Chapter 2: Epiphany
A/N: Thank you to everyone who favourited, alerted and reviewed for chapter one! The number of favourites and alerts definitely blew me away. I am so grateful and appreciative of your feedback! And so as a reward, here is the second chapter to satisfy your readers' cravings!
RECAP: The day passed quickly and before I knew it, the hunting troop had returned and praise Eywa, the hunt had been successful. The cheers and cries of the rejoicing clan members could be heard as the troop entered the Hometree and lowered the kill. I cheered in sync with the other gathering women before heading up the bank and taking the large basket of water weeds with me. Once dinner was prepared the clan would feast, and then after dinner I would tell Jake the good news.
*** JAKE & NEYTIRI ***
Neytiri's POV
I looked around at the delicious array of fruit, nuts and meats laid out before the clan and I was suddenly very conscious of the foods that I was not to eat now that I was with child. The elderly women I had gathered with this morning had given me valuable advice that I was thankful for and not likely to forget. Water weeds were good for cleansing the body and keeping the blood clean. Fruit and nuts increased vitality and strengthened the immune system. I was cautioned, however, to eat only a little bit of meat every day to reduce the risk of transmitted disease from unclean meats, but still keep up in physical strength.
"Oel ngati kameie (I see you), Neytiri." Jake greeted me cheerfully, taking his seat beside me in-between myself and my mother, Mo'at. He greeted my mother the same way to which she returned the gesture and smiled kindly.
"We will eat well tonight and tomorrow." My mother remarked gladly, bowing her head in Jake's direction in thanks and pride, "I am glad I did not slit your throat that day when the Sky People destroyed Kelutrel. You have made a fine olo'eyktan for the Omaticaya and I can rest in peace knowing that when Eywa calls for me, I will leave the clan in more than capable hands."
I hissed in displeasure at my mother's talk of her passing, "Sa'nu!" upon which she merely smiled at me and shook her head, before continuing with her dinner. I was well aware that my mother's time would come one day, hopefully not in the near future. I just did not like the thought of living without her, especially now that I was with child and needed so much of her guidance and wisdom.
Reaching out, I clasped a round purple fruit in my hands and bit into it, moaning a little at the succulence of it and licking my lips in delight. Jake chuckled at me and offered me a piece of meat, to which I refused, much to his surprise. I was quite the meat eater usually, and my refusal of the roasted meat must have seemed very out of character to him.
I smiled gently at him, not needing words to translate the expression of confusion prancing around on his face, as I said, "I am not to eat too much meat." A soft laugh rose from my throat as his eyebrows furrowed even more, and I soothed quietly, "I will explain in good time. Be patient, my love."
Jake's ears flattened against his skull in disappointment as he returned to his food, sinking his teeth into a large meaty flank. Sighing, I reached for another piece of fruit, a green one this time and bit into it. Dinner carried on as usual for the next while, families all chatting frivolously as the food began to disappear from their wooden platters.
I could tell by the way Jake was unconsciously worrying his bottom lip that my change in behaviour was nagging at him, and I smiled a small smile to myself. I could almost see the questions swirling about in his head. He would be put out of his misery soon enough. I would tell him once we retired for the night.
"Aaaah!"
Instantly, the clan fell silent and every member's head snapped in the direction of the pained cry. In the far corner of the Hometree, I saw a young female bending over a heaving body on the ground. Gasping softly I got to my feet along with Jake and my mother, and realised that an elderly woman had collapsed and was clutching frantically at her chest, as if the air around her was suddenly not enough to satiate her lungs.
The young female cradled the old female in her arms and yelled out desperately for help in Na'vi, her tearful eyes focused in a direct line toward my mother. The young female was barely out of childhood, a young adolescent maybe. My mother hurried over to the pair and placed one hand on the older female's head and the other on her chest. The older female had stopped writhing by the time my mother got to her, and my own chest swelled with anguish when a poignant expression washed over my mother's face and she shook her head.
I didn't need to hear my mother's announcement to know that the old female had gone to be with Eywa. A loud cry of sorrow came from a female beside the younger one, and I instantly recognised Piral, the clan's finest female hunter. Piral supported the motionless body of her grandmother in her arms, countless tears surging down her cheeks as she cradled her lost loved one.
