Training a Ha'tinre (3)

Author's note:

Really? Really Higzashi? *sighs* Anyways, this is proving a very involved story. I really wasn't expect it to go the way it has. I wasn't expecting Malvala to show up. In fact, I didn't realize Higzashi was as he is. These characters are taking me on a mind fuck coaster. But alas, my question is, would you folks like exclusive goodies about various species, updates on stories and even new things I've come up with on a whim? Then like me on facebook! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cly-Stories/128062460631098 Love it, you word sluts! =P





When Higzashi woke, it was to a hot, moist sensation around his groin. He opened his eyes, peering down. Under the blanket he noticed the bump that was Shime's head bobbing up and down his shaft. That long tongue of hers was wrapped tightly around him, forcing a low groan from his throat. He was almost painfully hard, responding to her experienced technique.

"Shime," he groaned again, almost regretting he'd spoken when she suddenly stopped. "Why are you doing that?" His voice was very gruff.

He felt her hot mouth release his throbbing member, her lithe body sliding up on top of his. Her head popped out from under the sheet, her expression a bit sheepish. "I... I wanted to please you," she said softly.

Higzashi sighed, gently stroking her cheek with the back of his forefinger. "I already told you, you please me just fine without having to do that."

She blushed a little brighter, still not meeting his gaze. "You..." she paused as if she was ashamed to continue, her voice dropping to a whisper. "You taste different."

Higzashi raised his brow. "Oh? A good different or bad different?"

"Good," Shime admitted quietly.

Chortling, he ran his fingers through her hair. "Now that is a reason I'd accept. If it's what you enjoy, then I won't stop you."

Shime finally glanced up at him. He could feel the heat of her opening pressing against his length. She could obviously feel him pulsing for she moved her hip a little, running her slit along his smooth shaft. He saw a look of satisfaction on her face as she watched his expression. "I like pleasing you," she said, her voice low, almost seductive.

It made him chuckle, his hip moving a bit to rub himself against her clit. She let out a gasp, her eyes getting a naughty glassy look to them. "In that, dear heart," he rumbled in her ear, "we have a commonality."

"Did-did you want to continue, Master Higzashi?" she asked, her voice full of lust.

"If you want," he responded, giving her a kiss.

He felt her body slide back down his own body, her hot tongue slithering a burning line back to his throbbing length. That amazing tongue of hers wrapped around the shaft, constricting to a pleasant tightness that made him moan as her lips closed over him. Her tongue muscles undulated over him even as her head bobbed up and down. Her nimble slender fingers gently massaged his testicles. He couldn't help his hip jerking up a little, feeling the heat of her throat as she worked him deeper and deeper into her mouth.

Even through the intense pleasure, he couldn't help the thought that this was what Tarnrax had taught her, through cruelty and force, and she was doing it because it was more something she was just used to. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to try and stop her again. He had heard of the erotic prowess of the female Ha'tinre, had heard it first hand from other Ha'trin, but now he was experiencing it and he realized how badly his brothers to the order had understated their own experiences.

Clenching his jaw, he growled as he couldn't stop his release. Shime took him deep into her throat, swallowing his fluid. It was a lot different than her old Master's. It had a pleasant taste, thinner, went down easier. She knew just how to get every last drop out of him, suckling gently until she felt him panting, the spasming in his shaft done.

Slowly, she slipped back up his body, peering at him from under the sheets. His eyes were closed, his lips parted as he tried catching his breath. He peeked down at Shime when he heard her giggle. "Did you like that, Master Higzashi?" she asked with a shy, seductive tone.

It made Higzashi laugh, stroking her cheek. "You know very well you don't have to ask that," he chuckled, his voice husky. He then drew her up onto his body fully, smiling fondly at her. "And now, little one...." He suddenly turned them, making her squeal as his weight settled comfortably on her, his lips kissing along her neck and her collarbone. "I must return the favor," he muttered as he continued to feather his lips over her chest, grinning when her back arched to meet him.

She moaned loudly when she felt the heat of his mouth close over a small, pale nipple. Once that was standing at attention, he moved further down, his hot tongue running over the hollow of her hip, following the line of where her leg attached to her body. She was panting and whimpering before he reached his destination. She was already slick, so he licked at her slit, the heat of his tongue causing Shime to cry out, her thighs shivering. He had to chuckle at her reaction. "I haven't even truly started, little one."

Slowly, he moved his tongue against her womanhood, his own technique well practiced. Shime was lost in a daze of euphoria, hands gripping the sheets tightly, her throat hoarse from her cries. This was an entirely different type of sensation, almost over stimulating. She nearly wanted to beg him to stop, but she couldn't have made words even if she tried.

Then the reason for the extreme sensation became apparent to her. She could feel his finger tips caressing the inside of her shivering thigh, tiny, low voltage bolts dancing between his skin and her own. With the moistness of her opening, the arcs of electricity between his tongue and her clit were amplified. She writhed and arched and trembled, feeling his hand move up her thigh, over her hip and her belly, the sparks dancing between them.

Gradually, he started back up her body, in no great hurry. Everywhere his lips and tongue and fingers touched her, tiny sparks crackled softly. Her whole body was tingling by the time he slid his hard length into her heat. Higzashi closed his eyes, baring his teeth with a snarl as he felt her entire body convulse. Lightening pranced over his skin, making Shime tingle and tighten everywhere he touched. She was moaning and screaming, completely lost to the state of exquisite rapture. Even when he kissed her, she could feel the electricity on her lips, against her tongue as his invaded her mouth.

