Chapter Text
Tonight was the last time she could be free.
She could already feel the immense pressure of holding the responsibility of being the eldest, to have people stare and have expectations for her. 'But they already stare,' she thought swimming back up to her family as they watched her brother sink down into the depths of Eywa's embrace, now apart of the Metkayina sacred coral. She kept her eyes forward, not looking at her brother who was crying silent tears beside her or her sister who held onto her as she heard her mother yell and wail on top of her lungs, leaning into her father who was quiet, expression tight with guilt and sadness.
She didn't hear the Tsahik, Ronal say the ancient prayers for the warriors who have fallen, their spirit sisters and brothers killed by the sky people. She lifts her head only at the mere touch of someone's hand on her shoulder, her baby brother. He was almost her height, she observes, a reminder that she's not the only one who grew tonight. Lo'ak's face was swollen, whether it be the tears shed for their brother or his injuries in the recent battle, Kiri didn't want to ask.
She was hoping he would say something to her, but he only stayed silent. They both did, taking in the overwhelming and broken feeling of losing Neteyam, the one she would go to when she had an argument with their mother and seeking closure, Neteyam, the brother that understood her uniqueness and admired her connection with Eywa, not even teasing her or making fun of her like Lo'ak did.
Neteyam, Neteyam, Nete-
She felt her eyes burn, but no tears came. She felt her throat close up in anguish and sadness over losing her brother, a companion no one on pandora can ever replace. Lo'ak's hand landed on her shoulder, dragging down her arm till he reached her palm, slipping his fingers into hers, gripping them for comfort. She squeezes his hand, the cool breeze tousling her hair and face. She couldn't break now when everyone around her was already broken, she can't collapse and scream out her pain of losing her brother.
She needed to stay strong, to be strong for her parents, for her baby sister who was still shaken and taking in the fact that she lost her elder brother. 'Oh, Tuk.' Kiri lowered herself, realizing Tuk would never have Neteyam help her with hunting or teach her how to track animals in the forest, if they ever see the forest again.
She hugged her sister, still holding her tears and grief. Tuk was crying when they separated, of course she would be. Kiri wiped away her tears, releasing the grip she had on Lo'ak's hand to cup Tuk's face. "We may have lost him physically, but we can still visit him, Tuk." If her parents, most especially her father, would permit her to visit the coral tree that now held the spirit of her brother, she would bring Tuk along with her—she ensures it will happen.
Tuk placed her hand on her arms, slowly shaking her head. “But it’s not the same. Who will listen to my ramblings about the sea creatures during dinner? Who will practice with me the breathing exercises that Tsireya gave us to learn?” She whimpered, the sacred paint Kiri weaved on her sister’s face before the funeral mixed with her tears and snot.
Kiri’s face crumpled with distain. She never knew that Neteyam was the one who helped her with her breathing, she always assumed that Tsireya along with Lo’ak helped her. She gave a side glare to Lo’ak, upset that he would leave Tuk to Neteyam for something like that. She drags her hands down to Tuk’s shoulders, squeezing them gently. “I’ll help you.” She said, voice soft, not ragged or hoarse like her brother. “I’ll go over the breathing techniques with you, okay. After this whole thing.”
Tuk brightened, not much due to their current setting, and gave Kiri a small smile. Forced, but a smile. Kiri pulled her into a hug again, kissing the side of her face as they broke apart and faced forward to listen to the rest of the prayer from the spiritual leader.
She didn’t know what came over her, maybe it was the itchiness of knowing her role in her family will change crawling under her skin, or the fact that her siblings were clinging onto her considering she’s now the oldest; but her eyes went to the side, to where Tonowari and his family stood in the midst of mourning and despair.
Her eyes landed on him before she even registered it did, her golden eyes capturing the look of guilt, pain and something else she knew, something she related to. She noted the bruises on his face, the ceremonial paint that the Metkayina wore in contrast to the Omatikaya. His face was tight with emotion, either anger for the sky people or not being able to protect his fellow men, Kiri looked away. Too many things were happening today.
The rest of the funeral ended quietly into the night, the people of the reef went back to their homes, many still shed tears and cursed the sky people for destroying their land, killing their people. Kiri sensed their stares on the back of her head, their looks of disgust and pure hatred for her and Lo’ak. Out of the four of them, they both held a more human appearance compared to Tuk and Neteyam.
She kept on walking, ignoring those stares and finally reached the Sully pod. Lo’ak quietly wished them a goodnight and curled himself into a corner on the far side, not bothering to wash off the paint on his face. Tuk was holding onto Jake and Neteyiri’s hand, standing in between them as they reached their temporary home. Jake ushered her over to Kiri, who was busy taking the paint off her face. Kiri glanced at her parents, eyes mainly looking to her mother who was terribly silent, still. She watched her move to where she and Jake usually slept and said nothing. Kiri then looked away and focused on rubbing the paint off her face.
Done with getting the paint of her face and limbs, Kiri laid down beside her sister who was fast asleep. Hearing the sound of the water and the wind, with the snores of her family, she finally found herself shedding tears for her brother, mourning his severed fate with the world. She bit her lip to stay quiet, clasping her hand across her mouth to choke down her sobs. She squeezed her eyes, hating that tomorrow was near, too close for comfort.
Tomorrow things will be different, tomorrow she will have to learn to be in the spotlight. And though most people would assume she should be used to being the main girl due to her father being the previous leader, many of the boys back in the forest were grossed out by her and her gift. The only boy that wasn’t was Spider; who had to leave during the aftermath of the battle.
Kiri understood his situation, or better yet, was frustrated that her parents informed Norm to pick him up and take him before the people could lay their hands on him.
She was quick to defend him, scared that she might lose another brother, but all he did was reassure her and told her he was fine with it, with leaving and going back home. ‘But I need you,’ she wanted to tell him. ‘I want you here with me, to comfort me.’ Kiri bites the skin of her hand, covering the hiccup that came out of her lips as she sobbed harder, acknowledging the duty she will now fulfill. She counts to 10 in her mind, calming herself, telling herself that things will be better. She stopped her tears, exhausted and worn out from today and closed her eyes, dreaming childhood memories filled with pure innocence and laughter.
Kiri was slightly surprised that she was the one that woke up last out of everyone.
The first thing she saw was her mother sitting in the middle of their pod, carefully packing their things up and wrapping food in leaves; Kiri immediately guesses it’s for their trip. Not back to the forest, but somewhere away from this place, farther away from home. She stood from her spot, making her mother stop her work to look at her. Neytiri was a shell of a mother; Kiri knew. This wasn’t the same mother that fought for them a few days ago. Everyone in the family knew how precious Neteyam was to Neytiri, how she had a soft spot for him. ‘Now,’ Kiri thought facing her mother and gesturing the motion of Oel Ngati Kameie along with the greeting her father taught them to say in the morning. ‘Now, she’s a hollow being.’
She sat across from her mother, watching her bristly handle the leaves and tossing the food bundle to the side. “Mom,” Neytiri’s ears flicker at the call. “Where is everyone?” Neytiri titled her head to the opening of their home. “Lo’ak said he wanted to go visit his spirit brother and Tuk went to go and practise her breathing and swimming.” Kiri fiddled with the bracelet Tuk made for her a while back, looking down at the food. “And Dad?” Neytiri paused her movement, glancing briefly at her. “Speaking with Tonowari.” She went back to packaging.
Kiri frowned. “For what?”
Neytiri pushed aside her work, hesitant to reply. “Your father-“ she takes a deep breath, shaking her head, scaring Kiri of what she was going to say, fear of adding more baggage to their load. “-arranged a courtship with you and Tonowari’s son.”
“What?!” Kiri stood up, tail lashing wildly at the sudden news. Neytiri resumed her work. “Ronal has picked up an interest for you; she says you can strengthen your connection to Ewya here.”
“Why?” Kiri yelled out, not caring if anyone outside heard. Neytiri glared at her, mindly gesturing to the entrance of their home. “Calm down, daughter. We wanted to give you a chance to dive deeper into your connection with Ewya, Ronal brought up the suggestion for you and Aonung to mate in the future.”
Kiri crossed her arms. “And how does me being courted with that brat have to do with my relationship with Eywa? Why can’t I just be by myself and figure out my relationship with her?” Neytiri shakes head. “You wouldn’t be safe my daughter. Even if you do, who would protect you? How can we assure that you're safe?”
She folded the leaf in her hands and stood up going to where they packed their things. “This courtship is political too; Tonowari told us that the other Metkayina clans are on the verge of bringing war with them because of us.” She reached for her bow, one of the few things she was able to take with her and glanced at her daughter. Kiri noticed how exhausted she looked, Neytiri gave Kiri a sad smile. “…Your father didn’t want it to be this way-“
“-And yet he let it happen. You both let it happen.” She hissed, tail lashing furiously.
Kiri looked away from her mother, hurt and angry. Why would they inform her after and not before? Why would they listen to Ronal who Kiri knows her mother had a clear distaste for after calling all of them freaks. She took a moment to adjust to what she heard just now, to remind herself that she can’t hide or avoid this—Neteyam would’ve been the one to hear this news if he was still with them—Kiri assumes. She finds herself feeling sad at the thought and realization that she’s now at the front, that Lo’ak and Tuk will turn to her for advice and wisdom now. The recurring thought has been on her mind for awhile, haunting her since yesterday.
The overwhelming fear swallowed Kiri. She couldn’t be here with her mother, she couldn’t handle this right now and needed space, somewhere to clear her head. She quickly grabbed her shawl and left the pod in a hurry, ignoring her mother’s calls. She took a few strides then broke out into a run, heading to the small patch of green in the middle of the island.
Jake still wouldn’t allow her to connect to the sacred coral tree, if she had his permission, she would’ve gone there to clear her head. ‘I would’ve rebelled.’ She thought entering the lushful bush and trees blocking the sunlight out of her face. She found a spot in the middle of the area and layed down, curling herself into a fetal position. Her shawl slipped from her shoulders as she placed her hand in front of her, the prickly sensation of the grass tickling her. She felt the familiar burn searing her throat and the itchiness of her eyes, Kiri curled in more on herself.
She felt the warm breeze tousle her hair, moving her shawl slightly down her arm. She moved to sit up from the grass below, lifting her eyes peek at the sight of the people walking by and the children playing and running around the village. The sight of the children made her remember her sister. She quietly left the green space, wrapping her shawl close to her again and went to find Tuk.
Her mother said she was practicing her breathing skills, a time she promised yesterday. She reached her sister, seeing the boy she hoped to never cross paths with today—or ever—with her sister. Kiri groaned internally, seeing Aonung and Tsireya along with Tuk play in the water. Tuk glanced in her direction, the immediate smile and burst of giggling made Kiri grin. “Kiri.” The mention of her name brought Aonung and Tsireya to look at her. She noted the look he gave her, a gaze of curiosity and mild annoyance.
‘Oh. So he knows then.’ She avoided his stare and glanced at Tsireya instead. “Tuk. I see you're practicing your breathing exercises.” She went towards her sister, passing Aonung and ignoring the look he gave her; his eyes piercing down her skin. Tuk, unaware of the tension, smiled. “I wanted you to sleep in a bit longer and rest. Mom said it was a good idea to and let me go with Tsireya to practise.” Tsireya nods, reaching to place a hand on her chest and Tuk’s shoulder. “I came earlier to share my grievances with your family and pick you guys up to practice more,” She looked down, suddenly hesitant. “And to discuss with you something else.”
Kiri didn’t want to assume, but she felt like she knew exactly what Tsireya is saying. Being the next Tsahik and Aonung’s sister, it’s obvious she’ll know about their abrupt situation. She almost wanted to run away, the mere thought of having a conversation with her future sister-in-law. She slipped the shawl off her shoulders. “I can probably guess what you want to talk about. Tuk, can you take this back to our home?” Tuk looked at her sister, seeing her stare right at Tsireya and Aonung looking to the horizon, and slowly took her shawl, leaving the area.
Kiri sighed, tilting her head. “Now, I’m guessing you want to talk about our,” she gestured to Aonung, still not looking at him. ”Situation.” She heard the sound of grunt beside her and rolled her eyes. “Look. We both know that I don’t like your brother due to him picking on me and calling me a freak.” Tsireya stayed silent, though her eyes slowly went to Aonung who was still looking at the water they resided.
Kiri could feel the waves of guilt off of Tsireya and Aonung, the tense air around them made her uncomfortable. She didn’t want to be here, didn’t want to confront this now, not when he’s there right in front of her looking away from her with mild disgust he felt for her; how she also felt for him. Tsireya smiled sadly. “I’m aware that my brother has..” she briefly glanced at her brother again, “Had ill intent towards you. My mother has talked to him about it and-“
“Tsireya.” Aonung’s sudden voice breaks Kiri out of her thoughts. She finally looks at him, seeing his stance and the way his arms were crossed, his eyes reflecting the bitter anger and betrayal she felt from their situation. She felt her ears twitch at Tsireya’s soft gasp.
“Ao, she needs to know. she’ll be apart of this family whether you like it or not.” Tsireya said, making Kiri curious and nervous to what the siblings want from her. She watched Aonung scoff and dive into the water, leaving them. Tsireya made an abrupt noise of annoyance before addressing her. “It’s obvious he’s upset by all this, which is completely understandable. When dad told us about the courtship between you two, Aonung left in a hurry, probably to clear his head and mother told me to stay and let him go.” She reached for the sea-life that surrounded Kiri, an act she noticed only happened around Kiri when she stayed in shallow waters.
Tsireya shakes her head. “I wanted to tell you that my mother has requested that I should give you my mantle of being the Tsakarem alongside my brother, as it is our culture to do so.” Kiri released a sigh at Tsireya’s sudden words.
Her mother already told her the reason of why she’s going to be married to Aonung—it was for her spiritual connection, a chance to gain a better understanding of her relationship with Eywa. But she knew that this was only a facade of the real reason; Ronal was fascinated by her, taken back by the way she was able to command the sea creatures and save her family.
By joining this family, Kiri knows this place will be more like a prison than home. Everyone on this island will know everything about her, watch her every move. Her expectations of being not only the clan’s leader’s mate and Tsahik made Kiri’s stomach flop uncomfortably. Nausea washed over her as she looked at Tsireya, seeing the look of sadness and pity. She almost wanted to throw up.
Kiri blinked, pushing away the sense to run and swim. “I know, but I was wondering,” she sees the sad expression brighten on Tsireya’s face. “If it's possible for you to keep that role? For now, at least until I understand more about your people?”
Tsireya went towards Kiri, placing a hand on her shoulder, grinning. “I had a feeling you would say that Kiri. I’ll tell mother, though she still might meet up with you to ask the reason of why you decided this.” Kiri will prepare herself for that. One thing she learned being here; Ronal always kept her word. She expects when Tsireya explains to her and tells her, that the woman herself will still demand that Kiri should be Tsakarem, regardless of not knowing the knowledge of the Metkayina people.
She felt her friend pull her into a side hug and point to the sight before them. It was now afternoon, the fishermen were still casting their nets far to catch fish. Kiri bit her lip, suddenly the urge to talk to the boy she’s been avoiding at the tip of tongue. Tsireya must’ve seen the look on her face, cause the young girl said, “If you want to talk with Aonung, I’m guessing he’s heading to the reef in the south.” Kiri smirked, excited at the idea of swimming again.
“And what if he’s not there?” Tsireya shrugged. “Then I suggest, the spirit tree,” she glances down at her feet, both still submerged in the water. “He hasn’t been himself since the battle and with the sudden news of your guys courtship-“ the young girl shakes her head, teal meeting gold. “You can find him there. I wish you luck.”
Kiri wished Tsireya the same.
Eventually, by mid afternoon, Kiri was able to reach the reef taking the route Tsireya told her and reassured that it was the fastest way. She missed the world beneath the waters, the sight of sea creatures swimming by and the plants that touched her skin and made her smile with joy. Swimming around, she didn’t see Aonung and guessed that he was at the Spirit tree.
And right she was.
The moment she got close to him, she saw that he was connected to the tree, his body completely still and tranquil. She swam closer to him, grabbing his arm, mindful of his connection to The Great Mother. She was tempted to join in and talk with her brother; but her parents were still reluctant, scared she might have a seizure again.
She watched the peaceful expression on Aonung’s face slowly break into pain. Kiri watched his eyes flutter, his eyes brimmed with genuine shock at the mere sight of her next to him. She pointed to the surface and made her way up, he followed her shortly after. She released her breath the minute she felt the sun on her face. Aonung only flared his nostrils, glancing off to the side. Kiri exhaled, her free hair sticking close to her wet skin. Her eyes gleamed with mild annoyance and fear.
“We need to talk.”
Notes:
...Spider was sent back immediately after the battle...that's what I forgot lol.
Chapter Text
Aonung took her to a nearby island, deserted due to it’s size and lack of plantation. She trudged her feet along the sand, not bothering to check if the boy she traveled with was behind her or even following her for that matter. She reached for the strand of hair that clung close to her right eye and turned to Aonung, his eyes still avoiding her.
She understood his current state; it was probably more immense due to being the clan leader’s son and having more expectations and values to uphold within the clan. She knows she’ll never understand his world, she might have guess of it but Kiri’s certain she’ll never get to the real answer of his life so far. And though she’ll never know, it doesn’t excuse his ongoing pouting and stubbornness of ignoring her. Kiri was stubborn herself, her family has told her many times, she’ll fight her way through to make him speak to her about their situation.
She squinted, crossing her arms to hide the nervousness and frustration she had towards him. "Why aren't you looking at me?"
Crap.
That is not what Kiri wanted to say, she silently scolded herself seeing the look of immediate shock on Aonung’s face, his eyes landing on her. He frowned, bitter and hateful. “Because you’re not what I had in mind for a mate and you're demon blood, a freak.”
Kiri rolled her eyes. “You should be the last person to bring up that statement Aonung. You’re going to be the next leader after your father; at least act like one and own up to this. Stop pouting about it and let’s actually talk.”
Kiri yelped at the fast movement of Aonung moving towards her, hands clenched and face hard with genuine anger. She tilts her head to meet his burning gaze, taking in the sight of his teal eyes, his narrow nose and pressed lips. “There’s no point of talking,” he hissed, making Kiri’s blood boil. “We both don’t want this. You’re doing this due to the destruction your parents caused on my people and I’m doing it to protect my people from the like of those demons. What is there to talk about, Kiri?”
Kiri flushed, taken back that Aonung said her name. She averted her eyes to her feet, realising he was right. He was doing his duty, to protect his people. If they mated, his people would have the weapons and materials to defend and fight of themselves away from the sky people. If they have the right artillery, then they could drive off the marines who were hell bent on hunting the tulkuns, their spirit siblings and family.
She lifted her eyes to look at him, seeing him stare back, awaiting her response. “You have a point. But that doesn’t excuse the way you're acting Aonung. If you’re going to be my future mate, we have to work with each other.” Aonung shook his head, a curl from the front of his hair swayed with the action. “No. You have to work with my mother. She’s the one that will be you majority of the time before we mate. Tsireya as well will help you; I will be busy with my father. I still need to learn how to be Olo'eyktan.”
Kiri closed her eyes, the thought of Ronal made her nauseous. She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling immensely small.
Aonung saw this as an exchange. No matter what he thinks of her, stating awhile ago that she’s not what he had in mind, he would still do his duty for his people. Him standing before her, knowing he doesn’t like her, regardless of what Tsireya said, he was doing it for the sake of his people. Kiri had mild respect for him as an upcoming leader, but as person, he was still an asshole.
Her tail stood, moving along with her as she stepped into his space, ears flickering at the sound of the waves crashing underneath the afternoon sun. “You may have father time with the Olo'eyktan, but if you want me,” She paused. “Us, to have a tolerable relationship. We need to learn about each other and I’m asking not as Kiri, but as your future tsahik, to give us time to get to know each other.”
Aonung’s eyes widened. “You-“
Kiri stopped him. “I’m serious. I will not be dismissed and stay inside expected to listen to the beck and call of your people through our great mother. Please, let me know you. We don’t have to make this difficult.”
Aonung stayed silent, hands clenched at his sides. She could see him consider what she said, to decide if they want to be civil or stiff with each other. Aonung huffs, looking down at her. “Fine.” He gruffs out, cringing at the sight of Kiri smirking at his reply. “Thank you; that’s all I’m asking you. We can discuss the details more tomorrow.” She went towards the water, the eerie feeling of the water, of Eywa’s creation calling out to her. He grabs her elbow, stopping her. “Why are you leaving so early?” Kiri pointed up, the familiar sight of the eclipse dimming the sky. “It’s eclipse, I need to get home to my family before night.”
“Then tomorrow,” he said, his hand still clasped around her elbow. She gently pushed his grip off her skin and nodded. “Yes. Tomorrow we can both layout our negotiations and talk more, goodnight, skxawng.” Aonung sneered at her. “Have a good sleep, freak.” Kiri stuck out her tongue and flipped him off, turning once more back to the body of water.
By the time she made it back to the village, everyone was mostly inside their homes spending time with loved ones and getting ready to sleep. Kiri entered their home and remembered what her mother was preparing for earlier today. Her eyes landed on her little brother first, busy eating his dinner along with Tuk telling him and her father about her lessons.
Jake was the first to notice her, his eyes finding her at the entrance. “Kiri.” He said, relieved and happy. Kiri didn’t answer, the anger and betrayal sinking into her system again at the memory of what her mother told her. She quickly greeted her father, not saying anything else. Neytiri placed her bowl to the side, “Did you talk with Aonung? Tuk said you dropped by when Tsireya and him were helping her breathe.”
Kiri whipped her head to Tuk, seeing the young girl avert her stare to her brother who was looking down at his food, clearly upset that his older sister was about to be that brat’s mate. Kiri nods. “We..talked a bit. We’re gonna talk more though tomorrow.” Jake seemed pleased with the news. He placed his food down and sent her a small smile, “That’s good Kiri,” He looked at his mate, Neytiri looked at him as well, nodding her head. “While you were gone, we decided that we should leave early tomorrow morning.”
Kiri couldn’t hold back the instant hiss that left her lips at the news, she bristled, tail whipping along with her hair as she stared at her father. “What?! Why?” No, she couldn’t be alone so soon, not right now when she doesn’t know how to adapt to the metkayina people and their future leader.
Neytiri lifted her hand, calm and unwavered. “Your father decided that it’s best if we leave immediately. The people are still rather upset at what we brought with us and-“ her breath hitched, exhaling shakily before continuing. “We need to inform your grandmother that your brother has passed. We leave first thing in the morning.”
Kiri sighed, deflated with defeat. “Where will I stay?”
Neytiri rubbed her eyes, small tears beginning to slip down her cheeks. “Here. Tonowari will guarantee your safety and wellbeing. Ronal will be there to-“ Kiri groaned, tired of hearing that woman’s name the third time today. “Don’t even mention her name ma. I don’t want to hear her name again, not right now.” She glanced to her siblings, surprised that Lo’ak stayed silent throughout the conversation.
She saw the way he was picking at his food, the brief flicker of his ear telling her that he was still there with them, but mentally—he was a far as he wanted to be from this intimate space. She glanced to her father. “I’m still upset with you and mom. How dare you put me in this without asking me if I wanted to go through this.” Jake’s face turned. “You would’ve said no.” He said, standing up from his spot. Kiri stood her ground as he approached her. “This is more bigger than you think Kiri, lives were lost under the hands of Quartich, whether it be na'vi or animals. And for what? Not to sell us out so we could be safe?”
Neytiri stood beside Jake, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We had no choice. We brought terror to their people.” Neytiri closed her eyes, bending her head, her locks tilted to the side as she reopened them. Kiri turned her attention to her. “This is the only way we can repay them.” Kiri opened her mouth to rebute their reason, but was stopped by Lo’ak who was awfully quiet and still during this.
