found myself giving her a gentleness that I thought myself incapable of. Though with her it is as if I am capable of doing so many things, things I never dreamed of, like now. I felt as if I could believe just about anything she would happen to tell me at the moment, never minded if it was ridiculous or not, I would just believe her.

It was strange. It's almost like she's thinking the same thing.

"Am I interrupting something?"

My head snaps up and I see the blond male glaring down at us as he stands by the door.

"Josh?"

By this time I noticed that we are not in the ideal position. I quickly get off her so she could sit herself up, a weary feeling washing over me after I ponder on how cold it feels compared to how it was when I was so close to her.

"Sophie."

My attention is turned towards the male one. I don't appreciate his stiff tone with her, I like it even less than when he is yelling. He doesn't have a right to address her that way.

"What is it, what do you what?"

His eyes narrowed. "Pizza's here…"

"Okay…I'll be right out…"

He left without an other word. I felt my claws twitch as I thought about how some discipline would suit him and his arrogance.

I barely heard what Sophie muttered before she gave me a light push, fully grasping my attention to her again. She had her lips pursed slightly as she looked up at me, "How come you didn't detect Mr. Bad Vibes before he killed the mood?"

At this I let out a chuckled. "The mood?"

"Yeah the mood!" she got on her knees as if in severe protest, "He totally ruined it with his 'hate all things happy' aura!"

Another spell of laughs escaped from me and it took a shaking from Sophie to get me to take control of myself again, "I suppose," I said, turning towards her and staring again at her inviting eyes, "I was just having to much fun."

She wrapped her arms around me.

I froze instantly, not knowing what to do or how to react to the sudden contact.

"Sophie…what are…"

"I'm hugging you."

Hug? Was that what this was? I felt some of the warmness come back but it wasn't as nice as last time, it made me feel uncomfortable. "…Why…?"

"Because I'm happy," She let go(and I regretted feeling uncomfortable, finding that it was actually nice), "You don't mind, do you?"

I shook my head.

"Good," she repeated her previous action, "I don't hug people often."

I smiled, "I feel special." A joke, really.

"That's cuz you are."

I again found myself at a loss at her words. I was only jesting before and yet…

Before I could take any form of action she let go of me again, "I'm gonna go out before Josh eats everything."

I watched Sophie's back as she walked away, each step she took a light jump and her ponytail flowed in the wind. I pondered on how different she acted around me now, compared to how shy and scared she was at first, now it is as if that had never existed between us.

It almost made me feel like nothing could go wrong.

How wrong I was.

It would be three days until I saw her again, and all my real troubles would arrive.

(The Three Days)

I didn't…feel right.

Sophie didn't act right the last time she was here, she…

Ugh, I should be focusing on my ship. But it would seems the more I tried to focus on it the less I could concentrate. I was irritated. Angry. Why wasn't Sophie coming? She usually visits around this time…

I growled. I almost sounded dependant on her…

On her smile…her light chatter…the way she bounces a little when she walks towards me…small things like that always seems to calm my mood.

I notice that I'm not as upset as before.

She could be off doing whatever small Oomans like her do…

For some reason, I didn't like that thought one bit. Sophie didn't seem to like what a regular Ooman would, in fact, she wasn't a regular Ooman at all. She was…

Paya, where is she?

I couldn't stand the anxiety anymore.

Without giving it a second thought I walked out of my domain and into the home of Sophie. She had to be around somewhere, surely, I noticed her brother idling in the kitchen but I paid him no mind. I was here only for Sophie. I searched the area that had the TV but there was no sign of her, I moved elsewhere but I still could not find her.

"Loose something?"

That irritable Ooman…I spared him a glance before turning away. He was probably enjoying how lost I looked. Still, perhaps he knew of Sophie's whereabouts. It was better than mindlessly searching.

"Where is Sophie?" I asked, turning again to his direction.

The grin he had been harboring disappeared instantly as he lowered the food he had been eating, "What's it to you?"

I grimaced. His attempt at a sharp tone was pathetic, as if he had any amount of authority, I knew it would be a waste to ask him.

"Well?"

Perhaps Sophie was just working. She often talked about all the studying she had to do. Yes, perhaps she is just busy…Maybe I should go and talk to her like she does with me.

"Hey-"

"Is she in her room?"

There was silence as I watched his eyes narrow, "She went out."

Out? Sophie hardly has a reason to leave her home.

She's just gone out to shop…I think, mostly as if to reassure myself. I shake the thought off, not liking the feeling it brought.

"When will she return?"

He turned while also dropping what he was eating, "Dunno, she left hours ago…"

I disliked talking to him as much as he did me, but I had to know where she was.

"Where did she go?"

She went shopping. I don't know that.

The second thought seemed far worse than the former, I liked it even less.

My thoughts were deterred by the sound of metal falling to the floor. It was the male Ooman, naturally, trying to appear intimidating, "Not sure," his tone was rising by the second.

But it's what he said next that struck a chord with me.

"She's probably out getting herself laid for all I freakin care!"

I felt the pulse in my hands as I clenched my claws together, just barely fighting the urge to rip him to shreds. Oh, but I wanted to, his insolence was finally wearing my patience.

He turned and I glared.

"What?"

What? As if he had the right to say that. As if he had the right to say anything. Speaking about her as if…as if she were a…

A Lou-dte Kalei.

I cursed inwardly, the thought doing nothing to calm me down. Sophie wasn't like that, she was…

She just wasn't like that!

"Got something to say, say it Yautja,"

"Where is Sophie."

"Already told you, Yautja, she's probably out getting-"

"Don't speak about her that way."

"I can speak about her however I like."

"Take it back"

"Make me."

I growled. Make him, I would make him if he uttered one more word, one more insulting her the way he had. As if she were nothing but a child maker. The rage in me increased. The thought of it, it creased me, Sophie was above all the males in this pathetic planet!

"What the fuck is it to you who she f-"

I roar on instinct, little noticing the small table next to me and nearly destroying it in my rage. When I look back to where that godforsaken ooman had been I discover he had already fled. Coward.

As much as I wanted to teach him discipline I still did not know where Sophie was and I refused to believe in the answer her brother had given.

I looked towards the fallen table and come up with an idea. Surely, Sophie might come across it and she would need to get tools in order to fix it(her pathetic excuse for a brother wouldn't dare get near me, let alone after this). Then I would see her, and get my answers.

000

She's ignoring me.

I could barely bring myself to believe it when she came in, how she flinched at the sight of me was like a slap in the face. Why would she had reason to fear me? I had done nothing to her!

