CHAPTER 13:
Sand Issues
"How am I supposed to be comfortable?" Kaen'Dre asked, hissing.
"You're not comfortable because you keep moving!" Kiara pointed out.
"How am I supposed to when sand is getting everywhere inside my clothes and armor?" he retorted.
"Because you keep moving everywhere!" she pointed out.
"But it still gets in even if I don't!" he said, itching his arm.
"All right, stop yelling, you'll just get grumpier" Kiara said, trying to create peace. "I have an idea."
They had gotten to the sand dune to relax. The air was cool since the sun was setting and the sand was cool now. But Kaen'Dre hadn't enjoyed lying down on the sand. He had taken off his cloak and gloves, but sand had gotten into his normal clothes. Now, he was jumping everywhere trying to get sand out and getting more in his shoes. It seemed comical to Kiara but she knew how his temper was when it came to being unclean and uncomfortable. She'd seen it when he fell through the air over the cliff, on his old bed, his first meal, and getting wet.
She got his cloak off of the floor and stretched it over the sand. Unclipping the buttons, she stretched both sides over the sand. Taking off her cloak, she did the same to create a blanket from the two cloaks.
"There, now we have somewhere to sit or lay" she said, proudly.
"I could've done that" Kaen'Dre muttered.
Why hadn't I thought of that? I'm a male, I'm supposed to be smarter than a ooman female, he thought.
"Right, now stop being fussy and sit" she ordered. He growled. "Well, 'grrrrrrr' to you too."
He snorted at her attempt to mimic him. Shaking off any remaining sand, he sat down over his cloak while Kiara lay on hers. She stretched over it to relax while he looked over the sky. He saw the stars starting to come out into the night sky. This sky showed less stars than his own, probably because his had more than one sun. He hadn't been back to his home in months because of all of his hunting and this current trip.
"Now this is relaxing" Kiara sighed pleasantly. She stretched onto her stomach to relax this time.
After hiking since midmorning, she was tired. Kaen'Dre wasn't but she was not about to hike more nonstop unless he wanted to carry her around. She let the cool wind cool her down while feeling her muscles relax. Her body was not fit to hike for so long unlike his, she envied him for that. He had the perfect yet unreal body that no one ever had. How lucky he was to be so flawless, unlike her.
I am so taking a long bath when I get home, she thought. I will soak until I can soak no more!
Feeling a sharp poke on her back, she hissed and looked to the side. Looking up to see him looking down at her, she bared her top teeth in a hiss. He hissed back while raising his chest to look intimidating. She growled back and poked him in the stomach.
"You're not scary" she said, smirking.
"I am scary, you just haven't seen my angry side" he said, raising his chin. "You've only seen me friendly, I remember you were afraid of me back in the jungle."
Kaen'Dre may not have been scary to the ooman girl, but he could be. He was a yautja hunter after all! He'd taken down more prey than any of his friends and would never stop hunting until he had the highest rank of his clan one day. She had never seen how he really fights or hunts down his prey. If she did, she'd probably be afraid. . .or maybe not, she was go-getting herself.
"Maybe a little, but you know what I really thought?" Kiara said, trailing a hand down his thigh softly.
Is she flirting with me?, he thought quickly. This female!
He trailed his index finger over her the top of her hand in return. She smiled and gave his thigh a soft squeeze.
"What did you think?" he asked, flirtingly.
Well, if she's acting that way, I can't be rude, he thought. Sure, I could easily, but I don't want to.
"That you. ." she said, returning the tone. Then loudly, "Were very annoying!"
"What!" Kaen'Dre exclaimed.
She teased me, she made me think she was flirting!, he thought embarrassed. Curse her! Curse myself for believing it! Curse these oomans!
"I was annoying? How dare you?" he continued loudly. "You. . .You. . Well, I thought you were irritating!"
"At least I didn't fall over a cliff" she countered.
"The ground collapsed!" he informed. "But at least I didn't lose more than half my weapons!"
"The serpent had acidic blood!" she said back. "Even now, you're annoying!"
"You're still irritable too!" he exclaimed.
He puffed up his chest and crossed his arms. He hated being fooled, he was the dominant one, not her. Turning his back to her, he sat up as straight as he could to make himself look tough. He wasn't mad, he just wanted her to think it and to make him feel better. Sure, it irritated him to be caught off guard, which gave him a thought of how close he'd been getting to this ooman. Hunters could not develop emotions that would interfere in their hunts and lifestyles.
