The next chapter is posted! Enjoy :)
When Julie woke up the next morning, she surprisingly felt very refreshed.
When she went downstairs, she was hit with a wonderful aroma and followed it to the kitchen. And as she walked in, she saw that Kata'nu had just put a plate of food down for her at the table next to a cup of water.
He saw her walk in and smiled.
"Morning. How'd you sleep?" He asked.
She smiled back.
"Surprisingly slept very well. Almost kind of feels like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders." She replied.
"Though, I'd still be lying if I didn't admit I'm still a little nervous about the whole thing. But that's mainly why I'd like to get it done and over with while I can. Otherwise, if I keep putting it off, I'll just get more and more nervous.
It's just always been that way with me since I was a kid. And part of why I never really liked procrastinating on shit." Julie added, as she made her way over to the table.
The large red male placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and gave her a soft smile.
"Just remember, I'll be right there with you. You won't be alone." He reminded her.
The young woman's smile widened a little more as she placed her much smaller hand over his.
"I know. And thanks." She said.
He nodded, then stepped back so she could sit down and eat.
Kata'nu sat down opposite of her with some water. He then proceeded to tell her that he has spoken with one of the scientists in charge a little earlier.
He informed her that they can actually start heading over to the science center as soon as she finishes eating her breakfast. Though was quick to add that she didn't have to go right away if she didn't want to. She could always go later if that is what she wanted.
But Julie told him that was fine with her. She really was determined to just get it out of the way.
"I have something else I would like to ask. By any chance, can I meet with your sister Rose again? There's something I wish to talk to her about." She requested.
"I suppose I can contact her at some point today. What did you wish to talk to her about?" He inquires.
She was silent for a moment, before answering.
"Just...some girl things I wish to speak with her about, is all." Was Julie's reply.
Kata'nu arched an eye ridge.
But if it was something rather private, then he didn't want to intrude. He also knew she had become pretty close and comfortable with his younger sister since she came here.
He was glad to know she was making friends with others and didn't feel isolated or alone.
"Fair enough. If it's 'girl' things as you so put it, I can only imagine it is something that will make me cringe." The large male teased.
Julie rolled her eyes and shook her head, but the smile was still there.
Though in her mind, she did feel some inner turmoil. And it had to do with the large red yautja sitting across from her. She felt like she wanted to learn a little more about him while confiding in Rose about the growing feelings she has been developing towards him.
It hurt her thinking that he may never feel the same for her as she may feel for him. That he will never view her more than a friend. And will always turn to other female yautja for fuck buddies.
Yet, she still refused to give up hope on a possible future with him. He's the main reason why she's going through with this procedure to begin with.
Because, if there was ever a chance between them, it will only cause heart break if she were to die of old age well before he does.
"Funny, since I know for a fact that there isn't much out there that does make you cringe or churn your stomach. At least not with that dirty humor of yours you tend to have." She teased back.
He smirked, "I have no idea what you speak of. I'm a respectful male and an angel."
Julie snorted as she brought the cup of water to her lips.
"Yeah, and the Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy are very real and seldom like to get together to play a few rounds of poker." She sarcastically replied.
He snickered, "You got me there. But if it helps, I haven't spied or walked in on you naked. At least not since the first time I brought you here."
Her cheeks grew red thinking about the time he walked in on her. And the smirk he tossed her way, made her almost want to throw her cup of water at his smug face.
"Regardless, you're still a big perv." She retorted.
Kata'nu was still grinning when he held up a hand with his pointer finger hovering closely to his thumb.
"Only a little." He said.
"That's a truckload of bullshit if I ever did see it." Julie stated.
"Impossible, there are no bulls on this world." He smartly replied.
She couldn't help but chuckle at his smart-ass reply. So typical of him to get the last word in with a smart retort.
"Yeah, ok, smart ass. You made your point. Now let me finish eating, so we can get going." She quipped.
That ended their conversation for the time being.
Then she finished up and put everything in the wash bin. And then Julie joined Kata'nu as they headed for the front door. She made sure to have her wrist band and wrist comp on this time before they left.
They headed out and walked down the dirt path.
He explained to her that the center was near another part of town. So, they will be taking a public transport vessel there. Sounded pretty exciting for her.
Julie had only taken a transport vessel only a couple times since coming to Yautja Prime. The first time was to meet Kata'nu's elder sister Sadie, who wanted to meet her.
They also took it another time to meet his younger brother Chulonte.