The heat in me rose as she continued to act as if I did not exist. Fine. If this is how she wanted things, fine. I had thought in advance and all tools she would need to fix her table were near me. She would have to face me and she would have to give me my answers.

I hear her sigh and by this time I know she has already seen the tools at my side.

I hadn't yet to even look at her. I felt betrayed by her actions, angry at her indifference…and confused. What in Paya's name had I done that was so bad?

She came near me. I expected her to speak to me, to at least glance at me, but no. She deliberately forced herself not to, I could tell. She wanted me not to exist.

Well I would not have it.

I grabbed her forcefully by her shoulders and held in firmly in place in front of me.

"What's wrong with you?"

She looked away, "What are you talking about?"

"Something is bothering you."

"Nothings bothering me."

I clenched at her shoulders.

"Owe!" she began to struggle, "Let go!"

"Not until you tell me."

"Tell you what?"

Another clench. "Krone!"

"Tell me."

"What makes you think something's wrong with me in the first place?"

The anger rose in me again. The heat in her eyes, I couldn't understand it and I did not want it either.

"You haven't been here for three days, and the last time you were you acted strange, just a minute ago you were trying to avoid me, and now you're angry at me!"

All the while I was saying this she did not stop trying to free herself from me. As if she hated being around me, as if she did not want to be around me.

It hurt.

"That doesn't mean anything!"

I flinched at her words.

"My world doesn't revolve around you, Krone, it doesn't matter if I come here or not!"

Yes it hurt. I realized that. That feeling of anger mixed with confusion…it was hurt.

"I have better things to do!"

I let go.

Sophie quickly grabbed the drill that had been next to me and she stood there. I stood staring down at her, wanting to know why in Paya's name I had to feel hurt at her words. Why did I have to care whether she was around me?

And what had I done that was so cruel that made her act this way towards me?

"I thought I was important to you."

When she looked up at me again, I saw streams of tears running down her face.

"Stupid!"

She cried in anger and before I knew it she had her arms wrapped around my torso.

"Of course you're important to me! You're super important to me!"

I froze.

"You're my best friend! You're my only friend, Krone!"

She began to shake uncontrollably,

"And if you go I'm gonna be alone again!"

Sophie…

"And…and I don't that to happen! I'll miss you!"

Sophie…

"I don't want you to go!"

Stop.

I wrapped my arms around her, returning her embrace, not wanting her to cry anymore. Never wanting her to cry anymore. She went on and on but even still I did not let go. I would not let her go, not until she stopped crying.

Different thoughts ran through my mind as I held her. I would have never expected her to feel so strongly about me leaving. I admit that even though I worked tirelessly at repairing my ship, I had almost forgotten about returning at all. The concept of it seemed foreign to me. I felt alarmed by this and at the same time stupid for letting it slip. That was the only reason I was here, after all.

Yet here was Sophie. Crying at the thought of me leaving her. Guilt and remorse felt to little a punishment for her fallen tears.

I stoked the back of her head, on instinct really, feeling how soft her golden locks felt under my talons. I never had her so close to me before. I've never held someone so closely before.

I gently lifted her face, wiping the remaining tears and readjusting her blue trimmed glasses.

"Your face is red."

"Uh-huh…"

"Sophie…" I stoked her delicate tear streaked cheek, "I'm sorry…I…"

"No, it's okay," she said even though I could see the sadness in her eyes, "I understand you want to go back home…it's just…I'll miss you is all…"

"I…"

"No, really," she shook her head, "you don't have to say anything, I don't want you to feel bad."

She was the one who had been hurt first, I hardly found logic in her caring more for my feelings than for hers.

I watched as she tried to get rid of any trace of her tears, "Sorry I acted so weird, I promise it won't happen again."

"Sophie…" What was is that I was struggling to say?

"No, no, really it was completely my fault. Um…I…I know, I'll just get my pad and come back here like always, okay?"

She took a step back, but I did not want anything like that. Before she could do anything else I held her close to me again.

"Krone-?"

"I…" I held her tighter, "I will miss you too, Sophie. I'll miss you…very much, you're very important to me. I don't…"

It was my fault she was crying in the first place, I hadn't even thought about my leaving affecting her. But why would it affect her? Why would it affect me? Why does it affect me? It's true what I said, I would miss her. Just thinking about it was something…almost unbearable. I felt as if I were to lose something if I did leave, I've never even thought about this until know.

But what does that mean?

"Krone?"

"…Yes?"

"Thanks…for being my friend," she looked up at me with a soft smile on her lips, "And because we're friends, even though we're away from each other we'll still be friends, okay?"

She held up her pinkie, "Look, we'll promise on it."

Sensing my confusion, she smiled and took hold of my talon, trailing her frail fingers over each one until she picked out the smallest. She wrapped it alongside hers.

"There," she said in satisfaction, "it's a pinkie swear."

"A pact then?"

"Yep."

I stared at our symbol of promise. How her hand contrasted with my own and yet…it felt so right.

"Sophie," I ran my claws into her soft hair, "Thank you…"

"Friends?"

Friends. I thought briefly about it and found there was no reason for me to refuse or deny this. In fact, I did not even try to.

"Friends."

000

If only that would have been the end to that night.

"Stop it, Josh!"

"Stop what? Telling the truth?"

"Stop it!"

That damnable Ooman, the minute he saw us he began barking worse than a dog. As he raised his voice my anger rose itself as well, it took everything in me not to attack him but even now that train of thought is beginning to fade.

"You've grown real full of yourself since you got that bodyguard of yours, you now that Sophie?"

"Well maybe it's comforting for me to know that I have someone who isn't always calling me names or trying to put me down, Josh!"

"It also helps that he tries to kill me-"

"He did NOT TRY TO KILL YOU!"

"YES HE DID!"

"I believe Krone a thousand time more than I will EVER believe in you, Josh!"

He shoved her back.

That was the last straw.

I growled and immediately stood behind her, ready to protect her. I had enough of not getting involved in their quarrels out of respect, he had no respect for her! I would not let him lay another finger on her, I'd be damned before letting that happen.

"Why don't you tell your precious Yautja to cut my head off now, Sophie?"

"Shut up, Josh!"

It was in that moment that that accursed Ooman made the worst mistake of his entire life. I saw how he rose his hand, I saw the look in his eyes as he did so, I did not however let him achieve his goal.

I would rather die then let him touch my Sophie.

I roared, clenching at his wrist, wishing I could snap it in two. He dared to try and hit her, this pathetic little insect had dared to try and touch her. He had the audacity to try and harm her while I was with her!

