Chapter 32- H'chakde

H'chakde hated being slow, despised it even. Being sluggish could get you killed,  he was just thankful that he was only walking to his room. Not out on some planet, hunting. With a barely conscious Kayla laying in his arms.

 For once,  steady careful steps were more important than what he wanted to do. He feared one wrong step, one wrong move would jostle the ooman around and tear open her stitches. An action that would surely break her past the point that Lar'ja-Thwei could fix.

'Gentle H'chakde, be gentle.' The words flooded the young warrior's mind as he adjusted the ooman in his grip. 

Gentle, Soft, and slow. These weren't words he was well acquainted with. Unlike other words him and his kind knew, they hadn't been welded into his mind or actions very often. More so they were frowned upon by some. However, now he would learn, he would try. Even if he only needed to use them for this brief moment.  

When they finally reached the room after an eternity, H'chakde let out a breath of relief stepping in.  His attention almost immediately turning to the mat of furs, tucked safely on the floor in the corner.  Those were the furs Kayla slept on regularly, just near his own bed. He stepped toward it, preparing to lay her down, but a thought crept its way into his mind. One that made his strong arms hesitate. Her bed was soft and warm, and Kayla had never uttered a complaint about them before. However, something else worried him greatly. 

Kayla always needed to push herself up to get off the furs, something that was harder for her to do when she was injured. As one would expect. Then, when she was tired, she would always flop down on them without a care. Even that movement was enough to make her let out a small grunt of pain. Would this be too much for her? Especially while she was like this? H'chakde wasn't sure, but he didn't want to risk it. 

Slowly he turned to look at his own bed, one that stood higher off the ground then hers did. He wasn't sure how he felt about sharing his bed with her, but was there really another option? 

As carefully as he could, like a dog with an egg, H'chakde walked to the far side of the bed and placed Kayla on the mattress. 

He adjusted her as best he could, ensuring she wouldn't roll-off before returning to her mat. H'chakde grabbed up some furs then turned back to face her. "Are you comfortable Kayla?" He asked as he draped them over her.

Kayla's reply was an incoherent mumble as she nodded her head, nuzzling her face into the mattress. H'chakde hesitantly reached out, adjusting the blanket around her. Making sure it was around her tightly, but not too tight. He really didn't want to rip those stitches.

H'chakde turned his gaze back to the room around him. Eyes searching for anything else he could give her. If he had learned anything, Oomans needed proper rest to heal well. Proper rest came from being comfortable.

As soon as his yellow eyes landed on his trophy shelves, well more a certain item tucked behind Kayla's bag, it clicked. Many times, he had allowed Kayle access to her satchel. However, this thing he wasn't she had seen, not in a long while at least. He reached up and grabbed it from its place and brought it down to his level. Eyes wandering over it as he turned it over in his hand. Its fur was worn down, but somehow it still looked like new. It was the thing that made her freak out and throw punch after punch at his chest when he first brought her aboard the ship.  

Once upon a time, he had meant to use it as leverage against her. To make her obey him, or eventually become more compliant. However, being tucked away out of his sight had caused him to forget about it entirely. H'chakde turned back to her, eyes roaming over Kayla's half-asleep form. Did she even remember it? There was only one way to find out. He approached her yet again and placed the furry thing next to her, though she seemed to barely notice it. 

Through her sleepy haze, a small sound of recognition fell from her mouth. Her hand reached out, small fingers tracing along the furry soft form. At the feel of it, a knowing looked pulled across her tired face, and her grip on it tightened. She remembered it, and after she pulled it close, she was out like a light.

The young hunter sat down on his side of the bed. Glancing behind himself, he made sure there was a good distance between him and Kayla before finally laying down. He had long come to the conclusion he didn't mind her laying in the bed with him. After he had time to think about it, he found it made little difference to him.

 However, Yautja was much larger, heavier, and (especially in this case)less fragile than she was. All of this would be for nothing if he rolled over and crushed her in his sleep. 

He snuck a glance to her once more as he adjusted himself in his bed. He couldn't help the warmth that filled his chest at the sight of her sleeping form. She had done well, gone this far, and she had so much more to do. 

He turned back to look at the wall as drowsiness began to fog his eyes. The hunter had to admit, he was more than ready for the coming days. The training and the eventual hunts would be an event for both him and Kayla. 

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It had happened again. Just like the previous day H'chakde woke with Kayla molded against his side as she slept. All despite the fact she was on the other side of the bed when they had laid down to rest. He had yet to ask why she did so, though he didn't really mind. 

