***So after some thought, I decided I wasn't finished with this story. I hope you can still enjoy it.

There had once been over a thousand Omaticaya. Since the war, they were down to seven hundred. Half of the clan had left to find temporary reprieve with other clans, another two hundred were on constant search parties looking for food beyond the destroyed forest that now surrounded their new home tree. At present there were too many young and elderly and not enough warrior and hunters present. Without a stable home, they were easy prey to famine or attack or all number of disasters. They had to move on or they wouldn't survive. These were the facts which Jake had thought of a million times in his head. Now they were coming true.

"Olo'eyktan!"

Jake heard this quite clearly. Someone was calling out to the clan leader, and that was him now. But he was troubled and the title had not been ingrained enough in his identity for him to recognize it without thinking. So he continued walking.

"Olo'eyktan?!"

Finally Jake heard and turned to see the Na'vi hurrying over to him. He recognized the male's flat features and slight limp instantly. It was Umo, the same Na'vi who'd been one of the first to rise and fight with him during the war. He was also someone who still argued in his favor at clan meetings and would calm others down if Jake said something wrong or flat out stupid. Jake was respected by many but Umo was one of Jake's few friends among the Na'vi.

Umo slowed down and took Jake's shoulder. Umo was silent for a few moments as he caught his breath. Jake took this moment to study the other Na'vi. Umo was older than him by ten or so years but still was strong and sturdy. He was a head shorter than Jake and his facial and body markings, unlike others, were wild and without a pattern, which gave him a humorous look. He was sometimes the butt of friendly jokes for this but Umo didn't mind.

"Olo'eyktan," Umo finally said, "I had heard you were taking a search party at dawn to look for a new Kelutral. Is this true?"

It had only been decided a few moments before by a group of elders whom Mo'at had assigned to help him but the situation was weighing down on his heart. He knew the Na'vi needed a new home and he knew as clan leader this fell under his jurisdiction but they didn't just yet feel as if he could flex his muscles as chief and be respected or even listened to. He was a Na'vi, a member of the Omaticaya but to too many he was still a traitor and a stranger.

He had hoped in the weaker regions of his mind that he could somehow change the elder's mind, convince them that this could wait. However, if Umo knew, others might as well and while the elders might bend on this matter, Jake could not expect the entire clan to be as malleable.

But there was more. Even if all the able bodied Na'vi volunteer themselves to this duty, he couldn't take more than thirty because that was all they could logistically afford to send away. With thirty, there was no telling how long this might take. Between trying to survive away from a settled community and fighting off creature they might have never encountered, and ones they had, he expected to be away five seasons at minimum.

"Who told you this?" asked Jake hesitantly.

Umo simply grinned, "The wind. It carried many rumors."

"You think it's a rumor?" Jake asked hopefully.

"I know it's more than that. An elder told me you'd already agreed." Umo didn't notice Jake's attempt to kick himself. "I think this came at the best of times. Many are growing restless, wondering when you would find us a new home. It is crowded here and all are unhappy."

This surprised Jake. He knew their temporary Home Tree was uncomfortable but no one had openly complained. Perhaps he was not as in tune with the general consensus as he had previously thought. This brought new urgency to the situation. The Omaticaya only needed on more reason to dispose of him.

But he could do this. He knew he could. But first, Jake needed to prove that.

"I would like to offer myself to this mission," Umo said, interrupting Jake's thoughts, "I am good at navigating and I am a good hunter. I also have some skill at gathering. I would be a valuable asset to you. I also have no mate or children and do not fear any danger."

"Thank you brother. There will be more planning at the evening meal. We will discuss this further than," Jake pat Umo on the shoulder, partially out of thanks and partially to indicate the conversation was over by pushing him away gently.

Umo understood and left.

Jake continued on his way and eventually found himself outside of the quarters he shared with Neytiri. Their space occupied a cache in the tree's main support and vines and leaves had been hung to give them privacy. Jake paused before entering. What would he tell her?

Before he could find the words, the door was opened and Jake found himself face to face with his mate. She searched his eyes, "There has been change."

"I must leave," he said, "To find our people a new home."

Her face was blank, "Have you told everyone yet?"

"No," she moved to the side and he entered their dwelling, "I will tonight. Will you translate for me?