"Krone!" Sophie began pulling at my arm, but I would not let go of him, not yet, not until he learned, "Stop! Stop it, Krone, please!"

"Damnit, SOPHIE!"

Another roar escaped me. He had no right to say her name, he had no right to even speak to her! I threw him back with force, his body colliding with a wall.

"Krone!"

I was not done with him, I was no where near done with him. He had to pay for his insolence, pay for what he had tried to do. I would make sure he would never even think about doing her harm ever again.

"Krone, stop, calm down, Krone!" She held me back. I had no wish to harm her, it was him who I wanted to kill. It was him who deserved it! "Krone, please!"

He even tried to get up, to run away from his well deserved punishment, but with one hiss he backed down pathetically.

"Josh, stop! Krone, calm down!"

Why did she continue to try and protect him? "Krone, look at me! Look at me! You have to calm down! Krone, please!"

He had tried to harm her, didn't she understand? No, I would not back down, not until I had given him what he deserved for trying to strike her!

She rested her head onto my chest, the movement alone enough to stop any further action from me.

"…please, Krone…please?"

The sound of her voice felt like a wave going through my soul, I couldn't think about denying her. The thought alone seemed crazy. My body relaxed itself, if only a minor degree.

I looked down at her small, shaking form. She was like this because of me, scared because of me. I had acted completely savage and in doing so I hadn't thought about her.

"Krone…"

Her brother took the opportunity to escape, leaving her alone with me.

I wanted to apologize, to hold her again, but she went away to another part of the kitchen and began pulling a small metal container.

She wasn't well. She was shaken and I knew she couldn't keep a complete thought together. I felt the guilt wash over me again. I had just wanted to protect her and yet I only ended up making everything worse.

"Sophie-"

"Why? Why did you do that?"

I flinched at the sharpness of her words.

"Why, Kone? Why-"

"He was going to-"

"I know! I know!" she pulled her hair back in exasperation, "God!"

"Sophie-"

"Why did you have to throw him?"

"I would not let him strike you, Sophie!" I growled, "I would rather give up all my honor than to permit it!"

"Krone!"

"I have heard you two bicker endlessly since I got here," I went on, "he has done nothing but disrespect you! I refuse to let him to that anymore!"

"But, Krone-"

"Sophie," I turned her around, determined to make her see that I had only wished to help her, "I have seen many despicable and horrid things, but you-the way he treated you-I refuse to let continue! I'd rather die than let him continue to do this!"

"You threw him!"

"He needed to be taught a lesson!"

"But I-"

"Sophie, believe me when I say I would do the same thing a hundred times over," I said as I took by her shoulders, "I will not let him disrespect you again!"

"I know! Just don't yell at me!" She cried, and instead of further retaliation, she hugged me, "Stupid! Yelling at me after all the drama that just happened!"

It pained me for every tear that fell from her, I hadn't wished for this and I needed her to know that. I couldn't bare the thought of her hating me over this.

"Sophie…"

"Promise me you won't do it again!" she demanded as she looked up at me again, seriousness in her smoke colored eyes, "Promise me, Krone! You can growl at him, roar, but just don't do that again! Please!"

"Sophie-"

"Promise!"

Again, I couldn't find it in me to deny her. Even though I found no solid logic in her request I still could not look her in the eye and tell her no. I felt as if I had no right to. Not after what I had made her go through, she deserved everything she could ask of me.

I would've given her anything.

"Very well," I submitted to her, "I will not harm your brother…but if he ever crosses the line again I won't hesitate, Sophie."

Just let me hold you again…

As if she heard my silent plea, she laid her head on my chest and let me embrace her again. A shiver passed though me as I felt her near me, like a drug. It wasn't until this moment that I realized how perfectly she fit next to me.

It wasn't until this moment that I realized that I'd give everything to continue to hold her.

Since the first time I had her so close to me, I always wanted to have her close.

Not even I could have seen how dangerous this feeling would be.

000

"Feel better?"

I had taken Sophie back to her room. It was understandable that she wasn't feeling well, and I only wished for her to feel at ease.

She nodded before calling to me, "Krone?"

"Yes?"

"Did you…really kick the dinning table?"

I was afraid she'd ask me that.

"…Yes."

"For real?"

I nodded.

"…Why?"

My eyes lowered, "To be honest, I was a bit agitated…" I began, recalling the events of the day, "my repairs weren't going so well today and…"

And I wanted you around me. I missed you, I didn't feel comfortable without you near, you're visits are something I've come to depend on. I need…

I stopped myself, almost shocked when I found that I wanted to tell her all those things, to get her to never leave me that way again.

"And?" her voice cut into my whirling thoughts.

"Nothing," I said quickly as I looked away. These thoughts, why do they always become present with her? Even when we had first met she was somehow to pull them from me, thoughts that I had buried deep within myself.

"You broke the dinning table because of nothing?"

I had to tell her something.

"I asked your…brother were you were," I told her, deciding it was better to confess at least one of the main reasons for my actions, "I didn't appreciate his answer."

"What he say?"

"It's not so much what he said," I looked at her, "It was the way he said it that…"

Angered me, enraged me, caused me to want to strangle him.

"Pissed you off?"

Or that. "If that's how you say it."

I watched as she hugged her knees, not in anger but in curiosity, "You didn't tell me you did it when I talked about it."

"I didn't want you to be angry with me."

I had to admit even I thought that a poor excuse. Imagine me, an Honored Blood Yautja, afraid of a little Ooman such as herself being angry at me. Ridiculous or no, however, it was the truth but I still expected a full scolding from her for not telling her at first.

To my surprise she wrapped her arms around my broad neck, "Thanks for defending me, Krone."

I stood immobile for mere seconds before placing a talon along her back and returning her kind embrace.

"You're welcome."

She let go, "We'll watch that movie some other time, okay?"

I nodded, "I look forward to it."

"It's a date then."

I froze.

"A…a date?"

"Yep," she nodded as she lay herself down on her bed, as if everything were completely okay. It was only after she noticed my staring at her that she seemed confused, "What's wrong?"

Wrong? I would've blurted it out if I had not stopped myself.

It took effort, but I managed to drive the conversation away from whatever she thought was wrong with me, though my thoughts still persisted long after she had fallen asleep.

Date.

She had once told me that a 'date' for her people was an evaluation for possible mates. Why would she-why did she…? If that where true then-Paya-what-?

I growled at myself, what was I thinking? There was no way that Sophie…I was just confusing myself. On instinct I turned my head to look at the girl in question.

