Skylar carefully spun around in her new dress, admiring the fabric in the mirror before plopping down on the floor and looking at it flow over her fingers.

"Skylar?" Kweide's voice called for her and she looked up as he entered their room with new pelts draped on his arm.

"Yes?" She stretched back and stood quickly, stopping to straighten herself as she stumbled.

"Are you well?" Kweide's tone changed and he threw the pelts down on the bed as he walked over to her and held out his hand for support.

"Yeah, I'm just dizzy haha." Skylar smiled gently at him but took his hand. "Is there something you needed to tell me?" She turned to look at the pelts, trying to feel for the most usable ones.

"Of course, R'kadekna has asked us to go hunting with her and Kayla, H'chakde will be coming as well of course."

Skylar froze and looked down at her hands for a moment, she was tired of hunting. Just a little break that wasn't when she or someone she cared about was so debilitated they couldn't move would be nice. Besides, R'kadekna was going and she wasn't certain about how she felt about hunting with the excessive huntress. So she improvised.

Skylar collapsed to the ground and Kweide let out a roar of surprise as he dropped down to catch her. "Skylar? Skylar?" He shook her but she was still as he scooped her up and rushed off to the medical bay.

As she bounced around in his arms she did her best to keep quiet and droop her loose limbs. There was only one thing she could think of to get out of the hunt without offending anyone on a ship where that was life or death. She'd fake a human illness.

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With the month that had passed, Kayla was finally feeling better. The wounds on her back were turning into scars, albeit rather fresh ones, but they didn't hurt her as much as before. Mostly she was glad to not have to take any of that medicine that left her so ill.

Eventually, they had gotten around to fashioning a new top from the wolf creature she had killed. Now she wore more of a loose halter top, only covering her breasts and part of her tummy. Only a small strip of leather covered her back, keeping her wound on full display when her hair was up.

H'chakde had reminded her that when the time came she would be given proper armor. For now, she would live with this.

Her fingers ghosted the scar H'chakde had found. The one her father had given her. He had taken the story of how she had gotten it well. However, she noticed how the air in the room had shifted when she began to talk of it. He hadn't given her that pitying look so many people had.

Sometimes it wasn't explicit. Instead hidden behind tight awkward smiles of anyone she had tried to talk with about how her parents were. The look she only seemed to be able to stomach from Skylar. Perhaps because she was the only one back then who truly seemed to care. Even if some believed she shouldn't because of how much trouble Kayla caused.

With a deep breath Kayla pushed the matter from her mind. It was in the past, no more reason to dwell on it. Besides, H'chakde was right.

Ultimately she had won.

She had walked away scarred for a long while, but she had made something of herself. From the hell hole she had lived in, to Skylar's home, to the coast guard. Even if she hadn't done it all by herself, she had done it.

Now here she was, somewhere entirely new, about to embark on another hunt. It all felt. . .Well, she wasn't sure how to describe it.

"Kayla!" The door swung open as H'chakde bolted in. "Skylar is sick."

"What do you mean she's sick?" Kayla hurriedly pulled her hair up as she rushed to the door.

"Lar'ja-Thwei says she has Lieabetes, it seems serious."

Kayla blinked, her hand pausing mid wrapping a piece of leather around her hair, then she blinked twice more. Skylar had what now? She bit her lip, holding back a laugh as she looked at the ground. It was hard to feign distress when all you wanted to do was laugh.

"May I, see her please?" She looked back up at H'chakde doing her best to keep her face plain. "Just before the hunt?"

H'chakde paused, but nodded as he turned and walked out the door. Kayla followed behind quickly, teeth dug into the side of her cheek to keep the amused smile off her face.

It took mere moments for them to reach the medbay. Kayla entered, heading straight to Lar'ja-Thwei.

"I heard Skylar was sick." She said. "May I please see her?"

"Of course, she's here but be careful to keep a distance from her. We do not want you to have a higher chance of contagion." Lar'ja-thwei motioned for her to follow him into the quarantine section of the medbay; one extremely comfortable looking Skylar looked up at her and waved from under an oxygenated lid.

Kayla's brow rose as she met Skylar's eye, before taking in her friend's new wardrobe. "I'll keep my distance, thank you." She looked to the medic once more but before she could request a moment alone, R'kadekna walked in. She must have also been made aware about Skylar's current state. And though Kayla wasn't sure why she was there, she greeted her.

