Disclaimer: I don't own Aliens or Predators, only my characters. Mine! My Precious! (Holds characters Gollum style like in Lord of The Rings).

CHAPTER 10:

The Waterfall

"Kaen'Dre, will you slow down?" Kiara asked, exhausted. She wiped her forehead and withheld a frustrated groan.

"It isn't my fault you cannot keep up with me" he trilled smugly.

She chased after him through the sand while he laughed jovially. He quickened his pace while she trailed after him, leaving her in the dust within seconds. He knew that she couldn't catch up to him but her perseverance amused him, especially when her fist shook in the air after him. The hot sun shone down on them as they traveled through the desert land.

It was the next morning and they were heading to the waterfall where they'd met. They had snuck out early during sunrise since most of the kingdom was asleep to avoid anyone spotting them. Asim had woken up though when they were about to leave so Kiara had to bring him along. Kaen'Dre didn't want to be anywhere near the beast but she convinced him.

Kiara was wearing loose green robes with no sleeves that ended at her knees in a skirt. She kept a dagger attached to the side of her leg, just in case anything happened. Kaen'Dre's abilities could end any problems within seconds but caution never left her. She wore her hair loose with no headdress since she was going to bathe at the waterfall. She wore tight sandals as usual so they wouldn't be slippery on her in any way when they got wet for the return home.

Kaen'Dre hadn't worn much of his armor either since he wasn't hunting. He only kept some armor on his shoulders, bottom legs, and his mesh outfit as usual. He didn't wear his belt either or any of his gear on his back. The only weapon he had were his wrist gauntlets and his own body. That in itself was deadly enough to anyone or anything who dare opposed him. He felt weightless while walking over the sand unlike Kiara.

"You are immortal, you're supposed to be invincible but helpful" Kiara pointed out.

"I thought you could look after yourself" Kaen'Dre said back with a grin.

"You think you're so smart, you know that?" Kiara said, rolling her eyes.

"I know I am" Kaen'Dre laughed. She picked up a small rock and threw it towards him, but missed. He shook his head in amusement, "Now you attack a god? Bad Kiara, you should know better."

She stopped jogging and took out her canteen. She drank the cool water thirstily against her dry mouth. Asim sat down to relax next to her while she did that. Kaen'Dre and Asim ran good but she was not about to be running against the hot morning sun so carefree. She didn't like the heat at this hour but he liked it.

Him and his god-like traits, she thought amusingly.

Kaen'Dre stopped running since he saw her stop. She was drinking water while her pet stayed loyally at her side. He would've walked to her but chances were Asim would roar at him somehow. He decided to stay at a distance and wait for her. After a bit, she jogged over to him along with Asim.

"Anything wrong?" he asked, looking over her.

"Just tired with your pace" Kiara said, panting. "You run very fast, faster than anyone I know."

"Do you want me to slow down?" he asked, tilting his head. She nodded quickly and gratefully.

"It's better to walk and talk, than run and complain" she said, placing her hands on her hips to take in a deep breath.

"But you are the one complaining, little one" he said, amusingly.

"Exactly, so we walk" she said, grinning. In a friendly push, she walked at a lazy pace by his side to rest her muscles.

"You are very amusing, you know" he said, patting her head. Her hair was very warm because of the sun's rays and decided to leave it be.

"Is that in an individual manner or a pet-like manner?" Kiara asked, pointing her finger at his chest.

He clicked his throat amusingly. He was enjoying her company on many levels since they had met up again. She was a very unique being, one he'd never met. She was very intelligent, well, intelligent enough to challenge him mentally. Her physical abilities were all right, but could be better. He grinned at her demanding expression. Another thing that interested him.

She is really something, he thought.

"What do you think?" Kaen'Dre challenged.

She smacked her hand softly against his chest. In his culture, no yautja touched another without meaning affection or a challenge. But she wasn't from his culture, so he didn't know what she meant by it. When she giggled, he figured it was for sarcasm. He pushed her by the shoulder with his hand playfully in return while they laughed. She pushed his shoulder this time and he returned it again. Except he pushed a little too hard this time and knocked her off balance.