“No. You decided to do this knowing that Kiri and Aonung had a dispute with each other not too long ago.” He stood up as well, glaring at his father and mother. Kiri glanced at her brother, Lo’ak continued. “Why pair them up knowing what happened between them not too long ago? If it were Neteyam-“
“If it was Neteyam,” Kiri starts holding onto her arm and shaking her head, turning to her brother. “He would’ve done it. No questions asked, he probably wouldn’t even be confronting them like we are now; he would’ve accept it. As being the first born.” She knew her brother, if he was still alive would oblige to it and go along with the decision their parents had for him. Kiri was reminded of how Aonung was determined to protect his people, no matter the cost. Of course, Neteyam was the same, but he wasn’t the clan’s leader’s son anymore; he was just a regular boy crossed in the paths of war.
It was habit, Kiri assumes, that would make him immediately take the situation without acknowledging his future. ‘Because he already gave his future to our family and these people.’ She felt her mouth twist with disgust.
The space fell silent, Lo’ak bristly avoided his father and mother’s stare and went back to Tuk, who was mindly still eating her food. Jake sighed. “And now it’s your mantle, baby girl.” He went to her and placed a hand on her shoulder, Kiri almost wanted to shove his hand away. “We had no other choice; it was either this or another war. And right now, that’s the last thing anyone wants around here.” Kiri lowered her head, upset, but understood the cost of this and their family being here. She suddenly heard Aonung’s words to her earlier and it made her groan. “I know.” She replied, curt. Her voice sounded foreign to her; small and exhausted.
Neytiri came to her, cupping her cheeks and leaning her head down to hers. She inhaled her mother’s scent, overwhelmed at the realization that this will be the last time in a long time she sees her.
She knows that their relationship after her seizure was strained, that her connecting with Eywa brought more questions than answers for her birth mother. She let her mother rub her hands on her cheeks, tracing the bio luminecence freckles on her face. Kiri heard her sob, her words brokenly said through her tears. She lifts her hands to her mother’s, taking in the embrace and pulls her away slowly, knowing that the next time she’ll see them, she will be Aonung’s mate.
Jake comes to her next wrapping her into a hug that makes Kiri tear up and lean into. Lo’ak’s next along with Tuk who started to bawl finally understanding the situation that befalls her sister, hugging her waist and shuffling close to Lo’ak who hid his face in Kiri’s neck.
Neytiri shushed her gently, taking her and getting her ready to sleep, Jake follows behind them. Lo’ak dismissed himself, unsually quiet and still, in the corner where he sleeps. Kiri wipes the stray tears moving to clean up the leftover food and bowls. She lifted her head to stare at the moon glowing bright in the sky, the illuminating light casting down on the village she yearns to break away from.
She took a deep breath, resuming her cleaning and prayed that tomorrow will be better. She has a feeling it won’t, but she hopes that tomorrow will treat her better than today.
The bright morning sun shone upon the young omatikaya girl making her complain internally at the time her family choose to leave this miserable place.
She watched her parents pack everything, the villagers stare at her family as they walked along the path that lead to the shoreline and the whispers that bounced around as she followed them there along with Tsireya and Roxto beside her. Tonowari, Ronal and Aonung were already there awaiting her family; Kiri felt her stomach churn at the sight of the Tsahik peering at her with curious eyes.
She forced herself not to frown at the contrast of them arriving and her family leaving—the amount of people who avoided them now sending Jake and Neytiri peaceful farewells and yelling safe journey. She heard them blow the horn when they aboarded their ikran and it made Kiri grimace. She went towards them and saw her mother tearfully smile at her, lifting to do the gesture of ‘behave, be nice’ while letting out a battle call as Jake took off with Lo’ak and Tuk following him. She watched the sadness on her mother’s face turn to brief joy as she took off as well, leaving her alone.
Kiri stood in her spot, watching her family fly away and stayed there till she couldn’t see them on the horizon. She stayed there, knowing if she moved everything will fall into place; her life as a future spiritual leader, even though she told Tsireya to keep it, begins underneath that hag she has distaste for.
“Kiri?” Her eyes left the sky and clashed with teal, the familiar teal that will haunt her for the rest of her life. She smiled sadly, not bothering to cover up her emotions. Tsireya returned her smile with a small happy one, the seashell on her forehead gleamed in the sunlight as she looked in front of her. “I..wanted to invite you to come and swim with me.” She turns to look at her. “I wanted to talk more about this whole thing and also get to know my soon-to-be sister.”
Kiri blinked. To think she would have another sister much less one closer in age. Unlike Tuk, this one won’t be her responsibility, not one to ensure safety upon. But to have another sister-
“Sure.” The word felt out before she could even think it. “We can go out and swim. Will Aonung be there?” She doesn’t want to face him, not yet. She’ll face him when they discuss more about their situation later today. Tsireya laughed softly, reaching to cover her mouth and shake her head, her long wavy hair falling on her right shoulder. “No, it’ll be just the two of us. I thought it would be a good idea to spend time with you and get to know you since-“ She flushed, eyes averting to where her brother was with her father at the side with a few men surrounding them.
Kiri followed her line of sight and cursed. “As long as he’s not there and it’s just you, I’m fine with it.” Tsireya beamed and grabbed her hand, pulling her towards the water. “I know you can’t go to the sacred tree, but there is a place I wanted to show you since you’ll be one of us soon.” The water was warm as they both slowly walked further into the body of water. Though she was far from the forest that raised her, she had a sense of home closer to her whenever she entered the water. Mindful of Tsireya’s tail, Kiri squeezed the grip she had on her still and swam up to her staying by her side. Tsireya squeezed back and dragged her along the ride, signing to her from time to time when they spotted something dangerous and fled to the opposite side.
Kiri knew how big the water was, how far it stretched in distance. She noticed they entered a different area just from the corals and plants that lingered changed color, from green to red. She noticed how giddy Tsireya was still, the smile that she sent her earlier still on her face. Her hand was suddenly disconnected from Tsireya’s, Kiri looked up and saw that the girl was slowly signing to her that they arrived. Tsireya pointed up and made way to the surface, Kiri followed.
She took a deep breath, feeling the familiar burn of air flowing through her lungs. “Come.” Tsireya grinned, swimming ahead to lead Kiri to the surprise. Kiri quickly caught up to her, her hands weaving into the force of the water and pushing her ahead to catch the metkayina girl. They both made it to a rock, lodged in the middle of the water. Tsireya glanced to her, “The place I wanted to show you is underneath.”
Kiri huffed. “Then why did we need to swim on surface?” Tsireya smiled. “The passage under is tight, not even one person can swim under. It’s better if we surfaced and re-surfaced to enter this cave.”
Kiri nodded, she took in her surroundings and noticed that they were practically in the middle of nowhere, the vast seawater clashed against them as she followed Tsireya into the cave entrance, slipping gently into the large rock, hands clasped.
Tsireya turned her head slightly, the corner of her eye peeking to Kiri. “Close your eyes, Kiri.” Kiri rolled her eyes jokingly and closed them, holding on and trusting Tsireya. Tsireya smiled and led her further inside, pulling her in front and leading her deeper inside. Kiri felt the water slowly lower down her legs to the point where she could feel her feet touch the grainy substance of sand.
Her mouth curved into grin, hearing Tsireya giggle, the sound echoing and say, “Open your eyes.”
Kiri opens them.
The sight that welcomed her made her gape and raise her eyebrows. She looked around the cave, seeing the walls glow and patterns of the creatures the metkayina held dearly to their culture. She took in the images of tulkuns and small figures she guesses were na'vi—comparing the sizes of both.
Tsireya stayed quiet, basking in the awe Kiri showed through her expression. “This is the cave that’s only reserved to our family.” She tilts her head up to the view more images of the people and sea creatures. Kiri approached closer to the wall, pressing her hand against it. “This place isn’t as sacred as our coral tree; but it’s a special place to our family.” Tsireya closed her eyes, blinking at the images in front of them.
“We record our memories here, achievements that happened in our lives. Ao and I consider this place like a safe place, hidden from our people.” She moved to the far side of the cave and pointed to an image of two na'vi-like figures paired together with a tulkun in the back. “This is my parents and father’s spirit brother. I think this is when he introduced him to my mother.” She pointed up, Kiri's eyes took in the carved image of two people and a tulkun. “And here; this is an image of Aonung introducing me to his spirit brother when we were little.” Her smile was fond when she glanced to Kiri, said girl was listening to the metkayina girl, intrigued with the place she showed her.
Kiri wasn’t a fool. She knew why Tsireya brought her here, how someday she too will be able to mark her memories here, accomplishments she'll embark on here. She took in the images painted on the walls, her hand traced one close to her, one she suddenly became interested in and called out for Tsireya to explain.
Tsireya smiled, “Oh that’s me when I also introduced my spirit sibling to Aonung.” Her eyes widened, black hiding the teal as she looked to Kiri. “You saw her no? when they came back to the village?” Kiri nodded. “I did.” A memory of the tulkuns and their babes entered her mind. How joyful everyone was before the chaos began. She remembered holding onto her sister, following Tsireya and laughing at the sight of the metkayina meeting their siblings. She tilts her head, hair damp from their swim. “When will they come back?” Tsireya grinned, “They’ll be back at the next new moon; the babes will be older and mature and the older ones will share more of their journey...” She trailed off as she stared down the path they entered with.
Kiri moved her arms, crossing them as she glanced at the girl. “Do you think I’ll be able to get a spirit sister by that time?”
Tsireya hummed, playing with her curl. “You will. As the next tsahik, you will learn to hunt and navigate our waters.” Kiri was happy. Unlike the omatikaya, the metkayina had expectations for their tsahik, giving them the chance to learn how to defend themselves and fight alongside should the time come. She knows back home, the tsahik was expected to give them news from Eywa, to tend to the injured and give out advice to all.
Kiri clenched her fingers against her arm, frustrated at the thought of being the go to person. Even Aonung, should there be distress or a situation he can’t solve, he will go to her. Whether it be mate or tsahik, her role with Aonung will be important.
Kiri closed her eyes at the immense stress that washed over her. She exhaled loudly and said, “I need to go back. I promised your dumb brother that we would talk more about our situation.” Her voiced echoed in the cave. Tsireya stared at her, raising up from her position.
“Okay. I’m glad that I showed this to you and know that I’ll always be here for you. Since I’m not going to be leading beside my brother; I’ll be able to do my own thing, carve out my own path.” Kiri couldn’t tell if she felt jealousy or anger towards Tsireya saying that. She stayed quiet and went to the path that lead them here. Her legs were submerged in the water as she turned to Tsireya.
She hesitates, eyes brimmed with slight fear. “…I’m glad that we could spend time together like this, Tsireya. And I appreciate you showing me this place.” She waited for her friends response, seeing the girl gape at her before saying, “You’re welcome and I hope you and my brother will find common ground with each other.” Kiri snorted. “I hope so. I don’t wanna kill him so quickly just as my family left.”
Tsireya giggled, joining her to leave the cave as they walked back into the depths of the water.
Notes:
I'm open to any constructive criticisms and suggestions. :)
Chapter 3: Conversation
Chapter Text
Kiri and Tsireya made it back the village by late afternoon.
Tsireya took her to Aonung, where he was practising his techniques and combat skills. She pressing her palm against the back of Kiri, drawing out a gasp from the girl. “Make sure to be patient with him,” she said, both of them watching him swing the spear Kiri remembered they used to fight the sky people.
Tsireya broke away from her and left her alone, sending her one last look before leaving. Kiri sighed and approached him, taking in his posture and the way he swung the weapon. She bit her lip, praying he wouldn’t push her away like he did before.
“Aonung.” Her voice was firm.
Aonung paused his action and glanced to her, his teal eyes clashing with her gold. She stayed where she was, watching him move away from his supplies. She tilted her neck to look at him as he towered over her. She could see the mild annoyance in his eyes, the strain holding him back from breaking. She gave him a mild look, weary to start this conversation.
He looked at her, frowning deeply. “You ready to talk?” He asked. Kiri nods. “I am. We need to talk about our,” she flushed, “courting.” She saw his face shift, moving into a look of displeasure. He stayed quiet for a few moments, hair blowing in the sea breeze. “Did Tsireya take you to the family cave?”
Kiri turned her head to the side, admiring the view and also avoiding his gaze. “She did.” She replied, lowering her eyes to the sand. “She told me about your spirit brother and her sister.” She glanced up. “Why?”
Was it really bad, Kiri ponders waiting for his reaction, that his sister tried to find some type of sliver lining in this whole thing by showing her a sacred place within the ancestry of chiefs in this clan? Was his distaste for her that strong?
Aonung shook his head, a small smile on his face—the first Kiri has seen that wasn’t filled with malice or disgust. “Just curious.” He says holding the spear close to him, taking in the sounds of the water and people around them. “What are your demands?” He stares at the bundle of people preparing to fish not to far from them.
Kiri was the one who confronted him first, begged him to at least be civil with her. She realized that she didn’t really give much thought on her conditions, she was truthfully overwhelmed with the thought of being the Tsahik and in the spotlight instead; the duty far more terrifying than this.
She played with the bracelet Tuk weaved for her. “My only condition for now is that you stop being a prick to me.” Aonung turned his head to her, a puzzled look crossing his face. “Prick?” He questioned, his accent making the word sound more harsh than it is.
Kiri fought the urge to laugh, she squeezed her lips together. “Stop calling me a freak and telling me I’m demon blood.” She saw his face change into understanding. “Ah,” He brought his head down, bringing it up with a smirk. “Sure.”
“And don’t shut me away.” She entered his space, lifting her hand to place it on the spear, covering the hand gripping it. “These people,” she briefly glanced at the crowd setting to take off. “Whether they like me or not, I will be your mate and Tsahik.” She squeezed her hand on his, her five fingers covering his four.
“We need to do this together, to help each other. You said you wanted to protect your people right? This is how, by working with me and helping me understand your culture, your people.” Aonung eye’s widened, taken back by Kiri’s words.
The face he made to her was one Kiri never thought she’d see ever; He was smiling, not like the one he did before, but this one was genuine, mischievous and hopeful. She felt her cheeks flare up with warmth as he slipped his other hand over hers.
He said nothing at first, only staring at her with that smile that made her wonder how did a boy with such a nice smile become a brat.
“I won’t.” He brought her hand to his chest, looking at her; determined. “We will lead these people Kiri, when it’s our time. For now, we must be ready; to be strong for them and us.” Kiri felt his heartbeat underneath her fingers, her eyes diving into the sea of his teal eyes, swallowed into his depths as she remembered what her mother would say about her father.
“Strong heart.” She muttered, pressing the tips of her fingers gently into his skin. Aonung frowned. “What?” Kiri pulled her hand back, mind swarming with the immediate motivation to confront her biggest hurdle; her spiritual connection to Eywa. “We need to have strong hearts, for ourselves, for the people and-“ She paused, surrendering on the fact that she’ll need to change her perspective on their situation. She hasn’t really, but she needs to push more.
Aonung smirked. “I know. And to help you, I’ll teach you how to fight.”
Kiri gaped. “You?!” She took a step back, Aonung glared. “Who else better than your future mate?” Kiri cringed, releasing a noise of disgust. “I’d rather drink acid.” She said, seeing Tsireya head towards them.
The young girl’s face was troubled, her eyes landing on Kiri before she looked to her brother. “Father calls you,” her eyes went to Kiri. “Both of you.” Aonung placed his spear down. “What is it sister?” He asked.
Tsireya shakes her head, eyes briefly closing. “He told me to get you both; he never told me why.” She sighed, reaching to push a tendrl of curls from her face. “His face though,” She paused, looking at her brother, teal eyes clashing with his, brimming with distraught. “It was the same face he made when he summoned the other leaders.”
Kiri felt her shoulders tense up, glancing up to Aonung who was staring at his sister. “You don’t mean-“ Tsireya nods. “I believe so. But we were just in a battle not to long ago, why would they visit the village?” Kiri didn’t know what was happening, wasn’t accustomed yet to the politics of the metkayina people. All she knew was that her family caused pain for them, ensuring their protection from the sky people and the stories Spider told her before he left, telling her how guilty he felt about the destruction those monsters caused, the mass affected by the fire enflamed upon their homes.
She watched the siblings converse with each other, their voices sounding more fearful than the last statement. Her ears twitched at the blaring horn, the sudden sound scaring the two; Kiri assumed their questions were answered then. She broke away from the duo, heading to the shorelines of the village.
Eyes of emerald green greeted her the moment she approached the crowd of people surrounding a male figure, who stood next to Tonowari both immersed in a conversation. She kept her eyes on Ronal, the one who spotted her first in the midst of the crowd, and noticed the swaddling wrap on her chest holding her third child.
A rush of nervousness and fear entered her system, causing her to avoid Ronal’s stare and wonder why a neighbouring leader came. She kept on walking, ignoring the stares of the people, their whispers and prayers of peace-one Kiri thought was useless for this situation-and stood next to Ronal, who’s face could only sum up; Where’s Aonung? She ignored that look, mindly turning her head in the direction where she came from, seeing Tsireya and Aonung run towards her and their parents.
The crowd became silent underneath the raise of Tonowari’s hand. “My people. Our brother from the east village has come with grave news.” He expression was filled with grief, Kiri had a feeling that another war was about to happen. “The people of the Ta'unui clan, has declared war on the sky people.”
Ronal pulled away from the crowd, mindful of her child. “And what is the reason for this? Why declare war on those beings now?”
The man, Kiri quickly decides to nickname as east leader, stared at the Tsahik. “We found their trash in our waters; even with Toruk Makto, the humans are tricky to handle. Fortunately, they are not hunting the tulkun but us instead.” A clamour of hisses and noises akin to anger drowned Kiri’s ears. She winced at the sound of people yelling and shouting, some cursing at her. It was day one all over again.
“Silence!” The roar of Ronal’s voice broke the clatter of sounds. Kiri felt a hand slip into hers. Not knowing which sibling it was, she gripped the said hand, leaning her head down to their shoulder. Another grasp, one on her back, made her guess that it was Aonung who pressed his hand against her—with Tsireya holding onto her, watching their mother stand her ground.
“Like before, we will fight against those demons; they have tampered with our waters and hurt our siblings.” Kiri looked at her feet, the memory of Ronal wailing and crying for her sister emerged in her mind, the saddness and pain she poured out that day. “We shall join our sister village and help them kill those demons!”
The crowd cheered, warriors lifting their spears and people letting out a hiss of agreement to their Spiritual leader. Tonowari silenced them once more and gestured to east leader with his hand. “You have heard our Tsahik and our people. I will gather all the hunters and bring my son along with me for this fight.” At the mention of his son, many people glanced in her direction.
Kiri knew they were looking at her and him, the announcement of their future union and abrupt courtship still anew to the village. Her cheeks flushed at the attention she was getting, she lifted her head away from Tsireya’s neck and felt Aonung’s grip on her waist loosen and watched him pull away from her, head raised.
He stood by his father’s side, eyes ahead to the people, mainly at Kiri; who also stared, waiting for his stubborn, passionate bratty side to reveal itself in the height of the moment they have befallen in. “We will win against those demons,” He said, raising his hand to the water behind him.
“This is our home. These are the same waters we destroyed them before and the water our ancestors-“ he gestured to the men holding onto the fishing nets. “-we, use for food. We will not give in. We may not have Toruk Makto to help us, but we have our strength, our resilience to help us defeat and kill all the demons infecting our waters!”
One person in the crowd whooped, many others resumed their cheers. Aonung raised his hand up. “We will kill every single one of those demons and make sure they never enter our waters again! I will go with my father and the Olo'eyktan of the Ta'unui clan and make sure they know not to mess with us.” The crowd grew louder once he finished talking, many of the warriors already preparing to leave and join Aonung and his father.
Kiri stood, hand still clasped with Tsireya as they both watched Aonung and Tonowari meet with the groups of hunters and warriors. She kept her eyes on Aonung, observing the determination worn on his face, the urge to protect his people reminded her of her brother.
She heard Tsireya exhale, eyes creeping along the waves of warriors preparing to head to their sister village. Kiri spoke up, separating her hand from hers. “Are they leaving now?” Tsireya glanced to her. “They will soon, probably tomorrow so they can equip themselves with their weapons and prepare for the worst.” She moved a curl away from her face, turning her head to Kiri. “Right now, that should be the least of your problems.”
Kiri knew what Tsireya was implying, the said thorn at her side approaching them.
In the immense aura and grace she had, Ronal came to them. The crowd of people were dispersed now, only they stood on the shores of the village. Ronal glanced to her daughter, then Kiri, holding onto the swaddling bundle wrapped against her chest. “Mother,” Tsireya started, Ronal cuts her off. “Tsireya, stop. Whatever you have to say will not change the fact that Kiri needs to start her Tsahik training now.”
She squeezed the grip she had on her youngest. “With war approaching again, this is now a matter of duty and responsibility. This is expected of her; as the future leader’s mate and spiritual leader of this village.” Ronal looked to Kiri, eyes observing the girl huddling close to her second child.
“Kiri.” Kiri felt her body squirm at hearing her name leave Ronal’s mouth; she felt her throat close at the immense pressure she suddenly felt. Kiri stared at her hands briefly, lifting her gaze to the older woman after, hoping her eyes wouldn’t show the fear she had towards this role, the expectations that were so far now at her feet.
Ronal’s eyes were hard, gleaming with passion and something foreign, she did not know what that emotion was. “Starting tomorrow, you’ll be staring your Tsahik training and Tsireya will officially step down." Kiri nodded. “I understand, Tsahik.” She gripped her wrist, eyes gazing into the familiar depths she’s grown to hate.
Tsireya bows her head, staying silent at the declaration her mother made. Ronal frowns, looking up at the waters behind Kiri. “This is no longer a foreign place to you,” Her eyes went back to Kiri. “This is your home now. And whatver the cost, whatever the risks, you must protect this home, your future people.” Kiri’s throat was staring to close on her, she softly inhaled and nodded again, struggling to find the words. Ronal stared at her, before quietly dismissing herself and heading towards her mate. Tsireya looked at her friend, “Kiri-“ she reached out to her.
Kiri shakes her head, pressing her heel into the sand as she took off to the stray forest of the island. She heard her friend call out but she ignored her, not wanting to see or hear anyone apart of that family.
She arrived at the small bundle of trees and grass and laid down, for the first time since she mourned for her brother, and bid her family goodbye, wept; sobbing into the grass as she cried, hating her gift and the role given to her. Her uniqueness a curse wrapped like a blessing--her family ensuring her it will bring her joy.
‘It won’t bring me joy.’ She thought, hot tears still running down her cheeks. ‘It will only bring me pain.’ She curled more into herself as she continued to cry softly in the small area of green flush, unaware someone was watching her.
Chapter Text
“Kiri?”
In the midst of drowning her sorrows, peeling herself down and crumbling against the pressure of being an important figure in the place still so foreign to her, Kiri froze at the voice that called out to her.
She stayed in her position, ignoring the padded footsteps her ears picked up and the sight of Aonung’s eyes looking down at her as he bent down, sitting right next her. Kiri looked at him, eyes swollen and puffy. “What do you want?” She spat, bitter and still upset at awaited day coming her way.
Aonung looked at her, eyes conveying emotions Kiri didn’t want to assume he was sending her way. His eyes held..concern, fear and sadness. “Tsireya told me what happened.” He said. Kiri sniffs, turning her head away from him.
“And so what?” She scoffed. “Here to tell me I need to get a grip and stop crying?” She placed an arm on her stomach and the other to cover her eyes. “I can’t do that yet Aonung, not now. Not when I lost my brother, not when my family left me and told me I needed to stay with the people who openly found me disgusting.”
