p style="text-align: left;" strong Next chapter is up! Enjoy :)/strong/p
p style="text-align: left;" /p
p style="text-align: left;"strong /strongWhen Air'ik entered his ship, he immediately went to look for Aurora. He used his mask to locate her. An amused trill left him. He trailed her back to the kehrite. She must really like it in there. /p
p style="text-align: left;" He walked down the hall to the kehrite and entered. The hunter saw her near the back wall admiring his weapons. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora turned to face him when she heard the door slide open. She walked around the large ring and approached him. That's when she noticed something in his hand. He held the items out to her./p
p style="text-align: left;" She realized they were clothes. /p
p style="text-align: left;" "Thanks. But...where exactly did you get these?" Aurora asked as she took them./p
p style="text-align: left;" Air'ik shrugged, strong"Off what you call a clothesline in someone's yard."/strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"strong /strong The young woman arched a brow. She didn't like the fact that he stole someone else's personal items. But at the same time, he at least was considerate enough to provide her with clothing. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Remembering her state of lack of dress, with the only thing on her being her bikini, Aurora lightly wrapped her arms around her bare midsection. /p
p style="text-align: left;" The hunter tilted his head slightly at the motion. He didn't know why she suddenly felt shy or awkward. He will brush it aside for now. Because there were more important matters to discuss with her. She needed to hear about the unsettling conversation her heard from those ooman agents. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora dropped the shorts to the ground and held up the t-shirt. It was clearly a man's shirt and had a pic on it featuring the band 'Iron Maiden'. She snorted at that, before pulling it on. She then reached for the shorts, which thankfully looked to be women's shorts and slid those on./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Thanks again for the clothes." She said./p
p style="text-align: left;" He nodded, strong"You're welcome. Though I don't fully understand why you needed them. Considering you already had bindings on that covered your chest and bottom." /strong/p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora shifted back and forth a little on her feet./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Because it's really only something you wear at the beach or to the pool. It's not something meant for everyday wear in public places. There are actually many places that won't allow you entry if you're in a bathing suit. So, regular clothing is what is normally worn." She explained, hopefully he understood./p
p style="text-align: left;" It still seemed a little strange to him. Especially, since his kind didn't wear much clothing that covered much of their bodies. In fact, what she wore underneath the rags he brought her were not much different than what his kinds' females wore. But it seems like oomans definitely preferred covering up more./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Understood. Though there is something else we do need to talk about." /strongAir'ik said./p
p style="text-align: left;" "About?" She inquires./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Not here, let's return to my quarters." /strongHe replied./p
p style="text-align: left;" He didn't say anything else, just turned around and started heading for the door. Whatever it was, it must be pretty serious. And something told Aurora she was not going to look forward to this conversation. /p
p style="text-align: left;" They walked back to his room in silence. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Once there, he pulled his mask off and set it on the desk. Before turning to her./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"When I was out before, I happened upon some humans wandering about an area I was at recently. They had tech equipment there with them. And from what I have observed they weren't criminals of sorts. But I heard the word 'Agent' being used frequently between them as they talked./strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"strong There were quite a few of these 'agents' there. It was apparent they were looking for something. And from what I heard from their conversation, that 'something' is me. Which isn't good. This means there are people here that are aware of my presence here and from the looks of it, they are attempting to track me down, and try to capture me. /strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"strong Not only that, but they had your bag. The one you drop when you were ambushed by those criminals. They were looking at some information card with your picture on it. Then they said your name and stated where you lived. And from what it sounds like, these men are looking to track you down too. /strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"strong They believe you have some sort of connection to me. Since they claimed there was a witness who saw me leave with you. Because of this, I believe they are after you as well. And it appears obvious that you're no longer safe here." /strongHe informed her./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora couldn't believe what she just heard. Someone saw them. Now, it looks like the government was involved. Not only that, but they appeared to be not only after Air'ik but her as well. /p
p style="text-align: left;" She didn't realize she was backing up the whole time. Until her legs bumped into a mound behind her. Aurora felt it's softness and realized it was the pelts. She slowly sat down on the pelts. So much was running rampant in her mind right now. And everything came full circle to one conclusion./p
p style="text-align: left;" "So, I really am stuck here now, aren't I?" She barely got out./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"It appears so. Which leads me to only one option." /strongAir'ik stated./p
p style="text-align: left;" "And this option is?" Aurora inquires./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"We will have to leave Earth for a little while. Until things settle down and they lose interest in you." /strongHe concluded./p
p style="text-align: left;" Not liking the sound of that, she began to shake her head, all while muttering 'no'./p