"I heard Skylar would not be able to hunt with us." She looked to her brother, the medic. "Just how serious is it?"

Skylar was going hunting with them? Kayla hadn't realized.

"Her life may very well be in danger. Strenuous activity as needed on a hunt would surely kill her with this sickness." Lar'ja-thwei flipped through his wrist holograms for her chart.

R'kadekna nodded as she looked at the chart before glancing at Kayla. "Is that true Kayla? Is Liabetes that deadly?"

"Yeah, very." No matter how much she wanted to burst into laughter she kept her features in check. She'd go along with whatever scheme Skylar had. "At least three hundred people died of it every year on earth."

"Humans, such fragile creatures." R'kadekna sighed, turning her attention to Skylar. "I hope you recover quickly. It would be a shame if you were to die before your initiation hunt."

Skylar nodded, "thank you, I know we don't know each other well but your words mean a lot." Her lips twitched as she tried to keep them thin and solemn.

"Could I maybe have a moment alone? Just to say goodbye in case I can't see her after the hunt." Kayla hid her smile behind her fist.

"If Lar'ja-Thwei permits it." R'kadekna responded, turning back to look at her brother.

He nodded, beginning to leave the room. "Remember to keep a distance or you may catch this illness too."

R'kadekna patted Kayla's shoulder. "I'll be in the ship bay, meet me there when you are finished." She gave one last nod to Skylar before leaving the room.

Despite Lar'ja-Thwei's warning, Kayla wandered closer to the bubble that encased her friend. Once she was sure the other yautja were gone, a snicker rose in her throat.

Skylar's giggle echoed from inside the chamber as she unlatched it's side and lifted the lid, a low hiss rumbling as oxygen poured into the room. "Hi there," she smiled.

"Dude what's going on?" Kayla asked, looking up at Skylar amusement never leaving her face.

Skylar looked around before whispering, "I may have lied a tinsy bit about an earth disease. In my defense, I really wanted a break from hunting so I had to think of something!"

"Could you elaborate on the symptoms of this Liabetes. Been awhile since i learned about it, and it would be easier to know if i'm catching it." Kayla nudged her playfully. She wasn't sure if she'd ever use this, but it seemed a useful tool.

"Oh, oh, of course!" Skylar sat up and began counting on her fingers, "firstly, fainting. It's the first sign and it's supposed to be a total blackout. If you feel dizzy you should definitely tell someone." She raised her eyebrows as she nodded heavily, just in case anyone was listening or watching. "Second, when you wake you should feel a little light headed. You'll be hungrier, fatigued, in need of nice warm baths often and mud also seems to keep the fever from coming. Your muscles are sore so make sure to massage them from time to time," she stopped talking for a moment before holding up a finger, "be sure to eat anything sweet when you can manage!" There was a sly smile gracing her round features.

"Mhm, I'll try to remember that." Kayla nodded, crossing her arms over her chest. This had to be the funniest shenanigan they had gotten into since being plucked from their home. "I'll be sure to alert Lar'ja-Thwei or H'chakde if I'm showing symptoms."

"Perfect, I'll be sure to let them know it's not as easy to catch once you survive it so they don't look into it too much. I've been mostly... out of it this whole time so I haven't said much yet." Skylar opened her arms for a hug. "Come here".

Kayla stepped into the hug, wrapping her arms around her friend and squeezing gently. "Well I hope you're better by the time I get back. R'kadekna invited me on a hunt with her."

"So I've heard, I hope you have fun while you're out there. I'll definitely be better when you get back."

"Good good." Kayla pat her arm before pulling away. She knew she couldn't stay much longer. "Maybe next time we can take a girls trip out to hunt."

Skylar gave Kayla a smile, "maybe. For now go have fun and kick some tail. Come back safe?" She gave Kayla's hand a light squeeze before lying down and hesitantly closing the lid.

"No promises." Kayla said waving bye to Skylar before approaching the door. "If i find any I'll send a postcard." She grinned before disappearing back into the rest of the med bay.