I was still in her room, veiling over her sleep. She looked so peaceful now, but I could still see the streaks of tears tainting her angelic face. Yes…she must have just slipped when she said 'date' and hadn't realized. There was no way she could have meant it the way I thought she had. Sophie…would never, it was ridiculous to even think it. She knew better, I knew better, the thought of it was absurd.

But then…why did I feel a pang of regret?

I pushed that feeling aside immediately. What regret? There was no reason for me to feel such a thing. After all, only tonight had we established our friendship, that was more than enough.

Friends.

We were friends nothing more.

Paya only knew why I had to remind myself of that…

When it should have already been perfectly clear.

(Date?)

"Josh is gone for the entire day!"

The sound of Sophie's voice barely made it to my ears. Seconds before she had rapidly hugged me from behind and then she easily swung herself around to face me. I would've found this praise-worthy if not for the fact that I could feel her bare legs next to mine. She was barely clothed today, and I notice how apart from her short trousers, aside from a thin jacket she was wearing all she had on was a very thin piece of clothing across her chest. One that let me feel her skin more than I was supposed to. I nearly growled at the fact that I had even noticed all these things.

Not only that, she was dangerously close to my groin and I found it took all my effort not to push her off(what scared me more was that it took more than my effort to stop me from pulling her even closer).

I nearly choked from the thought. "Pardon?"

"Josh is gone!" she said, completely oblivious about how much I wanted her to get off me, "gone for the whole day!"

"And…" I willed myself to stop thinking about how easy it would be to move my talons along her legs, "what does that mean?"

"Duh! We have the house all to ourselves!"

House to ourselves? "I don't…" want to touch her that way, I don't want to touch her that way…

C'jit! Stop it, what are you thinking, Krone?

"Look, I have it all planned out. A day vacation! No homework, no chores, non of the usual stuff and no working!"

"But, Sophie, I-"

"No, no, no!" She shook a demanding finger at me, "No buts! It's gonna be nothing but fun today, got it?"

I would've objected but at the very instance she adjusted herself, the simple movement causing something in me to ache.

"Besides," she said so sweetly that I was almost thrown into a spell, "you still owe me that date, remember?"

Date?

Before my mind could even protest she was already pulling me up, "C'mon! we're going to the kitchen to eat our stomachs out!"

000

"I mean it, you look possessed…"

I was currently staring down at my small companion as she continued to throw herself into a heap laughter.

"Sorry," she repeated for the fifth time, "It's just…I'm happy. Josh is gone so…I want today to be super special." she tiled her head with a soft smile.

"…Special?"

"Mm-hmm," She nodded and her voice became soft and sweet, "I don't get happy often, you know."

Happy.

Sophie only gets happy with me.

A smile crept it's way to my face, "You still look possessed."

Her smile became just as mischievous as mine, "But it's a good kind of possessed."

I nodded.

She jumped slightly, already perked up again, "So what do you wanna do next?"

"Lets…" I paused a moment, "go to the park."

000

We were at the familiar woods. The morning added a slight eerie to the already dead trees, but that did little to stop Sophie's mood. Once she heard that I had ceased to go from tree to tree to walk behind her, she turned and eagerly took hold of my semi-invisible hand.

"C'mon! C'mon!" she said as she pulled me along with her, "I want to show you to the lake!"

She let go and ran off ahead.

After three minutes of her looking at various branches to try to figure out where she was, we finally made it to our destination.

"Ta-da!"

A pool of clear, pure, shining water rested peacefully at the center of a circle of sickly trees acting as a sort of wall protecting it, blocking it from the rest of the world. I deactivated my cloaking device in order to show her that I made it, though I stayed close to the shadows of the trees.

"Like it?" Sophie asked, a hopeful grin on her face.

I nodded in amusement, "I'm beginning to think that I wasn't the first Yautja to teach you about hunting, Sophie."

Her expression became that of confusion, "Why would you say that?"

I shook my head. Sophie obviously had no idea that she had been using simple land-marking techniques in order to find this lake. Not only that, she was also able to see me when I was cloaked, not many people can see the gleams our cloaks make, they would need to be paying extensive attention.

Speaking of which, I cloaked myself again before continuing onward.

We stayed sitting by the lake for nearly an hour. Sophie had quickly brought out her art pad once she had a good look of the scenery in front of her. It amazed me as I watched her get to work. It had begun with only a few simple and light lines and yet it quickly became a work of art. She mirrored the gloss of the water perfectly, the shimmer of sun's rays, and not only that, she mastered to copy the serenity of the place to perfection.

"It's magnificent…" I said as she finished her portrait(I had not dared to utter a word before, fearing to break her concentration).

"The lake?" she asked nonchalantly.

"You're drawing."

At this I saw her smile, a tone of red gracing her smooth face.

"You can tell if someone's coming can't you?" she asked, "it'd be nice to see you while we're out here."

A second later he appeared next to me, peering over my shoulder.

"Much better," she said in satisfaction and I was more than happy to please her.

"It's nice here."

"Yeah."

"How do you manage to find places like this?"

She shrugged and continued to draw, "I use to get separated a lot when my class went on field trips, way back when I was a kid…I just kept walking until I found this place, I never told anyone about it."

"Not anyone?"

"Well, I told you."

I suddenly remembered the day when I was branded an Honored Blood. I felt little to no amount of grand honor they were bestowing to me, I had nearly roared at Taak for trying to get me to join in my own celebration.

Right now, however, it was a different story. I felt more pride in me than ever, the fact that Sophie had shown me this haven and no one else far exceed any and all titled by a thousand fold.

Back in reality, Sophie had thrown a pebble into the water twice before getting it to skip.

"That's better."

I knew I could easily mimic her accomplishment, though seeing a chance to further impress her I took one for myself and surpassed her record a good number of times.

"Wow…" she breathed in amazement and my vanity seemed to smirk, "Is there anything you can't do?"

I could've gone on and on with a list of things, just for the humor of it, but I had the idea of making her show more of her talent instead.

"I can't sing."

000

"Okay, so before I start screeching like a banshee I just wanna make sure you really do want me to sing to you. I mean really think about it."

I chuckled.

We were back at her house. She had set everything up in her living room, seating me much like an Elder on her coach and bringing a large, black-box like contraption that was supposed to be her radio.

"We don't have any laptops so we have to make due with this," she had said, patting the piece of machinery like a pet(perhaps more than a pet, for I can recall her having a rather large, lazy animal around the house that I had only ever heard her refer to as "the dog").

Back at present I was more than obliged to answer her question.

"I'd love to hear her sing."

