The clan ship was bigger than anything Artemis had ever seen. The thing was long and sleek with numerous levels, each level having a specific purpose. Yautja who hadn't proved themselves yet had to bunk in wide open rooms at the bottom of the ship whereas those who had passed the right of passage had private quarters to themselves on higher levels.

Two levels were dedicated entirely to training while another higher up had the kitchens, strange cafeteria spaces with many metal black tables, and food synthesizers that could make anything you wanted. Higher up were private rooms for the highly ranked Yautja and even higher was the rooms for the crew that flew the ship, the council, and Rhage's own quarters — the size of Artemis and Rhage's space fairly large.

Rhage had given a brief tour of the important areas that they would be using or visiting during the trip to Saqqar. The ship was like a city inside with everything the traveling clan members would need. It vaguely reminded Artemis of a cruise ship, but way more high tech and sophisticated.

The last thing he showed her was a viewing deck where one could watch space go by as they cruised through space. She was able to see the planet, Yautja Prime, as they started the journey. Seeing it that way was so much better than the first time she had arrived. It was a massive jungle covered planet with part of it being radioactive desert and lava fields; such a thing utterly bizarre to her.

At the moment she sat in the bridge with Rhage going over diagrams on a floating hologram before him. The members of his council surrounded him at the rectangular table they stood at, talking about whatever was written in their language. Artemis could make out satellite footage and pictures of a desert planetoid; she assumed it was Saqqar. There were various images of different Yautja presented before them, like they were profiling who they were going to speak with. Watching them stand there and talk at length about each pictured Yautja interested her.

It was when she grew tired of sitting down that she stood up and walked to the viewing window to the left of the chatting group. She stood and watched as they passed through a smoky cloud-like nebulae, various streaks of color streaking past the windows in a rainbow blur.

Such a thing was new and exciting to see. There were so many wonders she wanted to see in space. Multiple lifetimes of traveling through it all would never be enough, sadly. She knew her life was so short compared to Rhage and his kind that she couldn't help but feel insignificant in the vastness of the cosmos. Compared to the wide endless ocean of space, she really was insignificant. Like all things, her life would one day come to an end.

Would Rhage find someone else when she died? What would happen when she was gone and there was no one to fill the space she had left? It hurt to think about such things but she couldn't help but feel the enormity of her future running towards her while she watched space fly by.

Artemis snuck a glance towards Rhage, watching him do what he did best; lead. He was drawing up plans with a male she had seen only once...Kato or something? Together, with Dhare and Khaj, the group went over lines and lines of vertical text.

At some point Dhare passed a meaningful glance her way; his expression was solemn. She gave him a questioning look of confusion to which he shook his head, a silent "It's better if you don't know" kind of look in his golden eyes. The fact frustrated her and for once she wished she knew what they were saying. Being the one person in the room who didn't understand what was being said sucked. Asking Rhage for a translator was out of the question for her — he had done enough for her already and she couldn't ask him for anything.

She was going to die one day still indebted to him, even if he said she didn't owe him a damn thing she would still want to repay him.

Kindness for a kindness.

Artemis thought she hadn't done anything to deserve it but she would make up for it however she could. In a way she had thought offering herself to him like a snack would help. Back home she had seen many women do this but so far it hadn't worked on Rhage.

He had a way of seeing through her. It was unnerving but she figured...all of those human skulls he had adorned on a wall in the main palace...he was an expert at human behavior at this point in his life. So, of course he would be able to circumvent her efforts to pay him back, even though she didn't have to.

Shaking her head she decided it was time for a walk to clear her head. Staring into space was opening room for weird negative thoughts.

Looking back to the group she saw they were deep in their conversation still. Instead of interrupting them, she left the bridge as stealthily as she could — not wanting to disturb them. As she left she didn't see the subtle nod Rhage gave to Dhare; a silent "Go with her".