She fell back but he quickly grabbed her by the arm and waist to stop her. She grabbed onto his shoulder and mesh firmly while he brought her back onto her feet. Kaen'Dre held her in his arms while she kept her grip on him. He saw her blush which made him do the same slightly. But when she smacked him on the chest, he growled.

How dare she?, he thought. I helped her!

"You threw me, you mean god!" she protested. "Don't growl at me, I'll growl back."

"I didn't mean to throw you, you were too weak to handle my strength" Kaen'Dre said, swiftly.

"Weak? I'm weak! As I remember, I took you on" Kiara retorted. "I should hit you for that remark!"

"You can't hurt me" Kaen'Dre said, arrogantly. "Go ahead and try."

"If I hit you between the legs or the face, it wouldn't hurt?" Kiara questioned slyly. His eyes widened at the threat towards every male's special area. "Oh wait, I'd have to take off your mask first, so I'm only left with one option."

She would not dare do that. . .would she?, he thought.

"You wouldn't dare" Kaen'Dre hissed.

She raised her leg quickly but he turned her to the side before she could touch him. He placed a hand behind her back, and lay her down onto the floor. He kneeled over her while she squirmed in his grip.

"All right, you win" she said, grudgingly. He grinned.

He heard Asim growl behind him. If that thing attacked him, he'd do the same. He turned around and saw the big cat in front of his face bearing its white fangs. Kaen'Dre growled back in his own way. Kiara sat up and placed her hand between them.

"Both of you, stop!" she ordered quickly. "Asim, you'll sleep outside. Kaen'Dre, you won't bathe."

They both subsided their growls towards each other. Bowing their heads lightly, they submitted to her. She smiled victoriously and patted their heads.

"Who's better now?" Kiara challenged Kaen'Dre.

He growled playfully and pinned her into the sand before she could move. She hit his chest with her small fists which made him laugh at the feeble attempt. She laughed in return and placed her hands on his forearms to rest. She pushed them off of her shoulders which surprised him. He fell on top of her but not with his entire weight in order to not harm her. Asim just laid down and waited for their new spat to finish.

"How'd you do that?" he asked, quickly.

"When you laughed, you released your grip slightly" she said, simply. "I took the opportunity and made my move. You can't stay unguarded or else you lose."

"What are you trying to be now, a hunter?" Kaen'Dre questioned amusingly.

"If the right god came along" Kiara said, smiling. He smiled back and purred.

This little ooman knows how to entertain me all right, he thought.

He placed his arms around her waist and looked over her. She was small even when she was under him, yet she showed no worries. For a female, she was very loyal and trusting of him in little time. He felt her hand touch his hair and grab one of his dreads, studying it curiously. He clicked towards her but she just smiled shyly and continued her observation.

"I've never seen a being smile so much before" he admitted quietly. "It's. . .interesting."

"I've never had a being observe me so well" she said, raising a brow. He chuckled at being put on the spot.

He traced a hand over her cheek and kept it there. Trailing his thumb over the soft skin, she blushed at his touch. He cocked his head to the side which made her giggle again, amused by that common body gesture. She placed her hand over his and squeezed it softly, which made his skin feel vibrant by the contact. Leaning down, he placed his forehead against hers and observed her through his mask's visor. He was enjoying this and he could tell she was to, her heat levels stated it for him easily. He saw her nudge her nose against his mask which made him purr and dig the cold metal onto her neck.

"Kaen'Dre" she laughed softly and caressed his hair with her fingers. He felt his heart skip a beat when she said his name.

I wonder how it'd feel to care about a ooman, he thought quietly. Then loudly, Get those thoughts out of your head now! Oomans are prey!

Ani'Twei's mother is ooman, yet she loves her mate and children unconditionally, he thought again. She is always kind to me as if I were her own, would Kiara be the same? We respect each other already.

No! No! No! No ooman!, another part of his mind said.

He backed away from Kiara and exhaled softly. No, he could never feel anything for a ooman. They were prey, beings never mean to interact with his kind, much less grow attached to. Why would he want to? This was a different planet, millions of miles away. He sat up while Kiara and Asim looked at him in concern. He cleared his throat and got up silently. She did the same and placed a hand on his arm.

