Chapter 2

Snacks appearing on hover sleds all around have the boys coming out of the water and what a sight that is.

"We should make a calendar. We would make a fortune," Brit says quietly and all of us crack up. The smirk on DaR's face tells me he knows exactly what I am thinking about right now as he strolls up beside me. I reach over, tracing the water running down his powerful legs.

Alanascreeches as SoL stands over her, shaking water off his massive body like a dog. She jumps up, running as quickly as her little legs will carry her across the sand only for him to catch her in two strides. We all laugh as he rubs himself all over her while she acts like she is trying to get away. "Ewe, SoL, … you're all wet … stop it!" Alana is laughing so hard she can hardly say that sentence.

Isee DaR look down at me, and at the same time, I hold my hand out. "Don't even think about it, mister." I no more say that than he plops across me, rubbing his large frame all over mine as I am trapped beneath him in this lounger. "Ughh, DaR you brat, get off me your skin is freezing cold!"

"But you're so warm." Wrestling around, somehow, I end up sitting in his lap completely soaked.

"I didn't want to get wet. That's why I stayed up here and you were down there."

"It's my job to take care of you, and you were way too hot."

"I was?"

"Yes, this delectable little body of yours has been distracting me all rising."

"Are you flirting with me?"

"Is it working?"

"I am sitting in your lap, and I don't do that with just anyone."

"I better never catch you in another's lap, or I won't be held responsible for my actions."

"Territorial much?" DaR doesn't answer me, just growls before biting my shoulder gently. I reach over and grab one of the BloodBeets off the tray, handing it to him, before grabbing a purple berry that tastes like strawberry, but looks like a plum for myself. He pulls me back against his chest and I lean back, relaxing in his big arms. The conversations carry on around us, and I allow myself a moment to just enjoy their combined voices.

Imust have dozed off at some point because I jerk when I feel DaR pick me up.

"MyKira, I've got you, go back to sleep. I'll wake you in time for the last meal."

Idon't remember him laying us down, but he must have decided to nap with me, because his snores wake me up some time later. Rolling over, I pull a light sheet up over us and lay here, watching him. In sleep, his face relaxes, and it's like he is ten years younger. Right at this moment, he doesn't have to defeat or defend the world all around us. After seeing that event on ZoD's planet for myself. I finally understand some of the things he has kept hidden from me all along.

Neverin my wildest dreams could I have thought up those damn worm things that had invaded CommanderZoD's home planet. That battle plays back through my mind and I wonder how many times DaR has walked into situations like that one. He has always tried to keep me out of the horrors going on around us, but now that I have seen this with my own eyes. It makes me slightly more cautious, and I have a new understanding as to why DaR is so protective. What is that old saying, seeing is believing?

Mybelly growls and I glance over at the opening that is allowing the cool air in off the water, only to notice that the suns are setting low in the sky so we must have missed dinner. Slipping out of the bed, I tiptoe out of the room, trying not to wake DaR, then whisper, "SAGE, honey, can you bring us a snack? I didn't mean to sleep so long. I must have been more tired than I realized."

"You didn't miss anything, Kira, most remained inside their huts once darkness started to settle. I will have your dinner delivered shortly as I have been holding it in the warmer. Oh, and Luna wants to talk to you about an excursion, but I informed her you were still asleep."

"Is she still awake? If she is, go ahead and connect us. I will take the call out on the deck."

"Let me check."

Luna'sface appears as I step outside. "Hey sleepyhead, I was wondering if you were even going to get up today or sleep straight through."

"I hate it when I nap, it makes me all fuzzy, and I feel like I have missed the whole day. It screws everything up, because now I'm wide awake when I should be headed to bed. SAGE said you wanted to ask me something?"

"I think we should take the boys camping. Like backpack camping, you know, rough it for a couple of days."

"LordLuna, I don't know that I have ever camped like that. What was the word we used, oh yeah, we were glampers. I've always had a camper I could go to when I was sick of the bugs and crap, but I am on board if you think they would enjoy it. There isn't anything like sleeping outside watching the stars."

"Cool, I will finalize it with SAGE and see how long it will take for us to get the tents and things we're going to need here. Just between us, we won't be completely roughing it, but the guys won't know that. I will have SAGE bring us food and all that stuff, but I think we should make this as realistic as possible. Give the guys a little piece of Earth. SAGE said there is a clearing close to a small lake about three miles from here that should suit our needs perfectly."