She felt the tears brim again and the overwhelming sadness hit her like a wave. “I can’t do anything right now, I feel like I’m-“ She took a breath, raising herself up from laying down. She grips the ground with her hand, eyes pointing down at the ground below her. “Alone.” She finished softly, looking up to him, her unshed tears falling.
She watched Aonung’s expression, openly crumble at her distress. He lifted his palm to her cheek, new to the touch and not hating it, Kiri accepted his action feeling him lean his forehead down to hers. “You are not alone.” He said, his eyes staring right at hers. She feels small under his gaze, still burning bright even after the speech he gave to his people.
Kiri shakes her head, tears rolling down her cheeks. “You don’t know what it’s like.” She says, pushing his fingers away from her face, upset that he even came here in the first place, invading her personal and emotional space, exposing herself to him. “You will never know what it is like for your family to leave you somewhere foreign, to have people look at you as if you’re the enemy.”
She took a step away from him, lifting a hand to her chest. “You don’t what it’s like to be seen as a freak, to have something so unique and different from the others, that even the tsahik-“ She stopped herself.
Admitting that to Aonung would be foolish, useless even. How could he ever help her avoid his own mother? To ease her of her distress towards the Tsahik? To understand her, to ‘see’ her. Kiri looked up at Aonung, cheeks flushed and eyes starting to burn again from the overwhelming feeling she felt from releasing some of her anguish and hate for this village, for the life Eywa gave her.
His face was troubled, as if he wanted to understand her world, like she wants to with him. For this bond, for their future together. “-Nevermind,” she drags her eyes away from his face, away from the concerned expression. Roughly, she wipes her tears, preparing herself to leave the small forest on the island she wants to swim away from.
She turns to leave, but felt a hand grab her wrist, pulling her into a wall of flesh. She gasped immediately squirming at the touch and sensation of Aonung’s arms wrapping around her stomach. “Aonung!” She exclaimed, his arms squeezing her as he brought his head down to her shoulder, letting out a small breath against her neck. She eventually stills, tilting her head to the side, slowly lowering herself down to the ground again. He follows her.
They were both quiet, the sound of the people and nature around them filled their space. Aonung spoke, head still pressed against her shoulder. “You are not alone,” he said once more making Kiri bow her head and sob. “You have my sister and me to help you.” He said, lifting his head away from her shoulder. “You don’t have to carry this burden alone, Kiri.”
He was looking at her, his eyes mildly vulnerable. Kiri stared at them, mesmerized, taken back by his words. She sighed, closing her eyes, tears dropping down on her cheeks as she turned her head, hiding it in his neck. “I carry this burden because Eywa has a plan for me, my abilities—“ she paused sniffing, tail curling around her ankle. “—are with me for a reason. You, Tsireya, even your mother can’t fathom what it’s like to sense everything around you, to wield something so immense.”
Aonung stayed silent. She inhaled, lifting her face away from his neck, pushing herself away from him, both still sitting on the ground. Aonung grabbed her shoulders, Kiri was stiff at the sudden touch, she was ready to leave and hide away from him, embarrassed that he was the one that found her.
His teal eyes met with her gold, his face still troubled, still concerned for her. It made her feel…strange, foreign, seeing someone who looked at her pure disgust a while back now look at her with genuine concern. “How does it feel like?” He asked her, pulling her out of her thoughts, taking her out of her consciousness.
Kiri couldn’t even begin to describe her relationship with Eywa.
It was….so much. She felt connected to everything, the sea creatures dwelling in the waters, the plants in the forest, the animals back home whom she became companions with due to the shun of her peers, and even the seeds of the sacred tree, finding herself surrounded by them, her hands reaching out to the Great mother. Even now on this island, she felt something linger beneath the waters. Something that’s been gnawing at her since her parents announced the immediate mating of her and Aonung.
Which is why she was avoiding Ronal in the first place and upholding the duty of being a future tsahik. At times it felt exhilarating, her senses heightened at the silent call of the creatures and plants, like she understood them, her body floating around the wildlife of Pandora, mindlessly slipping into a state of tranquility and peace, unaware at times that she even entered such a state when she laid down in the grass, whether it be in the forest or this island.
“Alive.” She replied, lowering her eyes to her hands, clasping them from suppressing the trembles she saw from them. “Overpowering and scary, yet, it’s beautiful. Strong.” She wipes her tears. “I can’t even grasp at it even though it’s been with me since I was born.” She closed her eyes, tilting her head up.
“I don’t know what Eywa wants from me.” Her relationship with the Great Mother will always be foreign to her, a mystery even she can’t solve even after the phenomenon of saving her family from the sunken ship a while ago, her senses linked to the sea. Her father told her of her birth, about how she came so unexpectedly, how connected her mother was to Pandora and Eywa during her research before.
Kiri glanced at Aonung, waiting, expecting him to react the same way her people have when she expressed her concerns—pity, jealousy, disgust; though, he already made a decision on her, following his mother in mocking and sneering at her when she was with her siblings and dismissing her mother. Her shoulder’s tensed up, seeing his eyes glance down to her fingers, still trembling.
His eyes went back to her, she saw no judgement in them, no hate of any kind. It made her feel small again, exposed. “Your abilites are you’re own, Kiri. A gift that you’re scared of.” He held her hands, squeezing them gently. “I know some of my—“ He shook his head, “Our people see you as a freak, something strange. But I-“ He hesitates, Kiri felt her breath hitch at his abrupt pause.
Aonung stared at her, bringing her hands to his chest, pressing her fingers against his skin. “I don’t.” He said. “Not anymore.”
“…About time, skxawng.” Kiri pulled her hands away from him, the space around them felt too close, too intimate for something she didn’t want to explore, or rather, afraid to explore. She stood up from her spot, cheeks flushed; she needed to get away from him and fast. “But that doesn’t matter anymore.” She stared down at him, seeing him get off the ground. “Right now, You need to prepare for the fight ahead. And I-“ Her lips twisted, she glanced away and looked at the branch at the side instead. “I need to learn how to control my gift, become the tsahik for your people.”
“Our people.” He stood next to her.
Kiri closed her eyes, the fact still foreign to her. She knew what the people thought of her, their faces turning in disgust when they see her walk around the village. “Your people.” She said, not bothering to entertain the idea that the village accepts her. Maybe in the near future, when she’s mated to their golden boy, the role of being spiritual leader placed on her shoulders—maybe then, Kiri assumes, they’ll finally accept the freak into their clan.
She leaves the green space and enters the depths of sand on the island. Her hair sways with the cool breeze, the sun shinning bright in the sky, the people were still clamouring and rushing by to prepare, to make a stance against the sky people. Kiri lifted her hand blocking the ray of light that crept along her face as Aonung stood next to her, watching the fellow hunters and warriors grab their weapons and companions.
“I leave with my father tomorrow.” Aonung turned to her, crossing his arms. Kiri glanced to him, eyes peering on his uneasy expression.
“How long will you be gone?” She looks away, his expression made her feel weird, her stomach feeling queasy at the sudden notion that Aonung was uncertain for the journey ahead of them.
“I don’t know,” He looks to her, “But I’m guessing it will be for a while.” Kiri frowned. Just thinking of being on the island with only Tsireya and his mother made her feel...things. She knows what is to come when he leaves, aware that the moment he leaves, departs with his father, she will be confronted by his mother, her looming presence breathing down her neck all the way down to her spine.
She played with the beads in her hair, antsy and nervous, scared that the next few days, maybe weeks will be the hardest for her. ‘And I thought dealing with these people would be my biggest challenge.’ She released a sigh.
“Look, I’ll try to find common ground with your mother when you’re gone and learn about your culture, explore more than swimming—which is already stripped from me due to my sudden position.” She trudged across the sand, moving her hair out her face as she head for home. Aonung followed behind. “I can’t guarantee this though, I may need to brace myself for all this.”
“And you will, when I’m gone.” He gave a cunning smile. Kiri rolled her eyes, clasping her hands behind her back.
“Easy for you to say,” She laughs bitterly. “You’ll be fighting, hidden away from your mother’s radar; it’s cute you think I’ll be tame when you’re gone. If anything, I might be like Lo’ak.”
Aonung huffed. “You already are, not as bad though.” They approached her pod, the emptiness made Kiri flare her nostrils, suppressing the anguish she felt from being alone, away from her family and the forest. The sun was starting to set in the background, the eclipse of the pandorian sky mutely pulled in, reminding Kiri of her father’s curfew.
“Well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” She faced him, her face warming up at the sight of his small smile, his teal eyes regarding her softly. Taken back, Kiri bowed her head, suddenly shy. “I’ll be sure to send you off tomorrow.” She played with her bangs again.
“I’m counting on it.” He replied, taking her hand and squeezing it, his warm smile and soft eyes still looking down at her. Kiri felt her cheeks burn.
“Good night, Aonung.” Her voice was soft, only reaching his ears. Aonung nodded, releasing her. “Good night, Kiri.”
She watched him leave, standing there till he disappeared off in the distance. Kiri cupped her face, astonished by the scorching heat she was met with from her fingertips. She spun her heel and fully entered her pod, getting ready to sleep and gain strength for the next day.
Arriving at the shoreline of the village next morning, Kiri gripped onto her shawl as she watched the Chief of the Ta'unui clan chat with Tonowari and Aonung. As expected, Tsireya was alongside her mother, her face scrunched with mild distress and concern for her brother and father’s awaiting journey.
Like before, Ronal noticed her first, this time, lacking the swaddling bundle of her youngest. Kiri weaved through the crowd, stopping once she reached the eye of the crowd, heading to stand next to Tsireya. Tsireya’s sullen expression shifted to one of joy, her eyes taking in her friend. “Kiri.” Her voice was a mere whisper, Kiri smiled in return.
Tsireya reached down, tugging their hands together as they listened to Tonowari’s speech. “…We hope that this will be our last fight with the sky demons, as our brother and his family gave us the motivation to strive through the chaos, we shall continue on and drive them out ourselves. Like our brother, Tiawt, said. They are not here for our spirit brothers and sisters, they are here for us. We will give them what they want, we will fight and show them the spirit of the sea!”
Roars of cheering and whooping surrounded Kiri. It was cut brief by Ronal, the woman quickly blessing her mate and son along with the warriors and neighbouring chief. “May Ewya bring you there and return to us safely.” She said, weaving incense around them and muttering an ancient prayer underneath her lips.
Tsireya was next, hugging her father and brother, wishing them a safe journey. “Take caution of their weapons.” She frowned. “I saw them first hand, they aren’t something to underestimate.”
Kiri took a breath, remembering the confrontation of Quaritch with her family and the guns they had, one of them killing Neteyam, watching him take his last breath on the rocks surrounded by the water, his blood seeping into the water that Kiri couldn’t find to look at after he passed.
A hand suddenly touched her arm, Kiri blinked out of her daze and looked up to see Tsireya urging her towards Aonung. Kiri didn’t know the expression she had on her face—her thoughts still focused on her dead brother and mention of human weapons, weapons the Avatars use as well—but his face was filled with concern.
It was so open, so obvious it was sent her way as Tsireya gently pulled her to him.
Kiri kept her eyes on him, afraid if she looks behind him, where the sea resided or his mother and the hunters around them, she’ll break. He came to her, grabbing the same arm Tsireya grasped. “Kiri?” His voice was the softest she ever heard, more than the night before.
Kiri squeezed her eyes, praying the tears of her brother would be seen as her sadness for Aonung leaving. “I-“ Her voice broke, tears already slipping down as she stared at him, lifting her arm to grasp his forearm, grip loose and warm. “-I’ll miss you, skxawng, be safe.”
Aonung observed her. Kiri had a feeling he knew, was aware her sudden tears wasn’t for his journey.
Stray curls blew in his face as he lowered his face down to her level. She inhaled, blinking, taking his scent, her tears brimming again feeling his forehead press against hers. “I will, forest girl.” He cupped her cheeks, wiping her tears. “Try to get along with my mother,” He whispered, his tail flicking along her ankle. Kiri chuckled tearfully, nodding her head. “I’ll try.” She said, urging him to join his father. He didn’t budge. Kiri tried again but was met with him lowering his head down more, slotting their lips in a kiss. Surprised, Kiri released a noise.
Immediately, she returned his kiss, her hands finding purchase on his shoulders. She felt him wrap one arm around her waist and the other cupping her cheek, pressing her close to him. Her senses became heightened, her ears picked up the sound of the sea, the gasp Tsireya let out and another heartfelt cheer from the hunters around them.
She moved her hands up to his neck, fully embracing him as he nipped on her bottom lip, tugging it gently with his fangs as he broke the kiss, briefly hugging her and heading back to his father, ignoring the smug look from his father and heated look from his mother.
Kiri stayed silent, cheeks flushed as Tonowari told the hunters to prepare to leave. She watched as Aonung boarded his ilu, eyes only on her, as was her’s; still watching him as they dived into the water, leaving the small crowd of spectators and her along with Ronal and Tsireya.
Ronal exhaled, dismissing the small crowd and turning to the girls. Kiri got a sense of deja-vu as she watched the older woman scan them. Tsireya excuses herself, awfully flustered by the sudden kiss and heads to teach the children. Ronal sends her a bland stare, no sight of any emotion creeping underneath.
Kiri lifts her chin to her, this time ready to face and confront her connection with Eywa, along with being Tsakarem.
“Come with me, Kiri.” Her voice was devoid of emotion. “Our first lesson starts now. I hope you’re ready.” Kiri gripped her hands. “I am.” Ronal nodded, passing her as she trekked in the warm sand. “Good, we shall start at the medic tent. I will show you the medicinal herbs and remedies we use from the sea.”
Kiri inhaled, remembering the promise she made to Aonung, the pact they created to ensure a stable and civil relationship between them and the village. Kiri exhaled, following behind. “Yes, Tsahik.”
“Ronal.” She said, voice curt, making Kiri pause her walking. “Call me Ronal. After what my son did, calling me Tsahik would be improper.”
Kiri flushed at the reminder of the recent kiss, and bowed her head. “Yes…Ronal.”
“…” Ronal glared at her, squinting at the shyness Kiri expressed to her. She turned away from the girl and resumed walking. Kiri continued on as well, staying behind as she braced for her first lesson.
Notes:
Annnd that's all the work I have typed up so far! I have changed the number of chapters from 7 to 15 due to the realization that this fic is not only fun to type, but it would be so sad that it only ends in 7 chapters.
Can you imagine it ending so soon? I wasn't thinkin about those 3am readers who can't sleep hooolyyy. Anyways, enough rambling. Idk when I'll post an update, I'll be travelling this weekend from Thursday on so...enjoy the food I have cooked :)
Please leave a comment, ty!
Chapter 5: One Step
Chapter Text
The medicine the metkayina used was quite different from the omatikaya.
Obviously, due to the environment and terrain of the island, Kiri supposes that a majority of there remedies are tied to the water, unlike the concoctions her grandmother would mix and prepare for anyone who needed it at High Camp before her and her family left for the danger ahead.
She glanced down at the wooden bowl, a thick green liquid that had pieces of a coral she didn’t recognize. The sun gleamed against the bowl, reminding her that it was still early in the day her second lesson of Tsakarem, she reminds herself, her nose scrunching at the strong scent that came from the bowl she held.
Ronal sat across from her, grinding up a herb she learned a week ago; shao sea plant. The same day Aonung and his father left, the same day—
Kiri felt her fingers press against her lips, her cheeks flushing a dark purple. She tried her best to avoid that memory, to pretend Aonung didn’t lean down and kiss her, pretend that he didn’t look at her with an emotion akin to—
Kiri takes a deep breath.
Ronal blinks in her direction, halting her grinding. “Kiri, is something wrong with the portion I shared you?” She moved her tool to the side, resting her arms in her lap. Kiri quickly shakes her head, erasing any visualization that popped up in her head about her arranged mate. “Ah, it’s nothing, I’m just wondering what this coral is.”
Ronal squinted her eyes, her hair moving to her left shoulder as she turned and pointed to small batch of red dried up coral at the edge of the medical pod. “We call them Fantails, they are found in the northern part of the sea. It easy to break off and collect with our water lily and seaweed pouch,” She glanced back, expression amused.
“It’s not poisonous. Most of the clans here tend to use it mostly for medicine, as our ancestors observed it has very strong healing properties. It’s good for treating injuries and can even be used for sickness.” She resumed her grinding, a small smile on her lips, one similar to Tsireya. “But, your thoughts weren’t on that was it?”
Kiri gripped her bowl. Even if she wanted to, Kiri couldn’t lie to the Tsahik. She remembered Norm telling her when she was little and visiting Hell’s Gate to see Spider that the humans refer to Tsahik as a,‘Truth sayer; one who could sense any lie and detect any false information a mile away.’ She knew the duties of being a spiritual leader, to ensure the safety of the people and guide them to a better future.
It was also the olo’eyktan’s job to practise those said duties, but as she was taught, even seen, the works of the Tsahik and the risks they would go to guarantee everyone is safe, even the olo’eyktan, were grand. Ronal was staring at her, waiting. Kiri placed the bowl down beside her. “No, it wasn’t. It was on—“ She hesitates, the mere motion of saying his name made her body feel tingly, a flamed with a feeling strange to her.
“My son.” Ronal pushes aside her work, now intrigued with her pupil. “Do you have feelings for him?”
“No,” Kiri says staring down her fingers. “I’m just confused as to why he would do it. Why kiss me when he clearly said he didn’t want me as his mate?”
Ronal taps her finger on her thigh. “I don’t know either, Kiri. He’s as hard-headed as his father, stubborn too. There are times I wonder how he’ll do as the next olo’eyktan, and how you would lead at his side. How both of you would carry the people into the next era.” Kiri pondered on that as well. Only a few weeks ago she couldn’t stand him and now….
“I don’t hate him for what he did,” She says, fiddling with her bracelet. “I’m just afraid he has…feelings for me. It’s too soon.”
Ronal lowers her gaze to the bowl she gave Kiri. “Would you be opposed to it if he did?” She asked, looking back up to her. The resemblance of Aonung shocks Kiri as she looks at her, those same unwavering eyes he looked at her with during their negotiation, pierces through her soul, analyzing her face carefully. Kiri hated that look, it was almost as if Ronal knew the answer already and was waiting for her to say it out loud.
“No. I wouldn’t be opposed to it.” The answer doesn’t surprise her, it was on her heart and mind the moment Aonung tried to understand her world, her gift, to actually ’see’ her. It was nerve wracking to say it out loud, to cement that something shifted in their relationship, that she could actually imagine herself living with Aonung peacefully on the island she still desperately wants to get away from.
On top of that, it made her more at ease at the signs she’s seen around the village in the water, the rippling tides and fishes surrounding her ankles when she took a dip to cool off, lining up into a line that’s in the same direction as the Ta’unui clan. She won’t admit that to Ronal.
She knew Ronal took pride in being a Tsahik, to be the first one to sense the dangers and forthcoming of anything or anyone heading towards Awa’atlu, as any Tsahik.
But this, Kiri stares out at the scenery of the sea and the blue sky behind her, she pursued her lips; this was bigger than Awa’atlu, maybe even bigger than the war they fought not too long ago.
She turns back to her teacher, a term she uses bitterly, and sees the astounded expression on her face. It was small, the slight raise of where human eyebrows would be and the small frown molded onto her face. She takes her equipment, placing them neatly to the side. “Our lesson for today is over. Take the bowl I made for you and practise the way I made it, the exact same way.” She said, standing up to organize the materials for their next lesson. Kiri took the bowl and groaned, standing up to leave the medical pod.
She stopped at the edge of the entrance, moving her head to look at Ronal, her ears flickering at the call of her name.
Ronal observes her, face stoic. “…Nothing, have a good day.”
Kiri quickly turns her head, rolling her eyes before leaving. Walking towards her pod, Kiri took her time to think about her revelation with accepting the fact that she isn’t opposed to Aonung liking her.
Why, she wonders for the up-tenth time this morning, is she fine with him being attracted to her. The one he blatantly called a freak and demon, avoiding her when she first came, bullying her about her lean appearance and skinny tail. She shakes her head and speeds up her pace down the path to her home, she can’t focus on this, right now she needs to remember the process of making…
Kiri slowed down her steps, glancing down at the bowl. “What is the name for this medicine?”
“Kiri?” Kiri jumps at the sudden call of her name, her tail wrapping around her ankle. The person behind her laughs, a beautiful, youthful and joyful laughter that Kiri knew for a short time.
The girl turns and smiles, lifting her hand to block the sun from her eyes. “Rotxo!” She noticed he had a couple of children hiding behind him, shyly looking at her. “Are you heading down to the beach to teach the children?” Rotxo nods, gently pushing the children in front of him, the children stare at her with fear and amazement. “Yes. I was assigned to teach them today alongside Tsireya, we are going to show them how to breathe with the squids we used to teach you and your siblings.”
A rush of memories flood into her system at the mere creature. She remembers using it to help her stay underwater and save her family from drowning, directing the fishes to lead the way out. “That’s great.” She looks around the area, hoping to see the princess of the village. “Where’s Tsireya?”
“Probably wrapping up her babysitting of her baby brother since, Aonung and his father left with the hunters.” The boy’s cheeks flush, a purple hue blending with his teal skin. Kiri internally sighed, ‘Of course he was there.’ She thought, releasing a huff of annoyance. She avoids the looks of curiosity from the kids, ignores the open gaze of questions from Rotxo’s face.
She was not ready to confront this, not when she’s coming to realizing that maybe, maybe Aonung has an interest towards her, that he likes her for her and doesn’t mind her differences with him.
It was weird really, the sudden change of heart from him. The way he kept her at a distance when she was informed of their arranged mating, to finding her when she hid amongst the small jungle of the island, knowing that he won’t be there to…Kiri stopped her train of thought, looking at her toes.
What is it that he won’t be there for?
It was her who dragged him to speak about their situation, her that came to him after and told him they needed to get along, to at least try. But it was him that followed her, him that saw her vulnerability and true self, him that took her home and kissed her the day after, like he loved her, couldn’t wait to return and see her once more, pressing his forehead to hers as he gave her a grin, and told her to behave.
Kiri felt her hands tremble, heart ache at the shiver that went down her spine, eyes tearing up at the overwhelming emotions residing within her. She exhales at someone touching her shoulder, the grip gentle and feather-like to the touch. Kiri blinks, eyes filed with unshed tears.
Tsireya smiles at her; it wasn’t the usual genuine smile she usually greets Kiri with when they cross path, this one had a sadness to it, like she knew, was aware of the dilemma inside her mind.
The seashell on her forehead twinkles as she tilts her head, dimples appearing along with her ever glowing smile, still twinged with a bit of unhappiness. “I called to you like three times Kiri,” Her tone is light, warm like the weather today, voice unapologetically sweet. “Are you okay?”
‘No’. Kiri nods her head, bending it to wipe the tears threatening to fall. “I’m fine, I heard you’re going to be teaching the kids along with Rotxo.” At the sound of her partner and friend, Tsireya nods, taking Kiri’s arm that wasn’t holding the medicine and dragging her to where Rotxo was with the children.
Kiri assumes that he probably left her there when she blanked out, telling Tsireya about her when she finally arrived. Tsireya greets the people they pass, people who also acknowledge her presence as well, saying her name with such positivity that it makes her gag on the inside.
“How was your Tsakarem lesson today?” Tsireya looked at Kiri in the corner of her eye, the sound of children’s laughter grew loud, clashing with the sound of Rotxo telling them to line up and prepare for breathing exercises.Kiri watched the children, short and tall, line up and giggle amongst with each other. “It was…nice. Your mother,” Kiri clamps her lips, seeing the concerned expression on Tsireya’s face.