p style="text-align: left;" "No, no, Air'ik, I can't. I can't do that. I have a life here. I have friends and family. I can't just up and leave." She countered./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"I'm sorry, Aurora. But as I said, it will be more dangerous for us if we stay here. It's not forever. It's just until they give up looking for us." /strongHe assured her./p
p style="text-align: left;" "But we don't know how long that will be. Plus, what the hell you expect me to do while I'm stuck here while you drag me halfway through space?" She said, both a bit hurt and aggravated./p
p style="text-align: left;" Air'ik already had an idea about what to do with her. The thought occurred to him not long after their impromptu bath they shared. She was strong, a good fighter. That led him to one viable option./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"I can train you. Can teach you how to use our weapons. How to hunt. There are some planets out there that are mainly oxygen based. I can take you to these places on hunts." /strongThe hunter stated./p
p style="text-align: left;" While she will admit that those weapons of his did look neat and she wouldn't mind learning how to use a few of them, she still didn't like the prospect of going to other unknown worlds. And certainly not on hunts./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I appreciate the offer. But even though I'm a fighter, I'm no hunter. And I don't plan to be. I don't kill things, nor would I want to. I've already seen enough death to last me a lifetime as it is." Aurora replied./p
p style="text-align: left;" That bit about not wanting to be a hunter and hunt irked him. But he does understand her logic behind it. Most humans nowadays weren't hunters. Not like in the days of old as mentioned in stories past down from older generations of hunters. It's a shame though, because he truly felt she had some potential. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Perhaps if she still agrees to be trained at least, he can hope that maybe she may change her mind. All she knew of about him is that he hunted her kind. But it definitely wasn't just oomans the yautja hunted. Surely, she knew of this to an extent by all the various trophy skulls he had. If he mentions hunting species more akin to animals with lesser intelligence, she may find it more enjoyable./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Would you at least consider taking up the offer of training? Surely, it's something you would like to eventually take up. After all, you train almost daily as it was out there. And it was obvious that it's something you really enjoy. I also noticed you on a couple occasions eyeing the weapons in the emkehrite. /emAnd as I said, I can show you how to use them." /strongHe offered./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora hates to admit it, but it is true. She certainly loved training and fighting. She could only begin to imagine what the seasoned hunter could teach her. He probably had endless knowledge about fighting forms not known to Earth. /p
p style="text-align: left;" But still, she will not agree to any terms unless he honors one last request for her first./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I'll agree to these terms. Upon one request." Aurora stated./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Go on." /strongHe said./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Let me at least say goodbye to my old friend Briggs. I just want to inform him that I'm alright and will be leaving for a while. The man is like a father to me. And he deserves to know that I'm alive and alright." She requested./p
p style="text-align: left;" Air'ik looked away for a moment. He doesn't want to deny her one and only request. But this request was risky. He was quite certain that these agents were already out there looking everywhere for her. /p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"It may be too risky. Those agents are most likely out there looking everywhere for you at the moment." /strongHe cautioned./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I understand that. But I don't feel right leaving at all without someone knowing. Really don't want anyone thinking the worst and thinking I'm dead. Especially Briggs and the rest of my family. I just wish to let him know and then he can inform my aunt, uncle, and cousins that I'm 'traveling'. This is all I ask. Please, Air'ik." She said, almost begging./p
p style="text-align: left;" He huffed, he didn't like this. Honestly, they should already be halfway into space by now as it was. Instead, this ooman wants to go back out in the mist of danger. Something tells him he will never hear the end of it from the ooman female if they were to leave without her saying 'goodbye'. /p
p style="text-align: left;" But if she wants to be reckless like this, then so be it. /p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Fine, we go now. Don't take too long. As soon as we get back here, we're leaving. Understood?" /strongHe said, with a hint of finality./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora was quiet for a moment. Then nodded./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Ok." She replied./p
p style="text-align: left;" He turned and grabbed his mask, fastening it back onto his face. Then he gestured to the door. And the two of them headed out./p
p style="text-align: left;" They made their way to a door in the far back of the ship. Air'ik punched in the code and a moment later, the door slid open for them. Once they exited and the door slid closed, he knelt down to the ground and looked over at her. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora gave him a questioning look./p
p style="text-align: left;" "What are you doing?" She asks./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Get on my back. I will run us there. It will be much faster that way." /strongHe told her./p
p style="text-align: left;" She almost wanted to ask him how he knew where to go. But then she remembered Air'ik admitting to tailing her for the better part of the week. So, he most likely followed her the couple times to Briggs house. /p
p style="text-align: left;" The young woman approached him and draped her arms around his neck. Then he grasped her legs and stood up. /p
p style="text-align: left;" em"She really does weigh next to nothing." /emHe mused to himself./p
