Kiha slept sweet indeed. And deeply.
The next day they ate and went out hunting. And Kiha made her first good kill. It looked something like a bear but half the size and twice the speed, with talons far too large. It took both Kiha and Terra to bring it back to the clan, where Terra was able to skin the fur and cut it up, now having meat for the clan for days. By the time Terra got back to her dwelling that night though, Kiha had washed up and had fallen asleep in front of the fire waiting for her lover, tired from a long day's hunting. It was quite adorable as food was laid out and Kiha was snuggled up in her furs naked, but had passed out waiting. When morning came she was asleep in the bedroom on the furs with Terra, comfy and cozy. That day they stayed "home" and Terra showed her around the clan, pointing out the different parts, and where Kiha could find the secret entrances to underground in case of emergency. Some of the warriors watched them pass and Kiha gave them all friendly smiles, holding Terra's hand as they went around. But there was next to no females or children above ground, most below keeping the clan safe. By the end of that night they had had a second long bath, and Kiha, with her third orgasm under her belt, was asleep in Terra's arms once more, murmuring about making Terra happy.
On the third day Terra had to go scouting and Kiha tagged along again, now sporting a brand new
outfit. Terra had presented it to her that very morning, another gift and watched Ki'hanna unravel it and coo in excitement, loving it. It was made of fur from her first kill, a short loin cloth and tube top much thinner than anything she wore yet but amazingly soft and comfortable, and hiding just enough. It came with thick boots as well, replacing her torn up ones she had been wanting to rid herself of anyways. The hugged up to mid calf, and were thick enough for when it was cold while keeping her from cutting her feet. She was so excited to show it off she was skipping through the jungle ahead of Terra, her tails wiggling back and forth happily. Terra hadn't seen her in such good spirits. And even Sasha and her few scouts couldn't bring that down, having joined the mission.
They spent the afternoon scouting, but the camp was near empty, meaning they had to hunt down where the scouts had gone. While the rest split up, Kiha stuck to Terra but after a while she knew even she was slowing her lover down and offered to split up.
"I'll be safe. If I see them I won't approach, okay? No approach. Just watch. I'll cry if I'm hurt." She kissed her, promising in Terra's tongue that she was safe, then slipped away. She wasn't as stealthy as her lover, but she had gotten rather quick in the branches so she crawled up and out of sight then started to move forward, keeping her eyes peeled for movement. she was near the stream she had found Sebastian when she heard her own tongue, someone speaking to another and her ears caught the direction, swiveling and taking off, finding herself heading back to the old cave. Sure enough four scouts were picking the empty cave apart, their strong noses smelling her all over the place. She recognized one as the Captain of their brigade.
"
She's not here sir!" one announced, speaking in their own tongue, "
the trail is days old. She could be anywhere."
"We don't have time for anywhere! You heard the new orders. The princess is our only concern! Search harder."
Ki'hanna frowned. Only concern? What of scouting for dangers before the war ships arrived.
A second scout stepped up an spoke in English, "Sir there are scents of other creatures here. Tracks look bipedal. Likely natives. They may have carried her off. Should we report?"
"And tell the Queen her niece was carried away by invisible native folk? Are you daft boy? We haven't seen a single intelligent lifeform here yet."
"Yes sir!"
Now Ki'hanna was even more confused. Queen?! She heard a call in the distance, Terra's scouting group calling for a regroup. Ki'hanna knew she had to go back or Terra would worry. And with Sasha with them, Kiha wasn't keen on leaving her lover with her alone for too long. But she also wanted to know...what was going on?
The boys finished their investigation and coming up with little to nothing, Terra to good at her job hiding their tracks, the Captain looked at a loss.
"Sir how long do we have?"
"We only have enough food to support us one more day, then we have to head back. We can send another scout ship for her but that won't land for another month after we return home. She might not make it that long."
"Sir if I may ask, do you think she's still alive?"
"I pray soldier. Her aunt will be devastated if she is not."
Ki'hanna couldn't hide and not know any longer. She slipped down the tree and approached them slowly. Two of them raised their guns as she stepped out of the bushes but then the Captain quickly barked orders to stand down, looking surprised, shooked, and utterly relieved.
