CHAPTER 22:
Ceasing The Fire
Kaen'Dre ran into the burning home and tried to find what direction to head in. Most of the rooms seemed to full of flames which made him wonder where Kiara was. He knocked down burning furniture out of his way while trying to find any living signatures. He didn't have his mask so he wasn't able to see through anything which made him growl. Feeling the flames tingle his skin, he growled and kept moving.
"Kiara! Where are you!" he called out throughout the burning house.
Let her be all right, he thought. Let nothing happen to her.
At hearing nothing, he decided to scout the house. Going through the front rooms, he practically bashed through anything in his way. He needed to find his mate and quick. At finding nothing, he went through any of the hallways of the house that were in the middle. Once again, nothing. He was about to give up until he heard movement in the back besides the burning embers of wood. Getting out of the hallways, he walked over burning pieces of wood while placing his hand over the cloth over his mouth to keep out any fumes. He didn't have his gauntlet so his wrist computer could depict the gases but either way, he wasn't going to stay here long.
Reaching several rooms in the back of the home, he focused on the noises. Hearing crying noises to the left side, he ran there instantly. He could see the smoke was heavy in the area which made him wonder how anyone was surviving in there. Going deeper into that hallway, he spotted two figures against a wall. One was in an adult height and another was a children's height. Kaen'Dre ran immediately to where they were. Spotting Kiara's crown, he smiled at seeing her.
"Kiara!" he called out to her.
He could see her dress was covered in soot while her arm had a scrape over it. She was coughing loudly while trying to breathe against the fumes. Her arms cradled a crying baby while a little girl stayed close to her.
So this is who she came to rescue, he thought.
Grabbing her into his arms, she looked up at him immediately. How in the world did he get in here? Every time she needed help, he always be there for her. She coughed into his chest while her chest tingled from the fumes.
"Come on, we have to get out!" Kaen'Dre yelled.
"Fine, take the little girl with you, I can't look after both" Kiara said, holding the girls. "I'll take the baby."
"All right, but stay with me" he said, nodding.
Kiara looked down at the 7 year old in her sleeping gown and patted her head.
"I need you to go with him, he'll take good care of you" she said, firmly. "We need to get out of here as quickly as possible."
"What about my sister?" the little girl asked, scared.
"She'll be under my care, do not worry" Kiara smiled. "Now go."
She nodded and Kaen'Dre picked the girl up into his arms. Kiara held the baby in her arms while covering its little face so she wouldn't breathe in too much smoke into her lungs. Kaen'Dre ran in front of her while she followed closely. The flames made her skin burn as it was but it didn't seem to be bothering his. She grabbed him from behind his robes with one hand to keep her pace with him and for her eyes to not sting from the smoke. He stopped when a wooden pole fell in front of them which blocked their way. The blaze from it raked at Kiara's face making her look away.
"We can find another way!" she yelled.
"There isn't any!" Kaen'Dre pointed out. "It is either this or nothing!"
This is the only way out and it needs to be unblocked, he thought.
"I need to put you down for a second, all right?" he asked the frightened little girl. She nodded timidly.
Putting her down, he picked up his leg and kicked the burning wood. It stung his feet slightly but he didn't care, they needed to get out. He kicked it until pushed back and broke into two pieces. Sighing from the work and the fumes getting into his system, he pushed the two pieces away with his arms. Wiping them on his robes, he picked up the girl and they were on their way.
"Kaen'Dre, are you hurt?" Kiara asked, worriedly.
"Not so far, my dear" he answered her.
How can he not? He just broke down that piece of burning wood with his feet and hands, she thought. Gods, they're very powerful.
He ran through the burning home as fast as he could. But while he did, he left Kiara behind and stopped. Waiting for her, she caught up to him and ran ahead. They were in the center of the home and just needed to keep going straight to get out. Kiara took a deep breath and kept on running through the burning floor until she reached the door. Looking back, Kaen'Dre was just inches away from her so she kicked the door open. Going through it, she reached her hand back for Kaen'Dre to grasp it. He did and they both ran from the burning residence together.