p style="text-align: left;" Air'ik activated his camouflage and took off through the dense foliage of the marsh. There definitely wasn't a clear path through these woods as they traveled. Which probably would've made it rather difficult for her to navigate. She also understood why he opted to carry her. If they were to walk, it probably take them forever to traverse through the swampy area. /p
p style="text-align: left;" It was certainly surprising how someone as big and heavy as he was to be so light and quick on his feet. /p
p style="text-align: left;" The run only lasted a solid ten minutes or so, before they got to the end and into a clearing. The hunter made a sharp left and traveled the next seven minutes to her friend's house./p
p style="text-align: left;" He jumped the fence to Briggs backyard and set Aurora down. It was still late, and all of the lights were off in his house. She supposed she could go around to the front and grab the spare key he had hidden in a rock near the front door. /p
p style="text-align: left;" She was about to make a B-Line to the gate near the side of his house. Aurora only made it a couple feet when she felt a hand on her shoulder./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Where are you going? The back door is that way." /strongAir'ik said, while gesturing to the sliding glass doors by the back patio./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Those are locked. He has a spare key near his front door. It's the only way I can get in." She explained./p
p style="text-align: left;" The young woman went to leave again. But he held her shoulder firm./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Let me check to see if it's clear first. Wait here." /strongHe instructed./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Fine." She sighed./p
p style="text-align: left;" Air'ik went over and easily hopped over the gate. He was only gone for maybe a couple minutes at best. Before he returned to her./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"You're in the clear. Go now." /strongHe told her./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora lightly jogged to the gate and opened it. She quietly made her way around to the front. The street was vacant. No signs of people or cars. /p
p style="text-align: left;" She went over to the small flower patch that lined the left side of the house. She picked up a rock hidden among the rest. It was one of those hollowed out plastic rocks that are meant to blend in. As always it was right underneath the knockout roses. /p
p style="text-align: left;" She plopped the little brass key into her hand and went up to the door and unlocked it. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora made her way to Briggs room and quietly opened the door./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Briggs? Briggs wake up! It's me!" She whispered quite loudly across the room to where he laid in bed./p
p style="text-align: left;" Nothing. She groaned, damn if he could actually sleep through a bomb going off if he so wanted to. Aurora looked around and found one of his throw pillows on the floor near the bed. She picked it up and tossed it at him./p
p style="text-align: left;" It did the trick, and he woke up sputtering./p
p style="text-align: left;" "The fuck!?" He said in alarm and started to look around. /p
p style="text-align: left;" He then shielded his eyes as the lights suddenly flickered on. /p
p style="text-align: left;" "Briggs. Sorry about that. But it was the only way to get you up." Aurora said./p
p style="text-align: left;" The older man blinked a few times. Still half asleep he gave her a confused look./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Aurora, what are you doing here it's..." He paused and picked up his phone from the nightstand./p
p style="text-align: left;" "It's 3:23a.m. What's going on? Are you ok?" Briggs asked, concern now present on his face./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I'm good. But I came here because I had to tell you..." She paused and swallowed down the lump forming in her throat./p
p style="text-align: left;" "What? What is it, kiddo?" He pushed./p
p style="text-align: left;" "It's...a little hard to explain. But...something big came up and...I'll have to leave for a little while." Aurora confessed./p
p style="text-align: left;" Briggs placed a hand on her arm./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Something happen? You in trouble? Do you need help?" He asked./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora shook her head./p
p style="text-align: left;" "As I said, it's hard to explain. Let's just say I witnessed something I wasn't supposed to and because of it, I have to leave for s little while." She explained./p
p style="text-align: left;" Though in her opinion, it was a shitty explanation at best./p
p style="text-align: left;" A flash of confusion and worry crossed his face./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Like what? Did you witness a murder or something and need to go into hiding? Please, just tell me. Whatever it is, I'll do everything I can to help." He offered./p
p style="text-align: left;" His look of worry and desperation was really getting to her now. Which made it harder for her not to burst into tears then and there. But how can she explain to him that she came into contact with an extraterrestrial being and in turn government agents were after her. At most, Briggs would either think her drunk or losing it./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I'm so sorry, Briggs. But I can't really explain. Just please know that where I'm going, I'll be safe. And I'll try and get back as soon as I can. Please don't ask me anymore questions that I will not be able to provide answers for. Just please...trust me on this." She pleaded./p
p style="text-align: left;" This was not like his Aurora at all. There really was something very wrong here. If someone had hurt her or threaten her; screw the cops, he was going to grab his shot gun and go hunt the bastard down himself. But the pleading looks she kept giving him made him stop himself from questioning her further on the matter./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Can you at least tell me where you're going?" He asks./p
p style="text-align: left;" She shook her head, "No, only that it's quite far. I only ask that you phone Aunt Paige, Uncle Tim, and my cousins Meagan and Lucas and tell them I'll be traveling for a while and at times will be mostly out of phone range."/p
