Go Where You Go, Hunted Where You're Hunted

Chapter 6

When H'ko struck, I moved just in time to block him with my spear. He by no means held back and my arms shook a little from the blow. It took all my strength to push him back and I swung at him with force, trying to remember my footing and the placement of my arms. He grabbed the spear and flipped me over, yanking the weapon from me and snarling as I coughed, the pressure on my ribs painful and knocking the wind out of me.

"N'ritja, must focus, must be quicker."

I groaned and stood up, catching the spear that he threw at me and settling in my fighting stance that he taught me. He struck again, this time swinging low at my stomach, so fast I barely had time to jump back and counter strike. Of course, I didn't make contact but I was able to back him up a centimeter. I went to strike at him again and he easily took the spear from me and kicked me back to where I had almost fallen off the tree.

Tears of frustration and pain came to my eyes and I growled at him, scrambling to my feet and rushing him with my fists. He only chittered at me and caught me with his hand on my chest, I lost my temper then and started cursing and swearing up a storm, clawing at his arm and pushing his hand away as I stomped over to one side of the large branch. His shoulders moving as he laughed at me silently just furthered my frustrations. We had practiced combat skills some but I still had much to learn, it was disheartening when I couldn't get it right.

"You are not ready N'ritja."

I looked up at him and huffed, "Not ready for what?"

"For them."

I sighed, the orange perverts, I wasn't ready for a fight with them. "Well I beg to differ sir! I can kick those avatar's butts!"

He only shook his head, "Your courage is great, but your skill is not."

I turned from him and ran a hand through my dirty hair, I really needed to shower, "Do we have time to teach me?" I asked.

Hearing only the noise from his wrist computer I turned around questionably, he was looking at a map of sorts and on it showed a set of caves or something. "If we can get there, we may have time to train you."

I looked at the map and nodded slowly, "Okay… lead the way lover."

He cocked his head at me questionably, "Now is not the time for us to be lovers N'ritja," he replied very seriously and I rolled my eyes.

"Not what I meant…wait, you're actually considering it? Ummm what? Never mind, let's just go," handing him my spear I jumped on his back and he helped me adjust until I rode piggyback.

"How do you even know what that means?" when H'ko said nothing I huffed.

I was blushing a deep scarlet as I wrapped my arms around his neck and legs around his waist, he started moving through the trees again and I was left to my own thoughts.

0o0o0

It was close to nightfall before H'ko finally jumped down from the trees to a river that flowed five hours south from where the orange people released me, I clung to the Yautja's back and held on as his legs absorbed the landing and I didn't get down until he tapped my leg lightly to signal I could.

H'ko scanned the area again before going to the water and scanning that too, deeming it safe and healthy enough to drink from he motioned to me to come drink from where I stood, waiting. I stumbled to the water; my legs getting back a little feeling that had gone out of them. The water was so fresh and cool; it was heaven in my mouth and throat. I never thought I would relish the taste of water this much, having not had water all day it was truly a gift.

As I drank, H'ko stood guard; the plan was that we would move as far away from the orange people as possible until he found a safe place to keep me while he prepared to fight. Since he had lost pretty much all of his weapons besides wrist blades and ceremonial dagger, he wanted to make more for him and me.

I learned today that these orange people were something to be highly respected, although they were very primitive looking, they were avid hunters with lots of talent in killing things. They rivaled the skill of the Yautja in many ways and was the second highest honored prey on the Yautja hunt pyramid.

H'ko said that considering his inexperience, (like how he has never faced these people before) it would do well for us both If we had a place and some time to prepare for a battle. In addition, he wanted me safe…apparently; I was a fragile doll that must be protected at all costs and yada, yada, yada. Lies and deceit, I was a badass dammit.

Nevertheless, I trusted H'ko's judgment and if he said I was not ready for these people just yet, then I guess I wasn't. He'd just have to train me more. As I broke away from my thoughts, I took one last gulp of water from the river and stood up as H'ko went to drink as well. After a few moments, he too stood up, scanned the area again before turning to me and trilling at me. "What?" I whispered, cocking my head to the side much like he usually does with me.

He offered his hand to me and I took it before he swung me up over his shoulder again and I moaned as my stomach full of water lurched a little. I moved until I rode his back with my arms around his shoulders and legs around his waist. I don't know why he couldn't just bend down a little so I could get on like a normal piggy back ride but whatever.

Making sure I was secure, he purred softly before running to a large tree and leaping at it, grabbing onto it with his taloned hands and feet and climbing up it like a freaky lizard/lion. Soon we were at the top of the trees again and moving fast, farther south, to caverns that his wrist computer found that he deemed a good place to hold up.