By the time she could even comprehend they were finished much less ponder how he managed to do that, Higzashi lay on his back, his muscles twitching, panting. Shime remembered he had told her that using his ability to produce electricity was taxing. Turning, she snuggled against him, laying her head on his shoulder.

Opening an eye, Higzashi found Shime peering up at him in concern. "Are you alright, Master Higzashi?" she asked, almost fearfully, though it was not fear for herself which was at least a change.

With a deep breath, Higzashi wrapped his arm around Shime, holding her against his side. "I'll be fine, little one. It has been a very long time since I've done that. I just need to rest for a few moments."

She nodded, closing her eyes. Her mind played through what had just occurred. making her squirm a bit. She was on the verge of sleep when she felt Higzashi move, gently rousing her. His voice was soft next to her ear. "I think it might be time for lunch by now."

Shime glanced up at him, suddenly giggling. "That's alright. I had my breakfast."

Higzashi barked in laughter, ruffling her hair. "You are turning into quite a little seductress, dear heart. I think I should warn the others." He rolled out of bed, his voice teasing. "Maybe that was your plan, eh, little one? Pretend to kill me so I'd bring you here then seduce us?"

For a moment, Shime thought he was serious. But he continued chuckling as he pulled his clothing on. She then smiled, laying out on the bed so that only her hip was covered in the sheet, sprawling out like a content cat, her eyes lidded. "No, only you, Master Higzashi," she said softly, slyly. When he glanced at her, she could tell he had to fight himself from climbing back into the bed with her.

Again, Higzashi remembered Denzin's warning. She had much skill, a real talent for everything she did, a sharp mind, but no experience and no wisdom with which to know how to use any of it well. That was the dangerous part. If Tarnrax had trained her properly from the start, then she would likely already be the Grand Master of her clan. But there was an innocence to her that made Higzashi both sad and relieved the madman had kept her from reaching her potential.

Brushing away the thoughts for later, Higzashi grinned, chuckling at her sexy pose. "Now, now, dear heart. I told you we would start your real training today. I can already hear my brothers out there, done with their morning exercises which means we're getting a very late start." He turned away, going out to get food ready.

She giggled to herself, sliding out of bed. With a stretch and a yawn, she went to the bathing room to relieve herself before getting dressed. When she got out and slipped into a chair, Higzashi placed a sandwich before her and a pungent tea. "I think I might ask Valenis to assist in your training today," Higzashi said idly as he sat to eat.

"Who?" Shime glanced up at him curiously.

Higzashi chewed a moment, swallowing before continuing. "A Vorishki. I think he might very well be the only of his species to be a Ha'trin."

Shime had to gulp down her food. "Vorishki?" she asked in disbelief. "Aren't they too weak to handle the gravity?"

Higzashi shrugged. "He handles it quite well. Takes a lot of vitamins, though. I don't spar with him often, he is very frightful when he really gets into it." Then he smiled. "I would like to see how he would handle your speed for Vorishki are similar to Zaz in that aspect."

They finished their food, placing the dishes into a machine that had them spotless in just a few seconds. Shime stayed close to Higzashi as he walked through the little village. In the middle, she was surprised to see a large machine. It whirred lightly, floating in the air less than a meter off the ground. Waves of shimmering air danced off its surface. It was long and cylindrical, but with pointed ends, about as tall as she was.

"That's our cloaking shield generator," Higzashi said, noticing how she stared at it.

"That's why we can't find you," she said softly to herself.

"We?" Higzashi raised his brow.

Shime blushed, hurrying after him. "I mean the Ha'tinre, Master Higzashi."

"I would hope so," Higzashi stated. She heard a bit of disapproval in his tone and it made her heart sink. She followed him, her head hanging.

They got to the edge of the village, the sounds of training making Shime glance around Higzashi. There were several young boys practicing with the sticks that were to serve as swords. Towering over everything was who Shime could only guess was the one her Master had called Valenis. The Vorishki stood at least 10 feet tall on long digitigrade stilts, his whole body built like a stick bug. He looked much too thin to her. Four arms were crossed before his chest. He had no hair at all, his skin a pastel green color.

When Higzashi called to him, his three eyes flicked up, the middle eye set higher than the other two. His pointed ears were ribbed, the cartiledge extending out of his skin, twirling gracefully in soft spirals. Indeed, everything about him seemed graceful and perfect, especially how he moved. Those long stilts of his brought him to Shime and Higzashi in only a couple of steps compared to their many. He grinned at Higzashi, showing the flat line of fused teeth. On the top and the bottom, all the teeth had fused together over generations.

"This is your little pet, is it?" Valenis' voice was eerily deep, though the tease was obvious. Shime had heard the only way to tell a male and female Vorishki apart was by their voice.

Higzashi glared up at him. "Shime is my student, Valenis. You would do well to remember that." There was what might pass as a threat in his tone. Though Shime wasn't sure, it seemed Valenis caught the hint readily enough.

Snickering, Valenis peered down at Shime. "I heard you put Denzin in his place. Very impressive. Perhaps you could teach these boys how to fight. They all think it's about swinging their sticks around and smacking each other over the head." He glared back at the five boys. They were all younger than Shime, and all of different species.

Before Shime could say anything, one of the boys sneered. "What could a girl teach us?" he scoffed. The others glanced at him. "She should go home and keep her legs spread for whoever might think to take her as a mate."