p style="text-align: left;" He sighs and runs a hand through his short silver hair./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Alright, that I can do. Oh, and speaking of phones..." He trailed off./p
p style="text-align: left;" Briggs reached over to his nightstand and picked up another object to give to her./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora's eyes widen briefly when she saw it was her phone./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Robin came by earlier and dropped off your phone. Apparently, it somehow ended up in her bag by accident. She said she went back to your house to give it to you earlier this evening. But she said you still weren't home. So, she called me and asked if she could swing by and give it to me. She figured; I'd eventually bring it to you./p
p style="text-align: left;" But I forgot to do so earlier and by the time I realized it, it was too late to bring it to you. I figured you were already home asleep and didn't want to go pounding on your door late at night. So, I was going to bring it to you in the morning after breakfast." He explained./p
p style="text-align: left;" And here she thought it was left in her backpack. Then, she didn't recall packing it up with the rest of her belongings earlier at the beach. Good thing Robin had it. Though, where she is going, she doubts she will get reception in the void of space. But hey, she'll take it with her anyway./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora took her phone back./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Thanks, Briggs. I owe you." She said./p
p style="text-align: left;" He gave her a weak smile./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Just...please be careful. And try not to be gone for too long." He replied./p
p style="text-align: left;" She leaned in and wrapped her arms around the older man and crushed him in a hug. He hugged her back in return./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I still really wish you would at least tell me where you're going. Or at the most give me an idea of where it is." He told her./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora pinched her eyes shut as two stray tears left her eyes and she buried her face into his shoulder./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I'm sorry. Just please know that I will be ok. And that I have someone looking out for me. I just came here to tell you that I'm alright and to say goodbye." She confessed./p
p style="text-align: left;" They eventually pulled back from their embrace. He smoothed back some hair from her face and leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. /p
p style="text-align: left;" "Love you, Sweetheart. Please be safe." He said./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Love you too, Old Man." Aurora replied./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I'll still be here when you return." He assured her./p
p style="text-align: left;" She nodded, then slowly stood up. It was difficult at first to get herself to move. But eventually she found the strength to turn around and go. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Once Aurora made it outside and to the backyard again, she let out a shaky sigh, and wiped the tears from her face. She then heard soft clicks coming from her right./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"You alright?" /strongAir'ik asks./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Yeah, just...hard saying goodbye." She admitted./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Just remember, it's not forever. You'll be back." /strongHe assured her./p
p style="text-align: left;" "True." She paused for a moment, then smirked./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I supposed it be asking too much to head back to my place and grab some more of my clothes for this lovely little trip." She inquired./p
p style="text-align: left;" Air'ik grumbled at this new request./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Forget it. Your place is most likely crawling with those pesky agents. This was risky enough, but what you just said is just plain emh'ulij-bpe." /em/strongHe said./p
p style="text-align: left;" Confusion flashed in her eyes./p
p style="text-align: left;" "It's plain what now?" She asked, clearly confused./p
p style="text-align: left;" It took Air'ik a moment to realize he said one of the words in his own language rather than hers. Guess teaching her his language is to be added to their list./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Never mind. We should go." /strongHe said./p
p style="text-align: left;" Then the hunter knelt down again and motioned for her to get on./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora grabbed onto him and he stood up, activated his camouflage again, and leapt over the fence. /p
p style="text-align: left;" They were silent as he sped off. He was eager to get back to the safety of his ship. He was also unsure if he should mention that he stood right outside the window and heard the conversation between her and the older male. It was clear they had a bond. Not the mated kind of bond. More like a father/daughter type of relationship. /p
p style="text-align: left;" He was definitely on the fence if he should tell her what he saw in his visual scans. Aurora didn't notice. But Air'ik noticed subtle hints of the man flinching or tensing up a bit as if he were in pain and trying to hide it. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Out of curiosity, the hunter did a full body scan on the male. And he saw something abnormal in the lower part of his body around one of his organs. Whatever it was, it appeared terminal and serious. He was unsure if the man knew or not that he was sick. And if by chance he did know, for whatever reason, he didn't tell Aurora. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Either way, he had to push everything aside at the moment and concentrate on getting them back to his ship and into space as quickly as possible. /p
p style="text-align: left;" /p
p style="text-align: left;" strongYautja Translations:/strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"strong kehrite- training arena/battle grounds/strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"strong h'ulij-bpe- crazy/strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"strong Translation Use curtesy of em/strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"strongem /emUntil Next Time ;)/strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"em /em/p
