Chapter 28- Kayla

"There has to be some in here." I grumbled as I rummaged through my bag, keeping my eyes peeled for any feminine products. Trying my best to ignore as he H'chakde stood not so far away near the door. His arms were crossed as he watched me like a hawk. Oddly, I wasn't as disturbed or irritated as I normal would have been. His gaze seemed more of one hinted with something unspoken than anything else. Something that reminded me much of someone I knew. Skylar maybe, or maybe more her Dad.

I tossed my bag back to the ground, letting out a frustrated sigh. It was pointless, the only thing actually useful in there was my extra pair of shorts. Why I chose to bring them over something actually important was anyone's guess. I was never really smart when it came to packing prepared. A plus however, I at least wouldn't have to walk around the ship half naked anymore since the little skirt H'chakde made for me didn't cover much of anything.

I leaned back, my muscles unwinding as my back came to rest against the side of his bed. My eyes closed as I began trying to mentally work through my cramps and aching muscles. Something that my exhausted mind seemed to struggle with at the moment. I needed a long hot bath, or maybe even a shower. Anything warm and that could clean me would be good.

"H'chakde." I muttered opening my eyes to look over at him. He seemed to slowly snap to attention moving toward me at the sound of his name. His actions didn't surprise me as much, seeing how much he freaked earlier. Thankfully he seemed calmer.

"Is there a bath here?" I asked. Pointing to the ground and rubbing my fist on my chest in circular motions to mime it. He tilted his head taking a moment to understand what I asked.

"Group. . .baths." He struggled to say. I tilted my head, was he talking about some kind of communal showers type thing? I wouldn't mind that too much. With the chance to wash myself with warm water, bathing in front of others was a negative I could easily ignore. It would be just like basic training.

Nodding slowly I gave him a thumbs up, before bending down to pick up my extra pair of shorts. I definitely would be needing those.

"That would be okay." I said trotting to the door coming to stop right in front of it. Turning my head I looked back at him again. "Can you show me where it is?" I inquired, pointing to the door.

R'kadekna had shown me a good bit of the ship but she had been too eager to begin training to show all of it. Either the showers were something she missed, or I had forgotten them. Seeing as the ship was huge, both were very possible.

H'chakde nodded as he moved toward the door, pressing his hand on the button to open it. Once the door opened he stepped out in front of me and waited only a moment for me to follow. I did so but at a rather sluggish starter pace. It wasn't until after a moment or two I made it back to my normal speed.

My eyes remained glued to H'chakde's head for only a moment before turning my attention to the ground. I was still curious about his panic earlier, and slightly annoyed by it too. But in a strange way I had felt comforted by it. I may be his punishment, but at least he took my safety seriously. If it was something major anyway. The memory of when him and I first fought would forever be engraved in my mind.

Sadly, he hadn't seemed to have enough sense to not try and fight one of the males in the medic room. What that entire squabble had been about I wasn't sure. I had been too focused on talking with the medic to pay attention. What parts I did manage to hear were lost in translation. Thankfully however Lar'ja Thwei had stopped them before things had gotten too serious.

I came to a quick halt to avoid running into H'chakde as he stopped. He took a step back toward the wall, moving to lean against it. When I looked up at him all he did was gesture with his arm to the doorway. We were here, and he more than likely couldn't follow me in. I gave him a slight nod before taking a deep breath, and stepping in.

To say the washroom was large would have been a complete understatement. It's largest pool in the middle of it reminded much of a small lake with its sheer size. The outer rim of it was lined with darkly colored stones giving little contrast to the black floor but a nice one to the lighter colored walls. Slowly, with a look of awe on my face. I turned my attention around, noticing the shower-head like things that lined the walls on each side. Below them, a shelf of sorts that held different cloths and bowls (whose contents I couldn't see).

A slight series of chitters brought my attention back to the pool, only now did I notice the handful of females sitting in it. All of them chattering to each other as they soaked in the water. None of them had noticed I was there, or at least they were ignoring me. Based on how some of their heads perked up a little, I'd say it was the latter. Oddly enough that was fine by me, I had time to try and socialize next time I came here. For now I just wanted a shower.