Shime's jaw clenched, but she didn't have to defend herself. Valenis reached backward with a lower arm and cuffed the boy across the head with enough force to knock him to the ground. Then he turned his upper body around to glare at the boy while his legs still faced the other way. "If I ever hear another sexist remark out of your mouth, Jabis, I might have a mind to show you the very life you suggested for her." Then he grinned and it was very cruel. "Do not forget, my boy, all those of my species are bisexual."

All the boys bowed their heads, cowed. Valenis turned back to Higzashi and Shime, shaking his head. "I do not appreciate such narrow sightedness."

"Don't blame Jabis. That's how his species sees females." Though Higzashi had a forgiving tone, he made no indication that he disapproved of what Valenis had done or threatened.

Valenis raised the brow of his middle eye, peering down at his Grand Master with a curious tilt to his head. "I am going to assume you didn't just come by to say hello?"

Higzashi smiled. "Well, can't I say 'hello' while also having something else in mind?"

Valenis laughed, patting Higzashi on the shoulder with a large, three fingered hand. "Well, you said it, now tell me what other reason you are here."

"I was hoping you can help me with the training of this one." He placed his hand on Shime, pushing her forward. Her legs bent a little, feeling terribly intimidated by the immense size of the Vorishki. Sure, he looked like a stick, but with how he towered over her, she almost felt like she had when she had been ten and Tarnrax had come. He had been so much taller than she was at that time. Higzashi's calming voice didn't allow her to get too lost into memory, though. "She's not used to using the Zaz side of her. I thought being around someone who can move almost as fast might help her. Or you can have her put the boys in line. Surely being tossed into the dirt by a 'girl' would be quite humbling."

Shime glanced back at him. "I don't think...."

Valenis cut her off. "Splendid idea, that is." He reached out, his hand firm against her back, pushing her toward the other boys. The one known as Jabis had picked himself up and was glaring at her. She didn't recognize his species but other than his ears which looked more animalistic with their ability to twitch about, he was just another regular humanoid.

A stick was dangled in front of her. With a sigh, Shime took it from Valenis. She heard his deep clear voice above her. "This should be a useful lesson. The Zaz are without a doubt the fastest known humanoids. Their instincts are keen, and their reactions are faster than any of you can blink. To face a Zaz in battle is to know death without a form, only a blur. Their muscles can move their limbs the way a bee can flap its wings. So, can any of you think of a way to defend and defeat a Zaz?"

"Hide?" one of the boys offered. It made the others giggle at him.

"Trip them?" said another.

Valenis snickered. "Shime, do you think you could be tripped while running?"

Shime had to think about that. She'd only ever run her full speed twice in her entire life. Once had been as a child and the other had been the previous day. "I... I don't know," she answered honestly. She heard Jabis snort. She was fighting with herself not to speak a word of magic and have the boy writhing on the ground. He was not Ha'trin yet, and it would make her feel so satisfied to use her magic against someone so helpless.

Valenis chuckled. "Well then, how about you run around these boys and see if any of them can trip you up?" He gave her a little push, adding, "don't be afraid to give them a little punishment while you're at it."

Shime glanced back at Higzashi as if asking permission. He just stared at her, a brow raised. With a deep breath, Shime was gone. Before the boys could even move to try and trip her, each one had received a crack over the head and she was standing in front of Valenis, panting.

The Vorishki laughed as the boys picked themselves up off the ground. "Tripping them doesn't work so well, now does it?"

"So how do we fight one of them, Master Valenis?" Jabis asked, sneering at Shime even as he rubbed his head.

"Anticipation." Valenis stepped away from Shime. "Know where your enemy will try to strike you and be ready to strike first. A Zaz normally will attack from behind if given the chance. Don't let your back be exposed. The less space you give them to move, the slower they will have to move. It is the only time backing yourself into a corner is a good idea. They also have a powerful kick which can throw you down, so having your back to something can prevent you from flying through the air. Knowing your enemy and how they move and fight is everything."

Shime's movement sensitive eyes gave her enough warning to duck when Valenis swiped at her head with enough speed to be nothing but a blur even to her. She peered up at him, surprised. The Vorishki chuckled. "A good Zaz can see any movement as it happens. But a good fighter can know the move will occur before it does."

He hadn't finished his sentence when Shime found herself on her back, Valenis standing over her as if he hadn't moved. He reached down a lower arm, drawing her up to her feet by the front of her tunic. In a courtious act, he brushed the dirt off her back, glaring at the boys when they started to snicker at her.

"I bet I can anticipate her movements," Jabis boasted. "Girls are predictable."

Valenis held out both arms on one side, offering Shime a clear shot. "I do believe Jabis thinks himself high and mighty. This is not a Ha'trin trait. Perhaps you would like to humble him a bit more?"

Again, Shime glanced back at Higzashi, who had remained silent the entire time. He still didn't offer her anything more than an expecting look, waiting to see what she would do. She then looked back at Valenis. "I don't want to hurt anyone."

Valenis grinned broadly, glancing at Higzashi. "Oh, she's cute. A Ha'tinre who doesn't want to hurt someone."

The boys looked amongst themselves, startled by this. Jabis only looked even more arrogant. He held up his stick. "I'll put the Ha'tinre in her place!"

Valenis stepped back, offering them space. Shime glared at the boy. She really didn't like him. Though Denzin had been arrogant, there had been something different about him. He had been much more confident. His arrogance had come because he had known he was good. This boy was being haughty because he wanted to be good.