“What did my mother do?” Her tone wasn’t filled with any malice or judgement. Kiri remembered she’s the understanding one, a trait she doesn’t doubt that came from the olo’eyktan himself. Kiri continues, the sand tickling her feet as they finally reached the group. “Your mother was a good teacher, she taught me about a coral found in the northern part of your waters-“
“Fantails,” Kiri can hear the laughter in her friend’s voice. “She and I usually get them in the evening or morning. Just when Aw’an is sleeping or being watched over by the kids I teach and practically raised.”
Kiri sees the taint blush on Tsireya’s face. “But that doesn’t really matter,” Tsireya looks to her, playing with a lock of her curly hair. “The portion she gave you is a rather tame one, meaning it’s normally used for headaches and lack of sleep.” She says, sitting down on the beach, still watching the kids splash the water at their instructor. Kiri closes her eyes, gripping the bowl.
‘That woman.’ Kiri glared at the bowl, her reflection swimming back at her. Why would she give her a dose of medicine for a lack of sleep? Or maybe she saw through the turmoil haunting her currently where she stands with her only daughter and decided to give her out of spite? Or worse, pity? Kiri flared her nostrils, tempted to drop it and let it spill on the sand. It’s still too early to trust that woman, regardless of seniority she had over her.
Tsireya lets out a humming sound, one that made Kiri remember the songcord her mother made for her, the cord itself in the pod she now has the urge to lay in and hide away from everyone. She joins in sitting with Tsireya, putting the bowl on the side of her. The said girl stops humming and plays with the bracelet around her wrist. “I know it’s hard for you right now to take in all this, but you’re not alone, Kiri.”
‘You are not alone.’ Kiri blinks staring ahead, the tears she held back earlier slips down her cheeks.
“We are all scared of what is to come, on how tomorrow will be, on how my father, brother and the rest of our hunters are over there.” She shakes her head, eyes glassy. “My mother is our Tsahik and acting leader right now. She doesn’t show it, but even she’s uneasy.” Tsireya smiles at a group of girls huddling around their seashell collection. “And you know, the people are the same as well, but they won’t waver, cause like any Na’vi, including us, we believe that Eywa will provide and bring them back to us safely.” She looks to Kiri, smiling.
She reaches for Kiri’s hand, pressing her palm against Kiri’s, the difference in anatomy of fingers and length. “I see you, sister. No matter the anguish and pain you feel, whether it be my brother or the looks some people still give you, you’re metkayina and you shouldn’t have to question that.”
Tsireya leans in to wipe her tears, Kiri allows her, feeling a sense of deja vu. What it it about those two that made them so intuitive with people’s emotions? Tsireya grips her hand, looking at her with tears also running down her cheeks, ones, like hers, were bottled in and tucked away for the sake of being the chief’s daughter, to have a strong heart and resolve for her people.
’No, for the children.’ Kiri realizes, seeing Tsireya duck her head away so that the children won’t see her slip, to leave her responsibilities at the door and be a teenager herself, unlike the demeanour of an adult she’s had for the last few weeks.
“I..think right now I’m not apart of the metkayina, not yet.” Kiri starts seeing the alert look from Tsireya. “I know you see me that way, and I appreciate that but, I need to prove to myself that I can do it. I can tolerate and live with your people, I can co-exist with your mother without hating the way she breathes and looks at me, I can accept that I’ll never see the forest again, maybe my own family and that,“ She takes a deep breath, exhaling at the expression of Tsireya’s face, hopeful and taking in every word. Kiri felt her shoulders tense up, bracing herself for the reaction that awaits her.
“I can accept that I might have-“
“Tsireya! Kiri!” Kiri stops and stands up at the immediate yell from their friend. Tsireya stands as well and rushes to Roxto, Kiri follows behind, seeing the children stand in a circle, all of them smiling at the girls. “What’s going on?” Tsireya scans the area, Rotxo shakes his head at his friend’s battle stance and tugs her into the water. “It’s time for us to go underwater and teach them how to use the squids.”
A girl with multiple shells in her hair, tied back into a high ponytail, points to Kiri. “And you’re coming too, Tsakarem.” She says, giggling as she grabs onto Kiri’s hand and takes her into the water as well. Kiri gasps at the familiar rush of the water against her ankles, her body easing away the tension seamlessly at the mere sensation of the water hitting her skin.
She couldn’t remember the last time she sank inside the water, the last two weeks were filled with vigorous studying and learning about the marine life and the procedures that every metkayina knew, excluding the children of course, the ones pushing her into the water and laughing at the size of her tail compared to theirs.
“It’s so skinny!” She heard one of them say on her right, another girl.
“How do they swim with that?” She picked that up on her left, a boy this time.
“Swanaa, Yori, enough you two.” The girl still holding onto her hand, hissed out, releasing her to look at her teacher, who stopped and turned to his bundle of students. “Okay, this is good place to stop. Now, I need to remind you guys that when we’re underwater, we use our hands to communicate.” The girl that was pulling Kiri scoffed and rolled her eyes. “We already know this, Rotxo.”
Tsireya frowned. “Kaorin, don’t interrupt.” Kaorin crossed her arms and pouts, turning her head away from both her teachers. Kiri hides her smile, the scene awfully amusing, Rotxo resumes. “Before we dive make sure to take deep breaths, I would go on but since we’re using squids today, you won’t need this part; though it is valuable information as when you get older, you will need to learn to breathe and dive without the squid. Make sure not to stray too far and keep close to me, Tsireya and Kiri. Any questions?”
Swanaa, Kiri remembers, lifts her arm. “Will Tsakarem be alright with her tail?” A couple of kids snickered at her question, some being polite as to not even smile. Tsireya and Rotxo share a look. Kiri watches, deciding to answer for herself. “I’ll be fine, Swanaa and please,” She gestures to all of them placing a hand on her chest. “You guys can call me Kiri.”
Tsireya grins at Kiri, Rotxo smiles. Kiri smiles back at them, seeing the tension of the children ease away, the presence of the next tsahik intimidating and scary now changed into one of playfulness and mirth. Still smiling, Rotxo tells the children to take a deep breath. “And remember,” he gives them a stern look, briefly sending Kiri a concerned one. “Don’t stray too far.”
Kiri sees his look, a feeling of fear and uneasiness pouring into her system at the flashback of her seizure at the Cove of the Ancestors. Glancing up at the sky once more, she prayed to Eywa for her safety and descended into the water along with the others.
Chapter 6: Signs
Notes:
*Bursts through the wall* WATASHI GA KITA!!!!
I'm alive! And I think that's a reference to MHA but idk. I appreciate all the kudos and feedback I've been receiving and I look forward for more in the future!
Enjoy! :)
Ps: Tawtute means skyperson/skypeople
Chapter Text
The underwater depths of the sea was as colourful as Kiri remembered it.
The fishes she now knows by name, swam beside her, below her and around her. The sunlight gleamed against the sea floor, bringing out the beauty of the underwater world. She saw a group of Hammerbrow fish swim past her as she followed Rotxo and the others to the reef where they usually held the underwater lessons.
She grinned at the sight of two Spade Wingers frolicking amongst one another by a small rock on the side, immediately hiding behind a small patch of seaweed when they spotted Kiri.
Kiri laughs at the sudden shyness of the sea creatures, tiny bubbles leaving her mouth as she left them and went towards where the group has stopped. She swims to the side, positioning herself next to Kaorin and Swanaa. The two girls smile at her, Kiri smiles back. She glances to Rotxo and Tsireya, who were in the center of the group both weaving their arms in the familiar gesture she’s learned over her time here; sign language.
“As you have learned from an early age,” Rotxo signs out, “The reef here contains no dangerous creatures. It’s safe and is one of the few reefs we access to hunt and harvest our herbs for-“ Tsireya places her hand on his shoulder. “What Rotxo is trying to say is, to find the squids we must split into groups as they tend to swim by themselves. We can go in two. Once you pair up with someone,” Rotxo points behind them, slightly turning to show the rest of the reef.
“You two will go and find a squid, once you find one carefully grab it’s limbs and place it on your back. The moment it makes contact with your back, it will stick and you will quickly find it easier to breathe underwater.” Tsireya looks at the children, pausing to see any confusion before lifting only her left hand. “Understand?”
The children nod their heads, some even having a nervous look at the reef in front of them. Kiri clenches her hands together, staring at the colourful reef, sensing a lingering feeling of dread and something ominous. She’s been to this reef before, where Tuk and her were introduced to the squids.
Kiri remembered Tuk's fascination with them, her arms joyfully moving at the sensation of their limbs clasped on her back. Kiri looks at the children around her, wishing Tuk was here with her making friends and learning more about the metkayina culture.
She blinks at the gentle tug on her tail, glancing to see Rotxo smiling at her. “Wanna pair up with me?” He signed out making a funny face at the end, which Kiri laughed at. “Sure.” She replied, seeing Tsireya struggle with the girls huddling around her. “Are all the girls gonna go with her? I thought it was two.” She smirked, covering her mouth at the sight of Yori and another boy breaking the girls away from their teacher.
Rotxo shakes his head. “Every child is like that with Tsireya.” His hands freeze for a moment before they moved again. “…Before you were Tsakarem, a lot of the children looked up to her, she’s like a big sister to them. She was present for all their childbirths and cared for them when she was learning beside her mother. To have her as their teacher, most children see that as a privilege.”
Kiri frowns. “What do you mean?”
Rotxo hesitates, hands freezing again mid-air. He sways his tail before signing, “Tsireya could’ve been betrothed to a chief’s son from one of our sister clans. There was an offer just a few weeks before your arrival here. If she had accepted it, she would continue her Tsakarem training there be the Tsahik for her betrothed clan. Technically, Ronal could still watch over the people until Aonung had a mate, which would make them the next Tsakarem or she could’ve selected one of her helpers to fill in the role.”
Kiri clenched her jaw, pursing her lips. She lifted her right hand, “But she decided to stay here and be with the children. She’d rather be shunned by the people than marry someone from a far away clan.”
Rotxo squints his eyes. “Shunned is a bit too much, don’t you think?” He signed. Kiri shakes her head, her hair flowing with the action. “If there was an offer of hand from another clan and she denied it, don’t you think she was prepared for the people, especially the older members of the clan, to shame and turn their heads away from her?”
Rotxo crosses his arms, thinking. Kiri continues, the answer obvious as the sky is blue. “Tsireya was willing to go through the stares of shame and digust because she knew her clan needed her more than the sister clan, the children needed her. She’s like a pillar to them, their guide on how the water is while their parents hunt and protect Awa’atlu.”
“….Which is why I’m happy she decided to stay. Who knows how I would’ve handled these brats alone.” Rotxo signs earning a bubble laugh from Kiri. He tilts his head, shifting at the signal Tsireya signed to him. “Oh, Tsireya says she’s ready to go. Shall we?” He tilts his head to the direction of the group, already swimming towards them.
Kiri rolls her eyes and kicks her legs, seamlessly blending into the marine life of the reef. She spots the two boys take the right, Tsireya signing them a warning before heading left with the girls. Rotxo keeps close to her, signing to her to keep going forward. “They are going to the spots that are the easiest. Since you’ve been here already, I’ll take you to a deeper part.”
He led her to a part of the reef she’s never been, spotting the Stingrays and Pincer fish that lurked nearby as they found a squid resting on the sea floor. Roxto brought two fingers to his chest. “Remember not to frighten them, stay calm and be gentle with them.”
Kiri gives Rotxo a deadpan stare. “You do remember I was the first one who mastered these creatures out of my siblings right?” Rotxo throws his hands in surrender, swimming back. Kiri slowly lowers herself down to the squid, slowly raising her right hand to cause a distress with the sand.
She plays with the sand, jolting the squid out of it’s trance and carefully takes it’s bottom limb pulling it towards her as it wrapped fully around her arm.
With her other hand, she beckons Rotxo over to her. The said boy heads to her side, taking her left arm and helping her stand upright, holding his arm out. Kiri turns to him and gently transfers the squid onto his arm, turning her back to him after. He pinpoints the middle of the squid, making the squid stretch out, and extend their limbs securing the grip on her shoulders.
Rotxo places the bottoms limbs on the sides of her upper back, pushing himself back to see the result.
Kiri turns to him, smiling as she gestures to the animal helping her breathe. “Not bad, forest girl.” He signs. Kiri grins, bowing her head shyly. “Thanks. It feels weird yet familiar; Probably due to my hiatus from swimming and studying with Ronal.” Rotxo shrugs, his teal eyes glimmering from the sunlight piercing through the water. “Maybe. We can head back now since we found a squid. I bet Swanaa and Kaorin begged Tsireya to get it for them, those two are troublemakers.”
“They sure are.” She signs, feeling the squid squirm against her back as she swam to Rotxo.
‘My Daughter…’
Kiri stops, ears twitching as she whipped her head behind her. The sight of clear water and colour’s of red, purple and blue coral brimmed her eyes.
It couldn’t be…
She tilts her head, seeing the same two Spade Wingers from earlier approach her. They both swim in circles, synchronizing in the direction that Kiri spent afternoons on the island staring at in fear and worry. She closes her eyes, focusing on hearing that voice again, the voice of—
‘Great Mother, What is it that you want from me?’
No answer.
Kiri mentally deflates with defeat. She was used to this, not hearing an answer from Eywa. She knows, bets her life that there’s something Eywa is warning her about the Ta’unui clan. All the signs she’s seen all leads up to one answer, one clue to the mystery Eywa wants her to solve. And to have Her reach out, to hear Her voice resonate through her head. Kiri grips her hands, glaring at the two fishes swimming harmoniously in the direction she’s been curious about for weeks.
Something was definitely wrong. And she needs to tell Ronal now.
Slowly, Kiri slides the squid off her back, surprising Rotxo and points upwards, swimming and breaking to the surface. Rotxo inhales, squinting from the afternoon sun shinning above them. “What’s wrong?” He asks, swimming close to her.
Kiri raises her hands, expression filled with guilt, Rotxo stops. “I need to go, Rotxo. Back to Awa’atlu to see Ronal. It’s an emergency.” Her bangs cling onto her forehead as she watches Rotxo’s face shift from shock to concern. “Are you okay? Did the squid pinch you?”
Kiri shakes her head. “I’m fine, I just—I need to go.” She swims past him, turning her head to stare at him. Worry etched across his face making Kiri’s stomach gnaw with guilt.
She knows Rotxo has a soft spot for her. Since her seizure he was always kind to her, always looking out for her when he had the time to before the battle that changed everything. Even now, Kiri knows, he still cares for her. Not in the same way anymore since she’s arranged to be mated, but he still cares nonetheless. “Tell Tsireya and the children I’m sorry.” She said, diving back underwater and heading to the village.
Reaching the village, Kiri ran towards the medic pod knowing at this time, Ronal would still be prepping her ingredients. She arrived at the pod and saw a girl her age grinding corals and pouring it into a jar; Ronal was nowhere in sight. The girl lifted her head at the shadow casting over her work and quickly stood. “T-Tsakarem. What brings you here? Are you hurt from being out with the children?” She walked towards Kiri, inspecting her skin and tail. Kiri let out a low hiss, whipping her tail away from the girl’s hands.
“No, I’m here for Ronal. Where is she?” The girl points to her right, further up the wooden path. “She’s with her baby. She said she wanted to spend some time with him and told me not to bother her.”
Kiri growls, leaving the pod and running up the path to the Chief’s pod. She avoids the people greeting her, the hunters who stayed back to protect the village glaring at her, the toddlers cooing at her appearance, the little kids hiding behind their parents. She ignores them all, keeping her head high and walking towards her destination.
The moment she reaches the pod, she hears the sound of singing, soft and airy, dancing in the wind as she entered the place. Ronal was holding her child, rocking him, watching him slowly drift off to sleep. Kiri stills at the domestic scene of Ronal. Not being the Chief’s wife, not being the Tsahik, just being a mother.
Her mind warps a dream of herself sitting in that same spot, hair flowing down to her back braided with seashells, pulling it back from her face to show the seashell adorn on her forehead. Her shawl her grandmother made her is wrapped around the bundle her arms are holding dearly, her gold eyes look down lovingly at the baby she’s cradling close.
She could see it, the baby would have skin like her, navy blue and their eyes—gold like hers. Their tail would be different from her’s and hands webbed like Aonung’s. The tuffs of their hair would be like all Na’vi, black. But, this baby’s hair would be curly, from their metkayina genes. She could almost hear the baby’s cooing, their oval shaped eyes peering up at her with such wonder it makes Kiri almost forget her mission.
She takes a step inside, knowing her teacher has already sensed her presence. Ronal continues to hum, Kiri doesn’t recognize the song. She assumes it’s a song only sang amongst the metkayina. She sits across from the Tsahik. “Ronal—“
“If it isn’t important, I suggest you leave quietly and come back tomorrow. You can tell me during our lesson then.” She sways silently, her child is asleep.
“I heard our Great Mother while I was with Tsireya and Rotxo at the reef earlier today.”
Ronal slowly pierces her gaze through her pupil, lowering her eyes back to her child. She shuffles to lay her child beside her. Her back is to Kiri, ensuring he’s comfortable. “When?”
“An hour ago. She spoke to me first then gave me a sign, two Spade Wingers swimming in the direction of the Ta’unui clan.” Kiri clasped her hands in her lap, bowing her head. She takes a deep breath and awaits the fire that’ll burn from the retinas of Ronal’s gaze. “It’s the fourth time I’ve seen the marine life direct me to the Ta’unui clan since the Olo’eyktan and Aonung left for their journey.”
A brief silence. Kiri’s ears flicker at the sound of waves crashing against the island and the yells of the fisherman. Ronal still has her back to her.
“Why didn’t you tell me.” It was statement, Kiri notices, not a question. Kiri squeezes her hands into fists, turning her head to the side, upset that Ronal figured it out.
Ronal finally turns to her, face stoic like the last time she saw her. Kiri doesn’t meet her line of sight, her head still turned to the toys for the baby. “One thing you should learn Kiri, is that when you’re the Tsahik, nothing slips you by. There is a reason why every Tsahik chooses their successor carefully. We are the messengers for our Great Mother. If there’s anything she needs to tells us, we will know. From the way the wind blows to even the fishes in the sea; every single action we do matters. They say the Olo’eyktan is the first line of defence when in reality, it’s us. We not only receive but determine the outcome of everyone in our clan.”
Kiri bites inside of her mouth, cheeks flushed. Ronal studies her. “You’re embarrassed, that’s fine. Consider this a tip; those signs you’ve been seeing around the island i’ve been getting as well. But mine, are through dreams.”
Kiri looks at her, eyebrows raised. “What happens in your dreams?” Ronal takes a moment, rubbing the stomach of her youngest. “They’ve mostly been in a dense forest I don’t recognize, animals i’ve never seen. My dream usually takes me to place filled with death, barren of life and vegetation; an area that has animals but they don’t function like an animal…there like those things the Tawtute had when they fought us. They were burning the forests, killing Eywa’s children.”
Kiri leans forward. “Were those animals made of machine?” Ronal nods, face stricken with grief.
Kiri placed her weight on one arm, overwhelmed by the dream Ronal shared. ‘Those are RDA machines’ Kiri thought glancing at the ground. ‘Are there other Avatars in the forest? Or…’ Kiri stood up, covering her mouth. “Quartich. He’s alive and knows that my dad and mom aren’t here and went after them. I have to warn them.” Ronal tilts her head, halting her rubbing. “Kiri, wait.”
“No! I have to go and warn my family that they’re in danger.” Kiri heads for the exit, Ronal tells her to sit down. Kiri was about to tell her off but stopped at the thoughtful expression on Ronal’s face. Reluctantly, Kiri sits back down, heart uneasy. “What? Look I need to go and find a way to contact Norm.” Ronal’s thoughtful look shifts to one of absolute bitterness. “You will not have that Tawtute here while Tonowari is gone. Be still, Kiri. I didn’t say that was all I dreamt.” Kiri flared her nostrils. “What’s the rest?”
Ronal closed her eyes. “Last night I dreamt I was at The Cove of the Ancestors. My queue was connected to the coral of our history and then I heard Eywa’s voice. She spoke of danger for the Ta’unui clan, that the tulkun residing in that area need our help. It seems that they’re being hunted again by the same people who burned the forests our Great Mother showed me.”
Kiri shakes her head. “That’s…I thought we got rid of them.” Ronal opens her eyes, gleaming with unshed tears. “We must do whatever we can to stop this from happening again. I will not allow any metkayina to lose their spirit sibling the way I lost my sister.” She looks down at her child. “I want to ensure a future where we can hang out with our spirit siblings without worrying about those demons lurking in our waters.”
“That’s why,” She looks up back at Kiri. “I believe Eywa is telling me that you need to go and help them. You know their technology, have been around sky people, you are capable for the job.” Kiri eye’s widened. “But, I’m not ready. I barely even know how to talk to Eywa let alone be a Tsahik.” She sighs, pushing a stray hair away from her eyes. “I don’t even know that much on human technology, like you I’m a foreigner to it.”
Ronal blinked, processing her words. She moved her hand away from her son’s stomach and reached out for Kiri’s. Kiri stared at the sudden gesture, locking gaze with the woman in front of her, eyes of green steely regarding her existence. Kiri placed her hand in Ronal’s palm.
For a woman who raised her brother’s hands the first day they came, telling the village that they’re demons, Ronal didn’t flinch when Kiri’s fingertips came into contact with her palm. She looks at the young girl, eyes not cold or hard or unreadable; they were eyes of a mother, a rare sight.
Her eyes were tender, soft with a reassurance that reminded her of Neytiri’s eyes when she woke up from her coma, crying out for her adoptive mother and mourning that she would never physically hug or interact with her real mother. Ronal frowns, glancing down at their clasped hands and shakes her head slowly. “Our Great Mother never makes mistakes, Kiri. If she told me you’re the one for this job, then you are ready stop doubting yourself.”
Kiri hisses lowly, mindful of the slumbering baby. “How am I supposed to do this when I can’t even have a stable conversation with Her?”
Ronal looks behind her. “Go to The Cove of the Ancestors and seek your answers there.” She releases the grip she had on Kiri’s hand and checks her child. “If you’re still cautious about connecting your queue to the tree, you can bring Tsireya and Roxto with you.” She stands up and beckons Kiri to stand as well.
Kiri follows her out the pod and walks alongside her down the path she recognizes as her route to home. In the distance, the sky has transitioned into the colours of blood orange with a twinge of yellow and purple, scattering clouds complementing the sunset. Kiri takes a moment to compose herself, to calm the raging emotions bottled in her heart and mind, the anxiety of not knowing the fate of her family, who traveled back to the forest to tell her grandmother the sad news, eating away at her.
Ronal stops at her pod, the familiar unwavering eyes greeting her as she looks to her. “I will inform Tsireya about your trip after our lesson tomorrow along with telling Rotxo. It is clear you guys have a bond.”
Kiri almost wanted to quip out a sarcastic comment but stopped, reminding herself that out of all the interactions they’ve had, this one was the most tolerable. Kiri gave Ronal a small smile. “Thank you, Ronal. Goodnight.”
If Kiri wasn’t there that day, she wouldn’t have believed it. But she was, truthfully taken back by the soft look that Ronal had on her face as she smiled and wished Kiri a goodnight, unguarded and exposed. She spun her heel and left Kiri at her pod, leaving the girl with her thoughts swarming on tomorrow.
Chapter 7: Eywa's Call
Notes:
Unlike previous chapters, this one is a little different; like our protagonist lol. No but fr. Enjoy!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Kiri was six when she first visited her mother.