At this point, she met almost just about everyone in his family. Except Kata'nu's father and another brother of his. His brother Gkyaun was currently off world on a hunt he told her a few days prior.
And that is when she learned that some of these hunts can last for weeks or even months.
Something that sounded both amazing and crazy. It also made her worry too. Because Julie started thinking that Kata'nu would be leaving her for long periods of time on these hunts too.
And it didn't sit well with her that he would leave her alone for long periods of time like that.
It's just another thing she wishes to talk about with him when she has the chance. And she felt it may not be an easy conversation. Because he may like doing these long hunts and may not like the fact that she may inquire that she didn't like that he would go on them and leave her alone.
'Dammit, Julie. Just slow down. Deal with one issue at a time here.' Her mind screamed.
They made it to one of the transport vessels at the station and got in. Majority of it was made up of some thick kind of glass. There was no one piloting or driving it.
The vessels here in town were automatic and didn't require someone piloting them.
The one they were on this morning wasn't very crowded. There was maybe only a small group of yautja onboard who weren't even paying attention to the pair standing a few feet across from them.
Julie looked outside through the glass as the vessel started propelling itself forward.
Not long after they left the station, they were airborne and smoothly gliding through the air. For some reason a random thought hit her that almost made her laugh out loud.
A thought hit her when she recalls watching Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory as a kid. She remembers the part at the end of the movie where Wonka takes Charlie and his grandpa into the glass Wonka Elevator.
And then, he hit a few buttons, and they ended up going through the glass ceiling in his factory and were floating through the air in the small glass elevator.
Kata'nu's gaze shifted from the view outside to Julie, who was standing next to him on his right. He noticed she had an amused grin on her face, like she saw something funny.
"What are you grinning at?" He asks.
Julie snapped out of her stupor and quickly tore her gaze from the view in front of her to him.
"Oh nothing, just thought of something funny, is all." She replied.
Kata'nu gave her a questioning look, before shrugging it off.
There was silence between them for a moment. Before Julie spoke up again.
"You still never really told me more details about this procedure. Like how it really works or what they do." She mentioned.
"From what I know, it's not one injection. But a series of them. They put you under before administering them and the procedure doesn't take very long." He informed her.
Julie nodded, "And...you sure there is no serious side effects with it?"
"None that I ever heard of. They did have centuries to perfect the procedure after all. If there were ever any side effects, they are probably minute at best." Kata'nu stated.
On the way there, she asked him some more questions in regard to this procedure. Each one he answered for her.
The more she heard about it, the more at ease she felt. He also told her a little more about the scientists involved and how they are professionals that have administered these injections countless times in the past.
She was also relieved when he reminded her that this was a one-time thing. After this, no more future injections.
After several more minutes, they finally reached their destination. He led her off the transport vessel and walked her down another somewhat crowded dirt path.
They maybe only walked for another five minutes before he directed her to a rather large, circular looking metallic building.
"This is it? Damn, the place is huge." She said, never taking her eyes off of it.
Kata'nu chuckled a little at her response.
"Yes, one of the biggest establishments in the clan. A lot going on inside. Many scientists working on all kinds of things to better improve our race's technology and medicines." He told her.
He gently took her hand and led her through the large set of double doors.
The thick doors smoothly glided open to allow them in. And Kata'nu found it amusing to see her rubber necking just like she did the first couple times he took her out to see the town.
It seems, it really didn't take much to impress her. But then, many of her kind will never see this kind of tech for a very long time.
The pair walked up to this large metal service desk near the center of what appeared to be a very large and spacious lobby of sorts. He then began to converse with the yautja behind the desk.
The slightly smaller male behind the desk nodded at him, then gestured for them to go on ahead.
Kata'nu then led Julie to another large sliding door. It slid open and they went inside. There was nothing inside, just a bare space. Then she felt the faintest of vibrations beneath her feet. It didn't take long at all to realize it was some kind of elevator.
They weren't inside very long, before it came to a stop and slid open again to let them out.
Once they stepped out, Julie looked around and saw they were now in some kind of very large lab. There were quite a few yautja bustling about in these odd looking outfits.
'These must be the scientists.' She thought.
It wasn't long before one of these scientists spotted them and began to make his way over.
"Kata'nu, good to see you, my friend." The yautja scientist said in their native tongue.
"Likewise, Prient'de. And sorry for the short notice. I know lately you and your team have been pretty busy as of late." Kata'nu replied.