Jabis swung at her. Shime didn't bother blocking, she just side stepped. Several times, he swung at her, but she didn't care to strike him. She didn't feel like wasting her energy. Besides, it was making her feel good that she was so much faster than he, able to dodge his every swing. She started grinning at him mockingly. After a few minutes, though, she started to get tired. With ease, she brought up her foot and planted it against his chest. Unlike Denzin who had the density and weight to negate some of the power of her kick, Jabis was a fairly lanky boy. He grunted as he fell to the ground.

Shrugging, Shime turned away. "I think I'd rather be reading, Master Higzashi," she said boredly.

Her breath was knocked out of her when Jabis speared her from behind. He struck her in the back of the head, making her vision blur. He took a handful of her hair, jerking her head back. Instinctually, Shime's legs lifted up, her long toes grabbing Jabis' shoulders, pulling him backward. Though he was young, he was strong. He held onto her hair, snatching an ankle with his other hand, jerking her leg harshly. Using his hold on her hair, he pushed her face into the dirt.

A word left her mouth, the very word she had feared when uttered by Tarnrax. Now Jabis would learn to fear it. He let out a screech, falling to his side, writhing and convulsing on the ground in agony. Lightning arced over his skin. He couldn't stop himself from screaming.

Shime scrambled to her feet as both Ha'trin exclaimed in surprise, rushing to Jabis. The boys stared dumbfoundly, not sure what to do. Higzashi turned to her from where he knelt beside the boy, and there was anger in his eyes. "Undo it! Counter the spell!"

Trembling, Shime was stunned by Higzashi's change. She cringed when he stood, coming over to her, his presence suddenly menacing as he bared his teeth at her. "Shime, undo it! Counter it before you do permanent damage!"

Blinking a few times, Shime managed to recall the counter spell. Jabis' screaming stopped and he lay still, panting on the ground, his eyes distant and glassed over. Higzashi turned away from her, kneeling next to the boy to make sure he was going to be alright.

"I... I'm sorry," Shime whimpered. Before Higzashi could turn to say anything, though, she was no longer there.

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Shime stared at the pool of water she'd found to put her feet into. She'd run herself to exhaustion. At first, she'd bumped into the cloaking field. But there were several places where it wasn't solid, where it shimmered and allowed her to flee into the woods. She hadn't gone very far, though. There was nowhere for her to go. She couldn't possibly go back to her home. Tarnrax would kill her for running away. She didn't think she could go back to be among the Ha'trin. Higzashi had been so angry with her. She didn't seem to fit in anywhere.

"Shime?"

Shime jumped, startled by the voice. It wasn't Higzashi, but it was familiar. She sighed sadly as Denzin came beside her. "Mind if I join you?" he asked softly.

She shrugged. "I guess."

Denzin sat beside her on the rock, pulling off his boots and letting his legs dangle over the side into the cool water. "I saw what happened," he said after a moment of silence. "My father had no right pushing you into a fight like that. Against me, that was different. I know when I'm beat, and I don't fight dirty like that." He turned his head to look at her. She continued to stare at the water. "You did what you've been trained to do. There's nothing to be ashamed of in that. Protecting yourself by any means necessary is completely acceptable, at least in my book."

"He was so mad," she whispered, afraid that if she spoke any louder she'd betray her feelings.

Denzin snorted, looking away. "It was his own damn fault, that's why he was angry. They didn't bother to stop the fight. That's usually the case, we just let the kids beat each other up so they can learn to respect each other. Once you've gone through the draining, you're a family and fighting like that is foolish, so we let them get it all out beforehand. But still, I would have thought they would have been a little wiser with the circumstances."

"You mean the fact that I'm Ha'tinre." Shime had never felt so ashamed of herself.

Denzin looked at her again. "You were born that way. Nothing you can do about it. Higzashi was the one who told you to use what you have to your advantage and that's exactly what you did. His anger has nothing to do with you."

She sighed deeply. "I don't belong anywhere."

"You belong where people care about you," Denzin said gently. "Higzashi's been trying to find you for the last few hours. He and Valenis. They split up going in the wrong directions."

"Why are you out here? You don't care about me." Shime glanced at him.

He raised a brow. "What gave you that impression?"

She shrugged, looking back at her feet. There were small, shiny fish flinting about her toes. "You didn't seem to like me very much."

"Heh," Denzin grunted, smiling. "Can you blame me? You stuck your tongue in my ear!" He shivered in memory. "It took me an hour of showering and cleaning my ear to feel like maybe it was rid of your saliva."

Shime giggled quietly. "That was kinda funny."

"That was gross!" Denzin exclaimed. It only made her giggle more. "I swear to you, I'd rather go through that torture spell than have that happen again." He then turned his head with a snap, glaring at her through narrowed eyes. "You better not get any ideas. I sleep with a dagger...."

She laughed. "If I were to sneak into your room in the middle of the night, I don't think it would be for sticking my tongue in your ear." She then grinned wickedly at him. "There's more interesting places for my tongue to go."

"Ha!" Denzin barked. "Oh dear, what has Higzashi been teaching you? Wait, on second thought, I don't think I want to know."

They both chortled, looking out at the forest around them. Shime then sighed after a moment of silence. "I don't know if I should go back."

"Why not?" He glanced at her.

"Won't Master Higzashi be mad that I left?" She turned and peered at Denzin. She looked so lost and dejected.

He couldn't help himself. He had to reach out and stroke her hair soothingly. "I think he will be relieved to know that you're alright. He said he was afraid you'd try going back to the Ha'tinre, and that he was sure your old Master would kill you."

Shime looked at her feet again. He could see the fear in her expression. "He would," she whispered.