"Sounds good to me. I will say I am spoiled with my love of creature comforts, but I am willing to rough it for a few days. This is a great idea. I think it will be fun. We'll talk more at breakfast, go on, and enjoy the rest of your evening." Luna throws me a kiss and her face disappears. Darkness has settled fully and just as I turn to go back inside. I see a small figure sitting at the end of the pier, staring up at the sky.

Beforewalking quietly towards Keida, I check to make sure DaR is still asleep. AsI sit down next to her, I instantly notice the tears on her cheeks. Putting my arm around her shoulder, I pull her close to me, rocking her gently as I look up. The sky is so beautiful and clear it almost looks fake. She leans her head against me, sighing heavily.

"Keida, what has you out here all alone?"

"I needed a breath, there are times I feel smothered, and I am so confused. AmI ugly, Mamaw? Oh, never mind, you wouldn't tell me the truth either way."

"What in the world would make you think you're ugly, baby?"

"I think it's obvious. Have you not noticed how Danny has been treating me lately? You would think I have two heads, a split tongue, and a tail or something."

"What are you talking about? That boy adores you."

"No, he doesn't, or if he does, he has a crappy way of showing it. For example, this trip, I had Alana make me this new bathing suit. I didn't want to wear those one-piece things Mom always put on me when I was little. I wanted something a little more grown up. It isn't like I have much to show off, but I didn't want to look five either. The moment I walked out of the room, Danny actually snarled at me. He immediately pulled his shirt off and made me put it on before he would let me out of the door.

"I wondered why you had a shirt on all day."

"That's not the worst of it. See this sundress, I found the design in one of the old magazines ANDI downloaded from Earth. I was in love with the color, cause I thought it would look good with my hair. I wore it to dinner, and everyone, but Danny told me how cute it was. WhenI asked him what he thought, he said it is ok. He has always been quiet, but every day he is becoming more and more distant. I have often wondered if he stays with me because he feels obligated, or if he really wants to? I would ask him, but I am scared of the answer I might get."

"First of all, young lady, you wear whatever you want and what makes you feel good. Others be damned as far as I am concerned. I am not telling you this because I am your mamaw, but your features are striking, honey. The older you get, the prettier you are becoming, maybe Danny is insecure with that. Let me give you a piece of advice, boys don't think like girls. Our minds are our worst enemies, whereas theirs are very simple and straightforward. Did you ask him why he made you cover up?"

"No, he probably wouldn't have answered me. He is just acting so weird. We have slept in the same bed since we were babies and last night when I turned over to snuggle up with him after a bad dream. I couldn't even reach him because he had tucked the blankets in between us. It made me so mad I almost got up and slept on the couch."

Ihave to turn away to hide the smile on my face as it hits me as to why he is behaving this way. Danny's attraction to Keida is becoming more than childhood friends, and he doesn't know what to do with those feelings. This is a dilemma because he has no one he can talk to about any of this either. All the guys he is close to worship Keida, so he is lost with these odd emotions on his own. MaybeI should talk to Tyberius and see if he would look at this with an open mind. I sure can't tell DaR or XuL not straight out, anyway. WhenI look back over, Keida is staring up at the sky. "They are beautiful, aren't they?"

"At one time they were, now I hate them."

"Why would you say that, Punkin?"

"They are going to take him from me and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it."

"Who is going to take who?"

"I would rather not say, if it doesn't make sense to me then it won't to anyone else either."

"Well, maybe not, but it might make you feel better if you did talk about it."

Keidastays quiet for so long that I don't think she is going to tell me, but when she does. I can hear the pain in her voice.

"Mamaw, I've had the same dream over and over for rotations now. I can't pinpoint when, but in my heart. I know one day I will need Danny and he won't be there. The dreams are so real, so vivid. I can smell the dust surrounding us and a weird muskiness from an animal close by. The place is noisy and there are voices everywhere. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Danny reach for something, and just as his hand closes around whatever it is, the stars stretch down from the heavens and absorb him. AllI know is he is gone and because I am staring at the empty spot where he was just standing. My own death is just moments away. I never actually see my death, but I can feel it. I used to fight sleep because I didn't want to face this same vision over and over. WhatI wouldn't do to sleep an entire darkness just once."

"Are your visions always bad, honey?"

"No, sometimes it's just little things. Others, I see … things no one should. I don't always remember them either, and that makes me wonder what is real and what's not. In the past, I would have done anything to make them stop, but my perspective has changed now that I am getting older. I know they are being shown to me for a reason. Usually, it ends up being something that will help one of my loved ones."

Keidagets quiet once again and I ponder on what she has just told me, no wonder she is upset, being a teenager is hard enough without all this. "Zura told me before she left that I am advancing enough in my training to compete in the warrior trials in a couple Orbital rotations, or as you and Mom would say, a few years."