"You're not angry, are you?" she groaned. "You started it, Kaen'Dre."
"Hmph" he huffed.
"I know you're faking it" she said, trailing a hand down his back. "You're throwing a tantrum like a child . . .a more silent one."
"Hmph" he huffed again.
She knew he was faking it, but she still felt like cuddling him. That and the fact she cared about him gave her a reason to just do it. Besides, she got the feeling that he wanted her attention, especially with his silent treatment. So, she sat up and getting behind him, she wrapped her arms over his shoulders. Squeezing him closely, she kissed the uncovered part on his neck between his mask and collar. She heard him click his throat instantly.
Kaen'Dre was surprised by her kiss on his neck, he hadn't expected that. But he didn't hate it at all, he liked it. Well, I guess his plan had worked and now she was making him feel better somehow. Yes, he knew how to allure his female. He couldn't deny that he wanted a female just like any male, but the ooman factor still came to his mind.
I can't allure her, he thought afterwards. I have to stop being so close to her, but her touch. . . .
He felt her lips kiss his neck softly while holding onto him. He turned his head to the side to allow her to kiss him there and she did. Despite his negative thoughts, Kaen'Dre always loved feeling her soft lips on his flesh in any way, especially since the first time she kissed his chin. Purring loudly, he traced his hand up her cheek and into her hair. After a bit, he grabbed her arms and unlocked them off of him. Bringing her into his arms, he kept her in them like a child.
"I thought you were angry" she smirked.
"I can change my mind quickly" he said, chuckling.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you wanted me to do that" Kiara said, tracing her hand over his mesh top.
"Why would you say that?" Kaen'Dre said, trying to deny it.
Why must questions be asked by this ooman when I or she touch each other?, he groaned mentally.
"Faking your anger, if you were angry, you'd take longer to calm" she said, raising an eyebrow. "Am I correct?"
I hate it when she gets me in a bind, he sighed mentally. But I do love a challenge.
"We gods are different when it comes to that" he said, quickly. She grinned. "What?"
"You lie, my dear" she said, chuckling. He growled. "Your growl adds more to my point."
I guess my idea wasn't fool proof, he sighed mentally. I need to study more on these oomans again.
"Or maybe to how I'm right" he said, poking her nose with his claw.
"But my point makes sense because if not, you wouldn't have sounded to pleased when I was behind you" Kiara said, proudly. "And you wouldn't have moved your head too."
"You have me in a predicament" Kaen'Dre hissed. He did not want to prove her right, he hated being wrong!
"Really now?" Kiara grinned. "So, what is your response? Did you enjoy me or were you faking?"
She blushed at the end of her sentence though. She wanted to know if he had enjoyed what she did and if he actually would admit it. She was starting to care about him in a romantic sense and somehow, she wished he would too. But that mortal-immortal barrier was still there. Sure, she heard of mortals marrying gods but she'd never heard what happened afterwards? Were they happy, sad, angry, blissful, or unhappy?
"What answer would please you?" he questioned.
"Would you answer and stop stalling?" she said, laughing.
"I wanted you to hold me like you always do, but not go further" he lied. "But it was a nice touch to your sympathy."
Why did I kiss him? I'm such an idiot, she thought annoyed.
"Then I shall not do that again, I will only hold you" she said, nodding. "I'm sorry if I caused you any discomfort."
"It was not uncomfortable" he said, quickly. Then casually, "I just did not expect it."
As much as I love your kisses, I can't let it get further, he thought glumly. Your embraces I will admit, but not your kisses.
"Then say no next time" she said, shaking her shoulders. "Now, you can put me down and we can see the stars."
He let go of her and she sat back down on her spot. Oh, why couldn't he tell her what he wanted? He didn't want to feel any affection because he knew he had to leave and mating with a human was. .uncommon, for his people. But most of the time now, he just wanted her touches and body against his in any manner. But he had to control himself, even if it meant crushing any feelings he had. No yautja was supposed to feel that way, maybe he shouldn't have come to Earth at all.
Great, now I'm regretting!, he said mentally. What's my next new emotion?