"Are you all right?" she asked, softly. Her eyes trailed over his silent form.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" he lied. "We should keep going."

He kept walking in the direction of the forest. Kiara glanced at him from behind and followed. Asim came to her side and nudged her leg, sensing her worry.

He's lying, he's hiding something, she thought concerned. I've never seen him act that way before.

She caught up to him and looked at him while he walked. He tried to ignore her but he looked down after a while, not able to ignore her without looking out of place.

"Yes?" Kaen'Dre asked, simply.

"I'll be here for you whenever you need me" Kiara said, softly. "I'll help you out in anything you need to clear off your mind."

"I am fine, do not worry" Kaen'Dre said, patting her head. "Besides, we have a waterfall to look forward to."

He extended a hand out into the desert, telling her to show him the way. She nodded and walked in the direction of it.

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"This feels so great!" Kiara said, happily.

They had gotten to the waterfall and she was swimming in its pool. Asim stayed at the rocky ledge surrounding the pool, hissing at the water below. As much as he loved Kiara, he would never go swimming. Kaen'Dre sat on the edge, dipping his feet in the water curiously. He was surprised by how this place still looked exactly the same, despite its age. He had taken off everything except his mesh outfit to relax.

"Are you going to join me or not?" Kiara called.

"In a bit, but I won't be going near that waterfall" Kaen'Dre said back. "For all I know, it drowns me."

"Are you telling me a being of your stature is afraid of a work of nature?" Kiara asked, swimming closer.

How does she interrogate me so well?, he thought and sighed.

"No, I fear nothing" Kaen'Dre said, quickly. She grinned and rolled her eyes. "I will show you."

He got up and took off his mesh outfit, except his loincloth. Kiara blushed at seeing his perfectly sculpted form in the sun and averted her gaze shyly. Kaen'Dre would've rather gone swimming in the nude but with Kiara around, he wasn't. Especially with the new emotions that went through his body, he was not risking it.

Males can only control so much, he thought. I will not let stupid emotions get in my way of having fun.

He went into the water that instantly rendered his skin cold. After the long hot hike, that cold water made his skin shiver involuntarily. He surfaced and clicked his throat loudly from coldness. He was used to hunting in hot and earthen environments, but not cold and aquatic ones. He hadn't even been to a cold planet yet. Kiara swam over to him while he got his body accustomed to the water's temperature. She squeezed his shoulder supportively as his mandibles chittered in return.

"Cold, huh?" Kiara smiled apologetically. "You'll get used to it in a bit."

"Easy for you to say, you're used to this water temperature" Kaen'Dre snapped as he shivered. He threw water away from him in a splash of annoyance to its chilliness.

She placed her hands over his shoulders and massaged them. He wondered what she was trying to do but then felt his shoulders getting warm in effect to her body heat. He purred softly from feeling slightly warm and closed his eyes. Now, he just had to wait for his body to do the same.

"So, ready to get wet from the waterfall?" Kiara grinned teasingly. He glared and splashed her. She spit out the water and grinned, "I thought you were going to show me that you could overcome it."

"You really test me, you know?" Kaen'Dre hissed, clicking his mandibles.

"I will show you first then" Kiara offered and swam to the waterfall.

The width of the waterfall didn't worry him, but the height of it was another matter. Who knew how much force it brought down upon the water? He saw Kiara head into the waterfall while the water hit her on the head and bounced off over her body. She smiled while the water flowed over her and absorbed its pureness. Coming out of it in a bit, her hair stuck to her body while her cheeks flushed pink from the surge of the force of the waterfall.

If she can do it, so can I, Kaen'Dre thought instantly. Hmm, she looks very appealing with those garments stuck so wetly to her body. Hmm, nice curves.

He shook his head and shoved out any thoughts he was having. His task was to get under that waterfall, not under her clothes. Groaning at his immature thoughts, he looked over to the waterfall.

"See, nothing to it" Kiara said, brushing her wet hair back. "Your turn."

He raised his chin to show her he wasn't afraid and swam over to the waterfall. She giggled at his movements which made him growl.