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R'kadena paused once she had emerged from the ship. Her head tilted back as she soaked in the warm rays that pooled over her skin. She stood there with her eyes closed, reveling in sunshine for a long moment. This had always been her favorite part of hunting; just being able to bathe in the heat while taking in the wide open space. She enjoyed her time on the ship, but this, this she certainly enjoyed much more.

Once she had her fill, she stepped aside. Allowing Kayla and H'chakde to begin following her out. The Huntress turned her gaze to their surroundings, inspecting each bit nonchalantly. The area they had landed in was flat, with rises and dips in the terrain so small she barely noticed them. There was little flora here save for dry grass that crunched beneath her feet. The only plant life was the forest that surrounded them on either side.

Movement caught her eye and she halted, head turning to its source. From narrow openings in the ground, little creatures with brown fur began to poke their heads out. Eyeing the group cautiously from the safety of their burrows; their beady black eyes held a smidge of distrust for the newcomers. R'kadekna couldn't say she blamed them. They were smart for being afraid, though they had little to fear from her.

The grass crunched beside her as Kayla came to stand at her side. Her head cocked to the side as she adjusted the grip on her spear. She returned the creature's stares with equal curiosity.

"They are not our prime target." R'kadekna said, answering the unspoken question that lingered between her and Kayla. "I've traveled here before, years ago before you came aboard the ship. They are mostly harmless as long as one doesn't wander too close to their holes." She didn't think she'd ever forget the bite one of their kind gave her leg. Her calves bore a few scars thanks to it. The huntress had been angry enough to consider stomping them to the ground. However, they weren't her kind of prey. There was no honor, no challenge in attacking something so small.

"What was your hunt here before like?" Kayla inquired, turning her head from the creatures to the terrain before them. The grass crunched again as H'chakde came to stand close beside Kayla, his scythe held lamely at his side with it's chain wrapped around his hand, the metal ball connected to said chain swung softly.

R'kadekna trilled as her chest swelled with pride. "That, is quite the story." She shifted her weight as memories of that time flooded her mind. With each one her fingers flexed in anticipation. As if she were there once more in the thrill of the battle. "I had been on another side of this planet. Near the shoreline, looking for any worthy trophies to take back to the ship." She pointed with the front end of her hooked dagger toward the farthest treeline. Right where she knew a certain shore would be. "I enjoy underwater hunting, many things down there tend to be larger than I. It makes them more of a challenge."

"What did you find there? Must have been something really challenging to make you want to come back."

"Well, at first, nothing. Most of the creatures I came across were my size or smaller. Those that were, had been too docile." She shook her head. "I found my way into a large cavern under the water's surface. There were these beasts that hung from the cave top by their feet. They were about as tall as you, perhaps even taller." R'kadekna held her hand an inch or two above Kayla's head. "They attacked quickly. Swooping down in pairs to try and drive me out of their dwelling. If it hadn't been for that, I might have let them be."

R'kadekna pushed aside a few of her tresses as she leaned down a bit. Along her shoulder blade, and right below her collar bone were four puncture wounds the size of Kayla's eyes. The ooman pushed herself on her toes as she looked on. Wonder and perhaps a hint of warryness simmering in her gaze.

"I was able to take out a few, but their numbers eventually drove me back into the water." It was a fact that still bugged the huntress. That she backed down from the battle and ran like a terrified youngblood. But she hadn't been as brave then as she was now.

"Were you able to grab anything?" Kayla asked looking over the necklace of teeth she wore around her neck.

R'kadekna fished out the dark claw that was nearly the length of Kayla's fingers. She held it out for her to get a better look at it. "Just this, though I wish I had gotten more." The huntress didn't miss the anxiety in Kayla's form. She didn't seem too keen on battling such creatures just yet. R'kadekna slapped her back playfully, a low trill sounding from her chest. She hoped her ease was enough to calm Kayla. Fear had no place during the hunt, and if unchecked could lead to foolish actions. "Do not fret Kayla, that is not what we're after." This hunt anyway.

Once Kayla had become a blooded warrior and earned a permanent place in the clan, R'kadekna would bring her back. Give her a shot at fighting off the creatures as well and facing whatever made her hesitant to do so. Perhaps they could even make a competition out of it. The thought of how fun that would be was nearly enough to have R'kadekna drag Kayla there now.

But they had another target, even better then the creatures from the cave.