"Of course."

He sat down and tried to pull her down next to him but she resisted and went about their space looking for something to do. "I wish you could come but I think we both know that's a bad idea," he watched as she tried to sharpen a knife. Her hands were shaking, "I think I'd feel better if I knew you'd be there having my back."

This was the hard part of leadership. Other depended on him now and he couldn't screw up, no matter how inclined he might be to do so. No one would be there to cover his stupidity. Jake wanted to tell Neytiri about this but he knew she already understood so instead he asked, "What are you thinking about?"

"I am thinking about my duty to this tribe and how proud I am to do it," she forced a smile in his direction, "You will make me proud by doing your duty as well."

She was angry. Jake could understand that. She'd had a quiet, happy life for the most part before he'd come along. Now she had to deal with so much death and disruption. Jake had had his fair share of seemingly endless hard time so he could understand what she was going through. He was actually amazed she had kept her composure for so long.

"It doesn't trouble you that I will leave for so long and that I may not be at our child's birth?" Jake tugged his feet, "I'm lucky to have such an understanding mate."

"My mother will have much to teach me and I have many things that need doing," Neytiri nodded, "Besides my daily work, I will be praying and meditating and focusing on my connection to Eywa. I will hardly notice you are gone."

"Just like that?" Jake began to stand, "You can just replace me with chanting and prayer? See I think I'm a bit more meaningful to you than that."

Neytiri would never admit it but she and Jake had come to depend on one another. Through the daily toils and changes, they relied on one another as confidants and friends.

"Even though you are my mate, you are not my entire essence," she turned away, glancing over her shoulder at him. Her feet were planted shoulder width apart and she had a look of complete dominance on her face, "I also have my duties as gatherer now and as a teacher of young ones along with my training to become the future Tsahik."

Jake came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her stomach, "So my huntress isn't going to miss me at all?"

"You must go. If I told you this decision made me sad, you would not want to go. I cannot put myself before The People's needs. It would be selfish for me to try telling you in any way to stay," she was relaxing under his touch. He liked that he made her limp all over just by touching her.

Jake gently tilted her head back and kissed her on the forehead. He lingered there and Neytiri sighed. He leaned down more and nuzzled her nose with his own. She began to whimper. By the time he covered her mouth with his, her resistance had disappeared. Beside not having her as an advisor, Jake would simply miss Neytiri and the moment like this that they shared together.

Neytiri turned and they stood for some time, just watching each other, "I was once so independent. What have you done to me?"

"Me? You're the one that has me on a short leash," he replied.

*****

As Jake had hoped, many were enthusiastic about the decision to find a new Home Tree. But while he couldn't speak for some, he knew for sure that one person was anxious.

Neytiri would wear a brave face at the night meal later on. She would speak Jake's words with confidence that inspired others. She would stand by Jake's side with a smile and words of thanks for all who would rise and volunteer for his difficult task. She would blessed their meal, take part in the conversation, listen to the singers as they went about their nightly performance and would even take part in a game with the young children after the meal without even a slight drop from the eye or a sad sigh or sad face. Not once did she indicate her displeasure over Jake's decision.

They came together that night, after most were asleep but even as Jake was reaching his peak, Neytiri finally broke down and began to sob. Although he yearned to seal the bond, all he could do was hold her like an infant and promise his promises over and over again.

"Tell me what's wrong," he muttered in her ear when she had calmed down some.

"You go where I cannot protect you anymore," she choked, "I cannot help but think of what they will do to you should you not succeed. I cannot help but fear that if you fail, the only way you will return to me…" She couldn't finish the sentence. They would kill him for sure if everything went wrong. They would want a scapegoat for their problems and there was only one way a new leader could be chosen.

She was right. This was a big ticket number and his future in the clan might depend on it. It was these rare times that he wished he was just a simple jarhead again. The marines might push him to the brink and war might be psychologically and physically damaging but here there was more to lose here. The Omaticaya had no reason to stand for useless politicians.

"I can't leave with you like this," Jake whispered in her hair, "I don't want to and you know that. But I have to. For you, for her, for all of us. The time for grand shows of power and loaded words is gone. Now, I need to make good decisions and have foresight."

