Genesis

Chapter 1

Nina ran deeper and deeper into the dark. Her body covered in fluorescent blood. Through the darkness taloned hands reached for her clawing through her tender flesh. She could hear a baby crying but never able to reach or find it.

Quickly she sat up, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily. She looked around, finding herself in her soft fur bed and little hut. She calmed her breathing, another endless nightmare that haunted her. She sighed throwing herself back onto her furs. It had been over a year since she had fled, but still her nightmares plagued her. She wiped the usual small escaping tears from her eyes and climbed out of her bed. She stretched before looking out her hut.
The other three larger huts sat quietly in the morning mist. She didn't see her clan mates up, smiling to herself pleased she was the first up for once. She went to the large fire pit in the center of their circle and stoked the coals, feeding it more wood, the flames arose.
She boiled some water for her tea, and began roasting some birds and making eggs. She found peace in such duties, like a mother.... she scrambled the eggs blankly for a moment lost in the thought.
"Do not get lost in dreams." She startled at Tatsu's deep purring voice. She still couldn't get used to how such a big brute like him could be so silent all the time in his approach.
"I'm not!" She pleaded. "Just small creeping thoughts is all." She turned back to cooking the eggs.

Tatsu seated himself across the fire from her. His face hidden behind his mask. The atmosphere here was breathable to Nina, very similar to earth. Though he could breath it as well he still needed his mask to feel comfortable. It was this thought that also comforted her, he brought her to a planet so much like earth if she didn't know better she would have thought it to be home at first. When night fell, oh what beauty what magic. The world glowed, luminous colors. A black world with bright neon like rainbows. The animals though so much larger were so similar as well, everything here was just bigger. It brought a small glimpse of happiness to her. What a world to explore and heal in. She gave Tatsu credit for such thinking.
"What is the plan for today?" She asked turning the roasting birds on the spit. She looked over at him but with his mask on she couldn't read his expressions.
After moments of silence he sat up straighter and replied. "Today we hunt. You need more work on your stealth and endurance."
"I don't understand why you think I am noisy! I have yet to alert anything of my presence, even... humans." She questioned him.
Tatsu shook his head. "If I am aware of your presence, any of my kind will be." He shrugged.
She sighed in defeat. He pressed training on her heavily. If she ever complained he'd remind her you are Yautja, that is life. He tried pressing in her mind their codes of life. Something Wahkan had not.

Tatsu never coddled, never took it easy on her. Why should you be any different than myself, your clan mates? You wish to stay with us you must live like us. I can not protect you always. He was correct. There were times in her sadness she longed for comfort, but Tatsu was not one to give that. Infact he hardly came close to her at all, that is where he differed immensely from Wahkan she soon realized. Many times she found herself regretting her departure from Wahkan. She craved the affection he had given her when they were alone together. She also found herself becoming angry in the same sitting. He should have protected her. He should of told her the dangers he put her in by becoming his mate. She'd never find peace with him if he was supposed to be the leader of this race someday. She found herself focusing on those feelings to try and harden her heart.
At night though she couldn't escape her vast conflicting emotions and she'd wander alone, lost in the glowing world and her thoughts. Crying and grieving for the child she never knew and her lover. She was thankful for the long days she trained and hunted with her clan mates. Mizuhara and Endymion were great company. Full of male banter and stories. Both Youngbloods holding Tatsu to their highest esteem and respecting Nina. They were like brothers to her.
She soon finished making breakfast after both had awakened. All ate in silence, soon awaiting for their nominated leader for instructions of their day. Nina leaned back sipping her tea hoping they would go towards the falls today, feeling the increasing heat as the sun rose higher she thought it'd be a wonderful day to go swimming. As if reading her mind Tatsu announced they would hunt towards the falls, the game was very good there. Nina smiled.