In the hall she was able to think about something other than her way off death. She straightened her shirt and made her way to where Rhage had shown her the training room, something he called a kehrite. Taking an elevator down to the level she passed many Yautja who gave her curious glances while others ignored her presence entirely, their beady eyes facing toward their destination.

Once she arrived it was thankfully empty. She went into the smaller one and walked around the room eyeing the multitude of weaponry hanging on the wall. Nothing was what she looked for — a punching bag. A small digital pad on the wall drew her attention and scrolling through the pictures of items the room could make appear she found what she was looking for.

Right before her eyes a punching bag rose from the floor.

"They need to have everything have pictures. It'd make my life easier!" She grumbled, removing her shoes on the short walk to the bag.

It had been years since she'd been to the gym so it felt nice to be in one again. While it was quite different than the ones back home, she could still work out her frustration.

Artemis circled the bag as if it was an enemy and swung her fists at the bag. The blows she delivered made her knuckles ache but she welcomed it, the impact echoing through the empty room. Each successive blow was quick and as strong as she could muster. Despite how awkward it was, she landed a few kicks in her workout. Her muscles ached and she grew tired but she kept going, kept pushing herself to release the negative emotions clouding her head.

• • •

So into her exercise was she that Artemis didn't notice the silent Dhare watching from the corner of the room. He stood watching as she beat the shit out of the bag, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Silently, he hailed Rhage on his gauntlet and sent live video feed of Artemis. Neither Rhage nor Dhare had expected her to move with such grace and agility giving her being in the second trimester of pregnancy. She was vicious and precise, her hits powered by the pain of losing everyone she loved — her pain pushing her harder to work it out of her system.

Rhage left the deck, holographic video feed being sent to his gauntlet, and headed to his mate. He took the lift and descended into the belly of the ship where he silently joined Dhare.

Even though she was with pup, he wanted to test her. She showed much promise for fighting. The idea thrilled him. Perhaps this would be the way he could help channel her inner turmoil and finally stop talking about herself with such negativity. She could be trained and taught to hone that pain, to better make use of it.

As soon as Dhare had sent the feed he cut the meeting short, wanting to see it for himself. He had smelled her mixed emotions but he hadn't expected her to come here.

Rhage cloaked himself, Dhare following suit as Rhage activated a dummy fighter through his gauntlet. The computer in the room fully realized a dummy in the form of a human male, the hologram able to deliver blows and fight the trainee. He set the controls to not hit below the chest and to avoid her swell then set it to beginner level before letting it loose.

Artemis jumped when she noticed it coming for her. For the first few moments she moved back watching it with curiosity before she moved past wonder and into battle mode.

She pulled out the combi-stick he had given her a few days prior, extending it to full length, and blocked the arc of the hologram's combi-stick. With surprising strength neither Yautja expected, Artemis kicked the hologram to the floor.

The hologram returned to its feet so fast she jumped back in surprise. It brought its combi-stick around aiming for her legs but she jumped up just in time. It started to push her back and circle her; she watched with hard focus, following the movement carefully. When it swung a fist for her she slid to the right and brought her own into its ribs.

Her hit was hard enough to make the program stagger where she immediately followed up with a kick to its crotch. On a living opponent it would've brought them down but it barely effected the program, much to Artemis's frustration judging by her angry yell. That was the moment a cold gleam entered her eyes.

Rhage and Dhare watched with interest as she tossed the combi-stick to the side and hurled herself at the recovering program. She knocked it to the ground with her attack, dealing blows to its prone body with her feet. Blow after blow she delivered to its head and chest. The program tried to fight her off but it was of no use, she was lost in mesh'in'ga, battle lust.

Both Yautja watched as she delivered a punch that knocked the program into a daze. She smiled with cold satisfaction and, using both hands, hauled it to its feet where she acted like she was dusting its clothing — the smile not reaching her eyes.