"All I see are their heat fields, I cannot see in your view" he said, simply. "Gods are different."
"And I keep finding that out more along the way" Kiara muttered to herself.
She looked over the stars and wished for an impossible wish. She wanted to have him care about her in a romantic sense, not just a friendly one. She wanted their barriers of differences to crash down so she could tell him something or show him something of how she felt. But the reality was she could not.
It's just every time his body's against mine or he touches me, I just. . .I just want to kiss him all over, she thought aguishly. Oh, why couldn't the gods have sent my soul mate instead?
She grabbed one of her gold necklaces and tied it around her hand. Lifting it up in her hand, she hung her head down from the side to motion a hanging motion. She stuck out her tongue to add more to her comical expression.
"What are you doing?" Kaen'Dre asked, puzzled.
"It's called humor, my friend" she said, regaining her calm position. "I do this a lot when I'm with my friends, I do have a sarcastic side besides being serious."
"Kiara, I've mostly seen you sarcastic or happy" he pointed out. "Sometimes I think those are your only sides."
"You got me angry today, remember?" she said, simply. "I have many sides, but I'd rather not be an emotional mess."
"Mortals and their emotions" he said, patting her back.
"Was that pity or sarcasm?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.
Why all the questions?, he thought. I've gotten enough for today, little one.
"A little of the first, a little of the second" Kaen'Dre grinned. She gave him a look. "Don't hit me!"
Bit instead of whacking him, she just laughed. He sighed in relief until punched him on the arm. He growled by instinct and hit her softly behind the head in return. She poked him on his bare side which he easily returned. Poking him on his thigh, he returned it instantly. He got his finger up in the air to mimic her movements and strike.
How pitiful, this is the only strategic movement I've done all week to take down anyone, he thought pathetically. And it's an ooman female!
"All right, I give in" she said, lowering her head. He grinned in victory.
But Kiara didn't plan to let him win. Saying a silent chant she'd learn from Atem when they were small, she closed her eyes quickly.
Desert spirit, aid me in this small task, create a wave of your element and sweep it over my challenger, she thought and whispered. But in a light intimidating manner.
Kaen'Dre stared at her while she whispered to herself. What was she doing? Suddenly, he saw her curl into a ball while he felt a wall of a grainy substance fall entirely over him. It was sand, hateful sand! He roared immediately in annoyance from the itchy dirt over his entire body. Getting up, he noticed the wave of sand gone so he shook the remainder off of him. Kiara looked over him while he jumped everywhere.
Sand! SAND! I hate sand! I'm dirty!, he screamed mentally. Why do the gods curse me?
"Who's better now?" she grinned.
That little ooman!, he thought quickly.
"You . . .You. . .You are beginning to be a worthy adversary, princess!" he growled. "How dare you?"
"Is that a threat?" she asked, leaning back on her elbows.
"No, it's a compliment in a way but I'm so damn itchy right now!" Kaen'Dre said, shaking out the sand. Then whimpered, "I'm dirty."
Kiara couldn't help but smile at his pitiful tone. He could be a serious and fierce fighter, but when it came to the anything messy, he got whiny like a child. Seeing him jump around comically like a person with a lizard or roach in their pants made her look at him differently. If he wasn't a god but mortal, she would've asked to court him immediately. But no, she had to keep her loving feelings of him inside.
But it's so hard, especially with how cute he looks now, she giggled mentally. Cute? Oh dear, I need to lower my feelings. How could that aggressiveness of his be cute?
Getting up, she walked over to him while he shook his legs. He gave her a quick look before getting back to his task.
"You can bathe when we get home" she said, smiling.
"But I'm dirty now" he muttered. "I probably have sand everywhere."
"Well, you can't get it out completely in that manner" she said, placing her hands on her hips. "Unless you plan to strip down to nothing and shake all the sand off of your clothes."
"I would not give you the glory of seeing me in that manner" he said, instantly. "No mortal ever can."
"What! I would never, ever want to see you that way" she said, grimacing.
I've never seen a man nude and I don't plan to with you soon, she thought at the same time. No matter how appealing. . .no! Stop being immature!
"Good then" he said, nodding. "We're clear on that."
"Absolutely" she said, quickly. "Perfectly."
They stayed silent but she heard him shaking sand out of his armor crevices.
