Union

"Why?"
       Korena eyed the silver-haired zn'hre hybrid – her youngest half-sibling – with exasperation.
       "Just because."
       Ti'lida's pretty, ice-blue face scrunched into a dissatisfied pout.
       "I wanna real answer, 'rena-chan!"
      The female growled: she was fond of the brat but he could be ruthless in his pursuit of knowledge. She wasn't sure which parent he'd inherited that from: the Saiyan scowled, he probably got it from both…

Within a handful of ten-days after returning from Astolan's funeral Mahrayne had become pregnant again. This had come as a complete surprise to Korena who'd not even realised her maazi was having sex with someone who could impregnate her. Kinu had smirked at his sister's expression.
      *That'll teach you to pay attention.*
      The female growled at him then tossed her gold-splashed mane in a show of indifference.
      *So who's the father? It's not one of the Family, I'd have heard all about it if it was.*
      *Ti'maala,* Kinu answered with a smile. *One of the Thinkers involved with the R'ren'nkh'ian Archive project.*
      *Another lizard?* the warrior frowned, then scowled. *A Thinker? How long has this been going on?*
      *Oh, ages.* Her brother's smirk was calculated to infuriate and got him growled at again. He relented, chuckling. *Less than half a year, and it's not been anything serious. They've known each other for a long time and sort of drifted into it.*
      The female's scowl deepened.
      *How does MaaziKel feel about this?*
      *She's not concerned.*
      *She should be!*
      *Why?* Kinu was genuinely curious.
      *Because after all they went through with her claiming maazi I'd have thought she'd have more interest in protecting her claim.*
       The diplomat shrugged.
      *Kel doesn't see the zn'hre as a threat.*
      Which was true, Korena realised. Kelapa didn't seem to mind her mate fucking zn'hre, or even the occasional male, but if she so much as looked at another female… Though that was never an issue: Mahrayne was devoted to her mate, blissfully happy with her, and over the years Korena had watched Kelapa slowly relax as she recognized the truth of it. But still…
      *Fuck, if I claimed someone I wouldn't let anyone near them!*
      The look her brother gave her was calculating.
      *No, I don't believe you would.* He kissed her cheek. *Anyway, Maazi's happy, and Kel's happy because Maazi's happy. What's the problem?*
      *No problem…* 'rena mustered a smirk. *Just not sure how I feel about having another fucking sibling.*
      Kinu laughed.
      *Maazi loves children, she loves being a mother and she's years of fertility left. Don't be surprised if you're presented with even more in the future!*
      *Oh I can hardly fucking wait.* The warrior grumbled as she stood, ready to leave. *I have things to do. Give my best wishes to our maazis and tell them I'll visit soon.*
       *I will.* Kinu smirked. *But if you want to wait a little while I'm sure they'll understand.*
      Korena chuckled: yes, it might be best to leave off visiting until maazi's inevitable mood swings had settled down…

Before the year's hot season had finished Ti'nesia had gone to live with the Kamome Hassinan and Korena was actually glad her maazi was pregnant: having another brat to look forward to eased the loneliness she knew Mahrayne was feeling. 'nesia had stayed around longer than any of the other brats – Kuri and 'rumi included – and consequently he was missed even more.
       As with Ti'nesia, her maazi drifted through the pregnancy with few problems and Ti'lida had been born with a minimum of fuss at the beginning of the following year. Korena had been – privately – resolute she wasn't going to be present at this birth, but when Kinu had *called* her, his *voice* thrumming with excitement she'd found herself in the birthing room anyway. She'd glanced at the assembled crowd with resignation; there was always such a fuss surrounding Hassinan births. It was never just the parents, there was always a herd!