A tear trickled off my chin, alerting me to my own tears and I hastily wiped them away on the back of my hand. Jake's warm hands rubbed the back of my arms and he steered me into his chest, enveloping me in his arms in a gesture of comfort as he comforted me softly. Under current circumstances that I could not ignore, it looked like Jake would have to wait a little longer to find out the good news.
*** JAKE & NEYTIRI ***
The funeral rituals went smoothly the next morning, with my mother chanting and singing the sacred prayers and the clan repeating after her in somber tones. I, Jake and Piral's family stood alongside her, looking solemnly down into the grave, which had been dug about a couple of hundred feet away from the Hometree. As my mother's low voice carried the prayers, clan members began to place bouquets of flowers and wreaths into the grave, which already held the departed female's belongings. Once all the prayers had been uttered, I, Jake, my mother and Piral's family released several wood sprites into the grave before the male members of the family began pushing the earth that had been dug up back into the grave, concealing it.
Silently, I watched as the clan returned to their Hometree, some still sobbing whilst others comforted. It was ritual that no hunting or gathering take place within one day of an individual's passing, and this was to ensure that the individual's soul would reach the All Mother with minimal disruption. The clan would also partake in three days of mourning, where nothing joyful was to be spoken of or done.
"That will be my job someday, to be Tsahik." I whispered as Jake and I headed back to our alcove, "When my mother passes on."
I did not like that thought one bit, not at all. My mother had been with me every step of my life. She had given me life, raised me from a young one into a woman and now I was having children of my own, and I wanted her to be there to watch them grow; her grandchildren. Though I was fully grown and no longer a child, but instead an independent woman, I still learnt so much from my mother and thrived on much of the guidance she had to offer. I could not imagine a life without her, or Jake for that matter.
We reached our destination and I turned to face Jake, knowing that my golden-green orbs were probably glistening with tears. There was so much and so many I loved in this world that I didn't want to lose, and I now fully comprehended Jake's feelings that day many months ago on the cliff's edge, about how he wished that those lost in the war could be here with us now to celebrate. I wanted my mother to be around when I gave birth to my child and wanted her to be there to share my joy in raising him or her.
Jake seemed to have read my thoughts right off my face and he sighed, embracing me in his arms for the millionth time that morning, "Neytiri don't think like that. Your mother's the strongest woman I've ever met after you, both spiritually and physically. She won't be going anywhere for a long time."
I pulled away and smiled appreciatively at him. Looking at his handsome face I wondered how our child would look like. Would he or she have his eyes or mine, his chin or mine? Reaching out I touched his cheek, wishing that I could tell him right then that I was with child, but I did not want to disobey my people's rituals.
"You're so beautiful," Jake muttered, his lips brushing against my nose gently whilst my eyelashes fluttered against his cheek.
"And so are you, my Jake." I replied dotingly, trailing my nose against the length of his throat and listening to a growl of pleasure rumble in his chest.
My beloved mate withdrew a little and kissed me square on the lips. His tongue caressed my lower lip expertly and I felt my knees go weak at the sensation. Opening my mouth I granted him entry, moaning as our tongues danced. Oh, and I had been missing this before Eywa brought him to me. One of his hands fixed itself on my lower back, pushing me into his lean torso whilst the other reached up to loosen the fern necklace I wore.
That's when I stopped him. I knew what he wanted and under normal circumstances I would have given in to him, but not now when the clan was in mourning. He whined pleadingly, attempting to kiss my neck before I placed both hands on his chest and firmly pushed him backward to put some space between us.
Frowning in disappointment he sighed, "Will you now please explain to me why your behaviour has been so strange lately?"
A sad smile tugged at the corners of my mouth and I gave into it, chuckling sadly at Jake, who sounded very much like a child pestering his mother for a reason he couldn't go for a swim in the river. I really wished I could tell him but I knew I wouldn't; I couldn't.
"I cannot explain to you now, Jake." I reasoned slowly, watching as his ears flattened against his skull again, "It is custom not to do anything or speak of joyful things during this time of mourning after one's death." At least I gave him a hint by saying the news I had was joyful.
Jake's ears perked up skeptically along with his eyebrows, "So whatever you want to explain to me is joyful?"