"Why'd you do it? I had the victory" he mumbled. "But no, the princess wanted her glory. You love outshining me, don't you?"
"I have to impress my superior, don't I? Otherwise, he wouldn't think I was worthy to learn at his side" Kiara said, smiling innocently.
I hate it when she uses that look on me, he thought. It always makes my stomach flutter.
"You don't have to impress me" Kaen'Dre said, looking at her. "You have me impressed so far, princess. But one question, what the hell was that wave?"
"I have studied magic my lord, isn't it obvious?" she pointed out. "It was a basic spell of easy caliber."
Magic? Magic would be. . . . , Kaen'Dre thought.
He quickly ran through his lessons on ooman studies. Remembering the images and descriptions on his books, his mind clicked on the subject. He'd heard of their unnatural abilities that were learned through hard and long training. It reminded him of his experiences when he wanted to be a hunter. Those memories weren't nice either, until he met his friends.
"Yes. .but I did not expect you to know magic" he said, making up his statements. "Where did you learn?"
"I've learned from my brother, friends, and my father's court" she said, shrugging.
How this little ooman uses powers like that easily is beyond me, he thought. She looks so. . .innocent.
"You fight well physically enough, yet you use magic?" he asked, curiously. "You intrigue me more, Kiara."
"I only use it when I have to in battle, like in the jungle" she said, shyly. "I don't like using it on other people unless they're dangerous."
"So, why did you use it on me?" Kaen'Dre asked, crossing his arms.
"I thought you'd use your powers to counter mine" she said, simply. "Why didn't you?"
Oh gods, what do I say? I have no powers, he thought frantically. Unless she wants to count my superior technology. My cloak can't be the only thing she'll believe that's spiritual.
"I didn't feel like using them" he said, quickly. "We sometimes have a limited amount to use, but only in grim situations."
She nodded and reached her hand up to wipe off some sand off his dreads. They always had the same feeling, thick strands but with a slight gloss over them. She always liked playing with his hair. Hearing his click in curiosity, she let go.
"If you enjoy my hair so much, I could braid it for you" he said, amusingly.
"No, you told me it was painful, no, no, no" she said, quickly.
"I'd never hurt you, I'd make it easy" he said, patting her head. "Unlike you and your sand wave."
"I'm sorry, do you forgive me?" she asked, crossing her arms from behind.
Kaen'Dre smiled at her innocent pose. He loved seeing her cross her arms from behind, stand on her heels in an slanted angle, and puff out her chest. Her chest was already full and firm against her body, which easily made him smile underneath his mask. His male instincts wanted to touch her all over with her alluring pose but he controlled it. How could he not forgive her?
"Of course I do" he said, nodding.
She wrapped her arms around his sides and held him close. She brushed off some sand that was on his mesh softly, then trailed her fingers over his abs. He purred and placed his forehead over hers. She held him closely enough that he felt her firm breasts against his chest. His knees felt weak suddenly so he moved a bit back which made her look at him.
"Lost my balance there a bit" he said, embarrassed. She smiled. "So, will we be looking at the stars or what?"
She nodded and went back to his cloak on the floor. Picking it up, she took off the sand and then placed it back down. Kiara then sat down on her side and lay down. Kaen'Dre shook out any sand along with his emotional thoughts. He lay down on his side also like Kiara. He felt her cuddle onto his side and intertwine her fingers with his. Her hands were much smaller than his but he didn't mind it, he loved her soft and small fingers against his. He already liked holding her hand since they met up again.
"Do you mind this?" she asked, softly.
"No, not at all" he answered back. He squeezed her hand softly. "I like your touches Kiara, it's just that. . .I have a problem admitting it. I have not grown accustomed to being touched like you."
"Really?" she asked, looking at him. He nodded.
"We do not touch each other unless we are family or mates" he explained. She looked puzzled at him. "Wife and husband."
He sighed when she smiled and nodded. At least he remembered what oomans called their mates.
"Oh, so this is all new to you?" she asked, surprised. "I thought you said not to touch your face only."
"No, I meant my whole being completely" Kaen'Dre chuckled. She blushed in embarrassment but he placed a finger on her chin. "But I . . .like your touches, they're new and I've never felt them."
"Would you rather feel them with somebody else?" she asked, timidly.