"Then come back with me. Higzashi won't punish you or anything. And I think they've learned their lesson. You're powerful, and you are willing to use your spells. They won't have you fighting another jerk like Jabis." When she glanced at him, he smiled. "I really don't like the boy, myself. I think you did a good thing to teach him his place. Not everyone is cut out to be Ha'trin. I honestly think he's one of them."

"What would happen to him?" She was concerned for him, and it surprised Denzin. "Will they kill him?"

"Oh no. Just brainwash him enough that he wouldn't remember he was trying to be Ha'trin, or where we are. Then we'd send him home to his parents. We don't kill innocent people. We don't kill unarmed people."

Shime looked down again. "My parents were unarmed. Tarnrax told me Ha'trin killed them."

Denzin peered at her. "I can tell you for certain that it wasn't us. If they were unarmed, we might have tied them up and had a grand time tormenting them, but then we would knock them out, untie them and leave. I know I've done that before. Wasn't on this planet, though," he added when she glanced at him. "I went off on my own to visit another clan. I found a female Ha'tinre who didn't have any weapons on her and was sleeping in a barn."

"You raped her?" She glowered at him angrily.

Denzin grinned. "Oh, certainly not. I'm not like that. We both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and in the morning, she was gone." He had a pleased expression. "Guess I was that good, because she used my blade to cut herself loose while I slept but slipped away rather than slit my throat."

Shime snorted. "We're not all monsters, you know," she said softly.

Denzin looked at her. "I've never thought that. Ha'tinre are just... different. We may not agree with them, but that doesn't make us right or wrong. I know not all Ha'tinre are cold blooded and completely lost to evil. I was just being a prick when Higzashi introduced me to you."

Shime giggled. With a deep breath, he drew his feet out of the water. "I don't know about you, but my feet are getting all wrinkly and I'm hungry. I think I'll start heading back." He pulled his boots on. "If you don't want to come back, I won't force you. There's a town about 3 miles north from here, if you want to start a new life. I'm sure you'll be able to find work."

Stumbling to her feet, Shime hurried after Denzin. "No, wait! I'll go back." She looked down at the ground when Denzin turned. "I don't know how to do anything else. And I don't think I could walk another 3 miles. My legs are too tired."

Denzin laughed. "Need me to carry you?" he teased.

Blushing, Shime shoved him away. "I may be tired, but I bet I can still beat you back!"

He grinned broadly, turning toward the village. "Readysetgo!"

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When the two got back to the village, Shime was panting hard. Denzin had hardly broken a sweat. "Gotta learn to pace yourself, kid." He patted her on the back.

"Shime!"

She looked up, seeing Higzashi come toward them. She stood straight, turning her eyes down when he was standing in front of her. "I'm sorry, Master...."

"You don't need to be sorry," he interrupted her. "I'm the one who should apologize. I had no right to get angry." He looked her up and down. "You look exhausted. Come, little one. Let's get some food in you. Talking can wait." He glanced at Denzin a second, gently guiding Shime back toward the house. She didn't protest, happily sinking into the chair once they were inside. Higzashi got to making her food. She really needed it now.

Silently, she sat there staring at the table. She wasn't sure if she should say anything. It was Higzashi who broke the quiet. "I'm glad you didn't go far. I was worried you'd go too far to be able to find your way back."

Shime sighed. "I'm sorry...."

Higzashi held up his hand to stop her. "You need to stop doing that. You keep apologizing for things that aren't your fault, little one." He turned, setting a plate of food in front of her. "But let's not dwell on this. I think we both learned valuable lessons, and so did Jabis. Actually, I'd say you showed the other students exactly why it is we drain our inherent magic. If we didn't, we'd be pretty useless against Ha'tinre. So there was a lot of good that came out of your reaction."

Shime tried to eat her food slowly, but she was famished and ended up wolfing it down without thought. Higzashi just grunted good naturedly and ate his own food. Once she was done, he told her to go take a shower. She stood stiffly, heading into the bedroom. Once he was done with his own food, he headed in after her, only to find she hadn't made it past the bed. He smiled, deciding he could spend one night on the couch so he didn't have to disturb her with how she was sprawled out.

However, it wasn't so late that he felt like sleeping. Instead, he headed over to Denzin's house. His son let him in with a raised brow in question. "Well?"

"Well what?" Higzashi glanced at him.

Denzin pursed his lips. "You know what."

Higzashi shrugged, sitting on Denzin's couch. His son sat on the other side, staring at him. "She ate and she fell asleep. Not surprising, she's not used to what's been going on."

He heard Denzin snort. "You should really quit fucking around with her. And I don't mean the sex part."

Higzashi glanced at his son. "Oh?"

"She's actually a sweet girl. She was concerned for Jabis despite what a jerk he is. You don't find that among the Ha'tinre often. You know very well with an attitude like that the other Ha'tinre would tear her to pieces. Sure, maybe in a fit of rage and self defense she could kill Tarnrax if trained properly, but she wouldn't make it a day as the Grand Master."

Higzashi was surprised. "This is a change. You were the one who wanted to kill her just the other day."

Denzin shrugged. "I had a talk with her. She's interesting. I don't want to see her get hurt. She's had enough of that."

Higzashi nodded in agreement. "I have no intentions of harming her. In fact, I've already had the thought that she's too innocent to be a Ha'tinre Grand Master. I'm just waiting for another piece to my plan to come along." When Denzin glanced at him in question, he continued nonchalantly. "I figure not all the Ha'tinre are bloodthirsty and violent like Tarnrax. In fact, Twilight Clan has been quite low key for many years. It's only been since Tarnrax took control that they've been turned into what they are now. To that end, there had to be someone among her clan who cared enough about her to want to find out what happened to her. Hopefully that someone has enough brains in their head to see an opportunity for advancement."