"Stop laughing" Kaen'Dre whined. "I am no coward."

"I know you aren't" Kiara said, smiling. "It's just water, you'll be fine."

He looked over at the cascading waters and went up to it until he could feel droplets of it on his face. Extending his hand, he put it through the cold and felt its instant coldness along with its strong force. Taking it back quickly, he looked over to Kiara.

"How did your head not hurt?" he asked, raising his brows.

"You just point your head upwards and let the water fall over you" she said, shaking her shoulders. "Here."

She swam over to him gracefully and took his arm. Staying at his side, she patted his arm and looked at him.

"I'll go with you so you won't feel uneasy" Kiara said, gently. "It'll be a pleasing experience, trust me."

He nodded while she went under the waterfall. The water gracefully went over her skin as if she were a rock. How she could easily do that was beyond him. She yanked his arm since she hadn't released her hold.

How bad could it be? It's just water like she said, he thought. Besides, I'm a hunter and no hunter holds fear.

He sucked in his breath and went under the waterfall. It hit his body instantly and made his skin shiver involuntarily again. His hair drooped down slightly since it was still in a ponytail. He raised his head so the water wouldn't knock his head down and cramp his neck. Feeling Kiara's hand let go of his arm, he grabbed it back into his own hand tightly. He felt her trace her fingers over his own gently to soothe him.

Kiara smiled from the way he had grasped her hand, like a wanderer nervous of the unknown. She yanked his hand and led him to the other side of the waterfall where it cleared. She heard him click excitedly while she pushed her hair back away from her face. Clearing the water from her eyebrows and eyes, she looked up at his enthusiastic face as they grasped a rocky ledge to stay on the surface.

"That was great!" Kaen'Dre said, cheerfully. "I've never felt water like that before!"

"I told you you'd enjoy it" she said, chuckling. "You're not cold anymore?"

"Who cares! I want to go back in!" Kaen'Dre said, looking back to it. She laughed at his reaction. "By the gods, have you ever heard me talk so loud?!"

"You're soaking wet!" Kiara said instantly when she felt his dreads sprinkle water on her face.

Kaen'Dre laughed and took off the band that held his hair up. Untying his hair, he put his band around his wrist and looked back at her. He traced his fingers over her cheeks to wipe off the water he threw at her. She giggled which made him purr happily.

"You're really enjoying this" Kiara said, grinning. He nodded. "I'm glad, I've never seen you so happy before."

Neither have I, he thought. Oh wait, when I survived my trial but this is different.

"I feel peaceful . .and free here" Kaen'Dre said, leaning back against the rocky edge. "I see why you enjoyed coming here."

"Quiet, secluded places can often be the best to relax" Kiara said, nodding. She touched his hair with her hand curiously. "I've never seen you with your hair down."

"I always wear it up, ever since I was small" Kaen'Dre said, running a hand through his dreads. "I don't like having my hair all over the place."

"It looks nice when it's down though" Kiara complimented, tracing her hands over his dreads. "Your eyes shine more."

His hair was much different and complex than hers. It was so tightly bound into sections, they looked tube-like. She could see tiny strands bound rigidly into one dread along with his silver clasps over them to keep each secure. She wondered what would happen if they came off or if his hair grew. She remembered how his hair had first been when she'd first met him, it was long, sleek, and the strands had been thicker than hers.

I've never seen hair like this, she thought.

"Does it hurt to have your hair like this?" Kiara asked, softly.

"Not now, but when it was bound. . .it hurt like hell itself" Kaen'Dre said, drooping his lower mandibles. She traced her hand over his hair soothingly and offered a small smile.

Kiara wondered how much pain this being had been through. He fought so gallantly and was so reserved. Yet, she'd seen how he was spoken to when he was small and how quickly he could put emotional walls around himself. She wanted to make him feel peaceful and safe with her while he was here.

"Go swim, enjoy yourself" she said, patting his shoulder.

You deserve it, she thought fondly.

He nodded and went back into the waterfall instantly. She chuckled and went into it, but didn't stay. She went back to the front side and spotted Asim on all fours overlooking the pool. He yowled when he saw Kiara again.