Jake took her along with Neteyam, her brother more eager to go, more curious than Kiri about the human life on pandora. Prior to her first visit to Hell’s Gate, her parents tried their best not to expose her and her siblings to the world that brought so much devastation to the na’vi. But like most things she’s seen on pandora, the aftermath of the war that her parents and many hunters were victims to, they can’t escape their past with the RDA.
She remembered her mother telling her that she spoke with Jake the night before, allowing him to take her so she could see her origins, to show who her real mother is. It was like yesterday, seeing her mother look at her with tear-filled eyes and cupping her cheeks with her hands, bruised by years of battle and hardship. “You deserve that much, maite.”
Kiri was too young at the time to understand what she meant. Looking back at it now, Kiri appreciates her mother for taking that step knowing how much it pained her to let her go from this perfect place she’s been raised into.
That the moment she sees Grace, the realization that she’s not biologically theirs, her world will never be the same.
They left in the morning bidding a goodbye to Neytiri who was tending to Lo’ak at the time, the boy was still a babe unaware of the world he was brought into. She remembers gripping her father’s hand as they entered Hell’s Gate, the scientists she’s only seen from afar due to their mother’s protectiveness and the trauma of war greeted her with such enthusiasm that it made her shy, avoiding the looks and smiles they sent her way.
“Norm.” She remembers turning her head to the person her father was calling out to. She knows Norm, or rather, his avatar form as her father would tell her and Neteyam when he came by to collect more samples and record sightings within the jungle.
She wasn’t equipped with the logic of how Avatars worked at the time, all she knew was that the body Norm uses around the clan is not his real body, the one in front of them is his real one; vulnerable, small, weak, like her. Norm looked up from his hologram and grinned. “Jake, It’s good to see you.” He left his station and went to them, Kiri took a step back watching human Norm carefully.
Norm laughs at her action. “Don’t worry, Kiri. I’m still the same Norm you show the baby viperwolfs to.” He tilts his head towards her brother. “Hey Neteyam, are you coming along to see Grace?” He asked. Holding Jake’s other hand, Neteyam bobs his head and smiles, eyes scanning the lab. “I am. Mom let me come to keep Kiri company.”
He takes a moment to glance at the beakers and shelfs filled with plant samples. “This place is weird. It’s different than back home.” It was Jake’s turn to laugh. He released the grip he had on Kiri’s hand and ruffled Neteyam’s hair. “Well of course it’s different Neteyam. This is where the Avatars bring their samples and pictures they take from home and go rest themselves from being out of there bodies all day.”
Neteyam blinks, lifting his eyes to stare at the exo-masks dangling by the doors. “Cool.” He said turning to Kiri. “Isn’t this cool Kiri?” Kiri clasped her hands together, bowing her head shyly. “Can I see her now?” She remembers feeling nervous, her hands quivering at the uncertainty of how her mother would look like, at how she can move from this even at a young age.
Jake and Norm share a look. “Of course babygirl, I’ll take you.”
Kiri nods, slipping her hand back into Jake’s grasp again—back to home.
Kiri glares at the sand below her, the faint memory resurfacing like the waves in front of her as she waited for Tsireya and Rotxo to depart with her. She didn’t know where it came from, the sudden rush of remembering a distant time during her childhood, but it made her frazzled for the journey ahead of her. She lowers herself down to the ground hovering just above the sand to watch the water glimmer underneath the afternoon sun.
Kiri’s grateful that Ronal finished their lesson early, aware that she did it so that she can prepare for her mission. ‘That woman believes in me.’ It was a weird thought. The woman was now one of her trusted acquaintances, her teacher—Kiri now holds the title with some respect. She squints her eyes and turns her head at the call of her name.
She stood up and ran towards Rotxo. “Is Tsireya coming?” She wouldn’t be surprised if that girl had forgotten an assignment she needed to tend to. Rotxo gestured behind him. “She’s coming. She said she needed to check in on the kids before she leaves.” He passed her and beckoned her to follow. “She said she’ll meet up with us where the ilu’s are, we’ll use them to take us there.”
“Like last time?” Kiri walks beside him, catching up with his long strides.
Rotxo nods. “Like last time.” He replies, briefly glancing in her direction before changing paths heading left to where the ilu’s were. Kiri moves with him passing the multitude of villagers and the small nets cast closely to homes scattered along the path to the ilu farm. She spots Tsireya in the distance speaking to a man who was surrounded by the ilu’s, unaware of her and Rotxo approaching. Her hairstyle was different than usual, her curls pulled into mini braids at the front and tying the rest into a low ponytail behind. Kiri calls out to her, “Tsireya!”
Tsireya turns her head to them, smiling brightly. “Hey! I’m sorry I couldn’t meet you at our planned spot, Kiri.” She placed her hand on Kiri’s arm, pulling the girl in her space. Kiri grins at her friend’s eagerness and laughs as she’s embraced into a hug. “It’s alright. Rotxo told me you had to say goodbye to the kids.” Kiri pulls away first, resting her hands on Tsireya’s waist. “I did.” Her voice was soft, airy like the breeze pushing itself through the village. “The Cove isn’t that far and the ilu keeper told me that the sea is fine today for traveling. But,” Tsireya beckons Rotxo over taking his hand and tugging him into the girl’s space. “It’s never wrong to be at least cautious. No offense, Kiri but we don’t want another incident like last time.”
“Me too.” Kiri couldn’t agree more. She turned her head to Rotxo, the boy was staring out at the sea. She knew that out of the three of them, he was the most worried. Considering he, along with Neteyam, were the first two to check if she was breathing last time, she couldn’t blame him. “Does that mean we can go?” She asked releasing the grip she had on Tsireya and eyeing the ilu’s who were being fed. Tsireya nods. “Whenever you’re ready Tsakarem.” Kiri rolls her eyes playfully at Tsireya and glanced to her other companion. “Ready Rotxo?”
Rotxo nods, eyes still lingering on the water in front of them. “Yeah, let’s go.”
Kiri was eight when she first suspected she was different from the others.
It didn’t help that on top of having abnormal features for a na’vi, and her real mother slumbering in a lab she was allowed to visit once in awhile, she found it hard to find someone outside her family to be friends with. Not counting Spider, as Kiri accepted him as one of her brothers—even though Neytiri has warned her and Neteyam along with young Lo’ak to stay away from the human—she yearned for the relationships she’s observed within her clan.
She mostly spent her time following her grandmother around the village, as her father was busy with being the leader and her mother keeping tabs on her batch of students she’s training for iknimaya. Though on some occasions, when she couldn’t be with her grandmother, her and Neteyam would explore the forest and sometimes find scraps of junk from the war.
Kiri lifts her head from the book Norm gifted her on human culture, glancing between Spider and Neteyam. “You what?”
Neteyam grins mischievously. The three of them were back at the Sully home, their parents already gone to their responsibilities, leaving Kiri with two goofballs to drag her into chaos and trouble. She placed the book beside her standing up from her sitting spot under the big tree that gave her a good shade to read. “Tell me I heard you wrong.” She finds it pitiful that Neteyam is supposed to be next in line to be chief. She doesn’t see any of the characteristics her father has shown to the people when he gave out speeches or even congratulating new members of the clan through him. Maybe when he’s older, she prays, when he’s a bit more mature and thinks that—
“We found a baby thanator!” He exclaims, stepping to the side to give her a better view of the creature. “We think they lost their parents and we need your help.”
—Taking an animal, a baby no less, and claiming that their lost when the forest has it’s own system, it’s own ways crafted by the Great Mother herself, is foolish and stupid beyond words…Kiri could only close her eyes and pray.
“Why did you bring it here and why do you need my help?” She’s upset, concerned really, for herself and her brother and Spider. Thanator’s, as every forest na'vi learned at a young age, are dangerous creatures far more violent than a direhorse or viperwolf. Spider blinks at her through his mask, it fogs up slightly when he speaks. “We brought it here cause you know the forest better than we do.” His little human finger points in the distance. “We think our buddy here came from that side of the forest, close to the river where you and Neteyam learned how to fish.” Kiri groans and drags a hand in her hair, staring at the baby thanator sniffing the plants below their feet.
She takes a moment to compose herself, to wait until dinner time and prepare for the scolding Jake will lay on them on top of the motherly yet stern look Neytiri will send them while holding Lo’ak. She reminds herself that she’s still upset at her baby brother for stealing her quality time with their grandmother. She blinks at two boys in front of her, heading to them and crouching down to the baby. The baby notices her presence and sniffs her instead, licking her hand as Kiri stretched it out, her palm holding a piece of yovo fruit.
“It’ll take us forever to get this baby back to their mommy,” She rises from her position, “By the time we get back, it would be eclipse.” She glances to Spider. “I don’t think you can be out for that long, Spider.” It’s bittersweet, knowing that her human brother can’t be out for a long time like them, breathe and live in the forest like them. It’s ironic, she thinks, that though he’s human in some ways he’s more na’vi than her in terms of his curiosity and upbringing in both worlds.
She sees the flicker of sadness cross Spider’s face, his lips moving to pout slightly against the screen of his mask. He looks at her, eyelashes fluttering. “Does that mean I should leave?”
Kiri’s lips twitch. “No. You’re coming with us to find this thanator’s mommy.” She lifts the baby, surprised at the immediate unguarded posture the baby had snuggling into her embrace. Spider beams at her words, elated. Neteyam smiles, walking to Kiri’s right and looking at the baby. “Don’t worry, bud. We’re gonna find your mommy, we swear on our mother’s life.” Spider, taking Kiri’s left, winced. “I don’t think we should use that oath Neteyam.” They walk past the river, the same river Kiri remembered her father taught Neteyam how to use an arrow. She watched from the distance, hiding, frustrated that Neytiri wouldn’t let her go initially due to her age.
Neteyam leans his head to look at his friend. “And why not?”
“Probably not to jinx it, ’teyam. Who knows if their mother is alive still.” Kiri said, stepping over a bush of fibbonacci. Neteyam lifts a big leaf in their way and lets Kiri and Spider though with him trailing behind last. “Oh I doubt that their mother is dead. Dad says thanator’s are the strongest creatures in the entire forest besides the ikran’s. It would take four of our arrows just to kill one of them.” Kiri stops walking, turning to her brother with an annoyed expression. “Then why did you pick up one of their babies knowing the risk? What happens if the mother assumes we’re the reason she can’t find her baby?” She hissed, tail whipping wildly behind her.
Neteyam looked at her, eyes brimmed with sudden seriousness that it looked strange on his baby face. “Because dad taught us that families stick together. And this baby got seperated from their family. I can’t just leave them there knowing I can do something to bring them back to their family.” He said, reminding his sister of Jake’s mantra everytime they argued.
‘Sully’s stick together.’ Kiri stared at her brother. It was small, but she saw a glimpse of their father in him. ‘He has potential after all,’ she thought briefly squeezing the grip she had on the baby.
Kiri exhales, resuming her walk. “Okay.” She ignores the smug expression on her brother’s face. “But you didn’t answer my second question.”
“Which is?”
“What happens if the mother assumes we’re the reason we can’t find her baby?”
Neteyam opened his mouth, ready to answer when a loud roar interrupted him, causing some birds to fly off and trees move. Kiri looked down at her toes, feeling the vibrations of something big heading towards them. Spider gulps at the distant sight of the adult thanator looking around. “Oh crap,” He whispers looking to the Sully siblings, body mildly shaking at the sight of the creature. “I’m guessing that’s the mommy.” His guess was answered by a resounding chirp from the baby Kiri still held, the girl looking down at the baby then at the thanator in front of them. The thanator was staring right at them, sneering at the three.
“Oh, shit.” Neteyam said, arms trembling. Kiri steadied herself, keeping her eyes on the thanator. “Don’t move a muscle,” she told them, looking at them from the corner of her eye. “On my mark, slowly walk backwards and take cover while I’ll walk to the thanator.” Neteyam glanced at her. “Absolutely not. Give me the baby, I’ll give them to her.” Kiri shakes her head, eyes still on the thanator. “I can’t risk that Neteyam.”
“And I can’t risk you being killed.”
The thanator lets out another roar, giving Kiri the go signal to move. She breaks into a run, gripping the baby with her as she saw the thanator move and run towards her. Neteyam and Spider both scream out her name, immediately breaking out into a run to save their sister. She stops in the middle, keeping her eyes forward at the beast in front of her. She lifts her arm, glancing to Spider and Neteyam. “Stay right there!” She yells out, crouching when she sees that the mother is still weary of her.
Neteyam and Spider halt at the action and words of Kiri, the young girl now a breath away from the animal. Kiri looks down at the baby. “I believe you lost someone,” she said, gently placing the baby on the ground. The baby turns to her, sniffing her, before going to their mother. The thanator pays no mind to Kiri as she tends to her cub, licking it and pressing her face close to her child. Kiri watches the scene with relief but stays still, expecting the thanator to eat or kill her.
The thanator pushes the baby under one of her legs and goes to Kiri, slowly. Kiri hears her brother wail out her name, Spider yell at her to run, but she finds herself in a trance, mesmerized by the look the thanator was giving her. She felt her tongue lick the side of her face and sniff her before she left with her cub in tow, disappearing into the forest. She watches them, confused as to why she spared her life.
“Kiri!” She felt her brother and friend crouch down to her level, crushing her into a hug where she was in the middle, both on either side of her. Neteyam kissed the side of her head. “Oh thank, Great Mother. We thought—“
“—You were a goner.” Spider said, lifting her arm to check any injury. Kiri stared, dazed. Neteyam pokes her, Kiri yelps. “Ow! What was that for?”
Her brother shrugs. “Just checking if you were still with us. Are you alright?”
“I’m fine you skxawng.” She pushes them off and stands up, eyes still on the forest in front of them. “I’m just—confused.”
Spider looks at her, his curls falling in front of his mask. “Why are you confused?”
Kiri frowns. Thanator’s, according to her mother’s books, never showed mercy, even to na’vi. Female thanator’s were protective of their young, usually hurting or at the bare minimum, killing the culprit that caused distress to their cub. She takes a breath, sliding her gaze to Spider. “Why did she spare me?”
Neteyam looks up, seeing the eclipse creep along and grabs his sister’s hand. “I don’t know, it doesn’t matter now. We found that baby’s mom and we’re still in one piece. Mission accomplished! Good job, Kiri, Spider. It’s time to go home, you know how mom will be if we get there late.” He says earning a full body shudder from Spider. “Even Norm isn’t that scary when I miss curfew.” He says following behind the Sully siblings as they made their way back home.
Kiri turns her head, staring at the forest, pondering on why.
The Cove of the Ancestors was a beautiful as Kiri remembered.
Holding onto to her ilu, she smiled at the sight of the rings that gleamed in the sunlight, the water still and calm like the presence of Eywa. She placed her hand in the water, watching her fingertips trail on the surface creating a rippling effect as they stopped in the middle of the Cove. Tsireya smiled at her, though her smile was small, cautious. “We’re here,” She said dismounting herself off her ilu and rubbing their side as she fed them a piece of seaweed.
Rotxo slid off his too, whispering a small gratitude to the creature as he watched Kiri pull her queue and dismount her ilu. Rotxo speaks. “You remember how we connect to the coral, yes?” Kiri nods, blinking at the coral tree illuminating below her. “I remember. You guys will be on the lookout while I get answer’s from our Great Mother.”
“Exactly. We’ll be here to watch you and help if—“ Tsireya stops herself, bowing her head and shaking it as she sent Kiri a beaming smile. “—Nevermind. Good Luck, Kiri.” Rotxo grins. “Be sure to relieve us the message you get from Great Mother.” Kiri nods, “I will.” Tsireya and Rotxo share a brief look before taking a deep breath, both sinking into the water. Kiri inhales, lifting her head to the sky and exhales, sinking as well to the tree.
The glowing hue of the tree made Kiri excited, her heart beating with uneasiness and joy, joy to finally see this place again, to come and lift her queue to the coral that pulsed with centuries of history and memories of every metkayina in Awa’atlu. She reaches the tree, turning to see her friends go on either side of her; with Rotxo taking the left and Tsireya the right. She looks to her left first, nodding at the affirmative look Rotxo gave her, then to her right at the rapid blinking that Tsireya sent her way, the girl quickly signing out; “May Eywa guide you.”
Kiri lifted her braid pushing aside the stray hairs at the end to reveal her queue. Carefully, she brought the tendrils to the tree, watching them attach and closing her eyes at the instant lull of being pulled away from her body.
Kiri finds herself back at the forest again, the familiar river she and her siblings spent years playing beside greets her first along with the faint sounds of animals and leaves swaying in the wind. She takes a step, curious as to why, out of all the places she’s been to, is the forest the first place she’s greeted with. Kiri takes mind of Ronal telling her of her dreams, of cold detached creatures that are not of Eywa destroying Her forest. She stands abruptly at someone calling her name, a voice so familiar. She feels her eyes brim with tears as she turns, lifting her hand to cover the sob that left her lips at the sight of Neteyam. She’s hesitant to take a step, to reach out and hug her brother. She’s afraid, surprised that this is not the Neteyam she last saw.
It was young Neteyam.
He was smiling at her already making his way to her, hugging her as she wailed against his shoulder, pressing her fingers on his back and dragging them down to his middle, realising that she’s somehow back to a younger version of herself as well, like him. She pulls away. “Neteyam, you’re here.” She doesn’t recognize her voice; it’s small, frail and shrill, echoing as she awaits her brother’s response. “It’s good to see you, baby sister,” His voice is so youthful, so innocent, filled with childlike curiosity and wonder. “What took you so long?” He asks, slightly frowning. Kiri laughs at his question. “I had to deal with a lot of stuff.” She tearfully said, wiping her tears and feeling more coming at the understanding look Neteyam was sending her, as if he knew. ‘He probably does.’ She thought, still wiping her tears.
“Tell me, sister, what have I missed since I left?” Kiri sits him down on a rock nearby and tells him. Of her arrangement to Aonung, of her training with Ronal, of her getting used to the metkayina life and their parents, the rest of the family leaving her as they mourn the boy in front of her and head to their next location of refuge.
After saying what she needed to say, Neteyam stares at her with an empathetic look reaching to place his tiny hand over hers. “You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you.”
Kiri sobs, silently agreeing with him with a nod as she placed her hand on top of his, squeezing it. “I have. Not as much as you though.”
Neteyam shakes his head. “I may be the oldest, but everything that you’re doing right now. From being the Tsakarem, to being courted to Aonung along with learning how come out of your shell. I’m proud of you, Kiri.” Kiri blushed, smiling as she fiddled with a stray hair from her forehead. Hearing him acknowledge and praise all she’s been through so far made her happy, making her almost forget the reason she came here; to find answers for the Ta’unui clan. Surely there was a reason why she was directed here, to her brother at a time like this. “Neteyam, do you remember the RDA and their havoc around Awa’atlu?”
Neteyam nods, pushing out his lower lip in thought. “I do. They were the biggest challenges the metkayina had to face. I remember they killed Ronal’s spirit sister and her child, truly heartbreaking. They also burned some villages down while they hunted for our father.” Kiri nods, clenching her hands into fists. “Those villages belonged to the Ta’unui clan. They came to Awa’atlu seeking reinforcements as they spotted the RDA crew hunting for tulkun around those parts along with them killing hunters over our family. Ronal and I believe we can find our answers here. A solution to their dilemma.”
Neteyam nods at her words, crossing his small arms. “And you’re here?” He asks, tone filled with confusion.
Kiri blinks, taken back by his tone. “To find answers, from you. You were the main strategist behind dad, surely you can tell me something, anything.”
Neteyam blinks at her slowly. “I don’t have any answers for this, I’m sorry sister.”
Kiri gapes, shocked. “What do you mean you have no answers?” She spent weeks preparing herself for this trip, hopeful that her brother would at least have an answer, a sliver lining of hope she could deliver back to her teacher and then Ronal will tell the people to ease their uneasiness and anxiety regarding their loved ones supporting the Ta’unui clan.
Neteyam looked at her for a moment, tilting his head at the sight of his panicked sister. “Maybe the answers you seek are somewhere else, from someone else. Not me.” He stands from sitting on the rock helping her up as she takes his hand and looks at him, sad that he couldn’t help her. Neteyam sees her look. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help you with this, Kiri. I wish I had an answer—some answer—but I have none.” Kiri sighs, pouting. Her little self shuffles to give Neteyam a hug. “It’s okay. I’m just glad I got to see you again,” she pulls away from him, taking in his features and smile. His long hair moving as he stares at her with love.
“You can visit me anytime, sister. After you finish this, you can come back and tell me all the adventures you’ve had without me, without our family.” He pulls her into a hug again, caressing her hair and placing a kiss on her forehead and cheek. Kiri closes her eyes at the action, her lips tugging to smile. She pretends just for a bit, for a minute that he’s still in the land of the living above surface with their family, finding another place for refuge, to stay safe, to—
“…Stick together.” She says softly, feeling his warmth slowly leave her as she pulled away from him, a spark of light blinding her as she awaits her exit.
Kiri was fourteen when she accepted that she’s different.
She spent most of her time studying, learning and sampling the medicinal herbs found in the forest for her grandmother, taking naps occasionally with seeds from the sacred tree surrounding her. Sometimes, she played with her baby sister, ignoring girls her age anytime they passed by or even glanced at her, some even having the nerve to make fun of her and sneer at her when she approached them to make an effort, to try.
From time to time when Tuk was released from her lessons, she started chaos with her sister and even pranked Lo’ak to get him to confess a crush he had on one of the girls in his iknimaya group. She spent days laughing about it, wasting no time to tease and bring it up during dinner or whenever she can when she saw him around the camp—the one time she enjoyed pranking.
When she wasn’t studying or with her sister, she was visiting the thanator she saved when she was little. The thanator she carried and escorted to their mother was one of her closest friends. She instantly recognized them when she went hunting with her father the other day for, Father-daughter time. She made a tsaheylu with him, thanks to the amount of reading she did over the years and trips she took with her siblings, she finally knew the thanator she saved with Spider and Neteyam that day was a male.
She named him tsawksyul. In english it roughly translates to sun lily; Jake commented on the name, explaining to her the translation and telling her it was a beautiful name.
When she told Neteyam and Spider, they both were happy for her, excited that Kiri made a friend outside the family—a joke that’s been stale for years Kiri might add. She rolled her eyes at the handshake they shared, ending it with a fist bump as Kiri scoffed and looked on the other side of the lab, eyes peering at where her mother is. She found as she got older, Kiri went to Hell’s gate more to visit her mother often times climbing up on her chamber and resting her cheek against the heavy glass, watching an empty vessel twitch and move inside.
It’s frustrating at times when she wanted to break the glass and let the fluid leak onto the floor with her grabbing her mother, rubbing circles on her back and placing her cheek against her neck. Most times, she would respect Norm’s rules on Grace’s Avatar; to not spend to much time putting her weight on it or leaving her books beside it when she really wanted to tell her mom about the facts she found fascinating in her book about Pandora. He told her that she can come anytime in the day, and Kiri has been.
She left her spot and stood in front of her mother, lifting her palm to the glass. “Hey ma, did you hear that? I made a friend.” She watches the body flinch and swim, not expecting a response from her. Kiri looks down at her chest and lifts the mask hanging around her neck.
Kiri found herself feeling closer, understanding the perspective of her mother, of being human and unable to breathe the air she breathes. “Did you tell her about the book you read this time?” Spider jumps off from the table he was sitting on and approaches her side. Kiri shakes her head, looking back at her mother. She’s read that book multiple times, the one Norm gave her after she finished reading the one on human culture, a piece of knowledge he says came from the school Grace ran before his arrival.
