Chapter 27 - Claimed

I'm not to happy with the reviews the last chapter got. It got fourteen I believe, but I usually get much more than that. And one more thing about the reviews, I do appreciate them, but I would like more feedback in them. I'm trying to improve my writing for my next story, and that's hard to do if I don't know what I'm doing wrong or right. So, please more detailed reviews if you can. 380 for an update.

Wednesday, January 30th 3:00 PM - High Council's chamber.

Kori's POV

I Stand in the middle of the High Council's Chamber, staring down the ten councilmen who were all seated in front of me. All were older men, most former generals or high-ranking nobles. Galfore, who stands just behind me, has his hand on her shoulder to ease the nerves he knows I am feeling, despite the fact that I am hiding it quite well.

As the head councilmen, it was Niro's responsibility to address me, so I keep most of my attention on him. He stands, and glances at Galfore before beginning. "Grand Ruler, I trust that your trip here was comfortable."

"For the most part, yes," I reply. The only part I did not like was Karras being there.

"And I assume you have brought the human you claim is your chosen?," he continues, emphasizing the word claim.

My eyes narrow. Does he not believe that Richard is truly my chosen? Does he really have the nerve to doubt that I love him? "I have. Why have you asked me here?," I question, shortly.

Niro looks at each member of the council before replying. "We wish to make you see reason and ask you to reconsider you choice. When you claim this human, and he is defeated it will cause the people of Tameran to question your judgment, and that is not good for Tameran's future."

"My chosen shall not be defeated," I retort.

"Even if by some unforseen miracle that he is to win, do you truly plan to leave Tameran? Should you not consider what is best for your people?"

"I have considered what is best for the people of Tameran, and I am not it. I am not capable of ruling Tameran. The fact is I have no idea what I am doing, and Tameran needs someone with great ideals to lead them through these times."

He sighs. "That is what the High Council is for, to advise the Grand Ruler when tough decisions must be made."

I begin to feel anger course through me. Why will they not respect my decision? "I shall only explain this once more. In order to rule a planet, you must love it. All my love is on Earth. I love my friends, I love the food, the culture, and most of all, I love my chosen. Tameran has nothing for me, but bad memorys. My parents are dead, my sister is exiled, my brother is missing, the only love I have for this planet resides within my K'norfka, other than that I have no ties here. My decision is final."

I see Niro fight not to show his frustration. "Very well. When do you wish for this challenge to take place?"

"I shall proclaim him as my chosen tonight when I address the people of Tameran, and the challenge will take place in three days time."

Niro blinks. "Why with such haste?"

"I do not wish to be here any longer than is necessary," I answer simply.

He sighs once more. "Very well."

I nod before turning on my heals and exiting the room, Galfore following behind. Once in the hallway, we both come to a stop.

"You handled yourself quite well, Koriand'r," Galfore comments to me.

"I shall not let them take what I cherish the most without a fight," I answer, sending a glare at the chamber's door.

A sigh escapes my K'norfka and he appears hesitant. "I have been meaning to talk with you about something... You do realize that if you truly love this human and he is killed that..."

I interject him, knowing he is referring to I will no longer be able to fly due to my loss of joy. A Tameranian not being able to fly, signifies them as truly heartbroken. In some cases they quit feeling anything and die. Tameraninas are fueled by emotions after all, and if you cannot feel you cannot live. "I am aware, but we must try. I love him more than I can even begin to express. This must be done."

Galfore solemnly nods. "I truly hope that your chosen defeats Karras. It shall be a dark day for me to see you heartbroken. I shall surely weep for you."

Galfore is one of the most feared warriors in the Vegan System, that being the very reason he was chosen by my parents as mine and my siblings K'norfka. He has never shed a tear over a loss of life, or any other reason, but I know he truly means it when he says he will cry for me. "I have faith in my chosen. He can do this, I feel it."

He smiles. "I believe this Nightwing is good man for you. I have not seen you truly happy since you were but a mere child, but now the smiles you have on your face are real." One thing the my K'norfka and Richard have is common is that they both are always able to tell when I am unhappy to matter how much I smile.

After what I went through with the Citadel and the Psions, I did not truly smile until I met Richard, and that was years apart. It is nice to be happy again.

I smile up at the man, who is more of a father to me than mine ever was, and if he could see that Nightwing was what was best for me than it has to be true. "He makes what happen in the past not okay, but forgettable." I then remember I must return to my friends and that Nightwing is still probably not to happy with me. I have been home for less than an Earth hour and already things are not going well.