With no indication about her next move she extended the wristblades in her gauntlet and in one swift move beheaded the program. She actually looked surprised at how easily the blades cut through the digital flesh, eyeing the blades before they retracted back into the gauntlet. Her tears had dried up at this point to be replaced with that shock that now filled her face.

Rhage noted that she would have to be taught that some of what she had done was dishonorable. Killing prey that was already injured and couldn't fight back was dishonorable. Seen as less worthy.

He didn't expect her to know it, the Code drilled into Yautja from birth.

With a few growled words to his eldest, he uncloaked and approached Artemis who stood panting over the headless hologram. She was covered in a sheen of sweat, her dark mane messy and chaotic. Her scent was heady, filling the air with sweat and the sweet smell she naturally had.

"Artemis." He stopped a few feet away to not startle her. He didn't know if she would think he was another dummy fighter and he would have to fight the instinct to put her on her ass if she attacked him by accident.

The human he cared so much for looked up at him in surprise, shock registering in her eyes. "Rhage...what are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing." His head cocked to the side in question.

Shadows briefly danced across her dark blue eyes, "I used to work out to deal with negative emotions so I thought this was a good idea. It actually worked, despite the little one making it a bit awkward..." Her hand came to rub gently at her swell.

"Do you feel better, mate?" Rhage approached her, a hand coming to join her hand on her belly.

She smiled, nodding. "Much better. Yeah."

He clicked in satisfaction, his eyes meeting hers. "I am glad." His thumb rubbed gentle circles against her swell as he knelt before her. "You would make an excellent fighter with training. Once the pup is born I want to help you channel your emotions by fighting."

"I don't really do it unless I need to, self-defense situations."

"Ah, I can still help you to channel that energy into positive outlets. You do not have to fight."

Artemis looked skeptical but she nodded in understanding. "Okay. I'm down. It's better than letting everything eat me up inside."

"When we return to our quarters will you tell me what bothers you? I wish to fix your sadness, little flower." Rhage eyed her, hoping she would confide in him. He didn't like seeing her so upset. He worried for her mental health.

Sighing softly, she nodded again. "Y-yeah, Rhage."

Grunting in acknowledgement he rose to his feet. He heard Dhare leave the room as he turned to lead Artemis back to the first level of the ship. "Come, mate, it is nearing the night cycle. I wish to distract you from these wayward thoughts."

"Distract me how?" She asked innocently.

"What is that human saying again?" He pulled her to his side in the lift. "Ah! A magician never tells his secrets, Artemis."

With that he pushed the button that would get them back to their level of the ship.

• • •

Rhage watched as Artemis washed her face in the sink of the cleansing room. Her face was rosy and blotchy, a result of her crying. She looked distant, not here in the present.

The female was unraveling like a loose thread, more mysteries surfacing about her that he uncovered. With time she seemed to open up more while simultaneously reliving whatever trauma she had endured on Earth.

"My family...they were killed execution style in front of me when I first refused to cooperate. Next were my friends. People I had known since childhood. All dead within minutes." She turned and dressed in the slumber dress she preferred, the soft dark fabric a stark contrast to her creamy pale skin. It helped to highlight little freckles on her chest. Such a sight made his body burn with desire.

"Did you continue to refuse?"

Artemis let out a shaky breath. "Yes. When they killed my friend Shana I cracked."

For her to have such a strong will filled Rhage with pride for her. His mate was resilient, someone who would not back down. Those emotions swirled in his chest, so foreign but so...welcome.

It was at that moment as she stood before him that he realized he loved her. This human was his ultimate weakness, the one his enemies would have to strike to bring him to his knees — the one who claimed his heart as her trophy, his little goddess Artemis.

She was everything that he could possibly want. No female Yautja could compare to a human.

"You, my little goddess, are everything I could want."

Her eyes shifted up to meet his as she raised her eyebrows in surprise. "What?"