"What are we after then? If you don't mind me asking?" Kayla asked, looking up at her.

R'kadekna didn't have an exact answer. She knew where the creature was, but not the specifics for what the creature was. Only that it was located through the forest and passed the mountains they would soon come across. Or was it in the mountains? Now that she thought of it, her fellow huntress who had told her about it wasn't very specific. What she did know was that it would be a large beast, challenging and worthy of being a trophy mounted upon her wall.

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The first day of their hunt was uneventful as they trekked through the forest. No ambushes like there had been on the trips before. Most of the animals were either not present or chose to steer clear of them. H'chakde could see their forms through the infrared, kneeling low beside trees watching them, but not attacking. Surprisingly, H'chakde felt glad for it.

The new information he acquired was deeply unsettling. He couldn't stop his eyes from flicking to Kayla as they walked, checking that she wasn't moments away from passing out.

He had faith she would be fine, but it didn't stop his worry. If she fell ill with what Skylar had caught, especially this far from the ship's medic. . .he was afraid she wouldn't make it back. Skylar seemed to need immediate treatment, and H'chakde couldn't give Kayla that out here.

So while Kayla and R'kadekna had kept their eye on the scenery around; inspecting the foriegn flora and fauna they passed, H'chakde had kept his focus on Kayla. His eyes shifted from their surroundings to her every few seconds.

The trio didn't stop to sleep until after the sun had long dipped below the horizon. They had made good progress but were still in the thick of the forest. Based on R'kadekna's demeanor, they weren't close to the hunting ground she wanted to be at.

"You'll both need good rest." She had said once Kayla finished her final meal for the day. "Tomorrow we continue."

R'kadekna had chosen a spot beside one of the trees instead of in them. Hidden amongst the tall grass that had followed them in from the prairie. H'chakde had a feeling Kayla would want the same, and he didn't mind. It would be more comfortable for her to sleep there instead of on the bark of a branch. The ooman approached H'chakde as the huntress slipped to her spot beside two large and rather close trees.

Kayla plopped down, laying beside him much like she had on the ship, molded to his side with her back to him. This didn't surprise him, but it did R'kadekna. Even in the dark, H'chakde could see her head poking over the side of the tree. Gaze lingering on them, her head tilted, before she disappeared behind the trunk.

"Are you feeling alright?" H'chakde asked once Kayla had gotten comfortable. Her pack under her head like a pillow.

"I'm fine, my feet are a little sore, but I'll live. These aren't exactly walking shoes." Her voice trailed off before she added. "I'm kinda worried about Skylar."

"You don't need to worry, she's in good hands."

"She sure is. It was just." She took a deep breath, her fist moving to cover her mouth. "So shocking Skylar catching liabetes ya know, it's been forever since either of us have had it."

It was rather shocking, H'chakde didn't realize this was a sickness that oomans could catch. She seemed to be doing well though. Despite all the work they had done preparing for the trip, and keeping her wounds properly cleaned. She wasn't faltering, he just wasn't sure how much longer that would last.

"She'll make it, you oomans tend to be stronger than you seem." Even if they were also softer then yautja in other ways.

As H'chakde had learned, they were easily harmed, got sick when they worked too much, and needed a much more complicated diet to keep up their health. However, they always continued. No matter how much Kayla had gotten injured, it only slowed her for as long as it took for her wounds to heal.

He wasn't sure if he was imagining it or not, but Kayla felt closer. "Goodnight H'chakde." She said adjusting herself so she was leaning against him. "Don't let the bed bugs bite."

It took H'chakde mere moments to scan the area for bugs, but when he looked back, she was asleep. He watched her chest rise and fall slowly, as he laid back eyes turning skyward. He could barely see the sky through the branches, but that wasn't what he was focused on.

Babum, babum. Kayla's steady heart beat reached his ears. The rhythmic sound lulling him to sleep.

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R'kadekna had been the first to wake, and it wasn't long before she jabbed H'chakde with her foot to pull him from sleep as well. When he opened his eyes however, she wasn't on the ground. H'chakde could see her up in the trees head turning to survey the area around her.

The planet's sun was just peeking its way over the horizon; casting a few loose strays through the breaks of the trees and onto them. When he stood, a few of the rays of sunlight hit Kayla and she began to stir.