Taking a deep breath I moved my attention away from them and to the showers themselves. Slowly I began making my way over to them, hoping to find a place that didn't have a cloth next to it that also preferably put some distance between the females and I. Unlike H'chakde, they made me nervous. They were much larger than the males, and from what I'd seen of R'kadekna they had much of the same temperament. They were not to be messed with.

I let out a sigh of relief as I finally found a shower head in the far corner of the bathroom. Stripping slowly, I threw my clothes on the ground next to me in a small messy pile. Before turning my attention to the faucet a foot or two above my head.

My expression molded into a look of confusion at what I saw. The faucet (or what I assumed was the faucet) was rectangular, shaped kinda like a dust pan. But much flatter. The knob just below it looked like some sort of lever.

'This shouldn't be too difficult.' I thought, as I slowly reached for it, and began tugging the knob one way. It didn't budge so I tried again. Still nothing. Letting out another irritated sigh I began tugging the other way. Again, nothing

"How the hell." I grumbled taking a step back to take another look at it. This bathroom wasn't very human friendly from the looks of it. Although I suppose there was no reason why it should be. This was not a ship for humans.

After a moment, I reached forward to try again, maybe I just wasn't using enough elbow grease. But the feel of a hand on my shoulder made me stop in my tracks. Had I just made the worst mistake in my life? Did I take a females designated shower? Were those even a thing here? Were the yautja really that territorial?

"Ooman Kayla!" I let out a breath at the sound of the voice, I had never felt so relieved in my life. It was R'kadekna. At least I knew it was a yautja that wouldn't throw me against a wall. Or maybe beat me to a pulp. Given my current circumstances, more injuries would be just my luck.

"Hello." I said turning my body toward her quickly, but making sure to be mindful of where my eyes landed. I couldn't look her in the eye, but looking at her in any inappropriate zones would most likely warrant the same reaction. So I settled on fixing my eyes on her tummy, not a completely safe zone but safe enough.

After another moment of standing there, a realization hit me. Maybe she could help with my little situation. She sure as heck would know a lot more about these showers then I would. Seeing as she had been around them what I would assume was her whole life.

"Could you-" Before I could finish my question R'kadekna grabbed my arm tightly and began pulling me toward the bath area. Right toward the corner where the other females were.

"Come, talk with us." She said. I blinked, as the females began to turn their attention toward me. I wasn't sure if I should pull back or wait until we stopped to politely decline. Bathing in that big of a pool on my cycle wouldn't be the best course of action. I barely wanted to socialize anyway, I just wanted to wash myself.

She let go of my arm as soon as we reached the side of the pool. Her stepping in before me, while I stood there a step or two away rather awkwardly. All those eyes on me we're making me much more anxious then what I was used to. I had felt nervous on the ship before, but not this much.

I turned my eyes down and focused on the water, barely noticing when R'kadekna chittered out an introduction for me.

"This is Kayla. The ooman." She explained, the other females giving me a slight chitter in greeting before turning back to their conversations.

The next few minutes or so was spent with me awkwardly listening to the group talk. Only a small percentage of which I could understand. Most of it was about hunts or children. Another small bit about males, surprisingly. I had blocked out most of the conversation, my mind still stuck on that shower.

My mind was only brought back to the present by the familiar feeling of my stomach muscles tightening. I winced before looking back up, but was sure to keep my eyes toward the wall.

"Kayla." The voice sounded agitated. I took a deep breath looking over at R'kadekna. "You are bleeding." I looked down at my leg noticing the thin line of blood running down it. Why couldn't I just take a shower. I looked back up at her only then noticing the eyes of the other females on me."Did that thing cause this?" She asked malice dripping from her voice. "Do I need to take care of him?"

The way she said it reminded me much of a mob boss. Did she really think that lowly of H'chakde? I guess given their culture, and what he had done, it wasn't surprising.

I shook my head quickly. "No no. It's nothing like that, he didn't do this." This time at least anyway. He had actually been pretty diligent about the issue.

"Then why do you bleed?" another female asked her sentence was even more broken then I was used to. But I was able to piece some of it together. "Was it from a spar or an old wound?" I shook my head head again.

"It's normal for humans to bleed like this." I assured them, a look of surprise came over most of the females. While others were more confused and curious. Their expressions helped a lot of things start to make sense. Did they not have periods?

"Why?" Another female piped in.