“I forgot to bring it with me; I was too excited to tell her that I made a friend.” She pulls her palm away from the glass, cringing at what she just said, the sentence sounding pitiful and sad. She quickly adds, “I also told her of Lo’ak’s iknimaya.” In her peripheral view, she sees Neteyam leave his seat, leaving his bow on the table and smiling at the mention of their baby brother. “You did?” He says, crossing his arms, blinking up at the sterile ceiling and glancing back at her. “Lo’ak would probably die if you told him that. He says his ceremony was embarrassing.” Her brother laughs. “Which it was to be fair,” He gently shoved her arm, mirth still on his face. “That prank you did on him was hilarious.”
Spider scoffed. “He didn’t find it funny. He was so close to killing you but your mother stopped him, saying ‘This is an important day of your life, you must not be tempted’ or something like that.” Kiri giggles at his improv, glancing to the window that gave them a view of hallelujah mountains in the distance and the ikran’s that flew by. She stares at the sun, noting the moon sliding in to cover the bright star. She slid the exo-mask off her neck and placed it by the side of the door, turning to her brother. “We have to go, ‘teyam, eclipse.” Hearing that one word, Neteyam nods, grabs his bow and says goodbye to Spider. Kiri bids him a farewell also, waving goodbye and promising to visit later tomorrow.
She held onto her brother as he reached out to lift her, successfully swinging her behind him as he paired up with his ikran and flew off into the dusk sky, the two moons illuminating the sky as they made their way back home. Kiri smiled at the feeling of the wind hitting her face, the breeze wildy blowing her hair into her face, her hands gently grasping the waist of her brother as he flew past the mountains and the sacred tree. She frowned at the feeling of Neteyam’s ikran descending down to the ground and far from High Camp. She waited until she could feel the grass beneath her feet, slipping herself off the animal, to question her brother. “Why did we stop?”
Neteyam grins. “I want to show you something,” He pats his companion and grabs Kiri’s hand, leading her deeper into the lush green. “You’re gonna love this, trust me.” He guides her down a path, the sky now fully dark with stars appearing above them. Kiri kept her eyes on her brother, looking down sometimes to not step on anything poisonous or alive. She watched the bioluminescence freckles glow on his back, like the stars Jake taught them to spot in the night sky when they were little. She tugs his hand to her, huffing out an annoyed sigh. “Are we there yet?”
Neteyam doesn’t answer her. Instead, he stops walking and turns to her, lifting a finger to his lips. “Don’t make a sound, you’ll scare them.” Kiri releases a noise of frustration, tail lashing as she shakes her head. “What are you talking about? What do you mean by that? Nete-“ Her brother shushes her again and gently brings her in front of him, pushing her to see his grand surprise. Kiri supposes the reveal was worth something; she takes a small step into the open meadow before her, careful not to scare or harm the seeds of the scared tree. She watches the seeds float and wander around the space, some even resting on the ground in front of her, a few too high for her eyes to follow. She raises her hands high out to catch one in front of her, the seed pulsing in her palms. Like this, standing in a school of seeds that are seen as a blessing, Kiri feels her body relaxing—at ease from the sight of them.
She lowers her hands down reminding herself that she wasn’t alone.
“Why did you show me this place?” She holds her breath, awaiting the realization she’s figured since she was little. She’s grateful her back is to him, to hide the scared expression she knows is on her face. Neteyam stays behind her, watching. “Because you’re surrounded by them when you sleep.” He says, stepping forward into her space, eyes carefully observing her.
Kiri curses internally, hating how observant her brother is, how emotionally intelligent he was at reading the room when he helped her drop off medicine to families around the camp. She’s been aware of their presence since she was young, finding comfort when napping and dozing under the sun. “Did you know about it?” He asks, voice guarded with no emotion. Kiri bites her lip, afraid to look at him, to see the shame she’s seen far too many times from their people, the looks of terror from the parents and children. She knows their mother and father are aware as well as their grandmother.
Kiri feels the tears brim, her fingers mildly shake with the seed still in her grasp.
“Yes.” She can’t look at him; she won’t allow his look of fear to haunt her dreams. Out of all her siblings, she was the closest to Neteyam. She doesn’t know if she could really handle his disappointment in her, for keeping it a secret, for not telling him earlier, for—
“Oh, Kiri.” Neteyam’s voice is nowhere near angry, far from the negativity she’s been hit with the moment she told people hoping they saw this as blessing and not a curse. At this point, Kiri doesn’t blame them for seeing it as the latter. Spurring off of emotions, Kiri faces him, tears already dripping down her cheeks, her shoulders trembling in the night. Her sob is loud into the night at the sight of Neteyam’s expression; his eyes tearfully staring at her with so much love, so much empathy. He grabs her into a hug, dropping his bow and caressing the back of head as she bawled, letting the seed float off, crying into his shoulder; squeezing his back as she rambled out apologies, guilt eating her at the action of her brother holding her, reassuring her that he’s—
“…angry. You hear me Kiri,” He pulls away from their embrace, moving his hand down to cup her cheek, wiping the tears that shed. “I’m not angry. But dammit, you should’ve told me.” His voice breaks at the end making her cup both his cheeks and lean his head close to hers. She takes a moment to collect herself, eyelashes fluttering as she exhales. “I’m sorry, for not telling you sooner.” Neteyam exhales as well, gripping her arms as he pulls back. “Don’t say you’re sorry.” His eyes are fierce, filled with genuine acceptance. “Never say you’re sorry for this.” Kiri grins, leaning down to grab his bow. She hands it to him, eyes looking around the scenery of the sacred seeds.
“I love it.” She says stepping away from him, stretching her arms again to them. The seeds immediately find her several of them resting on her arm and head. Neteyam tilts his head, amazed by the sight. “Love what?” Kiri laughs softly in the night, lifting her other arm to make room, the seeds waste no time occupying her arm. “I love that you showed me this and—“ She shakes her head, glancing to her brother with a genuine smile on her face, one filled with optimism and assurance.
“I love my gift.”
Kiri was sixteen when she met her mother for the second time.
She expected to return back to Rotxo and Tsireya, to swim back to Awa’atlu to tell Ronal of her journey, of her time with her brother and the devastating news he told her. What she didn’t expect though, was standing in the lab she grew to love and hang out in. She sighs, afraid due to last time she was here; the shock she felt from waking up in her mother’s embrace instead of her siblings, the nightmares that lingered after. Her eyes land on the human sitting around a table, their figure and red hair to easy for her to guess it’s her mother.
“Mom.” The phrase sounded foreign to her when she sees Grace pause her work and turn to her; her expression filled with age and love. She stands from her chair and walks to her. “Kiri.” Her voice was on the edge of tears, as if she couldn’t wait for her daughter to come back. Kiri can’t seem to shed any tears. She was drained from the ache and unexpected meet up with her brother. Instead, feeling inpatient and upset, she says, “Why did Great Mother send me here?” She hates how upset she is at herself, at the failure of her mission. Grace frowns at her question. “What do you mean Kiri?”
“I’m here to find a solution for the Ta’unui clan, to save them from the humans tampering in their seas again, hunting and killing the tulkun again.” She hugs herself. “I had one simple job: To find a way to stop this and I failed. I don’t know what to do.” She stares at Grace, exhausted. “You probably can’t even help me with this, mom.” Kiri scoffs and pinches her nose, shaking her head. “No one can.”
Grace stares at her daughter, unwavered by her breakdown. “Why would you need help when you’re the solution.” She said, entering Kiri’s space.
Kiri looks up, eyebrows raised. “What?”
Grace grabs her shoulders pulling her into a hug. Without hesitation, Kiri accepts it, leans into the embrace, sighing at the gesture. When her mother pulls away, Kiri notices the smile on her face, bright and big. “You wouldn’t find solutions here because you are the solution, Kiri. You’re the key that they need to get rid of the humans.”
Kiri holds onto her, pupils dilated, the information overwhelming her. She’s tempted to ask how her mother knows, but then remembered how she came to be; how she was brought into this world. ‘Your mother had a deep connection to Eywa.’ Jakes voice echoes in her mind at the gleeful expression her mother had. ‘Ah.’ Kiri thought, suddenly feeling stupid. ‘Eywa is talking through my mother.’
The realisation makes her furious, but at the same time awed that their deity used her mother to show her the way, the path to a victory she’s hoping would fix the strain between multiple clans.
She pulls away from her mother, exhaling at the amount of information given to her. She places a hand over her chest, calming herself, de stressing at the weight of this situation now fully in her hands. She looks at her mother. “How am I supposed to be the solution when I don’t know how to help them?”
Her mother, as if she was expecting that question, laughs. Her laid back attitude almost makes Kiri upset. It’s the avatar body back at Hell’s Gate floating and squirming back home, that reminds her to enjoy her time with her. Grace tucks a hand into her lab pocket. “You’ll know when you get there.” She responds, lifting her hand out of her pocket to cup her cheek. Kiri smiles at the action, lifting her hand to cover Graces hand.
“Eywa called you to be there. So my daughter, you must go and help them.” She said, leaving Kiri’s space, heading back to her research. Kiri tearfully watches her mother turn her back to her, resuming her process of taking a sample beside her on the table and putting it on the microscope. She waits, unlike before, knows that when she opens her eyes, she’ll be back in the water with her companions.
It was Rotxo who helps her get to the surface, Tsireya checks her the moment they break out from the water. “Are you alright? Do you feel dizzy? Nauseous?” She inspects her face and limbs. Kiri nods, busy trying to collect herself from everything she saw, the news that she’ll share with her teacher once she gets back. Tsireya rubs her back as Rotxo whistles for their ilu’s. “So,” her friend says, pausing her rubbing to look at her. “What did you find?” The ilu’s arrive behind Rotxo, one even bumping the boy as he waits for Kiri’s response.
Kiri flares her nostrils, the evening sun highlighting the troubling look she sent her friends. “I’m the solution to this problem and we need to get back to Ronal.” She swims to her ilu, making the bond and sliding onto them. Tsireya and Rotxo both swim to theirs, sharing a look of confusion to Kiri. “Wait,” Tsireya says, her face crumpled with a knowing look. “Doesn’t that mean—“
Kiri beats her to it. “I need to go to the Ta’unui village.” Rotxo quips in. “With company right?”
Kiri smiles sadly at Rotxo words, shaking her head and taking a breath, “No.” She sees Tsireya frown sadly at her words and Rotxo bow his head.
She grips the saddle on her ilu, eyes wavering with faith and hope. “I have to go alone.”
Notes:
I apologize for rushing it there at the end. The purpose of this chapter was to be a foundation for the next few chapters that are still being written up. Pls leave a comment or any criticisms, I'm open to them :)))))
Chapter 8: Here
Notes:
Chat, tell me, why did I have so much fun typing this out than the previous chapter?
This chapter is probably short. I can't tell anymore my brain is too erratic sometimes when I write, like my heart when y'all comment and hit the kudos button, enjoy!
Chapter Text
Aonung knew he wasn’t gonna get along with her.
Taking away her unnatural appearance and the weird way she tailored her hair, her presence was new, different than the other na’vi’s he’s known his whole life. He stood beside Rotxo and Tsireya when she arrived with her family. The Great hero his father would tell tales of during dinner stood in the front, requesting refuge from the Tawtute, the demons from the skies, ensuring that his family came in peace and not war.
Aonung was skeptical, he noted that his mother was the same with the way she approached them touching their tails and lifting the hands of a boy around his age, sneering that they have demon blood. The collective sounds of hisses and gasps at the discovery filtered around him, he took note of the way the girl looked off to the side, huddling close to the piece of clothing wrapped around her shoulders, avoiding the stares of his people.
He observed the others, a boy a little bit taller than him standing beside the woman that was gesturing the youngest—a girl, to head to the Great Hero, who was talking with his mother pleading with her that they’ll learn their ways, learn the culture and life of the metkayina. He noticed after his father reluctantly accepted their plea and welcomed them, the girl rolled her eyes playing with the bead hanging on the side of her hair, and muttered out a half-ass, “Thank you” that made Aonung upset. It didn’t help when his father assigned him and his sister to the four siblings, making him absolutely pissed.
Tsireya was excited about having new students, he can tell by her body language. The recent drama that surrounded his sister choked the enthusiasm and light she shined around the village, her usual bubbly self dimmed by the ugly looks and stares of judgment and anger from the elders of their clan, hating the decision Tsireya told them the other night.
He stood at the sidelines that day, tempted to intervene and help his sister with her situation, but he knew he couldn’t protect her—realizing if he did, there would be a strain between him and the boy who wanted to court Tsireya, creating a complication of trust and trade in the future.
His sister needed this. A distraction from the consequences of her decline to being betrothed.
“I can’t wait to teach you guys, you’re gonna love being here.” She took the herbal basket their mother gave her before she left with Jake and Neytiri, watching the crowd disperse from their new visitors, leaving the six of them at the beach. She held the basket on her hip and scanned them. “Your names?”
Reluctantly, the boy—the oldest, Aonung notes—introduces them to him and his sister. The girl, now he knows as Kiri, scoffed and turned her head to the side, muttering something in a foreign language he’s never heard of. Neteyam hissed at her in the same language glaring at his sister. Lo’ak, the second boy, turns to him tilting his head slightly. “So, Aonung. Is there anything fun to do around here?” Aonung felt his ears twitch. “Not if you know how to swim.” He stared at their hands and tail. ‘With how slim and strange their limbs are, I don’t think they can survive.’
“Ao!” Tsireya snapped out, narrowing her eyes slightly. Neteyam and Lo’ak watched his sister slap his arm, Kiri was tending to the little one—Tuk, he remembers, the said child was wiping her eyes rubbing the stray tears that fell during her father’s request. He shrugged, stepping away from the group. Assignment or not, he was not going to stay here and spend his afternoon at the beach with four of the weirdest beings he’s ever seen. “Where are you going?”
“Away from these freaks,” He took notice of Neteyam quickly grabbing Lo’ak’s elbow as the boy lunged for him. Kiri turned her head in his direction, frowning at the sudden insult. Tuk stares at him as Tsireya’s eyes widened. “You can handle them, right Tsireya? It’s what you’re trained for.” His eyes are drilling right behind his sister, avoiding her expression, knowing the immediate reaction that will appear on her face at his words.
It’s quick; only he picked up the timid gasp his sister let out, the arm holding the basket almost releasing the object. Her other arm supports the basket within a blink. She’s not looking at him, occupying herself with making conversation with Tuk, but he knows he went too far. And surprisingly, when he spins his heel to train and blow off steam, he doesn’t regret it.
He ignores the looks of wonder from the children and pride from his men when he walks down the path, rolling his eyes at bystanders who stay in the village all day and take care of the ilu’s or hunt for fish. He pays no mind to the Sully family when they hold a celebratory dinner for them later that day; welcoming them officially into the clan. He doesn’t take mind of Neteyam and Lo’ak huddling close to Kiri around one of the trees, whispering in that wretched language his sister told him belonged to the sky demons.
He absolutely does not notice the way they look at him, at how she looks at him with her big golden eyes, her mouth settled in an scowl.
‘They won’t be here long. Sooner or later they’ll leave and life will be normal again.’ Aonung moves his eyes away from them, instead placing his attention on his sister and her ramblings of what the kids told her during lessons.
“…And then, Swanaa splashed water on Kaorin and Rotxo punished them by helping mother get the herbs and-“ Tsireya stops. She glanced to her brother, lips forming a pout. “Why are you so quiet Ao? You’re never quiet during dinner.” She puts her food to the side and gives him her undivided attention. Aonung groans knowing full well that she’s going full Tsakarem, how he hated that part of her.
Oh god, he cringes internally, now she’s giving him an open look of no judgment, the same his father sends him when he can’t rant out his problems of being next in line to his mother. His mother will never be an option to listen to his plight. He knows that she’s already ahead with the dilemma and troubles of her family—whether blood or village, hellbent on ensuring the next generation is safe and in peace.
He shrugs at his sister question, too stimulated to even spark a conversation with his sibling. He blames the Sully family. “What’s there to talk about? We have guests from the forest who can barely swim and a war to prepare.” Tsireya blinks at his words, nodding her head to the side.
She slips a lock of hair from behind and twirls it around her finger. “There’s plenty to talk about, brother,” She takes her food into her lap, eyes glancing to the fire blazing in front of them. Some people were dancing, laughing in front of the fire carelessly swaying with the music that softly played. Aonung couldn’t understand how they could they be so jovial at a time with war approaching so close.
Her eyes find his again, the fire illuminating them. “How’s your training?”
“Training is fine.” He replies, instantly on offense to know what his sister is doing, he will not be the main topic at this family dinner. He’s thankful his mother, like him, is openly uncomfortable with the fact that the Sully family is now living in their home. ’Temporarily,' he reminds himself, seeing his sister’s brain work for her next question. Tsireya clasps her hands together, a small smile creeps up on her face. “That’s wonderful, Ao! So does that mean you can come tomorrow and help me train them?” Her voice is filled with excitement, with anticipation that her brother will—
“No.” His answer is cold, like his food as he moves it away from him, standing up to go back to his space. Tsireya stands up as well and grabs his arm. Her grip is firm, he turns his head away from her—avoiding the desperate look she’s dropping on him—and spots a pair of golden eyes staring at him and Tsireya.
His baby sister squeezes his arm, the golden eyes look away. “You have to help me. They are not regular children, they’re Toruk Makto’s children,” she hisses at him, fed up with his behaviour. “You are going to be chief one day and I, your Tsahik. You have to be there to set an example of our people, that we are welcoming and kind.”
Aonung felt his lips twitch. The irony of her words makes him giddy, amazed that his sister can spit out those words when their welcome was far from kind.
Gently, slowly, to keep the joyous mood of the celebration, Aonung moves his sisters hand off his arm and leaves her with their parents as he departs into the night, heading back with the image of golden eyes staring at him locked in his mind.
The next day, late morning, those same eyes drills at him as he crossed his arms and listened to his sister explain to them how important water is to them, how significant the sea was in their lifestyle on the island. The little one—Tuk, claps her hands at the lecture Tsireya has sung many times for the children and squeals as Tsireya informs them that they’ll be diving today.
“We’re not going too far,” She says as if she believes that they can swim, that they can keep up with them when they dive. “We’re only going to be swimming close to the beach today.” Lo’ak squints and grins. “Not to the reef?” He asks, aloof and teasing. Tsireya smiles, Aonung rolls his eyes and scoffs. “No. Your swimming skills are terrible for the reef. Even children your sister’s age can swim there. But since you guys are,” He looks over Lo’ak and the others, “from the forest. We’ll have to teach you as if you guys are babies.”
Tsireya nods silently. He knew she wanted him to say it; his sister was too nice, too gentle.
Lo’ak looks offended. “Are you saying we’re basically babies?” His voice is shrill with anger. Aonung smirks. “Yes. Worse than them actually, babies swim the moment they leave their mother’s stomach.” He was exaggerating, but the forest boy didn’t need to know that. The heated look he had on his face was enough for Aonung to relish in.
Lo’ak lets out a huff and scowls. Neteyam cuts in-between them, raising his hands to him. “Look, you don’t have to give us attitude. We just want to learn your ways so we can help around the village and to prepare.”
Aonung frowns, taking a step into Neteyam’s space. “I wasn’t joking or throwing attitude. I’m not like my sister, I will tell you firsthand. You four, biologically, are not meant to be swimming in these waters. Even on a good day, the waters are wild and unpredictable.” He hears Tsireya say his name.
Good, he knows he’s hit the nail. “If you do not learn fast, you will not survive.” He scans the four of them. The only one with a terrified expression is the kid, clinging onto her sister as if she heard the most gruesome news in the world. Aonung doesn’t care; he knows she’ll be fine.
The children here are used to the fact, known it the moment they were able to walk and talk. He watches Kiri bend down to her level and whisper something in her ear, pointing to him as she calms her sister for the swim. Tsireya goes to his side, watching as well. “Maybe not scare the youngest pupil we have currently.” She lifts her hands to secure the shells in her hair. Aonung hums. “It worked didn’t it? Now they know the sea isn’t something to underestimate.”
Tsireya looks at him from the corner of her eye, she doesn’t comment. Aonung knows then he’s right.
Tsireya leads the group to where they usually teach the kids. Aonung is grateful the kids aren’t here and only with Rotxo on the other side of the beach. If Tuk can’t handle the fact of learning to dive and swim fast around here, she wouldn’t be able to survive the comments the kids will have on them, regardless that they’re Toruk Makto’s children. ‘They would eat them alive.’ He thinks, going into the water, waiting for his students to enter the water as well. Once they’re all in the water, Tsireya lays down the rules again, even joking to keep up with them, no one laughs.
Aonung prays for this day to end.
“Just try to follow me and Aonung.” She looks at him and nods, turning to dive into the water. Aonung does the same and stays for a bit to see the four of them submerge themselves in the underwater world. The first thing he sees when he’s under is skinny legs surrounded by bubbles. Lo’ak and Neteyam puffed out their cheeks to save their breath making Aonung laugh and catch up with his sister.
Swimming underwater is second nature to him, he moves with grace along with his sister as they showed their pupils how they swim. Tsireya suddenly turned her body, looking up at the boys and grinned, seeing them look around with curiosity and wonder. Aonung looks for the girls, finding Tuk being surrounded by a school of spade wingers and tiny fish. His eyes roam for Kiri, only seeing the young Sully interact with the fishes.
‘Where is she?’ He thought, seeing Tuk wave to the fishes with her tiny hand and smile, face puffed like her brothers. Aonung whips his head behind him, only seeing his sister and the boys, and frowns. He has a weird feeling at the pit of his stomach about this. There was something unsettling about the sudden disappearance of the oldest daughter. ‘Did she even dive?’ He stares at his sister as she lifts her hands and weaves to him to head up. He signs out why and the reason almost makes him want to laugh if his mind wasn’t so focused on the girl they lost.
“They can’t breathe for long. Their lungs are small.” She stresses the small, even throwing in a stern look telling him that he needs to go up now. Aonung glides to her and signs out, “Have you seen Kiri?”
Tsireya parts her lips, lifting one hand, “No.” She adds, “Maybe she’s up there with Lo’ak and Neteyam.” She gets Tuk and lets the girl lean on her, seeing her on the verge of releasing her breath. “We have to go, Tuk is starting to turn purple.” Aonung beckons his sister to pass Tuk over, Tsireya complies and pushes her legs moving to the water surface. When Aonung breaks surface, he passes Tuk to Neteyam his mind still on Kiri. He clenched his jaw, upset with himself, with Kiri recklessly abandoning ship on the first day. He looks around their group and curses. Lo’ak, keeping close to his baby sister’s side, glares. “What’s wrong with you?”
It’s tempting to flat out and say, “Your family being here.” But he composes himself, the mantra of ‘You’re the chief’s son,’ playing on repeat at the back of his mind. He grits his teeth, finding it a struggle nonetheless not to say it. “Your sister is missing.”
Lo’ak looks around, eyes going down to the water. “You don’t think…” He says making Neteyam look away from Tuk and to his brother. Tsireya places a hand over her mouth, the idea alone was enough for her to quit her teaching—if that was really the case, Aonung muses, assuming his sister would stray far from the children if Kiri drowned under her care. Aonung has to admit if Tsireya quits due to that, he knows he won’t be able to help her mentally.
Neteyam, still cradling Tuk, glares at his brother. “No,” his authoritative tone makes Aonung stare at the boy, impressed. “I saw her dive with us. She’s probably still down there exploring.”
“I find that hard to believe.” He says with a bored look on his face. “You all couldn’t handle 30 seconds down there.”
“Kiri’s different,” Lo’ak says ignoring the alert look Neteyam had on his face. “Out of all of us, she’s most likely able to hold her breath longer than 30 seconds.”
Oh.
