Disclaimer: I don't own Aliens or Predator, just my characters.

CHAPTER 5:

Refreshing A Friendship And Living A Lie

Kiara made a quick yell as they headed down onto the ground. They both fell down quickly and roughly from the force they had accelerated from. He let her go so they'd be able to land securely. Luckily, Kaen'Dre landed in a kneeling position on his feet due to his cat-like graces. He caught his breath quickly while making sure they were safe in their new location.

Kiara, on the other hand, who was not blessed with such graceful reflexes, landed roughly on the ground on her stomach after rolling a bit. She huffed the air away from her face while turning around to lay on her back. She massaged her arms and chest which were bruised from the fall.

Why can't women land facedown without hurting their chest somehow, damn men, Kiara thought when she saw how the warrior kneeled. By Ra, does this being have any flaws in his body?

Kaen'Dre wiped whatever dirt was on his mask and armor quickly, then checked for injuries on himself. He had cuts from the hard meat but nothing critical from it or the fall. He then looked over to the human who was now laying on her back and giving him a visual inquisition. She was catching her breath which allowed him to get a better look at her. His scan didn't show any critical injuries, just minor bruises and cuts. Her body had actually been able to withstand a fight from a hard meat and this fall with little injuries, interesting.

He saw her turn her eyes on his mask, trying to decipher who or what was behind them, which made him growl in return. He was not about to look weak on prey or friendly, despite she was an ooman female, but she could fight him back somehow.

Kiara glanced back with wide eyes at the being who growled at her. Her throat went dry wondering what it wanted to do with her now. She remembered how wild that creature was years ago and this one looked exactly like him except with different armor and mask. The last one wore a dark gray color of armor while this one wore a silver kind. Could it still be that same being from 12 years ago?

After all these years, this creature pops up, she thought nervously. Why couldn't it be the little one I met?

She quickly got up from the floor, coughing out whatever dirt was around her. She wiped off any dirt on her immediately while still glancing at the creature apprehensively. What to do? How do you face a being that towers over you with weapons that could kill you in one swipe?

"Why are you here? You were here 12 years ago" Kiara said, standing her ground. "Are you the ones responsible for the death of my people?"

Kaen'Dre glanced at the ooman female who stood up to him. She stood her ground but her voice was firm and authoritive, which made him hiss. Humans ordering him? No one ordered him around except the Elder or captain. She hissed back baring her upper teeth which surprised him. No one had done that among his prey except. . .could it be her? He took a quick closer look at her face, hair, and body.

Could it be?, Kaen'Dre thought questioningly.

"What are you? Who are you?" Kiara demanded. "I know you can speak to me like you did 12 years ago. I know you're that warrior from the jungle . . .or if not, someone similar."

Kaen'Dre's eyes widened when he heard her speak of that area. It had to be her, it had only been both of them there before his father came to take him. His father, that's who she must think he was. But she didn't know what he was and his purpose here.

Good, Kaen'Dre thought. Then amusingly, So, she thinks I'm my father.

"Talk to me, I know you can!" Kiara said, angrily. "I helped you."

Kiara stared angrily at the being who didn't talk back. How dare he become silent when she knew he could speak her tongue? She wanted to know who he was, what he was, and why he was here. She remembered how he had acted towards her when they were alone and if she had to fight him again, she would, she wasn't a child anymore. She was about to yell at the being when it tilted its head to the side and purred like a cat.

That gesture, she thought and narrowed her eyes.

Could it be the little one she had met in the jungle back then? He didn't seem to want injure her, yet, and also seemed more calm than the other. But could it be him? She sighed and decided to talk, even if it could end up being the parent of the small one.

Wait! If he had been small then, wouldn't he be grown somehow, like me?, Kiara thought suddenly. That theory makes more sense. But if he is not human and spiritual, how could he age?

"Are you. . .is your name Kiara?" Kaen'Dre asked, hesitantly. She stared at him in surprise.

"Ka. . Kaen'Dre? Is that you?" Kiara asked, timidly. He nodded. "You're not. . ."

She stared at him intensely ever since he had said her name. He was the only one who had known it, not his parent. Besides, the voice of the other adult had been rough and deep, while this one had a slight roughness to it but spoke more calmly and peaceful. But she still wasn't sure, people could change.

"My father? No, it is me" Kaen'Dre said, addressing himself. "I am. .a lot grown from last time."

"I thought you were your father, you looked like him" Kiara said, sighing in relief and awe. He was here, after twelve years, he was right there in front of her. "He scared me half to death when I met him. I never meant for you to be in trouble if you're still angry at me now about that."

"You're apologizing for one incident?" Kaen'Dre said, tilting his head. She nodded timidly. "Odd being you are. Besides, how do you know how he looked?"

