Prologue

I am a hunter.

I was raised a hunter; Brought up as a hunter.

My family members have all been hunters.

I am a hunter…

… in essence.

I do enjoy activities of the home tenders however. Mother compliments me on my singing quite often (Father chides it). She says the entire clan, even Nin'at acknowledges it, but I do not agree. I am all that Eywa has made me. Mediocre.

I am greatly intrigued by our plant life in the forest. Sometimes, I steal away from Father's watchful eye and go into the forests with the other home tenders. They make me feel very welcomed as they teach me what their home tender teachers have taught them.

On my free time, I seek out Mo'at to see if I may help with any herbs or medicines she is working with. Often, she will take me with her on a trip out to the forest for herb gathering. Mo'at is equivalent to my second mother. I am quite fond of her as I believe I am to her.

As far as Father is concerned, which is a lot, I am but a mediocre hunter, "Not yet up to standards" he says. My sister, Ki'at, has earned his favour instead. During dinner, he will nonstop boast of how strong and courageous Ki'at is. She already has had many male Na'vi asking for her as a mate but she politely refuses each time. I do not know why for I dare not ask her such a question. Not all of us can be as close as Sylwanin and Neytiri.

The reason why we are not close is because we never spend time alone with each other. She is constantly out training, busy making arrows or perfecting her hunting skills (not like they are not perfect already). The only time we speak with each other is perhaps at dinner to ask to pass a leaf plate. That was it.

In a way, our relationship is almost awkward, as some may point out, but for living a life like mine, it is comfortable. Easy.

Father never speaks of me at dinner. I believe the last time I had come up in his conversation was when I hit a bullseye at the training area for the first time. I remember that time.

"Kor'dey, we've heard young Tal'ya has hit her first bullseye today! Your family of hunters is complete!" a friend of Father's laughed.

But instead, Father did not laugh. He gave but a wry smile. "We shall see, old friend. We shall see."

We shall see indeed.

Chapter 1

I long for the day I tame my ikran. I long for the day that I no longer must succumb to Father's ruthless comments and punishments. And most of all, I long for the day where I may spend my free time on whatever I may wish, whether it be scavenging the forest, or at the training field (although, highly unlikely).

"Have you had enough Tal'ya?" Father asked in a harsh, monotone voice. I had to admit, he looked rather majestic on his pa'li, trotting from left to right continuously. He emitted leadership qualities. Father was known to be the Omaticaya's greatest hunter when he was young (aside from the future Olo'eyktan and the current Olo'eyktan at the time). With new hunters frequently rushing in, and his age beginning to catch up to him, he no longer held that title, but was nonetheless, respected for it.

In all honesty, I was no longer sure if I will be able to get out of the angry river that was seemingly mirroring Father's current mood: livid and relentless. The rapids were becoming stronger and the stinging coldness pinched at my skin with every wave. "Yes Father." I replied. My teeth chattered.

"When you come out, will you once again stray from your responsibilities, and scavenge for herbs like a home tender?" He emphasized "home tender" like it was atrocious as his eyes narrowed at my shivering body. na'vi or not, it is cool season, and however strong my skin can be, the icy water continuously stabbed at me.

Technically, there was nothing wrong about being a home tender. Without home tenders, I assure you that Kelutral would not be as comfortable to the hunters as it is today! Father is just a very closed minded na'vi. He is putting me through this because he had caught me stealing off with Ret'ha into the forest. He was supposed to teach me about delirmantoses today but Father had come into the clearing and took me away in anger.

"Well Tal'ya?" He said, waiting impatiently.

"N-no Father," I said. "I will not. I will continue with my responsibilities."

Father let me feel one more painful crash of a small rapid before pulling me out and up onto his pa'li. "I am doing this for your own good Tal'ya." He led his pa'li to a nearby mushroom and pulled off its most outer skin to wrap it around my much smaller body. "You are no home tender" he said with emphasis again. "You are a hunter, and only a hunter. Nothing else, and because you are my daughter, you will surely be a great hunter, worthy of recognition." I stopped my face from going sour. Not because of his words (I have heard this speech many times), but because of the irritable mushroom skin draped on my shoulders. I hated anything that had to do with mushrooms. I will smell like a mushroom until tomorrow, but at least I will be warm.

I did not know if that was a worthy bargain.

I rode on Father's pa'li until we were nearing our new Kelutral. It was truly magnificent. Although Father would rather slice his own skin before admitting the obvious beauty of the new Kelutral, I had to commend JakeSully… I mean, Olo'eyktan for our new home. We rode in silence until we reached just the outskirts of Kelutral. "Do not think you are finished with your punishment." He said, as he got off the pa'li. I slid off right after him. Father came up close and used the mushroom skin to dry off any remnants of the river off my face. I was no longer wet and cold but instead dry and warm. "You are to master your skills with a bow. You are not to leave until dinner time. At the training area, I am sure you will find Ki'at to help you if necessary."

I wrinkled my nose.

"What?" he said. I enjoyed the tone he used at the sight of my face. It reminded me of when I was but a child and it was not yet an issue that I was supposed to be a natural huntress. It was very father-like.

"Father," I began. I let my face go sour this time. "I hate mushrooms."

He gave a hearty laugh, barring his sharp teeth. Father had always had nice teeth. "That, daughter, is also part of your punishment. Now go before you get another!" he said, as he threw the mushroom skin into the brush (to decay and give nutrients to nearby vegetation) and walked off to tend to his pa'li.

