Author's Note: I apologize greatly for the fact that I haven't updated this in forever. My life became a little chaotic and I cranked this chapter out as a break between school work.

I hope you like it. It's short, and for that I'm sorry. It's more a transitional chapter before all the fun starts. It is also from A'chide's point of view, and he is very straight forward (no flourishing). I'm already working on the next chapter and I hope to have that out soon.

I love everyone that has added this story to their favorites. Thank-you also for the reviews!

I cannot express my love for everyone more!

-D

The Ooman was in a heap on her pallet.

He tilted his head to the side, perplexed by the awkwardness of the position the female was in. Surely her limbs would become extremely stiff if she continued to sleep like that? A'chide went to nudge her awake with his foot but he felt compelled to watch her for a while longer. It was not often A'chide had the ability to watch her sleep. To think of it, he did not often have the ability to observe her much at all.

Camilla was very much an oddity to him still.

All Oomans were complex creatures, as he had learned on the hunt, but living with them only opened up another level of intricacy that he had not yet mastered due to his extended absences. A'chide pitied the thing sleeping before him; he had greatly upset her and it was evident by the wetness on her cheeks. She had been crying and it was his fault.

She should not have challenged him in front of Gur'rung. Normally, such a challenge would be welcomed from the usual apathy many gave him. Camilla standing up to him in front of his comrade, however, had been very insulting. The Ooman female had reacted as any other female would have reacted, though; rashly and without judgment. She had been confused. Precedent had always been laid out for his arrival, but his arrival with Gur'rung had upset the balance.

Again, it wasn't entirely his fault. It was the Council's error.

Upon his return he had been summoned by the Council to discuss an assignment they felt he was capable of carrying out.

It was a great honor to train the future generation of Yautja warriors, but such a position required dedication. For two years, one spent their time on a reserve honing the skills of the young bloods. The reserve would be like any other, dangerous and challenging; on top of the usual dangers, he would be expected to make sure that the lives of the young bloods were safe. It was a job many vied for, but not A'chide. He did not care much for young bloods, they were no better than pups. They were helpless beings with weapons.

A'chide wanted to be free to hunt independently, not tied down by a handful of young bloods. This was a job for a soon to be retired hunter, not a warrior still in his prime. There were other duties the Council could give him that better suited him.

Arguing had not served him well. Instead it had cemented the Council's decision to send him within the next 48 hours to the reserve where he would begin training.

This is where Camilla came into issue.

His most recent hunting excursion had been his longest time away from his home on the Yautja planet. The house would remain here for his return; but, what about the Ooman? A'chide could not leave her unattended for so long. The Yautja had used this as an excuse as to not accept the position, but the Council had shown little concern for Camilla.

They had suggested giving her over to a female breeder to assist in the raising of pups. A member of the Council, a retired warrior, had offered purchasing her. That did not sit well with A'chide. Camilla was a trophy he had acquired a long time ago, one of his greatest accomplishments. She had not been abducted like other Oomans. Why should another hunter reap the benefits of his exploits?

The female remained still on the pallet, her shallow breathing being the only sound in the room.

She had grown thinner, paler and her limbs appeared to be a tad bit longer.

He noted the dress she was wearing, a gift he had given her to wear when he was admitted to the Council of Elders. That had been a great day; his triumphs were lauded and he had achieved the single greatest honor a warrior could receive. Camilla had been there throughout the entire celebration, watching the foreign world pass her by without grievance.

Oomans always complained.

The Yautja had hunted Oomans before on their planet and on reserves. Most of the hunt was taken up by watching them; studying the prey. Oomans were complex creatures, both weak and dangerous. Their mental capacity was great and they were excellent problem solvers when their emotions didn't get in the way. Yet, on every Ooman hunt he had been on, A'chide always heard complaints from the Ooman. Cries and wails instead of action. But, Camilla never did any of that. As a young Ooman, she had simply watched him. The wide Ooman eyes staring at him, studying him like one would an opponent before battle. She had not reacted like most Ooman would. The female had never attempted to disobey him by running away, like many other Oomans had. No, she had been complacent.

A'chide had done wrong by calling her a pua'tono. She had obviously taken care of herself in his absence. She was strong, she had stood up to him (a thing not even most Yautja would dare of doing).

This female would not be left behind to rot in the house alone. She deserved better.

A grunt escaped his chest before he turned around and walked out of the Ooman's room.

The meal Camilla had prepared for him was getting cold and A'chide had grown hungry.