Denzin stared at his father, whether in disgust or disbelief he actually found he couldn't tell. "You want a fully trained Ha'tinre to come here?"

"What could they possibly do? Outnumbered, out gunned, with no powers, they would be completely helpless. It would be the perfect opportunity to have a little talk."

Higzashi could tell his son was not pleased. "You are playing too deeply into this politics thing. It can only go in one direction."

"Someday, son, I'm hoping you'll learn that 'playing the politics' is more advantageous than hacking and slashing as you've been fond of." Higzashi crossed his legs in a relaxed pose. "It suits our clan better to play the game and put our own puppets into their hierarchy." When Denzin still seemed unmoved on his position, Higzashi sighed. "I'm trying to end the needless bloodshed with as little harm to either side as I can."

"At Shime's expense," Denzin retorted tersely.

Again he heard his father sigh. "I'm hoping as much as you are that things will go smoothly and as I'm planning for them to go. My thought is that Tarnrax only kept her around because he has a sick enough mind to get off on the thought of raping his own niece." Denzin blinked and glanced at him in surprise, but Higzashi continued. "My hope is that when she returns, possibly with a piece of Ha'trin flesh," he shook his hand to emphasis, "he'll think to let her live long enough to try and have one last time with her. If she plays her cards right, in a moment when he's unguarded, she can use the pressure points I plan on showing her, drop him dead then and there."

"You're going to give her your hand?" he scoffed. "That's going to take a long time to grow back."

Higzashi shrugged. "Small price to pay. If it helps her get back into her village alive...."

"That's another thing. You're just playing off a lot of hoping, nothing is for sure."

Higzashi pursed his lips. "A lot of times in life, all you can do is hope things will go smooth, pray for the safety of yourself and others, but you can't ever be certain. I'm doing my best to ensure her safety and our own."

Finally, Denzin seemed to give in a little. "Just do me and her a favor." Higzashi raised a brow quizzically. "Make sure you have your second pawn in check before you have any intention of sending Shime in for the checkmate."

Higzashi nodded. "I'm already several moves ahead of you in that regards, son."

************************************************************************************

Shime held her stick up, glaring past it at Denzin. Higzashi had gone off to the town nearby to get supplies as they had been rather low and, as he had pointed out, she needed new clothes. So he left his son in charge of her training for the day.

"Come, now. Try to hit me." Denzin had proven to her the last few days that he wasn't as slow as he had been on their first spar. She eyed him cautiously.

"I'm thinking," she responded, glancing around quickly.

Rolling his eyes, he lowered his stick, leaning against it like a cane and peering at his nails idly. "K. Lemme know when you're done with that."

A breeze of air told him she'd made up her mind to try and trick him rather than fight him outright. He snickered. "Running around like that is only going to make you tired. I'll just keep defending until you tire yourself out again."

"Nope!" he heard her pipe somewhere behind him. He turned, expecting her to try and swing at him. Instead, he had barely a second to comprehend that she ran around him, and then used her momentum to slide on the ground, snagging his ankle and jerking him off balance suddenly. She shoved her foot into his back, pulling back on his hair.

"I swear if you lick me..." he growled.

She giggled evilly, her tongue slithering out. He was about to struggle when she flicked his ear lobe with the tip of that tongue of hers. "I didn't like how it tasted the last time," she snickered, getting off him. He picked himself up, dusting off his clothes.

Her feeling of accomplishment didn't last long. He suddenly dropped, throwing out his leg and spinning. She found herself on her back. He laughed. "You keep thinking the fight is over. So long as I still breathe, you need to keep your guard up."

Getting to her feet, she glared up at him. "Maybe someday I'll leave you breathless."

"Ha!" he barked, turning away to head into his house. "Do be careful, kid. Don't wanna be making promises you don't intend to keep. Now I'm going inside to make food. You put the toys back and tidy up here." With that, he closed the door behind him.

Giggling to herself, Shime picked up the sticks. Denzin had thought it would be a good idea to show her a few moves using a staff and even double wield daggers. With how fast she was, he had quickly learned the smaller, lighter weapons were much more dangerous in her hands. He'd surely have a few bruises.

She went behind the house to put them away. She didn't have the chance to move when a small, strong hand was put around her mouth. She jumped, her instincts, which Tarnrax had always forced her to ignore but Higzashi had been carefully cultivating, made her shove her elbow back into the person. She heard a light grunt, the hand loosening on her. She spun around, ready to kick, but she froze when she saw who it was.

"Malvala! What are you doing here?" Shime's heart skipped a beat, both in relief and in fear.

The short, thin woman peered up at her before glancing around. "I was about to ask you the same question!"

Shime also glanced around quickly, grabbing her arm and dragging her up against the house so that there was less chance of anyone seeing her. "Malvala, you have to leave. You have to go back and not say anything to Tarnrax! Please!" Malvala looked up at her, surprised by what she saw in Shime's eyes.

"Did you really run away to become Ha'trin?" she asked in disbelief. "What happened to your desire to become Grand Master?"

Shime shook her head, glancing around again. "It wasn't like that." She seemed to struggle to find the right words. "I left to kill a Ha'trin. But then when I found one, he knocked me out and brought me here. He told me he knows of ways to kill a person with just a touch. I thought I'd play along and say I'd become one of them if he'd teach me. Master Higzashi has been training me. I... I've learned a lot more here in the last week than I ever did with Tarnrax." She then looked Malvala in the eyes. "Please, you can't tell Tarnrax. Don't tell anyone about this place. If not for the Ha'trin's sake then for mine. You know Tarnrax will kill me if I come back empty handed."