She still looked skeptical, "Okay, but don't blame me if your ears start bleeding, because quite frankly I'm no Fiona Apple."

Again I let out a laugh, "There's nothing wrong with your singing, Sophie," I told her truthfully, "As I recall, I have already told you that I enjoy hearing you."

She merely rolled her eyes, "Yeah, sure, but that was like, one time, so that totally doesn't count."

I shook my head.

"Don't say I didn't warn you," she said before finally starting.

Contrary to what she had believed, I did not ask for her to stop, and on her part it did not look like she wanted to either. For a long while she sang to me, each note danced on her lips and rolled off her tongue with such ease that I could do nothing more than to watch her in amazement. It was not as if I wanted to do anything else either, watching her was more than enough for me.

Her display was fit for even the greatest Elder, she even danced to, her body swaying and turning with an elegance that she had never displayed before now. And I found also that the songs she sang all had meaning, meaning I could understand without having to ask. Whether it was because they had been made that way for merely because she was the one singing it was not something I cared for, as long as she continued to play for me.

I also noticed how her eyes shinned a way the haven't before. Furthermore, her eyes were on me, only on me. And mine where on her.

"She's everything to everyoneWish I could've seen it come downBut I heard incorrectlyIt seems everything she knowsIs now five minutes 'till closingThat's not a lot of time when you're nervous…"

She plumped down to the floor, exhausted, "I'll lose my voice if this keeps up."

"I think you're good for one more."

"Well, I'll be happy to sing myself to death for you, You're Highness."

Her sarcasm was received with a chuckle.

"So what's next on the agenda?" I asked.

"Um…" she began, lightly tapping her chin with one of her fingers. After several seconds of deliberation however, her shoulders slumped in defeat, "A short break?"

"A break?" I almost laughed.

"Yeah, a break from our break," she said as she swung her legs over mine as she made her way to the couch(I was aware that she planned to scold me for lazily putting my feet on her furniture later, but for now I relished in my status as emperor), "Until I figure out what to do next…"

She sat down next to me, with her rested on the couch's arm and her knees lifted up for I was taking up the other half of the couch.

"You thirsty?" she asked.

I shook my head.

"Is there anything special you wanna do?"

"I can't think of anything at the moment."

"Nothing?"

Again, I shook my head.

Giving an exasperated sigh, she rested her head on the couch's back.

"Haven't we done enough already?" I asked, humor evident in my voice.

"No way!" she protested immediately, "We still have to do at least one more big thing before Josh comes back!"

I smiled, "I admire your dedication."

"Thanks."

"So, lets think of something then."

"Right, let's see…something we could do…"

Although I did try to think of something, the frustrated look on her face was adorable. I couldn't stop myself from laughing. Sophie didn't take well to laughter.

"Well, at least I'm trying to contribute!" she huffed in displeasure.

I didn't want her scorn so I began to level my laughter and I was about to offer that we simply relax the rest of the day when…

"Wait, I got it!" she said in excitement "We can have a movie marathon!"

I froze the second she uttered the word 'movie'.

"…A movie?"

"Yeah! You still owe me that date remember?"

Date.

"I thought you said this was a vacation…"

She shrugged(why does she always shrug?), "It can be a date to."

"But-"

"I'm gonna make popcorn!"

She left in a rush, leaving alone with my whirling thoughts for the second time that day. This meant that when she had said date the last time she wasn't confused. She knew what she was saying at the time and had meant it.

"Sophie…"

"Yeah?"

Why was she so casual about this? She sounded as if she hadn't a care in the world, as if it were perfectly okay for us to be…on a "date".

"Hey, what's up?"

There she was, unperturbed, normal, innocent or naïve as to way something would be wrong as she sat down next to me (by now having her at an inch's distance was to close)

"You seem out of it, is something wrong?"

I shook my head quickly, "…No, I…"

"You can tell me," she gave me a light touch on my arm before looking up at me with one of her heart-warming smiles.

Our eyes locked. For the life of me I wanted to turn away, leave. I shouldn't be here, with her, under these circumstances, it wasn't right.

And yet, looking into her bewitching eyes, I found myself cast into her spell again. I couldn't say no to her, Paya what was wrong with me? I should be telling her to explain herself, demanding to know why she wanted to "go on a date" with me. Didn't she know that-?

Just then she leaned closer towards me, causing my breath to hitch, nearly stopping it completely. Her and her piercing eyes where watching me again, taking in my every detail. They were innocent eyes, pure and true eyes, there was no way that Sophie would ever have a dark thought in her mind.

Then…there had to be a reason for this, I became convinced that there was a form of logic in her wanting this. Maybe it wasn't what I was thinking. After all, hadn't she said that that a date was a form of evaluation? There couldn't be so much harm in that…right?

It wasn't an answer that left me one hundred percent sure, but it was enough. I didn't want to feel so uneasy around her, she was Sophie nothing more, and she said she wanted today to be special. I did not want to ruin that for her. That's right, perhaps she just thought that being on a 'date' would be special enough for the occasion. I'd just play along the best I could, knowing that nothing serious would ever come of it. For Sophie.

"It's nothing…"

She jolted back in surprise, the mere action making me more nervous than I wanted to be.

"Okay than," she said in her old timid way, "I'm gonna pick out the movie."

000

"Okay!" Sophie stood in front of me, a smile returned to her face after the mild tense that had happened minutes before, "so I've come up with three epic movies of total epicness that we can watch that should satisfy as the perfect ending to this Josh-free day of equal epic-necity."

I only nodded.

"Alright then," she turned and began preparing everything.

I had no reason to object to any of the "movies" she had chosen, since I had no previous experience on the matter. Not that that took up the whole of my thoughts in the first place. I still had no idea how I was supposed to react to all this, and more specifically, how I was supposed to react towards Sophie.

My nerves where immediately thrown out into the wind however by the time Sophie had begun the first movie.

"OHMYGOD!"

She screamed as she quickly clung to my shoulders in fear.

"s-Sophie!"

"AAAAAAAAAH!" she screamed again, this time hiding her face in my chest.

"Sophie, if you don't want to see it-"

"HOLYSWEETJESUSCHRIST!"

For one odd reason or another, she had decided to begin our marathon with "scary movie"(as she put it) that completely terrified her. It had begun calmly but it then transcended to an array of mindless bloodshed, countless mutilated people(who made obvious incorrect choices that could have been avoided that led to their death), and an overflowing of screams.

"Oh, god, I'm gonna have so much nightmares after this…"

"If you're so scared of this, than why did you decide to have us watch it?"