"You were worried?" Kiara called to him. "Don't worry, Kaen'Dre's safe, he won't hurt anyone."

Asim growled and went back to lay down under the shade. She smiled and turned to Kaen'Dre who was soaking under the waterfall. Hearing him purr, she noticed him brushing his hair back to let the water go over his whole body. He was enjoying it and she was happy for him. She also enjoyed the view of his tall, muscled, and toned body. Looking away, she pushed her feelings down. She'd never seen a man that bare before and she'd be damned if she grew fond of him.

"It feels good, doesn't it?" she yelled so he'd hear.

He backed away slightly from the waterfall and pushed his hair back. Letting the water hit his face, he opened his mouth to drink some of it. His stomach tingled from its coldness which made him happy. Feeling two hands touch his back, he got out completely. He looked behind as droplets fell over his eyes to find Kiara's amused face looking back at him.

"That's enough water for you, if you stay in there longer you may become one with it" Kiara laughed which made him growl playfully.

"You have the entire pool, go swim longer and be one with that one" Kaen'Dre complained, wiping his face. "I want this one."

"First, you hate it, now you love it" Kiara said, leaning back to swim in the water. "Odd man."

"You shouldn't have made me go in there then" Kaen'Dre pointed out and smirked, "Too late."

She went up to him and pressed her hands down on his shoulders, trying to sink him. It didn't work well so she tried pushing him out of the way. He grabbed her hands into his which made her struggle to get out of his grip to no avail.

"It won't make a difference, Kiara" Kaen'Dre laughed. "You may be a warrior of sort, but you're too small to defeat me."

"Really? The kicks I gave you yesterday would say otherwise, oh mighty one" Kiara mocked. She struggled in his grip again.

"Feisty, aren't you?" Kaen'Dre mused which made her eyebrows rise.

"Aggressive, aren't you?" she commented back.

"Only when I need to be" he said, clicking his top mandibles.

She laughed while tightening her hands onto his. Her hands were small against his but weren't pathetically weak. He yanked her forward which brought her up against him chest-to-chest. She faced him easily because of the water's flotation so he had no need to lean down.

He traced his golden eyes over her face which made her body tingle by the mere look. Her hold softened on his hands but his didn't. Kaen'Dre trailed his thumbs over the top of her hands like she'd done yesterday, curious about the skin-to-skin sensation. Her face flushed around her cheeks while she leaned in to rest her face against his neck comfortably and to avoid his intense gaze. His skin felt as if it were on fire when she breathed onto it. She felt weightless against him compared to his kind due to her size, he could hold her all day and never tire of it.

He held her hands closely under his and purred as his fingers caressed hers. He couldn't deny he liked it but he didn't want to. She was ooman and he wasn't, which made him bitterly remember nothing could happen. They were friends only and by being different species, they would stay that way permanently. He sighed and was about to place his head besides hers but he spotted something behind the deep bushes around the pool. Looking closer, he saw a yautja outline, not a human. He studied the body structure and movement until he figured out who it was.

Ani'Twei!

What is he doing here?, he thought quickly.

Kiara felt his body tense up which made her hold his hands tightly. She looked up to find him looking out into the jungle, observing the bushes cautiously.

What is it?, she thought. She leaned up to nudge her nose against the bottom of his chin.

"Are you all right?" she asked, tracing her eyes over his thoughtful face.

"Yes, I am fine" he said quietly. He looked down at her with a small smile, "Stay here for a moment, I will be back."

"What is wrong?" Kiara asked, concerned. "You're tense and in deep thought."

"Nothing is wrong, Kiara" Kaen'Dre said, patting her head. "Just swim for a bit while I am gone."

"Where are you going then?" she asked, quickly. "I will go with you."

So innocent, yet brave, he thought warmly. But must remain in the dark.

"I will be fine, I will return before you know it" Kaen'Dre said, letting go of her hands.

Kiara felt a bit empty when he let go of her. She wanted to feel his comforting hold and his warm body against her skin. Before he moved away from her, she grasped his arm softly.

"We're not in danger are we?" Kiara asked, feeling edgy.

"If we were, I'd be protecting you by now" Kaen'Dre said, nodding his head in regard. He trailed a hand over her cheek, "Do not worry, little one."