Malvala seemed to be thinking. Her large oval eyes that seemed much too large for her head flicked about again. She had to figure the only reason she wasn't being swarmed yet was because the Ha'trin were already accustomed to sensing Shime's power and hers was similar enough, but that didn't mean she could relax. The whole place made her senses tingle with danger. Finally, she looked up at Shime again. "Are they treating you well?"

Shime nodded. "Very well, actually. Sometimes it reminds me when my parents were alive."

"Did you find the ones who killed your parents?" Malvala asked with narrowed eyes.

Shime shook her head. "They didn't do it. Ha'trin don't kill unarmed people, not even Ha'tinre. I think Tarnrax was just making stuff up. Maybe it was the Shadow Clan who killed my parents."

Malvala seemed like she was about to say something, then her expression softened. "I've been very worried about you, Shime. It surprises me you didn't run away sooner. But as long as these people are treating you well, then I'll go back and keep my mouth shut. Tarnrax acts like you were never even alive to begin with. No one else has bothered to bring you up. But I worried. I didn't know if he'd killed you and dumped you somewhere or what." She touched Shime's arm lightly. "Your mother said she wanted to give you the chance to be anything you wanted. I'm sure a Ha'trin was not what she was thinking, but I won't make assumptions and just be glad you found somewhere you're happy. You seem a lot better."

Shime smiled. She'd already put on a little weight. "I feel a lot better. And I'm glad to see you." She leaned forward and hugged the tiny woman. Malvala offered the gesture in return. "You should leave before Denzin comes out here to see what's taking me so long. Just be careful, the Ha'trin patrol the border of the shield. They might sense you."

Malvala smirked. "Don't worry about that, dear. You take care, though. I hope to see you again sometime, and hopefully not in battle." With that, she turned and slipped away, her elongated fingers tracing an intricate spell. Her form shimmered and then darkened until she looked like a translucent shadow, running off toward the woods.

Shime smiled. Malvala had lived a very long time and knew a lot more spells than the average Ha'tinre. Then she quickly headed into the house. She could smell that the food was ready. Denzin glanced at her with a raised brow. "That took you a while. I was about to come out and see what you doing."

She shrugged. "Just thought I'd do some stretching."

Denzin chuckled. "And you couldn't do them in here?"

Shime flashed him a sly smile. "If you're anything like your father than no, I can't." She slipped into the chair.

Denzin put his hands over his heart. "Ouch. Comparing me to that horn dog." He then laughed, making Shime laugh with him.

**********************************************************************

Higzashi was heading home. He'd gotten all he needed. Using a small device that had the ability to change objects into energy and store them, he could carry enough food for months in one hand. He had to smile at that thought. He didn't know how such things worked. That was not something he had ever bothered trying to learn. He was better with people. There were plenty of others in his order who knew how to make these gadgets, and that was good enough for him. Ha'trin were trained and dealt with the areas they were best at.

A slight rustle gave Higzashi pause in his thoughts. He'd been around long enough to know to trust his instincts. It was why he'd been around as long as he had.

His instinct served him well. He quickly stalked through the brush, following a wisp of shadow. It didn't take him long to catch up. He reached out, snatching at the little shadow. The illusion was broken instantly. Higzashi managed to avoid the dagger that was swung at him, though his grip on the woman didn't release, not even when she stabbed that dagger through his arm. He growled in pain, slamming her against a tree to stun her a moment. He drew out the gun he had hidden against his side inside his tunic. Placing it under her narrow jaw, the nymph stopped squirming immediately, glaring at him.

"Where did you come from?" Higzashi asked casually, ignoring the blade still lodged in his arm.

The woman glowered up at him, raising a brow. "I think you know very well." Her voice was the most pleasant he'd ever heard despite the hatred apparent in the tone.

"You are from Shime's clan, are you?" Still Higzashi remained calm.

"I am." Then she sneered at him. "I swear to the gods, if you harm her in any way...."

Higzashi snickered. "There are a lot of gods out there to swear at, faerie."

She suddenly laughed. It was truly the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard. He had to take a deep breath to stay focused. Then she became deadly serious again. "I'm not kidding."

Higzashi grinned at her in mock innocence. "Did she say I harmed her?"

"No, but she doesn't know the difference. She has suffered as no person should ever suffer and yet somehow she has retained the innocence of a child. For being such a short lived creature, she is surprisingly resilient." Then the woman raised a brow at Higzashi. "Let's not screw around, Jrahkel."

Higzashi had to laugh. "You're very good, Dalinite. Fine, as one long lived species to another, don't tell me you haven't endured the short lived ones for your own ends?"

"For one, my name is Malvala. For another, I'm a Ha'tinre. That's a stupid question." She lifted her chin rather defiantly. "You're after something and beating around the bush about it won't gain favor with me."

Higzashi gave her an innocent look. "What makes you think I'm after anything?"

Malvala smirked. "I stabbed you, and you haven't pulled the trigger yet. That qualifies as self defense."

Chuckling, Higzashi shook his head. "You're dangerous, nymph. Fine, I'll tell you I have a plan to aid us both. Maybe if you'd like to play the game, I'll just keep walking home and you can do the same."

The look in Malvala's eyes were suddenly murderous. "If this involves putting Shime back into Tarnrax's hands, just shoot me now and be done with it," she hissed. There was a haunting expression on her face then, shame. "She's been through more than you can ever know. I'd rather slit her throat myself than let you send her back to him."