      Kelapa was there, naturally, so were Kinu and 'jau, Pirum, Peruro and Dignusia, plus a couple of other Hassinan females from the Academy, also Ayva, and Ti'maala, the brat's sire. The body-suited zn'hre was in the water with Kel, supporting Mahrayne between them as Ayva monitored her progress. Kel grimaced and Korena winced in empathy; Mahrayne was biting down on her mate's shoulder as a contraction rippled through her, sharp double eye-teeth actually breaking the Saiyan's skin. Ti'maala smiled and stroked the Hassinan's back, murmuring encouragement. Of the profusion of scents in the room his was the most noticeable, a light, spicy-sweet joy overlaying old pain. At that point in time Korena didn't know the scarred zn'hre Thinker at all, save for what her maazi had told her about him. He was distantly related to Ti'aasaan and almost as old as the Ssii'iin. He'd been close to death when the zn'hre had been liberated on R'ren'nkh'ia but fought his way back to health and found a new purpose for himself within the seclusion of the Library and the R'ren'nkh'ian Archive project.
      Ti'maala was also – according to Mahrayne - quietly delighted about this sireling. When his last set of hostlings had been cut out of him, the hosting chamber had sustained too much damage for him to host safely again. Also, as he'd never met any of his hostlings, or sirelings for that matter, he'd wanted a child he could know, and could know him. Why he'd not attempted to breed with one of his own species was beyond Korena but she'd assumed he had his reasons. Ti'maala had been involved all the way through, not only accompanying Mahrayne to all her check-ups and *communicating* with his sireling as soon as he could, but spending time with the bonded females. Mahrayne was very fond of Ti'maala, that much was obvious from her scent when she spoke of him and Korena had little doubt sex was still an element of their relationship.
       Towards the end of her pregnancy, Mahrayne – with Kelapa's consent – had invited Ti'maala to move in with them. The pale-blue zn'hre had apparently been hesitant at first, the last thing he wanted to do was make a nuisance of himself in any way for the females, but it meant he'd be close to his sireling, all the time, he could be there as his child grew-up…

Ti'maala was generally happy to share the sleeping platform with Mahrayne and Kel but he also had his own room to retreat to if necessary. Like many of the older zn'hre who'd endured horrors before one of their own became High King, he often felt the need for solitude, to be out of sight. That need lessened as time went on and he began to feel a part of Mahrayne's extended family, and besides, no one could hold out against 'tiisaan's winsome charm forever. The dancer, usually with Lento if not others of his 'court', was a frequent visitor and he'd taken it upon himself to gently coax the older zn'hre into the light, especially once he'd discovered Ti'maala was a poet. 'tiisaan had found one of his half-finished pieces that had somehow missed being tidied away, and just those few lines of beautiful, flowing script had been enough to move the young zn'hre to tears. Holding the piece of parchment as if it was a fragile treasure the dancer knocked quietly on 'maala's closed door…
      … to emerge from the zn'hre's room a little while later with shining eyes and a beaming smile, almost breathless with anticipation.
      "He's going to finish it and then I'm going to make a dance of it!" the young zn'hre turned wide eyes on his teacher. "Why didn't you say anything, 'rayne?"
      The Hassinan quirked an eyebrow.
      "I didn't want to invade 'maala's privacy, sinam. His writing is very… personal to him."
      "But that's what makes it so beautiful!" 'tiisaan breathed. "He let me see some more of his work. It's amazing!" the zn'hre was using his hands for emphasis, something he did when he was excited. "Ti'maala uses words to… to paint emotions. And not just broad ones like fear, joy, anger, but how it feels to watch the sunssrise on the turning of the year, the taste of a snowflake on your tongue, the joy of the new leaves bursting into life in the forest..."
      Mahrayne sighed a little wistfully.
      "I wish my understanding of R'ren'kh'ia-go was deeper. I can translate what 'maala writes but I feel I'm missing so much of the underlying subtleties."
      "And that's one of the reasons I want to dance his poems, rayne, so everyone can understand!" he wrapped slim arms around the Hassinan's neck, and planted a light kiss on her decorated cheek. "It's going to be fun!"

In the time since Ti'lida's birth Korena had got to know, and like, Ti'maala. The reserved zn'hre was extremely intelligent, quietly perceptive and he had a very dry, very wry sense of humour. He doted on his sireling, and Kinu's brats, and was loving and affectionate with those he felt at ease with. Mahrayne loved having him around as well. With Ti'maala she could indulge her desire for the all the 'female' activities Kelapa wasn't interested in, specifically grooming and hair-play, something that was very important in maintaining the social bonds of the Hassinan.