"I shall see you soon. I must return to my friends, I believe I have much kissing of the ass to do, as they say on Earth."

Galfore raises an eyebrow. "Humans are strange creatures, but very well. Shall I see you at tonight's feast?"

"No, I shall eat with my friends and my chosen in private." I am not taking my friends anywhere near a Tameranian feast. They are most violent, and I do not wish for them to get hurt.

He nods. "If that is what you wish. I shall send a guard for you when it is time for you to address the people."

I give my K'norfka one more smile and nod before walking off in the direction of corridor seven. Hopefully Richard has done the chilling out or friend Raven has talked the sense into him.

Wednesday, January 30th 3:30 PM - Kori's room

Kori' POV

I enter my room, finding my friends standing by the far wall, all engaged in conversation. Out on the balcony, I see my love leaning against the white railing and staring out into the Tameranian sky. When Richard is mad he tends to wish to be alone. I believe it is something he picked from his father, but I cannot be sure.

Friend Cyborg was the first to greet me, "Hey little lady. How did your meeting thing go?"

"They wished to convince me to change my mind, on proclaiming Nightwing as my chosen."

"But you didn't, right?," Bumble Bee asks.

"Of course not. I would never even consider it. I am claiming him tonight in front of all of Tameran." I glance over to the balcony, where he is still oblivious to my return. "That is if he still wishes to be claimed."

"He's just pouting," Raven assures me. "Nightwing doesn't like taking orders."

"I am expected to give orders, I am the Grand Ruler," I reason.

"You could have done it in a softer way," she suggests.

"I know I should have, but I was not thinking about him becoming angry with me. You all are not angry with me, are you?," I ask, feeling shameful.

"No were good, dude," Gar says, and everyone nods in agreement, which pleases me greatly. "Dick just never had girl order him around before," he says with a grin.

Wally copies his grin. "And he listened too. He is soooo whipped."

I cock my head to the side, not understanding. "Who has whipped him?"

"He means you have him wrapped around your finger," Raven elaborates.

I understand that expression and consider it for a moment. When I wish to watch the chick flicks instead of the football, he will watch them with me. If I am hungry, he makes me food. If I fall asleep on the couch, he carries me to bed. When I am scared when it does the thundering, he will tell me stories of his childhood to take my mind off of it. "I suppose." I glance back at the balcony. "Perhaps I should speak with him."

Raven just shrugs. "It's not like he has anywhere he can run off to and brood."

I nod with a light smile before walking out the open double door, onto the balcony. I approach quietly, coming up beside him, but I can tell he is not surprised to see me there.

After studying his face for a few seconds I speak. "I am sorry for doing the yelling at you. I did not wish to upset you," I say, reaching for his hand, and I am somewhat surprised when he lets me take it. We rarely argue, but when we do he usually will not let me touch him.

He sighs as he continues to stare at something, but I am not sure what. "I'm sorry too. This is your planet and I'll respect your authority."

I smile lightly. "I thank you. It is just that it is expected of me here." My smile falls as I remember something. "You did not say you loved me earlier."

He looks at me and smiles lightly. "I grumbled it. Ask Wally."

That makes me feel so much better. No matter if we are angry with other or arguing, Richard has never said he does not love me. I think he knows to some extent how much that would tear my heart apart even if he does not mean it. "Please say it, I wish to hear it more clearly," I tease him with a grin.

"I love you too, Kori," he says before kissing me, but I become aware that something is not right with him.

"So, what happened in the meeting?" he questions before I have a chance to comment on his behavior.

"They wished me to reconsider my decision to claim you, saying it would cause the people of Tameran to question my judgment if you were to be defeated," I reply.

"And?"

"I told them that my decision was final, and that you would be claimed tonight and the challenge would take place in three days time." It is really not quite three days, conidering a Tameranian day is equal to twenty Earth hours.

He absently nods and turns back to stare into the distance. I watch him curiously for a moment, before I decide to question him. "What are you thinking about?"

"Alot of stuff," he answers.

I frown at him. "Like?"

He shrugs. "Just stuff."

I move closer to him and remove his mask, revealing those glorious blue eyes. I am able to see sadness in them, but why should he be sad? If anything I thought him to be angry. "Richard, I am not a reader of the mind. I cannot tell what you think if you do not tell me."

He adverts his gaze from me and sighs. "I'm scared."