If it helped her sleep better, it helped her. He would offer no complaints on the issue, even if he did have any to offer. There wasn't much he could do about it, in the end, was there? 

"Kayla, it's time to wake up."  H'chakde nudged her slightly as he pushed himself to sit up. Though he was extra careful not to jostle her too much. If it hadn't been for their busy schedule, he might have let her sleep in. First, a trip to the med bay, to check in with Lar'ja-Thwei on Kayla's health. Then, much to H'chakde's displeasure, a journey to find R'kadekna. 

He didn't want to go meet up with the huntress, he wasn't even entirely sure what she wanted. He did know two things though. One, it involved Kayla (one of the more obvious observations if he was being honest). And two, choosing to avoid the meeting would result in only one thing, his skull being ripped from his spine. 

"Kayla, It's time to get up." H'chakde's voice rose slightly as he repeated himself. The noise causing Kayla to stir slightly before she finally forced herself to sit up. The furry animal she had been laying beside fell from its place and onto H'chakde's. 

"Weird being able to understand you."  She commented as she pulled the fur blanket off of herself. She wiggled to the edge of the bed, waiting until her feet nearly touched the floor to push herself off. 

Her movements were slower than H'chakde would have liked during this recovery. Though he was certain she would find a way to move faster despite the pain she felt. She had certainly done so many other times before. However, H'chakde was aware this was different. 

When he was sure she was ready to move, he began ushering her to the med bay. Keeping a steady pace himself so she could do the same. She didn't need to hurt herself, and he likewise didn't need to unconsciously harm her. 

'Gentle.' He reminded himself once again as he glanced down at her. 'Gentle H'chakde.'

Gentle, soft, slow, patient. It seemed he was learning new words every day with her. 

As soon as they both placed a foot into the medical bay,  H'chakde stopped to make sure Kayla was still following. When he saw she was, he looked back to the inside of the med bay. "Lar'ja-Thwei?" He called.

Lar'ja-thwei faced the pair and pointed to the metal slab, "There."

H'chakde gave a nod to Kayla, and slowly she began walking toward the metal table. He followed after her, offering his arm for support as she climbed up. Much to his relief, she accepted it. 

Using him as leverage, she took a deep breath as she finally plopped down on the cold metallic surface. She situated herself a little, and once H'chakde was sure she was good, he stepped away from her. Not wishing to be in the Medic's way, but he was close enough in case he was needed. 

"Kayla," Lar'ja-thwei called for her attention as he scanned her over with his tablet. "Have you tasted any blood lately or had any trouble breathing?"

Her head tilted as she thought. "No blood." She shook her head as she spoke. "Except for maybe the first day, my breathing is fine." 

She snuck a glance at H'chakde and Lar'ja-Thwei. A look of mild confusion crossing her features whenever one of them spoke. The action making H'chakde question whether or not she had yet gotten used to being able to understand them. 

"Good," Lar'ja-thwei tapped at his tablet before speaking again, "has swelling gone done any? Your stitches seem to have shrunken phenomenally. Our medicine must work even better on Oomans than us."

Kayla's hands moved to push her hair back, allowing the medic to get a better looked. Pain flashed across her eyes as she tilted her head back and bunched her golden mane up into a ponytail. "I think so, it's still a little sore. It's not unbearable though."

"Speak to me until your throat begins to hurt, this will be your last test." Lar'ja-thwei pressed her wound as gently before pulling it back.

Kayla's gaze remained glued to the ground a moment, it wasn't until she looked up that she spoke. "It's strange being able to understand you guys." She said glancing at H'chakde again before she continued. "Well fully anyway, it's better though. Easier." Her gaze move back to Lar'ja-Thwei. "My own voice is just as jarring, although it's hard to recognize it is mine."

 The one-sided conversation carried on for another minute or so. Kayla pausing every couple of sentences to take breaths, then she fell completely silent. A pained look flashing over her eyes as her hand moved up to rest on her chest. Stopping just below her neck. 

Lar'ja-thwei walked to his shelves and pulled a canister down. "Drink this when the once a day, only a mouthful, and stop speaking when your throat begins to hurt, do not push past that. Understood?"

The ooman made a small sound of acknowledgment as she nodded. "Yes," she said, before moving toward the edge of the table.

"So, she is alright?" H'chakde inquired, glancing at the medic as he stepped forward. Yet again offering his arm to Kayla. He trusted Lar'ja-Thwei, but wanted verbal confirmation of Kayla's well being.