Neytiri nodded but her tears would not dwindle until the light of dawn entered their quarters and she had no choice but to face the coming day.

*****

Jake found himself a nice niche and embedded himself there for the next few months.

By day, he would instructed hunting parties, help inspect the haul of the gatherers, cared for the ikran and direhorses and did as much, and often more, manual work as his fellow Na'vi companions. He went on daily ikran flights to search for suitable Kelutral but never found anything nearly large enough. He nursed the ill, kept their camp sanitary and prepared food. He kept his leader composure without fail all day long.

Jake was surprised how easily the other Na'vi followed him. He expected resistance and only faced some. For the most part, they just followed his instructions. Perhaps it was because he had quite given them a reason not to trust his judgment; maybe it was because these were volunteers who wanted to be here. It didn't matter. They had faith him. As he watched his party thrive in this foreign environment, his belief in their success, and his own, grew.

But at night he could only think of Neytiri and his baby. He took up carving to ease his mind but found the only projects he wanted to pursue were for his family. He made Neytiri a small bush-like thing which he planned on telling her was a Tree of Souls replica, a pretty decent fan lizard and an ikran which could have easily been mistook for a crow but would pass here on Pandora. And for their daughter, he made a wood sprite, one so small he was able to make into a charm and make a necklace.

Sometimes Neytiri would send him images or words of encouragement. The pictures that formed in his mind were all that could help him through a rough day. But it was nothing like being with her and he soon grew weary with the alternative.

One night he felt a brutal pressure on his navel like someone was pulling a burning belt around his waist. The pain would erupted everywhere in the area between his knees and mid torso and it seemed to follow a pattern, with each episode coming closer and closer together until it felt as if something was trying to split him in half. Then the pain began to fade and he felt giddiness like nothing else he's ever experienced and he forgot his pain completely.

He did not bring up this experience to anyone. For one, he didn't want anyone to worry about his health or to appear weak. On the other hand, the entire event bewildered him. Not that he thought it was a dream or something but that it felt like it was coming from the space around him when it happened. Like a force was pushing the pain down on him from some outside source like a message being passed through telephone lines.

The next morning, Neytiri gave him one last message in his mind. In it, he heard her voice, "She is beautiful Jake." She didn't send him any more communication after that. She knew how much it would hurt.

So the months passed. Jake worked hard at his endless task, never holding back or complaining. Others saw this and worked to match his efforts. He worked himself to the bone so he would sleep at night and couldn't torture himself with thoughts of his home.

Finally an idea came to him. Instead of looking for the roots to massive trees, which had been their previous tactic, Jake told his fellow Na'vi to look for RDA ruins. The dark monstrous mounds were much easier to see form the air than the roots. Within a week, he had reports of nine stations, all of which were formed into a circle. Jake rushed over and found his suspicions were right. Kelutral were always found growing on massive deposits of Unobtainium and where there was Unobtainium there was RDA station to allow for mining. Centered directly in the middle of the circle of station, they found a Kelutral three times the size of their old one.

They spent several day checking the tree to make sure it was healthy and structurally sound, and then they began to plan how it would house their people. They made crude platform, etched out where tunnels and stairs could be put and built hammocks and made storage and other living areas.

Unable to wait any longer, Jake left Umo and two others in charge of the project and took five others with him to return to the clan and bring the news. They flew on a fast wind but Jake was always in the front. He pushed his Ikran to the point of exhaustion and was always the first to wake each morning. Where it had taken five day to get to their previous location, it took the party three.

The clan, although surprised by their sudden return, greeted them happily. Everyone had questions, everyone wanted news, and everyone wanted to congratulate Jake. But he found himself looking only for one face. The clan held fast though and he was not allowed to leave until he had told them everything he knew. He was hugged dozens of times and pat on the arms and shoulder until his limbs were sore. Only when someone cried out that a celebration must be planned, was Jake able to sneak off.

He went to the main meeting area but found no one there. He also search Mo'at sleeping quarters and his own but saw no one. He searched every level, finally coming to the highest branch, before stopping his search in defeat. Where was Neytiri? Had she gone on some expedition? Had something happened to her?

