The next chapter is up! Enjoy :)
When they, or more like Kayla woke up the next morning, she felt refreshed and energized.
She woke up to soft purring that made her smile. And looked up to his masked face. He reached up and brushed some of her hair back behind her shoulder.
They bid each other good morning before getting up. Than-guan chuckled a little when Kayla was a bit wobbly on standing.
"Last night was that good, huh?" He teased.
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. But the smile still never left her face.
Then she remembered the words they exchanged last night after their tryst. Her cheeks heated up again when she recalls finally admitting that she loved him. And remembers how her heat leapt when he told her he loved her back.
Except, it also brought on a whole string of new issues.
They were of two different races from different worlds. How were they going to make this work? She couldn't ask him to stay with her. It be selfish and unsafe for him.
But if she were to go with him, she's unsure how safe it will be for her on his home world.
Her gaze swept over to him, and Than-guan could see her smile slowly disappear and now a look of concern and worry were in its place.
"What is wrong?" He asks.
She let out a small sigh, "It's just, last night was completely amazing. But I worry where it will take us. We are both different and from different worlds. How...how will this work between us?"
At first, he was unsure what she meant. And then it clicked. After last night, the hunter has no doubts about wanting to be with her. But she worries how his people would take it. And is unsure where they will go.
He approaches her and cups her cheek, gently swiping his thumb over the soft skin. She closes her eyes briefly and reaches up to lightly grasp his hand.
"When this is all over, I really would like to take you back to Yautja Prime with me. Mating with oomans is not illegal. Though many may frown upon it.
We can be together. But I won't bring you back right away. I will still bring you home first. I know you wish to see your family again. And I won't keep you from them.
If you do decide within your time there you would like to come back with me, then you can. And I promise you can visit Earth and continue seeing them.
Our mating may provide us with challenges. Because we are different. But I'm more than willing to face any and all of these challenges if it means we can stay together." Than-guan told her.
She smiled and slowly approached him, closing the gap. Kayla then wrapped her arms around his waist and rested the side of her head against his abs.
"Thank you, for providing me with options. Because my biggest worry was having to choose between Earth and my family, and you. But if you say I can continue to visit them, then it certainly helps make things a little easier.
I do want us to be together. And...if this is the only way for it to work, I'll take it." She replied.
He wrapped his arms around her smaller frame and embraced her back. The seasoned warrior new him being cleared of his crime and then coming back with an ooman female will raise a lot of questions and he may be ridiculed for his choice in a mate.
But he could care less what anyone thinks. For the first time in his long life, he found someone very special that managed to capture his heart. And he was not going to let her go because his kind will bitch and moan about it.
After a couple minutes, they pulled away.
"So, we still sticking to the same way back today? Or was there another way you wanted to go?" Kayla asks.
"First, I want to find you some food. Then we will go from there. I would also like to contact Vor'metka for any updates too." He informed her.
They got ready to leave. Kayla grabbed her combi stick, short sword, and plasma pistol. While Than-guan grabbed the severed head of Mar'cte and placed it on the end of his ki'cti-pa. Then they entered the water and waded through it, before finding that thin opening from the side and punched through.
Than-guan used his mask first to scan the area to make sure it was clear.
Then he gave her the ok and she followed him out. It took another couple minutes to cross the water at the bottom of the waterfall. Then once they hit dry land, the hunter pressed a few buttons to contact his friend.
"Vor'metka you there? What's your status report? Any more updates since last night?" Than-guan inquired.
There was a brief pause, before the other warrior answered.
"Hey, Than-guan. I was on Lar'nix'va's trail yesterday evening. But as it got dark, the trail went cold. I searched during the night but with no luck. Then just about twenty minutes ago, I caught onto his scent and his trail again.
I was about to contact you and tell you this when you called. He's definitely headed back your way to the southern sector. Lar'nix'va probably tried contacting his brother and became concerned when he didn't answer.
So, he must've doubled back to search for him. I'm still following the trail now." Vor'metka said.
"Good to hear. My current position is near the largest waterfall in the southern end of the woods. You know the one. It's the one that I discovered a hidden cavern behind.