I study him in surprise for a moment. What is he scared of? I know he does not fear Karras. The fact he tried to attack him more than once on the journey here assures me of that, but if not him, then what? "What do you fear, N'laene?," I question him softly.

"Losing you... I mean what if I mess up? What If I slip? All it takes is me making one mistake for this guy to kill me, and then you'll be forced to be here... What If I'm just not good enough?" I am able to see tears begin to gather in his eyes and I know he is fighting hard to not cry in front of me.

"I believe in you. I know the warrior you are, but more importantly I know the man you are. You will win this."

He stares back out into the distance. "I'm going to give everything I have and then some."

I lean into him and hold onto him tightly. "I know," I whisper. I believe in him. I know he will win. Not because he is quick, or he is tactical, or his even his training. No, he will win because he loves me, and that is what seperates him from Karras.

Wensday, January 30th 7:00 PM - Kori's room

Kori's POV

After the discussion me and Richard had on the balcony we shared the kisses, and he held me for awhile while I expained to him why are sky was red instead of blue like Earth's. After confirming we were the okay, I led him back inside where are friends were. I gave them a tour of the parts of the palace they were allowed, and Gar was nearly eaten by a plant.

Raven was most upset with him after that. She scolded him, telling him to not touch anything, which would be wise. Gar is so tiny he could easily be eaten by a number of plants on this planet. I am very thankful that the vegetation on Earth is less violent... and carnivores

After the tour we returned to the room and ate an abundance of the junk food, all besides Richard who is on some form of diet before the challenge. After completion of our meal, we played the truth or the dare, which has managed to last for almost an hour. I am ashamed of the things I have done because of this game, but I guess I do like playing it. It is because of a dare that me and Richard shared our first real kiss after all. I am not positive that we would have ever became the couple if it was not for this game.

"It is my turn," I exclaim gleefully as I adjust myself on the floor between Nightwing and Bumble Bee. It is not until I look over my friends to decide who I should chose, that I notice we all look the ridiculous. Them sitting here in their suits, and me dressed in my royal attire. I must admit, this is the strangest we have ever looked while playing this game. Ignoring it, I finally settle my eyes on Gar and mischevious grin crosses my face.

"Gar, do you wish for the truth or the dare?"

"Give me the truth, baby," he exclaims. He has picked dare everytime he has chosen. I was hoping he would chose the truth.

"Are you in the love with friend Raven?," I ask and everyone freezes, besides Gar who begins to choke even though there is nothing in his mouth.

"I... I ummm," he begins to cough a fidget, as he glances back and forth between Raven and I, but before he is able to answer I hear a knock coming from the room's door.

"I'll get it," Gar say quickly before fleeing to the door. I glance at Raven, who is glaring at me. I flash a sheepish smile before turning my attention to the door just in time to see a royal guard enter the room.

Everyone stood to their feet, just as the guard bows to me. "Grand Ruer, I have been sent to tell you that it is time to address the people."

"Very well. Shall you escort us? I am not positive where to go." My father gave speeches from a number of different spots, and I do not believe it was clarified which one I am supposed to be at.

He nods. "I shall."

I turn to my friends. "It is time for the addressing of the people of Tameran and the claiming."

They nod, and I take Nightwing's hand before motioning for everyone to come as we follow the guard from the room. He leads us through a winding series of corridors until we arrive at a square room with a large balcony at it's end and I can hear cheers from the crowd outside.

"Richard, I am feeling the flys of butter," I whisper into his ear.

He rubs my tummy, like he does when I eat to much. "It's okay, were gonna be here the whole time," he assures me, giving my hand a light squeeze.

I smile lightly before taking a deep breath and continuing on my way to the balcony. Once we reach the outside, the first thing my eyes find is my K'norfka, who looks to be waiting to me.

I approach him, Nightwing at my side and my friends trailing behind us. "Greetings K'norfka."

"Hello, little one. Are you ready?," he speaks in English, for my friends benefit I assume.

I glance Nightwing who smiles at me. "I am," I say confidently, looking back at my K'norfka. As long as Richard and my friends are here, I am sure I will be the okay, despite the abundants of the nerves that I am feeling.

He nods at me. "Very well, then we shall begin," he replys in his loud voice before turning to the crowd. When they see him appear over the balconies edge the cheering becomes slightly louder, knowing it is time to begin.