Oh, how more beautiful could she be?, he thought warmly.
"Of course not, I feel safe with you, I wouldn't want anybody else" Kaen'Dre said, patting her head.
She smiled and leaned over to kiss the mouth part of his mask with her lips. He purred immediately at wondering if he didn't have his mask on, how it would've felt. But part of him was glad because if he didn't, he probably would've wanted to take it farther. He could not take anything far and then regret it.
Not a ooman, I can't be with a ooman, he thought. But every day I keep on feeling more feelings about her. I hate my feelings! I've never had feelings in my life!
He patted her cheek and motioned to the sky with his finger. She nodded and looked up into the red-purple sky. She loved the colors that came with the sunsets, they looked just like a painting made of so many colors that no mortal could ever draw completely.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she asked, softly. He didn't respond. "Kaen'Dre?"
"I can't exactly see like you, Kiara" he said, glumly. "Remember?"
She felt bad that he couldn't see what she say. His sight was superior but it left out the beauty of nature. How she wished he'd see what she saw.
"But if you could, you'd love it" she said, squeezing his hand. "The sky is as dazzling as the waterfall we met at."
He tried to imagine how the sky looked in her eyes, but he couldn't. He only saw in infrared lighting, he wished he could see it but no. He'd have to go on more hunts until he could get an image viewer that could see through the ooman spectrum. Then he could see everything, even Kiara. He imagined the sky as beautiful as her.
"Hmm. . .gives me an image" he said, nodding.
"Good, now relax and we'll be fine" she said, cuddling next to him. "I may get relaxed enough I may fall asleep on you, but if I drool on you, just poke me till I wake."
"You are very humorous, you remind me of one of my best friends" he said, laughing.
"Really? I thought you were timid to" she said, smiling. "He's in your list of 5?"
"Yes, we've known each other for many years" Kaen'Dre said, shaking his shoulders. "His name is Kwei'De, he's very humorous."
He didn't mind telling her about his friends. She believed they were immortal beings so he'd just make some titles to their names if he had to. It made him wonder how he'd easily talk to her about them but not to them about her.
Because she's more understanding, a voice in his head said easily.
"He should meet Aziza, they'd make a pair of jesters easily" Kiara laughed.
"Like we make our own pair?" he asked, nudging her head. She nudged him back.
"We've known each other for a while, she may scare him" she said, giggling. "She's a bit. . energetic."
"No, she may be frightened" he said, amusingly. "You should meet his mate, wife, she reminds me of you except she's much quieter."
"I like quiet people, Atem is sometimes like that or Set" Kiara said, thoughtfully. "Maybe I should be more quiet?"
"I like you just how you are though" Kaen'Dre said, purring. She smiled instantly.
"I feel the same about you" she said, patting his cheek. "I've never met anyone like you and I will always keep you close to my heart."
"So will I" he said, softly. "But while I'm here, I will keep you in my arms as much as possible."
There's nothing wrong with holding anyone, right?, he thought and tried to knock his feelings down again.
"Hmm, I don't see anything wrong with that" Kiara said, grinning. "Especially when we're alone and relaxed like this."
"Then relax and watch the stars, princess" Kaen'Dre said, looking into the sky.
He looked over the sky that had developed more stars in it. He felt her hold him close while looking over the sky happily. Was there ever a time when she wasn't pleased in the outdoors? If he could only take her hunting, but she'd probably run from his way of hunting and cleaning his trophies.
Or maybe not, who knows?, he thought interestingly. She did help kill a hard meat. I wonder if I could take her hunting, but not oomans, she'd banish me immediately without a thought. But I won't give up the idea though.
Kaen'Dre looked over her while she looked over the sky. Yes, he couldn't keep his eyes off of her but no, he couldn't touch her. Why couldn't he have friendly thoughts about her? Why did they have to switch into something romantic? Sighing, he looked over the sky again.
Gods, help me control and forget these new feelings, he prayed mentally. Bring me a yautja female or hard meat instead!
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End of Chapter 13. Thanks to Kae-she Katsumi and Michaela Moser for their wonderful reviews along with everybody else: Irish, Sylin, Dazzler 420, alien fanatic93,The Greatest Boba Fett Fan, and Monarque Myste. I love you guys! I love all my readers too! Oh heck, I love everybody!