At feeling grass under her feet, she looked around to notice the fire had ceased on the grass. Jumping to the dirt path with the baby, she took off her sandals immediately. They were burning her feet ever since she'd been running and felt they would burn the soles of her feet. She coughed deeply to exhale the fumes in her lungs and looked down at the crying baby. Her brown eyes looked everywhere while teary and her fists hitting themselves. Kiara comforted her and laid her over her shoulder to hold her. Oh, how she loved children. She put her shoes back on afterwards when they were cool.
Kaen'Dre put down the girl he'd carried on the ground safely. Making sure his whole ensemble was over him correctly, he sighed in relief. He didn't need to scare of any of the oomans away. The little girl wiped her tears away from her face and looked at her burning home. He patted her back and tried to comfort her. Looking over at Kiara, he led the girl over to her.
"You're both all right" she said, sighing in relief. "Now, let's get you two to your parents."
They all walked over to the worried parents who took their seven year old into their arms instantly. They cried over her while Kiara handed over their baby also. Kaen'Dre just watched the whole scene while the parents thanked their children's savior. Kiara just blushed and grabbed Kaen'Dre next to her who went nervous immediately.
"Well, my fiancée helped out too, if it wasn't for him we would've been stuck inside" she said, looking at him. "Your thanks also go to him."
"You should've seen him, mommy" the little girl said with bright eyes despite her dirty face. "He kicked this wooden block until it broke. It was awesome!"
Kaen'Dre smiled at the little child while Kiara squeezed his arm. Her mother grabbed her and wiped her smiling face.
"All right dear, that's enough excitement for tonight" her mother smiled.
"Thank you for everything, Princess Kiara" the father said, bowing his head. "If you ever need anything-"
"As long as your children are safe, that's good enough for me" Kiara said, smiling.
"We are forever grateful, my lady" the mother said, holding her daughters. "The gods guard you very well."
"That's why she is your princess" Kaen'Dre grinned.
"What is your name, kind stranger? You are surely not from around here" the father asked him.
"I am Kaen'Dre, I am new here" he said, simply. "I am here for Kiara and happen to always save her from her little adventures."
That man and his musings, she thought.
"Well, I surely thank you for your aid" the father nodded to him in respect. He extended his hand and Kaen'Dre took it into his gloved hand.
Kiara smiled at having her beloved interacting with her kingdom. Despite they'd probably run from his looks, so far they seemed to love his rescuing manner. She walked over to the official who she'd spoken with before.
"I want all of the residents from this accidents to be put in an inn" Kiara ordered. "I will send any clothing they need and send doctors to look over any with injuries or the ones who inhaled smoke."
"Right away, princess" he nodded and walked off.
She then walked over to the family while looking over their burned home.
"You will be going to an inn until we can resolve what happened, you will be taken care of there" she informed.
"As long as our children are safe, we're blessed to be anywhere" the mother of the family said.
"May the gods look over you" Kiara said, excusing herself. She waved to the little girls. "I wish you the best!"
Grabbing Kaen'Dre's hand, they walked to where the people where trying to put out the fire. Kaen'Dre wrapped his arm around her and placed her in front of him.
"What made you go in there? You could've died!" he said, worriedly. "I could have lost you."
Oh, my sweet love, she thought. Always looking over me.
"I couldn't leave those children trapped in there" she said, wiping some soot off of her face. "It wouldn't have been right and besides, you know how I am."
"I know you want to help everyone but what if I couldn't have gotten to you? How would you have been able to get out?" he questioned out from his worry.
Doesn't she know how worried I was?, he thought.
When it came to his loved ones, he worried over them very heavily. One time he locked Ani'Twei in his quarter so he would heal properly from an injury instead of training. Kwei'De, on the other hand, somehow managed to slip away. Now, he'd be looking over Kiara now that she would be his mate.
"I could manage somehow, I find a way to improvise" Kiara said, giving him a quick grin. "Besides, I had to help but I didn't mean to worry you."
"Darling, I love you, how can you expect me not to worry?" Kaen'Dre said, wrapping his arms around her. "When I heard you went in there, my mind just went into a frenzy to find you and if I couldn't, I don't know what I-"
Kiara placed her hand in the air to quiet him. He rumbled his chest and whined making her smile and stroke his chest.
