Progression pt 5

Kelapa lounged in the doorway of the Inn's back room, watching Mahrayne lead the assortment of alien females - and lower-class Saiya-jin females - in a simple dance. The Hassinan wasn't aware yet that Kelapa was there though the other Saiyans had scented her, darting wary glances at the elite warrior. The tip of Kel's tail twitched irritably; she loved watching Mahrayne dance but she wished she'd fucking finish this. It had been a long, boring day and all Kelapa wanted to do was spend some time with her mate. The Hassinan soon wound up the unofficial lesson, smilingly accepting her students' thanks as they left the room. Mahrayne wasn't entirely comfortable with it but Kelapa was pleased to see the deference and respect shown to her lover. Baka Hassinan, she fucking deserved it! Not only was she the mate of an Elite Saiya-jin but her mother was the daughter of one of Hassina's ruling families, the closest thing to nobility on that fucking planet.

"Kel!" Mahrayne laughed delightedly and threw herself into her lover's arms.
      "Don't sound so fucking surprised, I said I was going to pick you up!"
       "I know," the Hassinan grinned, moulding her body to the Saiyan's, "I'm just happy to see you!" She kissed Kelapa, deeply and softly. "Let's get something to eat then I have something to show you."
       "What's that?" Kel's tail wound around the Hassinan's slim ankle.
       "It's a surprise," Mahrayne laughed, dropping her hands to rest lightly on the warrior's hips.
       "Fine then," Kel smirked, "let's eat then you can surprise me."

Mahrayne strolled arm in arm with Kelapa through the busy market area of the Alien Quarter. They were on their own tonight, all of the cubs were with their father and Ti'aasaan in the palace. Mahrayne always missed the children when they weren't around but there were advantages to it. Kel was much happier when they could be completely alone and... without the children there was no need for the extra guards. Mahrayne had been left in no doubt as to her relative importance when, once all of the cubs were able to spend time away from her, she'd found herself able to wander at will without an escort. It was a little disconcerting at first – she'd felt oddly vulnerable without the solid presence of the Guards – but it was refreshing not having to deal with their not so subtle hostility and censure.
       The females picked up some meat for them to share and some fruit for Kelapa, then at Mahrayne's request the warrior flew them back to their suite so the Hassinan could 'get some things'. The muffled, low-toned sound of the bells in their padded box pricked Kel's interest but Mahrayne simply grinned and told her to wait.
       "Where to now?" the warrior nuzzled lightly at her lover's neck.
       "The glade, please, tahnahn." Mahrayne sighed happily, tipping her head to one side, exposing Kel's claim mark to the warrior's gentle nip.

A small amount of light from the nearby palace filtered through the trees creating a softly-dappled atmosphere within the glade. The low level of illumination in the cool, mossy space might have posed a problem for those with less sensitive eyes but as it was, the Hassinan and Saiyan's keen night vision allowed them to be comfortable in the near dark. The females ate, relaxing together until Mahrayne sat back with a satisfied sigh.
      "Are you ready for your surprise, tahnahn?"
      "Ready as I'll ever be," Kel smirked, making herself comfortable against a tree. Her desire for her mate simmered as Mahrayne stepped out of her robe to stand naked in the star's light. The warrior grinned lop-sidedly as the Hassinan twisted gracefully to open the small box and pull out a strand of shimmering silver bells.
      "And there I was thinking you were going to fuck me."
      "Later, yes?" Mahrayne chuckled throatily, fastening the strand around her waist. Another set of different toned bells went around each of her ankles and finally a matching pair of the R'ren'nkh'ian seed bells around her wrists.
      "I made this dance for you," Mahrayne smiled shyly at the warrior, "I hope you like it."
       With the low chimes of the bells creating a warm, sensuous melody and the seed bells running a rustling, sighing counter-point reminiscent of the wind over the sand and through the trees, Mahrayne danced Kelapa's home, Pankuzu, and the happiness they'd found there. The warrior stared, moved almost to tears by the simple beauty of the dance and the cherished memories it evoked. Yes, Kel was deeply moved, and deeply aroused as Mahrayne's movements subtly changed to include elements of the hvassah she'd learnt from Jeice, and from the devastatingly attractive Saiyan dance form Jagung specialised in. And this was for her, only for her...
       "Takibi..." Kelapa was hoarse with emotion as Mahrayne brought the dance to a close by kneeling at her feet, her posture one of sweet trust and quivering desire. "I don't have the words..." she growled in frustration; it was times like this she really felt the lack of the Hassinan's 'pathic ability.
       "Then show me." Mahrayne whispered, suddenly there in her arms, warm and so fucking beautiful, melting against the warrior's strong body, the scent of her arousal driving all else from her Saiyan's mind...