What is your position? How far would you say you are from me and Kayla?" Than-guan asks.
"Not very far off actually. Like I said, was tracking him all through the night. My current position, I'd say I'm only a mile and a half out from you. Coming in from the northwest.
The trail and scent left my Lar'nix'va is getting stronger. There is a good chance he could be headed your way as we speak. You may want to keep your guard up and find a safe place for Kayla." The Arbitrator warned.
A mile and a half northwest. That doesn't sound too far from where the bad bloods original camping grounds were once situated. Had Lar'nix'va actually kept to the same camping ground and hadn't moved?
If so, that was pretty ballsy and risky of the bad blood.
"Hold up, I hear something up ahead." Vor'metka said.
There was a pregnant pause, before Than-guan thought he suddenly heard what sounded like a skirmish of some sorts. There was a surprised bark followed by grunts and snarls.
Than-guan tensed, it sounded like his friend may have in fact stumbled upon Lar'nix'va and was currently engaging him.
"Vor'metka! What's going on!? You there!? If you can hear me, say something!" The hunter exclaimed.
Kayla could hear in his voice he sounded a bit panicked or concerned as she watched him converse with his friend through the wrist comp.
"It's Lar'nix'va! He's here! He must've known somehow, I was following! I think he was waiting for me!" Vor'metka said, between grunts.
It was clear he was still currently fighting the large red yautja while speaking with Than-guan.
And it continued for the next several minutes as he motioned for Kayla to follow him. Than-guan wanted to get to his friend as quickly as possible.
Judging by the coordinates that Vor'metka gave him, he had a pretty good idea where they were at. It was the same direction they just came from yesterday.
As the pair continued traveling, everything went silent on Vor'metka's end.
This perturbed Than-guan and he tried calling out for him.
"Vor'metka! You still there!? Can you hear me!? Answer me!" He rapidly got out.
There was a momentary silence before he heard a chuckle on the other end of the line.
"Oh, I hear you loud and clear, Than-guan. As for Vor'metka, well it's pretty hard to hear a call if your knocked out. Put up one hell of a vicious fight though. I'll admit he almost got me there for a minute.
It's funny though, after all our years training together, this fool still manages to leave his left open. I honestly don't know how he earned the title of Arbitrator with these faults." Lar'nix'va taunted.
"He better still be alive when I get there, you bastard. Otherwise, I really will draw out your death." Than-guan threatened as they kept moving.
"I can't make any promises, seeing as one of you most likely killed my brother. He hasn't answered my calls since yesterday morning. I know it was one of you.
And when I find out which of you did the deed, your pain will be excruciatingly slow and drawn out. It's personal now, and your mine. So, hurry up and get here, Than-guan.
Otherwise, the first thing you will see is me with Vor'metka's head. We are currently in that small opening right before the narrow path that sits above the river. You know the one. It's the same one you dove in after the female.
Speaking of, how is my little pet female? Because I'm thinking after I kill you and Vor'metka, I'm in need of a good pauk. And she will do perfectly just for that." The bad blood continued his taunts.
Than-guan snarled, "Nice to see some things never change with you Lar'nix'va. You still got a big pauking mouth and don't know when to shut it."
"I'd watch your tone right now. Less you want me to go knife happy on poor Vor'metka here. Just get your sorry ass over here. Otherwise, you won't be just responsible for little Nk'mecci's death. But the death of a well-known Arbitrator as well. The clock is ticking, Than-guan. And I'll be here waiting." The bad blood stated.
Then to Than-guan's dismay, the line cut out. Meaning Lar'nix'va ended the call.
He stopped and turned to Kayla.
"We need to get there fast. He ambushed Vor'metka and now he's in trouble. I need to carry you the rest of the way so I can get us there faster." He instructed.
Her stomach dropped when she heard the news. His best friend was now at the mercy of this fucking animal. And they needed to get there before that bastard kills him.
"Ok, let's go then." She said.
Than-guan nodded and quickly scooped her up in his arms. Then he took off in a sprint towards the location where Lar'nix'va and Vor'metka were.
Until Next Time ;)