"It's not a problem at all." Prient'de stated.
Then the scientist turned his attention to the small ooman female standing beside the warrior.
"You, Julie, yes? Nice to meet you." Prient'de said, with a heavy accent.
The young woman politely smiled back.
"Nice to meet you too. You have a very neat set up here." She said, while gesturing around the area.
Prient'de chuckled a little at her statement.
"Thank you. Though it is a pain to keep tidy at times." Was his reply.
Julie started to feel a little more at ease around this new yautja. And he seemed to have some humor to him as well.
"Are you ready? And has Kata'nu explained to you what the procedure entails?" Prient'de inquired.
She nodded, "Yeah, he told me pretty much all about it. Still a tad nervous, but it helps knowing you all have done this many times before."
The scientist nodded, "Yes, we have. Don't worry. You're in good hands. And it's ok being nervous. Many are when they arrive to have it done. But this is quite quick and before you know it, it will be over. Kata'nu will be with you the whole time as well, as he requested."
"Just how long exactly is this procedure?" She asks.
"Only about fifteen minutes." Prient'de told her.
Her eyes widened, "Woah, that's it!? That really isn't long at all!"
"No, it's really not. It's very fast and effective." He explained.
Prient'de then gestured for them to follow him.
The pair followed behind the dark orangey yellow yautja as he led them across the lab. He then came to a stop at a large, metal table. The scientist than pressed a couple buttons and the table slowly lowered.
Once it was lowered enough, he motioned for her to get on.
Julie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Then she eased herself down onto the table. She then lied down on the cool, flat metal. She squinted a little at the bright lights above her.
Then saw Kata'nu come into view and her eyes shifted to him.
He slowly reached up and smoothed back some of her hair near the top of her head with a soft purr. His purring helped her relax.
Then Prient'de came into view on the other side of the table. She watched as he placed this strange oval shaped object over the lower half of her face. It went over her nose and mouth.
Not long after, there was this strange smell emanating from it. Next thing she knew, she started to feel drowsy. And the last thing she saw before passing out, was the soft look on Kata'nu's face.
Even after she was fast asleep, he didn't leave her side as the scientist went to work with the injections.
"So, why is it the patient needs to be out again for this?" Kata'nu asked.
"Because these injections can be quite painful. It's easier for the patient to be out than awake. Because we risk them moving or squirming as the injections are being administered." Prient'de told him.
Kata'nu continued to watch over Julie as the scientist proceeded.
The vaccines themselves looked huge and attached to equally huge vials with what appeared to be blood and fluids from a yautja. It also looked like there was a little something else mixed in there that had a yellow tint to it.
Even though Julie was in a deep sleep, Kata'nu still noticed every now and then her eyebrows would furrow a little when one of the vaccines pierced her skin.
The injections were not all at the same sight either. They were being administered in different areas around her body.
This was his first time actually witnessing the procedure being done. It was pretty amazing to him that all it takes is a series of injections with compounds and fluids from the yautja to extend one's life.
And just as Prient'de stated earlier, it was done after about fifteen minutes. Before he gave her something to wake the young woman, the scientist turned to his friend to address him.
"When she awakens, she might be a little sore. The soreness will be around the sight of the injections. She will also feel grogginess and fatigue for a while. So, once you bring her home, you should bring her to bed to rest.
Everyone's recovery time is different. She could start feeling better either later today or tomorrow morning when she wakes up. The important thing is to leave her be to rest. The compounds I gave her will still be working their way through her body as she sleeps.
Right now, will be a transitional period for her body as it goes through some internal changes. As you know, it will not only lengthen her lifespan. But it will make her body more durable, as well as stronger and faster.
Another good thing about the compounds, is that they will alter her immune system. So, she will not be able to contract or develop life threatening ailments that are common occurrence to her kind like cancer, heart ailments, and other debilitating diseases." Prient'de explained.
"Thank you for your input. And I'll be sure she gets plenty of rest. And thanks again for seeing us so quickly." Kata'nu said.
Prient'de gave him a small bow of his head.
"You're welcome. Though I'm still quite surprised. Never thought I'd see the day you would obtain a servant. You were always so independent and preferred doing everything yourself. May I ask, what changed?" The scientist asked.
Kata'nu's bright yellow gaze shifted from his friend to the slumbering young woman on the table.
"Because when she looks at me, she sees me more than just a warrior. Just as I see her more than just another female that came into my life. She's...special." He replied, while still keeping his gaze on her.