"Kelapa was pleased with her surprise?" 'tiisaan eyed the livid bruises gracing one side of Mahrayne's neck.
       "Yes, thank you, sinam," the Hassinan laughed.
       "Don't they hurt?" The young dancer winced in empathy, touching cool fingertips to the worst of the contusions centred over the warrior's claim mark.
       "No, and I never notice the getting of them."
       'tiisaan frowned.
       "Kel really should be more careful, 'rayne-chan, you're not as... strong as she is."
      "We know," Mahrayne planted a kiss on his smooth cheek, "but thank you for being concerned."
       'tiisaan grinned up at his teacher – the hostling wasn't that much shorter than her now.
       "See you for the midday meal?"
       "Of course," Mahrayne smiled warmly and brushed a lock of his silky hair behind his ear, "have a good morning."

The Hassinan hummed contentedly to herself as she made her way to the first class of the day. She could acknowledge now that she was happier than she'd been for a long, long time, and, more importantly perhaps, she didn't feel guilty any more for being happy. She still missed Zorun, probably always would, but her relationship with Kelapa was so... satisfying it made up for everything. Mahrayne was still astonished at the depth of what she felt for the female: no one, not even Genesia, had made her feel like this. Mahrayne shared a secret smile with her twin - well, no one else corporeal had affected her this deeply.
       Other aspects of Mahrayne's life were cause for joy as well. Her children were all fine and strong (she included Kuri in this), all growing up so fast into beautiful individuals - and then there was her work. Mahrayne loved her work, so much so she'd dropped her involvement with the R'ren'nkh'ian research project down to two mornings out of every ten-day so she could devote more time to the Academy. She was comfortable here, taking pride and delight in her small input into the Academy's growth. She felt she had the respect and friendship of her peers and she had enormous esteem for Bri-sensei, not the least because he listened to her and took her ideas seriously, something that had happened all too rarely for most of her life. The songwright had been happy for her to organise the 'amateur' classes in the evenings, believing, as Mahrayne did, that anyone who loved an art form should be given the opportunity to pursue it if they wished, even if they had neither the talent nor inclination for serious study. There was a completely different – but no less fulfilling – kind of satisfaction for Mahrayne in taking these classes, it reminded her of some of the more pleasant aspects of life in the females' quarters... which thought led her to contemplate the other Hassinan living on Vejiitasei.
       Peruro had, rather grumpily, agreed to have a child for Dignusia. Her genetic tests had come back, not clean exactly, but with nothing that was cause for concern and now they were waiting for her contraceptive implant to run out. Dignusia was certainly happier about it than her life-long friend and lover, and Zyelenyi was walking about with an air of crackling expectation. The young male was looking forward to fatherhood though he'd been warned repeatedly about Peruro's inevitable, and dramatic, mood swings and how long the pregnancy was likely to go for. Mahrayne smiled to herself, the trio had grown into a tightly-knit and loving unit, they'd weather any problems that arose.
       Merces, the older Hassinan female, had become so enthused about the Kamome caves she'd organised for a couple of effodios, relatives, to come out from Hassina to survey the cave-system with her. They'd been gone for thirty-four days so far, exploring and charting the tunnels and caverns, noting the sources of water and the type and abundance of food animals available. Mahrayne would have loved to have gone with them but her commitments prevented it. However, she'd quietly provided most of the funding for the expedition, using a portion of her wealth of jewellery – and the Lead Speaker had discreetly provided the rest. Mahrayne and Alida looked forward to Merces' infrequent letters; the proof of the caves' habitability reassured the twins of their people's future...
       Not all of the Hassinan who'd remained behind from the 'tour' had stayed with the Academy. Undosus, the young singer, had become a full-time student as well as a part-time tutor and Votivus, Sapientia, Gestio and Discingo, all musicians, had gladly embraced the chance to devote their lives to their art but the remaining five had branched out and were pursuing their other interests. In particular, Corbis had become apprenticed to a Yopparatta brewer and was now producing some of the most delightful intoxicants...