“And why’s that?” He asks, interested at the sudden confidence Lo’ak displayed. He really wished he could hear Lo’ak’s response, to listen to the forest boy quibble out an excuse and tell him why Kiri was set apart from them. But alas, as if Eywa heard them bicker, Kiri breaks out from the water. She moves a piece of her hair from her cheek and wiped the water hanging on her eyelids. She halts at the sight of them looking at her, no one moves. Her eyes, vibrant, big and wide, looks to Tsireya and Aonung.
She parts her lips, Aonung’s eyes blink there briefly. “I’m sorry for straying,” she genuinely looks sorry, her cheeks are flushed. “I saw this really big fish and they saw me and we had a moment and they showed me—“ She’s tackled into hug by Tuk and Lo’ak, swallowed in their love. “You, skxawng!” Lo’ak exclaims pulling away from her. “We thought you drowned!”
“I’m sorry.” She says again, rubbing her sisters back. Tuk stays silent hiding her face in Kiri’s stomach. Neteyam went over and placed a hand on Kiri’s cheek. “Are you alright? Did you space out again?” Kiri shakes her head. “No, I don’t think so.” She closes her eyes and reopens them at the sound of Neteyam sighing. Neteyam shoulders sagged, relief plastered on his face as he grabs all of them into a hug, careful not to squish Tuk. Aonung and Tsireya watch the scene, not knowing how to intervene.
His sister, being more hospitable than him, interrupts the sentimental moment. “I’m glad that you’re all right, Kiri.” Tsireya starts, relief adorned on her face too. Kiri nods, separating from her siblings. “Thanks. Once again, I’m sorry for straying far.” Tsireya waves her hand. “It’s fine, well,” she looks off to the side. “Not really; as long as you’re fine that’s all that matters. By the way, how did you breathe for so long down there?”
Aonung patiently observes the forest girl, seeing her gears turn and face reflect on it. He’s been told by many people around the village that he and his sister were too observant at times, too keen on things they shouldn’t be, on situations they don’t even have the full context of but get right every single time. In this situation in front of them, Aonung is 100% certain that his sister caught Kiri’s left ear flinch and her voice drop a little, the hair above her eyes moving slightly as she casually shrugs and says, “It just came naturally to me.” Her tone is dull, almost sarcastic.
‘Which isn’t bullshit.’ Aonung decides seeing her make full eye contact with him. Out of everyone there, she looked at him, golden eyes once again haunting him with the expression she sent him; one filled with frustration, disgust and…he taps his arm, smirking at the sight of curiosity lurking underneath the two. Her face made him furious, boiled with undeniable rage at the thought of someone like her look at him with such emotions.
Aonung parts his lips, settling on hating her from a distance, like his mother, like anyone else who hated the idea of her existence. He will never accept her into the village, he will never accept someone who looks like her.
A freak.
“Well, let’s hope it stays with you every lesson.” His voice is dripping with malice, with pure hate.
Kiri doesn’t say anything, but her jaw clenching was enough for Aonung to understand she felt the same.
Aonung knew that it will take a long time for the village to heal from the war with the sky demons.
He stood with his family, ears drowning out the prayers his mother recited, the small sobs that Tsireya slip from her lips as their father told them that they’re with Eywa, that their fallen brethren and spirit sisters and brothers will always be remembered. Aonung didn’t want to hear that; not when he saw some of the sky demons escape and the destruction they caused around Three Brothers Rock, not when he knows he can still run and swim and kill those demons who tainted their waters with their greed over hunting Tulkun.
He shudders at the thought of his brother dying like the sister his mother lost along with her child. He lets a few tears slip, quick to wipe them away, to stop them from mixing with the paint on his face.
He barely moves his face to express the shame he’s feeling, allowing the bruises he got to do the job for him. He mutely sighs into his hand, moving his eyes across the crowd to see the look of sadness and pain, anger as well at the mere thought that there’s more of those creatures out there, he thinks, and strangely enough, for him, fear. Fear of knowing that some day, they’ll come back and they might not have enough to protect their home. He shakes his head, eyes still on the girl he promised to hate from a distance. She’s comforting her sister, hugging and rubbing her back. There are no tear stains on her face, no look of anger or hate for what those demons have done to them.
He feels his blood boil at the stoic look she had on her face, as if she accepted the defeat, the loss of Neteyam and everyone else who fought with them. He wants to scream, to march over to her and yell at her to feel, to cry and mourn for her brother, that he contributed just as much as everyone else. He blinks, whipping his head to his sister. Tsireya’s face is swollen from her crying, the ceremonial paint they did with Rotxo is nearly gone from her face. She lifts her head to look at him, face still tight as if she’s preparing herself to cry again. “Neteyam.” She sobs, her eyes already going to the Sully family, seeing Neytiri being held by her mate.
‘If he wasn’t there, Neytiri probably would’ve…' The thought is unsettling. He decides not to finish it and focuses on his sister instead. Tsireya is still sobbing out, “Neteyam” hiding herself away from their parents, away from the fact that she’s Tsakarem, that she needs to lift her head high and show her face to the people. To not quiver under the sadness of losing people she’s seen and interacted with around the village.
He takes her arm and pulls her into his embrace, allowing her to shed her tears; not as Tsakarem, but as Tsireya. She sobs even louder, it almost out beats the wail Neytiri released not long ago, watching her son sink into the depths. He feels her shake her head, her shoulders tremble and the tears fall on his chest as he actively listens to his mother’s final prayer.
“It’s unfair.” His sister says when they’re walking back home, the people awfully quiet and shuffling to their homes. Aonung and Tsireya are behind their parents, whether using them as shields or their parents letting them strip their titles just for tonight, Aonung wasn’t sure. He stares at his feet, he couldn’t look at his sister; he’s afraid he might break, might lose himself to his emotions if he looked up and saw the exhaustion on his baby sister’s face. “What’s unfair?” He asks, remembering what she just said.
Tsireya sniffs, wiping the tear that slipped down her cheek. “He was so young. He deserved a future.”
Aonung bit his lip, suppressing the scream building. He looks to his father, staring at his back; tall, rigid and strong, not him, not right now. He keeps his eyes on his father, terrified now that if he as so much as looks at Tsireya—
“He d-didn’t deserve this.” She says. Her voice gets caught between a sob and a whine. Without looking, Aonung finds his sisters hand and clasps it with his, squeezing as he keeps his eyes forward. He doesn’t look at his sister, he doesn’t look to the side where the water meets land, he doesn’t look behind him where they just buried their people, friends and even men his age. He squeezes his sister’s hand again. “I know.” He doesn’t acknowledge the slight crack in his voice. He keeps his eyes forward.
It’s not until the next day, the next morning, he faces the water again; panting and letting his hair go from the bun on top of his head, dropping on his knees and allowing, surrendering to the emotions tightly coiled up inside him. He’s glad he swam to the island only Rotxo and his sister know where to find him, he’s thankful he gets some privacy, happy that the people mourning still won’t see him absolutely crumble at the fact he’s betrothed to the one girl he hates with his whole heart. He digs his fingers into the sand, the sea breeze brush over him as he opens his mouth:
He screams; it’s loud and angry, harsh with the frustration he has towards his father and mother. Especially his mother knowing full well she’s intrigued with the girl.
He screams; it’s raw and still loud, painful with the fact that one day, perhaps after his iknimaya when he gets his tattoos, he’ll have to mate with her for life.
He screams; it’s wet and broken, realizing he can cry for his comrades, cry for his decision of choosing a mate being stripped away from him, cry at the fact that Neteyam’s sister is his future mate, that Kiri will hate him for the rest of her life from separating her from her family, that she won’t be able to go back to the forest and see her people again.
He weeps now, shoulders quaking at the responsibility he now has. His hair hides the tears falling into the sand, his hushed sobs—even though he’s the only one on the island—are swallowed by his apologies, to Neteyam, to his planned out future, to his people knowing full well a majority of them lost trust in the Sully family after the battle with the sky demons. He even apologizes to Kiri, knowing the next few years of her life will be hell, a prison where there is no day of release.
Underneath all the anguish and pain, Aonung hopes that he’s wrong about the future, hopes that even through destruction and loss, Eywa will provide.
Aonung knew he needed to be civil with her.
He’s seen her a few times around the island, too occupied with the news he knows her parents told her regarding their situation. He sees it, when he’s helping Tsireya with Tuk’s breathing. Her entire body shifts at his mere presence, her eyes taking him in as he stood curious on how she’s taking this and annoyed that he had to hear from Tuk that she heard Kiri crying last night.
‘So she did mourn,’ was all he thought as glared at her, upset that she’s completely avoiding him. He watched as she shooed her little sister away and gave Tsireya the signal to continue where she left off. Aonung couldn’t care less about Tsireya defending and explaining to Kiri the situation, he looks to the sea instead. He pretends he’s not here, pretends he’s back on his little island laying down and ditching training to let himself rest.
“I’m aware that my brother has…had ill intent towards you. My mother has talked to him about it and—“ Aonung reels himself back into reality, hearing Tsireya mention their mother. He’s not talking to her, or rather, she’s not even crossing paths with him as she’s on bedrest for overexerting herself to protect their home. Kiri does not need to know what she told him the night of, how livid it made him.
“Don’t be harsh with her, maitan. Like all of us, she is mourning.” He recalled his mother having medicine for her lower back. She took a sip of it and stared at the entrance of their home. “I believe that Kiri can help with the spiritual connections here. Unlike your sister, Kiri is more than capable of becoming the Tsahik.”
He remembers leaning, hands clenched into fists at the sudden insult of his sister. “And tattoos,” He pushes out, trying to keep himself calm. “Will she go through iknimaya and get a spirit sister of her own?” His mother looks at him, face poker, her hands cradling the cup that had her medicine. “Spirit sister, perhaps. But tattoos? She’s not metkayina so she will not get them, regardless of being your mate.”
“Tsireya.” He interrupts her, almost growls, mad at his mother for saying that Tsireya is incapable of being the spiritual leader, angry at the girl standing there looking at him as if he was one that killed her brother. Betrayal seeps into his anger at the look on his sister’s face. Tsireya eyes’s are vulnerable, face shifting to one of guilt, of shame. She gasps softly. “Ao, she needs to know,” Aonung disagrees with that statement, silent as he watches Tsireya carefully. “She’ll be apart of this family whether you like it or not.”
Aonung blinks, letting out a scoff at what his sister said. He sees Kiri glancing between them with an uneasy expression, waiting. He can’t be here, not in the same space as Kiri, the look she’s giving him is filled with pure confusion and annoyance. “Whatever,” he whispers turning to dive into the water to stay away from the girl that made him feel uncomfortable.
He decides to swim around the reef to clear his head, to drown out the image ingrained into his mind of Kiri looking at him, studying him. He leaves the reef, leaves the place where he watched her swim with the marine life, the fishes that brushed against her skin and kissed her face, her lips smiling at the gesture of the animals interacting with her. He leaves knowing coming here didn’t help him forget the forest girl, didn’t help with the memories of her moving her arms along with the squids, the bioluminescence's on her face glowing along with them as she laughs at their obedience.
He heads to the Cove, to at least pay his respects personally to his friends and people who died, to forget the lingering effect she has on him. He brings his queue to the coral, immediately sinking into the embrace of his ancestors, the happiness and grief he feels of seeing them again, of hearing their voices fill with laughter and joy, ask him questions about the village, about the latest gossip before the war, of making fun of him and his spear throwing.
Sadness overwhelms him when he realizes he needs to go, to head back and confront the situation he knows will shape the village and him. When he opens his eyes, he’s greeted with the face of Kiri. He feels her hand grip his arm. Her eyes point up with her finger, signalling for him to follow her as she swam up. He moves his legs to trail behind her and hears her exhale the moment they’re above, the sun gleaming down on her face as she looked at him; he flared his nostrils, shocked by her sudden appearance next to him. He glances to the side, hating how he bets, is aware that Tsireya was the one who probably told her where to find him.
Kiri looks at him with mild annoyance, her hair clinging to her skin. “We need to talk.”
He takes her to the same island where he wept for his fate, mourned the future that awaits him. He avoids her line of sight still, patient to hear what she has to say. She crosses her arms, squinting. “Why aren’t you looking at me?”
Her question shocks him. He can tell she felt the same with her eyes widening instantly at the question, when he finally looks at her. He supposes that he can pull all the punches he’s been holding back from this, from the frustration of it all. He frowns. “Because you’re not what I had in mind for a mate and you’re a demon blood, a freak.” Kiri rolls her eyes, “You should be the last person to bring up that statement Aonung. You’re going to be the next leader after your father; at least act like one and own up to this. Stop pouting about it and let’s talk.”
Rage overwhelms him. He moves in front of her, clenching his hands, holding himself back from grabbing her, from pulling her close so she could see, feel his genuine hate and resentment towards everything, to everyone. “There’s no point of talking,” he hissed seeing Kiri crane her neck to meet his eyes. “We both don’t want this. You’re doing this due to the destruction your parents caused on my people and I’m doing it to protect my people from the like of those demons. What is there to talk about, Kiri?”
He fails to mention the strain of relationships within the metkayina clans, how this union will ease the tension, buy time to settle the differences they have with each other. But he doesn’t care, not when she’s glaring at him like he’s incompetent.
‘It doesn’t help that Tsireya rebelled against our elders.’ He thinks listening to Kiri talk, her face morphed with urgency—laying out her request to him. He ponders on her request to have a tolerable relationship, to be civil with each other. “I’m serious,” she says as he takes a moment to hear her reason. “I will not be dismissed and stay inside expected to listen to the beck and call of your people through our Great Mother. Please, let me know you. We don’t have to make this difficult.”
He considers her offer, disliking that she’s within her right to ask and that he finds himself liking her plead. When he complies to it, pouting and huffing, Kiri sighs, smirking at his reaction. “Thank you; that’s all I’m asking you.”
Aonung keeps her request in mind the next time he sees her, when he’s training by the beach close to the fishermen’s spot. She calls out to him, clearly hesitant, nervous to pick up from where they left off. He looks at her, frowning at the way she studies him. “Ready to talk?” He sees her nod at his question, flushing when she brings up their courting. It was reflex, as he felt his face move, disgusted by the idea that—
“Did Tsireya take you to the family cave?” He moves their conversation briefly, enough for him to shake and remind himself to be civil with her. Kiri replies, avoiding his gaze, staring at the sand below their feet. “She did. She told me about your spirit brother and her sister. Why?” She looking at him now, like before, studying him. Aonung takes a moment, surprised that he’s….amused with the fact that Tsireya showed her one of the most significant spots in their family. It leaves him mildly astounded, watching the girl in front of him stare at him like he was another person.
He smiles at her, a small one, content that his sister is doing what she can to help both of them. “Just curious.” He says gripping his spear, his ears picking up the waves crashing against the beach, the people nearby talking and yelling. He glances to the fisherman rolling their nets for the next batch. “What are your demands?” He’s ready to hear her out, eyes now peering on the men throwing out their nets into the water.
Kiri tells him her demands, her voice strong, not backing down even when Aonung teases her on a word she said. He notices the way her lips press, as if she was on the verge of laughing. “Stop calling me a freak and telling me I’m demon blood.” She clarifies, gesturing to the foreign word she said. Ah, now he gets it. He responds with a smirk, feeling strange at the sight of Kiri hiding her laughter from him, her face already crinkled with amusement.
“We need to do this together,” She enters his space placing her hand on top of his holding the spear, squeezing it as she stares at him. His eyes are glancing down at her fingers, the difference in their fingers keeps him in, hearing her words. “You said you wanted to protect your people right? This is how, by working with me and helping me understand your culture, your people.” He lifts his eyes at her statement, taken back.
Kiri blinks at him, her eyes brighten at the expression he had on his face; one he knew he never thought would show up due to the pain and turmoil residing in him. He felt his lips move at the words Kiri said, smiling at the effort she was willing to make, to walk head on into the challenge she faces.
He can’t find the words to say to her, speechless at what he just heard. He can’t decide if he hates her still or that he’s grown comfortable with her seeing her around the village, mingling with the sea life and chatting with Tsireya; his baby sister getting her light back thanks to the girl in front of him. He’s still smiling, still staring, as he replies with, “I won’t.” He brings his other hand over hers, feeling the warmth radiating off her skin. “We will lead these people Kiri, when it’s our time. For now, we must be ready; to be strong for them and us.”
Kiri’s eyes are locked onto his face. She mutters something underneath her breath, her voice picking up, her eyes burning with determination. “We need to have strong hearts, for ourselves, for the people and—“ She stops, as if her thoughts left her in the height of her adrenaline.
Aonung, impressed with her sudden words of motivation, smirks. “I know. And to help you, I’ll teach you how to fight.”
Kiri lets out a sound of disbelief, lips parted as she looks at him. “You?!” He scoffs at the way she said it, glaring when Kiri takes a step back from him. “Who else better than your future mate?” He says, hurt by the way she reacted. From what he’s seen around the village, other than Rotxo, Kiri doesn’t have much options to have someone train her. Even Tsireya, when she’s done with her lessons before the arrangement would hang out with him and flip his spear around, thrusting it in the air as he guided her on how to throw it.
Kiri scrunches her nose, disgusted. “I’d rather drink acid.” She says, earning a big smile from him. Kiri’s eyes leave him and looks behind, making him turn his head, seeing his sister head towards them; her face is troubled.
She takes a breath, her eyes to him. “Father calls you.” She looks to Kiri. “Both of you.” Aonung placed his spear down, stabbing it in the sand. “What is it sister?” He asks, anxiety gnawing him at the fear and panic he saw from his sister’s face. Tsireya shakes her head, telling him all he needed to know. Hearing the horn ring out as he stood with his sister and Kiri was enough for him to figure it out, for him to run and head to his father at the shores, to realize that this union might not even be needed.
Aonung knows he will never understand Kiri’s perspective of his home, of Pandora as a whole.
He was too immersed with the sudden news of the sky demons coming back, the crowd standing and listening to his father vouch for the leader of the eastern clan, committed to lending a hand. He was too focused on making sure his people weren’t afraid to fight again, to return to the hellish battle of protecting the seas their ancestors used for several moons. He was too passionate delivering a speech that made the crowd cheer, made some hunters lift their spears while he kept his eyes on Kiri; her doing the same with her hand still holding Tsireya’s. He was too distracted with the fellow hunters, laughing as they swarmed him with strategies and invitations to train with them, promising him that they’ll fight alongside with him—
He didn’t notice Kiri already leave the beach.
He spots his sister holding their baby brother, close to their parents and the Ta’unui chief. She’s cooing at him, making him laugh and squeal at her goofy expression. He goes to her. “Tsireya,” She turns to look at him, their brother sees him and reaches out, laughing. Aonung rubs his head. “Have you seen Kiri?” He decides to take Aw’an from her, their brother smiles at both of them.
Tsireya bites her lip reaching to play with a strand of her hair. “She had a talk with mom,” He feels his heart sink at Tsireya’s words. He looks at Aw’an, watching his infant brother blow bubbles out his mouth. Tsireya continues, voice timid. “She told Kiri that she has to start her Tsakarem training, that this is her home now.” Her eyes are teary, brimmed with empathy as she looks at him. She blinks, a tear falls. “She told Kiri that she has no choice and that she must fulfil her duty of being a Tsahik, for them,” She hiccups softly, Aonung grabs her hand.
Tsireya lowers her head, accepting her brother’s action and lifts it again, eyes sad. “For you.” She finishes, her voice breaking as she wipes her tears and takes their brother from him. Aonung blinks, frowning at what his sister told him. Tsireya sniffs, pointing to the small forest located in the middle of the island. “She went over there after.” She said, placing Aw’an on her hip. “As her friend, I wish I could go and comfort her, but I can’t. All she’ll see is someone who should’ve been Tsakarem instead of her, a free girl.”
“Tsireya..” Aonung can’t even fathom how bad that felt coming from his sister. She feels guilty even though it’s not her fault, not her words that made Kiri run away. Aonung grabs her shoulders and kissed the seashell on her forehead, earning a small gasp from the girl. “Go rest, baby sister.” Truthfully he wished her to relax and not worry for Kiri’s wellbeing. But that was too much, that’s not how his sister is. And for that, he loved. Tsireya nods, holding Aw’an close, wishing him luck as he left to go find Kiri.
He finds Kiri in the middle of the forest, curled on the ground and crying. “Kiri?”
Kiri stops crying, her entire body goes still at his call. He moves, watching her closely, bending down to sit right next to her. She lifts her head, her big eyes of usual defiance swollen and red. “What do you want?” Her voice is bitter. Aonung doesn’t blame her; to have someone tell her that she needs to do better, to force herself to be something that she isn’t, he takes a moment to reflect, to try and understand. But, he can’t. He knows her life is terribly different from his, he can’t do much for her except give her something to lean on, a support of some kind, hoping she’ll help him learn.
He’s concerned, worried at the sight of her staring at him with distrust, afraid that she’ll go back to before, all their hard work of being friends thrown away because of duty. “Tsireya told me what happened,” He says hoping to ease the tension between them, to at least, in her words, be civil. Kiri is not looking at him, she doesn’t bother to see him actually be caring towards her.
Her next words proves him right. “And so what?” She’s livid, pissed at him and he doesn’t care. “Here to tell me I need to get a grip and stop crying?” Aonung shakes his head at her question, but she doesn’t see it; her arm is covering her eyes. “I can’t do that yet Aonung, not now. Not when I lost my brother, not when my family left me and told me I needed to stay with people who openly found me disgusting.”
‘Some still do,’ He thinks. He hears her sigh and sees her bottom lip tremble. “I can’t do anything right now, I feel like I’m-“ She exhales, he waits; on the verge of bringing her into a hug, to comfort her. “Alone.” Her eyes finally stare at him, her tears silently fall; his face moves without his permission at her tears. He’s scared for her, for himself mostly. He doesn’t know if they can move from this after they leave this place.
Hesitantly, he brings his hand to her cheek, wiping the tear that just left her eye, leaning his forehead down to hers. He’s lost, not even sure if he can comfort her like he does for his sister, for his friend when they spoke of Tsireya possibly leaving before Kiri came. He’s surprised when she accepts his gesture, his thumb caresses her cheek. “You are not alone.” And she wasn’t, they’ll do this together, with Tsireya and Rotxo. He needs to make sure she knows, can see that she matters.
He feels her shake her head, watch new tears spring from her eyes and Aonung hates it; not a bitter, ugly hate he usually felt towards her when they cross paths before. This hate is to him, for failing and noting the look of distrust coming back on her face again.
“You don’t know what it’s like,” And he knows that. “You’ll never know what it’s like for your family to leave you somewhere foreign, to have people look at you as if you’re the enemy.” She creates a space in-between them, “You don’t know what it’s like to be seen as a freak, to have something so unique and different from others that even the Tsahik-“
She stops herself, but Aonung knows what she was implying.
Her cheeks are flushed, her eyes previously filled with fury now with exhaustion. “-Nevermind.” She simply says, moving her eyes from his face, from this chance for them to connect. His intrusive thoughts win him over as he saw her take the first step to leave and grabs her wrist, pulling her to him, ignoring the call of his name and bringing his head down her shoulder. She relaxes the minute he releases a breath, knowing he can’t let her leave in this state. ‘She’ll lock people out.’
He stayed quiet, letting himself think and hope this time, she won’t disregard him. His head is still tucked against her shoulder, face pressed in her neck. “You are not alone,” He needs to make sure she understands. He hears her sob, it’s soft and makes her body quiver. “You have my sister and me to help you.” He lifts his face away, to look at her and pray his words reach her. “You don’t have to carry this burden alone, Kiri.”
Kiri sighs, closing her eyes and lets the tears fall. Her next move surprises him, leaves him jittery as she places her face against his neck, exhaling on his skin. “I carry this burden because Eywa has a plan for me, my abilities-“ She sniffs, audibly. “-are with me for a reason. You, Tsireya, even your mother can’t fathom what it’s like to see everything around you, to wield something so immense.”