"It's because we didn't get pregnant." I paused trying to think of how to best explain it. "Every month we have the option to get pregnant, but if we don't." I gestured to my leg. "This happens."

"You mean, oomans can get pregnant whenever they wish? How long does it take to birth a pup?" A broad buxom female leaned forward with a narrowed gaze.

"Uh. . .nine months, maybe even less sometimes." I said adjusting the weight on my feet. The female seemed more than a little irritated, and her gaze was beginning to make me feel more nervous.

"That is unfair! Such opportunity is wasted on oomans. I could have had an army of pups by now. I only have fifteen." The female seemed put out by the thought of having a much longer wait time between offspring.

I looked at her completely dumbfounded for a moment, before remembering myself and look at the ground. Were all yautja that crazy about kids? I suppose in some weird way it made sense as to why.

I looked back at R'kadekna a moment, who seemed to have settled some as the conversation went on. I found a little comfort in the fact that she had gotten at least a little riled up about it. It let me know that if needed, I had someone more H'chakde's size to back me. And hopefully Skylar.

Although It was hard to push away the twinge of guilt at this thought. But this was for mine and Skylar's survival, I had to remind myself. So the guilt was squashed rather quickly, for now at least.

"Pauk! How many bleeding oomans are on this ship?" The large female from before stood up and pointed past the group. "You! Ooman! Come here!" She gestured quickly before sitting back down, "So many missed pups, this is unfair." The last of her statement was met by chitters of laughter from the others.

I turned my head slowly to where the yautja had pointed. My hopes rising at the thought of who it might be. Hopefully there wasn't another human on the ship besides Skylar and I.

"Skylar!" I called when my eyes landed on my friend. She was in different clothes now. 

"Kayla!" With a growing smile Skylar began to walk over quickly,she kept her eyes strictly off the females and focused on me. Which was respectable considering she was visibly-at least in her eyes-freaking out.

"You know this ooman?" R'kadekna asked, I turned back to her nodding. Being sure to keep my eyes on her shoulder.

"Yeah, she's a friend of mine." I answered. I barely noticed the slight tilt of R'kadekna's head as I moved to meet Skylar halfway.

"Are you alright Lala? I heard something about bleeding." Her concerned gaze met mine.

"Yeah, just a good old visit from aunt flow." I said a hint of irritation in my tone, as I was reminded about how unprepared I was for this. "Has she come to visit you as well?" My tone was softer this time as I spoke.

"Yeah she has, not the best timing...but we'll make do right?" Skylar smiled encouragingly and moved to pat me until the female spoke.

"Oomans, come here, sit." The female pat the spot next to her as she watched us. I nodded slowly before moving toward the spot the female directed us toward.

"Right, we always do." I said loud enough for hopefully only Skylar to hear. I gave her one last encouraging smile before settling where I had been called to.

"I am Raka, introduce yourselves." The female, now known as Raka, gestured to us both quickly. Skylar looked hesitant but after a quick glance towards me she spoke.

"I'm Sky-" She was cut off by Raka holding her hand up.

"The unblooded speaks first, your turn will come." As if reprimanding a child she flicked a claw against Skylar's temple before facing me again. "Introduce yourself"

"I'm. . .uh, I'm Kayla." I stuttered out after a moment. Unblooded? I wasn't sure if I had heard her right. It seemed like a strange thing to be called but my mind didn't bother to press further. I would ask H'chakde about it when I got the chance. For now, I just wanted to get away with saying at little as I could to these females.

Raka turned to Skylar expectantly, now seemingly ready for her to talk. "I am Kweide's servant, Skylar." Skylar kept her eyes lowered as she spoke with a clear but soft voice.

"Interesting..." Skylar looked over with an awkward shuffle of her hands.

"Oh you belong to that other Zabin." R'kadekna cut in from her place. Her tone held the same resentment she had when she had been talking about H'chakde. She really didn't like them did she?

Skylar's lips pursed as she looked down to her feet. "I do," She seemed like she wanted to say something more but she didn't. Instead she played with the water as if distracting herself. Was she upset?

I tilted my head as I looked at her, I opened my mouth to say something but R'kadekna had beat me to it.

"He is not as bad as the other." She said with a slight shrug. "However they both need to learn to hold their C'ntlip and their tongues." I turned my attention back to her. What exactly did H'chakde and Kweide say?