Leteetza sat cross-legged on the Family's balcony, her back resting against the cool stone of the building, her arms and tail wrapped comfortingly around the little bundle of half-Hassinan misery cradled in her lap.
       "Wish you were m' maazi," Korena sniffled wetly, "or Kel-chan.'
       "You don't mean that, brat." The little female stroked the gold-flashed mane. "It's not your mother's fault she has no ki."
       Korena heaved a great shuddering sigh and sniffled again.
       "'s not fair."
       "I know." Leteetza nuzzled the cub.
       "If you were my maazi, 'd be elite, like papa and Kuri."
      "True."
       "'s not fair!" Korena burst into tears again, pressing her face into Leteetza's chest.
      "'rena-chan," the little female murmured, "do you wish you were elite - or a warrior? Because you can still be a warrior even if you're not elite." she added as the cub looked questioningly at her.
       "I can?" Korena frowned.
       "Of course," Leteetza smirked at her, "You may only be second class but only the strongest and best second-class warriors become captains."
       The infant female became motionless – save for the tip of her tail – while she considered this tantalising piece of information.
       "I could be the best ever, couldn't I, 'teetza-sama?" 'rena's ebony eyes gleamed.
       "You'd have to train very hard, brat, not just your body but your brain."
       Korena nodded solemnly, her scent rife with determination.
      "It won't be easy." Leteetza warned the child, deciding for the moment not to tell her just how hard it was for a second-class female to be allowed to do anything other than mate and produce children. But with the King's Guard as her father, Leteetza doubted anyone would gainsay Korena a place in the military.
       Kuri cautiously stuck his head out of the suite.
       "'rena-chan? Are you all right?"
       "Yeah," Korena smirked at her half-brother.
       Leteetza almost smiled at the relief flooding the young male's scent. It was Kuri's fault Korena was so distraught. Earlier on, when his sister had proudly stated she was going to be in the Oujo's Guard he'd matter-of-factly told her she couldn't - and why. Korena hadn't taken the news well and Kuri could only stand by anxiously as his sister screamed the walls down. Leteetza had scented his remorse and guilt as she'd pragmatically scooped up the cub and taken her outside. Kuri didn't follow them: elite and promising the young male may be but he also had a healthy respect for his sister's temper.
       "I'm sorry I upset you, 'rena-chan," Kuri knelt beside her, his tail looping around her waist as he nuzzled her mane.
       "'m still cross," Korena scowled ferociously at him, then she grinned and flung her arms around his neck, hugging him hard enough to make him grunt.
       *Papa's coming.* Kuri winced as she squealed happily in his ear.
       Zorun landed easily on the balcony, smirking as his two youngest threw themselves at him.
       "'m gonna be a c'ptain, papa, the best ever!" Korena planted a sloppy kiss on the big male's cheek.
       "I'm sure you will." Zorun quirked an eyebrow at Leteetza.
       "Long story," the little female smirked, "I'll tell you later."
       With his children perched one on each broad shoulder, Zorun prowled inside to his waiting bondmate.