I nodded in reply.
My mate frowned in confusion, "So it's joyful that you won't go hunting with me, won't eat any meat, and are refusing my love?"
A laugh rang out from me as I smacked him playfully in the head. His reasoning could be so illogical sometimes, "I am not refusing your love you silly skxawng (moron)! Letting you love me is a celebration of our love and we are not allowed to do that during this time. And it is not that I do not wish to hunt with you, I am not able to. I want to tell you the reason but it is a joyful one and therefore, I cannot speak of it."
My mate pursed his lips and sighed, yet again, "So I presume I have to wait three days until this mourning period passes?"
"Yes, now smile! I do not like it when you sulk." I said pinching his cheeks teasingly and watching him roll his eyes and deepen his frown, though by the sparkle in his eyes I knew he was humouring me.
Jake pushed his lower lip out and sat cross-legged on the floor, folding his arms obstinately, "No, I can't smile. I'm in mourning."
I flicked one of his ears gently in scolding, "Such a child." Before swooping down to plant a kiss on his forehead.
*** JAKE & NEYTIRI ***
The third and last day of mourning dawned upon the Hometree and clan members arose from their slumber, beginning their daily toils. The rain clouds from the day before had migrated elsewhere over night, and the sun had begun its ascent into the clear sky, warming the Hometree with its golden rays.
"I miss hunting with you." Jake said out of the blue, swinging his bow around his chest and over his shoulder as he prepared to set off with today's hunting troop. His golden eyes were gentle as he watched me and I walked up to him, brushing a fleck of dust off the leather dagger sheath that was strapped around his torso.
"So do I Jake, but the gift you will receive in time to come will more than compensate for my absence during your hunts." I said smiling widely at him and kissing his chin. His eyebrows knitted again and I knew he was wondering what 'joyful news' I had for him once the mourning period had passed. "You will find out soon, my love."
"First thing tomorrow," Jake said before kissing me swiftly on the lips and making his departure.
I watched as his tail disappeared round the corner before he leapt onto one of the Hometree's internal trunks and lowered himself down. I couldn't wait to tell him, frankly, that our child was alive and growing within me. Trailing a flat palm over my belly I grinned at the tiny, barely noticeable bump that had started to form.
He or she wasn't yet old enough to hear me, but I spoke to him or her anyway, "Oel ngati kameie eveng. (I see you, child.)." Once I had nurtured the child within me to a certain maturity, I would be able to bond with it, communicate with it in a way and feel its emotions. Until then, however, I would just have to be content with speaking to it.
Laughing a little and feeling a bit silly, I picked up my basket and threw its shoulder strap over my shoulder before proceeding to make my way down and out of the Hometree toward the stream. Bounding toward the group of gathering women I noticed the silhouette of a female I was familiar with, who had joined the group, Piral.
"Kalxti!" I greeted, as my feet splashed into the cool stream. The women returned the greeting and Piral ran to embrace me as she beamed at me happily.
"When you stopped hunting I thought this was the reason." Piral said knowingly, the Na'vi sliding smoothly from her lips, "And now Eywa has blessed me with that same joy. The Tsahik confirmed it for me this morning."
"I'm so happy for you, Piral, but come now, we must not speak of such things during this time." I replied teasingly, waggling a chastising finger at her. I found it odd that Piral was breaking the custom of clan rituals seeing as it was her grandmother that had passed, however, she didn't seem to mind that she had.
Piral scoffed a little and waved her hand casually, "Don't worry, Neytiri. I know my grandmother is with Eywa and besides, most of my family have already ceased mourning themselves." I frowned at her skeptically, to which she leaned in and whispered under her breath, "There was a sign yesterday. There were so many atokirina (wood sprites) around my grandmother's grave. She is safe with Eywa, I know it."
I shook my head in mock disapproval of her behaviour, receiving a playful smack from her in return. It didn't matter to me if Piral and her family had ceased mourning. I was not one to break rules, but Piral was making it increasingly hard for me.
"Have you heard?" Piral gasped excitedly as she remembered some important notion, "Mey'ral gave birth to a daughter during the night!"