Skylar didn't reply, instead she drew herself into a kneeling position and faced towards Raka. "May I be excused? I am unsure how long I have to bathe. I would hope to be clean by the time I must leave." When Raka nodded she spun to face the others and bowed slightly. "Thank you for your time."

I blinked up at Skylar a moment. "Did you. . ." My voice trailed off a moment. A question for when we had time alone. I turned my attention back to the group. "Can I also be excused?" I asked. "I kinda also have a time constraint."

Raka gave me a curt nod before waving me away, the group of females interest in us had hopefully run out. Standing quickly I gave the group a slight bow of my head before moving back toward the shower I had been at. Gesturing for Skylar to follow after me.

And follow me she did, rather quickly really since she seemed so uncomfortable. But Skylar didn't speak first, not even when we were alone by the shower heads.

"I see you've picked up some of their language." I said once I was sure we were far enough from the females. "But are you okay?"

"I have, it's kind of my thing right?" Skylar smiled halfheartedly before continuing. "And I am for the most part. What about you?" Her smile grew gentler as she tilted her head.

I shrugged, letting out a sigh. "As good as I can be right now. Training is going to be a pain now that i'm more healed." I stopped in front of the shower realizing too late that I had forgotten to ask R'kadekna for her assistance. "You wouldn't have caught how to work one of these did you?" I asked looking back over at Skylar.

"Not really but I can try. Let me read this thing." Skylar walked closer and inspected the handle closely. "Okay so, based of the symbols it seems like the right is hot and the left is cold. I'm not sure how we get it to move though."

"I tried getting it to turn the handle earlier but it didn't work." I stated, reaching out to grab the handle again. Maybe if I tried once more it would work this time. Things had a funny way of working the second time around.

I pulled one way and then the other, still nothing. Then, from somewhere in my mind, I got an idea. Tightening my grip on the handle I pulled out, at the same time I made the mistake of looking up. While my hazel eyes landed on the faucet above me I got hit with a face full of warm water. I hacked a bit before stepping back.

"Well I think I figured it out." I said shaking my head a bit, my hand coming up to rub my eyes. Skylar began to giggle uncontrollably, leaning down over her knees almost. She nodded her head but stopped when it brought the attention of the towering females.

"Maybe it's best we shower quick huh? I don't wanna take too long." Skylar looked nervously back to the ground and then to me and back again.

I blinked in confusion at her actions. "I guess." I said tilting my head. "Why are you looking at the ground like that?" Maybe it was because of the female yautja, they were pretty intimidating.

Skylar scraped her shoe against the tile as she spoke, "You technically outrank me. I'm just a servant Lala, I have to be more careful."

"Oh. . ." I hadn't realized that. Now more than ever I wished the females were gone. I didn't want Skylar to feel this awkward looking me in the eye every time we spoke. There had to be some kind of loophole to this, and by golly I was going to find it. "Honestly you should outrank me. You know much more of their language." I joked hoping to lighten the mood a little as I stuck my arm under the water scrubbing my skin a little.

Skylar smiled a little, "They don't value my skill as much. But I won't be far behind you I promise. It's only for now." She shot a finger gun before pointing to the shelf. "Also, soaps are up there in the bowls. I don't know if you know that but that's where they are. It's good stuff too. My hair felt awesome last time I used it."

I scrambled for the bowl grabbing out a handful of soap. It had been so long since I had gotten a chance to use that. Most of my cleaning had been done by wetting a towel and wiping myself down. It wasn't much but it was something.

"Oh thank the heavens." I muttered under my breath as I began running the soap through my hands.

"Enjoy yourself then, I'm gonna go get clean too." Skylar giggled once more before waving goodbye and walking off towards a shower head farther away from everyone. That's about as private as it was going to get.

"You too." I called giving her one last nod before moving my attention to the task at hand.

Once I had acquired a good amount of suds in my hands, I began actually deep cleaning myself. Focusing the rest of my time on cleaning every bit of leftover grime and blood off of me. Who knows when I would have a chance to come here again. Or if I would want to.

However since this was the first actual shower I had in months, I chose to focus on how refreshing it was. I wanted to savor every moment I had as I began blocking out the others around me as well as the worries, choosing instead to focus on clarity.