"The height, body, armor, and sharp weapons, it's pretty obvious" Kiara said, nervously. "Besides, we do not see beings like you or him frequently around our kingdom. He's not around, is he?"

"No, my father. . .he's not here" Kaen'Dre said, simply.

Kiara glanced at him when he hesitated but nodded. I guess there are some things people keep to themselves, they were technically strangers still. She shrugged it off and looked back at him curiously. She wanted to know more of who or what he was, especially after seeing him again, she wanted an explanation of sort.

"What are you, Kaen'Dre?" Kiara asked, observing him. "You don't look human or mortal, and you bleed a glowing green. Are you a god?"

A god?, Kaen'Dre thought. This ooman thinks I am immortal, how strange.

He wondered whether to tell the truth or not. He was a hunter, he couldn't reveal himself to no being that was prey, even one as friendly as her. If she believed he was immortal, then so be it. He didn't need to be in trouble with his Elder and clan, a male's rank was most important in the clan.

"Yes, of a lower sort" Kaen'Dre said, making up his story. "I bleed green in order to produce a solid form in this. .realm. Otherwise, I would be in my own . . .invisible form in this realm."

"Really?" Kiara asked, surprised. "Is that why your father didn't want me revealing you? I thought gods only did that to those they favored."

"Yes, well, ours don't" Kaen'Dre said so quickly it sounded sarcastic. Then formally, "We show ourselves only when the time is right."

Kiara smiled at the god-like being in front of her. She didn't think she'd be this fortunate and favored to meet a god all on her own. But why was he here? To protect the people, to rid of an evil, or to walk through the realms?

"Did you come here to protect us from those serpents?" Kiara asked, smiling. "How can you when you bleed?"

"Do you underestimate us so quickly?" Kaen'Dre asked, amusingly. She shook her head quickly, afraid to show defiance to a god. "We come to kill those beings you saw in your realm, we do so every 100 years, and now-"

"It's time to fulfill your obligation" Kiara finished for him.

Hey, who's making up the story?, Kaen'Dre thought quickly. But if she's helping me along somehow. . .

"Don't interrupt, this is my tale" Kaen'Dre said, instantly. She crossed her arms over her chest timidly. "I apologize for my strictness."

"Can I speak now then?" Kiara asked, raising her eyebrows. He nodded and motioned with a hand for her to do so. "Is there only one of you or are there more?"

What do I say? Uh. . .think Kaen'Dre!, he said, anxiously.

"There are few of us" Kaen'Dre said reluctant, after a bit. "We go on our own separate ways."

"Oh" Kiara said, absorbing the information. There was a god in Memphis, right in front of her. Oh, how lucky she felt. "So, if I invited you to visit my kingdom, would you come by yourself?"

Kaen'Dre thought quickly about what to say. Sure, he could go there and hunt some oomans down but he'd be in their territory, as exciting as it was, he couldn't do it. For one thing they could take him down, his captain would be furious for him attempting it, and another part of him didn't want to hurt the female who had first befriended him. But he could also go learn more about those people for his own hunting strategies and enrichment, he'd never exactly given up on exploring.

"What would your people do? Ours are not keen on showing ourselves to. .mortals" Kaen'Dre said, formally.

"You don't have to show yourself to my people, I could sneak you in" Kiara said, cheerfully and clasped her hands. "I'll keep you away from anyone's sight and I could learn more about you."

I'm no one's experiment, Kaen'Dre thought annoyed. Then at seeing the smile on her face, Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. I do have my cloak.

"What would you do in return for me if I were to go?" Kaen'Dre asked, nodding towards her.

"What would you ask of me, my lord?" Kiara asked, simply.

She was hoping he'd come so she could learn more about him. She didn't know of any god that could bleed in that way and much less look that way, maybe she didn't know much about the divinities as much as she thought she did. He seemed reluctant to go but she couldn't blame him, if he asked her, she'd be a bit skeptical. She wanted to know what those other demonic creatures were and what Kaen'Dre would be doing against them.

"What would you offer me?" Kaen'Dre asked, tilting his head.

"My friendship to begin with, and anything else from thereon" Kiara said, bowing her head slightly.

She's treating me like a master, Kaen'Dre thought and sighed. Well, it's either being a god or telling the truth. But if she offers me everything at her disposal, wouldn't that be betrayal from me?

Then another of his thoughts came through, Oh well, you've already gone this far, you can't take it back. You'd just make it worse.

"How long would I have to be there?" Kaen'Dre asked, sighing.

"As long as you want, my lord" Kiara said, smiling. "I'd like to know you better and learn from your vast knowledge, and you can do the same unto me."

"Even if I asked to know everything of your kingdom?" Kaen'Dre asked, curiously. She nodded cheerfully.

"Of course, you are a noble spiritual being" Kiara said, chuckling. "You should be able to bestow your blessing to our kingdom. We are proud to have a magnificent god like you as a visitor."