"I will always be here, I'm not that easy to kill" she said, softly. "I will be here morning and night to greet, kiss, and love you for as long as I live. I won't be gone anytime soon."
He held her close and didn't wish to let her go. If he lost her, he wouldn't know what to do. He couldn't bear to lose another one of his loved ones, especially the one he'd given his heart to. She felt his anguish and held him close in return. She would never want him to be upset over her well-being.
"I never meant to worry you, Kaen'Dre" she said, softly. "It's just. . .when I thought of those girls in there, I couldn't imagine what they were going through by being alone. I thought . . .it's hard to lose someone you love, and my mind rambled at thinking what if my family was going through that? What if that happened to me? I lost my sister and I wouldn't wish that on any parent. And I also thought what if those were my children? I couldn't bear to lose them . . so I went."
I couldn't ask for a more thoughtful mate, he thought.
"You are very courageous, beautiful" Kaen'Dre said, placing his forehead over hers. "I know it would be hard on you but I am proud of you, despite my worry. I am proud to have a life partner who would care very deeply for her own."
I am so relieved he understood, she thought and smiled. And proud to have his respect.
"The duty of a princess" Kiara said in a better mood. "Come, let us help in anyway we can!"
"But you are covered in soot and you arm, it's hurt" he said, quickly.
"I will be fine, it's just a scrape" she assured. "I can't even feel it."
She led Kaen'Dre to the officials who were diminishing the fire from inside the homes. Some of the residences had their rooftops clear of fire. Kiara grabbed a bucket of water that lay next to her brother to help.
"What happened to you?" Atem asked his sister immediately.
"Oh, I just went into a burning home to save two children" she answered while waving a hand.
What? She did what!, he thought instantly.
"You do crazy things at times, Kiara!" Atem sighed. "Father is-"
"Forget about that! I got a lecture from Kaen'Dre, I don't need one from you too" Kiara said, quickly. "Now, are we here to argue or help?"
He smiled and headed to the fire to throw the water into it. Brushing her bangs back, Kiara followed her brother.
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From a cliff away from the kingdom, the two cloaked sorcerers looked down. Runihura smiled at seeing the flames had spread more after they'd created the fire. Maybe now, those Memphites would worry more over the threat that would arise. Abasi stood at his side while upset they couldn't have created any more fires throughout that kingdom.
"I hope those fires will withstand for more hours with these winds" Abasi said in a simple tone. "We could have done more."
"No, their celebration is ruined for today so we hit well" Runihura said, shaking his head. "We will strike harder and by the time we diminish their army, they will lay at our feet."
"We cannot fight their entire army on our own" Abasi said, looking at his leader through the night.
"No, but we can always rally our ally nomads" Runihura grinned maliciously. "Come, I tire of this."
They got onto their camels and headed into the night.
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On a hill above the fire, six cloaked figures stood. They were some of Kantra's clan: Reig'Tu, Ani'Twei, Kwei'De, Sife-Ru (their clan leader), Hui-Lak, and Masu'De (Kwei'De's UnBlooded brother). They watched a small sector of the ooman civilization burning. They had been studying the oomans celebration and who would be considered worthy to hunt and who to breed the hard meat for the trials.
Ani'Twei had practically smacked himself over the face when he saw Kaen'Dre holding Kiara from below. He had tried to undo any thoughts in the clan that Kaen'Dre had a ooman mate of sort from the first time she came to their ship. It had worked a bit with everyone except the Elder, and now everyone could see that there was something going on between them. No yautja usually runs into a burning home to pull out a simple ooman and holds her in his arms in a more than platonic manner. No hunter, especially, wears garments from another species to conceal themselves either to fit in.
"He also saved two little children" Ani'Twei piped up to the Elder.
"Yes, but he seems more interested in her" Sife-Ru said before his Elder could speak. "A ooman."
"Sife-Ru" Reig'Tu silenced.
"Sorry, Father" he said, and dipped his head.
Sife-Ru wore silver armor and stood at 7'7. His dreads were black like his father's with bone claps on them. His coat was auburn like his father's but held crimson stripes over his body given by his mother. His mask was plain but held spikes around the rims and over his head crest to give it a more fierce look.