"Oh?" He raised his brow, curious.

Malvala looked up at him with contempt. "After her parents were murdered so brutally, Tarnrax did things to her that no one should have to endure. He..." She had to pause to find her voice again, taking a deep breath. "He would chain her up and make her watch as he broke the other female students. He would rape them, justifying it as what they had to learn because it was what they could expect if they were ever captured by Ha'trin. All my students he broke, turned them into sobbing wenches that I had no choice but to put out of their misery." She was trembling in rage. "Even among us he is a monster, a devil. And I won't let you send Shime back to that."

Higzashi had his sympathetic expression. "I'm sure you know what he says isn't true."

"What, that you have been killing us unprovoked? That you killed Shime's parents and my brother?" She laughed and it was cold. "I've known Tarnrax has been killing our own clan. Ever since he killed the last Grand Master, he swore he would force all the 'weaklings' out. If he deems you weak, then it's a sure thing you'll be dead soon enough. And he always blames it on Ha'trin."

"So that's why none of you have come to us for assistance. I had the suspicion." Higzashi sighed. "When I'm done with Shime, I think Tarnrax will find that that snake in his bed really does have fangs."

Malvala suddenly reached out, grabbing her dagger and tearing it from Higzashi's arm. Before he could make a sound of pain, he felt the point of it under his own chin, ready to bury up to his brain. Blood began to leak from his wound freely. "What makes you think she could kill him when not even the Shadow Clan could, hmm?"

"Shadow Clan?" he asked, stunned.

"Oh yes, I sent for them. They came, tried to assassinate Tarnrax, and he only laughed. Then Shadow Clan offered him a place among their ranks and he scoffed and told them that if it had been such a simple thing for him to kill their assassins then he didn't want to be part of such a weak clan."

"He dared defy the Shadow Clan?" Higzashi pursed his lips. "He's madder than I thought."

"Now do you see why I say I'd be happy to kill Shime myself?" Malvala raised her delicate brow.

Letting go of the nymph, Higzashi placed his hand against her neck. Besides the dilation of her pupils, she gave no other indication she felt the affect of the pressure points. Instead, she smirked. "So, is that your plan? Teach her pressure points? She said you could kill a man with but a touch."

"I'll teach her all that I can. I'll send her back. And once Tarnrax thinks he's got his trembling broken doll back, she can do her job unwittingly." Higzashi was calm and cold as he spoke.

"For one, she'd need something special to even get past our guards. And for two, she'd make a terrible Grand Master." Malvala was equally coniving.

It made him laugh. "For the first part, darling, I'm a regenerator." He held up his arm. The wound was gone, not even a scar left though the blood had started to dry on his skin. He grinned at her stunned expression. "I think a whole hand should be enough to convince Tarnrax that she'd been clever enough to kill one of us and escape us. It will grow back soon enough. And to the second part, that's where you come in."

Malvala narrowed her eyes. "If she does manage to kill Tarnrax, you want me to kill her?" She pressed the dagger deeper into his flesh, drawing blood. "You better think about your plan carefully, Higzashi."

He grinned calmly at her. "I've thought this whole plan through quite well, sweet heart. You don't have to kill her permenantly. Just make it look like you did. Then you'll be Grand Master. You can always send her back to me."

"What makes you think she'd go back to you once she finds out what a cold hearted ass you are, using her for your own ends?" Malvala sneered.

Higzashi took his gun tip from under her chin for a moment, tapping his nose. "Jrahkels have a keen sense of smell. We can pick up the scent before a female's own body knows to react."

Malvala snarled, shoving her dagger deeper into his flesh until he could feel its point under his tongue. "You ass, you got her pregnant? And you expect that to be enough to keep her docile?"

Higzashi had to swallow the blood pooling in his mouth. "You can't blame me for that. You know as our species live longer and longer we find it harder and harder to produce offspring. I'm just trying to keep the regenerators from going extinct. And I give Shime a loving family as she wants. She'll only be around for a short time, no need for her to know. You can't tell me that time hasn't jaded you."

Malvala snorted. "To some things, yes. But I care about Shime. She's special. She's very different."

Higzashi raised a brow. "Caring is different than love. I care about Shime as well. I am trying to find ways to keep her alive through this whole ordeal."

"Oh, I'm sure you think you deserve a pat on the back," Malvala spat.

Higzashi sighed. "I'm starting to get tired of having this dagger in my jaw. Just tell me whether you want to play along or not so I can clean up and head home. Shime's probably done training for the day. I think my son is starting to get a bit too close for comfort with her, as well."

With a sharp jerk, Malvala pulled the dagger out of his flesh. Before he could stretch his jaw muscles, she proved that though her species were much smaller than most others, they were to be feared. Higzashi looked up in surprise as she squatted down next to him. She waved her dagger at him as she spoke. "You listen to me, and listen well, Ha'trin. I'll play your twisted game up until I think Shime is in danger or that you're just fucking around with her emotions. If I get to be Grand Master, I will be coming for you, of that, you can be sure. No other of your clan, they'd be safe as they were before Tarnrax. But you, you'll be dead. So don't fuck around. Either you give her what she deserves, or you won't be so 'jaded.'Am I clear?"

"Beautifully so, sweet heart," Higzashi chuckled.

Malvala stood up, turning to leave. She paused a moment. "I'm Ha'tinre, asshole. There's nothing sweet about my heart." She vanished into the underbrush without another sound.