It was a pretty surprising response to the scientist. Especially, when he knew Kata'nu was always very smooth with the females in the clan. He certainly never had a hard time gaining their attention and affections.
But he still never really truly felt anything towards any of the females he courted and mated with in the past. None had really intrigued him.
Yet, as Prient'de stands here, he could clearly see that the Elite warrior was quite taken with this young ooman female. He also saw glimpses of affection when Kata'nu purred to her as he lightly stroked her hair while she went under and how he continued to hold her hand as the scientist administered the life extending injections.
"I see. Special ones can be hard to come by. And only fools would let them go. If you feel she is just that, then I'm happy for you. And now, you two can enjoy a long life together without restraints." Prient'de told him.
Kata'nu gave him a small nod.
"Thanks again, my old friend." He said.
The scientist gave him another small bow of his head. Then he gave her a little something to wake her up.
Not minute later, Julie slowly started to stir. Her eyes slowly opened, and she lazily looked around, still seemingly dazed. Until her gaze finally focused in on Kata'nu.
"Hey, is it over?" She croaked in a groggy tone.
He gave her a soft smile, "It is. You're good to go. I'm bringing you back home now."
The large red male then carefully scooped the petite woman up in his arms.
She weakly squirmed in his grip.
"I can walk." Julie weakly argued in a tired tone.
Kata'nu shook his head and held her firm though.
"No, you're still weak and tired. Let me carry you back home. Afterwards, I'm putting you to bed. Prient'de says you need to rest more once we get home." He explained to her.
Julie wanted to say more, but when she opened her mouth, a yawn left her instead.
Then she found herself leaning against his chest. As much as she hated to admit it, she still did feel very exhausted. It was almost like she had zero energy. She was unsure if the extreme fatigue was from the procedure or the knockout gas that was given her or a combination of the two.
All she knew, was that she was actually quite comfortable now in his hold.
"The bed sounds nice." She said, with a small lopsided smirk.
Kata'nu trilled a little at her response. He could see she was still clearly out of it and will be for a while.
"Be sure to get plenty of rest. You will be a little sore and tired for a while. It's normal and happens to everyone who has this done. Important thing right now is to rest and not overexert yourself for the next several hours to a day." Prient'de instructed her.
Julie slowly nodded. They both could see she was starting to doze off again but was fighting it.
"Ok, no running marathons. I'll stick to only tea parties with bunnies instead." She said.
Kata'nu gave the scientist a confused look. While Prient'de just chuckled at what she just said.
"Don't worry. Sometimes the sleeping gas makes them a little loopy. It's very temporary. Even though I woke her, the gas is still in her system and slowly making its way out. She will be fine after being well rested." The scientist assured his friend.
The larger male nodded in understanding and thanked him again.
Then Kata'nu turned around and headed for the exit with Julie still cradled in his arms. She was extremely light, and he would have no problem carrying her for the ten-minute ride back home.
About halfway through the ride on the transport vessel, Julie fell asleep again.
She was still out as he made it back to his dwellings and brought her inside. Then he carried her upstairs and down the hall to her room.
The door to her quarters slid open and he walked in with the sleeping young woman. Kata'nu brought her over to her bed and gently placed her down on top of the soft pelts.
He watched over her for a moment and reached down to brush some loose dark strands off of the side of her forehead.
Kata'nu never believed he'd find someone who would captivate him so, like this female. And she did so in quite a short time of knowing him. It was strange and new to him. But in no way unwelcoming.
He turned around to leave, when a faint voice halted him in his tracks.
"Please, stay." She requested, in a quiet tone.
The large yautja turned back to face her and saw her awake but still a little out of it.
He then watched as she slowly scooted over on the bed and made a small gesturing nod of her head to join her. Kata'nu stood there for a moment longer, before he eased himself onto the large bed and laid down beside her.
Their eyes never left each other as he settled in next to her.
Once he was comfortable, Julie scooted in closer to him and draped an arm over his waist and pressed her cheek against his right pec. His arms automatically came to gently wrap around her frame.
"Thanks, for staying with me the whole time. Always feel safer when you're with me." Julie said.
Her eyes drooped shut not a few moments later, and she was fast asleep once more.
Kata'nu was silent for a moment and still kept his gaze on her, before he finally spoke.
"I'll always be there for you." He whispered.
It was still morning. And he himself was not the least bit tired. But he still stayed with her and held her close as she continued to rest.
Until Next Time ;)