She looked up at me innocently, "Oh, because it's super romantic at the end," she answered simply before staring at the screen again, "it's totally worth it, you just have to get through all the-"

She didn't finish her sentence, as someone had just had their organs ripped off and she needed to scream again.

But she was right. Sure enough at the end their was a sole surviving couple that had made it through all the carnage.

"Aw, see, I told you it was worth it!"

"Just barely. You sounded as if you were the one in peril."

"It was scary! Beside, I thought you'd like this sort of thing…"

I tilted my head in confusion.

"You know," She said, "since Yautja are hunter's and stuff…"

"We hunt, not kill mindlessly."

She immediately became tense, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to-I mean, it's not like I think that-"

"Sophie," I stopped her gently, "It's okay, I know you did not mean it that way."

She bowed her head slightly, "I'm still sorry…"

I sighed before lifting her face once again, "Don't be. I would never be angry at you."

Her smile assured me that my message had gotten across to her. "Thanks, Krone," she wrapped her arms around my neck in a hug, her body pressed closed to me, so much that it caused me to remember on what terms we were currently in.

"I'll go put on the second movie," she said before leaving again.

I didn't want to think about it anymore. I wanted to enjoy this time with Sophie, in fact, I was on the verge of not caring about this date we were on. I wanted to have Sophie close without feeling guilty.

The hours that followed I did just that.

I was still aware of the fact that the circumstances were inappropriate, but I tried to look passed it, to pretend that it wasn't real. I knew this self-denial was cowardly and wrong but that did not stop me. I had no way of knowing it, but this first act of selfishness would lead me to make several others.

000

"Sophie?"

"Huh?" she looked up at me (Sophie was now leaning her body against mine and I had wrapped my arm around her in order to make her more comfortable) "Yeah, Krone?"

"Why did the girl become happy when he gave her the flowers?"

"Oh…" she looked again at the screen, "well, that's because girls like flowers."

"They do?"

"Yeah, especially if they're gifts."

"Oh, does that mean you'd like it if someone gave you one, then?"

I had asked in jest yet Sophie's mood had changed instantly.

"Yeah, I guess," she responded with a slight frown. She pressed her kneed to her chest and moved away from me, "I've never gotten flowers but I bet it'd be nice."

I continued to stare at her. There was a look in her eyes that told me that the significance of her not receiving any saddened her.

"I see."

She was shaken out of her thoughts, she looked at me again with a smile before returning to my arms only now I held her more firmly.

The rest of the movie was spent with me asking questions and Sophie explaining to me how racism effected her world and how that it has even caused wars, like the family feud that was in the movie we were watching. She also went to great lengths to inform me that even though the "actor" could fight the way he did now in real life, he's never killed anyone and "he doesn't want to do martial arts movies anymore anyway, so yeah…". I was about to point out that I hadn't asked because I wanted to spar with him(it had been out of curiosity)but I decided against it for I did not want her to feel like she offended me again.

The movie had ended in a less romantic note(Sophie also gave me a brief explanation regarding what Ooman woman found romantic, and what she thought was romantic)when it was clear that the Ooman male and the Ooman female cared deeply for each other.

Sophie explained that the reason for this was, "Because they had a stupid pre-screening where racist dumb-asses didn't like that fact that Jet Lee was kissing a black girl so they had to redo the scene and make it 'stupid racist-friendly'."

The last movie we viewed was more to each of our liking and it had went on until late at night. Upon laying herself down, Sophie had beckoned me to rest behind her. It had taken me a short while to do as I was told, once Sophie had pressed her back against my chest I wrapped my arm protectively(almost possessively)around her waist. She hadn't objected.

I was reminded again by the terms of our date. I choose not to care.

Throughout the movie I clung closely to her, aware of her warmth and the slow beating of her heart. The only thing I could think of was about how good it felt to have her so close.

The movie was about a warrior(and Sophie was always quick to point out our similarities by saying "Like you, Krone!"). He had been sent to kill a sorceress but instead he had fallen in love with her.

It was at that point where Sophie had stopped poking fun at our likeness.

In the end he had to kill the tyrant that ruled the land in order to have her. I knew it was foolish, but I kept seeing Sophie in place of the sorceress. Many times before I had paired Sophie to magic, perhaps my choice of words took this as a chance to get back at me. It was a cruel way of thinking.

"Sophie…"

"Hnn…?" she was tired. By the time the story of the warrior and his sorceress had ended the night was already growing dark.

"Was…" I faltered only a second as I was aware that I would only be able to ask this now, "this a good…date?"

I saw the corner of her mouth lift, softly creating a smile.

I still did not know how to react when suddenly, "Yeah, Krone…"she said as she moved closer to me, as if I where a great comfort to her, "it was a great date."

I know I should have not liked the answer she gave me. I should have reproached it, neglected it, I should have been upset. But the way she had said it, soft, innocent, it filled me with a warmth that I had never known. I did not think about the significance of what she said, or how in turn it caused a shift in my feelings towards her, all I knew was that in that moment there was nothing in the world I wanted to do than to be close to her as I was now.

I purred as I watched her finally drift to sleep, her purity glowing from her in a way that I could have watched her all night. I ran my talons over her face and watched as the glow of the screen bounced off her pale skin, thinking about how lucky I was to know her and how utterly amazing she is. I was so lost in my thoughts that I did not stop to think about the time until the movie stopped completely.

Looking back at Sophie I decided to take her to her room. I was careful to not disturb her as I moved over her to stand up. I took her into my arm and cradled her, her lithe body fitting perfectly next to my chest. It took me mere moments to locate her bedroom(I had gone there more than enough times by now to know where it is)and once I got there I gently placed her on top of her bed. She had not uttered a single sound of displeasure throughout our entire journey and smiling I ran my talons over her hair once again, remembering when she had told me that she could sleep through anything.

Sophie…she was a special one. In fact, looking back at the day, I realized that she had done all this for me. She had wanted today to be special, and she wanted to spend it with me when she could have just enjoyed it on her own. She had wanted me to stop working, to spend to with her. I felt a need to repay her.

I suddenly came up with an idea to do exactly that.

000

I placed the rose at her feet, where she could see it when she woke up in the morning. I smiled to myself as I imagined her seeing it.

It took me a while to find a rose for her, in the end I had taken it from a neighboring house, but it would be worth it. Although I admit I had done some damage to the garden while I took it, though I doubt that would be important.

"You said you never received flowers," I said to her as I stroked her cheek, "Well…now you have this one."