"People of Tameran," he bellows, "It my honor to itroduce Grand Ruler Koriand'r"

The crowd's cheers manage to become even louder. I release Richard's hand before walking to Galfore's side. Once I am visible to the thousands of Tameranians on the ground they become so loud that it is almost is deafening. I stand silence until they quiten then, Remembering how my father used to start speeches, I begin. "Greetings my people," I say and the cheers once again erupt. I raise my hand to quiten them, which they almost instantly do. I wish that worked on Richard when he is doing the fussing.

"I am excited to be home and honored to be standing in front of you as your new Grand Ruler." Even though none of that is true it is expected of me to say it. If I said what I truly feel it would probably not be good.

"I am joyful that the war with the Gordanians is finally over, and let us take a moment to honor each Tamereanian warrior who lost their lives for this Planet, and pray that they are welcomed at X'hal's gate." Everyone closed their eyes and fell silent for a moment. Nightwing and my friends do not know what I am saying, but they copied everyone else.

I wait around ten Earth seconds before I say anything else. "Now, I have an announcement to make. As I am sure you all know, I am expected to marry Prince Karras very shortly, and while he is a noble man," I grimace just saying that, "I have fallen in love with a great warrior of Earth during my time away, and tonight I will envoke his right to challenge by proclaiming him as my chosen."

Gasps echoed from the crowd, but none of them dare say a word. I turn back to Nightwing and motion him to come to me. He does as I instruct, and comes to my side where I grab his hand before turning back to the large crowd. "This is Nightwing of Earth, and I claim as my chosen from today on," I proclaim with no hesitation. What I do next probably should have been discussed with him first, but it did the slipping of my mind.

Pulling him into me somewhat forcefully, I bite down hard on his neck, causing him to yelp in surprise and I would imagine pain as well. When I pull away, I inspect the mark to see I have drawn blood, making it an adequate bite.

"You bit me," he exclaims as his hand rubs across the mark.

"I claimed you," I correct him. "Now you must do the same," I say arching my neck to give him better access.

He looks unsure for a moment, his eyes glancing from my face to my neck, but then he leans in a bites down, but much to lightly.

"Harder," I command. "You must leave a mark."

He takes in a breath from his nose before clamping down, much harder. I feel him cringe, most likely because he taste the blood in his mouth.

When he pulls away his face grimaces at the wound he gave me. "Sorry. I didn't mean to draw blood."

I inspect it with my hand, feeling the teeth marks and the warmness of blood. "You did good," I comfort him, smiling reassuringly.

Galfore speaks up. "It has been decided. Our Grand Ruler has selected her chosen." The crowd trades glances in dead silence. I knew it would not be a popular decision so I am not suprised.

Galfore looks down at Nightwing. "Nightwing of Earth, do you evoke your right to challenge?"

"I do," he says with no hesitation.

He nods and turns back to the crowd. "Then it is decided, he shall face Karras in combat. When shall this challenge take place Grand Ruler?"

If this were not such a serious matter, I would laugh at Galfore for calling Grand Ruler. I just does not sound right. "Three days. The challenge shall take place in the grand arena."

"So, it has been spoken, so it shall pass," he bellows once more.

For some reason, this excites the crowd and they burst into cheers once more. I guess they probably believe Nightwing shall be easily defeated, but they do not know him like I do. If Nightwing is to be defeated, he will give everything he has in the process. I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing as of yet.

A raise my hand once again and they quiten. "Also, my chosen nor my companions," I turn a motion for them to step forward, which they almost reluctantly do, "are to be touched in anyway. If you desire to obtain the Earthen language," I grab the Flash and pull him so that he is next to me, "this is the only one you may do it from." Wally obviously has some idea what I am saying because he begins to blow kisses to some of the females in the audience. I almost laugh at the strange looks they give him, not knowing what the gesture means.

I release Wally, but he appears to be to focused on the females to move. For some reason I wonder if this is what Richard was like before he met me. It is very satisfying to know you can change someone so drastically. My attention refocuses on the crowd before me. "It has been a honor addressing you, and I wish to let you know that I shall do what is best for Tameran no matter the situation," I say loudly. I decide to leave out the part that I am not best for Tameran. I shall leave that to later. "I thank you all for coming, and sleep well knowing that Tameran's future is bright."

I salute them, to which they all return, before intertwining my fingers with Nightwing's and walking away from the balcony's railing, our friends following behind, besides Wally who had to be pulled away by Raven.

"You could have warned me about you all were vampires before we got here," he jokes, as he continues to rub his free hand across the mark.

I giggle. "We are not the vampires. Biting is how we claim are mate here."