She smiled immediately, feeling better. Leaning over quickly, she wrapped her arms over him and hugged him closely. He purred pleasingly until she let him go.

"Don't take too long, my lord" she said, smiling.

"Kaen'Dre" he reminded quickly. He did not want her calling him that.

He swam away from her and headed to the shore. Kiara watched him and smiled appealingly when seeing his tall body stretch out on shore. His body was so toned and strong, it looked so surreal. She enjoyed seeing his tight muscles ripple and his hair glide over his body.

Oh dear, why am I finding him so attractive?, she thought suddenly. He is not even mortal.

Kaen'Dre tied his hair back up while he headed into the bushes. His feet trudged over the dirt while he shoved the leaves out of his way. Tracing his eyes over to his friend's signature, he jumped out of the bushes in front of him.

"What are you doing here?" Kaen'Dre asked, quickly.

"I was exploring, and I doubt you are with that outfit" Ani'Twei said, a grin creeping onto his face. "Especially with the way you were in that ooman's arms."

So he did know I was at the pool, Kaen'Dre thought.

"I was swimming, plain and simple" he said, grimly. "You're lucky she didn't see you and get scared off."

"If she's not scared of you, why won't she be of me?" Ani'Twei asked, raising his chin. "Is there a reason you didn't tell us she was female?"

Kaen'Dre hated being questioned by his friend. He knew Ani'Twei would suspect anything romantic if he was with a female since he rarely sought their attention. Kaen'Dre had always been more into hunting than mating, he wanted to wait a while and have his fun in the Hunt before producing pups. He growled while Ani'Twei gave him a questionable pose.

"I said she was ooman, what else did you need to know?" Kaen'Dre snapped. "Is it that important of a fact?"

"You tried to hide the fact, Kaen" Ani'Twei pointed out. "I haven't been here long but I saw how you were holding her, it didn't seem platonic."

"I am a hunter, she is prey, there is nothing there!" Kaen'Dre said, baring his sharp teeth. "Why would you think that?"

"Your outburst makes me think otherwise" Ani'Twei said, laughing. Kaen'Dre glared. "See?"

"Ani'Twei, why in the universe would I choose an alien female over my own?" Kaen'Dre said, crossing his arms. "An entire clan ship of them?"

"I didn't say you would but now. . ." Ani'Twei said, clicking in amusement. He groaned and stomped his foot.

"Ani, if I wasn't soaking wet, I'd wrestle you to the ground" Kaen'Dre said, annoyed.

"I'm just trying to give you advice" Ani'Twei said, sighing. "You could deny it but if she makes you happy, there's a good chance you will end up wanting to have her as a mate."

Yes, she makes me happy, he thought. But . . . .

"I am not, she is ooman, Ani!" Kaen'Dre hissed. "I am a yautja, can you not see the differences?"

"Let me finish, Kaen" Ani'Twei said, raising his voice. His friend glared. "My father is a yautja and my mother is an ooman, you know this. If you think the two species cannot mate, I am the living proof along with my sister that they can. Kwei'De chose her as a life mate and she looks mostly ooman, why can you not decide to take your ooman?"

Kaen'Dre growled deep in his chest. He had a point but he wouldn't be choosing her as a mate, he wanted one among his own. Sure, she entertained him in many ways but he could find a female like that among his kind. Right? His life did not have to be like Ani'Twei's.

"I will never choose a ooman" Kaen'Dre said, simply. "You have your ways of thinking, I have mine."

"Fine, so you do" Ani'Twei said, nodding. Then he pointed to the waterfall, "What makes you think that she may not care for you?"

"I think her species finds us hideous" Kaen'Dre pointed out. Ani'Twei laughed.

"Of course we're frightening to anyone, but look at my parents" Ani'Twei said, shrugging. "I've walked in after coming home from a hunt to see them cuddling. There is a chance that she may care for you in the end. Oomans hold many emotions that we ourselves do not."

"Cuddling?" Kaen'Dre laughed out loud. Ani'Twei laughed and leaned forward to punch him in the arm. "Ow! It's not my fault I've never seen parents behave that way."