Despite my unwillingness to break the rules, however, I couldn't stop a squeal from escaping me at the wonderful news. I could just picture Mey'ral with her baby daughter in her arms, and a rush of warmth swelled in my chest as I pictured myself a few months from now with my own little bundle of joy.
"You should visit her this evening," Piral suggested brightly, "I know she'll be glad to see you, and for goodness sake, tell Jakesully you are with child."
My eyebrows jumped in surprise and I meant to ask her how she knew, that I had not told him, when she replied.
"I came down a little before you did and when I approached the hunting troop he began telling me the hunting plans for today. When I told him I would be gathering from now on instead, he gave me this strange look," Piral laughed at remembering Jake's expression, and I could just about see it for myself: flattened ears, furrowed eyebrows and flared nostrils.
Piral was clutching her stomach now with laughter and as hard as I tried to control it, my own laughter spilt forth anyway.
"He then walked away mumbling something about his hunters walking out on him one by one. It's obvious that he's not aware about this rite of passage in the clan, and that you haven't told him!"
"I was going to," I explained before my expression softened and I frowned, "But then your grandmother passed on and we went into mourning."
Piral smiled sadly and shook her head, before saying, "Well, I give you permission from my family to let our Olo'eyktan be in the know, because honestly, he is picking his brains out wondering what kind of good news it is that has you and I gathering now instead of hunting with him. And go visit Mey'ral tonight, her daughter is such a beauty!"
*** JAKE & NEYTIRI ***
Sometime during the day, my mother came to join us gathering and I discovered that she too seemed to have stopped mourning, for she had spent the duration of her time in the stream telling us young mothers-to-be what was nutritious and what should be avoided. Currently, she was on the far side of the bank, scrubbing some dark green moss off the slippery rocks into a wooden bowl containing more of the same dark green mulch, and I could only hope that she didn't expect us to consume it.
The little ones had also joined us in the stream after their day of English lessons at school, and they splashed and frolicked about in the cool water, the older ones expertly teaching the younger ones how to make stones skip on the stream's surface.
"Eat this once a day," My mother instructed firmly, gesturing toward the bowl of green sludge as she looked pointedly at all the pregnant women and me, "I know it doesn't look appealing, but you'll be thankful when it stops you falling prey to sickness. It's not fun to be with child and sick. You end up feeling like a fat Ikran that cannot fly or breathe."
The women around me chuckled at my mother's comparison, whilst I just continued frowning, disgruntled, at the revolting mixture in the bowl. The thudding of hooves reverberating in the background signalled the return of the hunters, and when they galloped into sight on their pa'li, cheers of triumph echoed once again around us, indicating the hunters' success.
My mother laughed lightly, "Eywa has been very kind to us recently, and I pray she continues to be so, what with the upcoming birth of an heir and many other little ones." She touched my belly tenderly as she spoke and I moved to hug her.
"I love you, mother." I whispered quietly, burying my face into her beaded and braided hair, remembering the times as a young one when I would run to her after a day of learning and do the same.
"And I you, my beloved Neytiri." She replied, withdrawing from me and cupping my face, "You will make a wonderful mother, dear one. Never fear for Eywa will provide and pave the way."
A wide smile sprung across my face and I embraced her again, "Thank you, mother."
"OLO'EYKTAN!"
A cluster of little children stampeded past my mother and I, running to greet the clan leader, who crouched down on his knees to receive them with a big grin plastered onto his fetching face. A mild heat glowed in my chest, warming the cockles of my heart as my eyes rested on my handsome mate; my Jake. The little ones gathered around him with different requests, some wanting him to tell them a story, others wanting to be lobbed into the air or flown around like Ikran Maktos (Ikran riders).
I chortled gaily as a little female not older than the age of two toddled up to him and reaching up, weeded several bright yellow flowers into his hair to which he thanked her cheerfully, though his embarrassment was apparent from the darkening of his cheeks.
Unconsciously, my right hand stopped to rest on my front as I surveyed Jake interacting with the little ones. If we had a son, he would be raised by the greatest Olo'eyktan in Omaticaya history, and he would grow to be strong, wise and courageous like his father. If we had a daughter, then she was going to be the most spoilt little girl on Pandora, judging by the way Jake was now letting the little female from before string even more flowers into his hair.
"Tell him, child." My mother piped up suddenly, pulling my head out of the clouds.