Several evenings later Mahrayne was in the Academy's eatery with her children, along with 'jau, Pirum, 'selaan, 'tiisaan and Tion. Kelapa wasn't with her: the warrior had disappeared somewhere when she'd come into heat four long days ago.
      "Ientus is nearing the last stage of her pregnancy," Mahrayne remarked with a smile to her younger sister.
      "She is?" Pirum looked surprised. "That's gone quickly."
      "How long has she got to go?" Tion asked.
      Mahrayne calculated the time difference.
      "Around two hundred Vejiitasei days."
      "That's not a short time!" 'tiisaan exclaimed. "Saiya-jin hostings last that long in total!"
      The Hassinan laughed.
      "It's all relative, jhatiludas, Hassinan pregnancies last two Vejiitasei years, remember?"
      The dancer shuddered delicately.
      "Too long, far too long..."
      "Ientus has asked if I could be there for the birth." Mahrayne continued to Pirum.
      "On G'geckah, do you mean, maazi?" Kinu cut in.
      "Yes, she and Iocor refuse to go home without Malum."
      'jau stroked his bondmate's shoulder; Kinu was frowning in concentration.
      *What is it, zk'aida?*
      *I'm remembering something – I think...*
      "Maazi, could I go too?" Kinu gazed earnestly at his mother.
      "I can't see why not, sinam," Mahrayne smiled at him, "though we're likely to be gone for some time."
      "Oh, can I come too?" Pirum chirped, "I'd love to see the G'geck's medical archives." 'selaan was nodding enthusiastically.
      "What about your studies?" Mahrayne asked.
      "We won't miss much," the young female waved her hand airily.
      "And I'm sure we could organise a vid-link." 'selaan chimed in.
      "'We' could?" Mahrayne grinned.
      "Well yes," the hostling's beautiful golden eyes were ingenuous. "I'll be going as well."
      "What about you, sinam?" the Hassinan spoke gently to her daughter who was sitting at her side, fiddling with one of the bangles she'd received as a Naming gift. "Would you like to visit G'geck?"
      "Can I stay with Papa and Tiamaazi?" Korena said after a moment.
      "If you like," Mahrayne smiled, hastily squashing down the tiny flare of hurt at her daughter's happy confirmation.
      "I'll stay behind as well -" Kuri said, smirking at his sister's dark look. " - cos I don't wanna stop training." Kuri poked his tongue out at her - he knew 'rena-brat had glared at him because she thought he was staying behind to look after her.
      "And hopefully Kel will be able to get some downtime." Mahrayne sighed, failing to notice the cubs' exchange as the mention of her lover made her miss Kelapa afresh.
      "Maazi," Kinu had snuggled into her side, "when we're on G'geck could you tell the stars' stories again?"
      The Hassinan blinked: she couldn't remember saying anything about them to her son.
      "I'd love to, sinam, but where did you get that idea?"
      The silver-maned cub frowned once more.
      "I think you've told them to me," his expression brightened as he remembered something else, "and you promised we'd go back to G'geckah so you could tell me again."
      Mahrayne's jaw dropped – she had said that to Kinu but he shouldn't be able to remember, he hadn't been born yet!
      "Maazi?" Kinu looked at her with concern.
       "I'm all right, sinam," Mahrayne smiled down at her son, "and I would love to tell the stories again."
      "Excellent!" 'selaan beamed, "I'll confirm with maazi that I can go."
       "And I'll talk to Nearts about a vid-link and rearranging our study plans," Pirum added with a grin.
       Mahrayne lifted an eyebrow in fond, rueful amusement.
       "Well it looks like you two are all organised then..."

After the meal Pirum and 'selaan went back to the palace and Mahrayne shepherded her cubs, and 'jau, up to her quarters ready to settle them down for the night. Just outside the door the four children stopped and exchanged glances with each other.
       "What is it?" Mahrayne asked.
       "Maazi's back," Kuri grinned at the effect his statement had on the Hassinan; a blush spread rapidly over Mahrayne's cheeks and her dark-golden eyes shone with happiness.
       Kinu wrapped his arms around his mother's waist and smiled up at her.
       "We'll stay with Papa and Tiamaazi tonight."
      "Thank you, sinam," Mahrayne ruffled his soft mane, "but come and welcome Kelapa home first."

The warrior was sitting slumped on the sleeping platform when they came into the room. She managed to raise a weary smirk as she was swamped by the children.
      "I'm glad you're back, maazi," Kuri hugged her tightly.
       "You smell weird," 'rena scented the female, her gold-flashed tail fluffed and waving in agitation.
       "It's nothing to worry about, brat." Kel sighed, nuzzling the little female's mane.
       "We've missed you, maaziKel," Kinu murmured; he and his bondmate were kneeling behind her, an arm each draped over her shoulders.
       "I'm fucking glad I'm back," Kelapa grinned lop-sidedly, looking straight at her lover, straight into her heart.
       Kinu glanced out to the balcony where the shadowy figure of an Elite Guard waited to escort them to the palace.
      "We'll go now - g'night, maaziKel," he kissed her cheek then floated over to do the same with his mother.
       "Good night, sinameh," Mahrayne scooped her son and his bondmate into a tight hug, "I'll see you soon."
       'rena and Kuri got their hugs as well then the children filed out to the balcony. The females were alone; Mahrayne held out her hands to the exhausted Saiyan.
       "Come with me, tahnahn," she smiled softly, "I'll help you bathe then you can sleep, yes?"
       Kelapa smirked tiredly and let herself be led into the bathroom...