As if she could hear me, she smiled. I pushed some of her stray hair away from her face, careful I did not harm her delicate skin. She looked peaceful dreaming. She was also beautiful. Very beautiful. I promised myself that I would tell her more often. I'd make sure that Sophie was always this happy, regardless of whether or not her brother was at home.

"Because you make me that happy, Sophie…"

Rubbing her soft head, I veiled over her sleep. Sophie…she was nothing like she used to be. Gone was the little Ooman that did not dare to look at me, or to speak without being spoken to, the one that was afraid of me. Now…she laughed with me, joked, she was happy with me.

I purred.

She was…

"What the hell are you doing here?"

I turned around instantly.

Her brother had returned…

"Answer the question," he seethed. Already his presence was beginning to ruin everything.

"…She fell asleep," I said calmly, pointing out what should have already been obvious to him, "I carried her here."

"Well, you're done now. Get out!"

"You'll wake her if you keep this up…"

"I. Don't. Fucking. Care. That's what you should've done in the first place!"

I didn't want to leave her with him. That was the last thing that came to mind(the first was snapping his neck)but I did not want to disturb Sophie. I wouldn't ruin her perfect day.

(A Friendly Conversation)

Taak's instructions are so useless…I don't know why I bother with reading them, by the time he points out the things I shouldn't do I've already done them all. Oh well, it's not as if it has ruined my mood today. It's true that I did not work on my ship at all yesterday, but it was not a complete loss. In fact, it was not a loss at all. I felt a smile make it's way to me. I wonder what Sophie thought of the rose?

My focus on my ship slipped pleasantly to the back of my mind as I replayed the day over. Everything about it seemed amazingly perfect to me, and the fact that Sophie had done it mostly for me only seemed to make it more so. My considerate little Ooman.

"Hey, Preddy."

I turned instantly.

Imagine my surprise when I saw it was the male.

He was leaning on the door, "What?"

"You speak Yautja." a dialect, granted, but still understandable. Still Yaujta

"Figured I had to…seeing that you don't seem to getit when I speak English."

My surprise left me. It was replaced by the usual irritation he provokes in me, "What is it that you want…Ooman."

"You tell me…Yautja"

Idiot. "I'm not psychic."

"Wow, Mr. High an Mighty admits to not being perfect."

"I haven't the time for games, out with it."

"Don't order me around."

"Why are you wasting my time?"

"Inferior me, wasting superior you's time? Never."

I narrowed my eyes. He mirrored my gaze.

"I want you to stay away from Sophie."

I felt my eyes widen, though only slightly. Did he just…

"Excuse me?"

"What are you deaf?"

Again with his accursed sarcasm, "I can hear perfectly fine."

"Then why did you ask." it's not a question.

"You're not making sense," I clicked quite frankly.

He scoffed, "Stay. Away. Get it now?"

"No."

"You don't get it?"

"I did," I clicked firmly, "but my answer is no."

This time it was him who was surprised, "Your answer…is no?"

"Correct."

"You won't stay away from Sophie?"

"Are you the one who is deaf?"

"Huh…" he shifted, "you know you've got a lot of fucking nerve straight out sayin no like that, buddy."

"I'm not your friend."

"Damn straight you're not."

"Are we finished?"

"Stay away from her."

"I gave you my answer before, it hasn't changed."

"Fuck. Listen, okay? She's just a small little 'Ooman' right? What the fuck is she to you?"

"It's none of your concern what she is to me."

"I'm sorta her brother, so yeah, it is my 'concern', not that you Yautja know what it mean to be a big brother or family for that matter."

I nearly laughed, "Us Yautja?" I growled, "You talk of being a brother and yet you treat her worse than trash!"

He has no right to say anything about family.

"Look, you don't know-"

"I know enough."

He clenched his fist, if I didn't know better I'd say he really cared.

"Oh sure," he said, making no effort to hide the malice in his voice, "Since you know so much then why don't you just piss off and leave her alone?"

He acts as if I was obliged to listen to him. "I have no reason to," I replied calmly, "Sophie has shown no signs that she wants me to stay away from her." quite the contrary in fact, she's always the one who wants to be around me.

"I'm telling you to stay away."

"I care little for what you say."

"A Yautja only listening to what he wants to, big surprise…"

I growled. How dare he come and talk to me about leaving Sophie alone, if anyone was at fault here it definitely was not me. He has no right.

"Growl all you want buddy. Jesus, what the fuck does Sophie see in you? Damnit she can be such an idio-"

"I will not let you insult her in my presence!"

"Why don't you save the prince charming act for when she's around, it doesn't look so ridiculous then."

"And why don't you save your loving elder brother act for someone who actually believes you," I shot back.

"Fuck you."

"S'yuit-de."

He actually smiled, "Wow, I haven't heard that one in a long time! Let's see…since I'm a pile of worthless insignificant crap, what does that make Sophie, huh? A Lou-dte Kalei?"

I roared, wanting to kill him. Wanting to destroy him. That godforsaken low-life, that damnable piece of vermin that should have never been born into the world. I wanted to obliterate him, wipe him off the face of the earth in a heart beat. I wanted to see him squirm as he begged for mercy.

Instead he seemed completely at ease with his disgusting self, "…can you roar any louder? I can still hear through this ear…"

I clenched my claws together, heaving from the urge to kill him on the spot.

I damn the day he was born.

"Sophie. Isn't. A Lou-dte Kalei," I said, my voice raising with each world, "I willnot let you-"

"Your not letting me do a lot of things, and hell it's my house any everything!" His arrogance, his defiance only served to fuel the rage in me, "Damn, I guess I should just listen to you, right?"

"Ell-osde' pauk."

"Ditto."

Sophie was more than just a whorish child bearer, she was above and beyond that, how dare he even think that! I would've given the world to rip him to shreds. To pull out his heart and crush his skull, to tear off his spine in one quick movement and leave his dead body to bleed itself out. I image how I would prolong it, draw it out so he could feel the pain to it's maximum He would deserve it, do die that way like the worthless animal he was. And, oh, I would enjoy every single second of it. There were so many ways I wanted to rip him apart.

The only thing keeping me from murdering him was Sophie.

It was because of her that he still lived.

Remembering my promise to her, I tried to control my slaying instinct, it scarcely worked but I did it for her. Only for Sophie.

"I'm enjoying this stare off Predy…"

"I think I've made it very clear that your alleged business here is null and void."

"Clear? I don't think it's clear enough," he says as if he knew something I didn't, "hell, I don't even think you have everything clear, do ya Preds?"

"What are you getting at?"

"I think you know as well as me what I'm getting at here. Krone."