p style="text-align: left;" /p
p style="text-align: left;"strong /strongWhen Air'ik entered his ship, he immediately went to look for Aurora. He used his mask to locate her. An amused trill left him. He trailed her back to the kehrite. She must really like it in there. /p
p style="text-align: left;" He walked down the hall to the kehrite and entered. The hunter saw her near the back wall admiring his weapons. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora turned to face him when she heard the door slide open. She walked around the large ring and approached him. That's when she noticed something in his hand. He held the items out to her./p
p style="text-align: left;" She realized they were clothes. /p
p style="text-align: left;" "Thanks. But...where exactly did you get these?" Aurora asked as she took them./p
p style="text-align: left;" Air'ik shrugged, strong"Off what you call a clothesline in someone's yard."/strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"strong /strong The young woman arched a brow. She didn't like the fact that he stole someone else's personal items. But at the same time, he at least was considerate enough to provide her with clothing. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Remembering her state of lack of dress, with the only thing on her being her bikini, Aurora lightly wrapped her arms around her bare midsection. /p
p style="text-align: left;" The hunter tilted his head slightly at the motion. He didn't know why she suddenly felt shy or awkward. He will brush it aside for now. Because there were more important matters to discuss with her. She needed to hear about the unsettling conversation her heard from those ooman agents. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora dropped the shorts to the ground and held up the t-shirt. It was clearly a man's shirt and had a pic on it featuring the band 'Iron Maiden'. She snorted at that, before pulling it on. She then reached for the shorts, which thankfully looked to be women's shorts and slid those on./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Thanks again for the clothes." She said./p
p style="text-align: left;" He nodded, strong"You're welcome. Though I don't fully understand why you needed them. Considering you already had bindings on that covered your chest and bottom." /strong/p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora shifted back and forth a little on her feet./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Because it's really only something you wear at the beach or to the pool. It's not something meant for everyday wear in public places. There are actually many places that won't allow you entry if you're in a bathing suit. So, regular clothing is what is normally worn." She explained, hopefully he understood./p
p style="text-align: left;" It still seemed a little strange to him. Especially, since his kind didn't wear much clothing that covered much of their bodies. In fact, what she wore underneath the rags he brought her were not much different than what his kinds' females wore. But it seems like oomans definitely preferred covering up more./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Understood. Though there is something else we do need to talk about." /strongAir'ik said./p
p style="text-align: left;" "About?" She inquires./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Not here, let's return to my quarters." /strongHe replied./p
p style="text-align: left;" He didn't say anything else, just turned around and started heading for the door. Whatever it was, it must be pretty serious. And something told Aurora she was not going to look forward to this conversation. /p
p style="text-align: left;" They walked back to his room in silence. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Once there, he pulled his mask off and set it on the desk. Before turning to her./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"When I was out before, I happened upon some humans wandering about an area I was at recently. They had tech equipment there with them. And from what I have observed they weren't criminals of sorts. But I heard the word 'Agent' being used frequently between them as they talked./strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"strong There were quite a few of these 'agents' there. It was apparent they were looking for something. And from what I heard from their conversation, that 'something' is me. Which isn't good. This means there are people here that are aware of my presence here and from the looks of it, they are attempting to track me down, and try to capture me. /strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"strong Not only that, but they had your bag. The one you drop when you were ambushed by those criminals. They were looking at some information card with your picture on it. Then they said your name and stated where you lived. And from what it sounds like, these men are looking to track you down too. /strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"strong They believe you have some sort of connection to me. Since they claimed there was a witness who saw me leave with you. Because of this, I believe they are after you as well. And it appears obvious that you're no longer safe here." /strongHe informed her./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora couldn't believe what she just heard. Someone saw them. Now, it looks like the government was involved. Not only that, but they appeared to be not only after Air'ik but her as well. /p
p style="text-align: left;" She didn't realize she was backing up the whole time. Until her legs bumped into a mound behind her. Aurora felt it's softness and realized it was the pelts. She slowly sat down on the pelts. So much was running rampant in her mind right now. And everything came full circle to one conclusion./p
p style="text-align: left;" "So, I really am stuck here now, aren't I?" She barely got out./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"It appears so. Which leads me to only one option." /strongAir'ik stated./p
p style="text-align: left;" "And this option is?" Aurora inquires./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"We will have to leave Earth for a little while. Until things settle down and they lose interest in you." /strongHe concluded./p
p style="text-align: left;" Not liking the sound of that, she began to shake her head, all while muttering 'no'./p