Kaen'Dre wondered at how Kiara had cuddled up against him yesterday. He hadn't cuddled up against her, had he? No, he hadn't. . .had he? Sighing mentally in confusion, he looked back at Ani'Twei.

"Any more advice, Wise Warrior?" Kaen'Dre said, drooping his lower mandibles.

"Yes, don't walk around like that around her" Ani'Twei said, laughing. "She may like you faster, same thing happened with Sier'Ra and Kwei'De. She got one look at him and before I knew it, he was family."

"I'm not Kwei'De, where is he by the way?" Kaen'Dre said, wondering.

"He went to find more ooman food to eat" Ani'Twei sighed dismally. Kaen'Dre laughed. "As long as he doesn't scare oomans by going into that civilization, we'll be fine. Either that or he doesn't poison himself."

They both laughed while Kaen'Dre imagined Kwei'De eating strange fruit and choking to death on it a second later. He would never want any real harm to his friends of course, but the thought was amusing.

"Tell him to stay away for a bit, there were some investigations with them about the hard meat" Kaen'Dre said, quickly. "I took care of it though, no oomans should be looking into it."

"Even yours?" Ani'Twei asked, curiously. He glared. "What is her name by the way?"

"Kiara, nice sound, huh?" Kaen'Dre said, smiling. Ani'Twei tilted his head and he hissed, "What now?"

"I've never seen you talk about any female while smiling" he answered. Then sighed, "You need to meet some females when we get back home."

"Right. . .home" Kaen'Dre said, simply. For an odd reason, he didn't feel like leaving for it soon.

Kiara, he thought warmly. Then snapping out of it, Stop thinking about her! Remember, ooman: bad, yautja: good.

"Have you started hunting yet?" Ani'Twei asked, curiously. "You are in their civilization."

"No, it'd be too suspicious if all these oomans pop up killed in so quick a time" Kaen'Dre said, scoffing. "I will take some down somehow before we leave."

"Good, contact me when you do" Ani'Twei said, nodding. "There is another kingdom miles away but it's too far from the ship."

"Why not head there one of these days?" Kaen'Dre said, waving a hand. Ani'Twei shrugged and nodded.

"Kaen'Dre!" Kiara called from the pool.

"Your ooman calls" Ani'Twei laughed. "Your Kiara."

"You push me, you know" Kaen'Dre growled.

"That is why we're friends" he snickered back. "Go, before she comes after you."

"You should see her when she comes at me to fight" Kaen'Dre said, smiling.

"Go to her before I say something I'll regret!" Ani'Twei said, waving his hands at him.

"Like what?" he challenged.

"By the time that we leave you'll be her mate" Ani'Twei said, crossing his arms.

Kaen'Dre drooped his mandibles in surprise at his remark. He would not end up like that with her. Growling in annoyance, he headed back towards the pool.

"You're in denial!" Ani'Twei called over. "But if you choose to open up, good luck!"

"I won't!" Kaen'Dre retorted quickly.

"How long till you return?" Ani'Twei called.

"No idea, snap Kwei'De on the head for me" he said back.

Kaen'Dre ran quickly through the bushes back to where Kiara was. Asim quickly got on all fours defensively but didn't pounce on him, which made him relieved. He'd never taken on prey without armor or weapons, he wasn't that experienced.

"He didn't attack me" he said instantly in surprise.

"He's starting to like you" Kiara said, smiling.

He looked over to see her leaning on the rocky ledge as she looked up at him. He purred and jumped into the water which splashed her on the face when she turned. She covered her face until the water stopped swaying and opened her eyes. Her eyes met directly into his which made her feel bashful all over again. He found it tranquil to look at her for long moments and not be worried.

"I missed you" Kiara said, grinning.

How does she always find the right thing to say?, he thought gently.

"I did too" Kaen'Dre said, nodding. "So, shall we enjoy the rest of this beautiful place? There is nothing here to bother us."

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End of Chapter 10. Yes, I know it was a bit longer than the rest but I hope you all enjoyed it. Don't forget to review if you have time, I love everyone's reviews. Thanks! (hugs every reviewer).