"Kayla." H'chakde tapped her side before passing over a peice of meat they had burned the previous day.

"Thank you." She muttered as she sat up and began scarfing the food down quickly.

"I would like us to get through the mountain before dusk. It'll be quite hard for someone without a biomask to maneuver the terrain." R'kadekna announced dropping down from the branch above. "It's a few miles that way, so we should reach it before too long if we hurry. "

"Do you know how long it will take to get through?" Kayla asked, grabbing her bag from the ground.

"No, so we will have to move faster than we had yesterday."

H'chakde struggled not to look at the huntress directly. Now they were definitely well enough away that Kayla may perish if she came down with liabetes. Would moving faster today push it too much? Especially when they weren't aware of how thin the ice they stood on already was.

He looked at Kayla as she opened her mouth to speak. "That's fine, I slept well so I have plenty of energy to burn."

H'chakde untensed. If Kayla was certain she could handle it then there was no need to argue.

"We should get moving then." He said, gesturing for R'kadekna to take the lead.

The huntress nodded, before turning on her heel and doing just that. Her pace at a low sprint as she pushed through the plants on the ground. H'chakde and Kayla followed, keeping pace with her.

The rest of the day was the same as the last. Lots of walking, and at R'kadekna's request, periodic sprinting through the trees. With all that, they had covered quite a lot of ground before noon.

It wasn't till the sun was at its highest point in the sky that they reached the mountain opening of the mountain pass. They had stopped to give Kayla a meal break. She was situated on a fallen tree, her water carrier cradled in her hands. She took a few sips, before securing it back at her hip.

H'chakde's own water carrier remained where it was. He didn't have the need for it as much as Kayla did. So he saved it, just in case hers ran dry before they found a stream.

"We're so close to our hunting grounds." R'kadekna said as Kayla pushed herself off the fallen tree.

"How close?" H'chakde asked, coming to stand behind her.

"Just through the mountain pass." R'kadekna pointed with the curved end of her golden dagger. They hadn't come across anything, but she always kept it out at the ready. "Then the real hunt begins."

Kayla adjusted her hair as she looked between the two. H'chakde swore he saw fear resting in her gaze, but it was quickly gone. Instead, excitement brewed in her eyes. Her grip on her spear tightened as a smile pulled across her face.

R'kadekna gestured for them to follow her, and into the mountain pass they went.

The walls rose above them at a slight angle, with large rocks that jutted out like platforms on the uneven surface. It was all white, with speckles of black and grey sprinkled over it. H'chakde couldn't tell if the bigger portions of black were holes that had been carved into the side of mountains with the passing of time. His gaze shifted from his surroundings to Kayla.

He had been keeping an eye on her the whole trip, but he wanted to do so here even more. Especially if those spots held creatures that sought to overwhelm and harm her.

He didn't want a repeat of the last hunt they had been on. He'd nearly lost her then.

The sound of small rocks tumbling reached his ears, and H'chakde cocked his head to the side. He turned his gaze up meeting the eyes of a creature high above them that leaned out of the holes. It snarled at him, barring a mouth full of razer sharp teeth. H'chakde straightened his back and returned the growl, his mandibles flaring under his mask.

R'kadkena must have noticed what he did, because she drew closer, a growl rising in her throat as well.

More of them appeared, and the creatures began crawling out of their holes. Their arms were long, and their strong muscles flexed as they moved. Each time they swung them, their claws met with the mountain side and dug deep into the rock. Even from where he stood, H'chakde could tell they were tall, perhaps even taller than him.

The creatures stopped right above their heads. Their claws twitched, making a small avalanche of rocks roll down the mountain side, a menacing snarl on their faces and challenge in their eyes. A challenge that the three met with tense muscles and raised weapons.

Neither party made a move to pounce. They remained still, trapped in a standoff that dragged on for what felt like hours.

Eventually, a loud growl sounded off from R'kadkena as two of the creatures moved closer. Then, they pounced.

R'kadekna roared, turning to smack one with the back of her hand. It fell back, but soon was on its feet again. The creature charged at her just as the huntress sliced its chest with her blade.

The others on the mountainside jumped at them, and the fight was on.