He contemplates on her words, tries to sit in her position of being treated weirdly from the people, to have them judge her tail and legs along with her fingers; five instead of four. He grabs her shoulders when she pulls away, her eyes conveying shame and sadness, vulnerable in front of him, one of the many that was hostile to her the moment she stepped on the island.
He won’t even pretend he doesn’t feel something from this, this spark between them, it leaves him feeling exposed under her gaze. He hopes she feels the same.
“How does it feel like?” He asked, wanting to ask more, to know more. He wants to ask, What is it like to stay here compared to the forest? What is it like to face hate you didn’t deserve because you can’t control how you look? Why did you attempt to create a relationship with me even after all I’ve—
“Alive.” She simply answers, lowering her eyes from him. “Overpowering and scary, yet, it’s beautiful. Strong.” She wipes her tears, Aonung waits, thinking of what to say to her. “I can’t even grasp at it even though it’s been with me since I was born.” Kiri tilts her head up, Aonung finds her beautiful in that moment. The sunlight spills through the trees, creating a halo effect around her as she lowers her head. The green in her eyes are vibrant as she confesses, “I don’t know what Eywa wants from me.”
The tears that were once sliding down her face are dried up, blending in with the freckles scattered across her cheeks. Aonung is taken back by her beauty, raw in his presence as she holds her breath, expecting a response from what she just told him. He’s aware that he hasn’t said anything, his mind is overwhelmed by the discovery that he finds Kiri beautiful, that this time they’ve shared is special, an important step he knows they can’t go back on. It wouldn’t be hard for him to judge her and dismiss this; he can go back and have her despise him.
But as he takes her hands, awfully warm at the shyness she displayed as she didn’t pull her hands away from him, her eyes gleaming with uneasiness; he decides, screw it.
“Your abilities are your own Kiri. A gift that you’re scared of.” ‘A gift I cannot help you master.’ He squeezes her hands. “I know some of my—“ He paused, deciding to change his wording hoping to help Kiri ease her distaste towards the people. “—Our people see you as a freak, something strange. But I-“ He hesitates, not only shifting his stance on her, but confessing—
“I don’t. Not anymore.”
—That she’s beautiful, in all her nature. He sees her not as an inconvenience to his people anymore, fearing the exposure of trauma he’s seen from her and her siblings, not as an enemy who brought the demons to them out of spite, out of general will due to the connections she has with them and being able to speak their language fluently.
He doesn’t see her as a girl who mocked him and stuck her tongue out when her brothers came and kicked his ass to the curb. He doesn’t see her as threat to the children when they ask her about her ability to swim for long periods of time, the children swarming her with questions making her flustered. He sees—
“About time, skxawng.” She’s teasing him, her voice singing a tune of laughter, unaware of the realisation he just had in front of her. He’s tempted to pull her to him again and hold her, reassuring her that she doesn’t need to worry about fitting in, about being accepted, that she’s fine the way she is beautiful in her own way.
It’s not until the day he departs from his clan—his mother and sister bidding him a farewell and waiting for them to leave—he acts on it.
He doesn’t know when he’ll see her again, see her roll her eyes at him and sign to him that he’s a moron underwater or share dinner with him by the fire with his sister and Rotxo after a long day. He can’t say when he’s going to come back, to see her sit by the beach in the evenings or sit by the pod his father gave her to live in, staring at the horizon with a distant gaze, feet submerged into the water.
It’s scary to think that out of all his concerns, he doesn’t know if he’s gonna come back home safely.
There’s potential, a chance he might not even return to his people, to his family, to his friends.
And most especially to her.
Which was why when he finally gets to say goodbye to her, he’s shocked at the broken look she’s sending his way, tears already dropping hitting the sand as he looks at her, concerned. He doesn’t care that they're people staring at them when he takes her arm gently into his embrace, his new priority being her mental wellbeing. “Kiri?”
It’s Deja vu. She’s sad and won’t let him in, ashamed that she can’t conform to the way they say their goodbyes; emotional, but not teary. Her eyes are staring right at him, not at his sister or his mother or the people watching. “I—“ Her voice breaks, it makes Aonung nervous at what she’s going to say. She lifts her hand and grips his arm, gentle and shaking. “—I’ll miss you skxawng, be safe.”
Aonung observes her, observes her body language.
He’s not stupid, he knows Kiri’s tears aren’t for him, he knows she’s stronger than that. He doesn’t want to assume, to break her trust in him after yesterday; But he looks at her, tries to read what she’s crying about, to figure out what caused her to tear up at this very moment. His thoughts land on her brother, he doubts, but he doesn’t dismiss it. There’s too many reasons for this girl to be crying now.
He approaches her, pressing his forehead to hers like before, taking a moment to memorize her face. “I will, forest girl.” He cradles her face, wipes the tears he’s seen too many times shed on her face. “Try to get along with my mother,” he adds earning a tearful laugh from the girl. “I’ll try.” She says, voice broken and still on the cusp of crying.
He finds himself staring at her face, eyes trailing down to her lips, remembering the day she decided to stray and swim far. The memory makes Aonung smile as Kiri tries to push him away, to make him forget that she opened herself up to him, allowed him to step into an intimate place within her, within him as well. He can’t explain what came over him, maybe it was the fear of not seeing her again, of missing her when he’s in the east helping relieved that she won’t be there to get hurt, maybe it was to convince his people that this union is possible, that there’s hope.
‘Or maybe,’ He thinks, lowering his head and kissing her lips. ‘it’s to tell her I’m here.’
He feels Kiri freeze up at the action, her body stiff as he waits, urges for her to accept him. It takes a second, but she moves her lips against his, weaving her hands on his shoulders. He smiles in the kiss, wrapping one arm around her waist and placing the other on her cheek leaving no space between them. He hears her moan softly and feels her hands slide up to his neck, tilting her head to deepen the kiss. He rests his hands fully on her waist.
He wants to keep this going, he never wants to let her go from his embrace. He wants to keep seeking her lips, to hide the sounds of contentment and joy she hums out as she holds onto him and lets him. He wants to be at her side, to stay here. He wants her to know that’s she's not alone, never alone. He’s always going to be by her side, that they’ll do this together.
He breaks the kiss, immediately hugging her after, going back to his reality; ignoring his mother whose sending him a disgusted look and his father who looks proud.
He keeps his eyes on her, as hers is on him, boarding his ilu and on standby, hoping to convey that’s she’s not alone and she has him.
Chapter 9: Farewell
Notes:
Hi, it's been a HOT minute since I uploaded.
Ok-um right this chapter will be hella short, like rly short. I promise that most of you will be sad, but let me cook, let me prepare. Think of this chapter as an interlude.
Also, the fire and ash trailer looks soooo good I'm looking forward to what entails in that film. (Ps. Tsireya gettin her tattoos??? ok gurl)
Another thing, and I totally forgot to mention, surely not cause I actually forgot, Kiri's ikran is with the Sully family and will have an appearance at the near end.
I think that's it. Wait-
Thank you, thank you, thank uuuu so much for the comments and kudos, their much appreciated. I've found myself laughing at most of them and look forward for more :)))
Enjoy reading!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
It’s to no surprise that Ronal is waiting for them the moment they return to Awa’atlu.
She’s holding her youngest, her eyes carefully observing them as they finally reach the shore. Tsireya dismounts her ilu and head towards her mother, Kiri hands her ilu to Rotxo along with Tsireya’s, nodding to him a thanks. Rotxo shakes his head, smiling as he takes the ilu’s back.
Kiri goes to the mother and daughter, the said daughter is bouncing her brother, grinning at the smile that appears on the baby’s face. Ronal turns her attention to her the minute she’s close. Her expression is calm, no sight of any panic or fear of the news that Kiri has for her. “So?” She says, the tone of her voice rings familiarity, as if she was there herself when Kiri told Rotxo and Tsireya what she needs to do.
Kiri bows her head. She doesn’t say anything when she lifts her head, only blinks and nods, confirming what Ronal already told her. “I am the key to this issue and I need to go there myself.”
Ronal smirks, amusement twinkling in her eye. “Our Great mother never makes mistakes.” She rests her hand against her stomach, glancing to her children. Tsireya is standing in the middle with Aw’an, spectating the conversation, lips tight with emotion. “When will you leave?” She takes her baby away from Tsireya, Kiri glances to her friend, knowing Tsireya was still upset, seething when she told her she needs to go alone.
Kiri still has her eyes on Tsireya, holding her breath on the reaction she knows will come. “Tonight.” She said, bracing for impact, knows her friend enough that she’ll burst.
Tsireya hisses, earning a frown from Ronal. “You can’t go tonight Kiri, it’s dangerous to travel at night,” Tsireya says, voice awfully loud in the cool air and pinched with panic. “Who knows what creatures you might encounter? A Nalusta? Akula? or maybe-“ Kiri places a hand on Tsireya’s shoulder, squeezing it with assurance. “I will be fine. It’s better if I leave sooner; I’ve already wasted time,” Tsireya looks at her, weary. “Those people have already suffered enough.”
Tsireya is silent, moving her eyes away from her friend. She parts her lips, releasing a sigh and steps away from Kiri, glancing to the side. “…I just want to be there, to know that you’re safe.” Her eyes shimmer with the water behind them, when she looks at Kiri again, the evening sun paints a tapestry of colour’s in the sky as Kiri listens, face somber with understanding that her friend loves her, deeply touched by her kindness.
Ronal’s expression softens at the confession; Kiri sadly smiles at her friend, heart fluttering at the instant care Tsireya has for her, willing to go with her in the face of war. Kiri tilts her head. “Don’t worry, Tsireya. Eywa will be with me through the entire journey.” ‘Like She is now.’
“Kiri’s right, ‘reya.” Ronal shifts her son into her other arm, the baby babbles and squeals at his mother, unaware of the situation amongst them. “The eastern clan has already lost so many men, resources and companions to those demons. It’s time for Kiri to act now.” She faces her pupil, her face is hard with authority. “You will take an ilu there after nightfall. I will get an ilu for you and tell you the fastest way to get there. We will meet at the beach. For now, I suggest you guys join the rest of the village to eat.”
Kiri nods, hair swaying with the gentle evening breeze. “Yes, Ronal.”
Ronal bows her head and heads back along with her baby. Tsireya stares at her mother and brother, arms crossed. “Then I guess I’ll help you pack later, we can discuss what you need to know about the Ta’unui clan while you prepare,” Her teal eyes reflect her uneasiness, her optimism slipping away, along with the sadness of knowing Kiri will leave. “We don’t have much time.”
Kiri presses her lips, seeing how uncertain Tsireya was, and follows her as they both made their way to dinner.
“Are you looking forward to seeing my brother again?”
Kiri’s ears twitch. The question throws her off as she pulls her attention away from her food, cheeks burning as she sees her friend throw her a cheeky grin. Rotxo laughs at Tsireya’s question, hiding it behind his hand as they both wait for her response. They were sitting on the far side of the area everyone usually came to eat. Unlike her first dinner here, there was no bonfire or performances tonight, only small groups sitting together and slow music being played as they ate and conversed with one another.
Kiri is thankful that Tsireya waited until she was done eating, her lips parted in shock. Rotxo points at her, “L-Look at her face!” He wheezes, putting his food to the side. Tsireya laughs along with him, smile bright as she lowers her food onto her lap. “I’ve been curious for weeks now and couldn’t help but ask.” She buried her giggles behind her hand, momentarily pulling her hand away at the eyebrow raise Kiri sent her way. She slips a braid of hair in front of her. “Well?” She was still smiling.
“…No.” Kiri avoids her gleeful gaze, burning through her skin as Tsireya’s smile shifts to smirk, and stares at her roasted fish instead.
Rotxo and Tsireya glance at each other. “You’re lying,” Rotxo says, rolling his eyes at her. “We both know you miss him a lot.” He said, smirking at the way Kiri coughs at his words. She clears her throat, shaking her head. “I’m not lying. I was so focused on figuring out and solving the purpose Eywa has given me that I-“
“Enough of that, Kiri.” Rotxo scoffs, interrupting her. “Just admit you missed him; it’s okay if you did,” The boy gestures to Tsireya, the girl nodding her head in agreement at his words. “We both did.” Kiri tears a piece of her fish, cheeks flushed. “Yeah, but you guys are close and you’re his sister.”
Tsireya’s smile widens, her pearly teeth almost blinding Kiri, mischievous and joyful. “And you kissed him.” She said, making the blush on Kiri’s cheeks spread down to her neck.
Even though Kiri’s accepted—after thinking on it on her swims around the reef or when she’s working with Ronal—that the kiss she shared with Aonung was something meaningful, more deeper than a display of duty and responsibility to his people, she swallowed her feelings down, bottling it and waiting for the right time to let go, to release the dilemma she has with herself regarding the kiss; the turning point that motivated her to be brave, to face her problem with their deity. She feels the heat on her face and neck, embarrassed that not only her friend had a point, but she truthfully did miss Aonung.
“I-“ The words are stuck in her throat, the emotions she’s carried since he left on the verge of escaping her, overwhelming her like before when she was in his embrace, smiling tearfully at him, leaning into him when he opened himself up to her. She stares down at her fish, her hands trembling as she looks back at her friends.
The fire beside them casts a shadow on their faces, Kiri tries again hoping to convince them and herself. “..I did kiss him. But that doesn’t mean I miss him.” Rotxo groans at her answer and looks up to the sky in exasperation. Tsireya is quiet, lips flat, analyzing her friend in the night. She stays silent, blinking at Kiri’s hands before smiling once more. “Oh,” Tsireya reaches out to rub Rotxo’s arm and shakes her head, biting her lip. “That’s fair. It looks like we were both wrong Rotxo.”
Rotxo mumbles out a, “We were so close,” and resumes eating. Tsireya moves her hand to his back and rubs there as well, eyes locked on the fire blazing beside them forgetting her fish, peering at her students laughing around the fire chasing one another in the night. Kiri lowers her gaze down to her fish again, feeling her face cool, happy that she’s finally able to eat her meal.
Her happiness is short-lived unfortunately, when she finished her meal.
She informs Rotxo to meet them at the shores later to wish her goodbye; his eyes are brimmed with sadness, of frustration like Tsireya when he says, “I’ll be there,” and makes his way home. Tsireya pulls her away from him and reminds her that she’s running out of time for her journey, the dangerous voyage beyond the reefs she’s learned to love. It’s present still when Tsireya lifts her head from organizing the remedies she’s made during her pastime, taking it with her just in case.
“Hey, Kiri?” She really should’ve seen it coming. Kiri pauses her folding, holding her grandmother’s shawl. “Yes?”
In the moonlight, Tsireya gaze is unyielding eyes shinning with curiosity and insight. “Why did you lie at dinner?”
Kiri’s eyes widen. Her tail moves to curl around her leg, taken back by the instant question. It’s slow, like those videos Norm would show her about the human life back on the planet him and her father came from, dissolving underneath her skin. It’s slow; the happiness that was warming her body leaves her, immediately she feels cold at the expression Tsireya has on her face. Tsireya is not smiling, her hands are neatly placed in her lap, teal eyes regarding her. The switch in expression scares Kiri it leaves her feeling distant from her friend even though she’s sitting right next to her.
Her eyes find the wall to stare at. She hesitates, aware that Tsireya is waiting. She contemplates to lie again and dismiss the renewal uneasiness she feels from this; from everything. She could just play if off and give her friend a white lie, a half truth, but she glanced at her shawl, terrified to even look at her friend’s face and confesses, “Because it’s true.” Her voice wavers, unbalanced by her fear, her honesty. Tsireya pushes the jar she held to the side and leans down to take Kiri’s hand. She tilts her head, her hair falls on her right shoulder. “What is true?” She asks, squeezing Kiri’s hand.
Kiri exhales, pulling her eyes away from her shawl to her friend, eyes glazed with the realization, knowing she can’t take back her words the moment she says, “I miss him.”
She holds her breath, praying Tsireya stops here and doesn’t push her for more. Tsireya nods her head, hand still gripping Kiri’s. “I know you miss him,” She says, unbothered by the reaction that followed; Kiri closes her eyes, pressing her lip at her friends bluntness. “But, that’s half of it and you know, Kiri.”
She does. Kiri opens her eyes, fluttering her eyelids to stare at her friend, who is still waiting, still watching her like the last time they were together like this; before the swimming lesson she had with the children and Rotxo. She was close to admitting back then, the confession hanging on the tip of her lips—the words a struggle to say, to hear even though things have already shifted, her lifestyle, the purpose Eywa has given her, everything.
Kiri takes a breath, shy, scared, trembling. “I’m afraid that along with missing him,” She exhales, feeling a lump starting to form in her throat. “I’ve grown feelings for him.” She pulls her hand away from Tsireya grasp and rubs the skin on her hand. “It’s not the platonic kind, either.” She shakes her head, her ears picking up the beads hitting each other from the little braids in her hair. Kiri suddenly feels dumb for stating something so obvious, something she knows Tsireya was aware of. She was prepared for Tsireya to stand up and squeal, “I knew it!” or “Finally!” running around her home and laughing at fact she’s been waiting for so long.
She wasn’t, however, prepared for the hug Tsireya pulled her into. Her chin meets Tsireya’s shoulder, her arms dropping her grandmother’s shawl to wrap around Tsireya’s back, her hair caressing Tsireya’s cheek. Her breath hitches at the action, her fingers twitch at the motion of Tsireya’s fingers rubbing her lower back, imprinting small circles on her skin as she says, “I’m so proud of you, Kiri.”
And Kiri breaks. Her initial sob is small, a whisper of understanding and pain, of anxiety and insecurity regarding her emotions towards the chief’s son. Her second sob is ugly, loud in the silent space, clashing with the waves and the creatures lurking outside. She cries, hugging her friend, leaning her weight onto Tsireya as she sobs out, “It’s scary.” She hiccups and turns her head into Tsireya’s neck, hot tears rolling on her cheeks. “I—“ she can’t find the words to say, her lips quiver under the pressure of knowing, of feeling. It overwhelms her, leaves her naked like before, like the moment she shared with Aonung, his eyes taking her vulnerability, herself as a whole.
“I know it’s a lot Kiri,” Tsireya said, the air still heavy with tension, with emotion. “But I’m glad you’re letting yourself feel and take this in, process the fact that—“ she cuts herself off and breaks the hug, placing her hands on Kiri’s shoulders. Tsireya is glowing; her tears glimmer with the moonlight, her lips tugged in a big yet exhausted smile. “You really like him?”
Kiri lets out a wet laugh, wiping her tears and nods. “Yeah, I do.” She sighs and smiles, shy. “It’s weird…to feel for him this way.” Tsireya laughs and drags the jars she had previously into her lap. “Well, we should get back to packing. We can’t waste anymore time,” She tilts her head, lifting the jar of corals. “Oh, you don’t need these ones, they have plenty of these in there waters.” She places the jar away from her and picks up another one. Kiri grabs her shawl again, folding it and finding another thing to fold. “Tell me about them.”
“Hmmm, other than the fact that they’re more civil than us, it’s the same.” Tsireya opens the jar filled with shao plant and takes one out. “The Ta’unui clan value their ilu’s. Out of all the clans, they’re the closest with them, just like how we are with the tulkun.” She inspects the plant and puts it back inside the jar. “Of course, we metkayina value our brothers and sisters, but,” she ties the rest of the jars together and covers them with a piece of cloth. “Ta’unui places the ilu’s above that. They don’t see the relationship they have with the tulkuns as sacred, it’s more neutral.”
“And the RDA hunting them—“ Tsireya frowns at the mention of the humans. She scowls, shaking her head in disgust. “It’s ruining the system Eywa has established.”
Kiri blinks, slow. “And it’s my job to reestablish all that.” She exhales, moving to wrap the rest of her clothes together. Tsireya nods and gives her the jars safely wrapped in the cloth and watches Kiri push all of it into one spot. Silently, Kiri stands up and takes her stuff, Tsireya walks alongside her as they leave her home.
The village is tranquil, filled with noises of the sea and wind. Kiri smiles at the breeze hitting her face, focusing on the steps she made towards the shore, grinning at the singing from Tsireya. The tune was sweet intertwined with a melancholic note, the words gentle and carried by the serene breeze. Tsireya tilts her head to the sky as she sang, lifting her arm and stretching her hand to the stars above.
Kiri sighs, listening and sees Ronal and Rotxo waiting for them. Rotxo is tense—Kiri can tell when she approaches him, sending him a small smile. He returns it, afraid and albiet nervous. She hands her stuff to Tsireya. “Ready to send me off?” She asked facing her teacher, raising an eyebrow. “How long is the journey?”
Ronal stares at her, small bags clinging underneath her eyes as she answered, tired. “Yes, as long as you make it. The spade wingers will guide you to the village,” She stands in front of her as Rotxo and Tsireya strap and secure Kiri’s things on the saddle. “With an ilu, it’ll take you the entire night. You’ll arrive in the morning,” She takes out a small conch shell from her side pouch, white and carved with illustrations.
Ronal grabs Kiri’s hand and places it on her palm, closing her hand into a fist. “When you get there, give this to the Tsahik. This will tell her which village you came from and that you’re an ally.” Ronal squeezes her fist, warm and steady. ‘Like her gaze.’
Her eyes, as always, are strong when she glances to her, evoking a rush of confidence and strength within Kiri. Without thinking, Kiri brings her other hand on top of Ronal’s, drawing a widened look from the woman. She keeps her hands there, her eyes expressing enough emotions for Ronal to nod, a broad smile tugging her lips. “May Eywa guide and be with you, Kiri.” Kiri smiles at her words knowing what she was truly trying to say, ‘Come back safely and save our waters.’ She pulls her hand away from Ronal, her teacher does the same, stepping aside to let her daughter bid Kiri a farewell.
Tsireya hugged her, rubbing her back and leaning her head against hers. “Say hi for me,” She said, separating herself briefly before yoinking Rotxo into their hug. “Why bother stand there Rotxo?” Tsireya asks, earning a heartfelt laugh from Kiri and a smirk from the boy. Kiri bumps her shoulder to Rotxo’s. “Is there anything I should say to Aonung for you when I see him?” Rotxo laughs and shakes his head. “Only to punch his arm, nothing more.”
Kiri giggles. “Got it.”
Ronal crosses her arms, observing the sea. “Alright, children, it’s time for Kiri to go.”
A sob tears through the night, Kiri breaks apart from their group hug to wipe Tsireya tears. “I’ll be back before you know it, sister.” The term makes Tsireya cry even more, she heaves—inhaling, taking Kiri’s face and pressing her forehead to hers. Kiri doesn’t cry, only closes her eyes and smiles, whispering she’ll be back and that when they see each other again, they’ll be celebrating. She enters the water, the sea creatures though it’s night surrounds her feet as she swam to her ilu, boarding them and looking at her friends and teacher.
She soaks in the scenery of them staring at her, waiting and praying for her trip to the unknown. Kiri waves to them, bonding with her ilu and turns her partner in the direction where the spade wingers were guiding her.
Unlike the first time she left her home, she doesn’t look behind her, hating that she has to leave the forest. She keeps her eyes forward, determined to protect and save the metkayina.
Notes:
The next chapter will definitely be longer, like chap 7 & 8 long. Idk when I'll update this fic tbh, Uni is just around the corner and I need to lock in mentally again for that.
I'll see you thennn :))))
Cziwonapa on Chapter 2 Tue 18 Mar 2025 01:18AM UTC
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Last Edited Tue 18 Mar 2025 06:07PM UTC
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Cziwonapa on Chapter 7 Wed 11 Jun 2025 07:14AM UTC
Last Edited Wed 11 Jun 2025 07:14AM UTC
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