Kennedy & the Yautja

Chapter 6 - Origin Story

Vah'keil admired the shiny new trophies on his hand. The fight with the large, brown, hairy beast had proved to be an exciting hunt. Seeing the ten sharp claws glisten in his palm filled the Young Blood with pride.

Another worthy hunt; another trophy for his collection.

Ever since he and Kennedy had left Chattanooga, the two had come across more Zekes. Four days had passed since they cut down the Zekes that lumbered outside their hideout. Kennedy had proved herself a worthy opponent. It was just too bad he owed her a life debt. Saving his life was the direct reason why she still breathed. Plus, this ooman was interesting.

Kennedy was a skilled huntress and survivalist. She had hunted most of their meals and built shelters when there had been none. The Yautja had hunted his own food despite these facts.

An ooman providing for him was insulting. His mind couldn't comprehend it.

Did she think him weak? Unable to fend for himself? Ha! He had taken down four kiande amedha Queens with ease! Along his wall on the clan ship, he had many trophies proving his prowess. Kennedy had no idea how lucky she was. If events happened differently, then her skull would be adorning his belt. He was bound by yin'tekai. Killing her now would make him an ic'jit. All of his hard work to be worthy of the title "Elite" would be for nothing—a waste.

He dropped the claws into a pouch on his belt and retrieved the beast's th'syra before making his way back to camp.

The day was late, and the sun already past the zenith of its daily rotation. It was close to setting. A cool breeze rustled the leaves on the lofty trees. Beams of sunlight cascaded through the high upper canopies of the forest, and rays of warm yellow light cast shadows on the underbrush.

Relying on his senses, he found the camp just a few hundred noks to the east. Kennedy had shown him a human technique for building a fire that hid its smoke from view. She had called it a Dakota Fire Hole. It was an effective way to stay hidden. This was just one of many skills the female possessed. A small part of him had to admit that her survival skills were...impressive.

It was the smell of the burning wood and her scent that led him in the right direction. He found her by the time the sun had set beyond the horizon.

There she was, sitting by the fire, skinning a small beast she called a rabbit. Her knife cut between the flesh and pelt like butter, her hand well-practiced in its motion. As he approached, her eyes met his. He simply nodded in acknowledgment while Kennedy's eyes widened at the sight of the skull in his clawed paw. Recognition lit up her face.

"You killed a bear?!"

He gave a grunt of affirmation before seating himself on the opposite side of the fire.

"Easy prey," he replied.

Kennedy was silent, the sound of her blade resuming its work. She quickly finished the rabbit and cut away slices of meat to roast over the fire. The pelt was turned over and scraped clean by her blade. Vah'keil watched, his eyes following her every move. Seeing her skill on display did things to him that he refused to acknowledge. It was unsettling, but he couldn't get enough.

If she had been a Yautja female, they would've mated thrice over at this point.

"I was wondering where you went off to this morning," she said, chuckling and shaking her head.

Vah'keil ignored her in favor of admiring his new trophy. He swept his finger over the large cranium and turned it over in his hands, tapping the sharp fangs with his claws. A soft trill of pleasure left his mouth.