p style="text-align: left;" "No, no, Air'ik, I can't. I can't do that. I have a life here. I have friends and family. I can't just up and leave." She countered./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"I'm sorry, Aurora. But as I said, it will be more dangerous for us if we stay here. It's not forever. It's just until they give up looking for us." /strongHe assured her./p
p style="text-align: left;" "But we don't know how long that will be. Plus, what the hell you expect me to do while I'm stuck here while you drag me halfway through space?" She said, both a bit hurt and aggravated./p
p style="text-align: left;" Air'ik already had an idea about what to do with her. The thought occurred to him not long after their impromptu bath they shared. She was strong, a good fighter. That led him to one viable option./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"I can train you. Can teach you how to use our weapons. How to hunt. There are some planets out there that are mainly oxygen based. I can take you to these places on hunts." /strongThe hunter stated./p
p style="text-align: left;" While she will admit that those weapons of his did look neat and she wouldn't mind learning how to use a few of them, she still didn't like the prospect of going to other unknown worlds. And certainly not on hunts./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I appreciate the offer. But even though I'm a fighter, I'm no hunter. And I don't plan to be. I don't kill things, nor would I want to. I've already seen enough death to last me a lifetime as it is." Aurora replied./p
p style="text-align: left;" That bit about not wanting to be a hunter and hunt irked him. But he does understand her logic behind it. Most humans nowadays weren't hunters. Not like in the days of old as mentioned in stories past down from older generations of hunters. It's a shame though, because he truly felt she had some potential. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Perhaps if she still agrees to be trained at least, he can hope that maybe she may change her mind. All she knew of about him is that he hunted her kind. But it definitely wasn't just oomans the yautja hunted. Surely, she knew of this to an extent by all the various trophy skulls he had. If he mentions hunting species more akin to animals with lesser intelligence, she may find it more enjoyable./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Would you at least consider taking up the offer of training? Surely, it's something you would like to eventually take up. After all, you train almost daily as it was out there. And it was obvious that it's something you really enjoy. I also noticed you on a couple occasions eyeing the weapons in the emkehrite. /emAnd as I said, I can show you how to use them." /strongHe offered./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora hates to admit it, but it is true. She certainly loved training and fighting. She could only begin to imagine what the seasoned hunter could teach her. He probably had endless knowledge about fighting forms not known to Earth. /p
p style="text-align: left;" But still, she will not agree to any terms unless he honors one last request for her first./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I'll agree to these terms. Upon one request." Aurora stated./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Go on." /strongHe said./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Let me at least say goodbye to my old friend Briggs. I just want to inform him that I'm alright and will be leaving for a while. The man is like a father to me. And he deserves to know that I'm alive and alright." She requested./p
p style="text-align: left;" Air'ik looked away for a moment. He doesn't want to deny her one and only request. But this request was risky. He was quite certain that these agents were already out there looking everywhere for her. /p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"It may be too risky. Those agents are most likely out there looking everywhere for you at the moment." /strongHe cautioned./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I understand that. But I don't feel right leaving at all without someone knowing. Really don't want anyone thinking the worst and thinking I'm dead. Especially Briggs and the rest of my family. I just wish to let him know and then he can inform my aunt, uncle, and cousins that I'm 'traveling'. This is all I ask. Please, Air'ik." She said, almost begging./p
p style="text-align: left;" He huffed, he didn't like this. Honestly, they should already be halfway into space by now as it was. Instead, this ooman wants to go back out in the mist of danger. Something tells him he will never hear the end of it from the ooman female if they were to leave without her saying 'goodbye'. /p
p style="text-align: left;" But if she wants to be reckless like this, then so be it. /p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Fine, we go now. Don't take too long. As soon as we get back here, we're leaving. Understood?" /strongHe said, with a hint of finality./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora was quiet for a moment. Then nodded./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Ok." She replied./p
p style="text-align: left;" He turned and grabbed his mask, fastening it back onto his face. Then he gestured to the door. And the two of them headed out./p
p style="text-align: left;" They made their way to a door in the far back of the ship. Air'ik punched in the code and a moment later, the door slid open for them. Once they exited and the door slid closed, he knelt down to the ground and looked over at her. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora gave him a questioning look./p
p style="text-align: left;" "What are you doing?" She asks./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Get on my back. I will run us there. It will be much faster that way." /strongHe told her./p
p style="text-align: left;" She almost wanted to ask him how he knew where to go. But then she remembered Air'ik admitting to tailing her for the better part of the week. So, he most likely followed her the couple times to Briggs house. /p
p style="text-align: left;" The young woman approached him and draped her arms around his neck. Then he grasped her legs and stood up. /p
p style="text-align: left;" em"She really does weigh next to nothing." /emHe mused to himself./p