Lar'ja-thwei nodded, "As long as you continue to treat her delicately outside of training she will be fine. You may go until her next visit."

H'chakde offered a small nod as he felt Kayla's fingers wrap around his arm before she finally hopped down. The canister given to her by the medic was held tightly, situated just in the crook of her elbow. "To R'kadekna right?" She asked. It looked like she also hadn't forgotten about the huntress wanting to see her.  

"Yes." H'chakde nearly grumbled as he began to walk from the room, Kayla following closely behind him. With one task out of the way, now they had to start on H'chakde's least favorite one. Finding R'kadekna.

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It wasn't until a good half hour of looking, that H'chakde had finally found R'kadekna. She was in the training room like she almost was. Admittedly though, it had purposely been the last place he checked. He had wanted to put off talking to the female as long as possible. 

The sound of H'chakde and Kayla's footsteps were quiet compared to the clatter and ruckus of the room around them. R'kadekna, however, seemed to notice when they entered into the room. 

She halted as soon as they stepped in, her crimson eyes turning up to look at H'chakde. She held her eyes on him, lingering there for a moment before looking down to Kayla. Her gaze seemed to soften at the sight of the ooman, even if it was only a little, her agitation replaced with interest. The stepped away from the current dummy she was near toward the wall. Putting her spear up so it would lean against it before she began walking over to greet them. 

"Ooman Kayla!" She announced as she approached. Her eyes roaming over Kayla as she slowed to a stop. "I trust you are well?"

"I am." Kayla nodded, her answer was short, but her tone was friendly.

"And he is looking after you like he was instructed to, correct?" There was a low growl to R'kadekna's words as her gaze shifted to H'chakde. 

H'chakde couldn't help the irritation that rose up in his chest at the last question. Did the huntress really think so little of him? Did she really believe he wouldn't follow La'ja-Thwei's order? 

Though given his track record, he supposed she had good reason to be concerned. His care for Kayla had been less than ideal the first while they were stuck together. 

"Yeah, he is." Kayla looked up at H'chakde from the corner of her eye, then looked back to the tall huntress before them. "What was it you wanted to talk with me about?"

R'kadekna straightened a little, "I just wanted to inform you and," She glanced at H'chakde. "Him. That I will be taking part in your training, once you've been cleared by Lar'ja-Thwei of course."

H'chakde blinked at that, every bit of his mind screamed in protest. He wanted to object, but he couldn't could he? If the matter was set in R'kadekna's mind, then it may as well have been etched in stone for him. She could do as she wished, and he had little say in the matter. And when it came to Kayla, he had even less of a say. 

"Thank you, R'kadekna." Kayla glanced between the two yautja, her gaze lingering on each for a small moment. Finally her eyes settled back on the tall huntress. Her expression and voice as soft as she could make them. "But I have a couple of requests."

R'kadekna tilted her head, her long tresses falling over one shoulder. Confusion and curiosity simmering in her gaze. "What are they ooman Kayla?"

"Could you also see if you can help Skylar?" Kayla asked, her eyes flicking up to R'kadekna a moment before she looked back to the floor.

The huntress remained quiet for a moment as she thought, before eventually she nodded. "I suppose I can. Is there anything else you wish to ask?"

Kayla fell silent, again looking between the two. She held her breath letting out slow before speaking. "I know there is some bad history between you two." Kayla's hand came up to pinch the bridge of her nose, her brows furrowing. 

"How do I say this. . .I mean no disrespect." She looked back up at them. "Things will go, smoother. I'll be able to learn better if you two aren't at each other's throats." Her expression turned sheepish. "So please, for the sake of everything, try to get along." Kayla's tone was much softer than what H'chakde was used to hearing from her. A pleading look rested behind her hazel eyes. 

The same worry had been on H'chakde's mind. So he was rather glad Kayla had said something since he lacked the nerve. R'kadekna would have surely castrated him if the request had left his mouth instead of Kayla's. 

H'chakde knew the female yautja wasn't unreasonable. Even she had to be aware that the dislike the two held for each other could interfere with Kayla's training. If they were to do this properly they couldn't have that. 

R'kadkena studied Kayla for a long, tense moment before finally speaking. "I suppose I can try."

H'chakde held back a breath of relief at those words. He sent a silent prayer to Paya that this partnership wouldn't be as difficult as he thought. Though only time would tell. 