"Is that something you want to do? I thought you had been training all this time simply because you enjoyed it."

"I do enjoy it, being the only girl has its benefits and you're right. In the beginning, I didn't have any real reason to learn, it was simply something to do. However, now … I want to be more than just XuL's daughter and DaR's granddaughter. For some reason, it's like I need to prove how powerful my family is no matter if you're female or male. If this vision actually comes true. I have a feeling this will be a battle I will have to face alone."

"Keida honey, you're right. The girls are highly outnumbered in this family, and as long as you are doing it because you want to, I will be standing on the sidelines cheering you on. I don't know much about these warrior trials you're talking about, but I don't envy you trying to talk your dad into letting you compete, either."

"Hopefully, by that time, Mamaw, Dad will become used to me battling something."

"I wouldn't count on it honey, you will always be his little girl no matter how big or tough you get. If you need proof on how being Daddy's little girl never ends, you should get in touch with Raya. She is CommanderZoD's daughter. Not only is it very apparent she is a warrior, but she is stunning as well. You two would have quite a bit in common."

"Mamaw, … you know, … I am not a big fan of this growing up stuff."

Ican't help but laugh. "Baby girl, it's not all it's cracked up to be either. Stay little as long as you can, because once you're big, nothing is ever simple again. You should probably get back. I am sure they are missing you by now."

"Oh, Danny knows where I am. Raven has been watching over us ever since I came out here."

Ilook around and sure enough, a set of bright blue eyes flash just a short distance away on the main deck. "How did you know she was there?"

"I would love to know the answer to that myself. … I just do, there are voices all around. SomeI know immediately. Others … are ones I try to make go away." BeforeI can ask her more about that she says, "Papaw is waking up, we better go."

Keidais on her feet instantly and sure enough, I no more than get up that DaR walks out of our hut, looking around. A smile graces his face when he sees us moving towards him. "Keida, you look beautiful this darkness, but you need to stop growing. It makes me feel old."

DaRopens his arms, and she walks into them. The love they have for each other is apparent. He kisses the top of her head right before she steps back. Raven appears out of the darkness just as Keida turns. The hound is so large her head is level with Keida's. Keida jumps up, straddling Raven's back, waving as they walk away down the beach towards the hut; they have all been staying in.

"She's been crying, who do I need to kill?"

"Now, Papaw, you can't tear the world apart over a few tears."

"Who says?"

Ican't help but smile at the seriousness on his face. He truly would destroy anything that he thought would harm any of us. "Sweetheart, don't you remember being young and the entire world being confusing?"

"No."

"I don't know why that answer does not shock me. Let's just say that for girls this time of life is trial and error. You can't shield her from everything; she has to experience things on her own, that's all part of growing up."

"I don't have to do anything. She is mine to protect and to keep happy at all costs. If something is disrupting that, then it will be removed."

"Lord, help any boys who approach that child, they don't have a chance."

"She is too young to even be thinking about males."

"They grow up quick DaR, and that is something you can't stop. Time marches forward, no matter what. You know she isn't the only one getting older. It just hit me that Danny doesn't really have anyone to confide in, boys' bodies change just as quickly as girls, and he is getting older."

"Tordan has him on a strict workout routine and SCOUT oversees all his other training. He is surrounded by males he can confide in."

"Just because they are working with him doesn't make them his friends, DaR. Danny is alone even though he is surrounded by others. Surely you understand better than most what he is facing, being an only child yourself. Danny only has family members. He can't make friends his own age because you won't send him to public training. Everyone needs someone to confide in, you had Tordan and still do. Who does Danny have?"

"Hum, I will have to give this some thought. The male's powers are simply so powerful that I fear others would take advantage of his youth and inexperience. However, I have noticed he keeps himself apart from the others. I will speak to Father."

"Thank you, that's all I ask. Now feed me, I'm starving and it looks like we've slept through dinner. I have no idea what in the world we are going to do all night. I am wide awake."

"Are you now? I can think of a few things."

"If you weren't so damn cute you would never get away with all that cockiness you know."

"But according to you, I am, so I might as well use it for all its worth. I think you are way overdressed for the activities I have planned for the rest of our evening, let's see if we can remedy that problem."

"Only if you can catch me!" I take off running around the hut and just as I think I have escaped him. He vaults over the roof, grabbing me by the waist before throwing me over his shoulder. Smacking me on the ass, instantly his hand starts wandering up my dress. "DaR, behave yourself, one of the kids might see us!"

"Good, they might learn a few things."