p style="text-align: left;" Air'ik activated his camouflage and took off through the dense foliage of the marsh. There definitely wasn't a clear path through these woods as they traveled. Which probably would've made it rather difficult for her to navigate. She also understood why he opted to carry her. If they were to walk, it probably take them forever to traverse through the swampy area. /p
p style="text-align: left;" It was certainly surprising how someone as big and heavy as he was to be so light and quick on his feet. /p
p style="text-align: left;" The run only lasted a solid ten minutes or so, before they got to the end and into a clearing. The hunter made a sharp left and traveled the next seven minutes to her friend's house./p
p style="text-align: left;" He jumped the fence to Briggs backyard and set Aurora down. It was still late, and all of the lights were off in his house. She supposed she could go around to the front and grab the spare key he had hidden in a rock near the front door. /p
p style="text-align: left;" She was about to make a B-Line to the gate near the side of his house. Aurora only made it a couple feet when she felt a hand on her shoulder./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Where are you going? The back door is that way." /strongAir'ik said, while gesturing to the sliding glass doors by the back patio./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Those are locked. He has a spare key near his front door. It's the only way I can get in." She explained./p
p style="text-align: left;" The young woman went to leave again. But he held her shoulder firm./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Let me check to see if it's clear first. Wait here." /strongHe instructed./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Fine." She sighed./p
p style="text-align: left;" Air'ik went over and easily hopped over the gate. He was only gone for maybe a couple minutes at best. Before he returned to her./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"You're in the clear. Go now." /strongHe told her./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora lightly jogged to the gate and opened it. She quietly made her way around to the front. The street was vacant. No signs of people or cars. /p
p style="text-align: left;" She went over to the small flower patch that lined the left side of the house. She picked up a rock hidden among the rest. It was one of those hollowed out plastic rocks that are meant to blend in. As always it was right underneath the knockout roses. /p
p style="text-align: left;" She plopped the little brass key into her hand and went up to the door and unlocked it. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora made her way to Briggs room and quietly opened the door./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Briggs? Briggs wake up! It's me!" She whispered quite loudly across the room to where he laid in bed./p
p style="text-align: left;" Nothing. She groaned, damn if he could actually sleep through a bomb going off if he so wanted to. Aurora looked around and found one of his throw pillows on the floor near the bed. She picked it up and tossed it at him./p
p style="text-align: left;" It did the trick, and he woke up sputtering./p
p style="text-align: left;" "The fuck!?" He said in alarm and started to look around. /p
p style="text-align: left;" He then shielded his eyes as the lights suddenly flickered on. /p
p style="text-align: left;" "Briggs. Sorry about that. But it was the only way to get you up." Aurora said./p
p style="text-align: left;" The older man blinked a few times. Still half asleep he gave her a confused look./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Aurora, what are you doing here it's..." He paused and picked up his phone from the nightstand./p
p style="text-align: left;" "It's 3:23a.m. What's going on? Are you ok?" Briggs asked, concern now present on his face./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I'm good. But I came here because I had to tell you..." She paused and swallowed down the lump forming in her throat./p
p style="text-align: left;" "What? What is it, kiddo?" He pushed./p
p style="text-align: left;" "It's...a little hard to explain. But...something big came up and...I'll have to leave for a little while." Aurora confessed./p
p style="text-align: left;" Briggs placed a hand on her arm./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Something happen? You in trouble? Do you need help?" He asked./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora shook her head./p
p style="text-align: left;" "As I said, it's hard to explain. Let's just say I witnessed something I wasn't supposed to and because of it, I have to leave for s little while." She explained./p
p style="text-align: left;" Though in her opinion, it was a shitty explanation at best./p
p style="text-align: left;" A flash of confusion and worry crossed his face./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Like what? Did you witness a murder or something and need to go into hiding? Please, just tell me. Whatever it is, I'll do everything I can to help." He offered./p
p style="text-align: left;" His look of worry and desperation was really getting to her now. Which made it harder for her not to burst into tears then and there. But how can she explain to him that she came into contact with an extraterrestrial being and in turn government agents were after her. At most, Briggs would either think her drunk or losing it./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I'm so sorry, Briggs. But I can't really explain. Just please know that where I'm going, I'll be safe. And I'll try and get back as soon as I can. Please don't ask me anymore questions that I will not be able to provide answers for. Just please...trust me on this." She pleaded./p
p style="text-align: left;" This was not like his Aurora at all. There really was something very wrong here. If someone had hurt her or threaten her; screw the cops, he was going to grab his shot gun and go hunt the bastard down himself. But the pleading looks she kept giving him made him stop himself from questioning her further on the matter./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Can you at least tell me where you're going?" He asks./p
p style="text-align: left;" She shook her head, "No, only that it's quite far. I only ask that you phone Aunt Paige, Uncle Tim, and my cousins Meagan and Lucas and tell them I'll be traveling for a while and at times will be mostly out of phone range."/p