Rhage swept her into his arms without another second to lose and brought her to the nest where he laid her on her back. He climbed into bed where he sat on his haunches above her, his hands lifting her nightgown to reveal her rounded tummy and bare sex. He clicked in masculine satisfaction at the sight of her delicate sex left bare for his eyes to see, her slit's lips already growing slick.

"Artemis, I must admit that you are my weakness. I will never want for another nor crave another as I do you. You are the rising sun in the darkness of the dayrise. You, my goddess have hunted for my heart and you have claimed your trophy as your own." He purred as he rubbed the concave of his cheek against her maternal swell, feeling their pup kick from within.

"What are you trying to say, Rhage?" Her breath hitched when he nibbled at her stretch marked hips, the flesh soft between his sharp teeth — his love bites were gentle and very light with just enough pressure to leave little marks that told all she was his. She softly gasped as he nibbled her flesh with the blunt sides of his teeth.

"Artemis," he completely removed her dress so he could palm a meaty breast, her nipples stiffening beneath his touch, "you are my ultimate weakness."

"You're...weakness? What does that mean?" She hissed, opening her eyes to meet his gaze.

His face stretched into the Yautja equivalent of a smile, the light reaching his eyes as he leaned down until his face almost touched hers, his locs surrounded them in a curtain of clouded blue and red tipped tendrils. He rested his forehead against hers and closed his eyes while he continued to purr. His mate's small hands roamed up his chest to his neck and back down again.

Oh how he loved the feel of her soft little hands on his rough heated flesh. A soft groan left his throat.

"It means that I love you, Artemis."

"W-what?" Her voice wobbled as she stared up at him, her hands pausing their exploring.

Rhage purred as tears filled her eyes, his fingers catching them as they fell down her face. Her cheeks turned rosy once more as she bit her trembling bottom lip. The action made him want to bite that little lip.

"I love you."

"E-even though I'll die of old age in a few decades?" Tears poured faster down her cheeks as he pulled away enough to give her space to breathe.

So that was why she had been so upset earlier. She was thinking of her own death one day, he thought.

"Breathe, Artemis. Breathe."

His soft words didn't help much but she did relaxed a fraction beneath him, the tension leaving her body as she cried. He continued to catch the falling water. "B-but I d-don't..." she hiccuped, "l-live as long a-as you..."

"No, mate, you will not die of old age. Once the pup is born I will see to that."

"H-how?"

He purred louder to calm her down. The purrs rumbled in his chest as he caressed her face with his claws.

"Yautja medical technology. With some of my blood you will live for centuries, my flower. Do not fear. We would outlive the stars themselves if I wanted to make it happen. Do not cry, my love." His forehead rubbed against her smaller one while he rolled onto his side with her next to him. A thick arm pulled her against his chest while she cried quietly.

He was okay enough that they were happy and not sad tears.

"I-I was worried about wh-what would happen if I..." Artemis sniffled as she met his gaze. "I'll be old and ugly one day you know..."

"Then we can be old and ugly together."

She smiled, a shaky laugh cutting through her crying. The fact that his words humored her made him happy that she found his attempts at human jokes amusing. He had been around humans enough during his numerous visits to N'ithya, Earth, that he was fluent in many of the languages spoken there; in his time back and forth there he also picked up jokes.

"I'm down for that." She wiped her eyes with a small hand, her delicate little fingers wiping it all away as he smirked. "At least I'll get to see the baby grow up. I hope."

"You will. We both will. Do not fear, mate."

Rhage palmed her swell and gently rubbed her skin, feeling their pup stir within.

"I was scared about what would happen if I were to die from old age. Like, what would happen to you after I was gone. I know we haven't known each other for very long but—"

He nibbled her bottom lip, "Hush. Yautja sometimes mate for life. Most do not. However, you are my life mate, Artemis. I want no other female but you." A claw traced the shape of her lips, "If you were to meet death before I then I would follow you. As I have told you, I do not fear death."

"I worry about you dying."

"You worry about me dying? Death will not claim me easily."