      'rena knew Ti'maala's previous life had been terrible but she'd not fully appreciated that fact until she'd seen the extent of his scarring. She'd dropped in unexpectedly one sweltering afternoon to find her maazi's 'family' sprawled asleep together on their large sleeping platform. Korena had often wondered why Ti'maala was always fully-clothed, unlike other zn'hre she knew who preferred to wear as little as possible, but given the horrifying deep and jagged lines gouged into the pale skin of his shoulders and back she began to understand. Zn'hre healed almost as quickly as Saiya-jin, and as cleanly: the only way that amount of scar-tissue could've formed would've been for the wounds to be reopened over and over again. 'rena had got used to 'maala's missing fingers and the marks on his face but seeing the rest of the damage made the horror very real again.
      Kelapa, scenting the female, blinked out of sleep.
      *'lo, brat.* she followed Korena's gaze to the zn'hre and frowned. *Better leave before he wakes up. The lizard's very sensitive about the scars.* the tip of her tail stroked gently along Ti'maala's calf. *He's only recently become comfortable enough to go naked around us.*
      *I don't want to upset him.* the young warrior dragged her eyes away from the sleeping zn'hre. *I'll come back later.*
      Kelapa grunted, already falling back into a heat-prompted doze.
      *See that you fucking do. 'rayne's been missing you…*

"I wanna real answer, 'rena-chan!"
      The Captain of Buahan Oujo's Guard scowled at the young hybrid.
      "Why can't you just accept what I said?"
      "'cause it's not an answer, baka!" 'lida hissed, frosty-gold eyes narrowed with irritation. "Why don't you like being called Hassinan?"
      "Because I'm not Hassinan," she growled through gritted teeth. "I'm Saiya-jin."
      "You're half Hassinan." Ti'lida was frowning, trying to puzzle out his sibling's reactions. "So'm I, and Kinu, and 'nesia. We don't mind."
      "I consider myself to be Saiyan. Let's just leave it at that."
      The youngster pouted, not quite ready to let his enquiry drop.
      "Nobody else minds that you're half Hassinan. Your papa doesn't, or Tia-chan, or 'nippu-san."
       "Why would I care what he thinks." Korena snorted.
       Ti'lida gave her the look universal to children who know an adult isn't being truthful.
      "You like him."
       "I do not!" 'rena spluttered.
       "Do so!"
       "Do not!"
       The hybrid hissed again, shoving a small hand through his gleaming silver hair, a mannerism he'd acquired from 'leesan.
       "You're always looking at him!"
       Korena huffed.
       "Doesn't mean I like him."
       Ti'lida glared at her.
       "Why are you… not being honest, 'rena-chan?" silver brows furrowed. "Why is it bad for you to like 'nippu? He likes you."
       "Enough questions, brat!" 'rena scowled; conversations with her youngest sibling always left her feeling at a disadvantage, somehow. She loved the little monster but honestly it was such an effort to keep ahead of him! "Isn't it time for you to be at a lesson or something?"
       Ti'lida looked at the chronometer and grinned happily.
       "It is!" he said just as Zha'leesaan, his favourite tutor, arrived to collect him.
      "Ready, zk'vils?" the zn'hre smiled at the youngster.
       "Yes!" 'lida gathered up his portable comm-unit then threw himself at his half-sister, planting an enthusiastic kiss on her cheek.
       "Be good, brat." she snagged him into a quick hug, releasing him before he could begin to wriggle.
       "Love you, 'rena." Ti'lida's smile was sweet and warm and once again Korena forgave the hybrid for being an aggravating nuisance. She mused it was probably just as well he had such a loveable nature otherwise, given his complete lack of tact and discretion, it was doubtful 'lida would make it to adulthood.
      Smiling, 'leesan took his pupil's hand, then directed a polite nod towards the female.
       "Captain."
       Korena gathered the shreds of her dignity about her and coolly returned the greeting.