He watched Kayla's hand rise to massage her neck. Fingers tracing lightly over the healing cuts on it. "H'chakde can we go back to the room?" She asked, her gaze turning up to meet his. With the events of the day finally over, he could tell she was beginning to tire. It was time for some rest. 

H'chakde held her eye a moment before nodding. "We can." He said before addressing R'kadekna with a tilt of his head. Waiting to see if she would object to them leaving.

The huntress waved them off as she turned back to the training arena once more. "Rest up Kayla." She said. "When we meet again, your real training starts." At the dismissal, the two turned on their heels and began the trek back to the room. 

Kayla's head swaying side to side ever so slightly as she walked. She still held the container given to her by the medic in her arms. Though now she began to shift it from one arm to the other. 

The day had gone smoothly, just like H'chakde had hoped. Even still, this new partnership worried him.  

R'kadkena had agreed the two would try to be cordial, for the sake of Kayla's training. Though, he wasn't sure how long that would last for the both of them. They were both two dormant land mines, one wrong step and the situation could get much, much worse. 

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"Hit harder Kayla!" R'kadekna nearly growled as she used the butt of her spear to push Kayla back. 

The ooman stumbled back, barely catching herself before she fell to the metal floor. She used her fake spear to steady herself as she attempted to stand her ground. Her shoulders rising and falling rapidly.

"Careful R'kadkena." H'chakde's tone was soft but firm as he addressed the huntress. Though Kyla had been cleared for more intense training, they still needed to watch themselves. One mishap and things could crumble. Setting them back to where they were a couple of weeks prior. Stuck with slow, simple training that the three of them had tired of quickly.

H'chakde averted his eyes when R'kadkena turned her crimson gaze up to him. She was trying to keep her annoyance at bay, and he could tell she was barely succeeding. 

He almost didn't notice her nod as she brought the butt of the spear down onto the ground. the surface letting off a metallic clang as the wood met the floor. "Should we pause for today?" She inquired, eyes turning back to Kayla. H'chakde's gaze followed. 

"Yes, I believe that would be best." They had been training most of the day, and Kayla had done well, it was time for her to rest. 

"Put up your spear Kayla," R'kadkena ordered, placing her spear upon the rack before walking over to talk with H'chakde.

The two almost missed the "Thank God." That came from Kayla as she wobbled over to the rack and copied R'kadekna's movements.

"You know something I think would be good for the ooman's hunt?" R'kadekna asked while the two waited for Kayla to approach. She was still lingering by the rack, taking a moment to catch her breath.

"What?" H'chakde asked, looking to the huntress from the corner of his eye.

"Hunting without armor."  She pushed back one of her long tresses before continuing. "It would be a good way to show off her skill, and prove to anyone that doubts her, that she indeed has a place amongst us."

H'chakde tilted his head as he thought, she did have a point. "I will think about it. Though I do agree."

"We're stopping off at the showers right?" Kayla asked, looking up at H'chakde as she approached. With a nod, he began to usher her out of the training room.

"When would you like to meet again for training?" H'chakde asked as the trio stepped out into the hallway. R'kadkena tilted her head, remaining quiet as she thought.

"Not for a week or so." R'kadekna straightened her head and she continued to look forward. "I'm going on a hunting trip, so I will be absent for a while."

"Where to?" Kayla asked as H'chakde nodded.

"A mostly water planet," R'kadekna answered. "Hopefully that means it will have at least a few worthy trophies for me to collect. Just have to find something larger than I."

Kayla laughed, the sound coming out as an almost light trilling noise. "Well, good luck R'kadkena."

"Is it the same one we're going to?" H'chakde inquired.

"I don't think so." R'kadkena shook her head, slowing to a stop. Right at the crossroads in the hallway. "This is where we part ways," The huntress's attention turned to Kayla. "Next time we see each other I'll have more stories to tell, and trophies to show." Slowly, R'kadekna's gaze turned up to H'chakde. Warning and unspoken threats simmered behind those red eyes. Though they didn't hold as much fire. "Take care of her H'chakde."

The young hunter had yet to become used to hearing R'kadekna say his actual name. Though it was certainly better than the usual insults that she would throw at him. And it certainly helped things move smoother in the training room.

"I will." He nodded, and with a slight wave, R'kadekna disappeared down the hall to her room.

H'chakde turned his attention to Kayla, gesturing with his head toward the showers little ways down the hall. "I'll wait here." He told her as he move to lean against the wall. Watching as she too disappeared into the shower room to clean up.