"Kaen'Dre and his interest is not of our concern" Reig'Tu said, looking down onto the civilization. "If his loyalty is changing, we will have to see. Our importance right now is to our Hunt and the trials."
"I can't wait!" Masu'De said, giddily. He looked exactly like his brother in skin, hair, and armor, except for his plain mask. His height was of a 6'8 so far.
"You say that but when it's time, I hope you'll be prepared" Kwei'De said, hitting his little brother on the arm playfully. Masu'De clicked amusingly.
"You still have some training to do, young one" Reig'Tu said, looking over to Masu'De. He nodded to his Elder.
"Why can we not start our hunt right now?" Hui-Lak hissed. "We are already wearing our armor."
"No, the oomans have a problem on their hands right now" Sife-Ru said, firmly. "It would be unworthy to hunt them while they are trying to help their kind to save their homes."
"Then when will we hunt if I may ask?" Hui-Lak said, bitterly.
"We came here for the trials specifically" Reig'Tu responded. "We came to gather those oomans to produce the hard meat. If we are allowed to hunt by their terms, we will do so."
"We have to ask those things!" Hui-Lak demanded.
"It is their civilization and they're not idiots" Ani'Twei intervened. "They have learned from us."
"Yes, thank you for reminding me" Hui-Lak hissed. "I can just look at you and know."
Ani'Twei felt like hitting him for that remark against his heritage. Suppressing his rage, he crouched down to look at the burning homes. He spotted Kaen'Dre helping Kiara to put out the fire.
Oh, you're going to be in so much trouble, he thought. What have you gotten yourself into, my friend?
"Come, we will discuss this back on the ship" Reig'Tu ordered everyone.
They all complied to their Elder while Masu'De left joyfully at seeing his first live soft meat. Hui-Lak left fuming at not being able to hunt anything.
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Back at the palace, Kiara sighed at having the lukewarm water on her skin. Kaen'Dre lay next to her while she sighed into his chest. It was almost midnight and they had managed to put out the fire. The victims whose homes were burned were put in inns for the night and reconstruction of their homes would take place once they removed the rubble. They were both taking baths after being so dirty from the whole incident.
Her parents hadn't been informed of what she'd done but she'd tell them tomorrow. She didn't need them worrying over her like always. Besides, she'd have a LOT of explaining to do with Kaen'Dre's sudden appearance in the kingdom at her side. She'd already told her friends how she felt about him but she'd have to stretch the lie about his whole being to everybody. She didn't like lying but she'd do it to hold on to Kaen'Dre. He was her everything so far and he filled the void in her life by being at her side always and she wasn't going to let him go.
"Still mad at me?" Kiara asked, and nudged her nose against his chin.
"As long as I have you in my arms, no" he said, nibbling on the side of her neck. She moaned softly at his touch.
"I love you, Kaen'Dre, you know that" she said, softly. "You will always have me at your side."
I hope so too, he thought.
"It is a pity that we could not get married" Kaen'Dre sighed. "But we have more days to do it."
"I know, our plan was put on hold" she said, leaning closer to him. "Our kingdom's celebration was ruined. I wonder if it was on purpose or accidental?"
So many things have been going on, she thought.
"What do you think?" he asked her.
"I do not know, my love" Kiara said, softly. "I am too tired to even think."
Kiara placed her face into his neck while he embraced her close. He ran his fingers through her hair to soothe her.
"We will sleep soon" Kaen'Dre said, gently. "You need the rest after what you've done today. I am very proud of you."
I'm so lucky to have him, she thought.
"Thank you" she said, blushing. "It got me thinking, you know, about my own children one day. Our children?"
How I would love that, he thought. My own children with her.
"You would make me a proud father when we do" Kaen'Dre said, smiling. "I long to hold a child in my arms one day. Hopefully, it will be ours."
"It will, we just have to believe and hope" she said, kissing his cheek. He purred contentedly. "With our love, they would be easy to create. I want a big family though."
Excellent, he thought.
"So do I, darling" he said, cupping her chin. She smiled. "I never had siblings but I want my children to so they can have what I didn't."
"I hope they look like you so I can always see you in them" Kiara said, heartily. "But of course, we need to get married first before all that is accomplished."