I guess he knew best so I went along with it, not that I had too much of a choice. I thought back to his words about how it wasn't the time for us to be lovers, time. Did that mean he actually thought about it? I haven't, but this brought on a whole new set of emotions for me to freak out over. I groaned to myself and let my head rest on his shoulder. This was just wonderful.

0o0o0o0

It was early morning when we finally reached the caverns that his wrist computer had found; he jumped to the ground and my head knocked against his shoulder armor painfully, I was so tired now that he kept one arm behind him to hold my waist in case I lost my grip on him. I was half-asleep on his back. Shaking my leg lightly to wake me more, he sat me down after he scanned the area again.

The caverns were seemingly uninhabited and were large enough, moss and plants grew on and around them and some type of creature that sounded like a bull frog bellowed nearby, H'ko collected some firewood that he deemed dry enough and walked confidently into the mouth of the caverns.

Rubbing my eyes, I stumbled in after him. "What if there are bears or something in here?" I whispered, squinting in the darkness, I could just barely make out the figure of the big guy in front of me.

H'ko chittered, "Scan showed nothing."

I squeaked a little when I tripped over a rock and stumbled forward, into his hip. "Technology cannot be trusted my friend!"

he stood there for a moment, while I braced my hand on said hip and pushed myself up straight. "Watch your footing."

"I am! It would work better if I could see," I stage whispered, shivering at the slight breeze that blew in from the outside. It was rather chilly. Following after H'ko, deeper into the caves, I sighed when he finally stopped and began to make a fire. "We are far enough, they cannot see," he stated.

I nodded in the dark, "That makes since."

Stepping closer a bit, I froze when something slithered across my foot, and half way up my leg. I coughed a little, "Um, H'ko. There is a snake or snail, or something crawling up my right leg. Would you be a dear and take it off?" setting down his flint stones, I could make out his head turning in the darkness and tensed up when he snarled.

A minute later, the wet thing was gone from my leg and I heard tearing. Assuming the thing was dead, I whispered to H'ko, "Can you please get the fire going now." After a moment, he did and the light revealed a rather large snake like creature, I shivered.

Giving a purr, H'ko looked at me and gave a grin, "Dinner," he said and I couldn't help but grin back. At least we wouldn't be starving or cold for very much longer this night.

Shortly after we finished eating the snake, which was quite delicious if I say so myself. H'ko scanned the cave once again before laying down in between the entrance and the fire, taking up all the room since the fire was against a stonewall.

I huffed, "Where am I supposed to sleep?" the male patted the space in front of him, closest to the fire, "N'ritja sleep here. Too cold."

Giving a soft smile, "Oh," I said and made my way over and kneeled down in front of him, blushing as he watched me with those eyes of his and I gently laid down on the stone floor. With his warm body behind me and the fire in front of me, I wouldn't have to worry about freezing tonight. As a bird called from outside, H'ko began to purr, lulling me into an exhausted and well needed sleep.

0o0o0

When I awake later on that morning, more birds called outside and I found myself very warm. Snuggling closer to whatever I slept on, I hummed to myself in contentment. A low purr vibrated under me and I sighed, so relaxed I felt like melted butter. A large hand stroked my shoulder and I leaned into it, completely in heaven. Yawning, I tried to roll over a bit but an arm kept me in place, blinking a bit; I opened my eyes to find myself staring at the center of H'ko's chest.

"Oh my," I muttered, realizing that my legs were on either side of his waist and I was practically sprawled out on top of him. He purred louder and I shivered, leaning up with my hands on his chest to find his sharp eyes watching me.

"Uhmh, uh, morning. Um. I need to a, move. Yeah." I couldn't speak properly. My face was in flames, it was blushing so hard. His look was unwavered and he only purred louder. Oh god.

My eyes rolled back into my head and I shivered again before smacking him in the face. "Let me up. Now. Or I will piss all over you."

He raised his brow at this, but let me up, and I quickly scrambled off him, stumping my toe on a rock as I went.

"Dammit!" I shouted and made my way out of the cave in a fit of embarrassment. That was very awkward, what the hell. Getting closer to the entrance of the caves, I cautiously looked around before stepping out to pee behind a bush.

When I stood up again, I jumped when H'ko walked out of the caves and went past me. "N'ritja, come."

I frowned, "What am I? your dog or something?" but I followed him anyways.

He then proceeded to explain that we were looking for the right material for a strong lance or spear. That's exciting. Having me stay beside him the whole time, that's what we proceeded to do the rest of the morning. Collect limbs and branches, as well as some good rocks.

A/N: Thank you all for your support! please review! xoxo

I do not own Predators.