I see Gar look at Raven out of the corner of my eye.

"Don't even think about it," I hear her discourage him, which causes me to giggle even more.

"Well, the next time you're about to sink those razor blades you call teeth into me, give me a little heads up first."

I laugh. Richard is not funny in the traditional sense like Gar or Wally. He does not do the joking a lot, but somehow he still manages to make me laugh more than anyone I have ever met.

Once back inside the room we all pause when we see Karras standing there, that devious smirk on his face.

"Well, it appears as if you have sealed your pet human's fate," he says as he approaches.

"I suggest you seal your mouth before we get this challenge started a little early," I hear Nightwing growl from beside me.

I grab his hand tighter, so he cannot get away. "Karras, why have you come here?"

"I simply wished to see if you were actually going to go through with this claiming. It confuses me."

"What does?," I ask, not understanding.

"If you truly are in the love with this human, then why would you bring him here to even risk his death? I do not understand, it does not make sense to me," he says. I can tell he truly does not understand, even though there is layer of the cockiness there.

Before I can say anything Richard replys to him. "You're right, you don't understand." He looks at me, and I can tell he is staring deeply into my eyes, even through his mask. "Love is about being willing to climb mountains to be together. It's about not letting any obstacle you come to in life keep you apart. Putting their wants and needs ahead of your own. Being willing to give up everything for them at any moment."

My breath hitches and my heart sores. I begin to feel to the flys of butter in my stomach like I did when we first met. Where is the tummy rub when you need one?

He looks back at Karras and his eyes narrow. "She didn't want me to come, but she let me because she knows I need her to even have a chance at any kind of happiness, and I know that my happiness is more important to her than anything, just as her's is to me. So, you're definitely right Karras. You don't understand, and that's the very reason that you're going lose. All you have at risk is the throne, I have the one thing I can't live without to lose, and if you believe for a split second that I'm not willing to fight to my last breath to keep it, then you are are sorely mistaken.

No one says anything, but I am positive that is because of they are stunned. Richard has always been good with words, but that is the most beautiful and truest thing I have ever heard. Karras cannot seem to find any form of retort, so Richard just smirks and leads us past him. I am now sure of one thing, and one thing only. Nightwing is in Karras's head, as they say.

Wenseday January 30th 1:00 AM - Corridor seven

Normal POV

After arriving back in Kori's room, the group hung out for awhile. Since there was no television they passed the time by making fun of each other, and Wally telling story's of Richard, who he affectionately referred to as the Boy Blunder. Kori didn't understand why that was funny, or why Richard got grumpy after. However the story about the time Robin got stuck in a chimney amused her greatly. Richard was always so perfect, it was nice to know he did a lot of stupid things as well.

Around ten everyone began to disperse to their own rooms, Gar being first. Something was definitely up with him, but no one could be sure what.
Everyone else left not long after, leaving Richard and Kori to star gaze on the balcony late into the night.

Raven was awoken at some point in the night by a knock at her door. She wasn't exactly sure what time it was, but she was positive that it was to late for anyone in the right mind to be up. Grumbling under her breath, she rolled out of bed an approached the door, fully prepared to send whoever disturbed her slumber straight to hell.

When she opened the door she found a somewhat nervous looking Gar standing there. "Gar? Is something wrong?," she asked, raising an eyebrow.

He shifted nervously from foot to foot. "No, nothing's wrong. I just need to talk with you."

"Could it not have waited till the morning," she questioned with a glare.

"No, it can't. I need to do this why have the courage."

"DO what?"

He took in a deep breath. "Okay, you know how Kori asked me if I was in the love with or however she put it?"

Raven tensed slightly and felt her heart began to pound faster. Was she nervous? She so didn't do nervous. "Umm, yeah?"

Gar's hand absently ran up and down the back of his head. "Well, that stuff Dick said about the climbing mountains to be with someone, and being willing to give up everything at any moment for the person you love... That's how I feel... I mean I'd be willing to do that," he said, unable to meet her gaze.

"Ohh umm, what are you saying, Gar?"

"I... I'm saying that I think... well, I know that... I love you, Rae," he studdard.

Raven's eyes widened. Her mouth opened, but no words come out. Did she love him? Would she be willing to give up everything for him at a moments notice? To climb a mountain just to be by his side?... Yes.

"I... I love you too."

Nice moment at the end there, but next chapter something that could end very badly is gonna happen. Major feels coming. If you want the story to continue, review.