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Kayla never thought she would have met killer sloths in her lifetime, but here she was. Dodging as a sloth-like creature launched itself from the stone wall, claws aiming for her. It hit the ground hard, but didn't seem phased by the fall at all. Immediately the creature rose and swiped at Kayla. This time she was barely able to dodge, claws barely grazing her side.

The woman was stuck in this endless clumsy dance. Dodging as best she could while her eyes assessed how to get the best of the creature.

There was a large space between his legs. Could she run under it?

An arm collided with her torso, knocking her off her feet and onto the ground. Kayla gasped as she threw herself away from the claws coming straight for her neck.

She rolled onto her knees, and when the creature raised its arms to strike, she ran at it. Ducking between its legs, she wasted little time locking her fingers onto its fur. Gaining momentum, she propelled herself up, and scrambled up the creature's back.

The creature reached behind, claws barely scraping her sides and upper back. When it was unable to grab her, it began shaking violently. Throwing its body one way then another, hoping to loosen her grip. Kayla's feet slipped, legs swaying from side to side, but her hold on its fur remained tight. Her knuckles were starting to turn white from the effort.

Carefully, one hand reached for her knife. She pulled it free and shoved the blade deep into the creature's neck, right at the base of its skull. She jerked her knife free, before stabbing the creature a few more times for good measure.

The creature teetered, and began to fall forward. Kayla held tight to its back, yelping as the creature brought her down with it. The body hit the ground, she rolled off of it and onto the dirt with a grunt.

She clutched her side as she looked up. Another creature came barreling toward her, its teeth bared. Kayla barred her's right back. She shot off the ground and ran to meet it.

Kayla let out a battle cry, her voice rising to match the roars of the yautja around her. She breathed deep, bracing as her and the creature collided.

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"That was glorious!" R'kadekna walked beside Kayla, her kills resting over her shoulder.

Kayla could only grunt as she dragged her newest one behind her. They had taken a different route back to the ship and ran into some more prey. It was a tiger creature of sort, with the horns of a deer on their head. The sloth creature was on H'chakde's shoulder along with his own kills.

Kayla was still shaking, the remnants of adrenaline coursing through her system. Maybe that's why draggin the thing was only slightly easier.

"I couldn't agree more." H'chakde trilled, a sound Kayla found delightful.

Everything sounded and felt delightful to her.

The air was cleaner, the sun warmer as the last rays danced through the leaves above them. If it hadn't been for the kill she dragged, Kayla would have walked with her back straight and her head held high. Soaking in all of it for as long as she could.

The hunt had gone better than the others. So, so much better.

"I must say you held your own quite well." R'kadekna commented, gaze shifting down to Kayla.

"I had quite a bit of practice."

Between training, and the other hunts (even if they had gone horribly), she had learned quite a lot. She had grown stronger. For once Kayla wasn't being carried back. Instead of some dire wound that needed immediate attention, she had only a few cuts.

"You did have an excellent teacher. I'm talking about me of course." R'kadekna said.

"H'chakde is pretty good too. He is my himbo after all." Kayla smiled as she watched H'chakde's chest swell up with pride. R'kadekna on the other hand, looked more shocked.

"I am." He adjusted the kills on his shoulder.

"Why I agree." R'kadekna trilled as she looked to the path in front of them.

Something told Kayla she actually knew the meaning of the word. It had to do with the knowing glint in her red eyes.

The trees soon gave way to the prairie they had landed in. Things were just as they were when they had left. Crossing through the field, they paide little mind to the creatures that popped up.

Kayla paused at the opening of the ship and turned to look at the rolling hills around them that were cast in an orange hue. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of yellow and purple.

Despite the slight sting on her sides and the ache in her legs, she stood with her back straight and her chest puffed out. She would feel much worse later, but for now, she felt amazing.

R'kadekna stood beside her, looking at the sky above them. "We are not expected back for another few days." She announced. "Enough time to set out for another hunt, unless you are already burnt out Kayla."

Her eyes locked on the kill by her feet. The rush that came from a hunt gone right already permanently molded into her mind. Her fingers twitched in anticipation. She turned to look at the tall huntress, a grin plastered on her face. "I can go for another hunt."

"As can i." H'chakde piped up from beside the ship. Kayla looked back at him and felt everything click into place. It all felt right. And that thought scared her just as much as it brought her peace.