I smelled like a pungent vegetable. Do I need to say any more? I hissed at no one in particular as I entered the training grounds and grabbed a bow and some arrows. I will not be able to bathe until tomorrow morning! I cannot endure the smell of mushrooms for that long!

I reached an empty target and mindlessly shot an arrow in that direction. Miss.

Great.

"You must concentrate child. Do not think of any distractions and only think of the matter at hand."

I turned around to find an older male na'vi preparing to shoot at the target next to mine. Flawlessly (and I mean flawlessly), he gracefully released his arrow and in a flash, it reached the dead center of the target.

The male na'vi gestured to his forehead. "I see you."

I did the same. "I see you. I am called Tal'ya"

"Tal'ya." He said while smiling. "My name is Ta'hik."

Not knowing what to say, I nodded.

"Who is your teacher young Tal'ya? Where are they? Surely you are not here by yourself? First time bow wielders need a guide to teach them."

I blushed in embarrassment. Yes, I am a little distracted right now, but I cannot seem that bad. Ki'at has taught me and I have shot many bullseyes before. "Actually, my teacher is…" I realised I did not know where Ki'at actually was. "…busy." I finished. "Her name is Ki'at. She is my sister."

His face lit in recognition. "Yes I know of Ki'at. She is a great warrior. We tamed our ikran together. She has never mentioned a sister before however. How much younger are you child? And Ki'at left you all alone?"

"I am only 3 years younger than Ki'at, and no, this is an impromptu practice. I am afraid today is not my best of days however." I said as I shot another arrow. This time it was better. It hit the target at least, but straddled the edge. I gave Ta'hik a sheepish grin. "I meant to do that." I said, with a little sarcasm.

He came over to me and lifted my elbow with the tip of his beautiful bow. "It is only a minor error Tal'ya." He smiled. I released my arrow. "You look younger than you are." He commented. "Like a child."

If it were anybody else who had said that, I would have stamped my foot and argue that I am soon to be an adult, but the tone Ta'hik used was more of an observation than an insult. In all honesty, I hated my physique. I am much smaller than Ki'at was when she was my age, and am much more suited as a home tender rather than a body of a huntress. I decided not to reply to his observation.

Anyhow, Ta'hik's advice had helped my aim. My arrow was lodged deep in the center of the target. I couldn't avoid a smile that became plastered on my face. I beamed. "Thank you, Ta'hik." I said, addressing his advice. Ki'at never gave me advice where I had picked it up right away.

"There is nothing to thank for." He said with an impish grin and looked over across the field. "I believe Ki'at has finally come to train. Perhaps you should show her your achievement of the day."

I glanced at my rather undamaged looking target. "I do not think she will be impressed." I mused.

"That is nonsense." He said before signalling to Ki'at and the other male na'vi she was with. "Ki'at!" he said.

I watched as my sister and her friend, who I now recognize as Tsu'tey, made their way over. "I see you, teacher."

"I see you." She replied politely. Ta'hik gave both of us a confused look at our formality.

Tsu'tey let an evil smirk slide on his face. "Is this the student you have told me about?"

I gave Ki'at a confused look. I did not know that she talked about me with her friends! I saw Ki'at nodding. "That's her."

"She smells of mushrooms." he sneered.

"Tsu'tey!" Ta'hik scolded him. "She is young."

"The stench fills my nose."

I looked down at my feet, fidgeting. What had I ever done to the great former Olo'eyktan to make him say such things? If I were not in such a public place, I was sure tears would be springing into my eyes.

It was when I heard Ki'at giggle in agreement that I became infuriated. I looked up at her to see the look she was giving Tsu'tey. The look; the giggle. Oh Eywa, she was so obvious. She had her eyes on Tsu'tey alright. It was impossible not to notice. Then again, Tsu'tey does not seem to be too bright about relationships. He is probably oblivious to her intentions.

"Come Ki'at." Tsu'tey said. He looked at me with his nose raised so high up that he must've been trying to catch flies! "I believe there are empty targets across the field." He stalked away with Ki'at desperately trailing behind him. At that moment, I felt almost ashamed to be the sister of Ki'at. Oh Eywa, please do not spite me for the thought!

Without saying anything, I turned back to my target and released an arrow. Bullseye!

"Excellent Tal'ya!" Ta'hik encouraged.

I turned to him. "Thank you for your help Ta'hik." I said genuinely. "I apologize for the ill meeting with Ki'at. We are not on the best terms."

Ta'hik smiled. "There is nothing to apologize for, young one." He began to pack up his belongings. "Besides," he said as he was walking away. I barely heard the rest of his sentence. "I love mushrooms."

I couldn't hide my giggle that time; both because of Ta'hik's comment and because I released my fifth bullseye.

The meeting with Ki'at and Tsu'tey did not deter me from my training. In fact, I believe replacing the practice target with the image of Tsu'tey's face really helped!

Eywa, do not spite me.

Hello everyone. This is my first Avatar fiction so you will all have to bear with me. I actually find writing at a natural na'vi point of view quite difficult because I feel like I should be very aware of the language they use. I will try my best to not write colloquially.

And do not fret dear readers, my chapters are usually longer than 2000 words. I usually prefer to go up to 3000+ but then again, I haven't written anything for so long, it might be a little hard.

By the way, I love mushrooms!

Thank you for reading.

Feedback and reviews are greatly appreciated.