I smiled at her and nodded, my excitement growing as I approached him and saying to the children in Na'vi, "Run along now, little ones. Dinner will be ready soon."
At the mere mention of food, the younglings scampered off excitedly toward the Hometree exclaiming their hunger aloud, eliciting laughs from anyone nearby within earshot.
Turning my eyes upon my mate, I giggled, "You look like a piece of art!"
Jake returned the gesture, chortling along with me as he pulled the crown of flowers from his hair, "Yeah, she's quite the artist that one."
"That is Ni'nat's younger sister, La'ula." I informed him, before I wrinkled my nose teasingly, "You smell like dirt."
Jake's jaw dropped in mock horror, "Oh really? I wonder why? Considering I have been out hunting all day! And anyway, you smell like fish."
I laughed out loud and smacked him on the head before grabbing his wrist and tugging him away, "Well then we are both in need of a bath. Come, and anyway, I have good news for you."
My mate raised an eyebrow, "I thought we weren't supposed to speak of happy things until tomorrow?"
An eager smile graced my lips as I began jogging downhill toward the watery cove below, "Piral's family lifted the mourning period."
"Oh," And that was all Jake managed to say before I darted off toward the cove, with him chasing me hot on my tail. The light zephyr blew gently against my face as I ran, and for a moment I experienced déjà vu back to the evening when Jake and I had mated and we were chasing each other through the bioluminescent forest, headed for the Tree of Voices.
The cove was in sight now as I ran down the sandy shore. I felt Jake snag onto my tail with a triumphant cry and he pounced, knocking us both into the fresh turquoise water. Surfacing for air I laughed heartily, splashing the cool water into Jake's face as he surfaced just seconds after me.
"Hah, I got you this time!" Jake exclaimed with his fist jubilantly raised in the air.
This was what I loved about our bond. I felt free with Jake; free to be myself and be silly like a child without having to worry about disapproving glances. Sometimes I wondered how a man could have so many aspects to his personality. Jake was childlike in some ways but in other ways he was a man; a strong, virile man who was the love of my life, and the father of the child within me.
I beamed at him and draped my arms around his neck, "I have joyous news for you, my Jake."
Jake's golden eyes lit up in anticipation and I chuckled. I could almost hear his heart speed up and see his excitement grow as he spoke, "What is it?"
I smiled widely, my eyes beginning to well up in tears of delight as I thought about what I was going to say, "As your mate I give you this gift from me," I began slowly, watching as his eyes wandered restlessly around my sides as if he was searching for his 'gift'. I chuckled at his childish impatience and took his hand, placing it gently on my belly, "Your gift is here, Jake, growing inside me."
Slowly but surely, recognition and understanding spread across his face. I reached up and caressed his cheek lovingly with tears in my eyes, "You are going to be a father, Jake."
*** JAKE & NEYTIRI ***
A/N: Dun, dun, dun! Mwahahahahahaha! I am known as the Queen of Oneshots, but I am also known by many as the Queen of Cliff-hangers! I'm evil I know, and I too hate it when an author leaves a nasty cliff-hanger, but hey, what can I say? It works doesn't it? It keeps you on the edge of your seats and eager to read the next chapter. SO YES, THERE WILL BE ANOTHER CHAPTER! This is no longer a two-shot. That's the problem with me, see, I prefer to write oneshots because they are short and sweet. Every time I start a chaptered story, I have this problem of going on and on and on past by intended number of chapters. *sigh* I am sorry for being evil and putting off Jake's reaction until the next chapter, but it just wouldn't be any fun for me if I hadn't left a cliffie.
So do review and tell me your thoughts, your frustrations, your anger at my horrible cliffie! I want to know, and you might have noticed that unlike my oneshots this story is rated 'M' and it will be for good reason as I plan to include a Jake & Neytiri lemon in the next chapter. As for how lemony it's going to be, I haven't quite decided (because I don't want to make them OOC) but there will be some lemon juice in the next one. So again, thanks for reading everyone! I'm so grateful!
P.S 'La'ula' and 'Mey'ral' are names that I came up with myself by the way, and all aspects of Na'vi culture in this story are also my creation, so none of it is official Na'vi culture. :D Oh and sorry for any typos too!