p style="text-align: left;" He sighs and runs a hand through his short silver hair./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Alright, that I can do. Oh, and speaking of phones..." He trailed off./p
p style="text-align: left;" Briggs reached over to his nightstand and picked up another object to give to her./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora's eyes widen briefly when she saw it was her phone./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Robin came by earlier and dropped off your phone. Apparently, it somehow ended up in her bag by accident. She said she went back to your house to give it to you earlier this evening. But she said you still weren't home. So, she called me and asked if she could swing by and give it to me. She figured; I'd eventually bring it to you./p
p style="text-align: left;" But I forgot to do so earlier and by the time I realized it, it was too late to bring it to you. I figured you were already home asleep and didn't want to go pounding on your door late at night. So, I was going to bring it to you in the morning after breakfast." He explained./p
p style="text-align: left;" And here she thought it was left in her backpack. Then, she didn't recall packing it up with the rest of her belongings earlier at the beach. Good thing Robin had it. Though, where she is going, she doubts she will get reception in the void of space. But hey, she'll take it with her anyway./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora took her phone back./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Thanks, Briggs. I owe you." She said./p
p style="text-align: left;" He gave her a weak smile./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Just...please be careful. And try not to be gone for too long." He replied./p
p style="text-align: left;" She leaned in and wrapped her arms around the older man and crushed him in a hug. He hugged her back in return./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I still really wish you would at least tell me where you're going. Or at the most give me an idea of where it is." He told her./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora pinched her eyes shut as two stray tears left her eyes and she buried her face into his shoulder./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I'm sorry. Just please know that I will be ok. And that I have someone looking out for me. I just came here to tell you that I'm alright and to say goodbye." She confessed./p
p style="text-align: left;" They eventually pulled back from their embrace. He smoothed back some hair from her face and leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. /p
p style="text-align: left;" "Love you, Sweetheart. Please be safe." He said./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Love you too, Old Man." Aurora replied./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I'll still be here when you return." He assured her./p
p style="text-align: left;" She nodded, then slowly stood up. It was difficult at first to get herself to move. But eventually she found the strength to turn around and go. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Once Aurora made it outside and to the backyard again, she let out a shaky sigh, and wiped the tears from her face. She then heard soft clicks coming from her right./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"You alright?" /strongAir'ik asks./p
p style="text-align: left;" "Yeah, just...hard saying goodbye." She admitted./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Just remember, it's not forever. You'll be back." /strongHe assured her./p
p style="text-align: left;" "True." She paused for a moment, then smirked./p
p style="text-align: left;" "I supposed it be asking too much to head back to my place and grab some more of my clothes for this lovely little trip." She inquired./p
p style="text-align: left;" Air'ik grumbled at this new request./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Forget it. Your place is most likely crawling with those pesky agents. This was risky enough, but what you just said is just plain emh'ulij-bpe." /em/strongHe said./p
p style="text-align: left;" Confusion flashed in her eyes./p
p style="text-align: left;" "It's plain what now?" She asked, clearly confused./p
p style="text-align: left;" It took Air'ik a moment to realize he said one of the words in his own language rather than hers. Guess teaching her his language is to be added to their list./p
p style="text-align: left;" strong"Never mind. We should go." /strongHe said./p
p style="text-align: left;" Then the hunter knelt down again and motioned for her to get on./p
p style="text-align: left;" Aurora grabbed onto him and he stood up, activated his camouflage again, and leapt over the fence. /p
p style="text-align: left;" They were silent as he sped off. He was eager to get back to the safety of his ship. He was also unsure if he should mention that he stood right outside the window and heard the conversation between her and the older male. It was clear they had a bond. Not the mated kind of bond. More like a father/daughter type of relationship. /p
p style="text-align: left;" He was definitely on the fence if he should tell her what he saw in his visual scans. Aurora didn't notice. But Air'ik noticed subtle hints of the man flinching or tensing up a bit as if he were in pain and trying to hide it. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Out of curiosity, the hunter did a full body scan on the male. And he saw something abnormal in the lower part of his body around one of his organs. Whatever it was, it appeared terminal and serious. He was unsure if the man knew or not that he was sick. And if by chance he did know, for whatever reason, he didn't tell Aurora. /p
p style="text-align: left;" Either way, he had to push everything aside at the moment and concentrate on getting them back to his ship and into space as quickly as possible. /p
p style="text-align: left;" /p
p style="text-align: left;" strongYautja Translations:/strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"strong kehrite- training arena/battle grounds/strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"strong h'ulij-bpe- crazy/strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"strong Translation Use curtesy of em/strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"strongem /emUntil Next Time ;)/strong/p
p style="text-align: left;"em /em/p