This god impersonation is going to take work, Kaen'Dre said tiredly. But at least she doesn't think I'm a demon of sort.

"Do you work for your kingdom?" Kaen'Dre asked, curiously. "You seem very proud of it."

"I am the daughter of Pharaoh Abubakar and Queen Neferet" Kiara said, smiling. "I am the Princess of the kingdom of Memphis."

She's royalty? My first ooman friend is royalty?, he thought surprised. She acts so . . .warrior-like. I guess I underestimated her according to her people.

"I am pleased you carry your title honorably, a warrior like me. . .I mean a god like me is impressed!" Kaen'Dre said, remembering to watch his language. She smiled, pleased by his comment.

"What type of god or divinity are you, my lord?" Kiara asked, curiously.

"I am a. . .a god of . .hunting, weapons, and . . .knowledge!" Kaen'Dre said, proudly for making a god-like image of himself.

"A god of the hunt? Extraordinary, my lord" Kiara said, smiling happily.

"Yes . . .I get that a lot, since I am a remarkable god!" Kaen'Dre said, arrogantly.

Don't let it get to your head, he warned himself.

"Come Kaen'Dre, you need those cuts taken care of" Kiara said, pointing to his arms. "Will you come with me?"

Kaen'Dre hesitated and ran many thoughts through his head but finally said, "Yes, but if someone causes trouble for me, I will not be held responsible for my actions."

"I'll look after you, I promise" Kiara assured, smiling. "Come."

She walked over to him and measured their height difference immediately. She smiled amusingly knowing she just reached to his chest barely which made her wonder how strong this being was. She traced her eyes over his injuries on his upper body which had clotted over with his green blood. She reached her hand out to touch his blood but he swatted it away roughly.

"Ow! What was that for?" Kiara demanded. "A simple 'no' would've sufficed."

"No being can touch my blood, not yet anyways" Kaen'Dre said, firmly.

Kaen'Dre sighed, mentally hoping she wouldn't touch his blood in any way. He was not about to be stuck with her as a mate for the rest of his life, he wanted one among his own but not to end up in a family life like his had been. He shoved his thoughts out of his head and growled towards the human.

"Well?" Kaen'Dre said, directing his hand down the path.

"You don't have to be so bad-tempered" Kiara snorted.

"I am sorry, it's just a tradition I have with my blood" Kaen'Dre said, patting her silky head. She seemed pleased afterwards. "Understand?"

"But you're immortal, you don't have it always" Kiara pointed out. He quickly tried to think of something.

"Yes, but when we do, we have a certain. .code to follow" Kaen'Dre said, uneasily.

"Oh, all right" Kiara said, shaking her shoulders. Then grinned, "Besides, we'll have time to get to understand each other better."

She turned and started walking down the path that Kaen'Dre assumed led back to her kingdom. Her followed her from behind while curiosity filled his mind to what awaited him. He looked around the area just like he had when he'd been a child, besides he could now relax knowing that the hard meat was dead.

"You seem the same like last time" Kiara said, laughing when she spotted him looking at everything.

"In some ways" Kaen'Dre said, grinning under his mask.

"I'll take you exploring, but let's hurry for now, shall we?" Kiara asked, grabbing him by the arm. He growled slightly. "Let me guess, you don't like being touched either."

"No, I don't like being grabbed in that manner for no reason" Kaen'Dre said, arrogantly.

"I was grabbing you so we could walk faster" Kiara said, groaning. "Can we be on the same pace, Kaen'Dre? I don't want to fight you or anger you enough for you to use your powers."

Powers?, Kaen'Dre thought confused. This is going to be difficult work. I just hope she doesn't catch on and gets angered towards me.

"Fine, we will get along greatly" Kaen'Dre said, nodding. She smiled.

"I hope so, I'd really like to have you as a friend" Kiara said, pleased. "I've wondered about you for so long."

"So would I" Kaen'Dre said, honestly.

She grabbed him by the hand slowly and led him down the path. He noticed her hand was slightly cooler than his and much smaller. These beings were very small compared to his kind, especially the females. No one had ever grabbed him by the hand either, but he assumed it was their way for some sort of friendship. He didn't mind it and he returned the same gesture firmly, but not strongly enough to hurt her hand. He hadn't been befriended by any other being so easily, yet she risked her life for his and called him her friend after only meeting once. Was her race just as friendly as her?

"I hope you'll be pleased with our kingdom" Kiara said, looking back at him.

I hope you'll still be pleased with me when you find out I'm no god, Kaen'Dre thought nervously. How did I get myself into this?

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End of Chapter 5. I felt happy with how my story's coming along and everyone's reviews so I uploaded two chapters today. Thanks to everybody who's read it and reviewed! I'd give you all a virtual hug if I could.