"As a god, you were already made my wife the minute we made love" Kaen'Dre said, informing her. Then bit her nose softly. "Make love to me again in your room."
What? At this hour?, she thought and blushed.
"We will make noise" she pointed out. "We couldn't possibly! Besides, we've been busy all day and we'd be tired to-"
He leaned down and kissed her before she could finish. She didn't argue it and kissed him back. No matter what conversation they had, she wouldn't be one to turn him down. It's as if he had some power wielded over her to comply to his desires. But he complied to her as easily in return too. Letting go of her lips, he looked down at her while smiling.
"Do you still think the same now?" he asked, hopeful.
"I don't know what it is you do to me in your kisses" Kiara said, sighing. Then smiled, "But I guess there's a first time to try anything."
"There is my daring beloved" Kaen'Dre smiled instantly. "You are a very wise woman."
"Because you got me to make love to you at midnight?" she asked, amusingly.
"No, because you are my mate" he grinned and traced a mandible over her cheek. "My beautiful, brave, and loyal mate."
How this man makes my world bright with his words is beyond me, she thought.
"Kaen'Dre" she blushed under his tone. "You talk as if you've lost me."
"I could have come close to it today" Kaen'Dre said, softly. "I love you with all of my heart, Kiara. I never want to lose you."
"I love you too, darling" Kiara smiled and kissed him. "And you will never lose me."
She kissed him deeply and held him closely as if she were holding him for the last time. She'd always say and express her love to him, she'd never want him to feel despaired in any way. Kaen'Dre loved her and would go through anything to keep his mate safe and well. He finally found someone who understood his every whim as if she were a part of him, and that was something he'd never give up. She was the other half to his soul, the other part he'd longed for ever since he was small and left her. She fulfilled the emptiness he'd felt ever since he was left alone and made him her whole world without question, no man could ask no more of his mate.
"I love you, Kiara" he whispered before kissing her again.
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End of Chapter 22. I know it was long for this update but I got wrapped up on working on my other fic 'Partner of A Bad Blood', so I apologize. Goes on knees Sorry! Thanks to my faithful reviewers on the last chapter: The Greatest Boba Fett Fan, Monarque Myste, Kae-she Katsumi, Cittygurl, Predatordragonfreak, and Cassiopeia1979!
To The Greatest Boba Fett Fan: LOL, I could just imagine Kwei'De roasting a chicken while wearing an apron saying 'Hail to the Cook'. Then stealing the food all for himself and no one else. hehe. I already made my fic into so many fields: romance, humor, action, and suspense. Wow. Thanks for the comments! hugs reviewer
To Monarque Myste: Yeah, I could just imagine Kaen'Dre hot under all of those clothes and eager to take them off drools Come to Momma pounces him. But anyways, I'd never let Kiara get hurt too bad . . .unless she heads into a battle. And it is hard for a yautja to fit into the human culture but she'll be there to help and keep him hidden.
To Kae-she Katsumi: I just love Pred babies, I don't know why. I could imagine their little cries and their little clawed hands reaching for their mommy. Grabs a Pred baby Hello, want a bottle of milk?. Back to reality, I'm going to email you a cartoon drawing of a toddler pred I found. I hope your email's still the same as it says in your profile? And good work on your fic, especially with the updates!
To Caz: I hope you waited patiently, despite you probably wanted to bash your computer from impatience. LOL. But I got the chapter up! I'm starting to get the drift on using cliffhangers but I don't want to leave you guys too much in suspense. I may get tracked down for it. looks behind her to see if any crazed readers are there to strangle her about updates Don't worry, I'll try to update faster with this one since I like making longer chapters with this one than with my other fic.
To Cittygurl: Don't worry, Kiara or Kaen'Dre will always be there to look over the other somehow. And I'll be waiting patiently, somehow, for your updates on your first fic.
To Predatordragonfreak: Hmm, everyone finds the beginning cute. grins But thanks for the comment, I appreciate it! hugs Pred And kudos on your first finished fic and the sequel, it's good. imagines Cetanu getting hit on the head with things when he walks into a closet hehe. Sees him with a large butcher knife heading towards her Bye now!
Love to everyone else who reads! May you have a happy day!