      The pair departed, 'lida burbling over with questions, and Korena scowled at herself. It was fortunate the zn'hre didn't have the same sense of smell as the Saiyans or she'd be mortified beyond redemption right now. Since Full Moon any mention of Pasunippu caused all manner of undignified responses in her body and 'rena was sick of it. She should have better control of herself! What happened had been… glorious… but…
       The Captain shook herself, pointedly ignoring the warmth pooling in her groin. Full Moon had been good, but it was over and she should put it, and Pasunippu, behind her. She was the Captain of the Oujo's guard, she'd worked hard for the position and had no intention of jeopardising it for anyone, no matter how good the sex had been. Besides, it'd only been good because of the moon's effect, she was sure of that. Korena shuddered: it had to have been the moon that sent her to Pasunippu, under normal circumstances there was no way she'd have anything to do with a Thinker.
      Perhaps she'd made it more difficult for herself to resist the pull of the moon by remaining a virgin until then? Why had she done that anyway? It wasn't as if there was a dearth of suitable partners but she'd always refused any advances, resorting to violence if necessary. Korena smirked, it was amazing how quickly even the stupidest, most determined male would back off when they found their genitals under telekinetic threat of being crushed. And yet she'd had ample opportunity over the years for liaisons with some very attractive partners... but never indulged. True she'd been working damn hard, between first pushing her ki from second-class to low Elite and then preparing herself for the Captain's position, there'd not been a lot of leisure, and then there was Leteetza's example to follow. The small female had managed to stay a virgin until she was seventeen, then during a heat she'd scented Vejiita – before he became the Saiya-jin-no-Ou – and been unable to resist...
       'rena sighed, she could understand what that was like now. Pasunippu's scent had wafted to her as she was standing guard on the balcony outside the Oujo's suite and it had only been her rock-hard sense of duty that'd stopped her instinctively flying off in search of him. Quivering, focused, nostrils flaring as she tasted the air, 'rena hadn't noticed Buahan's approach. She jumped at the Princess' brief touch on her shoulder.
      "Go."
      The naked female's scent roiled with languid arousal, fuelling Korena's own. Buahan smirked through slitted eyes then turned and prowled back to her eager mate. The Captain hesitated for a bare moment longer, torn between duty and desire. But the Oujo had given her leave and – 'rena's smirk was rueful as she sprang into the air – she wasn't going to be able to guard effectively while she was so distracted.
      Korena homed in on Pasunippu's scent and soon found herself, ridiculously hesitant and almost fearful, facing him across a clearing in the gardens. He'd been waiting for her, she knew that, and for an instant she'd been stubbornly tempted to leave - how dare he, a mere Thinker, presume! – then 'nippu had held out his hand in gentle welcome and she'd surrendered all dignity…
      Three days they'd spent together, hunting, fucking, and it had been… glorious. They'd not exchanged a word in all that time, either vocal or mental, but had communicated on some deeper, more primal level. They'd known each other's thoughts, such as they were given the Moon-urgency, and for that short time Korena had felt more at ease with the male than she ever had with anyone before. Later, once the season had passed, she'd shaken off the notion that Pasunippu understood her better than anyone else, and tried to resume her habitual attitude of disdain for the Thinker. To her utter disgust she was only partially successful. 'rena's recalcitrant body wouldn't co-operate, forcing her to remember at the most inconvenient times how Pasunippu'd made her feel and imagining what it would be like to have his teeth sink into the juncture of her neck and shoulder, or hers into his…
      She shook herself, angrily: the idea was laughable! He was a Thinker, for fuck's sake, and she was an Elite Captain. They were opposite ends of the social scale! Unbidden, a recent conversation she'd had with Leteetza came to mind, making her scowl. The Emperor's Companion had pointed out that even though Pasunippu was 'only a Thinker' he was still an Elite, high-Elite at that, and noble-born and related to the Saiya-jin-no-Ou. And, in this new society, Thinkers were more highly regarded than they had been. He'd acquitted himself well on the diplomatic embassy to the Qeft, hadn't he? It'd been Pasunippu's knowledge and research that'd provided the key to a successful mission. All good points Korena had to concede, privately, but it still didn't mean he'd make a suitable mate for her, even though he was very… attractive… Korena shook herself out of her daydreaming state, again – what the fuck was going on? The female's nose twitched. Ah…
      Being half-Hassinan had done odd things to Korena's reproductive cycles. Her heats had started later than normal, when she was nine years old, and were usually only two or three days long, rather than the five or six of full-blood females. And unlike Saiyan females she got a day's notice when she was about to go into heat. This had its advantages, it gave her time to arrange things with her second in command, make sure she had the contraceptive to hand – just in case - and get herself into seclusion before the fun started.