These thoughts seized at his heart when suddenly a shadow passed over him. It was a lone Ikran. It flew so close; Jake had to stoop to avoid decapitation. He watched as the dark blue beast flew around in a circle and then came around again. He was straining his eyes to see who the rider when he heard his mate's familiar call. It was Neytiri.

"My Jake!" she ran to him. He grabbed her with such force he pulled her off the ground. He spun her until he could only see her face. Then, too dizzy to stand straight, he kissed her until he couldn't breathe and pulled back to take her in.

Her body, pressed against his, was flat and firm. Gone was her swelling stomach and inflamed ankles.

"I see you," they said in unison. They both laughed at this.

Jake caressed her cheek, overjoyed simply by touching her for the first time in months. She nuzzled his hand, kissing each finger individually.

He would have stood there with her forever if another thought not edged into his consciousness. "Our daughter?"

Neytiri smiled and pulled him over to where her new Ikran perched. She pulled something out of a secured basket off it's back. She showed the bundle to him.

The baby was perfect in every way. The creature he'd met before paled in comparison. Her skin glowed healthy and fresh. Her limps which she wiggled to get free from her blanket were long and strong. Her chubby belly stretched out as she yawned. She had just awoken from a nap.

She had eight fingers and eight toes and full head of dark hair and Jake couldn't have been more pleased.

Neytiri settled her into Jake's arms. The father leaned into his baby girl, catching one of her tiny delicate feet into his hand and tickling it. Under the rosy balls of her digits, he felt her thin bones spread like a wing. A deep laugh swelled from her belly.

Jake's eyes felt moist. "What are we going to call her?"

"I have been waiting to name her," Neytiri leaned her head against his shoulder, looking at his expressions to the babies with a content smile, "I wanted you to have your voice heard."

"I can't think of anything!" Jake choked, "You tell me what you want and I'm sure I'll love it."

"Inaya," said Neytiri without a thought, as if she had already made the decision.

"Inaya?" Jake repeated, "I've never heard that one before. Why that one?"

"Inaya was the first Omaticaya Tsahik. She was a strong and intelligent woman. I wish for our daughter to be just as she was."

"You sure?" asked Jake, "I'd love her no matter what she does with her life."

"Without its history, it is a good name. A simple feminine name," Neytiri pointed out.

"But it's a family name. A lot of potential she must obtain," Jake retorted.

"If she obtains it, I will be pleased. If she doesn't, I will still take pride in her," Neytiri said firmly, "Besides, she's our daughter. I already have faith in her ability to accomplish."

"Don't pretend like you don't give the name without expectations."

"Ever mother wants something special for her baby," Neytiri said, "And-"

"What?"

"It also means 'Grace'," Neytiri said innocently, "Like the ability to move smoothly of course."

"How can I argue with that?" Jake held the baby close, "Inaya."

Jake absorbed her essence. He smelled her clean, crisp scent, stroked her unusually soft skin, and listened to her rhythmic breathing. As he sensed her, he felt he essence absorbing into his own flesh. As she became part of his, his love for her grew until she was as much a part of him as Neytiri and as necessary to him as air.

*****

Hours later, Jake found himself back in his quarters, his Inaya on his chest, asleep and his Neytiri curled up against him on the new hammock Neytiri had made in his absence. It was bigger and stronger and could hold all of them. Neytiri's hands gently caressed his chest and Jake was growing sleepy.

"Neytiri?" His mate stirred next to him, nuzzling his neck to show she was awake, "How can you give such a gift to simple me?"

"She is not my gift to give. She is as much a part of you as she is part of me."

"I'm a decorated warrior and a clan leader and yet I still think raising this child will be my greatest honor, "Jake kissed Inaya's crown, "If I'd know this is what I'd miss I could never have stayed away."

Jake pulled the charm he'd made for Inaya from his wrist where he'd been keeping it and tied it around her neck.

"But there's no need for me to be away any longer," he pulled his mate and child closer, "We have a new home and we'll all be there together. It was will be bliss."

"For always," Neytiri said.

Jake sunk into the nirvana so deeply he didn't smell the smoke. He was so in such pleasure, he didn't hear the clatter of weapons. He was so overjoyed he didn't hear foreign voices rising as footsteps came to their quarters. Jake was weary from his days of work and caught up in the bliss of his new family.

He never expected the attack.