"I donot."

"You're just like an Ipod y'know? Just something cool she found out and is messing with…"

"What do you mean-"

"She doesn't know what she's doing, fuck, she's as naïve as someone can get. She doesn't getit, Krone."

"Neither do I, what are you-"

"You know what I'm talking about damnit!" he yelled, "So don't be getting any ideas because it's not happening."

What was he talking about? What was Sophie doing that she did not 'get'? And what did that have to do with me?

Sophie was…she was just Sophie, my Sophie.

When had I started thinking she was mine?

My thoughts where interrupted by his stiff steps as he came towards me.

"Now I'm gonna "ask" you one more time okay? Just so you can get it through your thick Yautja head. Leave. Sophie. Alone. Got it?"

I smirk, "You sound as if that's an order, Ooman."

"Yeah, I'm sorta tellin you to fuck off, that's basically it."

My smirk became a growl, "And what authority do you have that possibly gives you the right to "ask"me that?"

"With the authority that I'm housing your damn Yautja ass," he shot back, "and, whether you like it or not, I'm responsible for this whole damn place andher."

"Responsible? If it weren't for me you'd have hit her-"

"Watch it."

"-And you dare to talk about the honor of responsibility? You lack any honor at all!"

"I don't care what a damn Yautja thinks about me! All I'm sayin is back off or I'll-"

"Josh?"

Sophie had come in unexpectedly. She attempted to get an answer as to way he and I were talking from her brother, but he merely walked out. The anger in me was still present when she began asking me. I was still enraged with wanting to finish off her brother once and for all, I was not thinking about how I should've been treating her when I finally snapped,

"It doesn't matter, Sophie!"

I immediately regretted the words that had sprung from my mouth.

The look on Sophie's poor face was enough to make me feel like a monster

"…So now you're yelling at me?" the shaking of her voice sent me to beg to her.

"No, Sophie, I…" I started, placing my hand on her shoulder, "I didn't mean to…"

She shook her head, causing my desperation to raise.

"Sophie…" I said, stoking the back of her head, praying that it would get her to look at me as it had so many times before, "I'm sorry…I didn't mean to." She still denied me, "Sophie. Forgive me."

Still nothing and by now I couldn't bear it.

"Sophie, please," I said earnestly, ready to kneel if I had to.

I stopped stoking her hair and attempted to lift her face towards me, "I'm sorry, don't…"

I stopped mid sentence. Her eyes where glazed with tears that I did not want to fall, she was to sweet to me for her to be crying. I didn't want her to shed more tears than she had already at my expense.

She was so pure, so soft and kind to me, I didn't want my Sophie to hurt anymore. It was at this time that I had truly taking the time to examine her features. Her delicately rounded face…pale and smooth like fine stone. I lifted my hand and stoked her delicate cheek. Oh, Sophie, you must know that I don't want you to cry…Her skin was cold to the touch, but even that was something I could gladly appreciate. Because it was only with me that she felt warm.

I was staring at her rose colored lips when I began to trail my talons gently down her long and silk-like neck. My ebony contrasting with her ivory yet at the same time blending perfectly. I half mused about how I've never noticed how unbelievably beautiful she was.

My Sophie was very beautiful indeed.

"Krone?"

I jolted away from her.

What in Paya's name was I doing?

My breathing became uncontrollable and my heart ran for miles.

The way I had held her just now, the way I was seeing her, it was like I was talking to a lover!

"Krone? Krone, what's the matter?"

"No…I just…"

"Krone…d-do you need you need me to get you anything?"

"No, Sophie, I'm fine."

I tried to calm myself. To convince myself that…I didn't even know what. All the while Sophie was trying to help me, little knowing she was the sole reason for this. How could I have been thinking about her like…? I felt like a monster. Sophie…Was this what that Ooman was trying to imply?

I became to dazed to even stay on foot. Sophie had sat be down and I hadn't the will to stop her. My mind was racing to fast for me to piece together a thought. I only vaguely remember how I kept responding to Sophie, the only thing I truly wanted was for her to distance herself from me.

"Krone…?"

"He said that…" I stopped the minute I saw her face.

My panic came to a halt as quickly as it had formed. The concern in her eyes forbade me to make any other sound. What am I thinking? This is Sophie…what her damnable brother had said didn't mean anything. He only said it because…he wanted this to happen. Sophie and I are…

I looked towards the ceiling. Sophie and I are…nothing more than what we appear to be. Even if sometimes it feels like…

"No…" I said more to myself before continuing, "it wasn't because of him, he was just irritating."

I heard her smile, "I know how that feels."

A calm washed over me as I gazed at her tranquil face, already the sick feeling inside was going away as I returned her smile with one of my own.

"Feel better?"

I nodded, "I believe it was just a moment of fatigue." Yes, fatigue. That's all it was.

"So what happened?" she asked with slight concern, "With Josh I mean."

I leveled her fears with a nonchalant shake of my head, "As I've said before, nothing. He was merely…" I grimace, some of my anger rising back, "asking me…to stay away from you."

She actually smiled, "That's stupid."

Her answer both surprised me and confused me.

"Well for starters he's asking the wrong person," she clarified, "I mean, I'd never stay away from you."

Although I knew the sincerity in her words were genuine, there was still something in me that doubted. The words of her brother crept back into my mind, about how she was merely taken with me because at present I was the only thing that caught her interest. Sophie is nothing like that, I reminded myself, yet still the doubt remained. In the end I settled for the only thing that would assure me.

"…Promise."

Her eyebrows lifted, "Promise what?"

"That you won't…" I faltered, nearly afraid of how desperately I wanted to hear her answer, "that you won't stay away. That…you would never stay away."

An easy smile made it's way to her soft lips, "Easy promise," she said, taking my talon and wrapping it with her smallest finger as she had done before, "I swear that I'll never stay away from you Krone. I like hanging out with you as much as I can anyway."

Any doubt left in me disappeared as I stroked her cheek, relishing how she would never break her promise to me.

"Look, I want to show you some pictures I took for art class," she said and I took her into my arms. She told me about the places and objects she had chosen and as I held her I knew I was betraying the only trace of Yautja that I had. A voice that told me to beware, a voice that warned me of being so close to her.

"Hey, Krone?" she broke in her lecture to look up at me.

"Yes?"

"I'm really glad I have you."

"I am glad I have you too."

In my head I heard myself say And I am glad that I will always have you, my Sophie.

My Sophie.

---

Wow! Krone! Getting sorta possessive there, huh? (You may now activate a fan girl squee.)

On to part 2!