      Korena frowned, mentally sorting through the next few days itinerary, then she grinned. Good, this heat would be over well before Kurumi returned home from the off-world forces…

Dusk the next day and Korena was ready to tear down the walls of her quarters. This was her first heat since Full Moon and it had been hard. She stifled a moan, collapsing onto her sleeping platform and rubbing roughly between her thighs again, trying to curb the wanting.
      Pasunippu…
      The Thinker's face swam into her mind as she climaxed.
      No! Korena snarled, twisting to slam her fist into the wall. She'd made it through previous heats alone, she'd do so again!
      Two hours of torment later she gave up. Hating her weakness and hating the thrill of expectation even more, Korena flew out of her quarters in the palace and towards the Library.
      She hovered impatiently outside the Thinker's rooms, knowing he was there, knowing he could scent her.
      Well come on then.
      She growled when he flew out to meet her. Pasunippu's expression was guarded - but his scent! It was like suns-warmed earth, rich and smooth, absolutely delicious… Korena managed not to mewl like a hungry cub, or throw herself at him then and there. Instead she turned and streaked off towards the coast, flying as hard and fast as she could. The male easily kept pace with her, silent, close but not touching. They landed at last on a deserted stretch of beach and before what was left of Korena's rational mind could think of any more objections she sprang at the male…

On their second morning at the beach 'rena woke with a clear mind just as the first sun's light was spilling over the water. The nights had been chilly as the year slipped towards the cold season and she and Pasunippu were curled around each other for warmth. She eased herself away from the strong, unscarred body, wanting to be gone before he woke but the male's long, dark tail was coiled tightly around her thigh and she couldn't move it without waking him. Korena forced herself to relax, unclenching her jaw: this wasn't so bad, really, was it? There was no one here to see, and it was… nice, this closeness. Since being given her own quarters within the Oujo's wing Korena had slept alone; she hadn't realised how much she missed the comfort of another body in her bed. The young Captain grimaced, this was all very well but the heat was over and she should return to her duty. She wanted to return - and there'd be another heat before long…Korena blinked, startled by the delight she felt tingling out to her fingertips, then scowled. Looked like she'd given herself leave to consider Pasunippu as a heat-partner if nothing else.
      The male stirred, opening beautiful dark eyes to smile at her where they lay. His kiss was soft and loving and 'rena melted into it before she realised what she was doing. She pulled back sharply, tail lashing the sand behind her, pretending she hadn't seen the quickly masked hurt on the male's face.
      "I have to go." She wriggled away from him, standing smoothly and deliberately distancing herself as Pasunippu pushed himself to his feet. "Thank you." she murmured, not looking at him, readying herself for flight.
      "'rena, wait…"
      He'd closed long fingers around her wrist, holding her still without effort, a testament to the physical strength he refused to use. Korena peeped at him through her thick fringe, too unnerved to attempt a growl at the Thinker's temerity.
      "Will you share a meal with me, sometime? Please?"
      Korena wavered, it was beneath her dignity to be seen with a Thinker but he'd been so accommodating… She nodded curtly and would've taken off before the ridiculous shyness overwhelmed her but Pasunippu still had a firm grip on her wrist. He lifted her hand to his face, turning it over to brush the lightest of kisses against her palm. The surge of desire surprised Korena and almost, almost she gave in but what would that mean? Fucking him without the excuse of Full Moon or heat? Korena pulled her hand away, gently: she wasn't ready to face those sorts of consequences yet.
      "I must go."
      Pasunippu nodded, eyes downcast, dropping her hand and stepping back. Korena bit her lip - he looked so forlorn…
      "Evening meal, my quarters, tomorrow night." It was out before she could have second thoughts and the female sprang into the air, flying hard towards Vejiitamachi, hoping 'nippu hadn't seen her blush and wondering if she'd imagined the flare of hope in his eyes.