"Princess Ki'hanna! You're alive!"
She nodded, stepping forward as they all glanced at her clothing. None of them dared to comment though and she didn't care. She loved her outfit.
"I thought I heard my native tongue in the distance and came looking. Your ship is nearby?"
They nodded and one moved forward, pulling out a blanket from his satchel to offer her, standard procedure for a search and rescue. She took it more out of politeness than anything.
"Its not far. You must be parched and starved. We will get you on the ship and away at once."
"Shouldn't you tell my father you found me?" she inquired, subtly trying to prod about why they spoke of her aunt and not the King. Their faces told her in an instant something major had happened.
"Princess Ki'hanna, I am so sorry to be the one to tell you about your father," the Captain stepped up and bowed low to her, "When you disappeared there was outrage and riots. Many thought you were unjustly married off to a prince not our kind, and others felt you died unfairly. When we got Prince Sebastian's call for help your father was quick to send scouts, but after we left he was tried and found guilty on multiple accounts. Including the sabotage of that ship, knowing you would escape via pod and hoping to spark a war. And..."
He paused and her brow knitted, "And what?"
"And your aunt uncovered evidence that he might have poisoned your mother, making her untimely death one of murder, not illness."
Ki'hanna face contorted and she took a step back, hugging herself. She had loved her mother dearly. And her father...
"Is he dead?" she replied coldly, showing no compassion for the King. Not knowing what he had done. Not after all the murder she had witnessed him commit, and now adding her mother to that list. The Captain nodded, "He was found guilty and beheaded. With your absence your aunt, your sister's mother, has taken the throne."
Her aunt was a good woman. Kind and loving like her mother. Kiha hadn't seen her in years though. After her mothers death, her father didn't let Kiha see much of that side of the family, particularly her aunt. But she remembered her fondly.
"She will be so happy to hear you are alive my princess. And with your return you will be named Queen. I am sure you'll find her work just and fair."
"Her work?"
"Our armies no longer conquer my Queen. She revoked all the Kings rules and applied new ones, that we protect those planets under our care, and help them grow their own sustainable governments. Our only mission here is to rescue you and return home."
She blinked, totally surprised, "No war ships are coming? We won't colonize?!"
He shook his head, "Not us princess. But the Prince's ships might still come. Where is he by the way? We were asked to secure you both, with you being our priority of course."
Kiha looked down and away, hiding her lack of emotion and feigning loss, "He passed. The land here is not as safe as you would think."
"Then it is even better you survived. Let us go Princess."
They started to lead her towards the path to their ship but she stopped dead in her tracks. What about Terra? She couldn't just leave her behind, no goodbye, no...
The thought of even leaving her made her heart feel like it was going to stop beating all together. She looked at the Captain as he stared oddly at her.
"Princess we must-"
"Is my aunt a good Queen?"
"We can speak on such matters on the ship-"
"Is my Aunt a good Queen? Answer me truthfully captain, I am your princess."
He nodded, straightening, "Your aunt is fair and just. She has lifted a cloud over the people's head if I am to speak openly your princess. She is already beloved much like our late Queen, your mother."
Kiha nodded, looking back into the trees. Her choice was easy.
"I am not coming home."
"Princess!"
She held up a hand so they wouldn't argue, "You have a good Queen. I see no reason to come home. I have made a place for myself here. I wish to stay."
"Your Aunt-"
"Will be fine without me. I have found my place in the universe and do not wish to leave it. You will go. Now. And by my command you will not speak to anyone save the Queen of my living and remaining here. Only my Aunt need know I survived the crash and am thriving."
They paused then all nodded in turn. Two turned to go but the Captain held back.
"We cannot promise other ships won't come princess. New of Prince Sebastian's death won't come lightly to his father. His ships may come."
"They may. And we'll be ready for them."
The captain looked into the trees, her hint at not being alone understood but he said not a word as she handed him the blanket and walked away. She waited till they were out of sight then started running towards where she last heard the call, making her own shrill animal call back.
Terra! Terra I'm here! I'm staying...oh please where are you? I'm staying!