Kidnapped (Predator Fanfiction) -Major Editing-

Chapter Fifty

Kayla

A metallic smack rang through the training room as a body connected with the floor. The sound, and the following growl barely made Kayla flinch from where she sat. Several feet away from the brawling pair and their spectators. One of her legs was stretched out and the other tucked in so her foot rested against her thigh. She leaned forward, grabbing her toes and pulling them back softly. A barely audible grunt fell from her lips at the ache that shot up her ankle and calf.

It was the doctor's orders to keep the limb moving. So move it she would despite the stiffness and lingering pain in her ankle. She would just have to be careful not to reinjure herself.

As she straightened her back, Kayla tilted her head toward the Yautja still brawling. A group of female's stood on the sidelines watching them with great interest. Occasionally, they would turn from the males to converse with one another before their eyes focused on them again. Various trophies lined the sidelines where they would receive minimal damage if another Yautja got tossed.

Kayla lifted her arms above her head, arching her back a little as she stretched. H'chakde sat beside her, mirroring her movements. He wasn't as flexible as her, but Kayla enjoyed watching the way his muscles flexed with his effort. It was easy to get a good view of them, since he wore only his loincloth today.

The exact opposite of most every male on the ship.

From her brief time in the cafeteria that morning she had caught glimpses of skulls, teeth, and bones each adorned themself with. What couldn't be hooked onto their armor in a way that looked pleasing to the eye, the males carried. Whether in their hands or strapped to their back in full view for everyone to see. The ones not dressed to the nines strutting about with their chest puffed out and their heads held high, were brawling like the ones behind her. Brawling in only the barest clothing or armor.

Slowly, Kayla lowered her arms as she pulled her other leg out so both were extended. She rolled her ankles in unison, wincing again she let out a soft breath.

"Pace yourself Kayla." H'chakde's gentle reminder brought Kayla's attention away from the brawl and back to their corner of the training room.

"I am," She assured him, her gaze flicking to the fighting ring once again before she moved to stand. H'chakde followed her watching as she dusted the dirt from her bottom and straightened her clothes.

"Will Skylar be joining us?" He inquired his eyes remaining on her.

"No, I think she still wants to stay in her room."

"I was shocked you were content to let her go back on her own."

"I wasn't," She admitted watching the losing Yautja leave the ring, his head hung low in shame. Another took his place in the ring, his chest puffed out and his mandibles flared. "But it's what she wanted, I'm just glad she's not there by herself anymore. The Elder is looking after her pretty well, I'm sure." If it wasn't for him, she might have been bugging Skylar every other hour or so.

The first few days it was easy to leave her be, if Skylar needed space, she'd give her space. After that, she had become more antsy. No matter how much she would do she wouldn't be able to keep herself fully distracted. Now though, with someone looking after Skylar full time, Kayla's worry was at ease.

"You seem really interested in what's going on in the ring." H'chakde's voice came out in a huff. Was that pouting in his tone? Kayla was almost certain it was. It wasn't until she heard the displeased click of his mandibles that she knew she was right.

"Yeah, it's just odd." Come to think of it, the overall energy of the ship had been the same. With the males dressing up, and the females paying more than a few moments of attention to them. She wondered if R'kadekna would have been among them if she hadn't left for a hunt with D'to. "Sad R'kadekna is missing all the theatrics."